Grace Point! November 2015

November 2015

Volume 1 ~Issue 11

eMagazine of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

~Featuring~

Lisa Shaw and her ministry that shows women how to

SOAR!

Table of Contents 3~Notes from Rebecca 4~PrayerWorks 5~Restoration & Renewal 6-7~JourneyWorks 8-9~Parton’s Petals 10-13 Handmade in Israel 14-15~Women of Valor by Lisa Shaw 16-17~VerseWorks 18-19~Greetings from Malawi by Pastor Michael Kanyoli 20-21~StoryWorks 22-23~FruitWorks 24-25~ImageWorks 26-27~YouthWorks 28-29~ScrollWorks 30-31~Namesakes 32-33~The Personal Column by Angela Carpenter Back Cover~Subscribe to Grace Point!

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Hello to all readers!

First, I want to thank you for clicking on the link that brought you to this magazine.

Notes from

Rebecca

New this issue: A big “thank you” to Lisa shaw from Lisa Shaw Cares for taking time out of her schedule to share with us about her ministry to women.

New pages to look for this month is JourneyWorks, articles from my personal blogs; and YouthWorks, formerly Sons & Maidens.

The purpose of this magazine is for help, hope and encouragement toward our fellow man. It is about promoting Godly endeavors and Godly results. It is not about judgment, or whether our beliefs are the same or not. The Adversary is about division and subtraction; God is about multiplication and addition. We are our brother’s keeper!

Our prayer is that there will be a blessing for each reader among these pages. God bless each and every one! Shalom.

Sincerely, Rebecca Matthews Founder, administrator, and ordained minister at Philippi Prospect Ministries Founder, senior editor, writer, publisher of Grace Point! eMagazine Photographer at peinture proximite` Artist and curator at atelier proximite` (The opinions or beliefs expressed in this magazine by contributors does not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of James and Rebecca Matthews, founders of Philippi Prospect Ministries, and Grace Point! eMagazine.)

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A Journey to

Have you ever come up to a business, pulled on the door to go in, just to wrench your arm, because they were not open yet? You immediately look for the hours of operation, and realize that you are five minutes early. You know there is someone inside, but you can’t get in until the unlock the door.

Our walk with God is sometimes like this. We are eager for the new job, new direction, new plan, but God hasn’t opened that door yet. And then, we are made aware by the Holy Spirit that we left something undone in our eagerness to get to the new door.

Maybe there was someone we were supposed to talk to on the way, that would have only taken the same few minutes that made us early. Sometimes, we can be a hindrance to ourselves by jumping ahead of God.

So, what do we do in situations like this?

Can we go back and do the thing left undone? Sometimes, that is possible. Take Jonah. After suffering for three days, he was willing to do what God had asked him.

He got another chance; he was able to go back and do what God had asked.

Now, take Sarah. She jumped ahead of God, gave Abram her maid to sire a child by, because she had been standing outside that locked door that held a promised child long enough. So, she created a circumstance that could not be undone. Once Hagar had conceived, there was no going back.

What decisions have we made in haste, because we are too eager to get the benefit of God’s promise, instead of doing what is required in the present time to bring it to pass?

a publication of Ruth Ministries-The Virtuous Woman,TM a woman's restoration ministry/a segment of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

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A Door of Hope

Last night I watched 'Hope Floats' with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr. I know it's been out for a long time, but I had never seen it. In the movie, Birdee (Sandra Bullock) finds out on national television that her husband has been having an affair with her best friend. That brought back a lot of memories for me; my ex-husband had bragged about his 'other women' so much that almost everyone else knew about it except me. I knew exactly what Sandra Bullock's character was feeling.

In the movie, she went back home to start a new life, but I chose to stay and try to make a life with another man. He never cheated, but his anger was out of control and sometimes I wore the evidence of it. Like Birdee's daughter, my two daughters were young, and in their innocent wisdom questioned "why?" I can't say that I knew the answer; not fully, anyway. I have learned over the years that, in order for the Lord to bring a person to the end of something, they must first go THROUGH something.

Some things the Lord has brought me through: a cheating husband, a cancer scare giving me 3 to 5 years, an abusive relationship, a suicide attempt, my grandmother's death, facing the demons from my childhood and dealing with the people who let it happen.

