In this time,         I am told I must “choose” and I am overwhelmed with the confusing messages
I receive and the harsh, rude comments obviously
meant to make me fear or hate another . . . so

I got to thinking about the first choice mentioned
in the Scriptures in the Genesis account of
the creation and the fall of mankind—
the choice was to listen to God,
to trust God, and to follow God,
not to analyze the commentary,
question motives or choose a food source.

The “tempter” made it a choice between trees
when it should have been a simple matter of
knowing God,
listening to God,
trusting God, and
following God’s Words—
I see many similarities in my current dilemma.

In reviewing that first choice, I think the
results of following God would have been
• gratitude for a beautiful place to live,
• trust in God’s provision,
• joy in caring for the garden,
• communion with God, His presence,
• sharing beauty with each other

–no thoughts of fear or hatred or discord–
just harmony between Creator and creation
that can only emanate from the Heart of God . . .
may I choose to “inherit” and live out
the heart of my Father and
NOT be distracted by the trees.

August 31, 2015 6:15am
While we were at Family Bible Camp in Hillsboro, Ohio, earlier this year,
I started thinking about a list of aspects of God’s nature & feelings that
I had about God from experiences in my own life . . .
times of struggle, quiet, dark, light, passages of hopelessness
resolving into hope, chapters from my two-year-old periods,
teen tantrums, & exhausting resistance to Life in general and
I thought maybe an alphabetic list would help me remember
what I need to hold onto . . .
the Truth of the prism that is God,
unfathomable but fascinating!

September 1 at 7:56am ·
Thinking about the “B” aspects of the nature of God . . .
He’s the Beginning,
the definition of Beauty, and
Bountiful in His dealings with me . . .
and SO much more!

September 3 at 6:38am ·
Thinking about the “C” aspects of the nature of God . . .
He describes Himself as Compassionate,
He proves over and over again that He Cares for His Creation, and
He is described as a Consuming fire . . .
how reassuring to begin the day thinking about the “C” aspects of Our God . . .
and that’s just the beginning . . . for today!

September 4 5:56am
How amazing that the “D” aspects of God’s nature remind me
that the One who created ALL (look at the sky in this picture) and
is sovereign over ALL (Dominion),
who is the ONLY God (Deity) . . .
Delights in me,
rejoices over me, and
will quiet me with His Love . . .
and so much more!
Note to self: remember this on those days
when life seems to be so overwhelming

Sunday—September 6, 2015 9:40am
These “E” words about the nature of God are SO revealing . . .

Eternal—without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing (opposed to temporal )

Encourage—to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence

Exist—to have actual being; be

The One who is Eternal, always existing,
created us in His image,
claims He IS Existence and
repeatedly encourages us “do not fear,”
“take courage,”
“trust in God,”
“hope in the Lord,”
“God delivers” . . .
WOW! Meditating on these “E” aspects of my Father
could take me into some very deep waters!

September 9 at 5:44am ·
Thinking about the “F” aspects of the nature of God . . .
He is Faithful,
the earth is satisfied with the Fruit of His works, and
He is to be Feared . . .
interesting– F” aspects of Our God–
Faithful,
Fruitful in His care of His creation, and
yet, we are told to Fear Him,
which I struggle with how to line up the image of a God
who IS love & loves all of His creation &
reading so many times “do not fear”
but then being told to fear.
There is an interesting treatment of the Hebrew word “fear” at http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Eikev/Yirah/yirah.html
Faithful . . .
Fruit that satisfies . . .
to be Feared . . .
and that’s just the beginning . . . for today!

