Cold Sores

Starla Ellison

July 25 at 12:23pm · Edited · 

If you know me then you know I get a LOT of cold sores. I always have. But recently- quite by accident- something dawned on me. I've not had a lot of cold sores this year. It's actually been months since I've had one and I usually have one every two months or so.

Then I realized the ONLY thing I've changed is that I quit drinking pop/soda on December 31st! (I didn't drink a lot to begin with- we just aren't soda drinkers but I did have one occasionally) Wow! So, if you get a lot of cold sores- it just might be the pop/soda.

My friend, Dave : )

Starla Ellison

July 26 at 9:36pm · 

From the heart to every part- God's love is extended.

I want that kind of love to flow through me.

How's your love life?
1 Corinthians 13:7
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

ALL THINGS. - Dave Loser

We cry out like Paul! Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

I am not a news junkie. Maybe more like a news avoider. Seriously, it's just depressing. So much evil, so much sadness. Why are people so evil? Why do people want to hurt, manipulate and control others?

Well, here is the answer:
Genesis 2:15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Genesis 3: 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

Romans 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a (*the original Greek says,THE) lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Genesis 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

THE lie? "You will be like God". Be your own god. Independent of God, their Creator. Since then man has tried in every way to be their own god. They- we- believed the lie. And boy, haven't we made a mess of things?

But that's not all that happened when Adam and Eve chose to go their own way:

Romans 5: 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 5:15 For if by the transgression of the one the many died

Romans 5:18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men,

So through that one act of disobedience, sin entered the world and death the result of sin and condemnation to all men. Sin, death, condemned!

So, back to the original question- Why are people so evil? Why do people want to hurt, manipulate and control others?

Every person born since Adam and Eve are born sinners. Condemned. All will die. Objects of wrath. Children of satan. Slaves to sin.

That's why. You, me, we are born sinners.  As sinners, our tendency and inclination IS to sin. But we were not created for sin- we were created to be loved, accepted, have worth and significance- feel secure . But the One that created us with those needs can be the only One that can fill those needs. Yet, being born in sin- independent of God- we try to fill those needs in every way we can. Through power, control, manipulation. Through drugs, relationships, sex, alcohol etc etc etc. Or maybe we try to fill those needs with good things- trying to be a "good" person, exercise/diet/physical appearance, humanitarian work, religious etc etc etc. See- they all have the same root, being independent of God. Hey, it sounds like that tree Adam and Eve were told not to eat from- and yet they did, huh? The tree of knowledge of GOOD and EVIL. But it's not the Tree of Life.

We cry out like Paul! Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

If you are interested in the answer to this-well, I'll be teaching on Romans 5:12-21 next Sunday morning for my associate pastor, Joe- his Sunday school class. Come and found out. Message me if you are interested.

Today is a new day....

Starla Ellison

3 mins · Edited · 

I want to be who God created me anew to be. I just do. Every part of me- body, soul and spirit yearns to simple be who He created me to be.

On March 8, 2000 when I truly believed in Jesus- Who He is and what He had done for me on that old rugged cross and that He defeated death and rose again- YES! I believe this! It is true! Then God made me a new creation in Christ and the old Starla was gone. It took me about 8 years and someone to point these biblical truths out to me- for me to understand this. I was walking around a brand new person on the inside and didn't even know it. Romans 4:17b God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

But now, I know these truths and He continues to reveal more and more of Himself to me. Where do I go from here? Time and time again Jesus has spoke to me and told me it's time to go where He is leading me. I've said time and time again- and in various ways, "Ok, just let me get this straightened out and I will."

Something always comes up- and I make those excuses. I know what it is: 1) We've worked SO hard to get where we are today that I feel that if I take the next step everything we've worked so hard for will fall apart and it will be my fault. 2) I am simply scared to do this "new" thing.

I guess you could say that again, I am an unbelieving believer. I'm doubting God's calling, God's sovereignty, God's provision, God's protection. I admit it, I like feeling secure. I like things all lined up in a row. But listen to me! I am making God out to be an insecure God- a flaky God! A God who calls yet doesn't provide? I am making God sound like a weak human being and that IS NOT GOD! I am believing the lies of the enemy, of my flesh and of the world.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

I have been putting my fears and the lies I am believing IN GOD'S PLACE. I am allowing the doubts and objections to consume me. I am allowing the unknowing and what-if's to rule me. What is the truth? If God has called, God will be Himself- all of Himself- to me. Provider, Sustainer, Friend, Listener, Encourager, Strength, Convicter, Victor, Hope, Peace- and that's just a drop in a bucket that has not bottom. He IS!

Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This life has passed so quick. I am 45 and if I live as long as my paternal grandparents then my life is half over. Do I want to live another day in doubt of God's plan and purpose? Do I want to spend one more day like I've spent the last several months- confused and indecisive? Or do I want to spend the next part of my life BEING and TRUSTING and ABIDING and RESTING?

I believe with all my heart- that having an intimate fellowship and oneness with Jesus is the whole purpose of every person's life. I believe He came to set the captive free. I believe He came to heal the broken. I believe He has spoke these truths to every fiber of my being and He has called me to proclaim these truths.

I believe- and now what? Do I take this next step or do I wait another month, another year, another decade until I'm 90 and I say, "Yeah, God called me to this but I was so busy...."

So, unbelieving.

I have decided to listen and follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.

If you have made it through this long post would you pray for me? Pray for my courage. For me to boldly take the next step. Pray for my family-my encouragers- as they stand beside me. Thank you. : )

Oh that woman at the Dollar General yelling at her kids!!!!

Starla Ellison

16 hrs · 

Parents- for future reference:
If you scream at your child in a public place (and privately for that matter) then do not be surprised 8-10 years down the road when that said child- screams back. And don't wonder why that child 1) doesn't know how to control their emotions, their anger or their mouth 2) doesn't respect you.

Just take a GOOD LOOONNNNNGGGG look in the mirror. It's called learned behavior.

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  Crystal Pridgeon Berry Seriously. I struggled hard with this bc I am loud anyways. It is work. I catch myself getting to that point before it happens.

  Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
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  Starla Ellison Crystal Pridgeon Berry- I'm a former yeller. I completely understand. I hate that I was like that- but like I said, it was learned behavior- I didn't know any other way to communicate or get results (except through fear and intimidation). I had no idea how to even control MY emotions, anger or mouth. But that is NOT how God wanted me to mother my children. Then when God began to speak into me 7 years ago, He completely changed how I respond and react. I had to get to the root of WHY I behaved that way. Life is much more peaceful for me and my kids now : )

Freedom in Christ by our very own Kaitlyn Pianella!

By Kaitlyn Pianella

July 3, 2012 is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. That day marked the end of a yearlong fiery trial God used to humble me, stretch me, and grow me into a deeper intimacy with Him. My husband, SSGT Chad Pianella, was coming home from a 12-month deployment in Afghanistan with the South Carolina National Guard. We sacrificed a lot for our beautiful state and our great nation. Chad deployed ten months into our marriage, when I was four months pregnant with our first child. We found out three weeks before he mobilized that we were having a baby boy. Chad came home for two weeks of rest and relaxation the day before Titus was born, and returned to Afghanistan the day Titus turned two weeks old. He and Titus got to rekindle their father-son bond a few weeks before Titus turned eight months old.

During the deployment I struggled with others’ lack of empathy toward military families and the sacrifices they were making for others’ freedoms. My heart was cold in the beginning towards those we were fighting against, but God quickly softened it. I could have spent that year harboring anger and resentment, feeling like I had been cheated because I spent my first wedding anniversary alone and pregnant, and my firstborn’s milestones were celebrated without his father.   Instead, God used all those undesirable events to humble me and isolate me so I could experience freedom in knowing Jesus as the source of my love, acceptance, worth and security.

“For you are all children of God through faith. And now that the Way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” (Galatians 3:24-27, NLT).

Paul writes that the law was our guardian until the Way of faith came. The law was given to show us that we were sinners. The law’s intent was never to save us, but to point us to the One who would save us. It is through belief in Christ and what He has done for us that freedom is found. Once we have placed our faith in Christ, we are given Jesus’ identity. It’s like putting on new clothes. We have a new nature, Christ’s nature. We are a new creation. Therefore we are considered children of God. 

