Nothing feels worse than being betrayed by someone you love, a friend. To trust someone and find out that you have been "used" is, what I used to say was, "the pits." Betrayal is rampant in every area,from politicians and preachers to friends. What are we supposed to do when attacked or betrayed by a friend? The book of Job is the classic example. When Job's troubles came, the phrase, "Job's comforters", was born. These guys came along and raked him over the coals of accustion on every level. Even his wife told him to "curse God and die". Job complains to God 16:20 My friends scorn me, my eyes pour out tears to God. Have you ever felt like "when it rains it pours", everything happens at once, and then people want to blame you. It is easy to be bitter at a time like that, but remember that Jesus forgave Peter after he denied Him before the people in the courtyard, in His hearing! As long as we carry unforgiveness in our heart, it is like carrying around an arm full of dirty diapers and being surprised when someone says something about the bad smell, it shows. When did Job get everything back? Job 42:10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job prayed for his friends and God gave him everything he had lost and twice as much! Is it easy to do? Not really, but we have to keep on keeping on, keep on trying so that we are innocent. I told you about the Tee shirt someone gave me, "God put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!" Yea, that's the ticket, lean on God's strong chest and let Him do your talking for you! Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That friend is Jesus, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear, What a priviledge to carry everything to Him in prayer."  1 John 5: 14-15  Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. Jesus told us to "Ask" and we would receive. I know that sometimes it feels like the sky is brass and everything bounces back and lands in our lap, but, as I said and it is worth repeating, there is a solution and there is a "friend that sticks closer than a brother" and that friend is Jesus, whatever you have need of, take it to Him, right now. Sometimes it is the act of "unloading" yourself to someone that you know cares and will keep your confidence. If you need agreement on a prayer and don't have a "prayer partner" then consider me that partner in prayer with you. You can write to me at harolene@att.net  I would love to hear from you. I am praying for you to Be Blessed! Forgive and you shall be forgiven..amen.

There is an ad campaign that states: "You never outgrow your need for milk." I say that you never outgrow your need to be needed, to be useful, to be one that people know can get a job done. I remember when my grand dad was young, and I was just a little girl, hearing him say,"When it comes my time to retire I will be glad to do it! I will go home and fish all I want and sit and hold my sweetheart's hand." He was instrumental in forging the rule, in his organization, for a retirement age that was mandatory. When he said it, in his energized and busy youth, he meant it, but when he got there, he saw the error of his decision. I can speak, as one who has a little mileage, you never get old in your head, right? It is especially upsetting when you are retired against your will, from things that you always did. I am glad that God doesn't look at us according to age, but looks on our heart, our spirit, our willingness to go out and do what ever He wants you to do. When there is anointing on your life, no one can take it away from you, but you can certainly lay it down and let your gift go to waste. If you bound your arm against your body and quit using it, it would soon atrophy and would become useless. Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. In the natural people coming with gifts are welcome and so are anointed servants of God. It is the goal of Satan to discourage you to the point that you will throw up your hands, just give up. When you do, someone will step into your place and it will be gone. Jesus said: Revelation 3:11 "I'm on my way; I'll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. If you took a cup of water from the ocean, would it be missed? A scoop of sand from the desert, would it be missed? No, your place is waiting to be filled in by others, don't give up, don't give in. This past week, watching the game between the Vikings and the Saints, I was reminded of a game I watched long ago between the Colts and the Jets. It was a young upstart, Joe Namath against veteran Johnny Unitas. Joe won the game and was jumpng and celebrating the camera got a shot of Unitas slowly walking off the field, helmet hanging from his hand by the strap. The very picture of loss, discouragement. Even as a young teen, that scene burned into my mind as something I, number one, did not want to cause happen to an older person, and number two, would not want to have happen to me. Two weeks ago I was thrilled to see Brett Favre win over the younger Tony Romo, I thought he celebrated a little too much, by making the extra touchdown, then this week saw him laying on a gurney, ankle bandaged and ulitmately losing the battle of the game. Dear reader, you and I are in a simular battle in this life. There are those on the sidelines, some cheering us on wanting to see our spiritual success, and others cheering when they see a dirty play to get you off the field. Don't stay down, get up, get yourself armed with the helmet, breastplate, sword of the Spirit and fight. End of times is near and we have to put aside our personal hurts for the greater glory of God. If you are under a burden, remember Isaiah 10:27 It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. In the words of a song penned by Jim Swilley, CITN, "It's the anointing that makes the difference, once you have felt it, you'll never be the same." Don't give up! Don't give in! Be blessed!