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The awareness of “an age of rage…where there are those who “knowingly created conditions for extremist views and, yes, extremist actions” (J. Turley) is being thrown onto my path on a daily basis. So who are “those” who do this? I don’t think I know any extremists. Most I know are “middle of the roads” like me. I don’t hate anyone. I wish no harm upon others. I try to live by the Golden Rule, and that as for me and mine, we serve the Lord hoping that they will know we are Christians by our love. And then I saw a clip, a reel, a tiktok sort of thing where it was revealed to me a demon speaking through a rather ordinary, average, nice enough gal in her early twenties. It was furious that the assassin failed. FURIOUS!! How or why this demon thing latched on to her is unknown to me but latch on to her it surely did. I surmise that it was able to lock on to this gal by To be latched upon results in dabbling with the dark side warned about in the bible. The seven deadly sins as outlined by Pope Gregory around 600AD. The Seven Sins and Their Biblical References Each traditional sin is considered "deadly" because it's seen as a root from which other sins stem, potentially leading to spiritual death without repentance. The table below summarizes each sin, its description, and example biblical references:  Sin  Description Example Biblical References Pride Excessive self-regard, often seen as the source of other sins. Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6-7 Greed Insatiable desire for material possessions, wealth, or power. Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:10 Lust Disordered or excessive sexual desire. Matthew 5:28, 1 Corinthians 6:18 Envy Intense desire for what someone else has. Proverbs 14:30, Galatians 5:26 Gluttony Overindulgence in consumption. Proverbs 23:20-21, Philippians 3:19 Wrath Uncontrolled anger or hatred. Psalm 37:8, James 1:19-20 Sloth Laziness, spiritual apathy, or neglecting responsibilities. Proverbs 6:6, Ecclesiastes 9:10 Anyways then a dark angel of Lucifer can harass, harangue, interfere with, afflict and so on only upon a child of God. Yes we are saved by our daily practicing of the bible, immersed in the ways of the Lamb, baptized in the fire of the Holy Spirit, forgiven and forgiving child of God. Yes, only upon. And upon is still pretty ugly. See Job. In Job 2:6 God set boundaries (sparing Job's life) even as He allowed Satan to test him further, emphasizing that God's protective boundaries exist for believers, even amidst severe hardship. But in? Available to everyone else. What? Why? How? The Holy Spirit will not dwell with the foul making it a pretty big deal “on whom you serve. Can we have our opinions? Yes! That freedom of will is a given. But opinions salted with hate, or malice, or offense are a doorway to allowing evil to walk on inside - and without removing its shoes. And yes even a minor irritation counts as evil lurks for any and all openings to propel its chaos. Choices are available… agree to disagree, keep scrolling, walk away, leave them with a blessing, and have a chat with God as to why their opinion tripped a switch in you and together get it fixed. It is possible that this was allowed so to address our reactions as convictions by the Holy Spirit to bring us up to His level. Go for it!

Late last night my dreams were distressing. I awoke from a horrible one and got up and prayed for God to take full control over my thoughts as I slept. I walked back to bed and picked up my phone to see what time it was. As I did, its screen light came on and illuminated an angel standing guard next to me! Oh it made me jump!! I laid back down thinking to Jesus “good! thank you!” And from then on it was a silent night! A holy night! with a radiant hosts causing all to be calm the rest of the night. Luke 4:10-11 (NIV): "It is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone'" (quoting Psalm 91:11-12). This is simply one promise of God's active care for us morning, noon, and night, as it is stated that He does use His angelic messengers as protectors for His people. It's good to be in the fold.

