A Deadly Co-Sign…

I have seen how Christians are so easy to co-sign on things in the world. It appears that society has certain standards dictating how we should live life. It seems some Christians feel like they are existing and not living only because they are missing out on all life can offer. But let me tell you. I have found that we, as the peculiar people of God, that we are not to look to the world for how we should live our lives. The standards are not the same.

I give you an example. In most recent news, the issue of same-sex marriage has risen all the way to the Supreme Court. Advocates who are for same-sex marriage believe they should have the same equal rights as of a heterosexual couple. According to a recent poll by CBS News,  53% of Americans support the legalization of same sex-marriages.

Check out this article from CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57576249/poll-53-of-americans-support-same-sex-marriage/.

So here is my concern. If Christians, (whether directly or indirectly) co-sign with the idea of marriage equality among same sex couples, it is dangerous path to follow. To be honest, we in the church have allowed homosexuality and lesbianism to become an acceptable lifestyle. OK, I know I am probably not going to get a lot of Amen's there. But it is all right. When it gets to the point that people are supporting churches that have a Pastor and a First Gentleman, something is wrong! It is like we have thrown out like a paper bag the foundational principles of our faith in God. And in our actions, we are saying it is all right to live any kind of way and God be OK with it. Well guess what? He is not.

As God's Strange Girl, one of the things I strongly believe in is standing up for what is right, even at the cost of standing alone.  It was when I started to embrace the standards of holiness in my life that things began to change for the better. Let me state for the record. I do love all people because I  have the Spirit of God in my heart for real. However, I can not and will not excuse a learned behavior like homosexuality or lesbianism when it is a sin just like any other. Just like Jesus, I am required to love the person but hate the sin.

As it says in Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death..." Church, when are we going to wake up and finally say that this is not holy and not pleasing to God? When are we going to stop co-signing with the world?  Let me help you to understand something. Even though you may not be committing the sin, but in your silence or by saying it is OK, you are co-signing with the sin. And according to the scripture, your wages for co-signing with sin is death. 

I challenge you people of God. Let's rise up and be the army of God that is not afraid to fight and maintain the standard of holiness. The Word of God says "marriage is honorable..." (Hebrews 13:4). Marriage that is between a man and woman that God has ordained to be together. It was God's original plan that He started in the beginning. He has not changed His mind. We must be careful not to co-sign with everything in the world. Our standards are different. They call for us to live outside of the box. But be encouraged. Through repentance, forgiveness, and restoration, God has a beautiful way of showing that you don't have to co-sign with the world in order to enjoy the fullness of life. For God is the source of life, isn't He?

Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Release Me...

Have you ever thought about all the things you could have accomplished, but something was holding you back?  I know I have. In fact, there have been some areas in my life that I had yet to realize my fullest potential: dealing with family, career, ministry, life period. I sometimes felt like that I was not fully flowing in my gifts and talents in accordance to God's desire for my life. Bottom line, I did have some insecurities of my own. As I was in worship service, I heard God say he was breaking the chains. At that moment, I asked God to release me completely from all insecurities or any hindrances that could prevent me moving forward into God's purpose for my life. If He is a God of No limits, then there is no limit in all I can do for God.

Even the scripture says, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

So let me extend a challenge to you:
What if you dare to trust God, yet again? I mean He is never a God who fails. You may have prayed and hoped for something, but maybe it was not the plan or desire of God for your life. Even if you lost your faith for a moment, what if you dare to believe again? Now knowing, there is no limit to what God can do. What if you just have faith again?

I must tell you. Ever since I made that decision, my life has significantly changed. How you might ask? My faith has been restored and along with it my strength. I am gaining more strength everyday the more I choose to believe.  Now, I know I can do all things in God's strength through faith. There are no limits to God. Because I know He has released me, He is willing and able to release you to live your best life and fulfill his desire for your life.

It is time to be released. Check out this video from  Israel Houghton and New Breed, No Limits.
Be encouraged family...

Peace and blessings from your Strange Girl...
Elder Twanna House

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

The Need to Separate

Sometimes rejection is a good thing, especially when it pushes you closer to God. In the light of His wisdom, you realize that the people who rejected you were the ones that did not have the Heart of God for you in the first place. You really don't need them.