These are all things that are finished and accounted for on God's tally sheet. There are still things yet to go, things that are fresh and recent......

Lately, I have been questioning my purpose, and what it is exactly that I am accomplishing in my walk right now. Unlike the name of the movie, I feel my hope sinking-not rising. Some years ago, the Lord gave me the scripture of Hosea 2:15, when it seemed my world was collapsing around me.

"And I will give her.....the valley of Achor for a door of hope...." What is the 'valley of Achor?' Literally speaking, it is the place the man, Achin, and his family and all that he had, was stoned after he took the 'cursed thing' from Jericho after Joshua's army conquered it. "Achor" is translated from Hebrew as "Trouble." So, the Lord was telling me that out of 'trouble' He would bring hope. There would be a door presented-all I had to do was open it.

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But, what is hope? Hebrews 11:1 says hope is the substance of faith. That means it is the ingredient that makes faith faith. What is faith? The same verse says that it is the evidence of things not seen. And what is the evidence of unseen things? The belief that the unseen things will manifest into the seen, from intangible to tangible. As the chapter goes on, the list continues naming the people in our spiritual heritage that believed, even though everything (and sometimes everyone) spoke out against it.

Someone once said, "One with God is the majority." This means that if God has shown us a truth, a prophecy, or something He means to bring to pass, and we are the only one he tells, we must believe it. We must be on the side of faith, not on the side of sight. There might be times when He takes us through such a dark place that we can only see from one day to the next, and barely that. We may feel as though there is no hope.

Paul sums it up in Romans 5:1-5, where we get a glimpse of why things happen to us the way they do. 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.'

So, even if we feel like our world is falling out from under us, that God is so far away, and there is nothing worth pursuing another day, listen to this song, and know that there is a reason He has us where we are.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

In the midst of our trouble, God will open a door of hope. All we have to do is walk through it.

see more of my blogs at My Story...My Walk

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petals of wisdom, hope, inspiration, and truth by Keitha

To God Be the Glory!

Each morning we wake up and look outside our windows and start to prepare ourselves for the day. The sun is shining, it is raining, snowing, or somewhere in between so we dress appropriately. Most of us stumble, sleepily to the kitchen and grope for the coffee pot and anticipate our first taste of the morning jolt.

After breakfast and a glance at the morning paper we each in one form or another tackle another mundane day of work or relaxation (if you are so lucky.)

In the evening, we usually sit down to a hot meal, watch some television, read some scripture, pray, and fall into our comfy beds for some much needed rest.

The next day we as humans hit replay, fast-forward, rewind, and repeat with our lives‌right?

In our daily lives how often do we stop to think about glorifying God for all that we have been given? Not very much, or at least I know I don’t. We each take so much for granted in our everyday mundane existence that we really forget to stop and look around at the blessings that have been bestowed on us from our Heavenly Father.

So I challenge myself and each of you to read the scriptural references listed below and to take a moment to look around you. Do you have a warm bed? Do you have a safe place to call home? Do you have clothes on your back, someone in your life to love and share special moments with, and food to eat? Did you wake up today? If you and I can answer yes to any of these questions, then it is time for us to Give God the Glory!

Psalm 96:4-9 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Psalm 29:1-2 Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Isaiah 24:14-15 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea. Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.

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Parton

Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

read more from Keitha at Tuckasegee Country Living and Keitha Parton-Official Mary Kay Consultant

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See more from this artist at

SimaGamlielJewelry My work combines jewelry with art, movement and nature. I am inspired by nature and architecture of my city Jerusalem. I love every corner of my special old city!

I Design and manufacture jewelry that combine gold, silver and gemstones in a variety of styles and designs.

My Jewelry are either ONE OF A KIND or LIMITED EDITION items. Jewelry can be ordered upon personal design request.

Sima Gamliel Find me on: facebook / twitter / my website

photos used by permission

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See more from this artist at

Fleur De Irk

Happy to see you in my jewelry boutique!

I use beautiful natural stones, freshwater pearls and quality tiny seed beads to create elegant jewelry in different colour combinations and whole range of styles.

These items are made with great care to details and with your beauty in mind. Many hours and much thought go into each piece – I hope you enjoy them.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or special requests.