Recently my beautiful state was terrorized by someone who was deeply disturbed and blinded by hate. This individual took nine precious Christ-followers’ lives in their place of worship on a Wednesday night in Charleston, SC. The attack took place four hours away from me, and I had spent the four days prior in the perpetrator’s hometown of Columbia, SC. I pondered if I could have been in the same department stores and service stations as he. He was arrested the next day, an hour away from my home. Saturday evening after the attack, my family of four and I were eating at a Chinese restaurant, and an African American lady wearing a purple shirt walked in and gave me a huge smile. Immediately, I heard in my heart, “I wish I could hug her.” 

She ordered her food and sat across from my family. In the midst of our dinner my body got up, and I started asking the Lord if He was really calling me to do what I thought He was. I approached the woman, whose shirt read “The Color Purple.” I bent down and asked, “Do you mind if I hug you?” I bawled as we embraced and she prayed aloud over me, “Father comfort her heart and release her from whatever is weighing her down.” I agreed with her in spirit and expressed that He already had, and that I was so sorry for everything that had happened this week, and she whispered, “Oh, sweetie, soon everyone will know.” I replied with more sobs, “I knew you knew it was more than a skin issue.” Again she replied, “Soon the whole world will know.”

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (Galatians 3:28-29, NLT).

There are no more races. Skin and bloodline are no longer the issue. Who we are born of, born as, or work for does not define us. We are born of the Spirit. We are a new creation, new nation, a new people in Christ. There are only two types of people that now exist. There are believers and non-believers. Believers are those who are found in Christ, and non-believers are those who have not placed their trust in Christ. I will take it further. Just because you are “good” and do good things does not mean that you are found in Christ.

“For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (Galatians 5:4-6, NLT).

We cheapen grace and God’s power to redeem, restore, and resurrect us to a new life when we try to earn His favor. Freedom is found in Christ. True freedom lies in trusting that Christ’s life was a fulfillment of the law given to acknowledge our need for Him. . .that His death on the cross paid for our sin. . .that His burial and resurrection gave you His identity and His life in and through you. Just like the lady in the Chinese restaurant said, soon everyone will know. The family members of the Mother Emmanuel AME Church displayed the power of the freedom found in Christ as they graciously asked the one who had wronged them to turn to Him. Freedom found in Christ causes the military spouse’s heart to pray for other hearts to turn to Christ in the places her soldier’s boots touch.

Are you experiencing the freedom Christ came to give you? Please tell us about it in the comments.

Thanks for visiting Ask God Today. We would love for you to subscribe to our website so you won’t miss any future podcasts or blogs from all our great writers. We have a great time and want to get to know you better. Subscribe here and get a free gift from us. You can also follow our Facebook Page.

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About Kaitlyn Pianella

Kaitlyn Pianella is a busy young woman after God’s own heart. She is a SC native who enjoys the daily life adventures the Lord guides her through as she is conformed to the image of His Son. Her adventures include changing her toddler Ivey, while chasing her preschooler Titus, and wrangling her English Springer Spaniel Banjo. She works as a Cosmetologist, Blogger, and Children’s Director. One of her most challenging yet purposeful adventures has been her 6 year marriage as a military wife to Staff Sergeant Chad Pianella. Kaitlyn is confident in her purpose to speak Gospel truth and love into women of all ages using her God given witty sense of humor and her spiritual gifts of exhortation, shepherding, and teaching. You can find her blogging at CuttingUpWithKaitlyn.com and

http://www.askgodtoday.com/2015/07/10/freedom-in-christ/

My Connie

I take so much in life for granted. We all do. We just expect things to always be the same, never to change. But life is all about change, change is continually happening. Sometimes we can see the change, sometimes we can't.

Yesterday after work, something that has never happened before- happened. Some of you are going to think- well, that is so silly. But to me it was first time experience.

Yesterday my Connie came over and swam in the pool with Allison and me. We just kind of swam around and talked and laughed. So, what's the big deal about that?

Connie is the mother of my adulthood. She is my mentor, my prayer warrior, best friend, a grandmother to our children. She is realistic, honest, devout, fun-loving- and trusts God. She seeks to know Him more intimately, daily. She loves Him.

And yesterday- she came over and for the first time in my life I went swimming with my mother and my daughter. Just us- floating around the pool. Whole. Healed.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.