Strength Versus Weakness

Hey there, Precious Readers!

It’s been almost a hundred years since I posted (give or take a few decades!), so it’s high time I got back in the saddle and WROTE! (I’ve missed y’all!)

Here are today’s musings…

In order to talk (believe, think, and live) from a place of strength (rather than weakness), I need to learn the difference between being strong versus weak.

Deciding what I want and don’t want (and then expressing it to the appropriate person), is a most excellent start towards being strong.

Vulnerability is strength (*not* weakness).

Making excuses comes from a place of weakness.

I’m looking at my excuse-making a whole new way! HalleluYAH!!!

There’s a whole lot more to be explored in this area, but I wanted to jot down a few quick thoughts and share them with y’all—enJOY!

(((HUGS!!!))) & SHALOM!

In HIS Great Love!

Coach EE!

🤠❤️🤠

Spiritual Truth 2x4s

Howdy, Readers!

I pray that PAPA Radically Blesses each and everyone of you and your families with an abundance of life transforming Spiritual Truth 2x4s! All in love, of course! 😃😃❤️❤️

And here’s today’s post about that kind of love! Shalom!😊 +++

It was around ’94 or ’95 when I was finally ready to ask my Christian therapist the ‘bigger-than-an-elephant-all-consuming-litmus-test-question’:

“So, Pam, do you believe that homosexuality is a sin?”

She stared intently at me and responded with a question of her own, “Melanee, haven’t you been on ‘both sides of the camp’?”

I knew what she meant, but it was kind of weird hearing it said out loud like that. I nodded ‘yes’ to her question and shrugged my shoulders in an indifferent, ‘so what?’ gesture.

She continued smoothly, “So… what could I possibly say that would be any different than what you’ve already heard from both sides regarding homosexuality?”

I silently shook my head to say ‘nothing.’ That’s when her next question punched me in the stomach, “Melanee, this is between you and GOD. You’re going to have to wrestle this one out with Him and His Word — and no one else.”

Externally I was stunned speechless, but internally I was outraged! Faster than a speeding bullet my thoughts raced, “EVERYONE has an opinion on the topic of sexuality – especially homosexuality!!! Who was she to not tell me her opinion?!!”

I was ready to explode, but she wouldn’t budge.

She refused my repeated offers to share her opinion and finally silenced me with a ‘Spiritual Truth 2×4’ upside my head, “Melanee, neither I nor anyone else can answer this question to your satisfaction. Only GOD can. And it’s only His Opinion that matters, anyway.”

Silence…

That was the day I learned how life-transforming Spiritual Truth 2x4s could be when wielded with strategic accuracy between the eyes! 😃😃 All because someone loved, honored, and respected me enough to **not** give me their opinion, but instead, pointed me to The One Who Loves me — Perfectly, Unashamedly, and with a Purity beyond my imagination!

HalleluYAH!!!!!!!

Thank You, PAPA, for YOU (and Your Spiritual Truth 2x4s!), and for Pamela Vest Valentine — and — for making her a double doctor!!
😃😃😃❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘

Thanks for letting me share!

In KING YESHUA’S Great Love!

Beautiful Brave Beloved Warrior Princess Melanee Lisa
\o/  🙂

 

Bulleted Word Of My Testimony! (19 Year Anniversary!!)

• I survived over 13 years of childhood sexual, physical, emotional abuse and neglect.

• I dissociated in order to survive the abuse and was consumed with hatred and anger towards GOD and men, as well as self-hatred for over 30 years.

• I experienced homosexual feelings for over 30 years and lived as a lesbian for over 15 years (7 of those years as a Christian).

• I used pornography, masturbation, and sexual fantasies as coping mechanisms for many years.

• That all began to change when I fully surrendered my authority to GOD’S Authority on 1 SEP 1995.

• KING YESHUA has used Himself, His Written Word, two Christian therapists, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), CHRIST-Centered Family Reconstruction, Celebrate Recovery (CR), two church families, an Adopted Dad and Mom, three Sponsors, numerous Adopted Brothers and Sisters, and HUNDREDS of people through books and in-person, to enCOURAGE, correct, protect, comfort, direct, exhort, and strengthen me since 1 SEP 1995.

