Genuinely Fake

Be so familiar with the truth that when you encounter a lie, it sets off an alarm in your soul.  Falsehood can manifest itself in many different roles and sometimes the perpetrator is the one in the mirror.  Yep, you.  It's funny how you cannot see yourself w/o looking in the mirror or seeing your reflection.  Be sure to look at your reflection (yourself) often.

Let's face it, everyone lies.  Yep I said it.  You, me, she and they.  We all lie at one time or another.  A 2 year old child lies w/o fully understanding that it's wrong.  A child does not have to be trained to be disobedient, that comes naturally.  We are born sinners.  The wicked are estranged from the womb, those who speak lies go astray from birth.  Psalm 58:3   For a better understanding of what this verse means, I suggest you do your research.  Studying God's word is the best way to learn.  When you study His word, you will not be easily deceived.

We are all capable of lying.  Most people do not like to lie but will sometimes lie to avoid conflict (the  peacemaker).  They may be known to withhold the truth by not speaking up or revealing what they know even when it's necessary.  That is a form of lying or faking, ok.

Then there are those who practice lying as a regular way of life.  They are constantly trying to come up with ways to deceive people.  They are fake and appear to be something that they are not.  For some, lying is how they make money, it's their full time job.  Some people lie for power.  False witnesses come to deceive people about God's word.  They want to control people.  This is what I call faking it to make it.

Recently there was a report on the news about the "fake red sole shoes".  You know, the french shoe designer Christian Louboutin?  All of  his shoes have a signature bright red sole.  People were making a profit by selling counterfeit Louboutin's.  They deceived the public who believed that they were getting a great deal for the real thing.  The garment districts are notorious for this.

I used to work at a credit union and me and 2 other women taught a few classes on how to identify counterfeit money, bad checks and fake identification.  I taught the part of the class regarding counterfeit money.  Everyone was surprised to see the depths that people go to get money.  There are so many security features on real paper money that makes it difficult to duplicate.  But if you don't know the real thing, you will accept the counterfeit.  By the time you realize it's a fake, it may be too late and you are left with something that is of no value to you.

 In this life, you will encounter perpetrators whether it be "fake people", "fake money", or "fake things".  They are so good at what they do that it's not always obvious at first.  We must watch the company we keep.  Some people are really good at appearing genuine or real (actors).  When you find out who they really are, you feel betrayed.  Don't ignore your instincts.  That's the red flags and alarms that go off when you are in the presence of something or someone that isn't genuine or real.

If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Is it you?  Sometimes we lie to ourselves.  We act differently than how we feel.  Acting, faking, deceiving, lying, call it what you want.  If you struggle with telling the truth talk to God about it.  Ask Him for forgiveness and to help you change your life.  You can avoid it all by Keepin It Real  and trusting God no matter what.

From My Soul To Yours ©

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Following photo:
I Forgive You courtesy of:
PeaceBeWithU.com

Bloggers in God: God Desires Your Heart ©

Here is my Wednesday post for Bloggers In God, 7/4/12.

Bloggers in God: God Desires Your Heart ©: Today's post comes from Starla at Keepin It Real   freecodesource.com When I read the bible, it really comes alive and spe...

My Father's Business ©



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 We are NEVER alone, No NEVER!  God is always in our midst.  All you have to do is call on Him and He will fill the void in your life.  Whether it be emptiness, despair, depression, anxiety or loneliness, call on Jesus.

We have no need to worry , fret, or fear.  Call on Jesus.  It is by God's grace that I am able to do anything.  He speaks to me all the time.  He has chosen me to work for Him.  I am so honored to be a vessel for the Lord.  He is in the business of repairing, sustaining, comforting, healing, and more.....

The main requirement is to love Him with all my heart and soul.  When you love God, you will know that all He needs is your heart.  Once you have given Him your heart the desire that He has carefully placed there will be employed by Him.  If your desire is to sing for Him, go into the mission fields, preach His word, exhort His people, serve others, He will bring it to pass because it brings Him glory.  It's all for His kingdom.

So....even though I may not be qualified to be the CEO of a company, He has qualified me as the CEO of the desire that He has carefully placed in my heart!  It is my job to trust Him, obey Him, believe His promises and leap out in faith.

My job is to be about My Father's Business.  What about you?

In this new life one's nationoality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing.  Whether a person has Christ is what matters and He is equally available to all! Colossians 2:11

From my soul to yours,

Starla Danielle Espinoza 

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Bloggers in God: Hitchhikers

Here is my weekly post at Blogger's In God.  Enjoy and whatever you do, watch out for the hitchhiker of your soul.

