Thursday, June 28, 2012

Let Evil Reign

Why must evil succeed? Is it not possible for good to rule uninterrupted?

Ideal maybe, but unproductive.

Think of all the stories -in books or on the big screen- and tell me good's victory isn't so much sweeter after evil had gained the upper hand.

It's an integral part of storytelling! If there is not a mountain to climb and perils to struggle through, the journey isn't worth taking; for the one setting out, or those of us along for the ride. As a writer, if everything is handed to our characters on a silver platter, they would never learn or grow.

God works in the same way; you could say stories take their "cue" from Him. He allows evil to rear it's ugly head to remind us how truly horrid it is and make His victory even more incredible and life-altering. Growing becomes an inevitable product of this.

Look at Job in the Bible! He practically perspired blessings, and God allowed almost all of it to be taken away from him. It was ugly, sure. Life-changing, definitely! But the aftermath was much more rewarding. It was worth every second of the pain and struggle he endured.

It's difficult for me to see evil win in any form, be it fictitious or in the real world. But I take comfort in this; evil may have a hold in this world, but God holds the world in His hand. I say "Let Evil Reign" because its day is coming.

Good will triumph.

~L. Pierce

Saturday, June 23, 2012

God-Men


X-Men.

I’m their biggest fan. No, really! I love the entire concept of having super human powers. The first book I started writing was my own version of X-Men. I could move things with my mind, and my best friend controlled the weather.

But, I have one complaint...

The basis of the story is that mankind has begun to mutate, taking on special abilities. Few have them, making the statement that only select few of us can be special or are worthy of being chosen.

Well, excuse me! Last I checked, ALL of us were made in the image of God, and He knit us each together in our mother’s womb. Genesis 1:27 and Psalms 139:13. We are exactly who we were made to be; what we’re supposed to look like; born into the family we were born into; here to do something earth-shaking.

According to that, every one of us is special! We are here for a purpose and given specific gifts –our God-given “super powers”- to do what God created us for.

So don’t tell me I’m not special, or there is a possibility I won’t do anything amazing on this earth!

One major part of having super powers is that you never know if or when you’ll get them.

Your God-given ability isn’t as unpredictable.

When you get it is up to you. In order to inherit your special power, all you need do is look to your Maker. He will show you the purpose for which He made you. Funny thing is, you’ll realize it’s been something you have loved all along.

I say if you’ll get them because only YOU can choose to have them. The reason it seems like some of us don’t “make the cut” is because we choose to turn away from our Creator and away from the purpose He has for us. It is OUR choice. It’s not up to the random chance of some Evolutionary fluke. We are the only ones to blame for not doing anything incredible in this life we have been blessed with. All we have to do is choose it. To choose Him.

When will you take up your super power? It’s never too late.

~L. Pierce

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Herbal Medicine, The Product Of A Caring God

I'm anemic. I found out in some scary and painful ways.

Anemia is rather common among women, I learned. Made sense. What didn't make sense was how I could maintain iron in my diet and still battle the same war every month. It became crippling and interfered with my ability to function. So, like any warrior, I had to return to the practice field; back to the range for this archer.

I've never been one for the medical field. I've been in hospitals (not for myself) and the like and don't ever wish to go back. Family and friends have gone in and always come out with the same results. Drugs or surgery. For one, I'm not interested in a "quick fix," I'm interested in a SOLUTION to the problem. And two, no one... I repeat, NO ONE... will cut or remove from the body God has so marvelously made and entrusted me with. Everything has a purpose; everything has a function.

It is my duty to maintain health and wellness, which I strive to do every day I have breath. But clearly, my dietary habits weren't enough. I had to do more. But what?

I was raised in a home where natural medicine was what we turned to instead of doctors. *gasp* And look... I'm ALIVE!!!!! It's not a miracle, it's common sense. We all get sick. It's inevitable. That doesn't mean we should run to the doctor at the first sign of "iffy." Sickness is actually a good sign. It tells us that there is something in our system that shouldn't be there and our bodies are dealing with it.

At the time, I was considering growing my own herb garden, so I began scouring BACK TO EDEN by Jethro Kloss. I had no idea there were so many different herbs! I started getting rather hopeless about finding one that might help me in the specific area I needed. It was very early spring, still a bit cool outside but life was returning.