So in order to move forward into His purpose, you have to be willing to cut ties from what is unnecessary. What do I mean? There is a need to separate...
"And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." Leviticus 20:26

If God has called you to greatness in Him, separation is a requirement. Just look at the stories of Abraham separated from his kindred to become the "father of many nations" (Genesis 12). Moses was separated at birth to become part of Pharoah's family and later called by God to be deliverer of the Hebrew people out of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 2). And even Joseph was separated from his brothers and sold into slavery but eventually become second in command to Pharoah and was key in being the deliverer of his family during a time of famine (Genesis 37).

Based on the Word of God, I now understand how I now know I was called to greatness. I was separated from my birth mother at 3 days old. Then, I was adopted by my father (now deceased) and mother, both Christian parents and Pastor and First Lady respectively.  After all the growing pains and experiences I had in life, it was all purposed for me to become great in God. Look at me now. I am a wife of a wonderful husband and Bishop, mother of three beautiful children, an Elder and Elect-Lady in the church, and a business owner, founder of a women's ministry, and also a blog creator/author.  Can you say WOW?!!!

Here is a lesson I learned.  If you are connected to people that seemed to be source of negativity and confusion in your life, LET IT GO! It does not matter if it is family, long time friends, or whatever. You have to decide what is more important to you as a servant of God. Is His purpose more important or preserving a familiar relationship? Really?  Family, we are living in a time that we can not afford to compromise our holy and obedient living.
 
Personally, I had to embrace the fact that sometimes that family does not love you like you need to be. I have learned (I am sure you have too...) that God can place people in your life to love you as He desires. They can treat you better than your own family. I know it's the truth. If anything, we learn that we should appreciate those who really love of us for real with God in their hearts (i.e. the ones who tell you the truth and still love you anyway :-)

In order to do so, you must come out from amongst them. Put an end officially to the confusion, distress, and the drama. It's time to separate and stand out for God...

Blessings and peace from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

All We Need is Love...

All we need is love, right? OK, that maybe true in its ideal essence. But let's be honest. What is real love? I am finding that real love has a balance of both toughness and tenderness. When I was growing up, my parents were both on opposite side of the spectrum when it came to child rearing. My father was extremely tough; whereas, my mother was much more tender than tough. So it was a little confusing for me at times. They did their best with what they knew and meant well. When I became a mother myself, let's just say I had a little difficulty of finding my own path in becoming a parent.  But I am thankful for some wonderful teachers that God placed in my life: my husband, my children, and the Holy Ghost.

After some trial and error, I realized that we all need a balance of tough and tender love. It should be received in a positive manner that can enrich your life. Tough love can be shown through correction is necessary to help us to grow and change for the better. Tender love can be shown through support, nurturing, and compassion. Especially in child rearing, tough love is important to ensure that you gain respect from your children. And tenderness balances the unconditional love equation by letting them know that in spite of it all that they are valued and special.

So when the bible mentions speaking the truth in love, it does not necessarily mean that it is weak in your approach. Because even God has been tough in how He told the truth in love to His children.

"but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ." Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

"because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." Revelation 3:19 (NIV)


The goal of real love is that it sure help you grow up and mature.  So I am grateful for the teachers God placed in my life that know how to both show me tough love to empower me and tender love to value me.  In a positive sense, it's the best of both worlds. So again I say, all we need is love. Real love...

Once again from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

I Stand Alone...

When I came home yesterday, I noticed a white flower that sprouted up in our front yard. There was something about that flower that caught my attention. It stood alone. There were no other flowers next to it or any weeds around it.  In fact, all that surrounded it was some dull grass, leaves, and dirt. It was opened with its pure white petals beautifully showing. No blemishes at all. Simply pure and beautiful in its essence, yet it stands alone.

Just like that flower, I felt like I have stood alone, being a strange girl and all. As believers of God, we should be able to set ourselves apart from the rest in our lifestyle and character. It shows in how we treat people, in our faithfulness, in our relationships and so on. If you are truly living holy and being obedient, then just like that flower you do stand alone. I have to admit when it comes to living for God that sometimes it can be a lonely road. Don't think you are going to have everyone go along with you when you stand up for holiness and obedience.


"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16.


Let me say this. Holiness is not about wardrobe or looking a certain way. It's a lifestyle and character that expresses the true image of God. It might appear strange to others as far as how you act or carry yourself. Or why you choose to not participate in certain functions or go to awkward places or not cursing someone when you know they just offended you. So when your life and behavior are in line with the Spirit of God, you can't help but stand out because it His light that is shining in you.  Don't be afraid to stand alone. And besides, always remember, God has your back anyway.

So until next time...peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House