Will you Stand for the Truth or Fall for a Lie?

If I send my 5 year old to school and a 10 year old beats her up and steals her lunch. The 10 year old boy proceeds to tell the little girl, that he will do this every day and if she tells someone he will kill her. To think that if the 5 year old tells her teacher, her principal, and her parents that this is called slander, is a joke. All across America bullying is on the rise in our schools, not to mention how many Americans have been victims of any form of abuse which works much the same as bullying. The numbers are staggering and to think silence is the vehicle that all bullies/abusers need for the attacks to continue, is sad. For this to be in the Church it says we have not learned anything from past mistakes from the era during Martin Luther’s time, nor again when the Catholic Churches sexual abuse of little boys was exposed. The Church still thinks silence is the answer while the world knows talking about it is the answer. Everyone knows that people who talk about bullying are telling the truth because it is a risk to do so. I don’t think GOD does anything in darkness. HE says clearly in the word of GOD to expose the evil deeds done in darkness. HE says, everything that is hidden must be brought out into the light. GOD makes no requirement to be silent in such a case.

I believe slander is quite different from bullying. I think the familiar story of Kathryn Khulman and a person who was calling her a witch all over town is slander. Webster defines slander as the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage anothers reputation. Webster defines a bully as one who is habitually cruel to others who are (spiritually) weaker. Spiritual bullying came out of the grace message, which says I can do whatever I want, to people and GOD is not going to do anything. Notice the strategy in slander is it’s false, the strategy to bullying is it’s true. Once you agree something is slander and it’s not you have partner with a lie and give way to bullying to continue.
 Do you want to know what I think is a greater evil than even slandering? I think it’s when bullying is silenced or when someone who knows of the abuse but does nothing to help the person! It reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan.

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
Still worse is a political spirit that says if I have someone else bully you than my hands are clean as a leader. Like Pilate who purposely washed his hands of Jesus’ blood, before the people. Why, to appear right before the people. He was still behind Jesus’ sentencing to be crucified even though Jesus was innocent. Kind of like the bank robber that drives the car and thinks since he didn’t go in the bank to rob it he is innocent.
Do you remember the Scottsboro boys who recently received some form of justice for the bullying and false accusation that were held against them for 80 years? This was during an era when racism was more prevalent. Here you have seven boys with no reputation, looked down as worthless from much of the population, a time when it was common to pin everything on blacks, a time when lynching, slavery, and brutal killings of blacks was common. They were being accused by men who were well respected in the community, good reputations, wealthy, established, influence, and owners of slaves. Do you ever ask yourself what you would have done if you lived in this time? Or how about what would you do if it happens now in your time? Will you judge by outer appearances or will you ask the one who knows all? Will you judge by a reputation or will you make a demand for the truth? Will you question a leader or just think they must be right? It’s easier to not take a stand, it’s easier to keep quiet, it’s easier to follow a leader and jump on a band wagon, and it’s easier to cross the street or look the other way. But don’t think for one moment that all the innocent blood of blacks that was shed during slavery, that there will not be justice served. Don’t think that all those who looked the other way will not be held accountable, nor that bullying will not have its day of reckoning. I want to know, did we learn anything from the mistakes of the Catholic Church or the Scottsboro boys? Or is the Church going to go around the same mountain again and again. How long will it take? How many precious lives will it take? How many years will be wasted before the people of GOD stand for the truth at any cost? Make no mistake about it, GOD will judge us for those who stood for the truth and those who stood because of a friendship or loyalty to a man.

I believe GOD is looking for a people who will stand for the truth at any cost. I love the era of Martin Luther, because in order to say publicly you were a Christian or to carry a Bible you had to be willing to put your life on the line for the truth. If you were caught with a Bible you could be killed or imprisoned, there was no casual Christianity in that moment. Today we have been lulled back into a lie that the truth is not that important. That you can still call yourself a Christian and not take a stand for the truth. We all have this tendency to automatically think a leader is right just like we seen in the Catholic Church and with the Scottsboro boys. I wonder if this is a sign of idolatry where we have more concern over what a leader is saying than what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Am I saying don't listen to your leader, no. I am saying don't ignore Holy Spirit, your conscience, or think what you are feeling must be wrong because your leader knows more than you. Proverbs says, of course a story sounds right when you have only heard one side of the story. Holy Spirit was given to you to lead you into all truth, not to join a band wagon because it makes your life simple. The truth is important it’s worth risking my life.

