Lessons learned

How has this year been for you? Remember, you don't have to do anything wrong for something awful to happen. Just put it in God's hands and ask Him what it is that He wants you to learn from it.

Unexpected things can come out of nowhere. You don't have to be a victim of your circumstances; your reactions decide whether the unexpected can be a stumbling block or an opportunity.

 If things have been tough lately just think "right now". This is my life right now, but it won't last forever. Our troubles don't have to define us if we let God use them to refine us.

The pain will subside. One day, it won't be the first thing you think about when you wake up. Put it under the blood of Christ and leave it there! Learn the lesson and then start moving towards the future.

Bold action is beautiful when needed, but it can be disastrous when what's needed is patient waiting. The hardest thing to do is nothing; but sometimes we need to stand still and let God move.

Sometimes life seems senseless. Examine your expectations. Reality has a way of dismantling unrealistic illusions. God can use what appears to be senseless to lead us to deeper wisdom if we allow it.

It's a mistake to believe the bad stuff is ALL BAD. Sometimes it can lead to new, brilliant things. The way forward is to take responsibility for your part and ask God to help you learn from it.

Life is messy. There is wisdom to be found amongst the mess. We are all wounded and broken somehow. There are no perfect lives, so be kind to others even though you aren't feeling the greatest at the moment.

Emptiness is something we will all face. The nothingness can feel like it is consuming, but it isn't. Acknowledge God's presence. Talk to Him. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, so don't listen to the devil when he tells you otherwise.

Finding clarity in the midst of this noisy, busy world is impossible without some personal solitude daily. It is essential to have some quiet time with God!

Don't waste effort laboring under the illusion that you can control it all. Life is unpredictable and messy, but it is also wonderful and beautiful; learn to ebb and flow through it.

The sad truth is that evil is never very far away. You will experience it many times throughout your life. You can survive with God's help, but you may not walk away completely unscathed. The price paid can be a powerful learning experience.

Learn to enjoy the journey. Life isn't a race! If you go too fast you will miss crucial parts. And there is no rewind on time.

Every step in life has a purpose. It's not always forwards. Sometimes we sidestep or go backwards. That doesn't mean you are a failure; it means you are living!

When we pretend there is no good or bad we are profoundly blind. Depravity shouldn't become a personal preference that we ignore in others. Evil thrives through relentless repetition until society accepts it as normal. You become immoral gradually; so be vigilant!

When you dehumanize people, it changes the way you treat them. Evil isn't hypothetical; it's effects are personal. View people as the living souls God created them and remember that He thinks each one was worth dying for!

Sometimes I wonder if I have done anything that has profoundly altered a person's life. This can be a good thing or a bad things! You can ruin a person's life or give them strength to carry on without even realizing it.

The power of speech is unfathomable. It can be cruel and divisive or helpful and healing. It can rob a person of their dignity or alter their perception of themselves forever. So guard your mouth and think before you speak.

Empathy is a natural condition for a human being who is mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy- this is what is intended by the word "humane". God has put within each person a propensity for compassion which should be nurtured.

Our actions have the power to tip the balance between hope and despair. Discernment about how to act and react is crucial. It's important that we tread carefully and respectfully always.

Carelessness ruins lives. Thoughtless actions lead to carelessness, which sets the stage for recklessness. Reckless people destroy others while they travel along their path of personal annihilation.

Life is not a problem to solve. It's a series of challenges and opportunities. Our response determines its quality. Only a fool makes an easy life his goal; the most satisfying experiences are often difficult.

Comfort is a beautiful servant or an ugly master. Living for comfort will prevent you from standing for what is true and right. Comfort should serve you in your trials, but a lover of comfort will poison his own soul and destroy himself.

Inspiration stimulates creativity. When we are in a creative space we listen, react, think, and talk differently. Creativity has an infinite number of expressions. We are at our best when we are inspired.

Cherish the ordinary. Allow the slow, mundane to heal you. A fast paced lifestyle can be exciting but draining. Find the simple pleasures that calm the mind and quiet the spirit. Focus on the joy of what you are doing and do it well.

Everyone is struggling. People don't walk around with signs stating it. When we are mindful of this we are gentler in our interaction with others. Create an environment that is compassionate and contributes to the growth in others.

Allow the Great Physician to work through you to restore hope to another hurting soul.  It's a mistake to get completely absorbed in our own troubles. The more joy we bring to others the more we experience it. Kindness is a superpower.

If a person consistently behaves in the same way it is a pattern. Learn to recognize the patterns others display. We reveal who we are with our actions and there are good and bad patterns in every life.

Mourn the life that could have been. You can't ignore it; you have to deal with it. Physical wounds can become life-threatening if ignored; emotional, psychological, and spiritual wounds manifest internally in an identical manner. Acknowledge the pain, go through the grief, and put it in the hands of Christ so you can move on to discover the possibilities still ahead.

Sometimes we get so busy trying to exist that we forget to grow. We are not just what has happened, but also who we are capable of becoming. We need to find a way to flourish even if it means taking a new path.

Pain and suffering serve a purpose. They ask questions and direct our attention to areas in our lives that need adjusting. We generally see the value in blessings, but oftentimes we miss the ones hidden in pain. Sometimes we need to take an inventory of our lives and assess any areas that need changed. 

Our false assumptions and illusions prevent us from growing. Ignore the fact that they are erroneous and they will poison our lives. To grow, we mush face the harsh reality of truth and adjust where necessary.

Not everything your mind tells you is true. We look at the long journey ahead and overwhelm ourselves when instead we should focus only on today's part of the journey. Just one step in front of the other and we will manage to get there.

How do you make decisions? A good way to keep in tune with God's will for your life are the five absolutes:

HONESTY- is it true?

UNSELFISHNESS- how will it effect others?

