Joanna Fruhauf

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Ponder point ---Ex 35:30 - God calls out Bezalel by name - endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability and knowledge to craft the furniture of the ark...His name means 'In God's shadow' - that's what it takes to build God's house....Be about God's business from the presence and proximity of being in His Shadow...

What does that mean??? 

Ever have a conversation with someone outside and the sun is behind them and you are talking to them but the glare is nearly unbearable.    They recognize that you are squinting at them having trouble facing the brilliance of the orb and so they step into the sun shielding your eyes and helping you to pay more attention to them and less distracted by your inability to handle the overwhelming glory of the sun! 

I've heard too many people talk about basking in the GLORY of God....as if they can just soak in His unbridled power, splendor and majesty for hours....I used to feel cheated - less of a christian- and guilty that I just didn't even have that kind of time! - bad christian girl

I'm sorry, but even camping on the beach for a week at a time - I know you have to take precautions!!! -  I've been sorry...forcing myself to get more sun, just so I can say I've had it, show off my tan to others, have people shocked at how much sun I've had....Don't we do that sometimes too with the SON....I've been guilty....seeking glory to wear for myself, rather than having it happen naturally.....while actively living within His presence....gardening, tending to the weeds of life, working the yard of my heart....moving about in active preparation.....diligent and faithfully maintaining a housing for Him.....

In all honesty - The glare of the Son and His full brilliance is more than these human eyes, human mind and heart can fully grasp while within the confines of this sinful body of flesh.  I can look upon Him briefly, Then need the Mercy of God, by the Holy Spirit shielding me, shading me, covering me, teaching me, leading into the restful places of His shadow... passing over me with the cool breezes of His spirit as I drink of His living waters and take in the things which are His......

We move out, move forward refreshed with the understanding gained in the shadow of His wings - ps 91 - His Covering, protections and provisions...

I was just recently asked in an email what I thought of an idea someone had to have their church host a dinner for next thanksgiving for those in their fellowship that have no where to go and to extend it out to those that may not be part of a church, even saved, and invite them as well...

I thought it was a wonderful idea...How many people we know don't have family around...perhaps everyone of their family members have either passed away, moved away for jobs or in retirement... or those that have made this island their home at least for the time being...

What a great and loving thing to do.  what  a tremendous way to bless others and share Christ's love in a genuine and real hands on way...a sacrifice of their own day for the sake of others...And so in a lengthy response I encouraged her to follow be in forward Motion!

I know for myself there have been those times when God has dropped something into my heart to do, but I got stuck and don't go forward with it... hindered by my own fears, laziness or the words of others.  

Too often I wanted to 'pray' about something only long enough until the opportunity which was presented was gone.  Giving the phony justification, I need to hear from God when  It was an idle excuse to not obey His commands to GO.  Too many times I just wanted to send money and let someone else do the thing I knew God was saying I should physically do myself...Too many situations presented themselves when I heard someone shoot me down like a balloon with a cannon my desires and so I retreated back to a cave and wouldn't come out for fear of being shot through again.

This has happened several times in the past decade with me...and even though there have been areas where I have stepped out of the boat to walk on water in faith before, I still find myself wrestling with these same things from time to time....Yet this past year I have been truly encouraged to step out IN SPITE OF ALL OF IT!

I don't really have any suggestions, but certainly want to encourage you to step out in faith...

If you feel the Lord has placed something on your heart, you should do everything within your power to move forward on it...

Too many people want to 'pray' about something instead of actually doing something..We never need to pray about something Christ commands us to do...which is to love others as our selves, to serve others and 'Go, into all the world' -our world however small or large it may be....

If you move forward and prayerfully consider how to approach the idea, God will open up your understanding, grant the needs and empower you to hurdle over all obstacles...But God can not steer a vehicle unless it is in forward motion...a parked car goes nowhere.

The thing to remember is that whether others catch the vision for it or not, if God has called you to move forward on something, He is the one you must obey. And He will grant the open doors and opportunities, volunteers, practicalities and location...It may start small, it may only be a one time event, but if the Lord is telling you to go, then go in the confidence of His authority.