I think there is a very simple solution to bullying, let’s go to Heavens Courts and allow the judge to decide between you and me. Interesting how no one is interested in doing that, if you are innocent what would you have to lose? We can stand before the judge who has no partiality, he does not judge by what he sees with his eyes, nor by what he hears with his ears, HE will not judge by how large your ministry is, how many people you have healed, nor how well your reputation is on the earth, but he knows by the spirit every tiny little detail of what is truth and what is a lie. HE will judge who is slandering who. HE will judge who is in righteousness and who is not? 

Its time for Christians to take a stand for the truth. To trust the Holy Spirit living inside of them, more than loyalty, appearance or reputation of a man. Remember that your stand could be costly but what will you give the one that put everything on the line for you? You decide!
The narrow road,
Dionne Thomas

Do You Ever Long for More

I think when we prophecy, heal the sick, intercede, teach GODS word, minister to one another we are demonstrating some of the most amazing acts of love in my eyes. Seeing a stranger get healed is life changing. Prophesying to people and their whole life is wrecked is love. Seeing people come to Christ by simple acts of love is encouraging. Can I say I want more though? I seem to do well in these areas and fail in other areas.

It’s easy to love those that love you, or those who know you, or those who believe the things you do, or even a stranger that you may never see again, all that’s easy. I am specifically saying I want to love those who hate me or resist me. Love those who are not like me. The first sign of rejection I am done. The first sign of my heart getting hurt I am done. The first sign of words that hurt I am done. But I want to be undone by love, I want to love people like GOD loves me. The scripture says to pursue love! Maybe my pursuit was not clear because no one could see that everything I write I am writing because I need to hear it too. I am not pointing the critical finger because the words I write are for me as well.

I tried keeping orphans in my home and I failed miserably because my love was not constant. I felt horrible because it revealed more about me then it did about them. I was not as loving as I thought I was. I was challenged not condemned. I was encouraged to know where I stand instead of this imaginary love idea floating in my head. I learned I will never know where my love was had I not been challenged. I learned that when situations come up I could see when I was growing in love. One time my mother had an orphan living at her house and this young lady did not want to live with us. So she decided to pick a fight with me. She decided to drop all of my mothers’ glasses on the ceramic tile floor one by one. Yelling and screaming she was waiting for me to respond in like manner but I didn’t. I was calm, I asked her to stop, I never lost my composure. She continued until all the glasses on that shelf were shattered on the floor. She realized her plan was not working. When she sat down at the kitchen table to calm down I asked her if she wanted something to drink. She said yes some milk. My mom thought I was crazy, but I was determined I was not going to react so I served her milk. I noticed the more I did this the more, calm she became. Now, I am by no means saying this little situation was my arrival into greatest gift of love but it was definitely a start for me.

Since love is the greatest gift and the greatest weapon I want to practice it, pursue it, and not be half hearted. I want to be challenged now so I will know where I am going to stand after this battle is over. Since love is what the father is going to be interested in knowing what we did with it while hear on earth, I want to be confronted with opportunities. To love someone that will reject you is challenging. To love knowing that I could get hurt is hard. To love with nothing in return is difficult. I learned that we can entrust our hearts to the Holy Spirit. If we follow HIM knowing all the above is possible, HE will protect our hearts. What is so good about this is the other person gets to experience GODS love through me. I want to see love break through the toughest walls, I want to see a fortress fall because of love, I really want to see the world be drawn to the Church by our constant display of love.

I was sitting meditating on all of this and a song came on by Alberto and Kimberly Rivera asking GOD to expand my heart to love:

I am increasing your capacity for my love.

Be consumed with my love. 

Expanding, contracting, and expanding to beat with the things that my heart beat for.

So this is my prayer come and expand my heart expand my capacity to love the unlovable.

I like to challenge people and I like to be challenged but it seems to always be controversial to do this. Yet it’s just apart of who, I am, to challenge people, I think I need to work on my presentation but my heart is that we go deeper. I like to challenge leaders, the church, anyone really to not be content with seeing love through the gifts yet run when it hurts. I write to challenge you not to hurt you but do you long for more?