September 11 at 5:33am
to meditate:
“to engage in thought or contemplation, reflect”
. . . looking at this sky and being overwhelmed by
the Glorious splendor of God’s majesty,
who is compassionate and Gracious,
the God of gods, the Great, the mighty and the awesome God . . .
my Father, who knows the number of hairs on my head
(Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7).
What a way to start the day!
O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! (Psalm 8:1)
And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen. (Psalm 72:19)
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear;
you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)

September 16, 2015 – 7:45am
“Holy—”to be set apart for a special purpose” . . .
that’s what the Hebrew word qadosh literally means
according to “Ancient Hebrew Word Meanings’.
You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
(Leviticus 19:2)
Could my being “set apart for a special purpose” be the reason
for the repeated instruction to “seek God” throughout Scripture–
could that “special purpose” be to focus on Him,
wholeheartedly pursue Him,
live singlemindedly with God as the center
resulting in my being holy and reflecting His nature
because of my focus on Him? I become what I focus on . . .
that’s pretty well an accepted maxim.
SO, maybe the call to holiness is really a call to God Himself . . .
the mouth speaks what the heart is full of . . .
fix your eyes on . . .

September 20 at 6:48am ·
How would I describe God? . . . awesome!
The “I” aspects of our God overwhelm my mind–they include
His self-proclaimed name “I Am” (which means being, existence),
Inspiration (the Spirit will give us the words to speak Luke 12:11-12) and
Invisible (we cannot see Him with our physical eyes but
He is always with us, watching over us, loving us) . . .
and that’s just the beginning . . . for today!
—
Deuteronomy 10:17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.

September 25, 2015 6:02am
Jehovah (because of Who He is, I will trust & not be afraid)–
Just (perfect, faithful, without injustice is hard to find in the world I see)–
Judge (God as judge causes nations to be glad & sing for joy;
He doesn’t just judge, He guides)
this reminds me of when we teach our children to walk &
we hold their hands,
watch & “judge” how well they are doing & then
we “support” & “guide” them by making adjustments

so they can walk and go where they need to go . . .
the Truth of the prism that is God,
personal but infinite,
unfathomable but fascinating!

September 29, 2015 7am
It’s really hard to line up the “K” words about the God I serve
in a way I can understand . . .
a King over ALL who is Kind and who Knows ALL . . .
comforting to Know Him because HE is the One who says
HE will accomplish ALL according to His good pleasure, His purposes . . .
WOW!

Maybe . . . just maybe, I can relax my fear
about what I see around me because of Who HE IS–

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him
nothing came into being that has come into being.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness, and
the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5)

thoughts: October 20, 2018
There are so many scriptures about these aspects of God’s Nature . . .
LOVE . . . LIGHT . . . LIFE
all tied in with HIS FAITHFULNESS —
actually because of His faithfulness . . .
Love, Light, Life all exist because of
HIS NATURE, HIS very BEING, the I AM –
GOD IS
LOVE,
LIGHT,
LIFE

Love
Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You,
majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?
Exodus 15:11
Light
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
Life
It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer;
and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

October 4, 2015
Majestic . . . mighty . . . merciful–
those words bring images to mind–
Majesty–glorious splendor sounds like something that is
visually overwhelming & there have been times
I felt overwhelmed by God’s creation
Mighty–great & awesome,
God of Gods
makes me think of a Warrior King, bigger &
stronger than anyone else
but who is also
Merciful–gracious, abundant in lovingkindness
with the softness and caring demeanor of an angel
AND we are admonished to
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36
My God . . .
Majestic (overwhelming beauty personified) . . .
Mighty (protector & provider) . . .
Merciful (lover)

and each day, may I seek GOD and meditate on HIS nature and remember . . .

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

#1—sanctify (set apart) the Messiah as the ruler in your heart . . .
make God the deciding factor, the umpire, in every choice you make in your life, in every thought you hold in your heart

#2—always be ready to make a defense . . .
to be ready means to have considered what & why so you can give an answer because you have thought about it, like answering why you do something the way you do – a position of defense (response) not offense

#3—to everyone who asks . . .
this is not an admonition to go correct another or to “instruct” another but rather an encouragement to have considered why you have hope for the future to share with anyone who asks you about it

#4—to give an account . . .
to tell a story – to share your experiences, your pain, your insights, your steps in getting to where you are and, in truth, we tend to want to share our story about things that impact us (a diet that works, a plan that works, a happy event, a tragedy, etc.)