Please visit me on my facebook page www.fleur-de-irk.com

photos used by permission

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See more from this artist at

Plain Silver

Welcome to my PlainSilver Etsy Shop.

Enjoy your visit and feel free to contact me with any questions: solidsilverjewelry01 @ gmail.com Please visit all my shops for unique jewelry and products available for purchase. galit64jewelry JudaicaArtDesign BOGUSARTS BagsDesign EnjoyGold

photos used by permission

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more from this artist at Colors of Life

photos used by permission

Welcome to my Home design and decoration shop. Hope you will enjoy visiting my colorful world.

In my shop I am selling my handmade art, each piece is unique and one of a kind.

All my art I create with polymer clay every flower that decorates my pieces I sculpted by hands create it with the Millefiori technique (very old glass technique from Italy).

In my shop you can find my colorful, whimsical sculptures, decoration ornament, Judaic, candlestick, wash cup, Hamsa wall hanging, teapots, key chains, vases, accessories and professional polymer clay tutorial.

I started to create with polymer clay during my Occupational Therapy I pass 8 operations in my hands and I started to work with the polymer clay to document the process of my reliability and I just fall in love with the colors, since then I can't stop creating with this amazing material.

I am a member at IPCA (International Polymer Clay Association) and was the manager of the polymer clay Israeli guild and also a member in Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy.

My art represents Israel at the international art festival in Jerusalem every summer, and also represents Israel in many places around the world. My art sold in many Galleries in Israel and around the world each piece is signed by me.

I would like to invite you to follow me on social media so you can be among the first to know about new items and special sales:

facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Keep

Thank you so very much for visiting my art websites

Mira Pinki Krispil

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My interviews with women of God. God led me to this beautiful lady a few weeks ago, who is full of inspiration and genuine concern for women who are seeking their Godly purpose. We are honored that she has shared part of her story with us here at Grace Point!

PPM: What kinds of questions do you ask people who are seeking their Godly purpose?

Lisa: What do you go to bed thinking about? What do you feel drawn to daily? If you weren’t afraid, insecure or unsure, what is it that you would do right now in your life?

What is it that you do naturally that empowers and impacts the lives of others? What do you find yourself praying, dreaming and desiring to do? Answer those questions and you’ll find the passion and the purpose for your life.

I did over two decades ago when I answered the call to serve women through empowering them to overcome the hurdles in life and become the person they were purposed to be and fulfill the desires upon their heart in their personal, ministry and professional lives.

As early as middle school I remember girls, boys and even some of the teachers talking to me about their personal concerns, fears or troubles at home, not realizing that I was experiencing years of something very painful at home as well, but my heart was to listen and to try to help. I recall my 9th grade Spanish class teacher was a single woman ,and was having difficulties in her private life. I listened to her Billy Joel album while she poured her soul out to me and I shared what I knew to help her. I will never forget her saying, “Lisa, you have so much wisdom for a teenager.” What I didn’t know is that I had been operating in what God called me to do and He was preparing me for what would come later in life. Look back over your life: in what ways was God preparing you for what He’s called you to do?

By the grace of God He’s given me the privilege of empowering women (and men) through a blended style of teaching, speaking, mentoring, coaching and being an author. When I see the light come on in the face of a woman when she’s heard something that has empowered her to build the life she should be living, that sends me to bed saying, “Thank you Abba Father for another day to do what you have purposed me to do. Please give me the grace to help someone else soar tomorrow.” And He does every time.

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PPM: What is the biggest obstacle that keeps a person from living their Godly purpose?

Lisa: There is nothing worse than living an unfulfilled and discontented life—a life full of fear, hurt, rejection and what if’s. I know that life. I lived it in the past, and once I was able to overcome in those areas and to work through in other areas, I began to help women to do the same.

My question to them is, “Are you living a life that is fulfilling and content?” That doesn’t mean you won’t have problems and situations that come about that are painful and disappointing; that’s why our faith is so important and reminding ourselves that, All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.

“Is something in the way of you living the life that you desire? Have you put yourself on the back burner of your life, not giving attention to the care of yourself and to what you feel passionate about? Do you hear yourself saying, “One day I’ll do…” or “If it’s God’s will maybe it will happen…” Typically below the surface of those types of statements is fear—fear of failure, fear of rejection and fear of disappointments.