Misunderstood,

Dionne

Live with Eternity in Mind

You know I try to live everyday with eternity in mind. I live for the day when I stand before the LORD and give an account for my life and how I lived it out. I believe that in that day everything will be made plain, everything that was hidden will be brought out in the light. Like my motives, my heart, my actions, and my words will be known to everyone. I live for that day like it is what matters the most to me.  For seasons on the earth it looks like we are getting away with something, it looks like, since GOD is not doing anything or saying anything that my horrible actions toward HIS bride, HIS children, HIS leaders or my family are okay. But in that day all of this will matter.

Here is a snippet of my history with GOD and how I learned to think differently:

I have had four people I knew who died come back and visit me after they died. I say visit because of how it felt to me, but this is just my thought. Some people were glad to visit me and one person was not happy. There were things I instantly knew because of my connection with Holy Spirit, in the experience:

1. I knew they were given visitation rights on earth for a limited time to visit who ever they wanted.
2. I knew that they knew everything past, present and future like specific events and situations
3. I knew they could see the motives behind every situation on earth.
4. I knew how they felt about me

I remember one experience the gentleman was very angry with me. When he came back to tell me, I instantly wept and repented. I thought I will never do that again. Here is the story; I was at a church where our pastor was asked to turn in his resignation, by our deacon board. As the church split, this gentleman I will say his name is Greg was torn as to which way to go.  Even though he never verbalized his feelings I could feel Greg’s toss should I stay or should I leave with the pastor who was asked to hand in his resignation. The people he connected with and admired were staying at the Church and his family was leaving the Church to follow the pastor at his new Church. So me, being brilliant and all decided I would pray to help his decision but my prayer was that of frustration because to me it was so obvious that GOD was getting ready to do something amazing with the people who stayed. So I prayed in a way I knew he would leave quickly and he did just that. Here is the scene when Greg visited me: I am driving in my car years have passed since I prayed my brilliant prayer that would cause Greg to make the wrong decision. We did not keep in touch and he was not someone I thought about because we didn’t have that kind of relationship. Now I did not know Greg had passed away that morning, but I felt his presence come into my car while driving. I felt angry all of a sudden because of my brilliant prayer years prior. I instantly started repenting and I had the feeling that I had done something horrible. I felt like he could see how things would have been different in his life had he chose to stay at the church. It was as if this moment, years prior, was pivotal in his life and he chose wrong because of the influence in my prayer. Obviously, this was not a good experience but it taught me a powerful lesson one I will never forget.

I remember another good friend of mine passed away and she came to visit me. Her name was Cassandra her death was a sudden illness and a very quick decline. Cassandra and I were in a little argument where I looked like the bad guy in her eyes, so we were not speaking to one another prior to her quick decline. Her death was a complete shock to me because of the speed in which it happened and we had not reconciled our differences. The morning after she passed, I was not aware of her passing because it happened late in the night. But that morning I was headed to Charlotte North Carolina to attend Church but I felt like I shouldn’t go. I felt like Holy Spirit was impressing on me to stay home. But I was living so much out of reasoning and not listening to Holy Spirit, I went any way. On my way back from Charlotte headed towards Winston-Salem, I am driving and all of a sudden the love of the Father floods my car. I instantly started weeping, my driving slowed down and thoughts were flooding my mind. Cassandra was talking to my Spirit, even though she passed away in the natural. All I could think about to tell her is how much I loved and respected her as friend and mentor in my life. I just kept saying, “I love you so much, I love you so much,” it pained me that we were not on speaking terms so I was eager to tell her my feelings. I knew at that moment that she could see the truth of our argument and that she was not mad, I felt like I heard her say you were right. She proceeded to talk to me about Kim a young teenager she was a Spiritual mom too. I felt like she was trying to tell me how great everything was and how my future was so great!  I felt like the whole purpose of her visiting was she wanted me to know how my future was going to be amazing. I could feel her move back and forth around me with excitement for me. This experience with the supernatural realm ended and it left me marked for life.

I feel like these visitations taught me to live with eternity in mind. I know from these experiences that our motives good or bad will be clear to those we hurt. In both experiences they could see my motives from events in the past. In both experiences I knew how they felt about me, one person was angry and the other excited. In the experience with Cassandra I can see why Holy Spirit was impressing on me not to go to Charlotte. I believe things we have done to people will be known to everyone. Things we did that changed the course of people’s lives’ in a bad way because of our impatience or frustrations with them will be made known. Every prayer and influence we had on a person’s future ministry will be made plain nothing will be hidden. The scripture that comes to mind is everything hidden in darkness MUST be brought out in the light. In that day it will manner to you, how you treated the body of Christ, leaders, family, friends or strangers. In that day you will only wish you could fix those situations where people got hurt. In that day every assumption that skewed the way we see people and effected how we treated them will manner.