PURITY- is it right?

LOVE- what's the motive?

EFFECT- will it bring God glory?

Every day you will face decisions. Our choices determine our path. Are my choices leading me to the goal of what God has intended me to be or away from it? Am I striving to become all God created me to be?

The simplest solution is often the best. In algebra, you get rid of the complications systematically until you are left with a simplified form of the problem; this makes it easier to solve. Sometimes this step in life can help us distinguish the noisy from the necessary. A desire for simplicity is a sign of wisdom.

We complicate our lives chasing things we think we need. We aren't victims of complications; we choose them by a thousand tiny choices. Take time to analyze the cost of each decision- both the immediate price and the future payments.

One choice made freely can lead to a thousand obligations or a million slaveries, depending on the situation. There is a compounding affect to our choices- purchase price, maintenance, and time.

Learn to say "no". Poor scheduling or insistent badgering by someone else should never become a stress in your life. Saying "yes" to the wrong things rob you of time for the right things. If you aren't free to say "no" then you aren't really free to say "yes".

The greatest threat to fulfillment is unrecognized spiritual needs. if you meditate on this you will have an epiphany. Life is not just a physical existence, but a spiritual one. Too many times we only focus on filling the physical needs and leave our soul starving.

There are three appointments which every person must keep- self, God, and death. You must find out who you are and what your purpose in life is. You must find your soul's relationship with God or it will be doomed to wilt. And you must prepare for the inevitability of death.

Don't pretend to b someone you are not. If you have to change who you are for a person, position, or place, then it's a bad deal. You'll never feel truly loved until you can be accepted as yourself.

Forgiveness is hard, but necessary. It's easy to say, but difficult to live. It is my need to forgive, not theirs to be forgiven. To forgive helps me to heal and allows me to move past the altercation. Leave the past in the past, you don’t live there anymore.

Recovering from trauma is slow and can be painful. Be patient with yourself and be gentle with your advancements. It's consistency that matters, not how quickly you move.

Stress, anxiety, unhappiness, and depression are signs. If we acknowledge these messengers, we can do some problem solving in life. If we ignore them, we will continue in the same cycle.

Remember your story. Look back over the memories and it will strengthen the relationships you have forged. Those who throw friends and marriages away forget the many ups and downs they have endured.

Don't just love. Astonish people with your love. Too many people see the harshness of others. As Christians we should be examples of Christ's love to those who cross our paths.

Don't just dabble in generosity. Live a life of staggering generosity. And do so without expecting anything in return. Do so with anonymity. Let God use you to bless others in ways no one else can!

You cannot have a meaningful life if your life is nothing but things and activities. When you count your blessings, you should not be counting material goods. If that's what you reference when you talk about a good life then you've missed the point entirely.

Everyone is going to hurt you. Find the ones that are worth the suffering and heartache. God loved you before you even knew Him. He thought you were worth the suffering of the cross.

Don't complain. It isn't attractive or productive. If there's a problem then find a way to fix it. If you can't fix it, then find the lesson in it. Constant complaining will only drive away those who would otherwise help you.

Give people the benefit of the doubt. Life is difficult and everyone is carrying a burden. Was someone short with you? Rude to you? Impatient with you? Have a little grace, because there are days when others have to have grace with you!

Death comes to us all. When death approaches, you will ask if you did what you were suppose to do to make your life count, not if you got everything you ever wanted. No one can take possessions with them, but they can lay treasures up in heaven!

Learn to embrace the person you are becoming. Your thoughts, words, choices, and actions are laying the building blocks for your future self. If you don't like who you are becoming then you have to change these things.

 

Ignore the critics. They will tear down in an hour what they couldn't build in a lifetime. Those who criticize you see something in you that unsettles them. They would rather attack you than investigate that mystery.

People who love you don't care about your status or wealth, they care about you as a human being. Appreciate them and love them fiercely.

 It's the unseen moments in our lives that define us. Our quiet tumultuous experiences and our actions and reactions to them are what make us the people we are. The decisions you make when it's just you and God are the most important ones!

The question is not "what is the meaning of life?" but rather "What is the meaning of YOUR life?". You are a unique person. Find out who God wants you to be and what He wants you to accomplish with your life.

Can someone who is broken be healed and become more beautiful than before? The answer is yes. They will always bear the scars, but if they can love deeper, help better, and live a much fuller life than before if they learn from the experience.

Each of us will, one day, come to a time when we think what has happened to us is unfair. We will want to ask “why?” and may even decide to lay blame “It’s God’s fault!” or “It’s Man’s fault!” But, the true question that we each must answer during these trials is this- “Will you continue to trust and serve a God whom you will never fully understand?”

Are you ready to die? You prepare for a vacation. You prepare for your future. You should also be prepared for your death. No one knows when it will happen, so the best approach is to get ready now and be prepared for any moment!

Dispensations 101

What are dispensations?

Merry Christmas

 

In Excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the Highest)

Life Is Messy (book review)

 I recently read a book called Life Is Messy by Matthew Kelly and I must say that I really recommend it! It is filled with some practical wisdom about life.

Not only is life messy, but it is also harsh and unpredictable. Throughout our lifetimes we will go through struggles and trials and even soul crushing disappointments and betrayals. It is during these moments that we learn some of the most important lessons we will ever attain.

Matthew Kelly has listed out much of the understanding that he has gained from going through such experiences. Some of these lessons you may have already learned, and others may have never crossed your mind before. But I believe that it is always best to learn through others than through personal experience.

Perhaps reading this book will save you some heartache by gaining a little wisdom through another's perspective instead of intimate participation.

The Day Of Your Death (poem)

 ​​Friend, will you ponder some words of truth,
Though you be up in years, or yet in your youth?
With each passing day your life spins by,
Death creeps closer till it’s your turn to die.

