God Will Use Your Test To Create Your Testimony!....

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God’s purposes cannot miscarry. God will never fail; He will never falter.  And He will be revealed through a remnant that will rise up – that is, in fact, already rising up – to reveal His image, His glory, and His will on earth.

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But that remnant will go through things.  That remnant will be tested.  That remnant will experience loss, trial, shake-up, chaos, and confusion…as God brings changes to our world.   That remnant will have a testimony of God’s power of transformation, salvation, and redemption.

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If you are being tested today…it’s because God will be using your testimony tomorrow!

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We are in a very strategic, critical time in the body of Christ.  Anyone and everyone with any spiritual discernment at all can see that we are in transition – that it’s not like it used to be.  We’ve are in a different place.

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God is raising up a remnant out of the crevices, the darkness.  If you are being tested…going through changes…experiencing a shake-up…and through it all, you are still hungrily seeking what it is He has to say – following His Word… and standing (-- or kneeling -- or laid out on the floor in prayer!) in the face of every attack of the enemy of your soul…then you are part of that remnant.

And right now He is positioning you for destiny…because He is about to have His grandest display of glory on the earth – and you are it!  He has chosen you!   And your test will become part of the testimony He will use so that others might see His glory… His faithfulness…His sovereignty…His grace – in your life.

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God is taking us through a process where those who will rise up to the test will be purified and perfected…they will have persevered – and come forth very powerful.

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God is raising up a people – His People – and they will represent His company.  It is a heavenly summons…this is not the beckon or the call of a man.  This is a moment in God that He chose, He observed, and He reserved.   He placed and He planted you in the earth, and heaven has now summoned you:  it is an upward drawing by the Holy Spirit to the top of Mount Zion.  Zion is a place…and Zion is a people!  And the people of Zion will remain steadfast to share the glory of God and His will -- through their wisdom… …their love…their forgiveness …their testimony.

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So, as part of His remnant of Zion, begin today, to accept your test as part of walking in the destiny He has summoned you for.  And no matter what these days, times or seasons look like, continue to stand firm on His Word and His promise…and you will see God use your test to create your testimony…to bring forth His purposes and His will in your life and on our earth!

Remembering What’s Important

Nobody grows up in a perfect family. Let’s face it…we all have issues. As hard as we try to be “perfect parents” every family will experience some degree of dysfunction…and every parent will make mistakes.

 

Even the best of parents will ask themselves, “Have I been the best parent I could be?” or “If I had been less busy would my child be rebellious?” or  “Have I demonstrated the love of God to my children?” or “Did I push them too hard or limit them in some way?”

 

One of the most important lessons a parent models for their child is the ability to set healthy boundaries: the process of learning what is rightfully yours and what rightfully belongs to someone else. Children learn how to set boundaries based on how they witness boundaries being established at home, and from the verbal instruction they receive from their primary caretakers.

 

As a parent, you have a tremendous responsibility and awesome opportunity to impact our world through the boundaries you set forth for your children. Healthy boundaries are critically important to emotional and psychological health, to establishing healthy relationships, and to enabling us to work and live in harmony with one another.

 

If we didn’t grow up learning healthy boundaries, we may have experienced some boundary confusion in our life and carried those unhealthy boundaries over to our children. Often by not establishing proper boundaries and setting expectations for our children we think we are “helping” them -- when in actuality, nothing could be farther from the truth. We are actually weakening them and preventing them from developing into responsible adults.

 

There are at least eight marks of a family with healthy personal boundaries:

Each person’s opinion is heard.  Each person feels safe to disagree with other family members without experiencing rejection, isolation, or criticism.  Each person is encouraged to think, reason, and learn – and to develop personal opinions without censure.

Each person is encouraged to express her emotions in healthy ways that do not bring injury to other family members, without ridicule or embarrassment.

Each person is encouraged to discover her unique gifts and talents, and to develop them to the fullest.

Each person is given age-appropriate freedoms of choice – such as choices about clothing, food, hobbies, and activities

Each person is given age-appropriate chores and household responsibilities –

so everyone shares in the cooking and cleaning duties – not just mom after she has worked all day. J   

Each person is respected as a member of the family and is shown courtesy.

Each person is encouraged to be quick to ask for forgiveness and to freely forgive.  No one in a family is right all the time, and it’s never right to withhold forgiveness or fail to ask for forgiveness when wrongs are committed.

Each person is encouraged to pray at family gatherings – such as mealtimes – but no one is forced to pray.  Respect is shown for each person’s personal relationship with God.