In every job there is the same people. Different names but same personalities. The good. The bad. And the ugly like Judas. Judas put on a good face but Jesus knew long before hand what he was and still loved him. Today I was sideswiped by a Judas persona who lives out on the fringes of my circle. And they said the meanest things! Seriously though these drive by attacks have ramped up since taking on the Jabez prayer. But the strategy of the evil one will not succeed! And then the lesson of offense came to my thoughts just as I was contemplating becoming offended. I thought to God “nope nope nope! I am not! I am okay! Of course I will forgive them, I don’t have to like them, I don’t have to live with them, I can do this because I have Jesus who takes care of me.” Instant inner peace. Outer peace was still a little sketchy but inner peace was there. And just then! I received a text from my circle who did a drive-by hi! Just because. Now thats a God move!! “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 Yes, He redirected my focus ! Thank you Jesus! And then evil showed itself again determined to not be ignored and the Judas situation increased. And again I received another call, this time from my granddaughter. 😀 So with that, my beloved and I removed ourselves to the hot tub. It was warm, and relaxing and two bright red cardinals flew right over our heads. Oh so beautiful! What a treat! Thank you Jesus!! And we prayed for our Judas and his family good things and good blessings. Its in the job description.

I dreamed last night, I heard an alarm clock ring loud and clear. I told the Holy Spirit "here I am Lord awake but Father why I am I here. What am I to be doing What use am I?” Who do I paint for? Who do I write for? He answered, “For the 1 in 99.” I asked, “Tell me about the one.” And in my thoughts, I saw the one who was brave enough to look up as the rest were content to graze. I saw the one who wandered off looking for adventure. I saw the one who wanted more. I asked, “But I thought the 1 in 99 was about a lost sheep.” He showed me that Jesus yes Jesus came for the found, and the lost, but also for those convicted by the Spirit in helping others find His gift of salvation. These are those people who really get ”it.” They are awake and aware. Time is short. Gifts from the Father are in abundance. And while many are flourishing, just as many are languishing, His gifts to be used. And then I read this… about the 98... TIME TO WAKE UP - Romans 13:11 "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." It is time to "Wake up." There is such a great need for the slumbering saint to wake up from being glorified to glorifying. “A man came into church and he thought he would impress his pastor, so he said, "Pastor, give me a good prayer to pray unto entering the sanctuary." The pastor knew him and knew his habits, so the pastor suggested, "Why don’t you pray, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep.’” from http://preacherscorner.org/alarm.htm from my blog... https://artontheoutskirts.wixsite.com/home/post/time-to-wake-up-1

Its okay to get angry or “mad” at God or people. Its a true emotion. Its what you do with it that decides how you move up from it without lasting negative results. Me? I tell God on them…on Him. He will fix it. And you. Really. “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.” – Mark 3:5

I relived again the joy in the Holy communion as a definite one on one experience with God this morning. Coming back to the pew, I had no more knelt to savor and appreciate the moment of the eucharist when I looked down to see a penny on the floor ahead of me when an instantaneous thought popped in saying “A penny for your thoughts.” I smiled and gave Him $10 worth. 😀 Say what you will about the church building as to being necessary or not to ones faith practice, but He sure makes it interesting when you show up.

PRAYER - No Wolves Allowed Thank You Lord for eliminating the plots of the wicked against my life, and the life of mine. Seen and unseen. I know that they are nullified, in the Name of Jesus Christ! Father, I know that whoever comes against me comes against You. O Lord, arise and contend with those that contend with me and I give you the glory and I know the victory is certain in the Name of Jesus Christ. By the authority of Jesus Christ, I frustrate every evil plot of darkness to destroy me. None shall not come to pass, in the Name of Jesus Christ as you my Holy Father, my God Almighty, my One True God said in Isaiah 59: 19 “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Let this be my portion, in the Name of Jesus Christ! By the power of God, I annul the assignment of the devourer released against me, in the Name of Jesus Christ as stated in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” I receive power for victory as stated in 1 John 5:4 “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” – over every spiritual wolf be it financial, disease, brother against brother, child against parent, unfriendly friend, or anything seeking to kill or destroy, assigned to monitor, upset and launch attacks against me, or mine to be arrested now, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, my savior, my Lord. Father God I say here I am Lord, your chosen child, born by your design, holding onto the hem of the gown of Jesus, plead His shed blood over me and mine and claim 100 generations of mine for your kingdom. Loose our beautiful counselor The Holy Spirit to aid us in claiming 1 Peter 1: 5 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” for your Glory. With your grace grant us this in Jesus name, Amen Amen

