The following story came in as a comment from just1ofhis a short while ago. I loved this little story so much I wanted to give it a special place here. Enjoy!
Quacking away…
This is off topic just a bit, and I know M’Kayla has answered it before on this site. For those who want to label us as judgmental, it is something to consider. For those who post on this site, I hope it makes you smile.
We have a small flock of ducks on our property. Last winter, a weasel dug into the duck pen and killed all but two of our ducks. Ducks are very gentle and have no real defense other than flight. They are a lot like sheep that way. My ducks couldn’t get away. They were trapped in that pen. All of our drakes (males) were killed. Those drakes got in the way to protect the ducks and were the first to be killed. Had they not done this, we would probably have lost all of the birds.
Anyway, this female was gravely injured. We brought her into the house and cared for her for a few weeks; and, to our amazement, she rallied. Though she limped around the yard for months, she has now fully healed. She has become our warning signal in the yard. If anything is wrong, she starts just a quacking away. She is always on the watch. If another duck wanders off, you’ll find her in the yard just quacking and quacking. She is awesome!
I think that’s what a lot of the posters on this blog are like. We were trapped in a “pen” of false teaching. When the weasel got in, we couldn’t simply fly away. So we were gravely injured. We know the pain of it, and we hope and pray to help others avoid it. Praise God, that He got us all through it!
So now we quack away. It is a warning. I, for one, plan to keep quacking and quacking…not like those in the “Toronto barnyard”, but like one equipped with the Word of God…rebuking, correcting, encouraging. To those who find it offensive, I pray for you and accept that criticism like “water off a duck’s back.” I believe that’s what “turning the other cheek” is all about. Thank you, M’Kayla, for a platform to “quack”.
m'kayla's korner 
I LOVE stories like this that so clearly reveal greater truths. Here in Eugene, Oregon (home of the U of O “Ducks” football team) there is constant wordplay on the word duck, but I like this one much better.
Will quack for truth,
Phyllis
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I can’t say enough how much this little story meant to me and that it came in perfect timing. It is so encouraging to know I am helping others. Especially that I am in a very dark time in my life right now. I am thankful and grateful to the Lord for all He has done for me, for all He has done for the readers here. The pain and suffering of life makes it sometimes easy to forget these things and I welcome the reminders when they come – not for my own glory or fame, but for His. We are nothing without Christ.
It has been my prayer that many will come to the truth in reading the things posted here. I am only a part of this picture because my readers who take the chance to comment have shared so much with me and the world. I say “chance” because it is quite risky to share painful stories. It is becoming risky to share faith. And to the share the truth is to literally put your neck on the line. It seems the weasels have grown some mighty teeth.
Thank you my friends. And thank YOU for this awesome little duck story. Every time I see a duck now I will be reminded of this moment.
Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
Now, QUACK away! 🙂
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🙂 THANKS FOR THIS!!!
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Pingback: QUACKING away… « DiscernIt
Nice to see you back. Thanks for this encouraging word. Unfortunately, many people don’t like “quackers.”
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Paul didn’t paint a ‘love fest’ picture when he bid farewell to those elders at Miletus. He told them to realize that when he was gone that wolves(false agenda driven teacher / elebrities) would not might come, but WOULD come to attack the sheep! Now days you don’t dare confront a myriad of “itching ear” false teachings, and doctrine less you hear a out of context chorus of, “Judge not less thou be judged!”
I remember in the ’70’s when it seemed “deliverance ministry, and spiritual warfare books were selling like hot-cakes, until, at last it got to be so rediculously out of hand that demons were being found under nearly every rock. Now days, some forty years later, its as if demons are throwing rocks (for example via psychologised Christian ministry models) and no one dares ‘blow a trumpet in Zion’… lest a hail of stones come from many parked in their padded pews of indifference.
Keep your Quacker in good order dear sister. You’re a rare bird.
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This is great Mkayla. And you’re right, it’s been risky to comment on here with all the buzzards circling and weasels trying to slip in, but Jesus said to shout the truth from the rooftops, so we persevere. Thanks for encouraging all your brothers, sisters and “quackers in Christ.” We love you.
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Love this because I fight feelings of guilt for speaking up and not “loving” or “judging” other fellow believers. What’s true is true PERIOD! Thank you 🙂
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I shall continue to quack as long as my beak ain’t broke! Great story and easy to remember next time someone fusses about me saying anything.
Jesus spoke in parables too so I’m sure His seal of approval’s on this one as well.
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Awesome, very encouraging story. Thanks for posting this M’kayla.
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Awesome, very encouraging story. Thanks for posting this M’kayla.
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A chorus of quacking ducks….that’s what I heard outside my window this morning as they were waiting for my boys to feed them. It just made me smile.