I read of the Dandelion; "Dandelion [leaves] contains twenty-eight parts sodium. The natural nutritive salts purify the blood and help to neutralize the acids in the blood. Anemia is caused by a deficiency of proper nutrients in the blood and really has little to do with the quantity of blood. Dandelion is one of the well-known remedies." (Emphasis added.)

I squealed! This was not only a direct hit and extremely simple -just a mere matter of adding it to my diet- but it was easy. Our backyard usually had lots of Dandelion. Time to go herb hunting! Wouldn't you know, I didn't have far to go. Our backyard was covered with dandelions and their leaves. I took out a small-ish basket and filled it with leaves and there was still much more left over.

God had just delivered to me exactly what I needed through my very own yard. I can't get over how incredible that is. He used something as lowly as the weeds.

That was the beginning of the end of my trouble. I ate dandelion leaves regularly in salads and on sandwiches, just like I would regular lettuce. It's bitter, but if I eat it with something else (which I always did) I never noticed.

I haven't heard from the anemic attacks since. They cleared up immediately. Dandelion has become a normal part of my diet and I truly enjoy it! Speaking of which, I need to get more. Turns out it's also sold at the Organic Food Depot in my area. Go figure!

If you're ill, NEVER believe the lie that God doesn't care about you. He provides us with everything we need, often times in the comfort of our own backyard.

"Seek, and ye shall find..." Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11:9.

~L. Pierce

Friday, June 1, 2012

Waiting.

Growing up, "waiting" for the one God has for me seemed to mean remaining abstinent. But what if it's more than that? I'm learning that it can also mean waiting on the guy to move or be moved to action and having enough patience, restraint, and faith to endure. It can also mean I'm not ready for him.

Yes. "Waiting" means much MUCH more. Above all, waiting on God.

Let me assure you, waiting on God never meant sitting idly by in Scripture. There was always preparation or some sort of pre-action in expectation of hearing from Him, be it fasting or suiting up for war. Whenever the Israelite army prepared to go to war, they did so as they waited on a word from the Lord. It might not be what they expected to hear, but it always came. Without fail.

Don't get me wrong. It's fatal if we don't wait... Saul waited on Samuel to provide the sacrifice to the Lord before battle, but his idleness and the men in his army scattering from fear led him to act on his impatience. He carried out the sacrifice himself, and it was his downfall as king. His kingdom over Israel crumbled and, within minutes of the act, the Lord had selected the one who would replace him.

God always comes through. It's our job to wait, but it's also our job to prepare. I wish they taught this in giving out promise rings. Ladies, that oath you swore or are on the brink of swearing means more than just saving your purity. It is also a dedication to making sure you are prepared for your guy in every area. Be it sexually, emotionally, physically, or spiritually, you are called to be whole!

The right guy isn't going to want you if you have baggage that droops your shoulders or are unkempt and can barely take care of yourself. We are meant to bring light, joy, and peace to the lives of those around us, eludes Harvey Newcomb in HOW TO BE A LADY.

"B-but, two halves make a whole!" While yes, a man and a woman become one, that is the only truth in this cliche. Becoming one does not mean you will become whole! Learn this and learn this well; this sentence is a limitation. It's basically saying, "No one is perfect or will EVER BE, so just settle for what you can and don't even try."

... Excuse me???

Just because some people are too lazy or impatient (remember Saul???) to strive for the absolute best, DOES NOT MEAN it is unattainable!

Imagine how much stronger you will be in a relationship and a marriage if you both come into it as WHOLE people. It is not the guy's responsibility to complete you, it's YOURS! Between you and God. The same is true for him. It's unreasonable and unfair to expect so much from him, and no doubt the biggest reason why marriages crumble. We are only half a woman expecting to become whole by half a man. This is not math class! You don't get to add the two together no matter how hard you try! It's like trying to fit a square block into a round hole. If you are only half of yourself you will attract guys with only half of themselves. Meaning, you are setting yourself up for heartbreak.

The only relationship with the capacity to make you whole is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Only He has the power to help you change your life and be prepared for the man God destined for you.

I challenge you -as I do myself- to strive to be able to say you are "READY and WAITING." These two halves really do make a whole. It's not just waiting; you may find God makes you wait a long time for the right one without the other half.

~L. Pierce