I was raised Lutheran and was spiritually drawn to Catholicism in my pre-teens. Where being Lutheran met the needs of my family, it was lacking for me. I needed the ancient stand it gave and still do. My parents weren’t angered. My dad was raised Methodist and converted to being a Lutheran when he married my mom and it really mattered to her. He changed for love. The only time I was ever confronted by another’s rant attacking the rosary was by a middle aged lady who had no idea I was Catholic. I told her that as a Catholic I see the rosary as a tool in my hand to focus on my prayers rather than fighting off a mind distracted by the must-do’s, the shopping list, how I would rather be shoe shoppin’, what’s for dinner and a gigabyte more of distractions. She just stopped and left. People don’t seem to be interested in how I walk with God. I see the stats on when and why Martin Luther and others started their own churches and it all makes some sense. From an artistic standpoint there are only 3 basic colors; red, blue, yellow and 2 non-colors; black and white and these 5 have grown into thousands of unique and all equally beautiful colors with a myriad of names (well except puce -ewww- which was thankfully renamed taupe). I could rattle on and on but my position is one of my most favorite quote “ the White man goes into his church and talks about Jesus. The Indian goes into his tipi and talks with Jesus.” Quanah Parker, Comanche War Chief

You know about the gown of salvation right? Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation… When we enter into heaven we will be issued the gown because of His grace. But! We can also get the robe of righteousness! “…he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” How? We need to grow in grace by the Spirit of Christ to be clothed in His righteousness This is where the “good works” comes in but there are yes but’s. We are to apply Psalms 18:28 “For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” in seeking His will for us daily to accomplish the following. Matthew 5:16 —- good works for His glory, not ours. James 2:14-17 —- walk the talk Galatians 6:9 —- no complaining James 4:17 —- to not do right thing is a sin Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, After what I have endured I want the whole set!! 😀

Just yesterday I read a post of a gal who was complaining that people were going to church in clothes fit only for pajamas and slippers. She said it was disrespectful to God. My thought was this, “are you going to church to see Jesus or who isn’t up to your standards?” Followed by, “I wonder if these pajama wearers know that they will be sharing heaven with you?” I heeded, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” – Proverbs 18:2 and shut my mouth.

We went to a new church this morning. My hopes were bouyed as we entered as it resembled our home church. It was an older church and in an established neighborhood. Walking in, I noticed most were in their Sunday best and there were a lot of little ones and they populated the front section of pews. No the parents did not have them hidden away in the back - out of earshot of the congregation. The music started. No choir. No song leader. No hymnal. It sounded like someone was singing to Pandora radio Christian pop 40. Great songs to carry one throughout their daily tasks but something snuck into my thoughts of “its one of those churches.” The sermon began and it was interesting; how we have not just weathered the last 2000 years but been here in the midst of chaos after crisis illuminating the love of Jesus. The sermon was shortlived and Pastor began his lengthy advertisement of an upcoming night to hear an author come and speak on their personal story of being a gay Christian. And with the little blond toddler smiling at me, my mind wandered. I noticed the dads then. Lots of dads. All of them had a baby or toddler in their arms, taking them out, caregiving, the mostly moms sat. Interesting. It wasn’t a casual dad here or there, it was all of them that had children. It was… endearing… and odd. Isn’t that a sad notion to think? And an outward thought popped in… Stepford wives. I have no idea how that plays into this. The other thing that occurred was experiencing tremendous guilt for not being a good mom when my babies were little and picking such a bad bio dad. Then the Holy Spirit spoke up and said our lives were predetermined, that their grandpa filled in with earthly feels until Du found us and that God was their Father. Oh and guilt is a blow dealt by the evil one. Galatians 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, The advertising finishes up. Collection happens. Now its time to prepare for Communion. There was no wine. Odd again. Communion celebrates the body and the blood. That matters to me. More Pandora songs play. And church is dismissed right on time.