On your bed of death the thought comes to mind –

all your dear loved ones you must leave behind.

They speak words of comfort and try not to cry,

But there is no comfort;​​ it’s your turn to die.

As you reflect upon many wasted years,

Your poor heart saddens and your eyes fill with tears.

You spent so much time for family and friends,

Yet so little time being grieved for your sins.

You sped through your years consuming worldly pleasures,

Yet never investing in Heavenly treasures.

With these sobering thoughts you begin to grow scared;

It’s your turn to die, and you have not prepared!

Year after year you rejected God’s Son;

Over and over the Gospel you would shun.

God’s Spirit which spoke to your once tender heart

Has now been replaced with Satan’s stinging dart.

Like a tale which is told, your life has flown by,

Your days are expired, and it’s your turn to die.

A piercing chill suddenly fills the air

While Death enters the room like a strange nightmare.

But this is no dream, the time has arrived;

You’ll die in a moment to never be revived.

All loved ones fade as Death closes in;

Your body lies helpless, and you cannot win.

With one final struggle you gasp for your breath

To find your soul in the arms of Death!

As loved ones gaze upon your lifeless frame,

Your soul makes its journey to the Land of the Flame.

“Why me?” you cry, “I wasn’t that bad!”

But then you recall all the chances you had.

Time and time again God’s humble servants came,

Offering you salvation in Jesus’ name.

But you cared not for God’s holy plan;

You despised His servants, and from His truth you ran.

Now as your feet sink into the flame,

All hope is gone to trust in His name.

Deeper you go into the fiery bath,

Having traded God’s mercy for His never-ending wrath.

While horror fills your soul and the pain multiplies,

Your screams simply fade into the smoke-filled skies.

As you wade through the flames seeking consolation,

Those you encounter have the same condemnation.

There’s no one to help, there’s nowhere to turn;

Refuge has fled, and you’re left here to burn!

As your loved ones back home in the world above

Comfort one another with words of love,

They’re all unaware of your sad plight beneath,

Of your weeping, your wailing, and your gnashing teeth!

They’ll soon gently lay your body in the ground,

But of your screams below they won’t hear a sound.

Never again will you see a smiling face,

Only faces of agony in this damnable place.

No children playing with whom to share your love,

Not another second with your sweetheart above.

No food to eat, no water in sight,

Forever you’re a captive to Hell’s dark night!

Sunsets have vanished, no mountains, no streams,

Only roaring flames and soul-piercing screams!

At last you now see your error so well:

when you said “No” to Jesus, you said “Yes” to Hell.

-James L Melton

Baby in a Manger (song)

The AntiChrist's voice

 We talked about the voice of God. But I think there is a lot of confusion out there regarding how He speaks to mankind today.

You won't often hear a voice from heaven because God has given us something better- a more sure word of prophecy.

II Peter 1:19- We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

The Bible has all the answers we need. There may be times that God speaks audibly or spiritually to His children in this age, but it will never contradict Scripture. And if you can find it in Scripture that is where God wants you to look.

The danger with listening for a voice is that the devil is a great imitator of God.

I john 4:1-3- Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Daniel heard God speak, and he also heard the AntiChrist speak.

Daniel 7:8- I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

He described what he heard from this horn as speaking great things.

Revelation 13:5-6,  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

The horn Daniel saw is the Dragon of Revelation. The great things that Daniel heard are said to be blasphemy against God for the space of three-and-a-half years by John. 

Revelation 13:11-15-  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 

The Dragon has a prophet which talks the same way he does. This prophet can work miracles. He isn't the same as the AntiChrist, but will work along side of him to help deceive the world. 

What will God do with this prophet? He's been trying to warm humanity for ages!

Deuteronomy 18:20- But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

He will die along with the AntiChrist. Not just death and burial, but an eternal damnation.

Revelation 19:20- And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The warnings are there. This false prophet and the Dragon can imitate God so closely that you can only tell them apart from God by Scripture. I you look back up at Deuteronomy 18:20 you will see that he speaks in the name of another god.

Daniel 11:38- But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

Daniel calls him the god of forces, which his Jewish fathers knew not.

John 10:4-5- And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Those who stay in the Word of God will be able to tell the difference. Those who rely on feelings, or traditions, or religion will be deceived like Jesus Himself warned.

Matthew 24:24- For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

II Corinthians 11:13-15- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

How could anyone fall for that? Because they preach using the words people have come to rely on and not Sound Doctrine!

Mark 13:6- For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

II Corinthians 11:3-4- But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Romans 16:18- For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

How can you make certain that you won't be deceived? By taking heed to God's Word.

II Timothy 3:13-15- But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 2:15- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

When God Creates Evil

Alright, we’re going to get a bit controversial for a while and deal with some things in the Bible that most people just ignore, especially Laodiceans, since it goes against their soft grain like sandpaper against a gummy bear. I choose to NOT ignore this subject matter because (1) we’re supposed to be living by “every” word of God (Mat. 4:4), not just the ones we like, (2) I always enjoy clearing up confusion, and (3) I believe that our understanding of God is flawed, if we fail to get a good grip on what I hope to show you from the scriptures. We’ll start by looking at a couple supposed “contradictions” and then go from there . . .

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” (I Chron. 21:1) As you can see, the verse says that SATAN provoked David to number Israel. But look at II Samuel 24:1 and notice some very different words: “And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” Here, it is THE LORD that moves David to number Israel, and, as if that’s not enough, it is THE LORD himself who chooses to deal with David about his sin of numbering Israel (II Sam. 24:10-15)! If you’re looking for “contradictions” in the Bible, you can sure do better than Jehoiachin’s age or Solomon’s horse stalls! Look no further than II Samuel 24:1 and I Chronicles 21:1.