Due to my living in a fear-based childhood and background, I understand that all too well.

Please permit me to say this to you: God said, “Do not fear for I am with you” Isaiah 41:10. Look in the Bible and see how often God says not to fear. It’s time for you to push beyond, break through, jump over, and bust through whatever is hindering you from stepping up and stepping out to live the life that you were purposed to live.

What are you waiting for my friend? It’s time to soar! God wants to use your life for His glory and it’s going to be great. All you need to do by faith is say, Yes Lord and then take the next steps. If you need help with that, please contact me at LisaShawCares.com and I’d love to support you along your journey. Today is the day. I’m praying for you even now.

Blessings and peace!

Lisa

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TM

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VerseWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

The mistakes you've made are in the past.

The shame and guilt won't always last.

There is a better life ahead of you.

One that the devil can't hold you to.

Trust in Him to make you wise.

Always remember He's beyond the sky.

And He will hear your every cry.

If you ever question who you are Call out to God, He is not far.

by Jaime Dills

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by Bishop Michael Kanyoli MASSIVE HARVEST THROUGH DOOR - TO - DOOR PERSONAL EVANGELISM

From the 13th until the 17th of October, we had special Evangelism Outreach Ministries through Door-toDoor Personal Evangelism with Brother Wouter and Madam Lulu Powell, and their teaching team of six brothers and sisters from South Africa as our Guest Teachers.

Our Church was highly challenged in Evangelism Outreach work as the visiting team and our staff spread in most areas of Ndirande Township.

Great harvest was realised.

God is at work in our midst! It is such a joy to see all that the Lord is doing in our lives and ministry each and every day.

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Our Church - Praise Chapel Living Word of God Church (PCLC) - is striving toward a quantitative and a qualitative Church Growth. In order to effectively face this challenge, our church's highest priority is the equipping of the saints, and fulfilling the need for Power Evangelism. Power Evangelism must form an integral part of the methodology of evangelism - hence, our call for Mass Evangelism through Door - to - Door Personal Evangelism .

The Christian way of life is a personal relationship with Jesus. He loves us so much that He has taken upon Himself, at Calvary, blame for all our sins, which separate us from God, so we stand blameless before His Father. We have no need to be burdened by any guilt feelings, for the moment we confess He forgives, no matter how many times a day we fall into sin and repent.

Because He ascended to His Father, He sent, as promised, the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Him. His Holy Spirit dwells within us producing fruits such as love, joy, peace and others mentioned in the Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 5. As long as we remain in Him, nothing can prevent the growth of those fruits .

MATTERS OF PRAYER CONCERNING OUR CHURCH ..... 2015 PCLC throughout Malawi has the task of Preaching, Teaching and Training the Saints to maturity. Pray that the Church is to be a FULL INSTRUMENT to accomplish the Great Commission or Commandment.

Pray for God's guidance and leading upon Bishop Michael Kanyoli and Pastor Christine Kanyoli. Pray for personal renewal and awakening in their lives as they serve in God's various fields of calling. contact me via: facebook/Michael Kanyoli michaelkanyoli@yahoo.com

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TM

There once was a young boy who spoiled by his grandparents, so that he became self-centered and demanding. This caused him to have a very bad temper. As he grew, his parents became concerned about his personality flaw, and pondered long and hard about what they should do. Finally, the father came up with an idea and presented it to his son. Giving him a bag of nails, and a very large hammer, he said to the boy, “Whenever you lose your temper, I want you to really let it out. Just take a nail and drive it into the oak boards of that old fence out back. Hit that nail as hard as you can!”

Of course, the weathered oak boards in that old fence were as tough as metal, and the hammer was mighty heavy, so it wasn’t nearly as easy as it first sounded.

Nevertheless, by the end of the first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.

Gradually, over the next few weeks, the number dwindled down. Holding his temper proved to be easier than driving nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He felt mighty proud as he told his parents about the accomplishment.

“As a sign of your success,” his father responded, “you get to pull out a nail. In fact, you can pull one out for every day that you don’t lose your temper.”

