Prayer partner

Early this morning something that has been on my spirit just compelled me to write.

Is he your prayer partner?



Prayer is an essential part of the believer’s life, Or at least it should be and for the Christian husband prayer is essential for a vibrant and thriving marriage. 

Ladies when you go into meditation for the BOAZ God has for you please pray for some BOAZ traits!!!

1.  Servant
2.  Giver
3,  Lover
4,  Respected
5,  Protector
6,  Integrity
7.  Prayer Partner



So many want, look and pray for every one of the qualities listed above but prayer.  For some men prayer even as preachers, leaders, and head of household is a personal and private act that we as their wives should not be a part of.  They will ask us to pray, they will say they pray for us but to  include us in their prayer life or schedule as a part of their spiritual exercise is sometimes a missed act because he doesn't feel it necessary.  Many times they miss out what is going on with you personally and vise versa.  Through prayer many hurts, disappointments, insecurities and just an overall bad feeling comes out when you and your spouse are sharing in devotion and prayer. 


Prayer while it should be personal, should also be activated corporately in your family.   You should have a personal prayer relationship, a martial prayer relationship and a family prayer relationship.  When you don't you will see how imps will strategically place themselves in the very place you have left uncovered.  There is a reason Christ said where two or three are gathered.




Matthew 18:19-20 ESV /    
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”


James 5:16 ESV /    
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  


There is a reason that the old saints use to say a family that prays together stays together.  Not a husband that prays by himself or a wife that prays by herself or a child that prays by him/her self.  A family!!! 
Prayer makes not only you stronger but you and your spouse stronger and you and your family stronger. 


In this current day and time we need praying families, praying couples and praying people.  We have to build ourselves up to be ready and prepared to fight the spiritual demons that have been sent to attack the body of Christ; and the devil always starts at the family. 


Mark 9:29  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”


 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV    
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Love
P-Dove!!!

When the Devil wants YOU to QUIT!!!!

WOW.....Is the only thing I can say!!!

-Family and Friends Battling Cancer
-DPS (Detroit Public Schools) Private joke some would understand
-Mother In Law has another stroke
-Car accidents and break downs
-Children trying to be adults but life seems so difficult
-Every time you think you ahead financially you are 199 miles behind
-Trying to get healthy but stress says pull yourself together, LOL
-Family member having a heart attack
-Family Drama
-Surgery
and the list could go on.

ALL of this in less than three months!!!

So when do I break Lord, when do I quit?  As I am writing this now I am literally laughing and just enjoying and basking in the realization that the devil one and only job is to steal, kill and destroy!!! HE WANTS YOU TO QUIT!!!

So I stepped back and realize the small blessings that I may have overlooked.

-Should be missing a check but I am being paid.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY
-Kids financial aid is working itself out
-One got accepted in Grad Program and the other graduates this year!!!! YAY
-The Family Drama let us know there was a thief in the camp.
-Other family drama gave us a spiritual insight that our families are suffering from the demonic spirit brought on them from family members infidelity and some hereditary demons.
-Mommy's career is going in the right direction
-Every month God has blessed us with another financial blessing, opportunity or increased our territory.
-Every time we need him he has just stepped in right on time.

SO I pray my little rant blesses someone to do what I just did.  STOP, BREATH, REALIZED who is attacking me, WHY I am being attack and to WHOM I belong too.   I can't quit!!  I am tired of hearing of another car breakdown, or another situation but in every situation be ye content.

So What I pray for you is that you are encourage to see that the Devil never takes a break....he don't get weary or tired!!!  I pray you realize that you must carry your sword in your heart at all times:  Just a couple pieces of my sword!!!  BE ENCOURAGE!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding- Proverbs 3:5
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

JUST REMEMBER HE STEPS RIGHT ON IN JUST WHEN YOU NEED HIM MOST!!!!

Dotties People-Just when I need him most

The Butterfly

So as I re-read a post from a while back "Love's Sacrifice" I am simply in awe on how it blessed my soul.  So in honor of my two butterflies I am writing this post to hopefully encourage every young lady that sometimes you have to go with-in yourself to find yourself.