Let’s get another one. Here’s Titus 1:2: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” That’s clear enough: God cannot lie. I would imagine that we can all agree on that. But can we all agree on Ezekiel 14:9? Ezekiel 14:9 says, “And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.” According to the scriptures, God, who doesn’t lie, is in the business of deceiving prophets.

Now, any attempted exegesis of these texts that doesn’t allow them to stand as worded is not a God-honoring exegesis. God knows exactly what He’s doing, exactly what He meant to say, exactly why He said it, and He doesn’t need anyone apologizing or doing any damage control for Him. These are NOT contradictions. These are CHALLENGES for the believer to stop being a careless and casual Bible reader and to start being a serious student of the word.

All true Christians know God spiritually, but very few know Him theologically. That is, you might know Him as a result of having been born into His kingdom and family through Christ, but how well do you know what He says ABOUT HIMSELF in over 700,000 words? For instance, you might know that James Melton is a Tennessee preacher who pastors a church, stands on the King James Bible, and does a lot of writing, but do you know how many children I have, what their names are, what my wife looks like, where I live, what my hobbies are, what I like to eat, where I grew up, how I learned the Bible, what kind of music I like, how many guns I have, who my parents are, the names of my pets, whether I live in town or in the country, and what is my favorite sport? You see, you can know someone generally without knowing them CLOSELY, and that’s how most Christians know God . . . generally. This message will help you to step in and get a closer look at your Creator and Heavenly Father, and you won’t have to get a new translation or anyone’s lexicon to do it. Sticking with only the King’s English, we’re going to get better acquainted with God by slowing down and taking a serious look at some passages that most people conveniently ignore.

Alright, let’s deal with the title. Why in the world would a Bible-believing preacher title a message “When God Creates Evil”? Well, either I’ve completely lost my mind or I’ve found something else of interest in the Book. Thankfully, it’s the latter. Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” Okay, so I haven’t lost my mind. The Book says that God creates evil. While the critically-spirited skeptic throws his transmission in reverse with “But . . but . . . but . . . but . . .”, the humble and inquiring student of scripture will say, “Okay, you have my attention. What else you got? I’m all ears.”

I find it very instructive that God would put things like that in the Bible, knowing full well that thousands of people, perhaps millions, will stumble all over it, completely miss the truth presented, and often go out worse than they came in! Knowing that to be the case, He just goes right ahead and does it anyway. It seems that His attitude is that a man who isn’t willing to humble himself and be taught isn’t worthy of the truth anyway.

All of this will make more sense if you’ll please allow me to establish a setting, at least for sake of illustration. Imagine, if you will, that heaven has a grand courtroom with a very large and majestic bench. Behind that bench sits God Himself, and throughout the courtroom sits and stands both good and evil spirit beings, including Satan. Everything that happens in the universe must come before God’s bench and be signed by God Himself, including everything in the earth. Sometimes Satan has a plan, but he can’t execute it without God’s signature. Sometimes God Himself has a plan, and He asks those in the courtroom to make suggestions on the best way to execute His plan. It isn’t that He doesn’t already know the best plan. It’s just that, for His own reasons, He wants others to have input. In both cases, God remains firmly positioned behind the bench and there’s never any question about who is in charge. God is the Boss, He’s the “judge of all the earth” (Gen. 18:25), and He has the final word in everything. In that sense, He’s RESPONSIBLE for everything. Yes, including evil.

Having established our setting, let’s go to I Kings chapter 22. The Israeli kingdom has been divided for many years with the ten northern tribes being in gross apostasy under the wicked rule of king Ahab. The southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin haven’t yet gone into apostasy, and they are ruled by the king Jehoshaphat. Due to his many national sins, Ahab and the northern tribes were not possessing all of the land that God had given them, so Ahab decided that it was time to go and TAKE the land, with or without God’s blessings (22:1-3). So, to make the whole thing appear good, he invites the better king Jehoshaphat to come along and help in the battle, and Jehoshaphat fell for the scheme in the name of brotherhood, equality and unity (22:4). But, being more of a Bible believer than Ahab, Jehoshaphat thought it best to seek GOD’S will: “And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” (22:5)

Now it gets crazy. Being an apostate idolater, Ahab wasn’t about to REALLY inquire of the Lord. Instead, he would act all religious and devout for a while just to appease Jehoshaphat. So he called out the ecumenical crowd with their vestments, white collars, crosses and prayer beads, and they all told him just what he wanted to hear: “Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” (22:6) With Ahab sitting there grinning in his self-pride, Jehoshaphat felt led to throw a monkey wrench in the machinery: “And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?” (22:7) You see, Jehoshaphat was from the Bible belt down south, and that ecumenical stuff just wasn’t his cup of tea. He wanted some REAL preaching. Now, watch what happens . . .

“And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.” (22:8) LOL! That dirty devil knew full well that his own “prophets” were a bunch of liars and crooks, and that’s the way he wanted it. When Jehoshaphat requested a true prophet of the LORD, Ahab didn’t say, “Why, what do you mean? ALL of these prophets are of the LORD! You just heard the will of the LORD, brother! Let’s roll!” No, he said nothing like that. Knowing that his religious circus wasn’t worth a dime, Ahab knew EXACTLY what Jehoshaphat meant when he requested to hear “a prophet of the LORD.” In fact, he knew exactly WHO that prophet of the LORD was, WHERE to find him, and that he hated his guts due to his negative preaching!

Ahab then conceded to Jehoshaphat’s request and sent for the real prophet, a man named Micaiah. A messenger briefed Micaiah about all that had transpired and then tried to get him to go along with the smooth words of all the other false prophets who were still engaged in their ecumenical circus (22:9-13). Naturally, being a true man of God, Micaiah wasn’t about to go along with anything: “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.” (22:14) Uh, oh! Party’s over. Actually, it’s NOT over. The warm-up band is about to leave the stage and the “main attraction” is ready for his grandest “performance” ever.

