Pushing Religion vs Testifying of the Lord

 Years ago, I was accused of 'pushing' my religion onto folks.

 It was hard for me to understand, as for one, I'm not religious, I'm spiritual. And for two, I wasn't pushing anything onto anyone.

 Someone that lived in my house was questioning his own upbringing as a Catholic religion and was curious about other religions.

 So, when the Jehovah Witnesses knocked on the door, I invited them in for a visit. A couple other groups came to the door during that time, one being the Mormons and sorry, I don't remember the other. 

I was helping someone 'find' their own place with God. 

I pray a lot, I give thanks to God a lot, and for many years I never attended church or 'made' any of my kids 'go to church'. The phrase "Praise God and Thank you Jesus" was a common statement for me. As I acknowledge every good thing in my life as being a gift from God. 

Some would find it hard to believe that in my young mother years, I was a Sunday School Teacher and a Youth Group Leader. A very devoted member of the church. I later became an ordained minister, a title I still hold. 

I grew up with my father traveling from religion to religion trying to find his peace in this world. To when I later got married, I found myself attending my husband's parents' church. 

While I have never liked my former mother-in-law, I do recall writing her a letter at one time, letting her know that I was grateful to have 'found' the real God while in the midst of their church. No matter how much I didn't like her, I would always be grateful that through her I found the love of the Lord.

Over the years I have spent much time studying the Bible and studying 'which is the real Bible' and what scripture to follow. So many folks "Don't like the way one books sounds" so they prefer another. Just as so many folks "Don't like the rules of one church" so they turn to another. 

I always avoid churches that have their foundation based on a 'man's interpretation' of the Holy Scripture. I look for churches that try to follow the scripture, believe in the trinity, and are capable of receiving the Holy Ghost. 

I spend more of my time at home praying, studying the Bible and sharing conversations with folks on a one-to-one level, rather than enjoy the fellowship of the group that gathers. To my loss, as I enjoy the sound of the gospel singers, and enjoy a good sermon. {Now an option I can enjoy 'online}

Some of my posts may sound harsh and much like that of a "Bible thumper", while other posts speak of the "love of the Lord". This might confuse some folks. ..

You see, as I learned the scripture I also learned that how you are judged is in part 'by what you know' - the more you know of the Lord, the greater His expectations are of you. Once you have received the Holy Ghost, and you 'backslide' to the world of sin, you can't un-feel what you have felt. 

God doesn't judge everyone on the same level, just as we would not expect a kindergartener to know the same as a senior in High School. 

I know God has expectations of me, I know the 'cigarettes' are a wrong thing to do. He knows that is the one little 'demon' I continue to struggle with. 

Whereas someone else just getting to know God, may still smoke and feel no 'convictions' about it. So, you can't say "Oh they are going to hell because they smoke". You don't know 'where they are in their own relationship with the Lord." One basic Biblical rule is to NOT JUDGE others. Yet we humans do it so often and over such trivial things. 

Jesus speaks of His sheep being scattered, not only of His following fold. He knows there are a variety of churches, and a variety of ways folks are taught about Him and His Father. He speaks of this often in the scripture. 

For this reason, I personally believe there are folks in ALL CHURCHES that will see heaven in the end. However, Jesus does warn against those 'leaders' that are really 'wolves in sheep's clothing' and speaks of their damnation being greater than that of the lost sheep's.

God knows our hearts. He knows who is real and who is fake and who is trying and who is pretending. He KNOWS. As He knows everything right down to the numbers of hairs on each of our heads. Including the hairs we've lost over time. 

I have never 'intentionally' pushed my belief onto anyone. But I have never denied the Lord's blessings in my life. And I never will deny the Lord's presence in my life.

I've had people tell me that they were 'uncomfortable' around me, not because I 'preached' at them, but because of their own convictions in life. 

The closer you get to God, the more of God that will ooze out of you. Your light will shine, and it will shine brightly onto those that are living in the dark. 

Throughout my life, God has taken care of me, my children, my grandchildren and even my great grandchildren. Regardless of whether or not I have been a committed patron in the church. 

As Easter approaches, I tend to remember the day I walked out of their church.  It was communion day. When our row got up to go to the front I turned and walked out the doors in the back. You see my husband was a drinkers and became violent when he drank. The churches answer was to stay in the 'bad marriage' and pray. I chose a divorce and to leave. God walked out of the church with me that day and has stayed with me ever since. 

God knew I was not raised in a loud violent home, and I didn't want to raise my children in the same violence. God knew I would end up dead if I had stayed, as that was my husband's number one threat towards me. 

Something he would attempt during his drunken episodes. 

His brother on one occasion while drinking, shot and killed my dog for no reason then turned the gun on me while I was pregnant. This was not the family I wanted my children growing up with. 

I had neighbors bust through my door and save me on a few other occasions. I had been run off the road by my husband. A tooth busted from the barrel of a gun shoved towards my mouth. A phone cord used to strangle me {That time I felt the life leaving my body, just before I was saved}.

God knew I wasn't walking out on Him; I was leaving the church group that would stand by doing nothing while I was being murdered. God went with me that day. God has been there for me through all the situations that occurred afterwards as well. 

Revenge was never my purpose; I knew God would deal with my ex in His own way. I left his family in "God's hands" and went forward with life and focused on raising my children to be good people. To my credit they have all turned out to be good people. 

This last year I turned 60, during a 'dark time in life'. By Christmas, I had been hurt so much by family over the years, it was a very dark Christmas for me. 

In the midst of it, God came to me, and I surrendered. Him telling me it was time to turn my life 'back to Him' and He would heal my heart and my family. I've since returned to my spiritual relationship with my Lord. I've felt the Holy Ghost and know that life is moving forward in a spiritually positive direction. 