May the Lord bless you as you step out into a New Year that is full of His blessings!

We Celebrate His birth

Yet, pay Him little mind,

Happiness is thought to be found in gifts,

While true joy is hard to find.

Could it be we've been caught up in superficial things

and forgotten who is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings?

We see Him as a helpless child 

In a small and distant manger

We proclaim to know Him,

Yet to many, He's but a stranger

Let us not forget the reason that He came,

Powerful Freedom and Forgiveness

Is that which He proclaims!

I shared recently with a young mother to be about taking our authority in Christ.  It was over a matter of thoughts... Many of us, if not all, at some point in time are inundated by a barrage of thoughts.... worries.... concerns.... fears.... lusts... coventousness.... injustices.... vengeance's... jealousies.... etc..

Some thoughts are random and have little effect on our lives,  others can overwhelm us, take us like a captive, control us, and manipulate us... those thoughts seek to steal and rob us of the Peace of God which we are to LET rule in our hearts.   

We have to think of those thoughts as if they are just that, thieves!  They are not friends, they are not welcome, they are not to be entertained!  We do NOT have to engage these thoughts or make ourselves subject to them!  We are to take and excercise our authority in Christ over them.

Years ago I had thoughts that continually, like turbulent waves, used to crash over me.... thoughts very related to fear.  To the point where it paralyzed certain aspects of my life.  I Had to excercise the authority that Jesus Christ has given to me.... The Scripture that encouraged and strengthened me (of which there were many) was "To take EVERY thought CAPTIVE to the OBEDIENCE of Christ!" 2 Cor 10:4-5.

The picture I had was that I was a soldier ( much like a gladiator-can't you just imagine me - hahha) and the thoughts that tormented me were these little, ok some big, wretched imps, that I had to grab by the back of the neck, taking them captive, throwing them down with great force on the ground in front of the Throne of Christ and then stepping on their necks.  Regardless of their annoying taunting, constant ramblings and irritating perhaps even convincing arguments!

These were enemies.  They were not on my side.  They did not strengthen me. They did not help in any situation!

Once I got this picture securely in my mind, I even at times found myself yelling into the air fighting these thoses when they attacked.  It was often a matter of even yelling out loud at the enemy himself 'Satan, I will not allow you to rob me, annoy me, control or manipulate me with this'

And though it was a process of time and redirecting my thoughts and placing them on that which is lovely, of good reputation, etc. I finally overcame those fruitless thoughts.

I would encourage everyone to take the authority of Christ over their thoughts....If you start there, other areas eventually fall into line!

I Love it when science, history or archeology validates and reinforces my faith in God...Cause let's face it, we aren't always as strong in our faith as we would like to portray ourselves.  And when I come across certain facts in the realms of these secular disciplines, I get excited.  

Knowing that God has created all things and that everything He has said in His Word is true, sometimes is mental assent...you know, just believing because it's stated....but actually having a grasp of it, understanding that it is true, I feel like the guy in scriptures when asking for a healing Jesus replied, do you have faith, and he answered, yes I believe, ohhhh help me in my unbelief.... I feel like that some times... anyone else out there????

Annnny Whooooo.....I came across this really cool blog from a gentleman on facebook through friend and was blessed by it on alot of levels.... I love to lead worship and minister in song, and I love to teach the word of God, and this spoke to those two passions....

By Mark Batterson)

[Edited]

There never has been and never will be anyone like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you absolutely unique.

All of creation is singing a worship chorus to God. And it's not just the meadow lark with its 300 notes or the nightingale finch with its 24 songs. According to the German physicist and pianist, Arnold Summerfield, a hydrogen atom emits 100 frequencies which makes it more complex musically than a grand piano which emits 88 frequencies.

For what its worth, Pythagoras said: "A stone is frozen music." Very interesting in light of Jesus' teaching that if his disciples were silent, even "the stones will cry out."

My point? All of creation is singing a unique song to the Creator. And you are part of that universal chorus. No one can worship God FOR you or LIKE you. God has given you a unique voiceprint. There are millions of people praying and worshiping God in every language all the time. But your voiceprint is unique. Like a parent who knows His child's unique cry or scream or laugh, God knows your voice. He hears your voice. The Heavenly Father loves your voice.

