Positive and Encouraging Online Publication for Today's Christian
Alyssa Avant Founder of Beauty By Design Ministries
When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. ~Proverbs16:15~
Embracing the Rain is here to show you that God loves everyone and He created everyone with a purpose. No matter what you've done, God loves you. Are you hurt, broken hearted, feeling helpless and lost? We are here to share in God's great love for us and to help you to find hope and learn to how to receive God's blessings! Christianâ€&#x;s share their faith in stories, art, poetry and testimonies. Come and share in His blessings!
Positive and Encouraging Online Publication for Today's Christian
March/April 2011 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
About us: Embracing the Rain is a positive and encouraging online publication for Christians. Embracing the Rain is created for and by people who were set free by Jesus Christ. We now live with hope, love and joy in our lives. We want our light to shine for all the world to see! The walk sometimes is not easy. But that is why we are here. To encourage one another and maybe show someone else that they too can be set free. Free to enjoy life, free to enjoy God’s rain! Could you use an encouraging word? Or a scripture for a job interview, or just express yourself in poetry. Embracing the Rain is Christian publication where all can share their testimonies on how God changed their lives! We share in word, poetry, music and art to show you that God is real! We invite you to see how God's rain is falling in people's lives!
What is God's Rain? God's rain is His mercy, blessings, love and all gifts that God gives his children. We need to embrace these gifts and encourage one another to by sharing what God has done in our lives. Staying in the joy of the Lord is sometimes not easy, here at Embracing the Rain you will find stories and articles that will keep you in the joy of the Lord and learn to embrace the Holy Spirit! We want to embrace God's living waters that come down like the rain. We should share the good things that God has done in our lives with others! We hope you enjoy our pages and maybe submit your testimonies or any God given talents that you have to share with everyone! Hosea6:3 "Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
I was lost you called my name; you came and rescued me. My soul was dry, you sent the rain, and you poured it over me. You gave me new life, and made me your own; and sent living water from your throne. Let your rain fall, let it cover my soul; let your living water make me whole. My spirit is sustained by that living Holy rain; I thirst for nothing plain, let your rain fall Endless Worship
Inspirational Stories & Links to help you "Stay in the Rain"
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed It doesn't matter where you come from or what you've done, Jesus loves you and will set you free.
Click here for a free gift.
Submit your stories Feel free to share what God has done in your life! We would love to hear from you.
Creators of Embracing the Rain Jacqueline Dennis Bio
Web Design and Editor Nancie Armstrong Bio
Writer and Editor
Writers Debbie McMannus-Bio
Debbie's Inspirational Corner Keeping you in the Joy of the Lord Come feel the Rain.
March-April 2011 In this issue we bring you stories of renewal, fresh starts and encouraging art, music and poetry.
Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Wayne Auman Bio
Hope for the Helpless
Hosea 6:3
Articles, songs, and poems (particularly teens), and encouraging, enabling words to victims of cruelty. Lisa Freeman Bio
Abuse Bites Hope and Encouragement for those who have been abused.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Copyright© 2007-2011 Embracing the Rain All Rights Reserved Contact webmaster - Jackie Dennis Photos in articles and used in web design are from Fotolia or copyrighted by perspective owners and are not to be copied or reproduced in anyway. Copying these photos is a violation of the law! Articles may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or publicly displayed without the consent of the author or copyright owner. copyright© 2007 Embracing the Rain. Some articles are from FaithWriters All rights reserved.
Feature Articles: The Art of Saying Your Sorry Nancie Armstrong Page 9 Reverse the Curse Lisa Freeman page 16 The “Voice� Wayne Auman page 21 Are you on the Right Track? Debbie McMannus
Special Interview Alyssa Avant~ Beauty by Design Ministries page 7
Music: Finchley Interview (listen online!) page 14
Healing Hands ~ God is Still in the Miracle Business Cathy Tubbs story Page 11
Art Readers Submitted Art page 24
Poetry Reader Submitted Poetry page 18
Dear Child, I love you
Love, God
INTERVIEW
Alyssa Avant Beauty By Design Ministries Alyssa Avant, Christian author and speaker, founded Beauty By Design Ministries in January 2005 to reach an ever growing population of girls who are pressured and confused by the messages of style, fashion and beauty within our culture. Alyssa brings together her 9 years of experience in the modeling industry with her strong commitment to the Lord and 5 years of experience in student ministry together to make her girls? events fun, entertaining and empowering. Her mission is ?turning the hearts of girls towards God.? Alyssa now offers her services through Party Boxes, Gift Boxes, her ezine Heart to Heart: Mom-Daughter Connection, and articles on several WAHM websites and blogs, in addition to her key note speaking, event and party planning services. Alyssa holds a Bachelor?s Degree in Psychology from the University of Mississippi and is completing her Master's Degree in Christian Education from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007. Alyssa served as the youth and children's minister at Carrollton Baptist Church from June 2002 March 2007. She has been married to her husband, Greg, for 7 years and is the mom of a 3 year old son, Baker and a newborn daughter, Lillian Claire ?Lily?. She and her family live in Carrollton, MS with their beloved basset hound, Duke.