Many weeks passed. Finally one day the young boy was able to report proudly that all the nails were gone. At that point, the father asked his son to walk with him into the back yard and take a good look at the fence.

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“You have done well,” he told him. “But I want you to notice the holes that are left. No matter what happens from now on, this fence will never be the same. Saying or doing things in anger toward others produces the same result. There will always be a hole; there will always be a scar. It doesn’t matter how many times you say you’re sorry, or how much time passes, the scars will still be there. Verbal wounds are as damaging as a physical ones. People are much more valuable than that old fence. That means we need to treat everyone with love and respect. We need to prevent as many of those scars as we can.” The young boy learned a valuable lesson that day.

Everyone gets angry some time in their life.

at

It is what we DO with it that matters.

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a closer look at the fruits of the Spirit In Galatians 5:22-23, we are given a list of the fruits of the Spirit. They are the guidelines to which we conduct ourselves in our daily walk. These are nine different aspects of Godliness that we must adhere to in order to live to our fullest spiritual potential. They vary slightly, depending on the translation, but the foundational fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. While at first glance, these all look the same, a closer look reveals small differences in their meanings, which translates to differences in their application and implementation. This article is meant to shed light on each of these nine characteristics of holiness, to explore their nuances and minute differences. Stillness falls under the category of peace.

Stillness What is it? What does it look like? The modern definition for this word is most often linked to things (other than ourselves) being quiet or unmoving. But, what does this word really mean? How do we apply it? And, is there a Scriptural model?

The dictionary describes stillness in the following way: 1.

2.

3.

silence; quiet; hush the absence of motion to continue or remain in an activity or situation

Probably the best Scriptural example that incorporates the first two definitions is exemplified in Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

Many of us think we have to “stay busy” in order to accomplish anything. But, actually, that is a characteristic of the enemy. If he can keep us busy with the world’s cares, then he can keep us from knowing who God is, which, in turn, keeps us from hearing Him when He speaks to us.

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dictionary credit

Also, staying “busy” (which is an acronym for Being Under Satan’s Yoke) keeps us focused on what we are doing, and not what God is doing. If our focus is on ourselves, then it becomes harder and harder to be still and look up in reverence.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, Let's go over to the other side. Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. A big windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, Teacher, don't you care that we are dying? He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you still have no faith? They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:35-41 This verse is a great example of all of the meanings of the word still. Yeshua spoke, and waves and the winds stopped. His words brought peace in the midst of the storm. But, then He asked a question: How is it that you still have no faith? They had been traveling with Yeshua for months, yet they did not understand their own purpose, or how to operate in it. They were still reacting out of their flesh, which was the point Yeshua was making.

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TM

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What does this picture say to you?

Is this the dawning of a new day?

Does my future look bright?

Am I renewing my mind daily?

Have I successively climbed a mountain that seemed impossible before?

Is my focus on the Light above, or the valley below?

Have I reached a goal so that I can now see how far I have come?

Are you at a place in your life where you can see farther than ever before?

Are you at a place in your life where you can now see in all directions, instead of only backwards or straight ahead?

Many of us have reached goals in our lives, and have had successes that made us feel like we were on top of the world. For many, the climb is a struggle, and sometimes we don’t know if we are going to make it. But, the mountain is what gives us our skill, builds our character, and gives us a view of the world that cannot be seen while in the valley.

Long distance views cannot be had in valleys, only on mountaintops. It is so both in the physical world, and in the Spiritual world.

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for and about today’s young adults

My girls were 8 and 10 years old when they had their first experience with being bullied. A new school year had begun, and with it came new students that had moved in over the summer.

I picked them up from school everyday, so they waited for me, along with other children waiting for rides, in front of the main entrance to the school. This particular day, as I drove up, I saw that my younger daughter was crying uncontrollably. I immediately hurried to get out to see why.

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YouthWorksTM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM | read more at The Maiden's Portion

My older daughter relayed how they had just come from the girl's bathroom. While in there an older girl, a new student, had blocked their exit when they were done. My older daughter stood up against her, telling her to leave them alone, but it scared my younger girl.