Lets look at the evolution of a butterfly.  When it starts out as a worm/larva it is vulnerable to the environment.  It may be a caterpillar or a worm, but at the end of the day it is limited to where and what it can do. 


As the evolution process goes on God creates in the caterpillar an innate instinct that it has come to a point in itself that it must find refuge in a cocoon.  It in essence has to go within itself, cover itself (for protection) and hibernate to heal and rebuild itself to the true person with in.  Everything starts with an egg, here is the real awesome thing the first shell is to birth but the second shell/cocoon is for rebirth. 


The bible says he gives us brand new mercies everyday.  We become a new creature in him everyday, but sometimes to truly find what God is trying to tell us we sometimes have to put our selves in a cocoon.  Block ourselves from the struggles of this world, shelter ourselves from the storms and the waves, cut ourselves for the negative forces that may wear us down and just go into a quiet, secluded place that only you and God resides.

Let him talk to you, heal you, restore you, love on you and minister to you. Let him create in you and recreate you.  Sometimes it is a hard and painful process. Looking at the caterpillar, what energy it must take to weave yourself into a cocoon.  The fear process of cutting yourself off from what you know.  The darkness you must feel all alone.  Yet understand the caterpillar does it so naturally because he/she trust the process that God is taking it through. TRUST THE PROCESS!!!

Romans 12:2

      

         And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Yet when the cocoon hardens and the process of healing, learning, evolving and rebirthing is finish, you will be so surprise on how you come out. How you will fly to heights unknown even to yourself. Well I am praying on what butterfly I will be and when I will come out, but until I get there I just want Sis. Garrett and Sis. Spencer to know I got some pretty good examples.


 So to my beautiful eggs, caterpillars, butterflies, remember I am in this fight just like you. We are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends and just like the name of my Blog we must walk in faith everyday-WIFE!!! 

When God Says it is over with!!!

Sometimes you hurt so bad.  We want to share so much, we want to cry to those who have hurt us, we want to share with our love ones but they just don't want to know!!!


But when God says it is over!!!  My LORD!!!


You really don't know when it happens, why it happens or what has happens but when God says it is over. The hurt starts nulling, you start seeing the witness, the testimony and you ask a lot of questions? 


But when God says it is over!!!


You see how others are going through similar struggles. How the devil is trying to destroy not only you, your testimony but others in the same manner.


But when God says it is over!!!


You realize you are not healed.  You may be in the healing process.  You may be still be in the infection process, you may still be at the scabbing process, or you may just have baby skin on the wound.  Look you may be shattered to the point of dust and be in the remolding process but When God says the crying, self pity and self-indignation is over!!!!  You don't understand why but you just know that God is doing something.  You know that no matter what you have to trust him to fix it and get over it!!! It HURTS!!!!  IT HURTS, IT HURTS, IT HURTS But when God says it is over, he puts a fight in you out of no where and no matter the hurt you have go on!!!

 

Finding Me....

As many times as I have sung this song to minister to others.  Never has it ministered to me soo.  As I am asking the Lord to encourage me, I have to take some crucial steps to find me.  So I am praying that as I share my struggle I bless someone to find the strength to find themselves.


1.  Look in the mirror and see who you are.  Not the one that shows your complexion, your hair length, your teeth, your eyes, nose or ears.  Not the mirror that shows how much weight you have gained, or how your shape has changed but the mirror of your life.


2. Look at the mirror that shows your inner worth. You feel you have no worth, you feel so lost, so broken, so fill with disappointment, despair and hurt.  You prayed, you have cried, you have prostrated yourself on the Cross. You reached up to Christ for the life line and you know he is carrying you because you would have surely drowned by now, but will he heal you.  You feel like a lonely ship on a dark and r


3. Evaluate the people you have lost and evaluate what value they placed in your life or what were the sucking out of your life.


4. Look at the family that has turned their backs or shun you and evaluate was it because they didn't understand your love, where their views of you tainted by lies of others or did you not live up to the expectations they place on you.


