Tag Archive | integrity

A Lifetime of Devotion

Jun19

It is interesting to me that on this commemorative day, June 19th, a most important day of freedom, my parents chose to renounce their independence–committing their lives to each other.

I am thankful for both!

Thankful, the slaves were finally freed from an atrocity that should never have been. Thankful, that my parents made a commitment that has lasted a lifetime!

I honor both celebrations this day, in much thankfulness to God!

My latest book, “His Voice in My Heart the Journey,” is dedicated to my parents, Tom and Grace Bloxsom. In this dedication, I wrote that they are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year. I was mistaken–should have done the math! This year my parents are actually celebrating their 72nd year of commitment and devotion to each other. A rare feat these days! I commend them and give thanks to God for giving them this strong foundation of tenacity and love for each other.

My dad, drew strength from strong, deep roots. His parents, Ottie and Addie Bloxsom (yes those are their real names and not nicknames or shortened) maintained the same devotion and commitment to each other until death. These same roots carried into a lifetime family business.

My brother, along with my cousin’s son are still maintaining Bloxsom Roofing Company; a business my grandfather started with his four sons back in 1925. My dad was just 12 years old when he began his lifetime career in roofing. Two of my brothers, cousins, and a second cousin all committed their life’s work to this company as well. It is a company built on a strong foundation of honesty, integrity, and hard work . . .

In just four years, Bloxsom Roofing, will be 100 years old!

Still going strong. Still based on integrity, honesty and hard work. I honor my grandfather, grandmother, dad and mom, who’ve lived a lifetime of strong values.

I honor my brothers and cousins (male and female) who worked hard, and continue to carry the baton–long after my grandfather, uncles passed and my dad retired.

I honor the Lord, their True Foundation, Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone.

Thank you, Mom and Dad! May you live out the remainder of your life in peace and contentment. May you find joy and blessing in every day!

Happy 72nd Anniversary!

I love you forever

A fellow blogger, Mr. Teague McKamey, author of the blog “A Voice of One,” has recently posted a review of two of my books, “Comfort in the Challenge” and “His Voice in My Heart.” He has been a follower of my blog for several years and one of the rare few that I follow as well. There are many, many good blogs out there, but I rarely follow; simply because I don’t have the time to spare. However, I was intrigued with the multi-faceted talents of Teague McKamey.

What I have learned over the years is that, not only is he a family man, enjoying a wife and two children, but he is a songwriter, singer, and guitar player; a Bible teacher, preacher, poet, and published author. He is active in his church and maintains a blog; displaying a myriad of thought-provoking subjects, contemplation of ideas, thoughts and inspiration. Yet, if that isn’t enough, I just learned through Teague’s review that he is a Social Worker by trade. I expect that I cannot do justice to this man’s inquiring mind, so why don’t you inquire for yourself and get to know him. Click the link below to read the full review, and while you’re there–take a look around!

https://thevoiceofone.org/2021/04/29/his-voice-in-my-heart/

Thank you, Teague, for your thoughtful and wonderful review of my books. In it, you have written my heart, greatly honored the Lord; and you witness in your spirit, the Holy Spirit, confirming that this work is truly not from me but from Him! I so appreciate how well you understand that, and how beautifully you have expressed it to the world.

Several other readers have provided heart-felt, encouraging reviews of my books. You may read them posted on my publisher’s website by clicking the (Home) link below and searching out each book under shop or author. Thank you, everyone, that has taken the time to read my books and express your experience of them. It is helpful to those interested in purchasing and a great blessing to me! In taking the time to review, you are honoring the Lord and giving support to His work. May the Lord bless you, abundantly, in return–ALL Glory be to God!

Home

Many thanks to you all ❤

Lori J. (Bloxsom) O’Neil

The Steadfast Heart

Jul9

When you are steadfast, you are immovable; convinced that no matter what comes your way you will not change your mind. I approve of this for I AM unchanging.

My Word is steadfast and it does not change

How many there are that allow sin to remain in their life, convinced that I approve. Their thinking is twisted, for I cannot approve sin. This is the deception that gives them permission to sin, but there is no authority in deception. Deception has no permission to give.

Deception does not give it takes

It robs one of life by weaving a web of lies over their mind and eventually their heart–one lie at a time. With twisted truth deception begins; lie accepted, conception wins.

The heart that began to drift with the mind, hungry for suggestions of a different kind. Restless and lonely they seek to be pleased–an open door for Satan’s tease…

The web is weaved one lie at a time–a woven trap that binds in due time. Pleasure is deceitful, beauty is vain.

But for the heart that remains steadfast–

True freedom it will gain!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going. A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is careless.” Proverbs 14:15-16

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:13-17

I AM here for all things–I AM here to see you through

Look to Me before you leap

Look to Me before you sleep

I will see you through!

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:3-8

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints.” Proverbs 2:6-8

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:58

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:27

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!” Psalms 57:7a

 

 

To the King!

Apr17

Tenacious perseverance is required to reach the maturity level I would like My saints to obtain. I find very few willing to pursue this–a level of excellence. Not a prideful stance, but a level of integrity and service that declares you to be the servant and the son of a King.

Ours is a unique relationship. You are a son and yet, like the Son who came to serve, you are a servant. A royal priesthood willing to lay down all for his brother is a beautiful and rare gift. A gift that, if acquired, will last. For when you obtain that level of maturity you will have suffered through many things

and

You will understand completely that the evil one has no power over you.

You will fully know how to utilize My Word in every situation you find yourself in.

and

You will love your brother as yourself–esteeming him highly as a prize of the King. Those who love Me to this capacity–who honor others before themselves; will wear My Crown of Glory.

True riches it will bring–

To the King!

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalms 119:1-3

“If you really fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.” James 2:8

“and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44-45

“Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:2-5

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. but the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed” I Peter 3:8-14a

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11

 

Never Look Back

Mar22

Narrow  is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it. It is indeed a narrow path, but it is hard packed and well-trodden. For all who walk the narrow way, follow in the same footsteps, they follow their Lord.

Jesus Christ, the gate whereby you enter–there is no other way to enter into life everlasting, but by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Once entered by the Blood, you must follow in His footsteps; for He alone knoweth the way to the Father. I AM the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.

You are in good company on that lonely path. Those who have gone before were men and women of strong faith and utmost integrity. They weren’t afraid to be different and were not ashamed to declare allegiance to their Lord, King Jesus. Who once bore the shame of the world, that you might become righteous.

Those who have gone before you, found the narrow way and are seated with Him in heavenly places, at the right hand of the Father.

Ruling and reigning

With Him

Whose footsteps they tracked

Never to look back

Never look back!

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10

“I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:5-6

“–whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him; he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way, in which he walked.” IJohn 2:5-6

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalms 119:1-3

 

Relax

Mar17

I have constrained you, but for a season. Preparation is required for you to become fully dependent on My direction, My signals and cues.

We Move as one.

Yes, you know My ways, but do you know Me so intimately that you know what I will do in your life before it happens?

I thought not.

Work closely with Me. Allow Me to teach you as a personal mentor. I have observed your every move in life, but have you watched Mine?

I thought not.

So, there is more to learn. Think of My constraints as a comfort zone, that I have arranged for you; to allow you freedom to learn and grow within My parameters for your life.

In other words…

RELAX

Give yourself time to grow, knowing that I AM in control.

All is well…

All is well!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

“He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will abide among the wise. He who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds admonition gains understanding. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.” Proverbs 15:31-33

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” Proverbs 2:6-10

“A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” II Corinthians 2:14