Church shopping in our new area has begun. Last night we attended Ash Wednesday services in a town not to far from us. The church was originally built in 1906 - yay! my style! - and then rebuilt in 2007 and where beautiful it evoked the new and modern. Modern… new, not timeless, latest, present day, yah-da-yah-da… Uncertain now I walked to an empty pew, save a momma and her little girl at the other end, and looked about. The entrance hymn began and we were joined by two little boys who at last found their momma. Songs were sung that I have never heard before, children fidgeted, babies cried, I couldn’t hear the gospel readings, and I prayed. Well I tried. My thoughts were all over the place and kept going back to our last church of 20 some years, the Cathedral. Ancient. Original. Faith set in stone. Tissues always needed as my heart and soul was touched beyond this world. Children played, babies cried, but I never really “heard” them. Literally bumped by a child back to the present by a typical little one, I moved a bit to give him more room. Momma noticed. Shoot!! Now I am embarrassed that I embarrassed her. I suddenly felt old, very old. The kind of old that generates the “get off my lawn” persona. I saw it. I felt it. I prayed. I asked for help. And the Holy Spirit rose up and pinged my memory of once being a young momma taking two little ones to church paralleling the scenario that no liquid container is truly empty. There is always that last unpredictable drop that spills out regardless of how long you hold it upside down proving again that no one can fix normal. Children are children and the recycling container gets wet. And then we were asked to give the sign of peace to our neighbors and as I turned and smiled to momma, an even bigger smile peak out from behind her extending a little hand just as the grammy in me stepped over the crone and I said “well hi!!” and shook her hand. oh and yes we sure did get smudged! Everyone walked out looking like firefighters. lol! The ashes? Palms from the last Palm Sunday; blessed, burned and mixed with incense and holy water representing an outward sign of our repentance and accepting Christ’s forgiveness.

Its been a struggle moving away. When I realized I had spent too much time as Lots wife did in looking back, I tried to repent of it and seize each day but that too was a struggle. I wasn’t sure why we were here but here is where we are. And then God used a day where I missed my daily bible reading which caused my tracking to reset to zero. Then as I saw the literal 0, He impacted me that I, us, our life, our plans, etc are all now at 0. Not in restarting, nor starting over, but completely empty and finally in His total will. whew! Zero… not a bad thing for it reflects the infinite potential and divine creative capacity. I read that “Zero is also a symbol of wholeness, representing the full cycle of life. It invites you to explore the vast possibilities within you, encouraging you to step into the infinite potential that resides within your soul. It stands for spiritual awakening, new beginnings, and the potential for spiritual growth.” Even as I am still uncertain where this all leads this I know… it will be interesting. btw… now that we have tweaked the many build issues and have put our stamp on the project … it is finally most def home-worthy 👍

My dad said “the first hundred years are the hardest” and aint that the truth. I learned from my mom to counter the hard days with my favorite blessing and bedtime prayer… May the LORD bless you and protect you; may the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD look with favor on you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 To move on up the road with this treat everything you do and give as a free gift to exemplify Gods free love. We are to be known as Christians by the love that offers a no strings attached kind of love. And we are to practice on our own first and until we get it right. Then we can expand. This is the order of things to achieve His peace and happiness. Now go find two good things today and report back what they are were. Scissors cuts strings. 😉

Tragedies have happened beyond my influence and sadness has threatened to become my norm. I can exist like this yes but as a remnant of Christ I cannot thrive. What I can do is remember whose I am; my Bible to know the ways of Jesus, my people and their teachings on following Jesus, and take another step forward. I reread my grams handwriting of her banana bread recipe, spent time in the memory of it at her round wooden farm table, and just talking. One of my favorite gram-isms that came up when I complained of mom not being “fair” was her answering me with “I guess it will bother you if you let it.” True enough and it has served me well. As far as everything else… for me there is no left or right, there is only what abides in the Bible. And as far as leaders… my opinion of them is not warranted in the Bible, only a command to pray for them. Today gram’s banana bread on a princess plate and mulling over Habakkuk will propel me on. #artontheoutskirts