Embracing the Rain's Interview with Alyssa Avant By Debbie McMannus 1. What do you feel is the greatest obstacle facing young women today? I believe that the greatest obstacle for young women is unrealistic pressure from society to be super woman. She has to be the career person, the mom, the wife, and do it all well. 2. How do you feel society hampers a young women's self image today? Society hampers young women to do by making her believe that she must conform to a certain standard. That she has to be thin, beautiful, talented, athletic, smart, the total package. 3. Who is your favorite Christian author and why? Beth Moore, she is an amazing woman of God who knows His Word. She admits that she isn?t perfect and bares her soul for her readers. 4. What is your favorite scripture and how has it influenced your ministry? My favorite scripture is Romans 8:28. It has influenced my ministry because I realize everything in my life has been leading up to my having this ministry and that ?all things truly do work for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.? 5. What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
I hope to be speaking and writing, as I am now, with much more success of course. I hope to have several books published and a full schedule of events. I will also make my children and their activities a priority. 6. What are some of the projects you are working on presently? I am currently working on a podcast for moms and one for teens. I hope to begin this by the fall. 7. What is one of your greatest accomplishments you have achieved while in your ministry? My greatest accomplishment thus far in my ministry is leading a girl?s retreat in its entirety. I planned the entire thing and spoke for all three sessions as well as led the activities. It was a wonderful weekend. 8. How do you think society influences women today in regards to weight issues? It makes most young women believe that they must be thin. 9. What do you think society can do to help out young women today? Society can help young women by helping them to realize we are all unique and all have a very special makeup and purpose. For more information on Beauty By Design check out Beauty By Design copyrightŠ2007 Embracing the Rain
WALKING IN THE SPIRIT Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, b u t b e transformed b y t h e r e n e w i n g o f y o u r m i n d . . .
Nancie Arstrong “Love means never having to say you‟re sorry.” That was a famous line in the 1970 film “Love Story.” The problem with that line of thinking is that it is Hollywood-based and not Bible-based. Have you ever heard an old couple say,” We have been married X amount of years and we have never had a single fight.” Sometimes people don‟t fight for various reasons. Expressing anger and dealing with conflict might be hard because of things you have learned or messages you have gotten about anger, conflict, and confrontation. You may have seen people expressing destructive anger and made a decision early on not to express these emotions. You might have learned that anger leads to the withdrawal of a person‟s love. My grandmother was an expert in the violence of silence. If you crossed her, she would give you the silent treatment for days or even weeks. Other problems could be a person may be over-sensitive. Some people are thin-skinned and are incapable of handling even the slightest criticism. Sweeping conflicts under the rug is another good one. It might work for a short period of time but usually over time it erodes the relationship. It is best to express an annoyance with someone rather than pretend it does not exist. It is usually better to deal with our anger in a direct and honest way. In order to express our anger we must feel safe when doing so. We must be able to trust the reactions of the other person. We must do it in a relatively short amount of time after the incident. Like the Bible states in Ephesians 4:26, “Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Denial or unexpressed anger festers and eventually leads to the death of a relationship. Anger needs to be dealt with in a constructive way before it leads to explosive proportions. It is difficult to feel loving towards another if you are harboring unexpressed grudges. Unresolved conflicts will eventually poison the relationship and prevent intimacy. Letting go of old grievances and forgiving others is essential in maintaining intimacy. You don‟t necessarily have to forget to forgive. But don‟t be a grudge holder or seek vengeance on the other person. Forgiveness is the act of letting go. Most people think that when you forgive someone you are doing it for them. Truthfully, when you forgive someone else you are doing it for yourself. We can see the journey of forgiveness as crossing a bridge over mulling over our anger to a place of peace. Forgiveness is like “spiritual surgery” on the soul. It cuts away the rotten parts so there is room for healthy growth. We also need to recognize that we need to forgive ourselves as well. Sometimes when we hurt someone, the guilt of it haunts us and we are unable to forgive ourselves. This is especially true when we have unresolved issues with someone who has passed away. It leads to feelings of guilt and pain; manifests itself in undue suffering in the grieving process. It can lead to regrets and self-loathing. Ask for forgiveness from others when we have wronged them. That way God can forgive us for our wrongdoing. Matthew 6:12 says, “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” I believe that true peace will only come when we each can take the responsibility of forgiving everyone, including ourselves. So love really does mean having to say we‟re sorry.
Copyright© 2007 Embracing the Rain All Rights Reserved Contact webmaster - Jackie Dennis
Heard it @ Church Many times we hear jokes, household tips or a good recipe at church. Here are a few things we would like to share. If you have a joke, tip or recipe to share, let us know Contact Embracing the Rain A new pastor was doing his rounds visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it was evident that someone was within but no one answered his repeated knocks. Eventually he wrote on the back of a calling card: „Revelation 3:20‟ and stuck it to the door. The following Sunday he was surprised to find his card in the offering plate. Below his writing was scrawled: „Genesis 3:10.‟ He reached for his Bible and thereafter broke into gales of laughter. *** Revelation 3:20 - “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” Genesis 3:10 - “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked…”
Quick and Easy Chicken Pot Pies (Pasties style)
1 Cup of chunked Cooked leftover chicken (not BBQ) 16 oz. frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, beans and potatoes) 1 box of Pillsbury refrigerator pie crust (room temp.) 1 egg white 1-2 cans of chicken gravy Preheat oven to 400° F Mix chicken, frozen vegetables and 1 can of gravy in bowl. On ungreased cookie sheet. Place 1 pie crust down and prepare to fold over in half. On one side of the half, place ½ of the mixture leaving an edge to pinch crust together. Fold the other ½ of crust over mixture. Wet the edge with water and pinch sides together to make a half moon shape. Repeat with other crust. Brush with egg white on top of pies and cut a few slits to vent during cooking. (ovens may vary) Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with extra gravy if desired. Easy and a great comfort food.