THIS FRIDAY - we should all be praying for our country (well everyday) - begging for mercy, forgiveness and correction for all of the sin this country has permitted, encouraged and embraced, and not just the 'country' but those who proclaim to be Christians...Aren't we all guilty!...If I don't see my guilt it's because I am refusing to acknowledge what I know is there...that's not true ignorance, it's embraced..And I now realize and see in scripture that God is only merciful on one form of ignorance.... Just like Daniel of the Old Testament, he prayed recognizing the great and horrible sins of God's own people...Are we willing to admit our errors?

THIS Fri, Sept 25,There will be 50,000 muslims praying on the capitol steps, that they would eventually have, Sharia law accepted here like they do in England and that the United states would become a nation for Allah...I've seen it in newspapers, and on line....

"As nations such as Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands (and many others in Europe) have become more secular, they have demonstrated a willingness to embrace virtually anything – anything except their traditional Christian foundations. In fact, they now regularly repudiate those foundations"  This has energized many Muslims in those countries and they are displaying a new boldness that is vocal, visible, and demonstrably assertive. Each year, nearly 5,000 Muslim "honor killings" occur across the world  Dozens of those murders are committed in Europe, but in many of these formerly Christian nations, those who commit the "honor killings" (i.e., the murder of their own children) often go unpunished since the death of their child was "required" by Islamic law (now included in the legal law of the land). Additionally, many public personalities across Europe who criticized Islam have been murdered, causing Parliaments in the Netherlands and other European countries to forbid criticism of Islam in an effort to prevent further murders. These nations, having given up precious ground, are now having difficulty retaking it.

Historically, on this continent Christian America adopted an open free-market approach to all religions from the beginning. American Christians then (and now) were not fearful of other religions. They were confident that Christianity would prevail on its own merits and they therefore followed the Biblical precedent set forth in both the Old and New Testaments of simply presenting God's word in a straightforward manner, expecting that the Holy Spirit will confirm His word in the hearts of hearers. Christians believe that on a level playing field, Christianity will always prevail through the voluntary choice of the people.As a result, Christian America welcomed all religions, with Muslims arriving here by 1619, Jews establishing their first synagogue in 1654, and Buddhists, Hindus, and others also being present from the early days. Significantly, only America extended (and continues to extend) a free-market religious tolerance to others while still preserving the core societal values of our Christian heritage. But the culture has begun to shift.

The level playing field is being eroded. As in Europe, Christianity is being knocked down and Islam elevated.For example, a federal court of appeals ruled that public schools in nine western states can require a three week indoctrination to the Islamic faith in which all junior high students must pretend they are Muslims and offer prayers to Allah (students are further encouraged to take Islamic names, call each other by those names, wear Islamic garb, participate in Jihad games, and read the Koran during those three weeks). Yet that very court also ruled that it was unconstitutional for those same students to voluntarily mention "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Likewise, a federal court on the east coast ruled that public schools may display Islamic holiday symbols but not Christian ones. And the University of Michigan recently spent $25,000 of taxpayer money to install foot-washing facilities to accommodate the religious practices of Muslim students but made no similar expenditure on behalf of students from any other religion.As a result of such actions, many Muslims are exercising a new boldness in America.

In fact, Muslim "honor killings" have now arrived in the United States (most recently in Texas); and just a few weeks ago, direct action was taken to prevent the honor-killing of a 17-year old Muslim girl in Ohio who converted to Christianity and, in fear of her life, fled from her parents to Florida.American Muslims have also enjoyed the direct support of President Obama. In April, he traveled to Egypt where he told the Muslim world that America no longer considers itself a Christian nation. He later traveled to Turkey and announced that America was one of the largest Muslim nations in the world (despite the fact that 78% of Americans claim to be Christians but only 1% claim to be Muslims). Then in May, President Obama refused to invite Christian and Jewish leaders to the White House to participate in the National Day of Prayer (as former presidents have done), but in September, he did invite Muslim leaders to the White House for a special Muslim Ramadan celebration to commemorate Allah delivering the Koran to his prophet Mohammed.Heartened by this new encouragement, Muslim leaders have called 50,000 observant Muslims to come to the Capitol this Friday, September 25, for a day of Jummah (Friday congregational prayer). The sponsors promise that from 4AM to 7PM, "the Athan [the call given five times each day for Muslims to participate in mandatory prayer] will be chanted on Capitol Hill, echoing off of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and other great edifices that surround Capitol Hill."

