Twitterpated!

The last few weeks, I have been maintaining my Twitter account. I've unfollowed accounts that have been inactive for a year -- up to five years in some cases. 

I also created lists to include tweets I WANT to read, rather than ads; strings of names; hypertext links; and hate, especially after recent US Supreme Court decisions. I feel Yeshua weep with each "Burn in hell fagot!" tweet from those who claim to follow Him -- but that is another blog post.

This one is about what I have been doing wrong.

At the start, I believed this would bring me some sense of order and a sense of accomplishment, especially since I am a "Type A" personality. But, in truth, I have become more frustrated, angrier, impatient, less creative, and experience a sharp increase in physical pain plus an inexplicable fever.

Yeshua and I had a heart-to-heart conversation. I acknowledged that this "account management" did not make me happy. More, I had to face the fact that I am judging fellow humanity. I argued that I was no longer muting accounts (see What Would God Do?), but... I am still playing Judge. And that does not bring joy, only a whole mess of negative emotions.

He advised I set Twitter aside and consider what I was doing and why I feel the need to judge others -- just as much as those I label (judge as) "haters."

I feel justified because it gives me a sense of control in my life. I don't have control at my job; I don't have control in my home; I don't even have control over the pain that attacks my body on a daily basis. So I sought control in one little corner of my life -- over those whom I choose to read. 

But the real reason is that I want to stop all the tweets that irk me. I chose segregation, judged them as unworthy, and tried to stamp them out just as I previously chose to silence them with the mute feature. (The coincidence that the prior post is False Messiah is not lost on me...)

I argued that I need some control in my life. That is when Yeshua pointed out something simple and profound. When I try to control -- even in something as small as Twitter account management -- I do not give GOD that part of my life. How can God lead me to those whom I can help, if I no longer interact with them? How can God let me see where I can shine GOD's Light (rather than my own), if I shut the door by pre-judging others? "Prejudice" means to pre- judge.

All who hate and scream when things are not in line with their beliefs have prejudice. Yet, these are God's children, brothers and sisters whom I should love and to whom I should show love, kindness and compassion. I should never offer hate for hate or prejudice for prejudice.

I delete the lists and pray that God helps delete this belief that I have a right to judge or control others.

I can only share blessings via the Holy Spirit. When I follow my will instead of God's, there is no Blessings or Joy, only pain, anger, hate and frustration... 

These I must release to embrace God's Mercy and Forgiveness. I want to dance in Holy Spirit's Song, and let lyrical Blessings sing through tweets. I want to feel God's Love flow through me - not this bitter taste of judgment.

Hate and judgment do not make me feel better nor provide any control; the opposite is true. So, I open my hand and open my heart. No matter what I see in the tweet stream, I know and trust that God will guide me.

And God's timing and Love are both perfect.

~ ESA

False Messiahs

In Matthew 24, we are warned there will be false Messiahs in end times. Who knew I would personally correspond with at least three of them?

This is only the start; none have any miraculous signs beyond what I see for other members of humanity. Yet all three are adamant that he is Jesus Returned with a reason why he cannot perform any miracles -- yet.

To bluntly say, "You are not Jesus" creates a defense mechanism. To confront their belief makes one an enemy; they will not listen. So, I have been guided to be an example and continue to follow Christ's teachings: to Love, Forgive, show Compassion and Mercy -- to be a friend and sister rather than attacker or judge.

When the REAL Yeshua / Jesus returns, we may be without long-distance communication. When delusion is face-to-face with reality, they will need a friend all the more. That friend can be the real Christ, despite the past.

I am guided to plant little nuggets into our conversations that the Holy Spirit can use from their memories when that time comes. I pray each morning that God gives me words to use so there is Hope in God's Forgiveness, Yeshua's healing of mind, body and spirit, God's Mercy for those who trust, and a welcome for all.

This does not apply only to false Messiahs; all humanity including myself make mistakes and needs God's Forgiveness, Hope, and a last-minute chance. All can share Love, Compassion and Forgiveness, as well as pray for each other, planting reminders in our day-to-day interactions.

Believe

Forgive

Love

~ ESA

 

 

Increase in Trust

 "A war is starting." These are words a friend used to warn me of an alleged war between Blacks and Whites in the US. He fears someone will rape or even kill me because I am White.

Sad.

And a bit frightening.

I realize that if violence and riots spread, I could find it right outside my door. It doesn't have to be because of the color of my skin, but merely that i was in the wrong place when violent gangs -- of any color or creed -- decide to pillage and plunder.

That is when I heard Yeshua whisper in my heart. "I am here with you. Why do you give into this fear? This is not happening right now; it is not real. Focus on the present and let ME take care of your future."

He is not wrong.

When I focus on what may be, I create the fear myself. No one else needs to make me feel afraid. I have already done the work for them.

And why would I fear my brothers and sisters if I continue to love and pray for them? I pray that Love conquers the hate; that Light reaches even the darkest parts of each human soul.

I walked the darker streets of New York City unscathed many times over the last few decades. Why would God abandon me now? No matter what happens in this world... my soul --my true being-- is safe in God's loving hand. No one can remove me.

When I focus on God instead of fear, I focus on the present, rather than some "dark future" that may or may not be. I find Peace deep inside. Peace brings less stress, and less stress brings less chronic pain to my body. What a great blessing!

Peace also radiates out. I know that I am connected with all my brothers and sisters -- all of humanity. So why not radiate Peace and Love rather than hatred and fear? In truth, those who radiate fear and hatred are those most likely to be victims of the same. So radiating Peace creates a brighter present and a brighter -- rather than darker -- future.

I choose to share Peace, rather than ripples of fear.

~ ESA

What Would God Do?

I recently cleaned up my Twitter account by unfollowing those who were not following me or have not been active for over a year. I also muted those accounts filled with ads, "follow me!" tweets or hate.

While I was doing so, I felt an inner tug asking: What would God do? I grumbled that this is MY twitter account and I should be free to do as I please. After all, I don't want all that "crap" my stream, and if someone doesn't want to follow me, I assume it's because they do not want to interact with me. So why not unfollow them?

But the nudge came again: What would God do? I had to acknowledge the Truth.

God does not turn from us (unfollow), when we turn from God ~ ever. Nor does God turn from us, even though we have been quiet for a very long time. God is always with us, even those of us who do not believe in God.

God never mutes us.

I say stuff that disappoints God. God sees and hears my own bitterness, my own angry words that I may or may not regret. God knows my every thought, both hateful and loving.

Still, God loves me - and every one of us - unconditionally. No matter what we say, God always listens.

God never mutes my own advertisements either, whether they be prayers about myself or requests for things that the world sells to me, such as a nice house, a new car, an exotic vacation, a great job so I can buy what I desire above my basic needs. A winning lottery ticket would be nice too. The answer may be a gentle no, but God still listens ~ Always!

God never blocks us, either. While some consider Hell in the afterlife equivalent to a Twitter "block," the truth is that God never blocks anyone -- even Satan.

Those who are in the condition of Hell block their connection with God themselves. They hit that little "I don't want to talk to God; I don't want God to see what I say and do; I don't want to hear what God has to say" button on their Twitter account (allegorically).

But always remember: as one can always unblock someone  on Twitter, one can likewise always unblock their connection to the Divine... even from the depths of Hell.

Whether something big in my life, or something as simple as managing my Twitter account, I can learn and grow by asking the simple question:

What would God do?

~ESA