5. Look at your friends, are they placing any value to your existence or causing you just to exists. 


Now evaluate your purpose?  Do you have a purpose are you walking in a daze not knowing what to do where to go, who to trust or if to trust. 


As you go on this journey to find yourself, remember even Jesus was abandoned, refused, abused and broken.  It is hard to see that, even harder is you are flesh and not Jesus.  Your strength is not Jesus, your mind is not Jesus!  You are in Jesus, Jesus is in you but the flesh, mind and spirit has been so broken so many times you feel as if you are not shattered pieces but at the state of the original form of glass, sand!


It is even harder when you have no one to lean on and you feel even Jesus has turned from you. You wonder what have you done to make this race so hard to run? You tell your soul to take courage because the Lord will make a way somehow, but WHEN???


So in this quest of finding me.... I encourage me to Lift my eyes up unto the hills from whence cometh my help.  Psalms 121:1

 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Encourage myself in the Lord....because I am the Corinthians Song!!!  7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death works in us, but life in you.

When I read the scripture that this song was structured after, I realized that this is the road that we chose, being a Christian!  YES it is so hard, Ladies it is hard.  People will take your love and trample all over it.  They will take your fight and declare it everything but what you intended it to be.  They will lie, defame and do everything to destroy your character and your inner worth. At the end to do one thing destroy your ministry and break your spirit.  Don't be fool the devil uses everybody, your mommy, daddy, brothers, sister, husband, children, pastor, church family, friends and foe.  He has no respect of person.


Yet what do you do when you are broken?????? Cover yourself in his blood.  That is all you can do.  Trust him even-though you are afraid to trust.  Engulf yourself in his word and trust nothing no one says, but him!!! Hear me!!!!  It was flesh that hurt you, now you MUST hear and trust no one, nothing but the BLOOD!!!  Pray that you know the difference!  Still Finding ME!!!!

The harsh fact...I need help

So some thought provoking conversation at women's meeting this week.

What should be expected out a Pastor's wife? What do you feel is your duty as a home provider and What are we representing to our young ladies with regards to our dress?  Great conversation and great insight.

So we are going to do a group discussion/forum and I am going to share it with as I learn.

Our topic Monday geared to Dress and Cleanliness.

 One of the young ladies said, "my mom always said a women with a dirty home has a dirty heart."  "A woman with a clutter heart has a clutter home."  She went down the line.  Than she brought out my mom's favorite saying a women that is always put together usually has a dirty home.

I went home and quite frankly working full-time, raising three kids, owning my own business, pastor's wife, and whatever else I am called to do, has me stretched to then.  My home is clutter and lately so has my mind and heart been the same.  How did the women of old do it?  They had less help.  My mom had to cook dinner, keep a house, run my father's errands for his business, do his books at one time, in the missionary department, choir and was working on her books, poetry and music career.  She was also self employed (many did not know this)  She did big in Avon, Shackley and Diamite as a sells rep.  Yet every night I would remember her ensuring our home was not only clean but she would take a bath that would have the whole house in this beautiful aroma, get dress all pretty and wait for daddy to come home.  Many times daddy didn't come home but that was her ritual.  Pregnant or sick she kept it together and daddy never help her with house work.

So now I look at myself.  Once before I went and sought out assistance. Why, because I was able to accomplish more when my home was clean and organized.   When I walk in my house and everything is in a dis-array I can not accomplish anything.  I end up starting a project and going to bed; to only feel defeated the next day.