I went directly into the principal's office, who was sitting behind her desk. My daughters told her what happened. When she asked where the girl was now, they said she was still in the bathroom. She had us wait in the lobby while she went into the girl's bathroom. Seconds later, she and the girl passed by us, and was made to wait for her mother in the principal's office.

A while later, the girl came out crying harder than my daughter had been earlier, and apologized for her behavior. The mother reassured me that nothing like that would ever happen again. It didn't.

Children who are bullies are usually the children of bullies. It is a learned trait, and is a cover for the insecurity they feel inside. They fall into the categories mentioned in Romans 1:29-32, particularly verse 30. They are, among the other things, inventors of evil things and disobedient to parents.

We find that in Genesis that Ishmael mocked Isaac, who was 14 years younger than him. For that, he and his mother was cast out, because Sarah saw that the bullying would continue if they stayed. We find this pattern all down through history...the bullies always pick on the younger and/or weaker. The only way for bullying to stop is for adults, parents, and peer groups to get involved in children's lives.

Resources for help: http://www.stopbullying.gov/ http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html http://www.nobully.org.nz/advicek.htm

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TM

From the end of the earth I will call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. __

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Psalm 61:2

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Levi Joined

Our names are more than just what we are called.

God gave names, or changed names, in Scripture, in the lives of those whose names were changed. Do up to the character of that name? Or, do you feel

Hebrew Transliteration: Levi Hebrew Spelling: ‫ֵלוִי‬

Anyone with the name “Levi” can look very much like his namesake in Scripture. Here are a few examples of the characteristics of the name.

Genesis 29:34 She conceived again, and bore a son. Said, "Now this time will my husband be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore was his name called Levi.

Leah, the unloved wife of Jacob, was convinced that another son would cause Jacob to be joined to her.

Genesis 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence. My soul, don't come into their council. My glory, don't be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed men. In their self-will they hamstrung cattle. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

Simeon, and his younger brother Levi, were very close, sharing a reputation for uncontrolled anger. So fierce was their anger that even Jacob, their father, did not want any part of their anger tainting any of the rest of the family.

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They can reveal a lot about our character. When it signified that a change was about to take place you have a Scripture-based name? Are you living a name-change is in order?

Deuteronomy 27:12 These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.

The tribe of Levi was one of the six chosen to speak out the blessings to the people, as a witness that they had been told how to live in the Promised Land, and what would be their reward for doing so. So, by extension, a “Levi� may be used in that same way in today’s world.

Numbers 3:5-13 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel. You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death. Yahweh continued speaking to Moses, saying, Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine: for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am Yahweh.

Yahweh chose the tribe of Levi to minister to the people and, likewise, today, it is the spiritual tribe of Levi that still ministers to His people. Yeshua was both of the tribe of Levi, and the tribe of Judah, making him our mediator through the tribe of Levi, and our Messiah and king through the tribe of Judah.

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The Personal Column by

Angela Carpenter

We: the Lord & I I love the Scripture so much, because it starts with WE. We , the Lord and I together, get to rise up, capture and destroy anger, greed, disgust and sadness, that is driving others to a dead end road. We destroy with love, compassion and joy, which brings us to hope and possibilities. We do not fight back , we capture and destroy.

When faced with the desires of the flesh, first I rest and grow strong in the lord, then WE rise together and destroy with the fruit of the spirit.

God is the joy that drives us to face anger and become the light of the world.

Think about it: if anger faces anger, what would happen? You arrive at a dead end. If anger faces joy, what happens? Anything could happen. All the sudden, there are possibilities, but with anger there are none. What if anger was faced with joy over and over again? Anger will grow weary and weak and wear out. But with God, we do not grow weary. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

We all have days the we feel beat down by others. But, rest and be thankful you were chosen to be the joy to the world. Where there is a lack of something in others, we can fill it with possabilities and hope, because God filled us with His Son. I know its tough, but it’s the rest we take in the Lord that makes us strong. Then, the most beautiful thing come from our sadness and struggles. I go to God with a problem and we rise together to destroy it. I grow close enough to become WE with my Lord.

There is nothing more beautiful than that.

I think the secret to a truly happy life is hope and possibility, and WE get to be the welcome mat to that Life with Jesus.

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read more from Angela at notbusinesitspersonal.blogspot.com

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