I was watching one of my favorite shows on the Food Network, Iron Chef. It is quite interesting to watch the best chefs in the world create culinary delights based off of one secret ingredient. Now, they have to use the best of cutlery (knives) to cut and dice to their liking. In order to stay on their "A" game, they have to continue to sharpen their skills as chefs. So it is as believers, we must do the same.
Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." God uses the interaction we have in godly friendship to help us grow in our spiritual lives. The word sharpen in this scripture comes from the Hebrew word "chadad" which means to "be sharp, alert, or keen." In order for us to be effective as believers in impacting each others lives is that we have to stay sharp in the word and in prayer. How is the world going to truly know God if we choose to remain dull in how we represent Him?
One of the ways I discovered that God keeps us sharp is through correction. It is human nature for us not to want to receive correction because it does not feel good to our flesh. But even God said that this is way He shows His love and to not be discouraged when He corrects us for our good.
"...My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuke by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:5-6
In other words, it is through correction that we can be sharpened in our thinking so that our lifestyle can purely reflect holiness. Your life should be a light that is so strong that it challenges those around you to see God in your life and cause them to look at their own lives differently. Here is the question I pose to my fellow believers, "is your life so razor sharp in God that it can cut between what is real and what is not? Or is it just as a dull as a butter knife with no kind of effect at all?
So with that being said, the sharper the knife, the better it is to use. Let's us be sure our lifestyle is so razor sharp that God can use us for his purpose and glory.
Blessings and love,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Making the Most of Leftovers...
Hello everyone...
It has been a while since I have written, but all things have a way of working together you know.
A few weeks ago, I was on a plane traveling to my annual training for my job. During this time, I was also fasting and praying for some things concerning the ministry and personally. As I was sitting there, the Holy Spirit spoke to me concerning the process of how olive oil is produced. He said the process of the olive oil is what makes it expensive. In order for the oil to come out, it must be crushed to the very core only leaving the oil.
The spirit of God said to me what God is looking for is to see if we are willing to endure the crushing process so that the true anointing of God can be produced in our lives. After all the trials and tribulations have seemed to have broken you to the very core of your being, God's question to me was: What do you have left?
In the midst of your tears, pain, and struggle, do you still have a praise that is genuine in your heart? Are you still living according to your faith in God? Do you have enough inside of you to press past all and move forward? Even Job, a devout man of God, even knew the power of what he had left after all he endured. Look at Job 1:21...
"And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
I have learned that it is in my most broken place that my praise becomes the most powerful. It is in that place the power of the anointing of God has been wrapped up in my praise. It is in the crushing events of life that your praise and faith can truly be the most genuine. In those moments, we can be for certain that God is ever present to hear your heart's cry because it is coming from a pure place.
When you feel like you don't have enough to make it, dig a little deeper into the core of your soul and find another "Yes Lord" and faith to get through.
Here's a thought. Even some of the greatest food dishes were created from what was left over.
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
.
It has been a while since I have written, but all things have a way of working together you know.
A few weeks ago, I was on a plane traveling to my annual training for my job. During this time, I was also fasting and praying for some things concerning the ministry and personally. As I was sitting there, the Holy Spirit spoke to me concerning the process of how olive oil is produced. He said the process of the olive oil is what makes it expensive. In order for the oil to come out, it must be crushed to the very core only leaving the oil.
The spirit of God said to me what God is looking for is to see if we are willing to endure the crushing process so that the true anointing of God can be produced in our lives. After all the trials and tribulations have seemed to have broken you to the very core of your being, God's question to me was: What do you have left?
In the midst of your tears, pain, and struggle, do you still have a praise that is genuine in your heart? Are you still living according to your faith in God? Do you have enough inside of you to press past all and move forward? Even Job, a devout man of God, even knew the power of what he had left after all he endured. Look at Job 1:21...