#5—for the hope that is in you . . .
HOPE is what you are to account for (note: it does not say “doctrine”).
HOPE is the end result of walking the path you have walked in the knowledge that God somehow worked in your Life and that you can trust Him to do whatever is needed to work out His plan in your life in the future (it’s all about Who, not how)

#6—with gentleness . . .
a story told from a humble heart, one who knows Who God is and who he/she is (a child of God), will reveal the Truth gained in gentleness based in compassion for the hearer – it’s possible struggles are still to come for the one who is asking or painful experiences have hindered the flowering of the heart of the one asking (healing occurs under the growth lamp of HOPE in God)

#7—reverence . . .
when the hearer sees HOPE in the Love of God and sees HOPE in the Power of God, he/she will feel reverence for God – stand in awe of, have a deep respect for

—the assurance of His Faithfulness and His awesome Love for each of us supports every step in our path and this is the basis for our HOPE . . .

Oh, the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and
knowledge of God!
How unsearchable
are His judgments and
unfathomable His ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him
that it might be paid back to him again?
For from Him and
through Him and
to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36)
. . . truly unfathomable HOPE!
my thoughts this morning to start this day . . . HOPE in God . . . “For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” . . . (1Timothy 4:10)

My heart continues to explore itself, sometimes reluctantly, sometimes thirstily, sometimes with a longing that seems to come from beyond me that wants to lead me beyond me . . .

My “travels” have taken me through many beliefs and drawn me to accept that ALL is orchestrated by a largely unrecognized force desiring to reveal TRUTH to my innermost parts – to prepare my caterpillar perception for the realization of its butterfly reality . . . an inconceivable beauty far exceeding my ability to imagine and the true essence of FREE displayed within its color and being . . .

REAL . . . it is vital in this time of loud voices yelling “fake news” when they don’t agree with what it says and “alternative facts” as a way to justify their version of “real” that I understand REAL – anyone can create their own reality show on a daily basis complete with drama and drawing others into their plots, but I can choose not to live in someone else’s “reality show” and can choose to look to GOD, the only source of REAL without question . . . not an easy choice, but one I need to prayerfully consider . . . every day.

So, how do I avoid creating my own reality show and allow the path to teach me, to open the eyes of my heart, to draw me to a level of “real” that stretches me while planting seeds  of Truth within my heart?

Sitting in a place of thankfulness is, perhaps, a good place to start. To be thankful on the path while not being thankful for everything that has brought me to this place and time (which quantum mechanics tell me do not exist except as “markers” I need, so will they disappear as my need for them decreases).

Next, perhaps, is the acceptance of a Higher Power, a force outside myself yet inside of my very being while being my very being which directs my path so my heart is gradually opened to “real” without demanding to understand.

Early in my career, I was witness to a court case in Charleston, South Carolina, that told me how sexual assault on a woman was viewed then, and seems to be still today by some.

I worked in the legal system in several positions during that time, but this case confirmed to me one of the reasons a woman would not want to come forward if sexual assault occurred. I was present in the courtroom for these proceedings and it really struck me hard.

Four young men from upper income families in Charleston were charged with assaulting a young woman and it was a case where “everyone knew” they were guilty—they were known to be party boys who drank and partied hard regularly, and they admitted to that description.

They were acquitted. The case was decided in favor of the four young men after their attorney proved that the girl that claimed the attack happened was not a virgin. They brought a witness who had had consensual sex with the girl and that was the determining factor along with the claim by all four young men that they did not attack the young woman just because they “wouldn’t do something like that.” There were no witnesses, or at least none that came forward or were willing to testify and the girl was villified publicly.

After the trial, in the legal community at the time, the talk was mostly laughing about the whole incident and especially about the “trial.” I heard the opinion often: “well, boys will be boys” and “the girl probably wanted it anyway” and, since the boys were the rich, attractive group, “the girl should count herself lucky that they even looked at her.”

I saw then the power of money and position and class. It seemed obvious that some were above the law just by virtue of birth family and/or money.

Ut-oh—since I remembered the city, but I cannot remember the exact year for sure, I guess this account is not true!

Well, I got the “message” from this event and, when I was in a “situation” some years later at my workplace, I simply quit without reporting what had happened because a person in a position of power (my supervisor) would probably be believed and not me. And then, there was the shame and the guilt . . .

However, in my case, I was called in by HR for an exit interview and asked to tell specifically why I had abruptly quit my job with them when I seemed to be enjoying my position and had advanced from typing pool to Secretary to the Department Supervisor in 30 days. I broke down in tears and told them that my supervisor had attempted to sexually assault me and had told me that to keep my job I had to have sex with him. They were angry that this had occurred and told me that it was important to report his type of activity to keep it from happening to others and that they would have believed me—this was an unusual attitude at the time, so I was surprised!

The man was fired soon after that and I was glad. He had used guilt to try to keep me from telling anyone by accusing me of flirting with him which justified his advances to me, so it was my fault, not his. And that was a part of why I didn’t tell anyone until I was forced to do so by repeated questioning.

Interestingly, I can remember the name of the city, the general timeframe and the name of the man even though this happened in the 1960s, 50+ years ago, but many other details are not there!

Messages are important . . . what we teach our children, boys and girls, matters and what they see lived out tells them what is “acceptable” and, in the case of sexual assault, the message right now is mixed:
“me,too” movement says “you are important and you will be given respect if you speak up and your story checked out”
BUT
our current administration seems to be sending the message that says “the power of money and position and class determines guilt and innocence” . . .
what price will we pay for this LIE . . .
how many broken lives will it take . . .
how much suffering,
how many tears shed in silence surrounded by darkness

WE NEED EACH OTHER to face our challenges: compassion—a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

the only part of my life
that is never lost
is the part
I share with others

the only part of myself
that never passes away
is the part
I share with others

the only part of my memory
that lives beyond my pain
is the part
I share with others

to be remembered • it is a choice
on the path of life . . . to share with others

where there is life, there is hope

• Art by God • photo: Jeanne Hicks Barnett
Searcy, AR© 06/09/2018 —thoughts June 10, 2016

I WILL WALK FORWARD
(in remembrance of September 11, 2001)

I will walk forward
from this moment in time,
……..but this moment will never be far
…………away from me;
……..I will take up the task of living
…………each day, mixed with the pain of
…………the images of horror I see.
With so much mourning in so many
……..hearts there seems to be no room
……..for a personal grief—
Bitter tears threaten to fall at almost
……..any time
……….as a nation,
…………as a people,
…………..as a person cannot find relief.

I will walk forward from this moment in time,
searching for some shred of yesterday’s song
……..Clutching at memories of those
…………who are gone, trying to move them
…………out of the shadows of the wrong;
Looking for light to drive out the spectre
……..of the evil hanging over our hearts
……..so we can be strong;
Searching for answers in images of
……..twisted steel,
…………rubble and smoke,
…………….knowing it doesn’t belong.

I will walk forward from this moment in time
……..praising God for all those who did not die;
……..Being thankful for those who placed a call
………..to loved ones and friends with a final goodbye.
……..No words can describe the helpless feelings inside or
………..push away the darkness of fear from the sky;
……..But I know God is wanting to comfort and heal,
……..so I’ll tell Him I’m angry and know He hears my cry.

I will walk forward from this moment in time
……..with an anger that’s risen and refuses to fall—
……..Wanting to lash out at those faceless criminals
……….and make them suffer the pain they caused us all.
……..But I don’t want to be like them in any way,
………..so I’ll look to the heavens where God hears my call
……..and beg Him to touch me and heal my sore being
……..and guide us to the course where we can stand tall.

As I walk forward from this moment in time,
I ask above all, God, that you open our eyes—
That we might not be guilty of doing what’s wrong
…or of doing what’s worse than those we loudly criticize;
That from the ashes, love will grow–
…hate spawn forgiveness;
…..from meaningless violence,
…..commitment to all heart cries;
For it is only in sharing, loving
and giving ourselves that our hearts are cleansed
…and demons exorcised.