 

Giving a child these freedoms does not in any way diminish a parent’s right, privilege, and responsibility to provide guidance, direction, prayer, or influence.  Neither does it limit parents in establishing family rules and guidelines.  Setting healthy boundaries at home is vital to positioning your children to become healthy independent adults and sets them on a path to receive God’s best for their lives!

 

 

 

 

Be Fruitful in Every Season!

Wow guys…spring is in the air! Warmer weather, new blossoms, fresh perspectives…who doesn’t love spring? It’s a time of new beginnings!

Of course, there is another question we could ask:…but who really likes “spring cleaning? :=) (JUST KIDDING!)

Actually, many of us meet this season with the annual ritual of throwing open the windows, sweeping out the cobwebs, and lemon-waxing the dust away. It’s a great time of year to air out the house, and dump the “stuff” accumulated through a long, cold winter, often spent trapped inside by frigid temperatures and unappealing weather!

I believe spring-cleaning also gives us a sense of “fruitfulness,” purpose, and meaning as we honor the perfect design God laid out through His changing seasons…

Spring is full of blossoming life…and as I watch tiny buds begin to make their presence known on tree limbs, or watch the clover sprout up over slowly greening fields, I also think about the new life Jesus assured us by His work on the cross. I believe it is a truly powerful message on how we can lead fruitful, meaningful, purposeful lives…no matter what our circumstances.

Of course, some of us are wondering, how do we lead “fruitful” lives in a down economy, when bills need to be paid, when home and career are demanding and challenging…and we just can’t seem to “get it all done?”

I believe fruitfulness is often an attitude. Being fruitful doesn’t necessarily mean doing
big things; being fruitful often means simply carrying out the tasks, roles, and
responsibilities God has given us, to the best of our abilities with an attitude of thanksgiving and appreciation.

I am blessed to do the work of teaching, preaching, and sharing the gospel with people worldwide, and I am honored by the sense of fruitfulness God has given me through this work. But I also feel fruitful when I give of myself in small ways: baking or sharing goodies with those I love…encouraging the sales clerk at the grocery store or talking to the person sitting next to me on a flight…uplifting one another and offering hope to the people God puts in our path is part of His plan for each of us every day.

Leading a “fruitful life” means leading a life that’s whole -- spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally; it means being able to meet the needs of others in appropriate ways, being loving to others, and sharing and displaying that which is good, noble, and beneficial with those around you – friends, family and beyond.

This spring, look for opportunities to be fruitful in every aspect of your life…at work and at home. Looking at your life in this way will bring joy to you and allow you to be blessed as you bless others.
And remember…don’t be afraid to go out on a limb…that is where the fruit is the sweetest.
Happy Spring time!

Love you guys, talk to you again soon…

Paula

Hey Guys!

We’re already well into the second month of the New Year…and here’s what God has laid on my heart to share with you this month:

Never stop daring to dream!

Whatever visions, goals, and dreams God has given you to pursue – go for it! No matter how far off your dreams seem to be right now, don’t give up on them! No matter how bad the evening news is…no matter what’s in your mailbox...no matter what your natural, everyday surroundings look like – keep daring to dream!

Because your dreams are powerful. I’m not talking about the dreams you have at night in bed; I’m talking about your conscious, thought-out daydreams -- of what your future could look like. Your personal goals, inner-visions, and daydreams can inspire you – and hidden within each of them is a prediction of what the future might bring…and perhaps a key to your God-given destiny.

I know…you might be thinking, “But Paula, I don’t have it in me to dream right now -- I have too many bills, too many things stressing me out. Drama, drama, drama…how can I pursue any dream at all?”

The fact is, there will be plenty of times when you won’t feel like your dreams are achievable. People often doubt their capacity for success. However, don’t let that stop you! Don’t be discouraged about where you are right now. Instead, start by simply writing your dreams, goals, and visions in a journal. Then begin to pray about them, and ask God to show you the steps you need to take to build toward them. If you only do one thing toward your dream every day, that’s something. Keep asking God to bless your work, bless your steps, and bless your dreams. Remember every journey begins with a single step!

In order to create dreams and goals for your future…you must begin to nurture them in your present. See yourself doing the things you dream of…being the person you desire to be…going in the direction of your dreams as you begin to lay the foundation today.

Look -- people who see me on television today think I’ve always been a preacher and a teacher. But when God gave me a vision of my future, I knew it wouldn’t come to pass in a week…a month…or a year. I needed time to grow and be processed. But during that time I never lost sight of the vision He had placed inside of me -- and today, over twenty years later, I’m here to tell you – dare to dream!

Here’s my challenge to you: Start today, to do one thing toward your dream every day -- asking God for direction along the way -- I’m convinced that, by the end of 2009, you’ll be able to see definite progress as you move toward your God-given destiny.
Remember, the difference between a dream and a dream-come-true is the courage to follow your heart. Your future begins today…so go for it – and dare to dream!

