There's No Greater Pain then Losing a Child

I miss my daughter, Mazie, so very much. I am thankful for each and every one of Mazie's friends who have called me, texted me, messaged me, visited me and kept in touch these past thirteen months, and for my family members, church family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers who have  prayed for me, and encouraged me in the Lord these past 13 months. From my experience there is no pain nor loss that is worse than that of losing a child. I thank God for giving me faith, strength, peace and joy through all of this. If Mazie had lived she would be 29 years old January 6th of 2024.

About 30 years ago I prayed for God to heal me and bless me with a little girl. I was healed, became pregnant, and blessed with being Mazie's mom. My daughter was hurt, abused, lost faith in God, people, and herself. She used drugs recreationally as she lost faith in herself and others but as the hurt and abuse and depression continued she used drugs I believe to escape. People she loved and cared about used her, verbally and physically abused her, hurt her deeply, ripped away everything she held dear in this life and she lost more and more of herself and her faith in God until she no longer had any hope. I prayed and prayed, many of us prayed for my daughter to be healed, filled with God's peace and inner joy that comes only from being in a relationship with God, and to know He loved her unconditionally and strengthened her and covered her with His grace, and know he wanted to get her out of that situation. God did. She did. I give God all the glory, honor and praise. And then Mazie went home to be with God. 

God's word says for us to trust Him with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. I trust my heavenly Father. I trust God and rejoice that my daughter was saved, experienced the peace and joy from feeling His love, and through faith and hope found a way out of all the heartache, hurt and loss that she had experienced and was experiencing trying to get out of the life she was in. She had faith again. She had hope of a better life. Would I have loved to have seen her completely out of the situation she was in and living the happy and whole life that she hoped for and I wanted for her?  Yes. But I trust God. He allowed her to die. I don't know why. But I trust Him. I know it's part of a plan. I know he loved her unconditionally. I know he blotted out all her sin. I know he gave her faith, hope, peace, joy and everlasting life. I know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Through the blood of Jesus we are saved and are forgiven of all our sins. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior all of our mistakes and sins are blotted out. Our sin is as far from us as the East is from the West. There's a reason why God wants us to follow the straight and narrow path. If a man commits adultery and God forgives him he still must face the repercussion of that sin against his wife and marriage. If a woman steals and God forgives her she may still go to prison for stealing. If a people have promiscuous sex and contract a disease God will forgive them and help them through it. God strengthens us and helps us through the repercussions of our sin in this world whether we've sinned against him, people, or our body. God turns even our mistakes into blessings. God loves us as his dearly beloved children. He doesn't want us to sin because sin has repercussions. 

Everything he teaches us is for our good and our benefit. God's word says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I believe Mazie's spirit has returned to God and that she is in a constant state of joy and peace that we all look forward to experiencing one day when we go home to be with the Lord. Was she murdered? Did she have a panic attack or asthma attack and couldn't breath? Did she use again and it killed her? Did she die at someone else's hand through negligence or abuse? I don't know. Maybe I'll never know. But do I trust God and believe she's with him? Yes. Do I believe in God's justice? Yes. Do I believe God will forgive or has forgiven people who hurt Mazie, and people who contributed to her death in some way? Yes. Do I forgive them? Yes. Do I believe she's been healed and living in a state of constant joy and peace? Yes. I thank God for the almost 28 years that I had Mazie. 

I Thank God for the love, joy, happiness and blessing of being her mom. I thank God for each and every memory that she lives on in. I remember the first time that I thought about Mazie after her death without breaking down and crying. It was a happy memory and brought a laugh to my lips. It was a relief to remember her and laugh. I know that the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy us, our lives, our family, our health, our hope, our faith, and will do anything he can to wedge a gap in our relationship with God. I thank God for bringing Mazie back to Him through His love and for her knowing and experiencing His peace and the joy of knowing Him as a loving Father, and understanding His grace before she died. And I thank Him for me knowing this. 

