"..A Christian Response to 'Gender Fluidity' and Gay Issues.."

With all this recent wave of 'gender fluidity' and gay issues erupting in our nation of late, I am challenged as a Christian, to evaluate my position and have been prayerfully considering how I will respond..

It's clear that our adversary (the devil) is ever-seeking to sideline our testimony and back us into a corner with 'political correctness.'

We are constantly being 'guilt tripped' into thinking 'we are not being loving' then intimidation is used if we refuse to agree (well then, you hate us).

I keep seeing in my spirit this like, 'tennis match' going on as if there's this ball keep being batted into my side of the court?

But I will keep batting the ball back..

It's their ball..not mine..unless a person wishes to become free..

It's worth noting that Jesus never defended Himself, or the Truth of scripture.
He just taught it then left the people to decide how they would respond..
Similarly, we do not have to defend our position, but we do need to take a stand..

This is my 'stand'..

First of all, I believe we are to love all persons regardless of sexuality and choices in life. Period.

God loves us all so much but, contrary to what some folk think, is not going 'buddy up with us' in our sins..

Time, and time again, it says in scripture;
'..The Lord is uncompromisingly righteous and rigidly just..' (References below)

...But He is also gracious and merciful (Psalm 145 v 17) and that's why Jesus had to die on a Cross to save us from our sins and in order that He might bring us into right standing with God..'
(Romans 5 v 1)

In other words, God has done all He's going to do by sending Jesus to 'bear all our sins in His body on a tree..'
(1Peter 2 v 24)

All that's left for us to do is receive Him as our personal Saviour. Simple.

Things I will say, if challenged;

That if a 'hate label' is pinned on me, '..it will drop off as soon as they walk away..'

Are smokers going to start naming non-smokers 'haters' when they're asked not to smoke in their cars and houses?

I would challenge someone calling me a 'hater' but that it is in fact them that are 'hating' me for my opinion, because everyone has a right to an opinion..

If they don't believe such things as anal sex is sinful I would say;
'..ask Him yourself...He will tell you..'

People can live however they choose (which has always been the case) but I don't have to agree with them..

I will keep on 'batting the ball back!'

How about you?

If our God is uncompromisingly righteous and rigidly just, then so must we be with regards to sin...whether our own, or someone else's, because of the necessary high price paid to take it away..

I hope this has strengthened and encouraged someone to take a stand for themselves..

Amen..

Daniel 9 v 14
Jeremiah 12 v 1
Isaiah 45 v 21
Psalm 145 v 17
Psalm 116 v 5
Psalm 11 v 7
Ezra 9 v 15

"..Fulfill Your Destiny!"

May I encourage you today to fulfill your destiny with boldness and courage!

God has an exciting plan for each and every one of our lives..its all just a matter of seeking it out, staying close to Him, and being obedient along the way..

Recently, I have just completed a project (of almost twenty years) on part two of my novel Lydian Hall which is currently going to print. I have now resumed work on another book, which is all about a time a few years ago when I was working with horses..

Lydian Hall was always a project initiated by God whereas, the horse thing was something I just 'got into' (or so I thought at the time). So, its with regret that there are hardly any pictures to accompany the testimony..

Horses can be a dangerous hobby particularly, when you are as green and fearful as I was back then, but with hindsight, now know that God was endeavouring to 'toughen me up' and at the same time, deal with some character issues..

Anyway, it wasn't until I began researching back in diaries etc and seeing all the challenges we faced, along with some of the unwise decisions we made, have I realised how miraculous it was that we not only emerged unscathed, but that the horses themselves turned out to be healthy and well-balanced too!

All due to the grace of God..to Whom I give all the glory!

Meanwhile, Ephesians 2 10 says it all!

This is from The Amplified Version;

"..For we are God's own handiwork, His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live).

Be encouraged!

"How To 'Name It And Claim It.."

I hope the following testimony will be of help and encouragement to those who may have been confused and even put off by 'the name-it-and-claim-it, blab-it-and-grab-it' controversy that seems to surround the 'Word of faith' doctrine..