So Micaiah is brought in before the two kings, and wicked Ahab says, “Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear?” (22:15) Micaiah knows what he’s “supposed” to say, thanks to the sissy messenger who tried to intimidate him, so since the whole thing is a circus anyway, he decides to have a bit of fun. Giving most of his energy to avoid cracking a smile, the sarcastic Micaiah took a deep breath and stretched forth his arm and said, “Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” (22:15) LOL! Disgust is written on Ahab’s face and on the faces of most of the false prophets for they know without a doubt that ole’ Mike is mocking and poking fun at their ridiculous “preaching,” just as Elijah had mocked the Baal worshipers at Mt. Carmel (I Kgs. 18).

Then Ahab, realizing that he had “been had” again, placed Micaiah under an oath so that he would have to stop clowning around and speak the truth: “And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?” (22:16) The “how many times” seems to be a clear indication that ole’ Mike had jabbed Ahab a few times before with his jesting sarcasm, and the dull-minded king had fallen for yet another one. No doubt, “Ha, ha! Gotcha again, Ahab!” was Micaiah’s inner joy as he prepared to DROP THE BOMBS. Now that he’s been “adjured” (placed under oath), there’s only one thing left to do: “And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.” (22:17) The biggest one is yet to come, but that’s the first bomb. Ahab is going to die. He has to because of the prophecy of Elijah in the previous chapter.

Ahab utters to Jehoshaphat some “I told you so” words, and then Micaiah heads into the unexpected and unwelcomed point number two: “And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” (22:19-23) BOOM!

We won’t deal with the rest of Micaiah’s message, since the above words well reinforce the main point of what I’m trying to get across, but rest assured that his words did come to pass. Ahab is dead before dark (22:34-40), the false prophets end up looking like fools, and God’s true prophets hit the bulls eye as usual.

Now, about Micaiah’s peculiar vision. He said that he saw the LORD on His throne and the host of heaven gathered around on His right and left. Then he heard the LORD put forth an order of business to be carried out: THE DEATH OF AHAB. God wanted to know who had the best execution plan for wicked Ahab. After several plans were presented, one spirit stepped up with the winning plan: “I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” (22:22) God basically said, “I like it! Where do I sign?” The plan was carried out, Ahab believed the lying prophets that God sent, and he was dead before dark. To double down on the unpopular truth, Micaiah rubbed it in further by saying, “Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” (22:23) Did the LORD actually TELL the lie? Of course not, but He did AUTHORIZE the lie. In that sense, it can said that “the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets.” He’s the Judge behind the bench that signed the paper.

For more of the same, please consider Ezekiel 14:9: “And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.” There it is, plain as the nose on your face: GOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DECEPTION. No, He doesn’t personally deceive anyone or lie, but He does authorize it when someone is unworthy of further truth. The context here in Ezekiel is people loving their idols more than God and His truth (14:1-8), so He sends them LIES.

Get II Thessalonians 2:11-12: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” The context here is the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist and his blind followers. God sends a “strong delusion” for the distinct purpose of deceiving and damning those who REJECTED truth. He doesn’t personally engage in the deceit, but He does authorize it from His heavenly bench after assessing the whole situation and considering all the facts. It is in that sense that all “the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1), not just the “good” powers, and it’s in that sense that the heathen Nebuchadnezzar was God’s “servant” (Jer. 25:9). God is the supreme Judge and Commander. NOTHING happens off of His watch, not even a falling sparrow or a hair falling from your head (Mat. 10:29-30). That makes God the BOSS, the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, the CEO, the JUDGE and KING. Everything is under His command, His control and His authorization, including “the deceived and the deceiver” (Job 12:16), and both “good” and “evil” (Job 2:10; Lam. 3:38).

So! Who was it that moved David to number Israel? God or Satan? God signed the order, and Satan did the dirty work. Who is it that lies and deceives people? God signs the order, and Satan does the dirty work. If you still doubt this, just read Job chapters one and two where God AUTHORIZES Satan to attack Job and his family, and read Revelation 12:10 where “the accuser of our brethren” is finally cast down. God is the Supreme Judge. He only is omniscient and omnipotent, so He only can sit qualified to measure out court orders from His heavenly bench. He knows exactly what He’s doing, when to do it, how much of it to do, who to do it to and who can get it done. Why did so many Jews perish in the holocaust? Because God knows what He’s doing. Why have sixty million babies been aborted in America? Because God knows what He’s doing. Why do so many people suffer and face hardships and tragic deaths? Because God knows what He’s doing. Why did the sinless Son of God have to hang on the cross and suffer and die for OUR sins? Because God knows what He’s doing, even if the devil doesn't (I Cor. 2:8)! Relax, my friend, God has EVERYTHING under control. You might want to join His ranks while you still can. 

“Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?” (Ecc. 8:4)

- James L. Melton 

www.biblebaptistpublications.org

Never a Time (song)

Feelings (poem)

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever!

-Martin Luther

Beef Bourginon recipe

 3 lbs stew meat chopped up into smaller bites

1/2 lb bacon

1 diced onion

2 cloves minced garlic

3 TBS flour

3 TBS butter

2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon red wine

Baby carrots

Beef stock

Bouquet of parsley and thyme

Bay leaves

2 TBS Worcestershire sauce

1 TBS Dale's Sauce

1 TBS beef base

Brown the meat in a large pot and put into a crock pot (do not cook fully).

Cut the bacon into bite sized pieces and cook in same pot until well done. Put into the crockpot with the beef.

Using the bacon grease, sauté the onion until translucent.

Add the garlic to the onion and cook for about 2 minutes longer.

Move onion and garlic to the crockpot.

