Giving Thanks

WOW!  It has been a crazy few days!  My book was released on line Thursday (was not even expecting it to be so soon!)  I have been receiving the most amazing messages of support and thanks and LOVE!  GOD IS GOOD!  I am overwhelmed and humbled by the response.  I know that the Lord is bringing healing, freedom and RESTORATION!!!!!!!!  I am so thankful for all the opportunities He is giving me to share what Daddy God has done for me and what He so wants to do for others =) 

So I want to always give thanks to God for bringing me this far and for putting a good word in my mouth to share!  I thank Him for hearts He is opening and healing.  I praise Him for empowering me to do what He has called me to do.  I am thankful for clear visions and the release of any fear to walk this path.  I LOVE MY DADDY GOD!!!!!!! 

I am thankful for everyone that the Lord had placed in my life and for everyone He has set to cross my path in my future! I am thankful for YOU!  For reading this blog.  For praying for me.  For supporting me.  For encouraging me.  YOU really do make a difference!  THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

You are a part of this life changing journey =)  There are so many hurting people out there and together we WILL reach them with the message of HEALING and RESTORATION!!!  

Please help spread the word on the book release!  Going FAR and WIDE!!!  
Book can be purchased here on this blog (through Amazon.com), Barnes&Noble, Books-A-Million, AbeBooks.com, and Authorhouse.

Radical Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  What do you believe God for?  Do you have faith that He can do it?

The Bible lets us know that we have not because we ask not (James 4:2), so what does this mean?  You can pray for anything and if you have faith, and it pleases God, you WILL receive it.  God seeks to show Himself!  He will use those who are seeking Him.  The more you seek Him to more radical your faith will become!  You will find yourself believing God for some radical things!!!  TRUST ME, when you let go of doubt and realize that God is the same today as He has always been, radical things WILL begin to happen!!!  The more He does for us the more we can do for others!!!!  DO NOT be afraid to receive that!

There are NO LIMITS to what Daddy God can do through us!!  NO LIMITS!!  The only limits are the ones we allow others to put on us.  When you KNOW that the Lord has put a dream in your heart do NOT let other people cause you to doubt what GOD says!  In fact, ask and trust God to surround you with people who will support and encourage!  The truth is, when you KNOW you have heard from God, there really is nothing that can convince you otherwise.  When your dreams catch up with God's dreams for you....it's the most beautiful place to be!!! 


So ask yourself::  Are you believing God for the impossible?  Are you believing God for radical things? Are your ready to receive those things?  Are you ready to be RADICAL and CONTAGIOUS???!!!

BE RADICAL TODAY =)

Freedom in Letting Go

There is freedom in letting go of things that either we can't control or things that simply do not matter.  I have learned (mostly the hard way) that it is very selfish to hold a grudge.  It is damaging to hold on to hurts.  I have been treated badly in my lifetime and people have hurt me in ways that I did not deserve but for me to hold on to that only gives the enemy a foothold in my life!  I spent too many years holding on to all the hurt.  I missed out on so much joy because my attention was focused on that hurt.  Then I went through a time when I decided to let it go but I settled on the fact that I had lost that time.  I would just move on and accept things lost and just hope for better things to come.  Then The Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit and assured me that not only would all those things be restored to me but Daddy God goes above an beyond when it comes to restoring His children!!!  As I released the hurt feelings, guilt, self blame and even the hard feelings I had towards other people, something amazing began to happen in my heart!  It grew deeper and deeper to where I was able to hold more and more of the LOVE that God had for me.  The LOVE He wanted to give to me and the LOVE He wanted to show THROUGH me =)  I became a LOVE CONTAINER!  The more of self I released, the more of Him I became.  I could, for the first time, see others as Jesus saw them.  I was beginning to love others in a way I have never experienced before. 

There have been many things I have had to "let go" of and allow The Lord to take over.  I believe that with the Love of Jesus, there is no relationship that is beyond His ability to completely restore!!!  When those relationships are restored the very face of Daddy God is shown =) 

There are still times when the devil will bring something (or someone) to my mind and I can feel those old hurts trying to surface.  At that very moment I have a choice to make.  I can either allow myself to respond to those feelings in a damaging way by dwelling on them.  I mean there have been times when an old hurt will surface and I will start talking about it with myself!  I can talk myself into being hurt all over again!  The other (an wiser) choice is to SPEAK to the one who is bringing it up!  I say, sorry devil but I have already dealt with that and I do not have to deal with it anymore!  It is done, I have released it and God has taken over that area of my life.  I then can replace any negative feelings with the TRUTH in God's Word!  There is that "renewing the mind" again!  hahaha  The more of God's TRUTH I have planted inside of me the quicker it springs up in my spirit when Satan comes against me! 