In the prophetic culture there are a couple of things that I taken notices of that we have to stay away from. First is thinking we know every detail of a person’s life because we are reading their mail sort-of-speaking. I tend to attach assumptions to people when I see things prophetically but the truth is I only see in part. I will never know a person’s whole life history with GOD because HE will NEVER give that kind of control to us. These assumptions tend to lead me to make decisions that are not true about people and this effects how I treat them.

So I made up my mind since I have had these experiences I need to live with eternity in mind. I live to hear HIM say WELL DONE my good and faithful servant. I will not live to see what I can get away with on earth. I will not think I can treat HIS bride with contempt and it not be made known. I will not live with assumptions about people when I only have a part of the picture. I got a prophetic word that I have no guile in me, which means no deceit, no trickery, no cunning ways. I like that when I get bullied or taken advantage of that I want to love the person and not find cunning ways to get back at them. This is not to say I will not pray for GODS protection in my life. This is because I made up my mind I do not live for today but I live for eternity. If I die its gain if I live its Christ so either way I win what manners is the motive behind everything that I do because I want to hear HIM say WELL DONE!

YOU DO HAVE FATIH…

When a leader comes to you and says you don’t have faith, can I suggest you picture this scale? Black being those with no faith such as; atheist, Pharisee, and unbelievers. Gray from darker gray to light represent those growing in the faith such as; Christians, Religious structures and leaders in the Church. White representing perfected faith Christians, leaders, mystics, ie. Enoch.

We are in a walk of faith which means none of us has arrived to pearly white. This means we all have some level of a lack of faith or unbelief. With that said don’t lose heart when you hear those awful words, ‘you don’t have faith’ or ‘that is unbelief’. It takes faith every time you talk to GOD. It takes faith to go to church every Sunday. It takes faith to read your bible. It takes faith to tithe. Now granted you are somewhere in that gray range but don’t lose faith thinking you are in the black. I speak to you, “You do have FAITH’ and “Your unbelief is not in the black”.  Don’t get stomped up by well-meaning Christians. I experience this so much I have learned to ignore it but I want to encourage those who go round and round a circle thinking you are in the black. You are not in the black, you are in a walk of faith and as you continue to walk you will get closer and closer to the white.

Words are so powerful they have the power to produce life or death. When someone is ministering to you and speaks something that is hurting your spirit, brush it off and picture this scale. I take authority over the lie the enemy wants me to believe at that moment. I remember some great encounter I have had with the LORD and allow that to carry me. Here is one:

Long testimony short, I am driving my Toyota Camry, 500 miles to family reunion. About two hours into the drive I felt very uncomfortable about my car and started praying. My prayer got intense, and more intense, until I was crying and yelling, yet still driving. I, seen a picture of my wheel coming off. I prayed for the LORD to send an angel to be my rack and pin. The rack and pin is the bar that connects one tire with the other tire. I must have stayed in this intense praying for over an hour. Finally the peace flooded my car and I knew I could stop praying. When I got to my destination, it turns out that my rack and pin and split in two. There was no way possible that I could have made it 500 miles, but GOD.

Now when I have an experience like that and someone tells me I don’t have faith, we have a problem. Or when they say you have unbelief I think then how did that angel come. Because I believe it took faith, my life was on the line and I won by my faith. Now am I denying that in some area I have unbelief, NO! I am just refusing to let it attack my whole person hood and 20 years experiences with GOD. Let me remind you prophetic people can’t see your whole history with GOD, therefore we should never apply anything as whole to our lives.

You may look at my testimony and think she has great faith, but I would bet you would have done the same thing had you been in my shoes. Did you notice that you can have faith in one area and not so much faith in another area? I have some areas I struggle and others I soar. My faith is so important to me because I want to know my faith is real and not some fantasy. I know that it’s impossible to please GOD without faith and my whole desire is to please HIM. I found that GOD is more interested in my faith than my comfort. What HE says is what matters the most, and HE says, YOU DO HAVE FAITH.