Love you guys, talk to you soon…


Paula

I want to simply thank all of you who are my friends here on myspace and who have supported my ministry somewhere along the way. I am the recipient of the 2009 Trumpet Foundation's Humanitarian Award this year and without your support none of this would have been possible. We should feel proud to know that we make a difference, and whether it is orphanages in India, feeding programs throughout the US or Back to school bashes in which we provide thousands of children with school supplies, medical attention, and most importantly-love, you should know that this is only possible because of your support and belief that, collectively, we can make this world a little more like Christ intended. Thank you. I am so honored to be friends with you all.

Love,

Paula

December 2, 2008

Wow! It's December, guys…the last month of 2008. This has definitely been a year of extreme and sometimes tumultuous change, not only for many of us individually, but for our nation, and our world! In the beginning of 2008, I knew in my spirit it would be a year of 'new beginnings' -- but of course, 'new beginnings' also mean change, transition, and often, loss.

But I see the transition our world is experiencing this year as – while definitely anxiety-provoking in the short term – on the long term, a positive and exciting sign that new and better things are on the global horizon.

During change, transition, upheaval, I strive to try to slow down, meditate, and be even more conscious and grateful for the many blessings in my life. Family, friends, my health, my ministry…and another day of life to carry out the purpose God has given me.

And of course, December means Christmas is on the way…a time of rejoicing, and celebration of the greatest gift anyone has ever received…Jesus!

As we celebrate it is easy to get caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas and run ourselves ragged trying to select just the right gift for everyone on our list but Christmas is so much more than gift-giving – Christmas is about stopping to hear the still quiet voice within us and reflecting upon the gifts God has given each of us.

As you all probably know by now…I love to bake so I will be baking lots of homemade gifts this year (started that back in November, probably won't stop till after the New Year!). I believe that the best kind of gifts are the small tokens of appreciation, service, and sharing of our time, our caring, and our hearts.

So why not try something new this holiday season? Find a way to share something with those you love that can't be purchased in a store, with a gift-card, or online. I believe we can all look inside ourselves and find treasures to give that come from the inner talents and personal gifts God gave us. How about the gift of your time – nothing is more valuable. I have a friend who is giving coupons for child care and running errands. Be creative! You might even surprise yourself – and unlock a hidden talent that was just waiting for the right occasion to be opened.

Love you guys, talk to you soon…

Paula

You guys have been asking.... so here it is!! My recipie for Sweet Potato Bread

Ingredients:
2 Large Cans of sweet potatoes - drained
2 Cups of flour
1 Cup White Corn Meal
2 1/2 Cups sugar
1/2 pound butter - melted
Pinch of Salt
2 Teaspoons baking powder
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Lemon Flavoring
6 Eggs
1 Can Evaporated Milk - Regular Size
Pinch of Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Combine all ingredients together in large bowl. Mix well until batter achieves a smooth texture.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pans and bake for 15 mins. Reduce oven temp to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 45 mins.

ENJOY!!

Love you guys!!

Paula

Well, the clocks have switched, leaves are beginning to turn, and there's a chill in the air – all signs that fall has arrived! I love this time of year, I love seeing the colors change around me, and I love the energy that a new season brings. Have you ever tried to catch a falling leaf? I remember doing that as a kid and it always brings back fond memories.

Some of my other favorite things about this time of year...an excuse to bake all kinds of delicious treats! I've been baking up a storm – my personal favorites, banana nut bread and sweet potato bread. I make tons, enough to wrap up and distribute to everyone that I love. I think there's nothing better than fresh baked gifts from the heart – and since I don't get any complaints on the recipes, I guess other folks appreciate them too!

It's been busy on the travel front, as usual…I love getting to see the seasons change across the country, and I'll definitely get to experience a variety of fall weather – recently I was in Bessemer, Alabama and then to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota , Tampa, Florida and now New York. Wow!

Of course, everywhere I've been, people are gearing up for Thanksgiving. It is hard to believe it is next week - more reasons to bake! I am going to try a new stuffing recipe this year!

We recently observed Veterans Day, and my thoughts and prayers especially go out to all of our brave soldiers serving throughout the world, who are separated from their families during this season. As you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner and time with family, remember to say a little prayer for them.

My focus is gratefulness right about now – gratefulness for family, for friends, for all of God's blessings. There's so much turmoil and uncertainty in the world today - but we truly do have a lot to be thankful for - remember it is not about "things". Life is so much more than that – it is about family, friends and relationships that will far out last any thing we could ever possess.

Hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving! Make some special memories!


Love you guys,

Paula