Many Uses for Dryer Sheets
Dusting- car interiors, blinds and other surfaces Static cling- Rub on clothes and even your hair! Scrub- use to scrub your bath tubs or showers. Just wet towel and rub. Help with odors in your shoes- just place dryer sheet in shoes. De-tangles thread- wipe along a threaded needle and it will help it from knotting up. In drawers as a sachet-help your clothes smell nice. Bug repellant- repel mosquitoes and ants
God is still in the Miracle Business Healing story of Cathy Tubbs-Rochester, MI. In June of 2004 I heard the diagnosis from my doctor that no one ever wants to hear. “Your biopsy came back positive. It‟s malignant and I will have to refer you to a special surgeon.” As my dermatologist gave me the news that a mole, high on my cheekbone, underneath my eye, was cancerous, my mind raced. While I was grateful that my doctor was able to assure me that the cancer was the type that would not spread to other areas of my body and therefore presented no risk to my overall health, I must admit that even though I fully believe in Divine Healing, I was frightened. First, the psychological impact of that word: “cancer”. Second was the emotional side of me, I think particularly as a woman, being attacked by the enemy with fears what I would look like after the surgery? They had already planned for an excellent plastic surgeon to perform my surgery, but I was warned to plan for an all day surgery and to have someone else accompany me to drive me home. The surgical procedure called for the surgeon to remove an initial section of skin and then send it immediately to an on-site pathology lab. Utilizing special dyes and markers, they could determine the direction in which the cancer spread. This way the doctor would only cut in the direction of the spread instead of simply cutting out a wide section of skin around the lesion as they used to do. The surgeon would continue to take sections of tissue until he finally received one that came back showing no cancer cells. It was time consuming, but allowed for less scarring than the older method. While waiting for my surgical date, I was at war with the negative whisperings of the enemy in the battlefield of my mind. Then one night I was suddenly awakened in middle of the night with what I believe was a Word directly for me from the Lord. “Whose report are you going to believe?” It affected me so profoundly that I wrote down the words on a piece of paper and attached it to a knickknack on my nightstand (where it remains to this day). I also felt a very strong prodding, which I definitely believe was the Holy Spirit, telling me to read about Joshua and Caleb. In the book of Numbers, Chapters 13 and 14, Moses led the Israelites to the land of Canan and sent a group to spy out the land. They returned with an evil report full of fear. The people of the land were very large and the and the scouts were so frightened that they got almost the entire congregation worked up so that the people lifted their voices and cried and wept. They complained against Moses and Aaron and began to lament and cry that they wished they had perished in the land of Egypt or in the wilderness. They falsely accused the Lord of bringing them to Canaan just to be killed there by the sword. But Joshua and Caleb, who were among those who initially spied out the land, tore their clothes and spoke out to the congregation that the land was a good land. They encouraged the people that if they would keep faithful and not rebel against the Lord and not fear the people of the land, surely the Lord would deliver it into their hands. The verse that spoke to me the most is Numbers 4:11, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people reject Me? And how long with they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?”
I was determined not to be like the Israelites but to rather be like Joshua and Caleb. I would not reject (question or doubt) the Lord, His goodness, or the FACT that by Jesus‟ stripes I HAVE BEEN healed. I determined not to allow the enemy to use fear of the unknown to draw me into doubt and disbelief and to instead remember the words of the LORD and BELIEVE Him and remember all the signs I have seen Him perform in my life and in those of others. After this events moved rapidly. The Lord gave me great favor with my dermatologist. He initially told me that it would be a wait of several weeks before I could have my surgery, but I just wanted to get it over with. I mentioned this, and he said he would call the surgeon personally and pull strings. I had my surgery in less than one week! Two nights before my surgery at our Wednesday night church service, I asked the group to pray for me. My specific prayer request was that when the surgeon took the initial first excision from my face that the results would come back immediately “no cancer”. I also called our friend Kate McVeigh and she and her prayer group gathered the next evening and agreed with us in prayer. On Friday morning I went to the surgeon‟s office with my mother. As I went in to the operating area for my first excision, the surgeon examined the area with great care. He then informed me that the lesion was so close to my eye that he believed that he would likely have to call in an ophthalmic surgeon to assist him later in the day (or extend the surgery and do more work the next day) because he was of the impression that the cancer extended to my lower eyelid and he was concerned about the possibility of removing the special glands that lubricate our eyelids and enable them to blink and move over our eyes without scratching. He felt that he needed the specialist to help him as he removed sections of my lower eyelid. Immediately my spirit reared up. I looked right at that doctor and actually laughed a little laugh and said “No. That‟s not going to happen so don‟t even worry about it. That‟s not for me!”. As Kate McVeigh would say, “I‟m not signing for that package. Mark it “Return to Sender” and ship it back to the devil where it came from!” The words of the doctor were a notion I refused to even entertain. I was then prepped for surgery and the doctor removed the first section of skin from my cheekbone. The tissue was sent to pathology and I was sent into the recovery room where my mother and the 3 other patients having skin cancer surgery were already waiting. After approximately 45 minutes one of the nurses appeared at the door and called me. I walked up to her and she said, “Okay, Mrs. Tubbs. You‟re all done now. I‟ll take you into plastic surgery now and then you can be on your way”. Still standing at the open door of the recovery room, I began asking her questions. “What do you mean I‟m all done?” “We found no cancer Mrs. Tubbs, so you can go to plastic surgery now.” I made sure I got details from her, especially making sure I clearly understood her that they found NO CANCER at all in the tissue, not only that they had gotten it all with the first cut. I couldn‟t and didn‟t want to hold it in. I immediately began telling the nurse about how this was exactly what we had prayed the result would be with the very first tissue removal. As I was speaking, another nurse walked by. She looked at me with a strange look on her face as she shifted several patient charts in her arms and asked me to please repeat what I had just said. I repeated my praise report. “Well, you and your husband and friends must have been praying awfully hard” she replied with wide eyes. I asked her what she meant.