The goal of this event is that "the peace, beauty and solidarity of Islam will shine through America's capitol." In fact, their website for this unprecedented event proudly and unabashedly declares, "Our Time Has Come!"As Bible-believing people, let's also make this Friday a day of prayer – and please encourage others to participate with you. We know that our contest is with spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), and we firmly believe that He Who is within us is greater than any other god or force (1 John 4:4), so I encourage you to fill America with prayer to the True God this coming Friday.

God Bless!

David Barton

P. S. This call for Christians to pray this Friday is not a prayer "competition" between Christianity and Islam, nor is it a spiritual Christian "jihad" or "holy war" (what an oxymoronic term – a holy war!). After all, in I Kings 18, Elijah encouraged the prophets of the god Baal to take more time in their praying; he didn't object to their prayers, he just wanted to make sure that he was able to make his own prayers to the True God. This Friday offers a similar opportunity for those who fear God and believe His Scriptures to offer up their own prayers to Him."  

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Interesting - DANIEL 9:4 “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.

   7 “Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. 8 O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.

   “So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin. 12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem. 13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. 14 Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.

Joanna, What do you think of ministries that do good works?  I thought we are to walk by faith and not by works?  What about the scripture that says that it is by faith we are saved...not from works , lest anyone should boast' Eph 2:8-9

Granted that is how we are to walk, to walk and live out our every day life in the faith of knowing that Jesus is our Savior and what he has done for us on the cross.

BUT that should radically alter our attitudes, actions, agendas. If you read the very next verse, Good works are part of our walk....'For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.' and then again in James 2:14- 26 says in essence that faith without the display of that in everyday life, is a lie or dead.

In other words, actions speak louder than words....If you just say you have faith in Jesus but do not display that be the manner in which you live, don't extend yourself to others to try to show them the love of Jesus and the mercy and forgiveness of God, through practical means, than essentially you are lying about your faith in Jesus.  If you say something with your words, you better back it up with your actions even at your expense and sacrifice!

Now does that mean that everyone needs to get involved in a cause that is being promoted by a group, church or individual?  NO.  What you need to be is available to the Holy Spirit to minister to those in need around you.  To extend the mercy, forgiveness and grace of God to those around you, when you see it, even your enemies.

I have a pet peeve here....I see too many people involved in ministries that are half way around the world sending money and going on short 'vacation trips'. to involved themselves.  When the very same things are taking place in our own back yards....Or getting involved in causes that look to erradicate some evil from the face of the earth and yet  Jesus is never mentioned or barely mentioned.

There are not enough good works, not enough money, not enough causes or rallies that can erradicate sin and destruction from the earth and create a utopia here on our terms - that's just secular or christianized humanism....take a good look around....it is getting worse....the bible is accurate, sin increases to more sin...not less, regardless of how much man may say we want it....man has a sinful nature and doesn't want it tobe better, they just don't want to pay the consequences... but that's not how it works....the Wages of Sin is DEATH, destruction, degredation....in many areas, on many terms....

Jesus Christ, is our hope, our Salvation, our Remedy - Unless that is brought to the foreground, nothing changes -

Only if HE is lifted up will men be drawn to Him and be changed.....

Jesus gave a great command and commission, 'Go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.....making disciples....'  This was the order, with ever increasing circles of influence, start very locally, YOUR FAMILY, your neighbors, your friends, your community, town, school, county, country, then to the ends of the earth.....

I've known too many people running across the world but not doing what's necessary in their own homes or next door...escapism - feeling good about themselves while neglecting the more important matters.    Read Screwtape letters by CS Lewis, it's one of the ploys Satan uses to keep us essentially ineffective.  

I correct my kids when they want to go do yard work at a friends house, take care of your responsibilities at home first, then you have the liberty and freedom to move forward.....