People get in horrible wrecks and don't get as much as a scratch. Others get into a fender bender and die. Some fight fatal diseases and overcome. Others die quickly. Some shoot themselves point blank and live to have a change in heart and a better life. Others die from silly accidents. Some suffer for years and years then finally give their heart to Christ and live the remainder of their life in joy and peace and constant praise for the change God did in them and their life. I thank God that Mazie was His child and promised everlasting life. That gives me peace. Before she died I saw the transformation in her, her heart, her faith in God, in hope that comes from knowing we're not of this world but a better world to come, and the longing and determination to overcome her demons. I don't know of anyone who knew Mazie who wasn't changed for the better. She loved unconditionally. She believed in people. She selflessly helped and loved people.  She believed in God. She was an encourager. She believed love could change the world. She lost that belief and hope for a while. And then found it again in God's love for her, His grace he covered her with, and strength, peace, and inner joy He gave to her. It's hard to believe how much God loves us. We're flawed. We are far from perfect. 

We make huge mistakes and do stupid things. God's Word says we are as filthy rags. But He makes us clean. He is merciful. He covers us with grace. We cannot work our way into heaven. Only faith in His love for us will get us into heaven. Oh, if only everyone understood God's grace and would accept His love for them. We are not saved through our works but through faith in Him and what He did for us. Upon getting to know God better we come to know God's mercy and grace and how we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus who died on the cross for us that we might be saved and have  everlasting life. Jesus overcame death and took the keys to death and hell. The grave has no hold on us. Jesus went through the same trials, hurt, pain and temptations we do. He was wrongfully accused, beaten nearly to death, then died a sinners shameful death on a cross for us. But he prevailed. He rose from the dead, King of Kings. He overcame the world. Through Jesus we are saved, healed, strong, and overcome this world. Through Jesus we become better people and we live a better life, a life filled with the fruit and gifts of Holy Spirit.

Bless My Friend Prayer

Father God, 

     We boldly come to you as your daughters, beloved, chosen, and favored. Thank you for washing us in the blood of Jesus, healing us through his stripes and wounds, and blessing us beyond measure. Our cups runneth over. Thank you Father for your amazing grace, mercy, peace, joy, and happiness from within our spirit which rest in you. Father we ask you to give us a glad heart, to bring to our remembrance who we are in Christ and of all the miracles we've witnessed. Thank you Father for the person reading this prayer. Thank you for healing her mind, heart, and soul as she remembers who she is in you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

A Prayer For You

Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus Christ our  precious Savior who willingly gave his blood for us to form a new covenant and make us your sons and daughters. Thank you for your perfect love for us that you freely give to us. Thank you for your mercy and compassion that you so freely bestow upon us. Thank you for grace, Father, that nothing we are given whether it's your love or compassion or mercy is merit based. It's nothing to do with us or what we deserve or don't deserve. It's all you, a loving Father, who wishes to pour out his love on us until we see how much love, gifts and privileges we have as your children. Thank you, God, that becoming your child, saved, promised eternal life, mercy and grace are as simple as believing and receiving. Father, I lift to you my dear friend who is reading and praying this prayer with me. I ask you, Father, to knit your heart with hers, to embrace her with your holy spirit and fill her and the place she's in with your peace and light. I ask you, Father, to fill her with undeniable joy that comes from her spirit which was made in your image. Bless her, Father, with heavenly and eternal blessings and wisdom. Bless her, Father, with faith that can move mountains, acceptance of your unconditional love so you can pour into her spirit and her life, and bless her with constantly being aware that she's your daughter, your beloved, and you're always with her and will never leave her. In the powerful name of Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Savior, AMEN.