The nurse then nodded her head toward the other patients in the waiting room as she responded, “You must have been praying awfully hard because NOBODY has cancer this morning. We had the whole day scheduled with surgeries and now we have no idea what we‟re going to do this afternoon!” Praise the Lord for His mercy toward men! I was quickly finished and out the door. By 10 am I called my husband, Pastor Jack, from the parking lot of the surgical center and informed him of the news. He was happy, but not surprised. He had fully expected God to do something wonderful for me that day. I was perfectly fine to drive, and as I drove my mother to her house she quietly informed me that she hoped it was okay, but when I went into surgery she prayed for some of the other patients in the waiting room. She said she knew that I had received lots of prayer and she felt so sorry for the other patients that she couldn‟t help but pray for them. Thank the Lord for praying mothers! Later, in January of 2005 at Kate McVeigh‟s Winter Word Luncheon in a time of highly anointed prayer, she was led of the Lord to ask everyone to stand up and ask the Lord for what they wanted in accordance with His Word. I stood up and asked the Lord to restore the feeling in my cheek and lower eyelid, which still had not been fully restored since the surgery when they were forced to sever some of my facial nerves. I immediately received feeling back in my face and eyelid. I was so overjoyed I kept running my fingers across my lower eyelashes, reveling in the fact that I could actually FEEL again! As I prepared to write this testimony I became under attack by the enemy. He tried to lay the temptation before me not to write my testimony for various reasons. But I reminded myself of what the Word says in Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” The devil is a defeated foe, our God is a healing God, a merciful God and a God of Love, of which I will gratefully testify all my life. When I look at my nightstand each night I still see the words “Whose report are you going to believe”. I will believe the report of the Lord that states clearly in 1 Peter 2:24 “Who Himself (Jesus) bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you WERE healed.” I praise the Lord and maintain an attitude of thankfulness for the personal healing touch of His hand upon me. I pray that I will always refuse to accept a negative report from man, but rather believe the Lord‟s report and what the Word of God says about me. In this particular circumstance – that I am HEALED (as are all BornAgain Believers)!
Interview ETR: Can you give us a brief background on you and your music? Finchley: I was born and raised in the UK and taught how to play by my dad, a Baptist minister and a massive country music fan. I started playing in church and joined my first band at 16. After playing in various bands I joined when I moved to Liverpool at aged 19. We stayed together for ten years initially leading worship, going through an indie phase in the pubs and clubs before going to a full on rock monster sound and releasing various records in the UK primarily serving the church through youth work at various festival events. We called it a day last year and I launched my own solo project drawing on all the different experiences and influences received over the last few years. The new record has country moments, pop, rock, even folk all with my own spin / focus on big tones, textures and melody. Lyrically, everything I write is influenced by my relationship with God and Christian world but still very accessible for non-believers. Lately I have moved back into worship leading at my church and different events - it seems like God is opening up a new season for me. ETR: Your words and music are powerful what kind of response have you had to your music?
Finchley: It's been quite incredible - non-Christians and Christian can all relate to the stories I sing about and everyone has a different favourite song which is awesome - exactly as I would have wished for it. Through my myspace.com/finchleymusic page I've had various people comment that my music has been an encouragement when they're where down, Walking with Angels has made then think spiritually and one person came back to God through listening to in the Wind. Huge numbers of people have commented about Contraflow too - it feels like a special track and I hope it to be my first single. ETR: Do you plan on coming to the USA in the future to perform? Finchley: Man, I'd love to - doing my best to make contacts in Nashville and other places to do at least a 2-3 week taster tour sometime next year ETR: In the music industry it is mostly about making money. You have amazing talent and could easy cross over into the secular world of music, how do you resist that temptation? Finchley: I feel very definitely that I'm called to both business and music for the time being and so I still spend 50 hours / week running my web company www.mandogroup.com and my music ministry is an evening / weekend affair. If God opens up a door for me to go full time or even 'more' part time with my music then I'm open to it but, as you say it won't be about the money it will be about doing what God's got for me.
ETR: What is your favorite scripture and why? Finchley: Oh man - one favourite? erm.. I probably dwell most on 'my peace I leave you' which Jesus promised towards the end of his time on earth - I'm very busy and a driven person and this scripture reminds me it's not about my works or effort, it's about the holy spirit and anointing and resting in God. ETR: Do you have any other ministry work that you do or support? Finchley: I consider my company to my mission field - loving my 34 staff, supporting them, mentoring them. ETR: What do you think is the greatest issue facing young Christians in today’s world? Finchley: Culturally there's less and less desire for truth or focus on personal study. You can't be on fire for God or pray effectively and in faith without knowing what you believe. We need to be relevant and connected without being comprised and this will come through being real but being bold and clear about where you stand and what your values are. ETR: Do you have any other testimony or other words that you would like to share with our readers? Finchley: Just simply that God is utterly, completely, totally trustworthy. never ever entertain the idea that he doesn't care, doesn't listen, is a spoilsport. he only ever wants what is best for you - he is the perfect dad.
Listen to Finchley on Embracing the Rain FINCHLEY’S MUSIC Embracing the Rain's Review of Finchley's music: Finchley’s music is so beautiful and peaceful. This is the first Christian rock artist (and rock music in general) that I have ever listened to, and I have to say (once I became more open minded and listened to the messages) that I genuinely like his songs. Lyrically, he does a great job expressing the love of the Savior, encouraging the believer to come back to the Heavenly Father, let go of the past, and move forward in Christ. Furthermore, the songs that I enjoy the most are Contraflow, Walking with Angels, In the Wind, and Struggle On. So, check out Finchley’s CD because his music is so uplifting and inspires the believer to hold on and keep the faith. I hope continued success for Finchley. Review by Tina Ashford
Music reviewer for Embracing the Rain-Detroit, MI All copyrights apply 2007 Contact Finchley: Myspace: www.myspace.com/finchleymusic Email: me@finchleymusic.com
Management: Louise, Creation Events Email: louise@creationevents.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)7968 952 750 (UK) Fax: +44 (0)151 281 0060
Booking: Dez Minto, Minto Music Email: management@mintomusic.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)7739 509 198
Lisa Freeman
I grew up the youngest of five children. My parents gave me everything money could buy, but sort of pushed me to the side. Therefore, I felt unloved, empty, and like I needed to find someone or something to fill that gap. I tried cigarettes, pot and other drugs, alcohol, and even resorted to abusive relationships thinking that I’d be loved. Thankfully I’ve broken the pattern from the past—I’ve reversed the curse. My dad smoked for years—today he’s hooked up to an oxygen tank 24-7 and his health is failing. Due to his poor choices in life (drinking, smoking, and poor eating habits), he has a bad heart, bad lungs, sugar diabetes and almost non-working kidneys. I’m glad I quit smoking at 18. My sisters brothers smoked far longer and all have high blood pressure. I’ve always had low blood pressure, until just recently, since I’ve been overeating, gaining weight and slipping in my physical exercise. That’s when I realized, the choice is mine; I can either choose life or death. Do I want to be unhealthy like the rest of my family? My mom has suffered three major strokes and is paralyzed on her right side. She thought she was fooling the doctors every year before her physical exam, she’d eat right for a week or two just to pass the tests, and then back she’d go eating bags of chips and hard candy. Between her borderline sugar problem and high blood pressure, she was like a time bomb waiting to explode. Yet, she didn’t realize it. Now she tells me almost every time I see her how much she wants to die. I love her and obviously don’t want her to die, but I can’t blame her for feeling that way. Sitting in a wheelchair all day, not being able to speak properly, and depending on someone else for her daily needs is not quality life. Here in America, the land of the FREE and home of the BIGGIE SIZE anything, we take all that we have for granted and think we need MORE. Overeating and binge eating can be just as abusive as taking drugs and drinking alcohol. It’s when we begin to turn to food to comfort us, we become gluttons and addicts. If I eat a candy bar, pretty soon I want two, and before long I’m eating three a day! Funny because years ago I never ate; I totally starved myself. At one point I even dropped below 110 pounds. My healthy weight is around 130. Needless to say I was anorexic. I thought if I went without food and exercised all the time I’d be thin like the models on TV and my abusive husband would love me. But even when I jogged until I blacked out, the relationship didn’t get any better, only worse.