Bloggers in God: Hitchhikers: Today's post comes from Starla at Keepin It Real

The Purpose of Money; Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12

King Solomon's Temple

In week 5 of our bible study, "A Life Well Lived" King Solomon schooled us on the topic of money.  Complete this phrase:

If only I had ______________, then I'd be happy.  There is always something better in our minds.  Satisfaction is only guaranteed for a little while.  Let me keep it real, I wouldn't mind having a BMW or a bigger house but I am thankful and grateful for what I do have, no matter what.  I used to tell myself that if I could just win the lottery, I can help so many people but God never asked me to do his job.  When He does inspire me to do something, please believe He will give me the resources to do it.  Something more like common sense than money.

In Ecclesiastes 5:10 he says, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.  This too is vanity."   Bottom line:  We always tend to think of something better than what we already have.

In 5:11 he goes on to say, "When good things increase, those who consume them increase.  So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on?"   Bottom line:  Don't let what you don't have take away from the joy of what you do have.

6:7 says, "All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied."  Bottom line:  Once you have eaten, you will eventually be hungry again.  The concept is the same for everything.   How many times have you desired something and once you have gotten it, eventually you want something new or better than what you already have?  I know none of you are like that but I'm just sayin.

6:9 "What the eye sees is better than what the soul desires."  Bottom line:  What you see in front of you is what you already have, which isn't always good enough.  You always want more and more of what you don't have and your soul seems to desire what you don't have.

My take away from this entire lesson is:  Money fails, homes fail, cars fail, people fail but God never fails and He will supply your every need if you get out of His way.  The best things in life really are free.

From my soul to yours,

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Confession Series: My Inner Brat

One of my most difficult things to confess is how broken I really am.   I am very perceptive which often causes me to be very sensitive and feel insecure about things.  In my mind, I manage to twist things around to appear  negative in my eyes.  It's very difficult to face and confess these emotions.  It makes me feel very evil and mean.

You see, it's not so much about having my way as it is about proving myself to be so wise.  Now I am finally facing the music so to speak.  I throw in the towel, wave the white flag.  I surrender.  I am confessing to the world that I am such a brat sometimes.  So it's only fitting that I clean up my act and get some sense before I destroy my valuable relationships.  My husband, children, family and friends are so very dear to me.

Do we all have demons to face?  Sure we do.  And I'm finally ready to tackle my giants head on.  I am running toward this giant hill of lies from the enemy with my sword, the word of God.  I will focus on what God says about me.  I will no longer allow the enemy to ruin my mind.  The cure to this ailment is prayer (lots of it) and spending more time in the word instead of the world.  I will no longer allow myself to be so distracted by TV, blogging, money, etc......  Not that TV and blogging is wrong, but it is when I'm so wrapped up in catching the latest episode of "whatever" or making sure that people are reading my blogs in place of my alone time with God.  It doesn't even have to be a long time and I know this.

Not only that but it's always very comforting.  I love to pray, praise, worship and fellowship all in the name of Jesus.  It cleanses my soul which should be done daily.

Sooo, with all that being said, I am asking my readers to please send up sincere prayers for me to do what I know I should to protect my mind from evil thoughts and false accusations.  I also apologize to those that I have hurt with my words in the past.  And to those that I have complained about for hurting me in the past.  Today is a new day and "We're all in this together."

From my soul to yours,

Starla Danielle Espinoza

Were You Really "Just Kidding"?

Every now and then I have to reprimand my daughters for being rude to each other.  There are 3 of them and sometimes the older 2 gang up on the youngest or the younger two gang up on the oldest.  One of their favorite excuses for being mean is, "I was just kidding."  "Oh really?", I reply.  "Do you think that just because you were "just kidding" it makes your sister feel better?"  They think about it then realize that a sincere apology is in order.

Kidding and joking cannot un-ring a bell.  Once we speak something hurtful on purpose, the words "just kidding" only make it worse because now it seems like we are making light of cruelty.  Not only that but don't you think people know the differene.  We are all guilty of saying mean and hurtful things to people.  Once we realize that we have rang that bell (saying something that we regret), a sincere apology should follow.

Even if we have hurt someone unintentionally we should apologize.  What if we are not sorry?  You know, maybe you said something that needed to be said but it was not in a loving way.  More out of anger?  Once the dust settles you will feel bad but pride may prevent you from apologizing right away (at least that's the way it is for me). 

At that point, give it to God and ask for His guidance and forgiveness.  Sometimes an apology isn't necessary and changing your attitude is all it takes.  Actions can definitely speak louder than words.  If you do apologize, don't continue to make the same mistake.  Eventually your apologies will fall on deaf ears.

I am very bold and outspoken.  That can be good or it can be very bad.  I used to speak w/o thinking which didn't always turn out good.  As I get older, I gain wisdom about bridling my tongue or atleast speak in a loving way. 

......But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
James 1:19 New American Standard

Kidding and joking should be kept to a minimum (unless you are a clown) and never at someone's expense.  You can be funny w/o acting like a fool.  Keep wisdom and knowledge close by.

From my heart to yours,

Starla D Espinoza