As I prepare for my book release I am still releasing parts of my past.  I want to be clear that as I release the hurts of my past I also remember what God has done for me.  I do not tell my story to remember or relive my past.  I share it to give testimony as to what God has done!  I share it to encourage others!  I am living proof that there is nothing The Lord can't do.  He can take the absolute worst things and use it to bring Glory to Him.  He can turn bitterness to JOY and hurt to HEALING.  It is through Daddy God that we receive FREEDOM!

On a book related note; I received notice that I will be receiving the first copy of my book in 10-15 days!  Talk about a journey!  It has been a waiting time and a growing time.  I am so ready for the next phase of this amazing journey!  As soon as I receive my copy of the book it will be available for purchase!  I will share the details on where and how you can get it in the VERY NEAR future!  I am doing most of the promoting on my own so spread the word within your circle =)  Thanks again for all your support through prayers and words of encouragement!  I claim blessings flow through you today!  May we all get SOAKED in the blessing and the LOVE of Daddy God today =) 

My Latest Blessing

Welcome to my latest BLESSING!  I started this blog having no idea how it would affect my life.  It opened my world up to share myself and receive so much from others!  The messages and emails I get everyday are nothing less that inspiring.  After a couple of weeks I began to pray for God to increase my blog!  I wanted to reach out to MORE people and have a more appealing blog page.  As I prayed I knew that God was working on my behalf so I just trusted HIM.  HE NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!!!  A couple of weeks ago I received a message from a dear friend (who lives too far away!)  She designs blogs and said that The Lord had impressed on her heart to custom design a blog for ME!  THIS is how I can tell you, and KNOW that it is TRUTH, that Daddy God provides our EVERY need!  He knows the desires of the hearts of His children and He desires to fulfill every one!!!!  (as long as it is good for us and honors Him). 

 

I also have a book update.  I had sent in my adjustments last Friday and had not heard from the publisher.  I have been sending emails all week with no reply!  I was getting a little worried so I called today and found out that my design contact had a death in her family and has been out all week!  She will be back on Monday and things will pick back up.  Please say a prayer of comfort for Jenny =)

 

So after they make the corrections (can take 2-3 weeks), I can sign off and have it sent to print!!!  By the way, I am BELIEVING for it to be quicker than that!  I am getting so excited and so ready to share it with the world!  Daddy God has some pretty amazing opportunities on the way and I am preparing to step into every one of them. 

 

So, enjoy the new "Look" and stay as long as you like =)  If you have not joined the blog yet, well, what are you waiting for????!!!  hahahaha  I look forward to hearing from you.  Also, don't forget you can join up with me on facebook.  My page is under Teena Elrod and I also have a page under "Familiar Stranger".

 

Lastly, THANK YOU to my amazing and talented friend, Jhen =)  Your desire to BE LOVE has enriched my heart!  (I have a link to Jhen's Blogs:  From Here to Eternity and Stark Love Photography).  Visit her and prepare to be BLESSED!

 

 

Book News!

I am super excited!!!  I have been waiting for my book proofs to come and yesterday THEY CAME!! 
They had told me that the cover may have to have some adjustment so I could not hardly wait to see what it would look like.  It is a little different (more like I had originally wanted it).  I LOVE IT!  I cannot wait to share it with everyone!  I also had to read through the "inside text", which is my life, to make sure I was happy with the layout and design.  I am happy to say that I sent it back with only 3 adjustments!  After those adjustments are taken care of, it's DONE!!!  Wow, I have been on this journey for so long it feels a bit strange to think that it is coming to an end.  But as this phase ends I know that a much different phase is just beginning, and I am SO EXCITED!  The Lord has filled my heart with this love story and I am ready for it to be told!  I am ready to tell it! 

