5/4/24
Hi Good People ~
Have you ever realized you were taking a looong time to accomplish something that most people ‘get’ in a matter of moments or days? Are you able to laugh about it, even while in the process of trying to figure it out?
Back to that topic in a few . . .
First, it’s been a busy time for our group, “Pearl Unchained”. Amongst other things we’re in the process of becoming a nonprofit, and we’re organizing a couple pretty big events (for us, anyway!).
The first event is coming up in August and will have 3 bands, which I’m geeked about of course! Lots of gaming opportunities and a bounce house for kids, a corn hole tournament for adults, and therapy dogs, too.
We’re having several speakers whose talks will be based on our theme which is, “Don’t just Survive, Thrive!”. Since we’re also raising awareness about sex and human trafficking another speaker is a law enforcement expert on the subject, and we’ll have a self defense demonstration with ‘audience participation’ that’s entertaining as well as educational.
There’ll be non-profit and social work vendors (who can get their table space for free), as well as arts, crafts and food vendors who pay only $20. We’re having a silent auction of baskets with each one including a gift card valued at $40 or more (for one hour massages and various businesses including Lowe’s, Alta, Home Depot, pet supplies, etc.). We’ll also be giving away many gift cards throughout the event.
(SO glad we initially said we were going to go small this first time!) (Choke:))
We’re so humbled with who all are donating their time (all the speakers/self defense expert, bands, the bounce house and gaming areas are free!), the Fraternal Order of Eagles have donated their indoor social room as well all their outdoor area including the gazebo for the bands, paying for the licensing needed for the 50/50 raffle, and fees because one of our ‘gift baskets’ will be lottery tickets of varied denominations.
A lot of the gift cards have been donated, or paid for by a $400 donation from Lakeshore Presby Church.
Pearl Unchained will be receiving the fees for the arts and crafts vendors, and what’s raised from the auction ~ Woo-hoo!
Began to plan something like this right before covid, thinking I would have to pay for everything; sooooo very grateful it had to be cancelled! It’s such an amazing revelation, and a testament to God’s provision, that we don’t have to pay for anything this time except what we donate for gift cards, some of the nice stuff for the gift baskets, and the lottery tix.
God does provide when the time is right!
Now on to the rest of the post . . .
This was written a few years ago when I was being (re)baptized at the church I was attending at that time.
I was becoming a new being with all the healing work God and I had been doing and wanted to celebrate it by being baptized in a beautiful lake with a bunch of other good people.
I no longer attend this church; it was the one referred to in the “Predatory Groomers” post dated 10/28/20. I still appreciate the head Pastor, the other people who attend the church, and all I learned about Holy Spirit and God’s love there. What the others did to cause me to leave does not effect that.
Read this as if you’re listening to me speak at a twelve step support group.Even though I’m serious about my relationship with God and appreciation for His patience with me, this was written in a pseudo-somber, somewhat facetious way.
Hi, my name is Pearl and I’m a recovering God fighter.
I first met God personally in my early 20’s and thought we had the perfect relationship. He asked very little of me and I was o.k. with that.
But then life intervened with reality and I got angry at God because life in this realm did not equal Heaven in His, and I wasn’t o.k. with that.
So, I started fighting HIm.
It didn’t matter what He did to show me He cared even though there were myriads of those moments, like seeing a rainbow over a great lake on a mostly sunny day, and walking away from a couple car accidents where the vehicles were totaled or had much damage but no one was seriously injured.
I’d be on my knees in the moment in gratitude but then would jump right back up again, snarling and fists raised, when something I wouldn’t appreciate intruded on my expectations.
Over these last several months the music, words, prayers, and prophesies of God’s army at this church led to a changed spirit. I had a humbling revelation that with anyone else but God would have been humiliating experience: You see, I had’t been fighting with God, I’d been fighting at Him.
God’s never fought back, nor raisied His voice. He never even tried to deflect my accusations, futile punches at Him, and wrath. He’s just been standing right here the whole time, with His arms wide open.
I wish I could tell you I’ve completely given up fighting at God, but it’s been a hard habit to break. I’ll say I’m trying to practice peace in faith, not perfection, one day at a time. And amazingly enough, God’s o.k. with that!
I have also started laying down the defensive gear I’ve been wearing and accumulating – I never needed it with Him. God’s safe, I KNOW I can trust Him completely no matter what happens . . . and for that I’ll say, for all eternity, THANK YOU GOD and JESUS, OUR SAVIOR;
Words will never be enough to express all my gratitude.
Praise You, Amen!
Looking forward to meeting you back here next week!
Today’s song is “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave. I love the lyrics but think it could really use a bit o’ energy, especially with what he’s singing about. Hmmm . . . can I (or someone who’s more capable:)) re-make it with a bit of electric guitar, pounding bass and drums? Maybe a good, victorious screech or two?? Wonder if I have the guts to hit up one the bands who’ll be at our event, to try . . . :))
(Lyrics below the video)
It IS a good song as is, though, see?:
"Redeemed"
Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight that's already been won"
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed
All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, oh I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed
Thank God, redeemed
(Benji Cowart and Michael Weave)
