Being a Lady

Here are some useful things to keep yourself in check:

Dress for success-Always Check the Dress Code
Do Not be late, your time is not more valuable than that of the person you are making wait for you.
Don’t have a friend tell someone that you are going to be late, do it yourself, by making an honest phone call
Don’t overstay your welcome
Remember that people with small minds talk about people, people with average minds talk about things, and people with great memories talk about events
Stand up straight and sit up straight
Refrain from Gossip at all costs
Don’t own a conversation
Know how to give and take a complement
Don’t talk about what people are eating or their weight or yours at the table
Don’t have your phone on the table put it on silent and put it away
Lend assistance, think about others
Leave people better than you found them

Upside Down: Jesus on Persecution

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you are and your place in God’s family. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort, and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Matthew 5:1‭-‬12

What kind of persecution is Jesus talking about?

1. It’s not mistreatment you experience because of who you are.

2. It is the mistreatment we experience because of who Jesus is.

Why would anyone treat us this way?

“If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you. “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

John 15:18‭-‬20

We are behaving differently than the world does. We are going against the flow

How does this impact you and me?

“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

Luke 6:26

You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.

2 Timothy 3:10‭-‬13

Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.

Hebrews 13:1-4

Application

Ask yourself

Am I more like Jesus than I was a year ago?
Is there anyone closer to Jesus because of me?

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Upside Down: Jesus on peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

What does it mean to.be called children of God?

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 1:12

It means we’ll look like our heavenly father

What is the process of peacemaking?

Abraham and Lot

Compromise, let others have the first pick

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.

Genesis 13:8‭-‬12

Genesis 26

Walking away

Joseph and his brothers

Genesis 37-50

Forgiveness

Involving someone Else

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:2‭-‬3

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Upside Down: Jesus on purity

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Why the Heart?

It is the control center of our:

Intellect

Emotions

Will

If I have a pure heart, it will reveal itself in 3 ways.

1. My mouth

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

2. My thoughts

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

3. My actions

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

1 Peter 1:15

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14

Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:25‭-‬38

How can I become Pure?

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord . “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26 NIV

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalms 51:10

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Upside Down: Jesus on compassion

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7

What does it mean to be Merciful?

It is not mechanical

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:10-13

It is not measured

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Matthew 23:23‭-‬24

It is Love in action

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Luke 10:25‭-‬28

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:29‭-‬37

What does mercy look like?

If I’m merciful ….

I’ll see those who are suffering
I’ll have compassion on those who have fallen
I’ll help those who are hurting even if they are my enemy

How can I become merciful?

I need to…

Recognize that I need mercy

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:13

2. Receive the mercy that God offers

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:4-5

3. Risk being merciful to others

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4:15

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Upside Down: Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:3-6

What Does it Mean to Hunger and Thirst?

It’s part of the human experience.

Why is there happiness in being hungry and thirsty?

It’s a sign of life
It’s a sign of health. People who are sick and dying will not be hungry
We should be hungry to be right with God

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalms 42:1‭-‬2

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Psalms 63:1

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 2:13

Memory Verses

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35

A prayer To Hunger And Thirst

“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am

painfully conscious of my

need for further grace. am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; /

long to be filled with

longing; I thirst to be made

more thirsty still.”

A.W. Tozer

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Upside Down: Success

Jesus On Success

How Do you spell success?

Then I Observed that most people are Motivated by their envy of their neighbors, But this too is meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4 :4

Memory Verse

Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5;5

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MEEK?

What it’s not:Meekness is not weakness

What it is:

Power under control
Depending on God

Examples of Meekness

Moses

Now Moses was very humble, more humble than any other person on earth

Numbers 12:3

Jesus

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light

Matthew 11:28-30

Meekness=POWER: Five ways it should show up in our lives

PersonalityLet your gentleness be evident to all

Philippians 4:5

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion,kindness, humility,gentleness and patience

Colossians 3:12

But the fruit of the sprit is gentleness

Glatians 5:22

Outlook

Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too ,and in what they are doing.Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:4-5

Learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly… This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply

2 Peter 1:6-7

Words

To slander no one , to be peaceable and considerate and to show true humility towards men

Titus 3:2

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect

1 peter 3:15

Expectations

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love

Ephesians 4:2

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently

Galatians 6:1

Reactions

And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth

2 Timothy 2:24-25

Two things have to happen before you can receive an inheritance

Someone has to die- Jesus died for you and wants a relationship with you
You have to have a relationship

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Hamilton

This morning at 12 A.M I watched Hamilton when it made its debut on Disney Plus, it was fantastic ! I hope I get to go see it in December when it is scheduled to come to Los Angeles

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The Encourager by Marie Nicole Zimmerle

The most important type of friend in my life is Not the friend who is rich or popular. It is Not the person who wins lots of awards.

The type of friend that is most important in my life is the encourager. The encourager is the person who take the time to make a phone call to say “How are you? Or just takes the time to Pray for me.

The most important type of friend in my life has always been and will always be a friend

like you.

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30 day writing challenge Day 24: Something my dad taught me

When I was 7 years old I came home from school one day and said

Dad, I wanna play Baseball!

Thinking that I only wanted to play catch, my dad said something like,

I’ll put you in your chair in a little bit and we’ll go outside.

No Dad, I really want to play Baseball!

I handed him a broucher that I got in my box at school. It was information about the

Challenger’s Division

Of our local little league

Playing Ball on Saturday Morning was the best, and my dad turned out to be the most amazing coach.

My dad wasn’t originally our coach, but long story short, the man that was our coach let us all down and my dad was there to keep things going. He stepped in as our coach, and all was awesome again!

Our team was one team but split into two; The Dodgers and the Angels. At the end of every game we would always ask

Who won the game?

Even though no one actually kept score. My dad made up a motto for our team

He would say

What are we Here for?!

And we would yell back

To have Fun!

I played ball from the age of 7 til 13 and I was my dad’s assistant coach for a season when I was 14

It was one of the best times in my life!