In the Ground She Lay

Her wings are soaked with tears

In the ground she lay

Her sorrow lasted for years

Where were the children at play

An angel with broken wings cannot fly

With the heart of a friend and the spirit of a wolf

Trying to dig out of the pit she did die

In pain and fear she was engulfed

Would she have flown higher with her babies

Would they have helped her as they have their father's

That prayer of hers is being answered I think

Would her broken heart been healed by laughter

These questions shall never be asked

The answers are only known to her Father

Always put God first children after friends last

Never sacrifice the sound of their laughter 

Do Not Take Offense and Cause Division

So many Christians leave their church because they are offended or hurt by someone in the church. Maybe they feel invisible, or feel like there's an in crowd and out crowd, or maybe they feel slighted or ostracized so they leave to find a place that they feel good at, feel like part of the family, appreciated, loved and important to the church leaders and those in the 'in' crowd. But the thing is, you are meant to be where God put you. The church is our sanctuary but it is also a battle ground. Souls are being fought for and won. Coalitions are formed and working together and praying together to break down strongholds in the community, strongholds on our children, strongholds on the leaders who have become corrupt, complacent, and sacrifice good people to meet their agenda. Right is right and wrong is wrong. There are no grey areas in God's eyes. He is no respector of persons and each and every one of his children is loved with a godly and unconditional love. Our God is just. Does he use the things we go through to help us grow, to help others grow, to drain the stagnant water and pour in fresh water - YES! He does! So don't leave. Don't doubt that you are where God has put you when he's confirmed it to you. Don't allow your feelings and emotions dictate your strength in Christ. Pray harder and dig down your heels and trust God to be your strength, your friend, your sanctuary and safe haven and your General. Win ground for God by standing your ground in adversity, trusting him, dwelling in his spirit and his word, looking for holes in your armor where darkness can creep in and cloud your vision and causing hurt, a break down in your confidence, loneliness, anger, spitefulness, or talking about others. Tell no one but God and watch him cause the people around you to grow and flourish. We are to love others with a Christ-like love. He forgave the people who beat and murdered him while he was dying. Let God's love shine through you and conquer the world around you. Let your light shine and win ground for Christ. Do not be offended but pray and love those who hurt you and watch God's love and will prevail. We are all under attack by our enemy. The powers of darkness want to beat us down and confuse us and use us being OFFENDED to break down relationships and DESTROY CHURCHES. If you're a child of God you're under spiritual attack. Your leaders, friends, family, finances, job, anything that directly impacts you can become a stumbling block for you if you fail to continuously put God first, set him above everything and everyone, and dwell in him, reading his word, singing praises, being thankful for each and every blessing, remembering his godly unconditional love and strength. Put God first and everything else will fall into place. That's a guarantee. The chips may not fall the way you want them to but rest assured, God's will be done and his kingdom magnified, you will be blessed beyond measure.

Written by Lisa C

🙏For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:12‭-‬19 KJV

Dwell in the Secret Place

My Heavenly Father is the first person that I talk to every morning. I love starting my day with him, praising him, praying to him,  reading a devotional with him, and sharing his word, love, and encouragement with others. He is my everything and everyone to me! He is the best part of life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. 

Written by Lisa C

🙏Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.6.KJV

Written by Lisa C

🙏Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.6.KJV

Shield of Faith

I woke up thinking about Job from the Book of Job in the Holy Bible. I have experienced so much loss but it is so little compared to what Job loss. I lost my daughter, my dad, my fur baby, and due to a car accident I have a deformed finger, and I lost a job that I loved. All of these things took place in a matter of a year. The car accident was in May, I lost my dad November 1st and my daughter November 20th. I lost my job and my fur baby within that year. But job lost all of his son's and daughters and all of his wealth on the same day. And he suffered tremendously physically from boils. He was in so much pain. His friends accused him of doing wrong in the sight of God. His wife told him to curse God and die. (Job 1:13‭-‬19 KJV And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: and there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.)

But Job held tight to his Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.) He remained faithful to God.  He did not doubt God nor blame him for everyone and everything he lost nor his physical condition. He did not curse God. He did not allow his circumstances to destroy his relationship with God. He stood strong. In the end, God blessed Job with a whole lot more then he had lost. 

Don't lose sight of God's unconditional love, mercy, or grace. Keep your eyes on him through all of the hard times as well as the good. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. 

(Philippians 1:3‭-‬6 KJV I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.)

Written by: Lisa Clewis 

I Lifted My Hands in Prayer Even Then

I used to wonder why the Holy Bible states praise is a sacrifice that we make. Then I learned first hand that when you praise God even through the tough times like losing a loved one, a home, a job, or whatever the case may be, you gain strength and are filled with joy, peace and love. Have you ever heard someone say praise God until you have a break through? It really works. When you can continue to trust God and praise Him even when you're hurt, angry, confused or utterly crushed by life you are supernaturally lifted up in a way that only God can do. Even when you're sobbing so hard you can barely speak or sing, lift your hands to God and start praising him. Everything we're directed to do in the Holy Bible is for our benefit. We are God's children and like any parent he is sometimes misunderstood. He wants good things for us, not evil. So next time you're hurt, shocked, feel lost or afraid, start praising the one who can give you supernatural strength to get through it. He will never leave you. Just praise him, trust him, until you feel him. 

