Hey...Wait a Minute...Don't Shoot your Own!!!!

My sweet friend and I were talking today about one of our precious sisters in Christ who recently went through a very hard time in her life. During this very critical time when she was experiencing great sorrow, her family came under attack!! They were criticized and had many people that they loved and respected simply turn their backs on them and walk away.

When they needed love, it was not offered.
When they needed a friend, no one was there.
When they could have used  simple encouragement it was replaced with gossip and shunning.

I can't help but shake my head out of frustration and wonder how is this like Christ?

No matter how much you disagree with someone or how bad of a mistake they have made, don't shoot them!! HELP THEM

This is a very tender subject for me beacause I too was hurt by people I admired, respected and loved.
It took years to heal, recover, and get rid of the bitterness that I had allowed to take over. I honestly faught with the lies of the Devil to just throw in the towel and quit.
But everything can be used for the Glory of God if we allow it. I would not be so sensitive to this fact had I not experienced it first hand.

So just a few thoughts on this...

If you are the one who has been hurt
1. Keep your eyes on God
2. Learn to forgive
3. Walk away from the attacker and start a new journey
4. Heal
5. Cling to God
6. Do not become bitter
7. Trust in God not in religion or man

If you are the Christian who has judged and hurt others, then please remember
1. You are not the Ultimate Judge
2. Don't let your pride or your religious beliefs hinder you from loving people
3. Treat others how you would want to be treated.
4. Love them like Jesus loves them
5. Forgive them
6. Restore them
7. Stay humble
8. Let God use you

I absolutely love the verse in Galatians 6
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."


When a Christian brother or sister has fallen, it is our duty to restore them, to carry their burden and to fulfil the law of God.
No, we do not sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happend, but we certainly should not be part of the rumor mill!

Let me challenge you to ask yourself,
"What did I do to help?
Did I add them to my daily prayer list?
Did I pick up the phone and offer encouragement?
Did I keep my mouth shut to the gossip?
Was I a friend to my friend?
Did I love them the way Christ loves them?

I do not come to you as an expert in this area. I come to you as a sinner, who has made mistakes but found grace and mercy at the feet of Jesus. I come to you as an imperfect Christian who is genuinely striving  to please God.  I desire to love people and show them kindness.

My plea to all of us is to remember that
as Christians we will not all see eye to eye.
There wil be things we may disagree on and stands that we will take that are different.  But as  a Christian, we must quit fighting each other and start fighting the true enemy!

We are on the same team. We shouldn't be shooting each other. We are at war with the Devil, not one another. Satan is the one we should be after.

 He is out to destroy homes, churches, friendships, ministries and families. Let's quit fighting on his team and rally around each other. Let's protect each other and have each other's backs. We need each other, the cause is to Great to walk away from brothers and sisters we don't agree with!!!

Remember- People are In Need Of Kindness

There's just Nothing like Family

The first weekend in May my family came in for a special occasion. My Dad was being honored at our old home church, Bethel Baptist Church. The Bible college they have there, Tri-state, presented him with an honorary Dr. Degree. An amazing fact about my dad is that he not only has his BA and Masters Degree but he also already  has his Doctorate  (So now he has a Paradox " pair of docs". Just some silly dad humor there!!!)
But the most fascinating part is that he did all of this in his late 30's and with a family!!
My dad is celebrating his 20th year as thr Pastor of First Baptist Church of Versailles. It was such a blessing to see him being honored. He is such a humble, faithful servant of God.

The weekend started with everyone meeting up for lunch and then of course.. a little shopping!!

After that, we just enjoyed fellowship and movies!!

The next morning included getting up and out the door in time for church (which was an 1and 1/2 away) not easy but we did it!!!!!!

My dad preached the morning service and did a wonderful job.

It's just not Bethel unless Bro. McFarlane is leading the singing!!

            Dr. Westmoreland, my former Pastor

           The McFarlane Family singing the special

MY DAD!!!

After church, we celebrated Katey's birthday by going to a Mexican Restaurant. 

Then that evening during the graduation my dad was honored. What a testament of faithful servive!!

And of course what is a reunion without all the fun pics!!!...these are just a few of my people!!

I taught these 2 cuties in the first grade!!!...they both just graduated from medical school!!!

                                    My big sis!!!!!

                     My true, one and only sista

             Trying to strike a pose or take a pic??

                                    The Hill Girls

                        Always ready for a laugh

                        I saved the best for last!!!

The start of my THM journey

I recently purchased the book Trim Healthy Momma's and I am taking the plunge into the crazed madness...lol!!!! I can not put the book down, I read 10 chapters the first night!
I have been eating clean about 80%-90% of the time for the last year and a half. I have had some wonderful victories and weight loss in the process. But, over the last few months I have hit a plateau that had me ready to throw in the towel and tempting me to grab a supper size bacon cheeseburger meal, with a shake on the side.

Then, my friend (and prayer-partner in this journey) encouraged me to get the book. That was the best advice I have ever been given. I have been playing around with meals and recipes for a few days and have already broken plateau!!!!...thank you THM.
Seriously, this has been an answer to my prayers.
I had literally done everything humanly and spiritually possible and the weight was not budging. Yes, I have been seeing Non Scale Victories but I needed that validation of my hard work by seeing those numbers go down.  And easily, with THM..it did. I'm eating carbs, fats, sweets and eating a lot more food!!!
I believe I have truly found Food Freedom and an answer to my prayer!

I want to add that I have not bought their cookbook, special ingredients or any special foods yet. I have been going on Pinterest and on thier website to get recipe ideas and im using the food I have at home.

I decided to blog about it because I wanted to be accountable.  So,  I'm going to journal my progress here. While I'm not ready to share my weight I will say that I am currently  between an 8-10 and my 8s are snug!
I'm so excited to see what the future has in store for this THM newbie!!!
Maybe you have been on the fence ready to take the plunge but are hesitant for whatever reason..may I encourage you to take the jump!!! Get the Plan Book and go for it.