Pour the red wine into the pot with the remaining bacon grease and bring to a boil. Turn down a little and allow to bubble for at least 10 minutes.

Melt the butter and add the flour stirring until well mixed (stir constantly).

Now, add some beef stock and stir in the Worcestershire, Dale's, and beef  base.

Once all ingredients are well blended, pour into the crockpot over the other ingredients.

Add baby carrots to the crockpot.

Put your bouquet of thyme and parsley in on top and then pour more beef stock in until all ingredients are covered.

Add a few Bay leaves and turn crock pot on low.

Allow this to cook for a few hours.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Eat over mashed potatoes.

God Is Not Mocked (video sermon)

God's Voice

 An old wives tale says that when it is thundering that God is speaking. Have you ever wondered where that saying came from? Did you ever question what God's voice sounded like?

There are a few people in the Bible that actually heard God's voice. Their responses are all quite similar.

Deuteronomy 5:22-28- These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.

The Israelites in the wilderness heard God's voice and begged Moses to talk with God alone. Moses had heard God's voice once before going to Egypt while he was a shepherd in the wilderness of Ethiopia. It was over time that Moses had learned to listen and not just quake at the sound of it.

The Prophet Daniel and the Apostle John both heard God's voice and saw an appearance of Him and both had a similar reaction to it.

Daniel 10:5-6, 9- Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Revelation 1:10-18- I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Both men fell down to the ground almost paralyzed with fear! They described the sound as best they could with what they knew- a voice of a multitude, a great voice as of a trumpet, a voice as the sound of many waters.

Have you ever been near a waterfall? It's powerful rushing force is not only loud, but it creates vibrations that can be felt through your body!

I think my favorite description is from the book of Job.

Job 40:9- Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

I can understand that one. I've been in some loud thunderstorms that shook my house and made me feel deaf for a moment from the intensity of the sound!

God's voice was not always a mystery to mankind. There was once a time when His voice was heard often.

Genesis 3:8- And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Isn't it interesting the way that is worded? They heard the voice walking. Do you know why that is a good translation? Because they were speaking to a pre-incarnate version of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-5, 14- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Christ was always around. He is not a created God. He has always been and will always be. He just changed forms. Before, with Adam and Eve, He was more spirit. But a spirit cannot die for the sins of man! So He took on a new form, a human form.

As a man Christ used His voice to cast out devils, raise the dead, heal the sick, and so much more. He will always have a body, but when He comes back the second time, His appearance will have changed. And His voice will be even more powerful!

Song of Solomon 2:8- The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

What happens when His voice skips on the hills and leaps upon the mountains? They melt!

Nahum 1:5- The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Revelation 11:11-13- And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The dead will still raise.

Revelation 16:1, 17- And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Judgement will fall.

Revelation 21:3-6- And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Time and eternity will change.

But back to our original question- why did those old women have the tale that thunder was God speaking?

John 12:28-29- Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Because when God speaks not everyone will hear Him. Those who submitted to John's baptism were able to hear God speak; those who would not repent and humble themselves only heard a roll of thunder.

The same thing will happen during the rapture. 

1Corinthians 15:52- In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:52- In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

An unbelievably loud thunder will shake the earth and disrupt their lives as they know it. But Christians will hear their name like as if it were called by a trumpet. And in a split second they will feel that voice reverberate throughout their body as it changes them into immortal, sinless beings who, like John in Revelation, will come up hither.

Time Travel in the Bible?

Getting Let Down (video sermon)

Healthy Minute- The Female Cycle

 

The world today is very backwards. It says that men and women are the same. They are not. It says that they are equal when they are different. What affects a man does not necessarily have the same effect on a woman, and vice versa.

Men were created to work long hard hours in the sun to provide for their family. Their hormone cycle is a lot like the sun. In the early hours of life they start to produce male hormones that wax greater as the sun does towards the noon hours. A man's hormones peak around midlife, and just as the sun slowly slips down towards the horizon, so does a man's hormones in the later years of life.

A woman was made to nurture and flow. Her abilities and priorities change as the family grows, or the children age, etc. Her hormones follow the moon. Just as the moon grows full and then slowly fades to nothing, so too do her hormones each month.

You can view the monthly cycle sort of like the seasons. When you're bleeding you are in the dead of winter. Very few hormones. Things may seem dark and depressing. Then light breaks forth and the rains bring flowers of spring. This is when your body is preparing for the ability to bring forth life. Summer comes following bringing with it the egg that is ready for fertilization. This leads to fall where you gather in your harvest and prepare your family (or your body) for the next season (or pregnancy where you're in a 9 month season of nurturing and growth).

A woman who tries to push herself hard like a man every day will eventually do damage to her body. She needs to learn how to flow with the daily needs of her cycle like the ocean tides flow with the moon. They change throughout the month, and for her health she should also change certain things throughout the month. 

The most important thing is to track your cycle and listen to your body. If you need rest, take it. If you have energy, utilize it. Cravings? Find a healthy way to fulfill them. Stressed? Meditate or try a breathing exercise. Work with your cycle, not against it.

This is my research on this matter and is not be considered medical advice.

Take note of your skin. Not only will your diet and exercise regimen change, but so might your skincare needs. Try to use things with natural ingredients. Notice the signals your skin is giving you. If it burns or makes you break out in angry sores, you shouldn't use it.

Try to consume high quality whole foods throughout all phases, ensure adequate nightly sleep, and get some fresh air and sunshine daily! Take time to breathe throughout the day. Sometimes we just need a quiet moment to gather ourselves.

Please note that the days listed in the graphic above are estimates. Your cycle could be longer or shorter. Your ovulation period may come earlier or later. Try to track your cycle by marking the days of your period. From day 1 of your period to the day before the first day of your period is your cycle. Mine is generally a 27 day cycle. Basal body temperature is also a great way to track your cycle.