As I read through the "text" of my book yesterday I was reminded once again just how far Daddy God has grown me and I was (and still am) overwhelmed my His LOVE for ME!!!  Then I daydream about the future He is leading me into and my heart feels like it is on the verge of bursting =)  

So now I just wait..... but I have found so much joy in the waiting.  After I sent in my transcript and began talking with the publisher about the process of publishing, I knew there would be "wait" times.  I'm normally not a very good "waiter"!   Then, the publisher suggested I start this blog.  My first thought was, oh no!  I really had no idea what I was doing. But I dove in and just worked my way through!  I began to pray for God to show me how to increase my blog.  I knew He was working on my behalf and I just trusted that He would show me what to do. HE NEVER DISAPPOINTS!   He has sent me a helper (I will share more about this later).  I will say that, just like He always does, He has sent the perfect person to help me!  He never does anything halfway, but always wants the very best for His children =)    I also must say that it didn't take long at all for me to fall deep in love with the world of blog!  God has blessed me through the lives of those who have joined me on this journey. 

GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!  SO GOOD!!!!!  There is absolutely nothing He cannot do through a willing child!  He has given me BIG DREAMS!  I dream them on purpose!  I dream them almost like I am practicing them before they come to pass!  Oh, the things He has in store!!!  Hope, joy and excitement rise up on the inside of me and fuels my expectation for my future!  It's gonna be WILD; it's gonna be GREAT; it's gonna be FULL OF HIM!   (from the song; "Come away with Me" by Jesus Culture)  I listen to this song and just allow my Daddy God to minister to me =)


BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Storms

Although I have a hundred topics I want to blog about today my mind is fixed on the weather!  We have had some pretty ugly storms in our area the past couple of weeks and last night was a bit scary!  I acknowledge that I have dealt with my fear of storms (tornadoes) and I have come a very long  from the nights of dragging (and I mean literally dragging) Max and Hunter into the closet during a storm.  I have had full on panic attacks before and during a storm.  I associate storms with the night I was raped because it was storming that night.  In my mind for years storms reminded me of bad things happening.  I believe that was a curse!  The enemy planted that in my mind and it took root deep inside of me.  I have worked really hard at uprooting that lie and as I sit here right now I have all the confidence in the world that I have all authority over that fear.  When the skies go dark and the trees bend from the wind however I seem to shrink down to that girl that has not yet learned she has power! 

Thank God that I know where the fear comes from and that I have found TRUTH to cover the lies.  Satan cannot take my power and authority away but he does try and distract me.  NOT TODAY!  Today I am going to fill myself with God's TRUTH and His truth tells me that fear is a spirit, and it does NOT come from God! 
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7)

Talk about God sending a word right on time!  As I was writing this blog (and struggling over my fear and the storms that are predicted for this afternoon and night), God sent a beautiful vessel to speak a word to me!  My friend stopped by and I was telling her what I was blogging about and how I can feel so confident before the storm hits and powerless when it arrives at my front door.  She reminded me of Peter!  How his confidence faded as he took his eyes off of Jesus!  She told  me to keep my eyes on Jesus (and what He has said).  I am so thankful that God sends me friends that know The Word and are not afraid to speak it when needed!!! 

I have a lot to do today and I am praying for the weather to be stable and for no damage or injury to come from any storm that may develop.  I am now going to write a few scriptures down to put in my pocket so I can speak it when needed and share it with those around me =)

Today seems to just be a rambling of thoughts!  BUT, I am strong in the Lord and I claim the truth of 2 Tim. 1:7....I do NOT have a spirit of fear but POWER, and LOVE and A SOUND MIND!!!

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Growing Time

I have always dreaded waiting times!  Times when you have to wait on something (or someone).  I am almost always early everywhere I go because I dont want people having to wait on ME!  Over the years I have tried to make good use of times when I am forced to wait.  If I'm at a doctors office and have to wait, I have my phone so I can keep up with the world,  I read the paper, or return emails, or look over my datebook, sometimes I even journal.  The same is true when waiting on the Lord.  We are not to just sit and twiddle our thumbs until we see manifestation!
 I believe we are to stay in action, always preparing for what we will be called to step into next. 
A lot can happen during those times we are waiting on the Lord!  Sometimes bigger things happen during the waiting than the thing we were waiting for!!!

I spoke with my publisher yesterday and it looks like my book will be complete in about a month!  This was good and bad news....you see I was really hoping it would be finished sooner.  So as I let go of my disappointment, Daddy God began to speak to me!  I knew almost immediately that it was ok, that His Hand is still on me, that I'm and still operating in His favor!!!  It is good to be loved by Jesus =)  He is always on time!  (an attribute I was remended of by a friend!!) 

So, because I am self publishing and am responsible for all things financial, I will be doing a lot of self promotion of the book.  I am going to take this time to collect my thoughts and put together a plan to promote my book!!!  Today I am thanking the Lord for giving me the time, that I didn't even know I needed until He gave it to me, to work on this portion of preparing to release my story! 

