Masks

I have learned and continue to learn, just how many "FALSE" people are walking around me daily. It saddens me to see this, and I am at the point that I would rather live my life alone, without these people in my life. I prefer to surround myself with genuine people, not afraid to show their true self, with flaws and all....  because God loves us, for who we are, not for who we think we should be. I use to be such a person... wearing a mask just to please others, to hide the flaws, the saddness, the demons within.

I came upon an enlightenment back in 2011 and this is what I learned about "me"....

I am single, newly single...but I am who I am...just me. I'm not a wife, I'm not just a mother, I'm not just a daughter or a sister or a friend. There's more to me than meets the eye. There is a heart, with wishes and dreams of what life should be. I'm loving and caring and don't wish to be taken for granted because of it. I'm not a pushover, I'm not naive, I have a mind of my own and will express myself when driven to it. I love people in general and have come to learn that I can not trus everyone like I use to. I don't like being manipulated, used or told how to think, or dress, or act. I may be childish at times, but that's the kid in me, I'll never grow up! That's a good thing. I know when it's the right time to act proper, silly, serious...I am me... 

Those words came from a small voice within... and to this day, I live by them. I may fail, I may stumble. In fact... I DO FAIL and STUMBLE... but God picks me up, and strengthens me through each fall. I AM ME...  So, today's reading fits perfect ...

False Self  

Do the people you rub shoulders with every day know you? I mean the real you? Or are you hiding behind a mask? 

As I stated before, there have been many times when I hid behind a mask...  no longer will I hide, i  I hid behind a mask between 1998 to 2005. NO MORE...  The day I found myself driving on 225 headed who knows where, I asked Jesus in to my life and asked him to take control of my life. I am out to correct my mistakes, make ammends where needed. I will start with God first and then my family.

Masks are fun at parties, but in everyday life, they're unhealthy. We don't roam our neighborhood in clever disguises, of course. But many people hide behind a different kind of facade, one counselors call "the false self." The false self is a way of portraying ourselves to others in a way we think they'll like more than the person we truly are. 

I no longer wish to live my life to win over anyone that can not accept me for "me". I am no longer out to live my life to please those that realy have no validity in my life. ONLY GOD....

These tasks take many forms. Some people act happy and positive in social gatherings but privately they struggle with depression, substance abuse, or marital problems. Others may wear odd clothes or makeup. Some may even use anger or humor to keep their relationships on a superficial level.

I have been exposed to the worse kind of "False Self" anyone can live through and have fallen to live as such as well.... and from these exposures, and becasue of my past, I ask God for guidance, strength and humility... I want to live my life without the masks.

Ultimately the masks we wear are for self-protection. They hide our emotional wounds from further injury. But they also prevent us from experiencing intimacy in our closest relationships. When w ehide who we really are, we distance ourselves from our family and friends and, yes, even from God. Intimacy requires transparency and vulnerability, and you can't eperience that pretending to be something you're not. So take a risk with a safe person you trust, whether that's a fmaily member, a friend, or a professional counselor. Strip away the masks of your false self and let the real you come shining through. 

Check out: Jim Daly's blog, Daly Focus, JimDalyBlog
(Thank you Mr. Daly for my daily reading)

Today's Bible Verse:

but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1  

Phot Credit: The Hem of His Garment

Daily Bible Verse

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (New International Version)

**It's always amazing how God speaks to us when we are struggling, He knows... Always. I just have to praise Him through my struggles, as only He knows my needs, my strengths, my weaknesses and only He knows what I can handle.

I have been struggling with a few things here of late, it appears that it's something that all of us women go through at some point in our lives, but I always thought that I would be able to handle it better than I am. I have faith that I will get through this. I just know that I must remain strong and continue to have faith and praise Him through every single trial and tribulation. I still consider myself extremely blessed!



1- Pain and suffering can help us to learn important lessons in life.
Example: Mother eagle forcing her baby out of the nest to teach it to fly.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:10,11

2- Pain and suffering can bring about creativiy, resourcefulness and courage.
Example: Parents who lost a child helping to pass laws or starting organizations to protect other children. Artists and composers sometimes do their greatest work during times of pain or loss.
Scripture: Psalms 18; 42; 63; 126

3- Pain and suffering can help us to comfort others who are going through similar pain.
Example: This is the benefit of support groups for various problems. People who have faced the same problems are able to help and encourage others. John and Phyllis Clayton have been able to help others because of their experience with diabetes and with a mentally retarded child. Jim McDoniel has been able to help others because of his experience with a handicapped child.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