"And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
I have learned that it is in my most broken place that my praise becomes the most powerful. It is in that place the power of the anointing of God has been wrapped up in my praise. It is in the crushing events of life that your praise and faith can truly be the most genuine. In those moments, we can be for certain that God is ever present to hear your heart's cry because it is coming from a pure place.
When you feel like you don't have enough to make it, dig a little deeper into the core of your soul and find another "Yes Lord" and faith to get through.
Here's a thought. Even some of the greatest food dishes were created from what was left over.
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
It's Good to Be A Strange Girl...
When I decided to start this blog, I thought I was taking a risk. I mean I knew I was always a different kind of person from the beginning even when I was younger. Recently, I was at a Youth Pastor's appreciation at another church. When she was sharing her remarks, she mentioned about when she met me she thought I was a strange woman. At first, the word strange had a negative connotation in my mind. But then I thought, what about what God says about it in His word?...
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"
- I Peter 2:9
Hmmm...Peculiar or should I say strange?
Strange (adjective)
1) not native to or naturally belonging in a place : of external origin, kind, or character
2) not before known, heard, or seen; unfamiliar; foreign;
3) exciting wonder or awe; extraordinary;
So because of who God has purposed me to be and how He lives in my heart, it does make me strange, even peculiar. Even though I am in this world, I am not of it. The spirit of God that lives on the inside of me along with the beautiful personality He created in me is what makes me extraordinary, unlike anything or anyone else out there. I am unique. I am unfamiliar. I am strange in a very good way. Look, I am not bragging nor am I being conceited. It's just what I believe about me.
So thus, I have entitled this blog, The Chronicles of a Strange Girl. Hopefully with God's grace, I can help encourage other people to not be afraid to embrace their uniqueness as God has designed and anointed them to be. So be you. Don't be afraid to be strange. Be extraordinary, just like me! Besides, God did it on purpose anyway.
Please feel free to share your comments and feedback with me by posting here on the blog or send me an email at twannapg@gmail.com.
Blessings and peace,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"
- I Peter 2:9
Hmmm...Peculiar or should I say strange?
Strange (adjective)
1) not native to or naturally belonging in a place : of external origin, kind, or character
2) not before known, heard, or seen; unfamiliar; foreign;
3) exciting wonder or awe; extraordinary;
So because of who God has purposed me to be and how He lives in my heart, it does make me strange, even peculiar. Even though I am in this world, I am not of it. The spirit of God that lives on the inside of me along with the beautiful personality He created in me is what makes me extraordinary, unlike anything or anyone else out there. I am unique. I am unfamiliar. I am strange in a very good way. Look, I am not bragging nor am I being conceited. It's just what I believe about me.
So thus, I have entitled this blog, The Chronicles of a Strange Girl. Hopefully with God's grace, I can help encourage other people to not be afraid to embrace their uniqueness as God has designed and anointed them to be. So be you. Don't be afraid to be strange. Be extraordinary, just like me! Besides, God did it on purpose anyway.
Please feel free to share your comments and feedback with me by posting here on the blog or send me an email at twannapg@gmail.com.
Blessings and peace,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Monday, May 27, 2013
Full Custody
In some legal situations, the court may order to have full custodial rights of a child to be given to either parent. Then the non-custodial parent can be given visitation rights if it is shown both parents are cooperative. However, there are some cases where the court may decide the non-custodial parent is not fit to have visitation rights such as being incarcerated, drug abuse and possibly other reasons.
Just as there is a judge that gives custodial rights in the courtroom, we as believers have a choice to give full custody of our minds to the Spirit of God or the spirit of the enemy. What do I mean? Everyday, you decide what you allow to visit your mind. Whether is a new visitor or a recurring one in your thoughts, the question becomes what are you allowing in your mental space? And who or what are you giving full custody to when it comes to how you think?
Jesus addressed the issue about what we give our minds to even when we so concerned about life: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV).
In my personal life, I had to learn that I do not need to waste time of past things that I can not change. The reason is my present day is already going to have its own share of issues. Why complicate things by revisiting or giving full custody of your thinking to your past? I mean really. That is the enemy's gateway to keep you in bondage and make it more difficult for you to have a sound mind.