First of all, the Good News is, that it is within the DNA of every human being to want to prosper.

How? Because it was spoken into the first man at his creation. If you don't believe me, look with me at Genesis chap 1 v 27-28;

'..So God created man in His own image,
In the image of God He created him..
Male and female He created them..
God blessed them and said to them;
'..Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth,
And subdue it..'

So, you may ask, how can this happen?

Well, it's true to say that, where there's the real and genuine, there is always the counterfeit..meaning in this case, endeavouring to lay hold of the blessings of God (like some try to do) without obeying the basic principals of God..

An example of this is failing to tithe and give as the Holy Spirit leads..

Abraham, our 'father of faith' was very wealthy (Genesis 13) and it was because he was obedient to God, the best he knew how, and was also a tither. See Hebrews 7 v 2.
                        
So anyway, on with the testimony, when I arrived into 'the world of horses' some years ago, it was not by choice as I am not what you call 'a horsey person', in fact, quite the contrary.

Looking back I now understand that it was because the Lord was dealing with my character. (Apparently, I needed a lot of work!)

Having a horse is different from owning any other animal because of course, you have to keep them in another place which is governed by the owner's rules and also within the limitations of their facilities.

At that time, my daughter and I had two horses, Chandler, a Warmblood, who at almost 17hh was still pretty much a youngster and needed a lot of exercise in order for proper muscle development, and it was even more of a problem for Slipper (slightly smaller) who, as an abused Thoroughbred ex racehorse, was quite highly-strung and therefore, more of a handful during the winter months if unable to give vent to all that pent-up energy out in the fields!

Most of the livery yards around the Fylde Coast area where we lived were limited for land therefore, as soon as the autumn 'weather' arrived, the horses were off the fields and back in their stables until springtime to give the land sufficient time to recover..

If the winter was longer than normal, the horses were oftentimes, out for only five months and inside for seven..

During this time of moving round livery yards with boggy paddocks, cramped stables, small fields and insufficient facilities, I was prompted of the Lord to write a list of the sort of livery yard I would choose for our boysies (as we called them!)

The main things requested were;
1;   Winter grazing (out in the day and inside at night).
2;   Large school for exercise, plus, spacious fields and roomy stables.

So every night before bed, I would lay a hand upon my list, along with certain scriptures given by the Holy Spirit, then pray, decree the promises and thank God for His provision..

Two important things to recognise in this 'name-it-and-claim it' situation is, that this was a spirit-led assignment, not some random project of my own..

The second thing was in being obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit who had instructed me to be a blessing whichever yard we were on..

I cannot remember how long it took, all I know is, it didn't happen overnight..

Galations  6 v 9-10 tells us;
'..And let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you faint not..'

In the meantime, my daughter had relocated to North Lancashire due to a change of occupation.

One day I received an excited email from her saying that after searching around for a while, she'd discovered a certain livery yard nestling among the hills that was also a dairy farm. On visiting one day, she was told the owners were currently away on holiday and that she should try again in a fortnights time..

When we eventually went to visit the yard we found to our surprise, that there were all these smart, freshly-built stables but no horses in them! The owner of the yard, a farmer, was a kindly man, and was as bemused as us that although they'd advertised around, nobody seemed to want to take the places!

So there we were with the pick of whichever stables we wanted! Our horses were then designated a large field where they could graze all year round. There was also a brand new full-sized paddock for exercising....oh, and there was automatic water in the stables too! (No more lifting heavy buckets).

It was a blessing!

God is no respecter of persons, and what He does for one, He does for another. He just wants us to trust Him to do it His way, and in His timing..

"..All things are possible to him who believes.."
Mark 9 v 23

I would like to finish by pointing out that when 'naming and claiming' it is because there is a devil loose in the world whose whole mission in life is to 'steal, kill and destroy' every which way he can (John 10 v 10)  and although Jesus legally defeated him at Calvary by the shedding of His Precious Blood, he is still out there in the world acting like an outlaw until Jesus returns and deals with him once and for all..

Hence, Ephesians chapter 6..
Selah