Just as the new moon reflects no light, the Menstrual phase (also the Early Follicular Phase) is when your estrogen and progesterone drop, the steroid hormone fluctuates, and you begin to bleed. The beginning is a good time to stretch and relax, but toward the last few days it's a great time for SIT (strength interval training) workouts and strength training with weights. Take individual period symptoms into account for your readiness to train. Moderate to high intensity strength and endurance training is appropriate.

Your diet should be  nourishing foods that build iron and are anti-inflammatory to fight cramps. Think of warm soups, high quality proteins, and healthy fats. It would include bone broth, grass fed beef, wild caught fish, organic chicken, liver, oysters, spinach, chard, kale, collard greens, broccoli, kelp, mushrooms, beets, bell peppers, lentils, adzuki beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, flaxseeds, citrus fruits, strawberries, cherries, pineapple, mango, papaya, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, cardamom, cumin, garlic, parsley, curry, liquid aminos, and teas like red raspberry leaf or nettle leaf. It's also a good idea to eat high iron foods with vitamin C during this time.

Eat at least 1 gram of protein for each pound of your ideal body weight. If you want to weigh 120 pounds, then you should eat 120 grams of protein daily. Also, make sure you get some easily accessible carbs around your training sessions along with healthy fats to help fuel your body through your workout.

If you're looking to lose weight this is when you would cut calories. A calorie deficit during this time is most beneficial for weight management. However, being a woman means that your body can easily slip into "starvation mode" where it will pack it on to be able to provide for later. So make certain that your deficit is no more than 10% fewer calories- if you eat 2,000 calories a day, that would be 200 calories less each day.

If you find yourself having heavy period flow due to estrogen dominance (more estrogen than progesterone), add in quercetin and probiotics and avoid dairy. If you're having large clots, try adding in omega 3's, DIM, zinc, and magnesium to your diet; not just during this phase, but continually throughout the month.

It's a good idea to get your hormones check throughout the month to see what is happening with them. If you believe your hormones are off, you will want to get them checked you should aim for these days following the first date of your period according to Dr. Sara Gottfried:

• Estradiol and FSH on day 3
• Estradiol on day 12
• Estradiol and progesterone on day 21 or 22

Since your hormones are at their lowest, self-care is vital during this phase. You may notice that your skin seems dull or that your skin is more dry during this time. Focus on reducing inflammation and encouraging cell turnover. You'll want to use a cleanser that works to not only clear your pores, but also hydrate your skin, possibly an oil cleanser. Add in a witch hazel or apple cider vinegar toner. You may want to add a resurfacing product containing lactic acid. Follow with a good moisturizer.

Next comes the Late Follicular phase. This is after your period ends but before you ovulate. It's like the time as the moon starts waxing towards full. Your hormones are still low, and the pituitary gland releases the follicle stimulating hormones. As estrogen starts to rise and progesterone remains low, moderate to high intensity strength and endurance training is appropriate. This is a good time for very active Yoga, Cardio, Plyometrics, and anything that gets you moving and sweating! The rise in estrogen can help you work harder and recover quicker.

With estrogen, we want to use it and lose it. Ovulation overwhelm, or anxiety during ovulation, happens when your estrogen surges and crashes and isn't countered properly by progesterone. This is common during perimenopause because of the hormones going all over the place.

You can help your body to calm down by doing physiological sighs (exhale stimulation) or Wim Hoff breathing (inhale stimulation) which can help calm the nervous system.

To help you lose estrogen, you should focus on the liver and kidneys as well as the gut since they detox estrogen. So avoid alcohol, get properly hydrated, avoid endocrine disruptors (check the EWG app or website to see the toxicity of common household products), and add some good gut friendly foods like fiber, fermented probiotic foods, and cruciferous veggies.

The diet here is more fresh and light. Healthy fats, iron, and zinc are especially important during this phase. You'll need energizing foods to help with that activity. Eat  grass fed Beef, wild caught fish, organic chicken and turkey, pastured lamb, free range eggs, chia seeds, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, hemp seeds, banana, apple, apricot, kiwi, blueberries, sugar snap peas, kale, green beans, green peas, carrots, sprouts, artichoke, parsley, beets, sweet potato, brown rice, complex carbs, flax seeds, along with probiotic-rich fermented and pickled veggies, sauerkraut, kimchi, and holy basil. A good drink to add in would be milk thistle tea.

You may notice that your skin is glowing during this phase. Most of the time this phase is when our skin looks its best! Focus on skin nourishment and skin treatments during this phase. Think about adding in an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week. A gentle cleanser, a mask with vitamin C, keep up the lactic acid treatments, moisturize, and don't forget your sunscreen!

Like a full moon shining brightly, now comes ovulation which kicks off the luteal phase. This day is not always the exact center of your cycle. I tend to have a shorter follicular phase and a longer luteal phase. There's a slight rise in body temperature. The main thing you will notice is that you are "wet" (your discharge is almost egg white consistency) and you may need to wear a liner and change it often. This is due to a rise in estrogen and a spike of testosterone. While estrogen and testosterone are at their peak take advantage with your strength training by utilizing max effort, low volume. Bring your endurance training to moderate effort while focusing on proper form to mitigate the increased risk of injury during this phase- HIIT, zone 2 training (longer/ slower workouts) yoga.

You will need more calories during this time- around 100 to 300 daily. Eat your complex carbs before your workouts. And get some Lucien rich protein within 30 minutes of your workout- salmon, chickpeas, eggs, nuts, and beef. Try eating grass fed beef, wild caught fish, free range eggs, shellfish, quinoa, red lentils, cauliflower, broccoli, all greens, tomatoes, asparagus, brussel sprouts, chard, okra, dandelion, bell pepper,  eggplant, zucchini, squash, lettuce, cucumber, radish, watermelon, coconut, grapefruit, papaya, berries, goji berry, maca, ginger, micro-greens, spirulina, turmeric, sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, chia seeds and teas containing burdock root and dandelion root and add in detoxifying and fermented foods.