Each and every day, we have to make decisions. It would make our lives much easier when we are mindful of what we allow ourselves to think. I am learning you make better decisions when your mind is free from any negative thoughts, feelings, etc. That is when you can be better be a better judge and decide to whom you should give your mind full custodial rights. Guess what? You (as I have learned too) must revoke the visitation rights of the enemy and give full custody of your mind to God. Truth is, God wants it all anyway. He is the best custodian there is because He knows how to keep me in perfect peace whoever keeps his mind stayed on him (Isaiah 26:3). I don't know about you, but I need all the peace I can get every day. I am sure you do too. Peace and blessings...
(c) 2013 - The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Just as there is a judge that gives custodial rights in the courtroom, we as believers have a choice to give full custody of our minds to the Spirit of God or the spirit of the enemy. What do I mean? Everyday, you decide what you allow to visit your mind. Whether is a new visitor or a recurring one in your thoughts, the question becomes what are you allowing in your mental space? And who or what are you giving full custody to when it comes to how you think?
Jesus addressed the issue about what we give our minds to even when we so concerned about life: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV).
In my personal life, I had to learn that I do not need to waste time of past things that I can not change. The reason is my present day is already going to have its own share of issues. Why complicate things by revisiting or giving full custody of your thinking to your past? I mean really. That is the enemy's gateway to keep you in bondage and make it more difficult for you to have a sound mind.
Each and every day, we have to make decisions. It would make our lives much easier when we are mindful of what we allow ourselves to think. I am learning you make better decisions when your mind is free from any negative thoughts, feelings, etc. That is when you can be better be a better judge and decide to whom you should give your mind full custodial rights. Guess what? You (as I have learned too) must revoke the visitation rights of the enemy and give full custody of your mind to God. Truth is, God wants it all anyway. He is the best custodian there is because He knows how to keep me in perfect peace whoever keeps his mind stayed on him (Isaiah 26:3). I don't know about you, but I need all the peace I can get every day. I am sure you do too. Peace and blessings...
(c) 2013 - The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Final Push...
Next month in June, my youngest son, Josiah will be turning 2 years old. It feels like yesterday when he was born into this life. I remember all the things I had to endure throughout my nine months of pregnancy: having surgery to prevent pre-mature labor, sleepless nights, feeling irritated and uncomfortable. However, I would not trade anything that I have been through. When the moment came on June 13th, 2011 in the evening, I felt the pressure. I felt like I was at my end because I was tired and exhausted from being up and down all day at the hospital. But within 30 minutes of pushing with all I had, I gave one final push that brought forth the beautiful gift of my son.
I am sure that you mothers out there can relate to my experience in some way. Even if you are not a mother or do not have children, there is a sound nugget of wisdom to take from this moment in my life. When you have exhausted all options to help your negative situation be better, it seems like that would be the time to give up. You are at the point of no return. Rock bottom. There is no possible way to recover from it. Of course, this is the enemy's goal to make you think that there is no hope to overcome even the most difficult of situations that happen in our lives.
Jesus shares with His disciples in John 16:33 that in times of trouble that we should be happy. Really happy. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Even when we are at our lowest point in life, God is there. He has placed in us the strength of Christ to overcome anything. In fact, it is when you feel you do not have enough to go on that you dig deeper into the reservoir of your spirit and find the strength to make one final push. You have to be able to press past all that you have endured through being hurt, abused, sick, abandoned or whatever. You have to push past the resistance of the enemy to plague your mind with thoughts that it will always be this way. You possess the capacity to change it. Like me, I had to find a way to still keep looking up even when I was at my most broken in my heart. I had to find a way to believe God's word for real and take the power to overcome to push pass it all. Just like the glass ceiling, I finally broke through to the other side where the freedom and peace I longed for had been waiting for me.