Last year I was in a life changing car accident no fault of my own. I have a permanent deformity. I also went through a lot with my daughter. It was a nightmare. We want so much to protect our children. I lost my daughter. She died twenty days after I lost my step dad whom I was very close to. That in itself was a horrible experience. He suffered so much. I lost a job that I loved. Even though the work stress was affecting my health, I loved what I was doing. And I lost a beloved pet which was my daughter's pet until she was old enough to leave home. She couldn't take her with her. These are just some of the main events. This isn't conclusive of everything I went through or was going  through. But through it all I learned the secret to unbelievable strength to get through anything and I learned how to tap into God's peace and joy and love and to feel his presence even though I felt completely crushed on the inside and so far away from him. I learned to praise until I had a breakthrough. God honors his word. He keeps his promises. He is not a man that he should lie. And his love is unconditional. Honor him with praise, trust him, even when you don't understand it all. He will be your refuge, your strength, your night in shining armor, and your closest friend to through it all, whatever you're going to through. When you want to give up and die, praise Him. Lift your hands to Him. Wave your hands at Him. Let him see you humbled by your heartache, and lift you up and set you on higher ground. 

Written by Lisa C.

🙏By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:15‭-‬16 KJV

Daily Encouragement

Visit my Facebook page, Simple Fun & Heaven for daily inspiration and encouragement. Tap Link to join https://www.facebook.com/simplefunheaven?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Marriage

So little is taught at home or understood today about what God expects the relationship between a husband and wife to be like. It's never one sided. It's never each to his own. It's never turn your back on your parents and just be there for your spouse's every whim. It's a two become one type of relationship. Two become one in purpose, one in a heart for God, one in love towards others. They put God first and each other second, then their children, parents and so forth. They put their spouse only second to God, not second to mom or second to dad, or second to their child, or second to their job, or second to their friends. This is one reason why it's so important to be married to someone who is a believer rather then a non- Christian or someone who knows about God but chooses to live their life following after the world; drugs, alcohol, partying, selfishness and self-centeredness, anything he/she puts ahead of God, spouse, and children, etc. It's God, then your husband or wife, then your children. Friends are further down the list. 

Think of your relationships in circles. You are in the center of the circle. The next circle around you is God. The next circle is your spouse. The next circle is your children. The next circle is your combined family and so on. Do you see where I'm going with this. Keep your circles small. Hold close those that are close to your heart because when they're gone you've lost a part of you, a part of who you are, a part of your flesh and blood. 

Often I see husband's disrespect their wives and show very little compassion towards them because that's what they saw their dad do. I see wives disrespect their husbands behind their back and joke about manipulating him to do what they want him to do. This is so far off the word of God, selfish, sinful, and a shaky foundation for the marriage to say the least. Don't be like other couples. Don't be like other families. 

Know what your heart and your spouse's heart are for God and how you want to serve God together, your heart for your children and how you want to train them up to be, and your heart for others and how you want to serve others. By 'you' I mean you and your spouse. Know your spouse's heart and make a heart connection. Become one in heart and purpose. You'll be unstoppable.

Written by: Lisa C

🙏Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Ephesians 5:24‭-‬33 KJV

We Create Our Own Destiny

We sow a thought, and reap an action. 

We sow an action, and reap a habit.

We sow a habit, and reap a character.

We sow a character, and reap a destiny. 

Unseen thoughts produce visible consequences.

             -Author Unknown-

     Be careful what you do and say in front of your children. You're molding their character, the foundation for their belief system or the lack of one, and their heart. Remember, teach your children God's ways, use the rod of correction which is the word of God, and love them unconditionally. Teach them how to recognize sin, repent, and believe in God's mercy and grace. And teach them to not associate with people who don't believe in and reverence God because it will be to their demise if they do. 

     Guilt, low self-esteem, feeling dirty keep people from going to God and having a close relationship with God. I lived in sin twice in my life. I had to learn. Other people have to learn too. God taught me by miraculously healing me from mitral valve prolapse, enlarged heart, and a heart spotted with scar tissue. He made my heart completely healthy and perfect when I could not forgive myself nor understood God's mercy and grace. That is how I learned that God is a forgiving God and loves me unconditionally. 

     God is a God of mercy, grace, and unconditional love. Don't we owe it to him to teach our children, love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and forgive others?

Written by,

Lisa C.