The same skincare rules will apply here in the ovulation face as you followed in the follicular phase. 

After ovulation there is a huge flood in progesterone and a bump in estrogen. The beginning of the moon waning back to quiet night. If you aren't pregnant, this is where you can get bloating and all those icky PMS symptoms. During the last part your serotonin will drop making you feel emotional and down. As progesterone rises and work output beings to feel more difficult lower the weight and increase the repetitions per set. Longer endurance training with less intensity. You'll want a light to moderate workout like hiking, pilates, or yoga. Use more of your body weight instead of actual dumbbells.

Try cooling the palms of your hands between exercise sets, get in the sauna post exercise, or take a hot shower/ bath before bed. Tart cherry juice and tryptophan can be taken for better sleep. And you can get low angle light in the morning for between 10-30 minutes. This is unfiltered blue/ yellow contrast of the early morning that helps with your circadian rhythm. Also avoid bright lights and electronics after the sun goes down.

If you find recovery is not that great you can use box breathing, massage, or 5 to 10 mg of creatine monohydrate daily. This will pull water back into the cell. It can be taken all throughout your cycle for recovery.

Your diet needs to contain a lot of liquid because there will be a decrease in your blood plasma volume, good sources of calcium and magnesium rich foods, good quality fats, and keeping that 100 to 300 more calories daily. Don't forget your complex carbs before your workouts followed by Lucien rich protein within 30 minutes of completing your workout. You need to increase your intake of Vitamin D during this time- think of adding in cod liver oil and egg yolks. You'll still want the detox foods but add in dark chocolate and up your protein to assist in maintaining muscle and strength as your body prepares to bleed! Your diet should contain Bone broth, grass fed beef, wild caught tuna and salmon, organic chicken, shellfish, kale, chard, arugula, cabbage, avocado, figs, raspberry, oats, sweet potato, carrots, banana, plantain, quinoa, brown rice, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds pistachios, maca, black beans, chickpeas, great northern beans, navy beans, dark leafy greens. Good teas would be red raspberry leaf or ginger spice. 

The late luteal phase, right before you begin your period, can be problematic for some women. Our bodies have been hard at work providing us the energy to build strength, and if needed, create new life. We can easily get stressed and overwhelmed during this time. If we aren't expecting a baby, our bodies will need to evacuate the hormones (use it and lose it, remember). Our nutrients can get all out of whack if we aren't careful. Focus on nourishing, restoration, and getting adequate sleep along with detoxing.

Adding in magnesium (150-250mg) and zinc (45 mg) during this time can really help. If you find you get fever blisters before your period you can add in the amino acid L-Lysine. You should also increase your protein intake.

For those with trouble sleeping, tart cherry juice is amazing and it's full of antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. Just 30 mg morning and night with 2 grams of Omega 3's can really help with the late luteal drag; take this through the end of your bleed cycle. 

Other adaptogens to consider during this time are: 

• ashwaganda (evening 250-300 mg), great for reducing cortisol and increasing LH, T3, T4; this can be taken throughout your cycle if you have problems with these hormones
• holy basil (500 mg twice daily), helps reduce cortisol, improves energy, anit-inflammation, boosts immune system, pain killer, but it also is an anti-fertility herb so avoid if you have fertility problems
• rhodiola rosea (640 mg in the morning) helps with fatigue, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety
• schisandra (500 mg daily) helps with estrogen detox, can help with blood sugar regulation, and endurance; can be taken throughout your cycle

You may find your skin is oilier or your skin tone becomes uneven during this phase. You may sweat more, and breakouts may occur. Focus on reducing oil and clearing out pores. Utilize clay masks to remove toxins from your pores. Try exfoliating with peels instead of scrubs. A good cleanser, some charcoal-based masks, salicylic acid, and a light application of moisturizers, or alternating your moisturizers!

Epsom salt baths are amazing for both detox and relaxation!

Here, the cycle begins again. You may notice that in these later luteal phase days and the beginning of the menstrual days your energy is sapped. You feel tired and maybe even a little depressed. This is when you really need to listen to your body. Unload during this phase focusing more on skill-based work. Just as the falling leaves of autumn signal that winter is on the horizon, so too is your body alerting you to the fact that your menstrual phase is about to begin. Allow it the rest it needs. Feed it the nutrients it craves. And watch your health blossom!

From The Depths Of My Heart (song)

The Snow Globe (poem)

"The Snow Globe"
By Pastor Bo Wagner

She sat in her chair, unsure what to do,
For little had gone as she planned,
Her health was a wreck, her check book was bare,
It even took effort to stand.

It wasn't for sin, nor foolish decisions,
She suffered so much on this day,
Yet a tear stained her cheek, as she let out a sigh,
And said, "Sometimes life just goes this way."

Then up on the shelf, her eye caught the sight,
Of a trinket collecting the dust,
She pushed herself up, and reached out and took it,
So careful to not let it bust.

It was so very old, that little snow globe,
T'was given to her as a child,
She brushed off the dust, and shook it a bit,
Then peace filled her heart as she smiled.

Those silvery sparkles, had laid on the bottom,
For years they did not catch the light,
But when it got shaken, and turned upside down,
That globe was a beautiful sight.

She stood there and stared, just lost in the wonder,
Then she put the globe down and she prayed,
"Lord, if it takes shaking, to make me to shine,
Then help me to not be afraid."

Then she put down the globe, and prepared for the day,
Not knowing what shaking would be,
But confident knowing, whatever it was,
She could sparkle for others to see.