We often get offended when older women of wisdom give advice but one thing I do know for sure 8/10 they are not talking from judgement but experience.  These ladies had me rolling and one of the first things one of the older woman told me was,  "Sis. Finley I don't mind sharing with you because of how you receive it."  I laughed but she is right. I have watched so many young ladies wear this chip on their shoulder because a older woman says something to them. Even worst, their husband gets angry and say well my wife doesn't have time to do all that she is taking care of me?  All you are doing is advocating a very wrong behavior. (especially for those that have girls) Contrary to what many believe in Proverbs it never states how much a woman is giving it up to her husband, causes her to have virtue.  It does how ever speak on her being a helpmate!!!  Thus you are to be in control of your home so that he does not have to worry about that.  Now this has nothing to do with a man helping a woman around the house.  Please Pastor can help me anytime, but it doesn't negate our biblical duty as his wife.

  http://avirtuouswoman.org/10-virtues-of-the-proverbs-31-woman/

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 13: 2)

  I personally decided Monday to remove clutter out of my life.  My mom had three-six children in her home every day for over 35 years of her married life.  Either my dads other two sons and hers or she was homeschooling someone else's and I have never walked into her home and saw in a disarray unless she was looking for something.  I want to be a woman of God that can train her daughter to be a well put together lady, a business woman, a confidant, a prayer warrior and a home provider.  And ladies your home being clean and clear of disorganization and clutter fits in that box.   

I was blessed yesterday have a conversation with Helena a Christian, homeschooling mom of 7.  She owns her on cleaning, interior decorating and organization business.  Our consultation is in two weeks. :) She said Michele, I understand how you feel and that shows that you want a loving pleasant home.  When I asked God how I could bless others I said help them achieve a peaceful and organized home.  She say's it is hard with kids trust me I have 7 all are still home, but my husband doesn't come home to a dirty house. Why, because when he comes home, I want him to have my attention without, having to move a plate off the coach to sit down!  LOL  She say's I wake up better knowing my home has order.  She said don't fret that is my gift and God showed me that along time ago.  Now what I tell my clients is embrace that God has someone here to help you bring balance and order back into your home. !!!!   That right there was a shouting moment for me!!!  Like I told her I keep three rooms pretty much clean all the time ,my main floor, but my home has no organization.  I want God to know that I appreciate every thing he gives me.  Not just my children, my car, my husband or my church home but my Home, Home!!!  I want it to look like how I feel about my blessing.

Just a personal confession

Eyes Wide Open....

Sometimes you look at your life and realize you have just been walking with your eyes shut!!!!
Not on purpose!!  You are so busy with life that your eyes are literally shut to what is going on around you.  Today walking into Children Hospital for my oldest Daughter's doctor appt, I saw a beautiful young lady with cerebral palsy or some disease that would affect her spinal development. Her smile lite up the whole parking lot.  Everyone that was able to walk their children into the door, or watch their children run and talk on their own had to  have realize how bless they were right at that moment!!! OR Was their eyes even open?  That beautiful young lady was content and happy despite her circumstances.

We wrap ourselves so into our own problems, concentrate so on our on environments, situations, circumstances and life challenges, we miss the hand of God molding and sculpting our lives showing us how so bless we are despite our circumstances.

Are your Eyes Wide Open,

Have you sat down and realize that no you don't have a mansion but you have a beautiful home.
Have you look around and realize you are not a millionaire but you can afford dinner?
Have just touched your spouse and realize you could be alone in this world?
Have you realized ....?

Today I pray that everyone that reads this post open their eyes WIDE OPEN!!!

I pray that God will anoint those eyes and give you a clear vision on how he has enrichly bless you no matter how much or how little you have.  I am so grateful for all of the blessings he has allowed me to see but those that he reveals to me daily in the stillness of my thoughts.

When I see my daughters laugh or hear my son talk to me about something I have no clue about;  When I catch my husband looking at me intently with a smile that only we share, when I get to laugh at one of my mommies quirky ways, or laugh at my niece's or nephew's because they have eaten a whole pan of rolls.  The big things God does for me are huge, but it is the little things that I overlook that I just want him to know I am so grateful.  I want him to know I delight my self in him.  Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

I am grateful that with my eyes wide open I can see the hills from which cometh my help!!!  I am just in awe of all that God can, has and will do for me.  Ps121:8

. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.  6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Please every GET UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES WIDE AND SEE THE GLORY OF GOD!  IF A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE MIDST OF HER CONDITION WE SHOULD TOO!!!