Daddy God says to us:

"Come away with me,Come away with Me
It's never too late, it's not too late
It's not too late for you!
I have a plan for you
I have a plan for you
It's gonna be wild!!!
It's gonna be great!!!
It's gonna be full of Me!!!!!!!!"

One of my (many) favorite songs!  By Jesus Culture!

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Breaking Free

I spent (too) many years living in bondage.  The spirit of fear overtook my life!  Of course guilt, condemnation, insecurity, and isolation were as much a part of my life as breathing.  It took all my energy to "pretend" I was ok, that I had it all together.  I'm not even sure I pulled it off.  For the most part, I think those around me thought I was ok.  There was nobody at that time that knew the "real" me!  I was not listening to God during that time.  I was talking TO Him but not WITH Him!  The enemy, however, had all access!  I believed all the things he was telling me.  I allowed him to steal my confidence! 

I believed that my past would determine my future so the present seemed pretty hopeless.  That is how the enemy works.  He keeps us so focused on lies that we don't see the TRUTH!  I'm not sure when it happened but the time came when that TRUTH started to rise up.  I started reading scripture and was reminded Who I belonged to!  I still spent too long trying to "figure it all out" when all I had to do was just trust and believe.  It really IS that simple!  See, that is another lie the devil tells us.  That we have to jump through all these hoops to be delivered from bondage!  That we have to do enough "good" to cover all the "bad" we have done.  That we have to take our punishment for past mistakes to be forgiven.  ALL LIES!!!  Once it "clicked" with me that all I needed was Christ and His Truth,  my whole life changed!  I began to renew my mind by flooding it with God's Word, and BELIEVING IT!!! 

Satan wants our confidence in who we are most of all.  If he can get that,  his work is pretty much over because we will do the rest for him!  That is why Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to guard our hearts with all diligence!!!  Once we get in our hearts that we are children of the King of Kings we cannot help but walk in the confidence that NOTHING can separate us from that FATHER!  That truth will make you physically stand a little taller!!!

I was able to break free from the bondage and that is proof enough that it is possible!  God is a life changer!  His Word is TRUE!!  ALL OF IT!  In His Word He replaces every lie of the enemy with HIS TRUTH and PROMISES! 

Do not misunderstand me, there is still trouble in this world, but we have been given the ability to overcome the things of this world!  We have everything we need to rise above, press through, and retain JOY! 

WoooHoooo!!!  Anybody feel a shout rising up??!!  hahaha

If there is a topic you would like for me to blog about please let me know!  I am so loving the messages I am getting =)  I have some rockin' blog peeps!!!!!! 

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

PAID IN FULL!!!

Praise The Lord!!!  As of this morning my book is COMPLETELY paid off!!!  God has worked in and through people to accomplish this task.  I am excited for the release (still do not have an exact date).  I hope to have more information on that when I speak to the publisher today or tomorrow =) 

As I stood drying my hair this morning I reflected on this recent journey and with each miracle came strength and assurance that our God is GOOD and He is LARGE AND IN CHARGE!

He reminded me this morning about speaking TRUTH!  His Word is truth and His promises are REAL!  I have several confessions that I speak over myself from God's Word.  I'm going to share the one I confess the most!!! 

Psalm 91

1HE WHO [a]dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

3For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

5You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

6Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

7A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

8Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

9Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,(A)

10There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

11For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

12They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.(B)

13You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.(C)

14Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

15He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

Then I SHOUT;  TAKE THAT DEVIL!!!!!!!

My message to the devil is this; I'm going to winning; even when it looks like I'm losing I'm WINNING!!!!!!! 

I encourage you to SPEAK to the mountain in your life! Confess Psalm 91 OUT LOUD!  There is power in speaking The Word out loud.   SPEAK to the enemy, remind him WHO you belong to! 

I am falling in love with the Blog world and all the wonderful people =)  I absolutely LOVE the messages, emails and comments so keep them coming!  I am a stay at home wife and mom so I don't get out much!  hahaha    Now bless someone with your WORDS today!

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Excerpt from my book

Today I am sharing an excerpt from my book, "Familiar Stranger; Journal of a Rape Survivor"   that will be released soon.

Each time I take the opportunity to open up and share my story I get a little anxious but I am trusting the Lord Who is leading me,  to cover me and my story with His anointing.  Most of my book is made up of entries into my journal.  I did, however go back and kind of "set up" each section.  This part that I am sharing today is talking about my experience after the rape and my first contact with the police and hospital. 


