Probably one the most overused phrases of all time. Yet so very appropriate in this case.
How can so many in a city the size of Houston come against one person over something as petty as a football game? I understand that nobody likes to admit when they've been had, tricked, led astray. I'm sorry, but that is exactly what has happened here. The devil is a liar! He will use anything and anybody to divert attention from God.
At the ill-advice of someone whose sole purpose was to protect his own image from the truth; even if it meant destroying his own flesh; many of you gathered yourselves against a homeless female who was just trying to give testimony of God's rescuing grace from childhood, incestuous, sexual abuse. But, this is not the first time the innocent was punished while the guilty went free. Is it?
I never sought your attention. I initially sought the advice of a female preacher, at my former church. But, instead of offering proper confidential counsel, she delivered me up to the authority of the pastor and elders in the church. They too, instead of offering counsel, stood in the pulpit and admonished me for both: writing about it and for the words I used (which were the words that had been used at the time that certain events took place).
My testimony is not for everybody. You don't have to read it. It's for those who have found themselves, or may find themselves in a similar situation: To offer both comfort as well as encouragement that they might know that God is, indeed, their refuge. Not drugs, not alcohol, not sexual deviance, not anger, malice, hatred, retaliation, nor even friends or family. BUT GOD IS.
So, I've rubbed some the wrong way. OK, point noted. But, if you can't receive me at face value; replace my face with that of a darling little girl or boy, for whom you would move heaven and earth. Because the truth is, while we're busy arguing semantics, and you're spewing hatred at me, because you don't like my attitude (what's your shortcoming?), countless little ones are being abused. But, your children are watching and. they see the way you treat a person who opens up about sexual abuse. Therefore, you may not find out about their abuse until years from now. After they have gone over the edge. And that's just the way the devil wants it.
To those who are determined to make this about a football game, even after God has done all of this in your faces (Isaiah 48:6). I propose this: Stop being fair-weather fans. Just as God wants you to be "all in" for Him; you should do similar for your sports teams. You don't empty the stadium just because your team is trailing by a few points. That's when they need you most. What if God abandoned you every time you were down in the game of life? Celebrate your team when they are winning and encourage them when they are losing. In street lingo: "RIDE OR DIE"
Yet, the bible says "in all things give thanks . . ." The Texans gave Houston an awesome football season. Show a little gratitude! Stop spewing hatred towards me because you think I didn't pray for them. That was your job. I prayed for my team. Besides you don't know what I prayed. Perhaps all the scoffing, and other foolishness directed at me cost you (polluted) your own blessing. It amazes me how much hatred I'm receiving for professing my allegiance to the Falcons when so many Houstonians are, overt die-hard Saints or Cowboys fans.
When I choose to support something or someone, my loyalty is absolute. Particularly when it comes to God. You can throw me out of a shelter, hospital, YMCA, church and even out of your fair city; that's OK. But, before I go, HOLD MY MULE! cause no matter where I am, I'm gonna give Him praise.
Truth is, you really don't need someone else to pray for you, if you're in right standing with God. How do you know if you're in right standing with Him? He answers your prayers (Isaiah 65:24). Even giving you that which you didn't ask for (Ephesians 3:20). The instructions are in the manual. But, it starts at a place of forgiveness, which, as a sexual abuse survivor, was a difficult lesson learned. I had to forgive my abusers' trespasses against me in order to be forgiven of my own trespasses. What trespass had I committed, I was the victim?! UNFORGIVENESS. Yeah, that messed me up too. It was possible that my abusers could seek God's forgiveness and enter into heaven, while unforgiveness could send me straight to hell: A hard pill to swallow; until I truly considered just how much my sins had cost Christ.
Instructions For Favor
1). Matthew 6:33
2). II Chronicles 7:14
3). Matthew 5:23-26
4). I Thessalonians 5:18
He's so good!!!
I LOVE YOU HOUSTON
How can so many in a city the size of Houston come against one person over something as petty as a football game? I understand that nobody likes to admit when they've been had, tricked, led astray. I'm sorry, but that is exactly what has happened here. The devil is a liar! He will use anything and anybody to divert attention from God.
At the ill-advice of someone whose sole purpose was to protect his own image from the truth; even if it meant destroying his own flesh; many of you gathered yourselves against a homeless female who was just trying to give testimony of God's rescuing grace from childhood, incestuous, sexual abuse. But, this is not the first time the innocent was punished while the guilty went free. Is it?
I never sought your attention. I initially sought the advice of a female preacher, at my former church. But, instead of offering proper confidential counsel, she delivered me up to the authority of the pastor and elders in the church. They too, instead of offering counsel, stood in the pulpit and admonished me for both: writing about it and for the words I used (which were the words that had been used at the time that certain events took place).
My testimony is not for everybody. You don't have to read it. It's for those who have found themselves, or may find themselves in a similar situation: To offer both comfort as well as encouragement that they might know that God is, indeed, their refuge. Not drugs, not alcohol, not sexual deviance, not anger, malice, hatred, retaliation, nor even friends or family. BUT GOD IS.
So, I've rubbed some the wrong way. OK, point noted. But, if you can't receive me at face value; replace my face with that of a darling little girl or boy, for whom you would move heaven and earth. Because the truth is, while we're busy arguing semantics, and you're spewing hatred at me, because you don't like my attitude (what's your shortcoming?), countless little ones are being abused. But, your children are watching and. they see the way you treat a person who opens up about sexual abuse. Therefore, you may not find out about their abuse until years from now. After they have gone over the edge. And that's just the way the devil wants it.
To those who are determined to make this about a football game, even after God has done all of this in your faces (Isaiah 48:6). I propose this: Stop being fair-weather fans. Just as God wants you to be "all in" for Him; you should do similar for your sports teams. You don't empty the stadium just because your team is trailing by a few points. That's when they need you most. What if God abandoned you every time you were down in the game of life? Celebrate your team when they are winning and encourage them when they are losing. In street lingo: "RIDE OR DIE"
Yet, the bible says "in all things give thanks . . ." The Texans gave Houston an awesome football season. Show a little gratitude! Stop spewing hatred towards me because you think I didn't pray for them. That was your job. I prayed for my team. Besides you don't know what I prayed. Perhaps all the scoffing, and other foolishness directed at me cost you (polluted) your own blessing. It amazes me how much hatred I'm receiving for professing my allegiance to the Falcons when so many Houstonians are, overt die-hard Saints or Cowboys fans.
When I choose to support something or someone, my loyalty is absolute. Particularly when it comes to God. You can throw me out of a shelter, hospital, YMCA, church and even out of your fair city; that's OK. But, before I go, HOLD MY MULE! cause no matter where I am, I'm gonna give Him praise.
Truth is, you really don't need someone else to pray for you, if you're in right standing with God. How do you know if you're in right standing with Him? He answers your prayers (Isaiah 65:24). Even giving you that which you didn't ask for (Ephesians 3:20). The instructions are in the manual. But, it starts at a place of forgiveness, which, as a sexual abuse survivor, was a difficult lesson learned. I had to forgive my abusers' trespasses against me in order to be forgiven of my own trespasses. What trespass had I committed, I was the victim?! UNFORGIVENESS. Yeah, that messed me up too. It was possible that my abusers could seek God's forgiveness and enter into heaven, while unforgiveness could send me straight to hell: A hard pill to swallow; until I truly considered just how much my sins had cost Christ.
Instructions For Favor
1). Matthew 6:33
2). II Chronicles 7:14
3). Matthew 5:23-26
4). I Thessalonians 5:18
He's so good!!!
I LOVE YOU HOUSTON