• Because of KING YESHUA’S Great Love, I now live as a FREED woman who understands that PAPA is The Only One Who can give me my TRUE IDENTITY and PURPOSE. He Transformed me – spirit, soul, and body – and has Taught me how to live life in healthy, non-dissociative ways. HOLY SPIRIT literally mended my shattered heart back together and I no longer have homosexual feelings, nor do I have the shame, rage, or self-loathing that were my constant tormentors for decades.

• The life I now live is truly The Abundant Life KING YESHUA Promises in John 10:10 – all because He Patiently waits for me to daily surrender to His Authority in every area of my life. He still asks me the same thing He asked me in 1995, “Are you willing to Trust Me – just for today – no matter what it costs?”

The Word Of My Testimony (Bulleted & 5-Minute Version)

Hello there, Readers!

Below are two versions of what Revelation 12:11 calls “the word of my testimony.” The first is a bulleted list and the second is a 5-minute testimony (approximately), if read out loud. I ask PAPA to do whatever it takes to soften your heart (and my heart!) towards Him, His Word, and His Will in every area of your life (and my life!) — no matter what it costs!

PAPA’S Blessings on you all!!!

In HIS Great Love!

Beautiful Brave Beloved Warrior Princess Melanee Lisa!
+
\o/
—————————

BULLETED VERSION:

• I survived over 13 years of childhood sexual, physical, emotional abuse and neglect.
• I dissociated in order to survive the abuse and was consumed with hatred and anger towards GOD and men, as well as self-hatred for over 30 years.
• I experienced homosexual feelings for over 30 years and lived as a lesbian for over 15 years (7 of those years as a Christian).
• I used pornography, masturbation, and sexual fantasies as coping mechanisms for many years.
• That all began to change when I fully surrendered my authority to GOD’S Authority on 1 SEP 1995.
• KING YESHUA has used Himself, His Written Word, two Christian therapists, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), CHRIST-Centered Family Reconstruction, Celebrate Recovery (CR), two church families, an Adopted Dad and Mom, three Sponsors, numerous Adopted Brothers and Sisters, and HUNDREDS of people through books and in-person, to enCOURAGE, correct, protect, comfort, direct, exhort, and strengthen me since 1 SEP 1995.
• Because of KING YESHUA’S Great Love, I now live as a FREED woman who understands that PAPA is The Only One Who can give me my TRUE IDENTITY and PURPOSE. He Transformed me – spirit, soul, and body – and has Taught me how to live life in healthy, non-dissociative ways. HOLY SPIRIT literally mended my shattered heart back together and I no longer have homosexual feelings, nor do I have the shame, rage, or self-loathing that were my constant tormentors for decades.
• The life I now live is truly The Abundant Life KING YESHUA Promises in John 10:10 – all because He Patiently waits for me to daily surrender to His Authority in every area of my life. He still asks me the same thing He asked me in 1995, “Are you willing to Trust Me – just for today – no matter what it costs?”

PARAGRAPH VERSION:
I grew up in a family where I was sexually, physically, emotionally abused and neglected for over 13 years. I not only hated the 3 men and 1 woman who sexually used me, but I also hated myself – especially my body, because it betrayed me by responding to the sexual stimulations.

There were many unhealthy ways I attempted to deal with the trauma and pain from the sexual abuse, but they were the only coping mechanisms I knew. At a very young age, I was introduced to pornographic magazines, and later found an X-rated novel in the house – what I refer to as “written” pornography. I don’t remember when I first masturbated, but by the time I was 13 years old, I was hooked on masturbation – and devastated by the shame I felt afterwards.

Because of the abuse and neglect, it’s understandable that I wanted to be rescued out of my situation. The way I experienced wanting to be rescued was through emotionally intense romantic feelings for girls. When puberty hit, I also had strong sexual feelings for girls and women. By age 17, I “decided” that I was a lesbian. I simultaneously decided that The Bible was a bunch of lies and that GOD didn’t exist.

That, by the way, is the coping mechanism called DENIAL.