God, help me walk forward from this moment in time;
…help me to not ever forget what’s happened here.
Help me remember that hate drove these people—
…that someone believed they had to throw the spear.
Hold my heart close to yours, God, so love overflows
…and constantly reminds me You’re bigger than my fear.
Remind me that as long as one person is harmed
…because of being different from another—You shed a tear.

I will
……walk
………..forward
……………as a part of this moment in time . . .

Sunday—September 16, 2001
Jeanne Hicks Barnett—Searcy, Arkansas

When I first read your post, I was SO angry –
but then I remembered
that every hill I have to climb
is to draw me closer to my God
(the only one that really matters)
and struggles and unfair criticisms can help me
recognize any flaws within myself
(no matter how small I think they are)
and give me
an opportunity to build up “Grace points” —
God promises to flow in more
than I need, so I’m going for the limit!

SO, say your worst . . .
hurl your hatred and meanness at me . . .
maybe you will feel better after doing that,
maybe you will feel self-righteous pride
for having done it . . .
and maybe I will answer you
or maybe not—
BUT I will pray for you and
I will pray for me
that each of us will be given wisdom,
that each of us will be led by God,
that each of us will be a tool in the Master’s hand
to build a better world for each of us . . .

thoughts—January 31, 2017 Jeanne Hicks Barnett • photo August 2015

CORE VALUES . . . what are my core values? What does that mean?

It means trying to decide what I believe, the really important fundamental ideas that govern how I act and how I react—it seems like trying to identify each piece in a dish of spaghetti!

Now seems like a very good time to STOP and for each of us to take a good LOOK at that inner chamber that controls the voices we LISTEN to, but rarely question.

Do I react to certain people or events in a negative way and other people or events in a positive way without even knowing the people or being a part of the events? Have I ever stopped to ask myself why? Is it even possible for me to confront myself honestly, to examine any mask that might be “justifying” my feelings? Can I stop justifying my feelings and examine them and where they came from without judgement so I can choose to accept them or reject them based on who I am now?

The first discussion needs to be ME with ME . . . honest, open examination of me by me and then I can own my “core values” and live by them because I know what they are and why they are important to me . . . it sounds simple and right, BUT removing masks can be very difficult and painful . . .

may God give me the strength and wisdom to walk forward

August 26, 2014 at 6:58 AM · getting dressed . . .
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power” is our focus
BEFORE we are told
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. “ (Ephesians 6:11)

If we think this is OUR strength, we have missed the context, like when Saul put his armor on the young David to prepare David for battle & it didn’t fit David, so he went forward without Saul’s armor . . .
in the strength of the Lord.
“. . . that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s . . .” (1 Samuel 17:47)

“truth buckled around your waist” (waist/stomach holds what you consume & a belt-pack around your waist can protect your stomach & hold provisions for your future);
—consume only Truth (mouth speaks what heart is full of)
—Truth exposes choice between “flesh” and “spirit”
—belt protects what you have “consumed” to Live
—belt around your waist holds what you need to survive – all pockets should be filled with Truth (meditate on His Word day & night)

“breastplate of righteousness in place” (Abraham believed God & it was credited to him as righteousness-Romans 4:4-8–breastplate protects heart & internal organs);
—breastplate is a protective device designed to also deflect attacks
—righteousness is a gift of God = right standing with our Father is not earned but follows our “believing God”
—believe God, depend on God, know God

“feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (peace results from knowing we can depend on God–Philippians 4:4-8, Exodus 14:13-14)
—peace comes from knowing God’s power takes care of His creation; He is faithful & will never leave us or forsake us
—the “good news” is that the Prince of Peace has come

“take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (the word of God cuts through the deceptions of the forces of darkness–1 Peter 1 a living hope & a sure salvation)
—my head (mind) knows God has saved me & it protects my mind
from others who would draw me into serving other things/beliefs
—the Word of God cuts through the deceptions of the enemies of God
and tells me who I really am because of who God Is
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Bottom line: GOD is my armor . . . GOD is TRUTH . . . GOD is RIGHTEOUSNESS . . . GOD is PEACE . . . GOD is The WORD . . . GOD IS . . .

“Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)