Everything in life is about balance. I’ve been out of balance on both spectrums (eating too much, eating too little). Just as we need balance in our physical lives to stay healthy, it’s the same spiritually. If I just read my Bible once in awhile, I’m not going to have enough nourishment or strength when trials and troubles come into my life. And if I read my Bible all the time and even go to church, but never pray and seek God and His will for my life, I’m going to be just like my mom, popping those sugar drops and sitting back with a bag of chips. Like a religious glutton, I’ll be like a paralyzed couch potato with no real sense of direction. The truth is we are our own worst enemies. Just because my mom and dad lived unhealthy, doesn’t mean I have to. I can’t blame my parents for the choices I make today. It’s up to me. I decide what goes in my body; cigarettes, food, or alcohol. I decide when and if I exercise. I decide if I’m going to live for God, read His Word, pray, fast, and seek Him. And I literally decide life or death by those choices. Relationship is the key to good health, both physically and spiritually. Maybe it’s time to take a look inside. Maybe you have areas of abuse or hurt that has never been settled. Or maybe you your relationship with the Lord isn’t what it should be? Maybe you’re feeling, like I have at different times, that you’re unhealthy and out of balance? Whatever the case, God is there. He understands and He’s ready to bring you into a life of health, you just have to ask. Remember, we only have one body, one life here on earth, so why not reverse the curse, and live the way God intended, prosper in every area and be healed. It’s your choice. copyright©2007 Lisa Freeman/Embracing the Rain
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14
Poetry
Embracing the Rain asks you to please support the artists by visiting their websites. We thank you all for blessing us by sharing your wonderful talent with us all!
Poems to encourage Submit your Poems All work is copyrighted by the poet. Please do not redistribute, copy, or use in any other way without contacting and getting permission from the poet or the webmaster of this site. Thank you.
There’s not one pain in your life i don’t know about, there is no arrow in your heart i haven’t felt with you, there is no scar on your spirit that i haven’t bled with you and there is no scream in your soul i haven’t heard - NOW - if you give it to me, i can take it all away for you JESUS. . ~Desmond Mckeering/copyright-2010~
Heartbreak and pain. Surrounded by sadness, heartbreak and pain. Will happiness return to my life again? At the moment it?s bleak and I can?t see that it will. And into the quietness I just want to be still. To let the world carry on as though I don?t exist. The memories I have I want to resist. I don?t want to remember the good times we had. I just want to be angry and make the world feel bad. But this isn?t the answer and won?t take the pain away. I need to stay strong and carry on what may. To stop questioning him and let God show me why. He has taken him home and why it?s time for goodbye. And I?m sure in time that happiness will return. And the fire in my heart will relight and burn. The memories I resisted will soon be retold. Because the love of God you can never withhold.
~ copyright, Jeannette Walters 2011~
I want the rain, I want the rain, falling down on me, I need the rain, I need the rain, falling down on me, it's the former and latter put together, I'm not talking about the weather, It's the Holy Ghost raining down on me! ~ a Christian Hymn
"From the Abundance of the Heart." By Jason Kirk Bartley Copyright 2010 My love for you fills many valleys. The depths of the sea cannot contain it. It grows like the yellow lilies in the meadows. With endlessness as green pastures. My tears fall, trickling down as an autumn rain. It's everlasting like photograhic memories that just won't go away. It's a moment drawing closer to you when I pray, or praising you from the rooftops on a bright sunny day. Not only will my love for you never die. It will carry me to heaven on the other side. Amen.
I WONDER by Richard Funnell I wonder what there is in me that draws the luck I get And why I do so many things I surely will regret. I wonder what there is in me that makes me hurt another. And why I do not appreciate the opinions of my mother. I wonder when I pray to God if He will hear my plea, And help me become the person mom wants me to be. Richard E. Funnell, May 1949 my first poem
IT IS HARD TO STUMBLE WHEN WE ARE DOWN ON OUR KNEES
The
Wayne Auman I have Good News, and I have bad news.
Here’s the Good News: You are priceless. You are treasured. You are loved. You are unique in every way. There is no one else on this planet quite like you. Even before you were born, God knew and loved you. (Jeremiah 1:5) You are not an accident, and it‟s no accident that you are reading these words, right now. Your life matters, no matter what you‟re going through at this moment. You are uniquely designed, and you are on this earth for a reason. Specifically, God loves you with a perfect, incomprehensible love, and He has a purpose for your life. You can be adopted into the family of God by trusting His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, following Jesus, and be washed white as snow-perfect in the eyes of God.