Only Believe

Sometimes unanswered prayers are answered prayers. God said that he will not allow more to be put on us than what we can bear. Everyone wants God to bless them, but who do you know that truly submits to God? Our will must be in alignment with God's will. Do we know the mind of God? Do we know what lies ahead of us? There are two forces at work in this world. One is the forces of evil that wants to kill, steal and to destroy our soul and does so through ignorance, and trickery. The other is the one true God in whose image we were created. Your conscious mind and the seat of your emotions; that is your soul. To win this battle you must control your mind and thoughts. You must bring every thought into subjection. The biggest battle for your soul is in your mind. There is hope because the fruit of the holy spirit within us are love, joy, peace, self-control, patience, goodness and kindness. These will come from within when you invite God's Holy Spirit to come into your heart and life. Evil spirits can put thoughts into your mind, but cannot read your mind. Satan cannot read your mind. Only God knows our thoughts.  Learn God's Word and his will and desires for you. Anything that is contradictory to what is in God's Word is a lie. Don't worry so much about whether or not you understand all of the Word correctly, ask Holy Spirit to come into your heart and be your leader and guide; he will. Ask for wisdom. He will give it to you. As we mature more and more of God's Word is opened up to our understanding. Study the Holy Bible using the tools on blueletterbible.com or Greek and Hebrew concordances to learn the scriptures and get a better understanding of God's Word. When Jesus was tempted by Satan he used his knowledge of the holy scriptures to defeat Satan. Take an active part in taking care of your soul. Choose where you will spend eternity. It's as simple as believing that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead three days later. Some wonder why a blood sacrifice was necessary. Jesus  Christ fulfilled the Old law, the old covenant between God and mankind after mankind chose knowledge of good and evil over life. Now we have a new covenant and through the blood of Jesus that was shed for us we can become sons and daughters of God. Through praise, worship and repentance we can go before God and petition Him without any sin, guilt or condemnation. We only have to believe and ask God to forgive us of our sins in the name of his son, Jesus Christ and confess with our mouth that we believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. Then we are saved. We are washed clean like new born babes. And inviting the Holy Spirit into our minds and hearts and allowing holy spirit to produce the fruit of the spirit within us helps us submit to God and live our best life.

Stop Being Self-Defeated

Preaching, teaching, witnessing, giving your testimony or even being a child of God is not for the faint hearted. It takes guts and backbone to stand up for God, your freedom to worship and preach/teach/witness to others. Jesus didn't say follow me and I'll make your life a peaceful walk through a field of beautiful wild flowers. Jesus said take up your cross and follow me. He said those who do not accept me will not accept you. You spiritually stink to unbelievers. Quit trying to ride the fence and live in both worlds because without the armor of God you will be mowed down by the devil and evil spirits. When you drink or use something that alters your mind you open a gateway for evil spirits to attach themselves to you. When you profess negatives and curses over yourself, your life or your children you give the devil and evil spirits the right to inflict those things which you've said on yourself and your loved ones. Repent for not putting God first. Repent for your words. Live life to it's fullest in God's grace. Only God can fill you with Holy Spirit who teaches, leads and guides you, gives you word of knowledge, speaks through you. Don't make your addictions or your 'easy life' or 'me time ' your God. Stand up for what's right. Be a change maker one day, one moment at a time. Be someone who does  what's right in God's eyes.

By: Lisa C

YouTube Channel Sharing God's Love

https://youtu.be/2579tgn_Pa4

Hi, I started a YouTube channel so that I can share God's love via video. I hope that you enjoy watching.