The mechanism I used from the earliest sexual abuse was dissociation. It was one of the reasons I survived hundreds of sexual violations. Dissociation is a big word for what The Bible describes as “brokenhearted” in Isaiah 61:1 and KING YESHUA quotes in Luke:

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
— Luke 4:18 (NKJV)

A clearer visual of brokenhearted is a shattered heart, much like glass shattering to pieces when it hits the ground. Even though I didn’t know how deeply broken and wounded I was, PAPA knew; so He allowed me to experience the natural consequences of living in rebellion to Him, until I finally got sick-and-tired of being sick-and-tired.

The prayer I prayed was this: “GOD, I just want to be the woman YOU Created me to be. I don’t know if that means I’ll be homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, or asexual, but I just want to be the woman YOU Created me to be.”

HOLY SPIRIT took that prayer and RAN WITH IT!

On 1 SEP 2014, it will be 19 years since fully surrendering to PAPA’S Authority over every area of my life – emotionally, mentally, relationally, and sexually. Physical health and financial recovery began years later and though I’m still physically ill with Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella, KING YESHUA is still on His Throne and I’m still His Beautiful Brave Beloved Warrior Princess Daughter! That’s all that matters! OORAH! 🙂

On 23 DEC 2014, it will be 29 years since I surrendered my heart and life to JESUS! I was born-again that MON morning around 1000 and I’ve NEVER received a greater or more priceless gift! HalleluYAH!!! 🙂

KING YESHUA has used Himself, His Written Word, His People (two Christian therapists, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), CHRIST-Centered Family Reconstruction, Celebrate Recovery (CR), two church families, an Adopted Dad and Mom, three Sponsors, numerous Adopted Brothers and Sisters, HUNDREDS of people through books and in-person), and HIS Creation to enCOURAGE, correct, protect, comfort, direct, exhort, and strengthen me since 1 SEP 1995.

Because of KING YESHUA’S Great Love, I now live as a FREED woman who understands that PAPA is The Only One Who can give me my TRUE IDENTITY and PURPOSE. He Transformed me – spirit, soul, and body – and has Taught me how to live life in healthy, non-dissociative ways. HOLY SPIRIT literally mended my shattered heart back together and I no longer have homosexual feelings, nor do I have the shame, rage, or self-loathing that were my constant tormentors for decades. I now FEEL emotions like KING YESHUA Created me to feel and because of His Faithfulness, I know how to manage my emotions, too!

Since PAPA has Taught me what to do when I’m anxious, I no longer use pornography, masturbation, or sexual fantasies. Before recovery, I only had WALLS and no boundaries. I was walled-off from PAPA, myself, and others. Not any more! KING JESUS and I together tore down the isolating walls (HalleluYAH!!!), and He Taught me what healthy boundaries are and how to enforce them in loving, respectful ways. (Actually, I’m still learning!!) I’m also learning how to **not** talk out of fear or be silent out of fear.

The life I now live is truly The Abundant Life KING YESHUA Promises in John 10:10 – all because He Patiently waits for me to daily surrender to His Authority in every area of my life. He still asks me the same thing He asked me in 1995, “Are you willing to Trust Me – just for today – no matter what it costs?”

+
\o/

CHRIST Demonstrates HIS Great Love!

Dear Readers Who Are Created In The Image Of GOD,

Here’s a follow-up to my previous post — I hope it enCOURAGES you to LOVE like KING YESHUA LOVES!

CHRIST demonstrates HIS Great Love (Strength-Mercy-Grace) to everyone — no matter who they are.
The difference is HOW He demonstrates His Strength-Mercy-Grace to the person.

For example — the Pharisees who PUBLICLY attacked JESUS with their words, were truly LOVED by The KING. Yes, they were!

Here’s how:

STRENGTH:
KING YESHUA confronted their hypocrisy, refused to answer their questions by asking questions that would expose their sin, and called them numerous names, including white-washed tombstones and sons of the devil. (Yes, that’s part of HIS Great Love! It’s the TRUTH part. And those are just a few examples of HIS Strength.)

MERCY:
KING JESUS did NOT strike them dead. Rather, He allowed them to continue living, because His desire was for their repentance and restoration.

GRACE:
The LORD of Lords and The KING of Kings literally GRACED the Pharisees with His Time, His Attention, and His Words. He clearly communicated His Desire for them to connect with HIM through (1) repentance of their sins, (2) following Him, and (3) their becoming fishers of men.

