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October 17, 2012  

Welcome friends
Deanna Face I'm glad you're here. This ezine started ten years ago as a weekly e-mail to the women of Celebration Church, where I serve alongside my husband as co-pastor.  It was a time to share what was on my heart  with our ladies and invite them to join me with a cup of coffee at their computers. They ended up forwarding a lot of those emails and the list grew so large it eventually developed into this ezine with a lot more subscribers than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams! I'm thankful for each of you who join me here every week for coffee.  Here I share a devotional thought, recipes, books I'm reading and whatever else strikes my fancy. Enjoy.
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From My Kitchen
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Where I'm Speaking

2012

September 14-15
Experience Conference
Pen-Florida District AG

October 11-13
Women's Fall Breakaway
Pen-Florida District AG

2013

February 15-16 
Cornerstone Church
New Bern, NC
 

May 16-18

Church Alive
Fuquay-Varina, NC


June 6-11
Idaho Assemblies of God
District Women's Breakaway
Should You Listen to God, or Your Husband?
Greetings!

 
Fifty Shades Last Friday I was privileged to bring a teaching at the Pen-Florida Women's Breakaway entitled, "Fifty Shades of No Way!" Recognizing the impact the book, Fifty Shades of Grey, is having on women and our society as a whole, our district women's director, Marsha Woolley, and asked me to address it.  (If you would like to read the copy of my message, you can get the notes here.

The response was overwhelming. I am still getting e-mails daily. 

Women came forward for prayer who have been FORCED to read the book. Forced by who? By their husbands. It is hard to shock me, but even I was shocked. How might a man "force" his wife to read a book? By purchasing it for her and demanding she read it in order to stay married to him. Or, being told, "if you respect and honor me as your husband, you'll read this to improve our marriage." They are shamed that they are not good wives if they don't comply with the request.

Another lady was not forced to read the book but she was forced to "submit" as the BDSM acts contained in Fifty Shades were forced upon her in the bedroom, in order to fulfill her husband's fantasies.

Of course there were women who read the book on their own, because they were curious. In the aftermath, they now need healing.  Others were not forced to read FSOG but were coerced to watch porn in the bedroom, with husbands who are addicted.  Still others came forward who have not read FSOG themselves, but have daughters or daughters-in-law who are reading it and they are very concerned about their welfare and wanted to stand in prayer for them. One teenage girl came to the altar weeping and said, "Please pray for me. At least 50% of my school has read this book, and they desperately need Jesus and healing. I want to be used by God to help them."

Here's what I want to say today. Ladies, we all answer to God for ourselves before we answer to a husband. You and I have a personal relationship with God. We are to obey him first and foremost, before anyone else. One day on judgment day we will not be able to blame our husbands for our obedience or lack thereof.

Shepherds are also going to stand accountable! Two ladies  confided to me that they went to their pastors for counseling  and were told that as long as they watch porn in response to their husband's request, it is covered under "the marriage bed is undefiled" scripture. FALSE!!  They were told that as long as they were making an effort to please their husbands, God is also pleased. FALSE!! Woe to pastors who are giving this counsel!!

I'm going to put this out there as plain as day here, my sisters.

I love my husband.  And I know I am called to fulfill him sexually, and I do.  But He is not God! And if he ever asked me to do something that was not pleasing to God, I would not do it.

Before I answer to God for pleasing Larry Shrodes, I answer to God for pleasing God.

God is not pleased with the filth and degradation of porn.
It is an abomination.

If your husband is asking you to read or watch porn in an effort to please him or to improve your marriage (it won't work, by the way), please get yourself a backbone and say NO. This is NOT disrespecting your husband. This is NOT a lack of submission. You are not an unGodly or disrespectful wife for refusing to participate in pornography. 

If your husband is addicted to pornography or says he needs it to be fulfilled in your marriage, it's not something YOU can fix. Only God can heal him. Do not take the blame for his addiction. You didn't cause this. Encourage him to get help. Pray for him. Support him in whatever way you can without defiling yourself with pornography.

"So then, each of us will give a personal account to God." Romans 14:12 (NLT)

A personal account.

That means you and me - alone, up close and personal with God.

God has given you not only the right but the responsibility to say no to things that are sin. Yes we are to respect our husbands, but not to the point where we engage in sinful behavior.

I Thessalonians 4:3-8 relates directly to sexual purity and not being taken advantage of by anyone - even a husband - who may ask you to engage in impure practices in the bedroom.

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

 

My heart goes out to my sisters who may be dealing with this issue at home. Stand strong! I am praying for you and for your marriages. May our sex lives be God-honoring!

 

 

Much love,

 

Deanna Signature 

 

 

 

 

Sharing a Laugh
Disney Logic
From my kitchen
Fall Chowder
This recipe comes from my friend Susan Morgan. I've made it many times and it's sooo good especially for this time of year. Watch carefully to make sure it doesn't scald or burn - simmer very low. Everyone loves this -- a true comfort food.
Fall Chowder
1/2 lb. bacon
4 tsp instant chicken bouillon
3 cups water
3 cups milk
1 cup onion, chopped
3 and 1/2 cups diced potatoes
2 cups carrots (sliced)
2 16-ounce cans whole kernel corn, drained
12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
3 tsp flour
1/2 tsp pepper

 

Fry bacon in skillet. Drain on paper towels. In large soup pan add water, bacon, onions, potatoes and carrots, along with chicken bouillon. Cook til' veggies are tender. Stir in milk, corn and pepper. Put shredded cheese in a large Ziploc bag. Add flour, close and shake to coat cheese. Add to soup and stir til' cheese is melted. When cheese is melted, soup is ready to eat.   


 

Is it your imagination???
Croc
Have you had any of these thoughts: 
 
Is this person's behavior my imagination?  
                                     
Am I reading this situation correctly, or am I being super-sensitive in my emotions and doubting what I see and hear? 

I know what I said, but how could it have been interpreted this way and my words get so twisted?

Has someone seen you do something that was innocent and misread your intentions?
 
Recently I thought I was dealing with one thing but I was actually dealing with another: The Leviathan spirit. After sharing what was happening with my friend, Dr. Donna Sallee, she identified it and educated me about it. Now that I have the proper understanding of the problem, I can respond accordingly.

I asked Dr. Donna to share about this on the Pastoring Partners Network, and you can read her excellent teaching about the Leviathan spirit, here.
What I'm reading this week
   Everything
I love anything that Mary DeMuth writes. She's amazing! I was blessed to get an advance copy of her brand new release, Everything.

In this gentle and challenging book, DeMuth describes the process and the nuances that shape us to be more like Christ. Her words are clear, vulnerable, and thought provoking, and every chapter is infused with Scripture.

 

Most of all, DeMuth provides personal and practical evidence that there is no greater pursuit than Christ. We must surrender everything, but it does not compare to the Everything He is, the Everything He gives.

 
My E-book
JUGGLE Cover
What is JUGGLE about?

Juggle is about freeing you to do the things you want to do.
 It's also about helping you juggle with excellence the things you have to do.
 
Within Juggle's pages you will discover keys to juggling your roles and responsibilities well, and living the good life you long to live. 
 
Along the way you'll also find rest for your weary soul and lots of encouragement that you can do this.


"Like" Juggle on Facebook. (I share on-going tips and encouragement about time management at this page.)

Buy Now
  Don't have a Kindle? No problem. You can read the book on any computer or mobile device. Get more info here.   

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Who am I?
Deanna Face
I love riding my bicycle, shopping at thrift stores and  having a cup of coffee or tea close by at all times. My daily blog focuses on leading and relating from a faith perspective. On my day off, I live in my pajamas or ride my bicycle, though usually not at the same time.  

Here's my official bio, in case you've actually scrolled to the bottom and are still reading this e-zine. :)