Lisa C

Choices

We all have the freedom to make our own choices. But some choices can take our freedom. We can choose to build our treasures in heaven where moth nor rust can corrupt it. Or we can choose to build our treasure here on earth where nothing is permanent. Sometimes we want to build our treasures in people and family or things because we feel like they complete us and make us whole or happy. Nothing is permanent except God and your eternal life. People will hurt you, break your heart, and take away all your treasure here on earth just to control and manipulate you because they are selfish, broken or both. They need God. You can't be God to them and love them enough to change them. Only God can do that. Never do anything that is wrong to make someone 'love' you or want to be with you. That is the first sign that the relationship will be a disaster for you. Circumstances change. Your needs will change throughout your life. What's important to you may change. But God never changes. He is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. He is not a man that he can lie. He is always the same. Have you ever met a person that was always the same every time you saw him; always loved you the same, always treated you the same, always was interested in you the same. How he felt about you never changed. The Bible says we should put God first. God, then your spouse, then your children; in that order. Putting God first gives you a solid foundation on which to live. People can mature in the LORD and become  stable in their mind and emotions but they got that way by putting God first. God, his unconditional love, his ability and willingness to make us complete, his ability and willingness to make our lives  complete, never changes. He won't  force you to change, to do his will, or to be and do what he wants you to. He gives us freedom of choice. Everything that is done whether good or evil was done from freedom of choice. As you get older what you think is important, will change. The Bible says when you put your trust in God you will change from glory to glory as you get closer and closer to the Lord and learn more and more about him and his will and choose to do his will. His will is his word, the Bible. The Holy Bible is God breathed, written by holy men of God. God gave them the words to write down to bring us wisdom, guidance and knowledge in written form. So many people blame God for the terrible things that go on in this world and yet they continue to make poor choices. They don't take time to get to know God or find out what his will is by reading the Holy Bible. Read the Bible. The New Testament is written for us. In the Old Testament you'll find prophecies about Jesus the Christ, his birth, life, death, and eternal life. He was with God from the beginning, before the world began and sits at God's right hand. God's will is for our good. If you read or have read the old covenant, those things written were to protect the people from human tendencies, from their poor choices and from the poor choices that people around them made. We want a shroud of protection around us and our loved ones yet look to the world for it. This life is temporary. Teach your children about God. Teach your children his will. Teach your children God's ways; how to handle heartache, abuse, trauma and loss in his loving, capable arms. Also, teach them that when they make poor choices that separate them from God, he is waiting with open arms to welcome them back into a relationship with him; forgiving them, washing them clean, healing them from the affects poor choices or trauma has had on them and their life. Your children will have eternal life with God. They will live forever with God who is love. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  I miss my daughter Mazie Clewis so much.  Towards the end of her life she realized how loving, forgiving and healing God is. She felt that perfect, unconditional love, a love with no strings attached that only comes from God. Like many of us do she had lost her way and felt like she wasn't good enough for God, like she couldn't or shouldn't be forgiven because of the mistakes she had made. But she finally realized that no human being is good enough on his own nor can be perfect and that God completes us and makes us whole. He fills in all those gaps of imperfection. He makes us whole again. She found that through the blood of Jesus who loves us with a perfect, unselfish love we can be forgiven and his arms are always open. He is our advocate. He gave his life for us so that through him we have forgiveness.  God loves us unconditionally as his children. He doesn't want any of us to be lost, to be separated from him. But he's a gentleman. He won't force you to come to him. He waits patiently for you to choose him. Mazie found so much peace and joy in God before she died. She had planned to go away to a rehab and get well. But from what I understand she used one more time which was her last. I can't say that's what killed her. I haven't gotten her autopsy report yet. I know several people wanted her dead because she knew too much about the things they did and they were afraid she would talk if she got out. But her mind was already out. She put her treasure in God. She found the wonderful peace and joy that only comes from him. She was afraid to live with family because our lives had been threatened. From what I understand someone was angry with her, very ugly to her, controlling her, not allowing her to leave because she chose to get clean and live right, she was leaving the next day to start over, and she used again. I don't know for certain but that is what it sounded like on the phone with the person. But then I think I know where the drugs came from. Those people could have intentionally killed her, or just made another bad batch of drugs that killed her. Using drugs is like playing Russian roulette. You don't know what you're putting in your body. Drugs steal, kill, and destroy people , their relationships and their lives. Broken people make and sell drugs. Broken people are runners. Broken people give people drugs to ensure a viable income when they get addicted. Broken people give people drugs to ensure they'll stay with them and do what they tell them to. Broken people abuse people and manipulate people. Broken people expect the worst out of everyone. Broken people push others away and don't trust anyone. Broken people feel like they're not lovable and that nothing good happens to them. But through God they all can be healed from the inside out and live a life filled with peace and joy. They will have a perfect eternal life. If you have an addiction please realize that anything you put above God, anything you use as a go to for everything, anything worldly you have put your trust in to make you happy and peaceful or help you forget besides God will eventually destroy you or come to an end. This doesn't happen because of God or because it's his fault. This happens because everything in this world comes to an end. The thief, Satan, comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus came to bring life and for us to have an abundant life. Put your treasure in heaven where moth nor rust can corrupt, where eternal life begins. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, forever. And he wants to have a close, intimate relationship with you and give you the fruit of the spirit. 📜22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 📜For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV