Andonnia's Truth

I realized that a weakness I have is taking notes and never re-reading them. I was relaxing in my truck, which is a sanctuary for me, and I began to re-read my church journal. How familiar are the words that wash over me. Familiar and seemingly recent. With all of the things I ought be doing, nothing seemed more appropriate.

Are you in that place? Where the words have been spoken, directions given, and charge led- only to find out you forgot what they were in the first place.

It’s ok.

There’s no time like the present to read them again.

Ivy Out

Today I realized that there is a blessing in staying In your own lane. Live the life you are called to live.

I was researching the process of glass making right before I constructed this entry. Turns out, we get clear glass from opaque ingredients. It’s not until heat is applied to these ingredients that we get the transparent quality of glass.

I ask, what has heat produced in you? What is a physical or mental trial? Maybe medics or a relational issue? Our trial mold our lives. They are points of contraction when we are birthing newness.

Instead of hating the fire, respect it’s capacity to create. Without the right heat…glass is just a bunch of sand.

Don’t let the enemy (or yourself) break you down to pieces of sand! Don’t let pain or fear sift you!

Greater later!

Ivy out

The most dangerous place one can be in is limbo.

So, my Pastor spoke of one of Paul’s apprentices this morning. The once shy Timothy. Philippians 2:20 – Paul let us know that Timothy was like no one else. He cared about the welfare of others.
::ring the alarm::

Where are the Timothy type people in THIS generation? Where are those who are really concerned with others? Those who praying for others, interceding for them? Where are those, who are credible. Where those who, despite being nervous about talent, continue to press on?

I feel like there is an objection in the blog’s audience: “I am shy”… So was he.

“The culture we live in is pre-occupied with ‘me’.” – Pastor Johnson

Is it that we have been so blinded by mirrors that we can no longer view through the glass?

Lots of questions, however only the individual can ascertain their own answer. Have we become a generation that is blind to the needs of others? It are the Timothys working to His glory and not the press…

Ivy Out

How do we perform during training days?

While co-listening (yes I was multi – tasking) to my ELAR trainers, I happened upon the whispers and voices of other adults. How much do adults resemble the students they teach? I am glad you asked (nod to Pastor J). MIRROR IMAGE!
There is a quote often heard, “you come into the world looking like your parents and leave looking like your choices.” If we only applied that to our faith.
If we came into the world looking like our Heavenly Father and left this earth reflecting His choices for us, or even following Christ’s example. How much value would the dash (in between our sunrise and sunset dates) hold?

Did I loose you? Let’s backtrack.

When a baby is born, we gather around them and ask which of the parents the child resembles. As they age into toddlers, we attempt to group character traits and personality when opportunity and identity meet. School comes, then we began to see academic habits form, the ribbons and rewards begin to stack up, and we have the celebrations that our families tend to have. Yes, I am generalizing. Finally, in a glorious time lapse, the high school children approach graduation. What they do now, in their pattern driven mind, either scars or propels them in the coming years. ::here is when children begin to look differently.::
What we do recreationally, nutritionally, sexually, physically, spiritually, and mentally show up in a very real way in our life.

Now fast forward to my original thought. What if we chose like Christ chose? What if we loved people in spite of differences? What if we choose the narrow path early and avoided veering off- consciously. What if we chose to view suffering with the thought: my later will be greater. What if?

I was recently in conversation with someone who said, “I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission.” I had a fundamental issue with the statement, not the speaker. The statement speaks to a mentality. An embedded philosophy of “mercy abuse”. Consequences exist. Positive and negative residue from our choices exist in everything.

When penning this, I was aware of one key concept. If it is to be, it is up to me. In order to reach, I must teach. In order to teach, I must live. There is no cliff notes to life or it’s lessons. I am not the expert, I am in the row next to you. It’s not where you are in a race with others, you are only in competition with the best of self.

::reflection time: what can you do today, that affects how you look tomorrow?::

Ivy Out

So… This weekend has been interesting. In my opinion, I didn’t perform to the standard of excellence that I am capable of.

Flashback, the days were covered in prayer. I had the most amazing time with God in route to Saturday morning’s interview. The nerves started where the prayer stopped. I am not sure how you handle “expectation”, but when I am nervous it can feel heavy. When I opened my mouth to respond, I went blank. I got something out, but the comfort of all of the parables and verses that have taken residence in my heart drained right out. I came down really hard on myself, because I didn’t feel like it was a God smile moment.

I got to church today for me the strongest point was: OUR CHAINS MAY INFLUENCE SOMEONE ELSE’S CHANGE.

w o w…. The Apostle Paul endured so much, yet concentrated on joy in his epistle (letter) to the church at Philippi.

My entire weekend was almost spoiled because I focused on my shortcomings. I am choosing to turn my eyes to my Father. CHOICE! As long as I remember that “the joy of the LORD is my strength”, I have a focus. I can recall many times, old and new, of sheer divine deliverance. Today, I not only focus on those recollections, I am depending on the Father- Abba- Eloheim- Jehovah Jireh- to do it again!

Be blessed,

Ivy Out

-What do you do, when you’ve done all you can?

-What do you do when you feel like you haven’t done enough?

-Where do you turn when the knots in your stomach won’t untie?

-What do you speak, when your speech is the issue?

J E S U S 

I won’t begin to deliver some long drawn out colloquialism about my needs. I won’t ask you to promise, because that could end badly for us both. I will put just put it out into the atmosphere: 

I am in a place where GOD has to do it

IF HE doesn’t do it, I’ll be stuck here

I don’t want pity, I want victory

If you speak to JESUS tonight…

mention my name.

Ivy Out