So I pray that you all with find it in yourselves to not let life affect you to the point you feel you do not have enough to move on. Because of the overcoming strength found in Jesus, you do possess the power to give it one final push. So give it all you have. See how it feels when you get to the other side.
Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
I am sure that you mothers out there can relate to my experience in some way. Even if you are not a mother or do not have children, there is a sound nugget of wisdom to take from this moment in my life. When you have exhausted all options to help your negative situation be better, it seems like that would be the time to give up. You are at the point of no return. Rock bottom. There is no possible way to recover from it. Of course, this is the enemy's goal to make you think that there is no hope to overcome even the most difficult of situations that happen in our lives.
Jesus shares with His disciples in John 16:33 that in times of trouble that we should be happy. Really happy. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Even when we are at our lowest point in life, God is there. He has placed in us the strength of Christ to overcome anything. In fact, it is when you feel you do not have enough to go on that you dig deeper into the reservoir of your spirit and find the strength to make one final push. You have to be able to press past all that you have endured through being hurt, abused, sick, abandoned or whatever. You have to push past the resistance of the enemy to plague your mind with thoughts that it will always be this way. You possess the capacity to change it. Like me, I had to find a way to still keep looking up even when I was at my most broken in my heart. I had to find a way to believe God's word for real and take the power to overcome to push pass it all. Just like the glass ceiling, I finally broke through to the other side where the freedom and peace I longed for had been waiting for me.
So I pray that you all with find it in yourselves to not let life affect you to the point you feel you do not have enough to move on. Because of the overcoming strength found in Jesus, you do possess the power to give it one final push. So give it all you have. See how it feels when you get to the other side.
Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Monday, May 6, 2013
Use Some TLC...
When I went to the dentist recently, they told me that I would have to have one of my wisdom teeth pulled because it had a huge cavity. I did explain to them that it has been two years since I had a cleaning or check-up. Now, if I would have been going to the dentist regularly and had been more mindful of how I brushed and flossed my teeth, I probably would not have had an issue with cavities.
But just as God requires us to be good stewards with our time, talents and treasures, he also asks of the same for our physical bodies. In other words, good stewardship is when you use some good ole' TLC(tender loving care) with everything that you do. My husband gave me some good advice. He said that God requires to be a good steward all-around. Whether it be in ministry, family, finances, vehicles, clothes or personal hygiene, we all have a responsibility as believers of God to be accountable and careful in our decisions, which is key is being a good steward.
I Corinthians 4:2 says "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (NKJV)
From this passage, we can understand that a requirement of stewardship is faithfulness. And then that faithfulness also includes TLC because when one is faithful to something, it's important to them. And their actions show it. We also see that example in the Parable of the Talents when Jesus explained how the master rewarded each servant according to their faithfulness and care.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’" Matthew 25:20-21 (NKJV)
So there are benefits in being a good steward of all the God has given you. But the critical part is that in being a good steward is the attitude of your heart. Use some TLC in all that God has given you responsibility to care for. It is what He desires.
Blessings and Peace from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
P.S. This blog is dedicated in memory of my dear sister in the Lord, Elder Raychelle Gaston, who suddenly passed away last week. Love you sis. You will be missed...
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
But just as God requires us to be good stewards with our time, talents and treasures, he also asks of the same for our physical bodies. In other words, good stewardship is when you use some good ole' TLC(tender loving care) with everything that you do. My husband gave me some good advice. He said that God requires to be a good steward all-around. Whether it be in ministry, family, finances, vehicles, clothes or personal hygiene, we all have a responsibility as believers of God to be accountable and careful in our decisions, which is key is being a good steward.
I Corinthians 4:2 says "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (NKJV)
From this passage, we can understand that a requirement of stewardship is faithfulness. And then that faithfulness also includes TLC because when one is faithful to something, it's important to them. And their actions show it. We also see that example in the Parable of the Talents when Jesus explained how the master rewarded each servant according to their faithfulness and care.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’" Matthew 25:20-21 (NKJV)
So there are benefits in being a good steward of all the God has given you. But the critical part is that in being a good steward is the attitude of your heart. Use some TLC in all that God has given you responsibility to care for. It is what He desires.