Here’s the bad news: There is one who‟ll do anything to convince you otherwise. I call him “the Voice”. The Voice whispers that you‟ll fail. He smoothly states that you‟re not good enough, so don‟t even try. The Voice convinces you that you you‟re worthless, pathetic, and unlovable. The Voice makes you doubt your value to your Creator. The Voice makes you fearful, paranoid, violent and insatiable. The Voice argues against the Love of God, condemning all Christians as judgmental, hypocritical, weak-minded, intolerant fools. The Voice coaxes you succumb to temptations of all kinds, because after all, he‟ll tell you, “You deserve a little fun. What could it hurt? The Voice makes you selfishly defensive by saying, “Who could possibly be more important than, ahem, YOU? The Voice is a mimic, a fear-monger, and above all, a liar. The Voice belongs to the father of lies-Satan. (John 8:44) Satan seeks only to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) Like a ravenous lion, Satan roams the earth seeking those he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Satan hates you with every fiber of his being, and he wants to keep you as far from God as possible. If you‟re already a Christian, he‟ll do anything to keep you from praying, reading your Bible, or being a powerful ambassador for the Lord. He‟ll tempt you, distract you, overload you, depress you, and lie to you, all to keep you from being the dynamic Godly person that the Lord designed you to be. The disarming thing is, in your mind, the Voice sounds exactly like-you. He perfectly impersonates your conscience, the center of your consciousness created by God to direct you towards Him. God created humans with a divine ability to seek after Him, the spiritual conscience. Ultimately, the goal of the spiritual conscience is to direct you to the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, so that fellowship between you and God can be restored. But after the fall, Satan had access to man‟s spirit, and being the consummate deceiver, learned to exactly mimic the little voice inside your head. Consequently, people confuse Satan‟s lies and temptations with their moral, honorable conscience. Here‟s an example from my life: I became a born-again believer at age 17, after suffering through a childhood plagued with sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and violent behavior. As a new Christian, I was on fire for the Lord, enthusiastically sharing the Gospel with all who would listen, serving actively in my Church, turning my life around and prayerfully considering going into the ministry. Less than a year after I was saved, I met a sweet girl named Bevy, who was a believer as well. One of my prayers was to meet a Godly woman and get married, and I thought Bevy was the one. When she invited me to her church, I readily accepted. I was totally unprepared for what I was to experience.
Bevy belonged to a charismatic church, and I was clueless about denominational differences. I thought you were either a Christian, born-again and saved by grace through faith, or you were lost. No gray area. During the service, I saw people speaking in tongues, being “slain in the spirit,” shaking and laughing uncontrollably, among other things. As a new believer, I'd never experienced a charismatic service, and it generally freaked me out. My girlfriend also spoke in tongues, and looked at me with disappointment when I did not. Later, when she told me that if I was really saved, I'd speak in tongues, I was devastated. Not only did she stop dating me, she doubted my salvation. I was hurt immensely, and the nagging thought kept repeating in my mind, "What IF I'm not saved?" If I was really saved, I'd be speaking in tongues, right? I trusted Bevy because she'd been a Christian since she was little, and I was new to all this. When Bevy broke up with me, I was crushed, bewildered, confused, and angry, all at the same time. My onceclear future serving God, hopefully with Bevy at my side, lay in ruin. My prayer life and quiet time, a highlight of my new spiritual re-birth, were dying, even as I tried hard to return to my initial enthusiasm, most of my service in the church was hollow, as I kept listening to the increasingly dominant "Voice" that plagued my every waking moment, and even my dreams. My first experience with "The Voice" was beginning; a battle with evil that goes on to this day. The noblesounding yet satanic little voice became louder and louder in my head, and I began to doubt my own salvation, as well as my worthiness of Christ's love. What had been a blissful exploration into growing devotion to my Lord was slowly transforming into a tortuous ordeal of questioning my conversion. What had been so easy and clear was now frustrating, confusing, tormenting. "The Voice" had convinced me that I was unworthy of Christ's love and salvation, and that I was a complete failure as a Christian. I blew it. And before long, I gave up. I became prodigal. My backsliding was set to begin... Fast forward 16 years. Sixteen years of living for myself and doing things MY way, making a disaster of my life, and obeying the Voice at every turn resulted in, among other low-lights, an unwanted pregnancy, a catastrophic abortion, rampant promiscuity, a traumatic divorce and severe depression. After my divorce I found myself back in church for the first time in over a decade. As part of God's plan for my life, I was a student in a Sunday school class taught by a tactless, blunt, no-nonsense man named Raymond Enslow. While recoiling at Raymond's demeanor, I was fascinated by his genuine concern and affection for the lost. Raymond was bold, and said the things that others were too polite to discuss. Raymond said, “If you‟ve somehow got the notion that you‟ve sinned too much to be saved, or that because you backslid since you got saved, that God won‟t hear your prayers or forgive you, then you‟ve been deceived. That voice in your head is telling you lies straight from the pit of Hell!! Don‟t believe „em!! Praise God, Raymond identified "the Voice" for what it really was-the voice of the devil. How could I have been so blind all these years? What I thought was the sound of my conscience-my intellectmy noble character, seriously analyzing my moral choices, was all the while the demonic, smooth voice of Satan convincing me of my worthlessness and reminding me of all my failures. Satan is the Voice. He is the accuser! For over a decade I suffered a trying separation from my precious Lord, and all the while Jesus was waiting for me to repent and depend on him. I could do nothing but fail in my own strength, but after I confessed my sins, Jesus washed me white as snow (again), and I began to FOLLOW Jesus Christ. The Prodigal son was home at last. What a joyous time! Even now, knowing the identity of the Voice and the subtle tactics he uses, I still fall victim to my own carnal desires and selfishness from time to time. Now the difference is I realize that God loves me unconditionally, and as his child, He will discipline me when I‟m disobedient, just as I discipline my children when they misbehave.