4- Pain and suffering can help to shape our character.
Example: People who have survived as prisoners of war or persecutions often have a strength of character which is admired by others. Gold is refined by the fire which heats it until the impurities come out.
Scripture: Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:8,9: James 1:2-4

5- Pain and suffering can test us to show what we are made of.
Example: The patriarch Abraham was tested; Job, the ancient man of wealth was tested; the apostle Peter was tested; and the early Christians were tested. In all cases the testing showed the weaknesses and the strengths of their faith in God. Products which are sold in the marketplace are put through tests to find their weaknesses and to demonstrate their strengths.
Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14 describes the test of Abraham. The entire book of Job tells about Job's test. Matthew 26:69-75 tells about a test where Peter failed and he learned something about himself. Acts 4:1-21 tells about a test in which Peter was victorious and his enemies could see the strength of his faith. The testing of the early Christians is described in various places such as Foxe's Book of Martyrs. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus beautifully illustrated the results of testing in a simple story.

6- Pain and suffering can lead to repentance and salvation.
Sometimes it takes pain and suffering to turn a person's life around and head it in the right direction.
Example: The Israelites who repented in times of persecution in the Old Testament. Saul who became Paul in the New Testament of the Bible.
Scripture: Judges 2:11-19 describes the cycle which the Israelites when through as they forsook their God only to be brought back to Him by suffering and then to forsake Him again when times were good. In contrast to that Acts 9:1-16 tells the suffering which lead Saul the persecutor to become Paul the apostle, faithful to his God until his dying breath.


7- Pain and suffering can sometimes help us to trust God.
Perhaps we are forced to turn to God because we have no other place to turn.
Example: There are numerous people who have made the decision to trust God because of their pain and suffering.
Scripture: Job 40:3-5; Job 42:2, 3; Lamentations 3:19-24; Daniel 3:16-18; Habakkuk 3:17-19

8- Bearing pain and suffering well can be an inspiration to others.
Example: Chet McDoniel was born with no hands, only one stub of an arm and no thighs, but he has been an inspiraton to many as described in the book All He Needs for Heaven.
Scripture: The apostle Paul endured his "thorn in the flesh" but was able to take the message of Christ to many areas of the world and write most of the New Testament.

9- Pain and suffering can have a Divine purpose in preparing us for glory.
Example: The apostle Paul wrote that our suffering is "slight" and "momentary" compared with "eternal glory."
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

10- Pain and suffering can prevent us from becoming dangerously proud.
Example: Again Paul said that his "thorn in the flesh" was to keep him from becoming proud and arrogant.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

11- Sometimes pain and suffering in the life of one person can result in the advancement of the gospel in the life of another person.
Example: I know a family who accepted Christ because of the suffering of one member who died of cancer. The apostle Paul said that his imprisonment helped to advance the gospel.
Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

12- Pain and suffering can allow us to be like Jesus.
Example: We are allowed to share in Christ's suffering as we serve the one who suffered on our behalf.
Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11; Hebrews 2:9-11; 4:15; I Peter 4:12-16

Daily Bible Verse

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
Psalm 119:10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 145:18-19 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

This comes in a timely manner. I experienced some uncalled for treatment on Friday by a fellow co-worker. It appeared by the time I left that he did not realize his actions were demeaning to me and made me feel stupid and uncomfortable. All I can say is I'm glad to be reminded to "pray for those who mistreat you".



"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."


Luke 6:27-28 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150:6 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

We, personaly, survived Hurricane Ike and we are definitely thankful and praise God amidst all the wreckage, loss of power, fuel, etc... I lift up everyone that has had some sort of loss in their lives, be it home, loved ones, discomfort due to loss of power or water. We all need to band together and help each other out. Reach out to those in need and make a change in someone's day or life.


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 4:12 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)

Christ Notes

Daily Bible Verse

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Daily Bible Verse

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:24 (New International Version)

Lord, use Me to Touch the Lives of Others

Lord help me to serve You the way You want me to. Reveal to me any area of my life where I should be giving to someone right now. Open my eyes to see the need. Give me a generous heart to give to the poor. help me to be a good steward of the blessings You have given me by sharing what I have with others. Show me whom You want me to extend my hand to at this time. Fill me with Your love for all people, and help me to communicate it in a way that can be clearly perceived. Use me to touch the lives of others with the hope that is in me.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us, and we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:16

Daily Bible Verse

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:16 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Happy Easter

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

Matthew 28:5-7 (New International Version)