Blessings and Peace from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
P.S. This blog is dedicated in memory of my dear sister in the Lord, Elder Raychelle Gaston, who suddenly passed away last week. Love you sis. You will be missed...
(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Flush the Toilet...
It has been a little while since I have written. But this strange girl has been up to a lot lately and it's all for God's glory.
One of my favorite rooms in the house is the bathroom. Why you might ask? It is the one place I can be alone to myself. I can spend time with God. Take a relaxing shower after exercising and so on. But one of things that I get to do is to mentally relieve myself and flushing my negative thoughts and feelings (i.e. stress, aggravation, frustration and the like) down the toilet. OK, I am not trying to gross anyone out. Let's think about it. When you have a healthy metabolism, your digestive system functions properly. It's breaks down your food so it can pass through your system. Any waste that is collected along the way is disposed by using the bathroom (whether it's a #1 or #2). On the opposite end, constipation can lead to you feeling very uncomfortable. It is also unhealthy because it could back up and possibly poison your internal organs and blood circulation.
Here is my point. Just like it is important to have a healthy digestive system to dispose waste out of our human bodies, we need to do the same when it comes to our spiritual and mental bodies. What do I mean? We need to have a daily in-filling (digestion) of the Holy Ghost and God's word to ensure a healthy metabolism in the spirit. So that your mind can quickly flush away any waste (or negative thinking). If you allow that waste to settle, it can poison your mindset can cause you to not believe the Word of God for what it really says. It can cause you to lose faith, have feelings of depression, choose to accept worldly standards as a way of living, or even compromise your witness for God.
Romans 12:1-2 says "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
In other words, it is so necessary to renew our minds with the Word of God and by His Holy Spirit leading and guiding us in all truth every day. It ensures us that we have a healthy digestive system in spirit, soul, and body. From my point of view, there are enough obese (overweight) saints that have received so much word. Now it is time to work that stuff out and get some spiritual fiber so you can be regular, LOL!!!. And then flush it all down the toilet...
Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
One of my favorite rooms in the house is the bathroom. Why you might ask? It is the one place I can be alone to myself. I can spend time with God. Take a relaxing shower after exercising and so on. But one of things that I get to do is to mentally relieve myself and flushing my negative thoughts and feelings (i.e. stress, aggravation, frustration and the like) down the toilet. OK, I am not trying to gross anyone out. Let's think about it. When you have a healthy metabolism, your digestive system functions properly. It's breaks down your food so it can pass through your system. Any waste that is collected along the way is disposed by using the bathroom (whether it's a #1 or #2). On the opposite end, constipation can lead to you feeling very uncomfortable. It is also unhealthy because it could back up and possibly poison your internal organs and blood circulation.
Here is my point. Just like it is important to have a healthy digestive system to dispose waste out of our human bodies, we need to do the same when it comes to our spiritual and mental bodies. What do I mean? We need to have a daily in-filling (digestion) of the Holy Ghost and God's word to ensure a healthy metabolism in the spirit. So that your mind can quickly flush away any waste (or negative thinking). If you allow that waste to settle, it can poison your mindset can cause you to not believe the Word of God for what it really says. It can cause you to lose faith, have feelings of depression, choose to accept worldly standards as a way of living, or even compromise your witness for God.
Romans 12:1-2 says "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
In other words, it is so necessary to renew our minds with the Word of God and by His Holy Spirit leading and guiding us in all truth every day. It ensures us that we have a healthy digestive system in spirit, soul, and body. From my point of view, there are enough obese (overweight) saints that have received so much word. Now it is time to work that stuff out and get some spiritual fiber so you can be regular, LOL!!!. And then flush it all down the toilet...
Peace and blessings from your strange girl,
Elder Twanna House
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)