(Excerpt from, "Familiar Stranger; Journal of a Rape Survivor")

When the police car pulled up, we walked outside. There were two officers, a male and a female. The male officer was the one who asked the questions. The female just sat there. We sat in the car as I gave my report. I didn’t give any details, only that I had been raped by someone I did not know. I said I went with him because I thought he was taking me home. I had not asked to go to his house. I told them he drove a van. I gave them his first name. That is really all I remember in the police car. They then drove me to the hospital. I remember going into an exam room and standing on brown paper to get undressed. They combed my hair into a bag. Scraped under my fingernails. Then came the hard part. The exam itself. I remember being very cold. To the point of shaking. I was already very sore. A lady took photos of me. Without my clothes. They gave me a pill, and a shot, of what I do not remember. They kept my clothes and gave me other clothes to put on. The thing I remember most is that no one touched me unless they were retrieving evidence. No one came in and put their arms around me and said everything was going to be OK. Maybe because it wasn’t. I remember the police talking to me about pressing charges, and if I went to trial whether or not we would use my real name. At first I told them I didn’t care what I had to do, I wanted him to go to jail. I’m not sure what all else happened right after that, but the next thing I can remember is the lady police officer asking me if she could take me home. I said yes, I really just wanted to go home and take a shower. I wanted to see my boyfriend. I was so afraid of how hurt he was going to be.

I really do not know how to end this blog so I will simply sign out with....BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

Who's to Blame?

One of the issues as a rape survivor is, who's to blame?  For years I blamed myself.  Did the decisions I made lead to my attack?  Did I ask for it?  Was I just to stupid to see it coming?  And the big one; was God trying to get my attention or teach me a lesson?  I struggled with these questions (and many more) for years.  I settled, for a time, on blaming God, but not in a bad way!  I was scared to be mad at God so I just figured He had His reasons and I would just be gracious and accept it and move on.  I even thanked God for choosing me to be sexually assaulted!!! 

 WOW!  I blow my own mind sometimes at the things I believe!  I find it very interesting that I never placed the blame where it belonged.  I never blamed the rapist.  Don't get me wrong, I knew what he did was wrong, and I was hurt on a level that I cannot even express in words, but the emotion that I reserved for the rapist was, wait for it.......sadness!  Yes, I felt sorry for him!  Even before I knew why, I felt sorry for him.  I just could not for the life of me wrap my head around how he could have been so evil.  Why was he so evil?

  It was only after God reveled some TRUTH to me that the blame was to rest on the one responsible for all that evil.  It was Satan!  The ruler of the darkness.  See, God is LIGHT and there is NO darkness in Him!  It is the enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  God comes to give LIFE and give it in abundance!!!  I was giving God credit for something the devil was responsible for!  My Daddy God is a life GIVER!!!  Satan is a life killer!  I also came to the understanding that my rapist made choices, out of his free will, he allowed himself to be so influenced by the enemy that he was capable of  caring out the unspeakable acts that day.  God didn't give him the ability or instruction to rape me! 

 I do not have ALL the answers but I do know what the Lord has reveled to me and shown me.  Everything else is on a need-to-know basis and when I hit that point I replace my questions with TRUST and FAITH that God is the ultimate winner and I will be delivered to my place at His feet when HE sees fit, NOT when the devil says so!  See, if it were up to Satan, I believe he would have taken me out that day.  BUT GOD!  God was with me then and He has been with me everyday since, and He still has work for me to do in HIS Name! 

 When I share this belief, some have asked me why I think God "allowed" this to happen to me.  Why do bad things happen to good people???  In case you haven't noticed, we live in a fallen world!  All I know is that God is GOD and I trust Him.  He is ABOVE Satan and his demons that roam this earth!  And a day is coming when HE will stand and even the demons will bow down!  I am on HIS side, no matter what!  I have had this vision of the demons bowing and all evil bowing like cowards, and all of GOD'S CHILDREN are standing behind Him peeking around His robe, safe behind DADDY!!!!  At that time we will no longer have to exist in a world filled with evil.  BUT, until that day comes, it is up to us (as Christians) to speak TRUTH into as many lives as we can!  Greater is HE that is living inside of me!  We have the Holy Spirit as our helper, and we are to be a witness to the LOVE and SALVATION of Jesus Christ!  Let's live our lives like we have been changed, and be LIFE CHANGERS!!!!!

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!