I know that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, if I persevere in my faith in Him. What a comforting and incredibly liberating fact!
More Good News: The Voice is easy to recognize if you know what to look for: Any feelings of negativity, worthlessness, gloom, depression, extreme self-criticism, or hopelessness are from Satan. Any selfishness, irrational fears, jealousy, greed, revenge or violent tendencies are from Satan. All sinful addictions and temptations are from the devil as well. Additionally, you can hear the Voice loud „n clear over any and all distractions and noise. The sound of the Holy Spirit, by contrast, is a still, small voice. Kind of like a whisper to your soul. Unless you are quiet before the Lord, chances are you will miss it altogether. Just realize that God‟s Voice is ever-present, if you seek it. When you pray, ask God to reveal His will for your life, then be quiet and listen. If you are genuinely seeking HIS will in obedience, He will reveal it to you. He will also speak to you through His living word, the Holy Bible. God will never contradict His Holy Word, and His Voice will become more recognizable the more you listen to Him.
The Best News: Knowing the source of the destructive Voice is the first step to breaking free from Satan‟s bondage. Alone, you are truly helpless, and you will always be a slave to the Voice and his power over you. This is a battle you can‟t win alone, or with a 12-step program. The only solution is a one-step program: Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ can break the stranglehold the Voice has on your life, and you can follow Jesus Christ by praying sincerely:
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, and I’m lost without you. I confess my sins to you now, and I turn from them to follow you. I know you died on the cross to pay the price for all my sins, and for that I thank you. Please
come into my heart, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and be the Lord of my Life. From this day on, I surrender my will and I will live for you. Thank you for saving me from Hell. I love you, Lord Jesus. Amen. If you are already saved, but have fallen back into a sinful lifestyle, it‟s time to come back to the Lord. Repent, confess your sins, and God will forgive and renew you. Start praying (and listening) more, read your Bible faithfully, and eliminate the distractions in that keep you from living the effective Christian life that God has designed for you. The time is short, the harvest is vast, but the workers are few. We need you!
Remember: You are treasured. Your life is of the utmost importance to the Creator of the Universe, who also created you. You are so important to God that He sent His only begotten Son to be the only acceptable sacrifice for your sins.
“Jesus Christ is the only hope for the helpless.” Copyright© 2007-2011 Wayne Auman/ Embracing the Rain Photos Fotolia.com © Doreen Salcher–ears plugged © imagine - guy on bench © Scott Vickers - wedding ring
All Rights Reserved Contact webmaster - Jackie Dennis
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Manna Art - Kevin Moffatt Kevin Moffatt is a prophetic worship artist who paints during times of worship at conferences and meetings as part of the worship team. He also gives seminars on Revelatory Creativity. When invited to a conference to paint he can also come with banners, flags and artwork to take the atmosphere of the conference room. All artwork originals, prints and silk banners, flags, and other items available at: MannaArt Please visit his site and see the beautiful artwork of Kevin Moffatt
Kevin Moffatt
Kevin Moffatt
In Spirit in Truth
Drenched
Kevin Moffatt Now Unto Him
Kevin Moffatt Sword Wings
Acts 2:17
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Kathryn's ART! REMEMBERING MY ART My name is Kathryn. I had a profound dream back in 2001, to awaken my gift as an artist. Here is my story. I drew very little as a child - mostly just from the ages of 8 to 11. My father, disapproving of a sketch I had done, told me never to draw again and I obeyed this demand. Now, twenty-three years later, I've arrived at the start of a journey that continues to unfold before my eyes. It is time for me to take back the gift that was stolen from me through fear so long ago. It was another painful time in my life. Broken - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I had no idea where to turn yet something inside of me said I could overcome this pain. In the depths of despair, I spoke to my dear friend John about a series of dreams I was having that were at once peaceful and surreal. “Something has to change, I‟m tired John. I can‟t live this way any longer. I don‟t want anymore of my spiritual dreams. No more,” I sobbed. With tears flowing down my face, I sat in my rocker and looked up crying out, “Help Me!” That night, I went to bed and slept fairly well. When I awoke, I felt a heaviness throughout my body and, still feeling extremely tired, I went back to bed and fell asleep right away. I had a dream. Sitting in my cane - seated rocking chair, I was visited by my deceased brother, Wetzel. I stood to greet him and, approaching me he said, “I have a gift for you.” He proceeded to place a large key around my left tricep. I said, “No I can't accept this gift. People won't understand because you are physically dead.” “This is your gift,” he said. My brother walked behind me and while I tried to turn to look at him, I found I could not. I lifted my head toward the ceiling and was showered with the light of love. Stretching my arms towards this light, I than knew that it was not just my brother behind me - it was everything. It was God. I could feel an angel supporting my arms as I reached out. Tears filled my eyes as I spoke the words, “I surrender, I will do what you want me to do.” I began to fly - with the angel behind me. I flew through buildings, buses, and people. Shortly, I neared the top of a mountain. I stopped, overwhelmed with fear. I thought to myself, “this is too hard I can‟t go over this mountain.” I closed my eyes tightly, squeezing them together, my voice shaking as I said, “I can do this - just believe.” Then I was lifted, soaring into space. The feeling of love that had always been inside of me had come to life. After enjoying this freedom of flight for a while, I descended closer to earth with renewed confidence. I could see a black and white building in the distance. Looking to my right, I saw the most beautiful large framed painting. I said, “Wow.!” The angel behind me replied in a soft, gentle voice, “You‟ve done this a few times haven‟t you?”