Many wonderful blessings have happened in the 3 short months since. I anticipate many more coming. I don't go to church. I pray daily, I diligently do a daily devotion, and I read the Bible again. I've read it through a few times and learn something more each time. 

We're not pushing religion here at the Bright Side of the Barn, We testify of the wonderful things God has done for us. 

May you feel His ever-giving love this Easter. 

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Settling In

 Miss Chanelle wishes everyone a Lucky St Patricks day.!

When I first came to the house, I had to make the difficult choice of sending Tux and Sylvester to a Kitty Rescue, to find them new homes. As I was only supposed to bring 2 pets with me, Miss Chanelle and Cleopatra.

 Cleo was a bit lost with this being her first time as the 'only cat'. She found herself getting comfort by hanging with Chanelle. I could tell she missed the boys as much as I

 

Sylvester was getting depressed at the rescue while Tux was adapting fairly well. They had been fighting which was part of the reason I decided to find them new homes, separate from each other. I was having a bit of separation anxiety myself. With sending the 2 boys away, I also sold my pony. It was difficult to deal with so much loss at the time. I found myself wanting Sylvester to come home, while Tux was found a wonderful new home through the rescue. In the end it worked out best for both boys. {I still miss Tux, but pray he is enjoying being an 'only cat' and getting all the attention}

Meanwhile, Sylvester has shown himself to be quite overjoyed to be home. Back with his 'mom'. He stays pretty close to me wherever I happen to be. Once in a while I hear him with his 'still a baby' cry, I wonder if he's calling to his brother. But he does seem to be getting more content just playing with Cleo and Chanelle. 

Him and Chanelle have found a way to share 'mom' and 

often, I find myself being hugged while we are resting together. 

The pony is doing well at her new home, and I do believe I found her a wonderful new home. A dear friend who has become like a sister to me, has helped me move my horse Miss StarBright to board at her house. Rather than be alone, as I know my horse and pony were somewhat bonded, she now has 2 full size horse friends, Nova and Whinnie, and I do believe she's enjoying the company.

It was interesting to watch them the first day. We started with StarBright in the backyard away from the other 2, and all 3 hung out close to each other through the fence. But when we put StarBright in with them, the black one "Nova" got really upset and charged around bucking and kicking with her. So that night we locked StarBright in her stall and the other 2 hung out just outside of her stall. The white horse, "Whinnie" stood outside her stall all night and would keep herself between Nova and StarBright. The next day we let them all out together and there was no more charging or bucking and kicking. 

Over the course of the last few weeks, Whinnie has went back to being on her own, as I'm told she prefers to be alone, and Nova and StarBright have become buddies. Nova likes to lay down everyday and StarBright and Whinnie seem to stand guard over her as she rests. Just the other day we found StarBright finally laying down as well, which tells me, she has become comfortable an relaxed. We are looking forward to going riding together this summer as the 2 seem to have become so close, it should be a lot of fun! 

After living in the truck for 9 months, we are all getting adjusted to 'being in a house'. It has taken a while to get comfortable, and slowly I'm losing the 'feeling' of 'we have to go' and 'keep moving'. I've managed to be able to sit in one place for most of the day now. It's hard to explain, and unless you've had to 'live on the move' it's hard to understand. It's nice not to have to worry about 'where are we going to park' at night, and do we have the gas to keep everyone warm, as this was winter. What are we going to do about tomorrow. 

After 9 months of eating 'fast food' it's been nice to have 2 months of 'cooking' and 'eating' home cooked food. Real food, rather than 'fast food'. If I never see a McDonalds 'meal deal' again, It won't bother me a bit. I've only ate out once since being here, that was at 'Jersey Mikes' as I love the subs!! 

Showers every day and a bathroom with privacy are so nice. Not having to 'stay with anyone' and disrupt anyone else's lives has been nice. Not having to borrow or go without has been a blessing. It's still a financial struggle, as now instead of 'keeping' gas in the truck and buying food every day on top of everything else. Now I'm paying rent, power, gas and garbage bills, on top of everything else. 

Plus, the number of prescriptions and doctors have increased dramatically in the 2 months while I've been here. His weeklong stay in the hospital has added to the ever-growing medical bills and the amount of stress on my shoulders. 

All is still a blessing and I'm eternally grateful to the folks that have helped through this dark time. My kids have done so much for me I am most grateful to them and will probably never be able to undo the damages I've caused .  Blessed with a few wonderful friends that have been a God send as well. I'm starting to trust people again, cautiously and slowly, but consistently.  There are still good people in this world besides the 4 - I gave birth too! 

Sadly, for a long time, my kids were really all I had to count on or trust. I have been burnt by so many 'friends' I had given up on folks beyond being an 'acquaintance'.

Sometimes, I've felt like the kids would have been better off without me around. They have shown me that is not how they feel. Hopefully the hurt I've caused them will someday go away, and they will understand the overwhelming anxiety I've been through and all it's done to me and my health, both physically and mentally.

Still in boxes with nothing on the walls, as this is only a temporary situation, it is not HOME yet. I don't know what God's plan is from here going forward. I only know it a day-by-day journey.  God knows my heart and knows I would prefer to move into an RV to live out the remainder of life. He knows my struggles with the 'situation' of being a caregiver to someone that has not done me well in this life. I pray daily for the answers and for my family to heal. 

The last year has been a lot to endure. Actually, the last 60 years have been a lot to endure. I can only hope the next 30-60 will be the reward for my endurance. For now, we are settling in and looking forward to brighter days and hopefully less financial struggling.

Blessed by God

LIfe's a journey @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.