** For the record: those three actions were **not** limited to the original disciples. Those three components are what KING YESHUA stated in Mark 1:14-17, and He said that what He was preaching was “the gospel of GOD” (v. 14b, NASB). Remember — JESUS has **not** even come near The Cross, yet! The Gospel (The Good News) that He was preaching was HIMSELF — The NEW KING!!! YAHOO!!!
🙂
And — He was preaching (1) the REPENTANCE of sins, (2) to BELIEVE in Him (The Good News), (3) to FOLLOW Him immediately and forever, so that (4) He could transform them from self-focused, hell-bound people, into GOD-focused, heaven-bound FISHERS of men! What a privilege!!!
🙂
___________________

Now, to look at when The KING met the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11), HIS Great Love was also full of Strength, Mercy, and Grace. It just “looked” and “sounded” and “felt” different than The Love demonstrated to the Pharisees.

Here’s how:

STRENGTH:
“Go and sin no more.”
(Notice, though, that He actually said that LAST to her — **not** first! Timing is a BIG part of demonstrating HIS Great Love!)

MERCY:
“Neither do I condemn you.”
(This one is obvious, and it was said BEFORE the Strength! Again, timing is crucial.)

GRACE:
Not only did KING YESHUA literally PROTECT the woman from being stoned to death (which would be a combo of Mercy/Grace), He also gave her His FULL Attention, His Time, and His Words. He literally engaged her in a one-on-One conversation — talk about Grace!
🙂

In this example, it is “easier” to see how deeply He wanted her to connect with HIM, yet it’s still HIS Great Love as demonstrated to ALL of us — humble or proud!
___________________

So, Dear Readers, where are you in regards to The Good News of KING YESHUA?

Are there any areas of your life where you need to REPENT? Are there any ways in which you are **not** BELIEVING Him and His Word? Any areas that you’re **not** FOLLOWING/OBEYING Him? And are you truly surrendered and focused on being a FISHER of men just like The KING trained the first disciples to be?

I’m working on all of that — truly! Which is why I brushed and flossed my teeth earlier tonight and am now writing! (That wasn’t a “tangent” — those are parts of my obedience to PAPA! Yay!!!)

PRAYER:
PAPA, help! I ask You to do whatever it takes to soften my heart towards You, Your Word, and Your Will in every area of my life — no matter what it costs me!
Thank You, PAPA!!!!!!!

Thanks for reading, Precious Folks who are Created in The Image of GOD! Remember — there is HOPE in CHRIST — ALONE!!!

In HIS Great Love!

Warrior Princess Melanee Lisa
\/ 🙂

CHRIST’S LOVE = Strength-Mercy-Grace

Dear Readers,

Did you know that KING YESHUA communicated HIS Great Love differently to people dependent upon whether they were humble or proud?

He did!

Take, for example, the difference between Nicodemus and the rich, young ruler.

LOVE was clearly demonstrated in both instances (LOVE defined as 100% Strength and 100% Mercy–while saturated in Grace (undeserved favor)).

Both of the men were given the Grace of KING JESUS’ time, energy, and one-on-one communication. That was a GREAT Gift to be given! (Talk about undeserved favor!)

This is how HIS Great Love (in a nut-shell) was demonstrated to these two men:

Nicodemus received Strength (a rebuke at his lack of understanding of The Scriptures), as well as Mercy (a holding back of a greater rebuke–perhaps for seeking Him in secret at night?), while saturated in Grace (a careful explaining to Nicodemus of his desperate need to be born again).

The rich, young ruler received Strength (the exposing of the ruler’s love for money), as well as Mercy (JESUS didn’t expose any of the ruler’s other sins), while saturated in Grace (a thorough walk-through of The Law).

Have you ever thought of that? I hadn’t! Not until PAPA showed me just a few minutes ago!

THANK YOU, KING YESHUA!!!!!!!
🙂

May CHRIST’S Shalom saturate you, Dear Reader, if you belong to Him and are abiding in Him!

May The Law convict you, Dear Reader, if you don’t belong to Him or if you are in rebellion in any manner!

In HIS Great Love!

Warrior Princess Melanee Lisa

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