NOW - I'm not saying going around the world is wrong...PAUL is a perfect example of being and long distance minister...But He took care of essentials close at home first....then moved out from that point.

So Go and allow the TRUTH of what Jesus has done to set you free from your sin and share that compassionately with others.  Allow the Holy Spirit to show you what areas of ministry you are to be involved, how you can best support or be involved. based on your responsilibilities in your life.

Do not over commit yourself, Do not excuse yourself, Do not give to anyone out of compulsion or guilt or emotional ploys...Give when Christ tells you to...Ask questions, get financials.  Be wise. Be honest.

Just because someone has a ferverent zeal for something doesn't me God has called you to it....I know -  I started a ministry for unwed mothers years ago and assumed everyone I met or spoke to should be supporting it....I was immature.

Pray, and then Go - Unafraid and Unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Creation.  It is so beautiful, Such a gift. So many diverse aspects.  How wonderful this world that Christ has created for us, and yet so far less than when first prepared, so much degredation, so much destruction.

This week was a sad day in our house.  Our precious and dear THEO, a shetland sheep dog, was struck and killed by a truck.  In one brief moment our lives were disrupted and violently jolted out of order into a moment of pain, fear, destruction, confusion and death.

Images of what I saw, still repeat in my heart and head.  Our dog fighting and kicking though dying, my daughter screaming and crying in the house, my oldest son carrying a broken and bloodied body, my other son crying standing there not sure what to do, neighbors faces sadddened, a truck driver confused and feeling horrible as he sat on the bumper of his truck  crying as well...

Part of my business person kicked into control mode, yet shaken by the trama of the moment.  What do I do, how do I remedy, what's first, what's next, calls to my husband, the vet, the police.  What to do, what to do. 

I found myself going back and forth between each person at the scene trying to help comfort them , touching, hugging & holding,  as I knew they needed it more than I did.  These were my kids.  My comfort comes later...That driver, how guilty and horrible he must feel...My comfort comes later...my neighbors daughter crying because her dog was killed the same way, and she revisited the event in her heart...My comfort comes later...

Death has such a sting.... and this was only an animal, with no spirit, no eternity.  Death always stinks, and is horrible, regardless of how expected it is... What a difference in that moment when there was still life in Theo to the moment when it was gone...I've seen death, or should I say the absence of life.  I've been to enough funerals to know that, but to see something go from living to dead.  That is horrible.  That is so unexpected.  So absolutely different.

Today I sit here thinking back and thanking the Lord for the time we had Theo, How precious a gift, as frustrating as some moments were.  Yet my heart is saddened for my kids, this is more their loss than mine...I purposed not to get to attached to Theo and yet here the tears roll....

Strange not to have to watch where I'm walking, strange how familiar I got to hear his nails hitting the wood floors as he walked and paced the house, how empty the quietness, the lack of greeting as we reentered the house, the lack of barking at certain sounds and movements around the house... how strange those unfulfilled expectant noises are...

Today I can't help but wonder what Adam and Eve must have felt like to actually see the animal sacrificed for their sin (Gen 3:21)  How they didn't know what death was, how they had no concept of that moment, that possiblity, that reality.  How did they live the rest of their life out. 

Though I wrote the novel about Adam and that very situation was played out in the opening chapters, it had not been personally experienced by me, and yet now I can more fully understand it...The pain, the trama, the horror.

This world of ours, as wonderful as it may be, has the reality of violence, death and destruction and that is all because of mankinds sinful nature and the continued pursuit of sin.  There is only ONE remedy for all of it - Jesus....

I continue to look up and look to the Lord for the comfort of knowing that one day all of the compounded death, destruction and trama that this world, brings will one day be swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ as He returns.

To be able to one day embrace the hope of Glory, the promise of eternal life and the restoration of all things, requires my choice today and now....to surrender to a different Kingdom and Authority...while still living in this one....

Therein lies my Hope -

In Celebration of July 4th - Recognize the Banner underwhich our liberties and freedoms have been secured.

RAISE the BANNER!   watch the video and song!

Happy 4th of July - Remember the sacrifices made to secure it and the value of it...