I smiled and turned back looking toward the building in front of me. Doubt began to rise within me. Pushing it out of my mind and said, “I can do this.” The angel and I flew easily through the buildings walls and found ourselves in a little room. Warm sunlight was shining through a basement window. My brother Arnold was there. He said, “BRUSH” I awoke with such awareness and confidence, feeling changed within and seized by the sense that I needed to return to high school to complete my studies. Certain that this was my dream‟s message, I enrolled. After a few months, I felt torn between the excitement of what I was trying to achieve, and the lingering doubt and fears arising from my childhood memories. Once again I was experiencing great pain. Turning again to my friend John for comfort and advice he arrived at my home and handed me a gift. A box of chocolates with a photograph of a building on the lid. Feeling suddenly calm, I wiped my tears. With excitement in my voice I said, “John - I have to draw this! Oh my - I have to draw this.” Oddly, I did not yet connect the dream with this experience. On boxing day, filled with enthusiasm, I went out to get some drawing pencils and paper. I drew the building in just a few days. But somehow it felt incomplete. I felt compelled to add some clouds. Finishing them, I sat back in my rocker to observe my work. Suddenly, I remembered my dream. Tears filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. “My God,” I said. “This dream is being fulfilled right in front of my eyes.” Without realizing it, I had drawn myself and an angel flying above the building. Today because of that miraculous dream, my life has changed and continues to change.
Kathryn M. Saunders ~www.kathrynsart.com~ herart@gmail.com
Jacqueline Dennis “The Storm” Embracing the Rain‟s creator:
Staying on the right track with God Debbie McManus
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man, and God is faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13. The Lord suffered as we do each and every day with depression, rejection, anxiety, hurt and temptations along with other daily trials; however he went on about his daily duties preaching and spreading the word of the Gospel to the unsaved. We need to do the same by putting God first in out lives, as stated in Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added to you.” If we ask God he will provide and we will feel the joy that he brings to us. Sometimes as Christians we stumble and fall but we need to put him first even when we are in the valleys. It is when we are in the valleys that we grow and experience the close relationship with God and draw closer to him. As young people we face temptations daily but remember the Lord is always there to help you, no matter what it is you are experiencing. God will bring you out of the valley stronger and more knowledgeable than went you went in. In Luke 11:4 “Lead us not into temptation.” Jesus was tempted even in the desert by Satan but he came out a stronger individual to help the unsaved souls of the world. In Hebrews 2:18 “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted he is able to help those who are being tempted.” When you are experiencing pain, rejection, or hurt that might lead you to temptation, God is there and he understands. Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin.” So remember for that overall peacefulness that we are all aiming for the answer is to go to the Lord and he will provide for us if only we ask.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 Funny Church Signs
So Cute
CopyrightŠ 2007-2011 Embracing the Rain All Rights Reserved Contact webmaster - Jackie Dennis Photos in articles and used in web design are from Fotolia, Photobucket and Microsoft clip-art and are copyrighted by perspective owners and are not to be copied or reproduced in anyway. Using these photos for commercial use is a violation of the law! Articles may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or publicly displayed without the consent of the author or copyright owner. copyrightŠ 2007-2011 Embracing the Rain. Some articles are from FaithWriters All rights reserved.
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A Christian is not just a religious person or merely a member of a church; a Christian is one who has been forgiven of his or her sin and has an ongoing personal relationship with God. Not only this, a Christian is someone that Jesus Christ lives in, one that has been born again (John 3.3) and lives in the assurance that Jesus paid the price for them to be right with God and go to heaven. The Good News of Jesus Christ is . . . 1) God loves everyone and wants them all to live forever in His presence. John 3.16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 2) We are separated from God by sin. The Bible defines sin as things we do that are displeasing to God. As humans, not only have we done things that displease God, we cannot stop doing those things on our own. This is why the Bible calls us “sinners.” Many sincerely believe that performing good works or religious acts will cause God to cancel out the wrong things that they have done. Spiritual and physical death came into our world because of sin. Physical death is a separation from loved ones on earth; spiritual death is separation from God. Romans 3.23 says, “ . . .for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 3) Sin brings death. Romans 6.23 tells us that “ . . . the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Physical death is separation from loved ones on earth; spiritual death is separation from God. 4) Through Jesus, God has provided the way for us to come to Him and be forgiven of our sins. Romans 5.8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God sent His Son, Jesus, to die and pay the price in full for all the wrong things we have done. We no longer have to be separated from God! 5) We must individually admit to God that we are sinners and in an attitude of repentance, personally ask Him for forgiveness, the free gift of eternal life and to come into to our lives. Simply talk to God and say something like this: “God, I know that I have sinned and have done things that have hurt You, others and myself. I am a sinner; please forgive my sins. I turn away from my old life and ask you to give me the gift of eternal life. Please come into my life and save me from the punishment that I deserve. I put my full trust in what you did for me on the cross, Jesus and I take you as my Savior. Amen.” If you have prayed this prayer, then we rejoice with you and welcome you to the family of God! As a new Christian, we encourage you to obtain a Bible and get baptized You should be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ as a public testimony of your salvation, and then unite with a Bible-believing church without delay. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...” (2 Timothy 1:8). Start talking to God and reading the Bible at a regular time every day (morning works best for many people). We would also strongly recommend that you to find a church in your community that shares the Good News of Jesus and is making disciples. , We encourage you to begin attending a growing church that is making an impact in your community. Taken from www.pcg.org
We thank you for checking out Embracing the Rain. We hope that people who share stories, testimonies, art, music or poetry will encourage you to believe that if God did it in their life, God will do it in yours! We hope these articles help you find what you desire in a relationship with God. Some people don’t attend church and maybe the internet is the only way they can learn that God loves them no matter what they have done. As Christians we need to reach out and tell of the good works the Lord has done in our lives. That knowing Jesus Christ will help you in times of trouble, doubt, and sadness. He is with you always. If you have anything you would like to share with others, then we would love to hear from you. If you have a gift of a story, testimony or art/poetry to Glorify God, drop us a line. We pray this publication hopes to touch the lives of so many hurting and looking for answers. We want to thank all of the sisters and brothers who help with the creation of this publication and for submitting their stories. God Bless you all. To God Be the Glory.