It reminds me of Gideon (Judges 7). He started with an army of 32,000 men, but God thought that was too many. “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her’.” (Judges 7:2) God whittles them down to a mere 300 men to face this army vast as “locusts” camped in the valley. What do these men do? They held their positions (vs 21), broke the jars covering their torches so the light could be seen (vs 20), shouted (“A sword for the Lord, and for Gideon!”) and blasted on their trumpets. That was it. God did the rest.
“I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:38)
That is both humbling and encouraging. Stand firm (Mat 24:13), let your light shine (Mat 5:14-16), and proclaim the Gospel (“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim form the roofs.” Mat 10:27). God does the rest. He is so awesome!
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WOO-HOO! Beautiful – and I love the duck pic, was thinking of finding some myself! haha
We love you LORD!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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So appreciate the story, since I’ve come under fire in my own household for “quacking”. Some receive it as just a noisy disturbance or as causing division and sadly don’t perceive the real danger lurking. God help us!
I still struggle sometimes with WoF concepts and discerning a delineation, for example between the “Faith Force” teaching and the true meaning of “your faith has made you well” & “he had the faith to be healed” verses like: Matthew 9:22, 29, 15:28, 17:20, 21:21-22; Mark 5:34, 10:52; Luke 7:50, 8:45-48, 17:19, 18:42 and Acts 14:9. Any clarification you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
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4plumb,
I know it can be mind boggling to get to the bottom of this issue. But when we put it into proper perspective and context the truth becomes much more clear. Once you see it, you will wonder why you never did before. And you will never return to deceptive teachings!
Jesus Christ came to earth as the Messiah to the Jews. They knew that only God could raise the dead, heal the sick and forgive sins. This is what we see Christ doing in the gospels and He did this to prove who He was. When He posed the question of faith, or stated the person had faith, I believe it was in conjunction with the faith of WHO HE WAS, the Messiah, the Son of God.
The word of faith/prosperity lie says something completely different. They believe healing comes as a force, it is a power. This is true in the new age – native american – reiki – chi – kundalini- etc. teachings, however what goes on there isn’t true healing from God but an imitation “feeling” from demonic power. This is very much what we see going on in these healing ministries. It is quite powerful and very convincing, but not of God.
God heals as He wills, not at the command of a person for Him to do so. Not everyone in the bible was healed and there are a few accounts in the NT of people – disciples who were SICK! 🙂 And what of true believers? They were beaten, stoned, rejected, left to live in the wild, in caves, were hungry, thirsty, tired – most had no homes – as Christ. How is it that we can think we deserve better? All that is taught in the wof/prosperity is in direct opposition to the bible. Their teachings sound good and appeal to our sense of pride in that we are “deserving” because we are children of a KING. Pride plays a very big part in deception.
If we look at people who operate these healing ministries – are they healed? No. They need doctors and dentists, wear glasses, hearing aids, have all kinds of physical problems, and many have had surgeries. A simple example that their healing power does not really work.
The false and prophetic movements, so to speak, are what I came out of. I have first hand knowledge in what really takes place in these areas. It was only after the Lord opened my eyes to the truth that I could really see it for what it was. This is why I started my blog and you will find quite a bit of information on the healing question here.
As you read, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
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4plumb,
M’Kayla did an awesome job of answering this. I believe that a lot of people who post on this sight can relate to what you are going through.
I had a conversation a few months back with a woman I know who is a devoted word-of-faith follower, which helped bring this issue into greater clarity for me. She kept repeating, “God can’t help you, unless you ask.” If you ask me, that is the opposite of true faith. Her faith is in the believer’s ability to correctly summon God for what he or she needs, thereby giving God “permission” to act on his or her behalf. If they don’t understand the secret code to asking, they are just out of luck. He can’t help them. It is a “works” based, superstitious doctrine that brings people into spiritual bondange. God doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do anything.
I know that God knows what I need, even before I ask Him. But, the Bible tells me that I don’t even know what to pray for:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:26-27)
How blessed are we to have a Heavenly Father who loves us so much, that He even helps us pray out God’s will for our lives. I come broken and humble, not even knowing what to ask Him for; and He helps. That’s faith. I don’t know the “god” who can’t help you. But I trust with all my heart in the God who can and does…beyond all I can think or imagine.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is work within us. to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20)
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4plumb,
One more note…
James 5:13-16 makes one of the most direct statements toward the “prayer of faith” in the Bible.
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the LORD. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the LORD will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
I personally believe that we are absolutely to be praying for each other in all areas of our lives. I believe that the LORD often does lift people up in response to these prayers, but NEVER to a man’s glory…only to His own (and NEVER where His Word is twisted and maligned). I wanted to include the passage; because, in our effort to dispel fasle teachings and gospels, I think we sometimes sound like we don’t believe in miracles. I know that God hears every single prayer I pray. Sometimes I see them answered immediately. Sometimes I see them answered over time. Sometimes it seems as if He couldn’t have possibly heard me, because I never see an answer. And yet, that was the answer. He had something better in mind.
When I was in the WO(l)F church, I privately asked God to fix my vision. He didn’t. I know with absolute certainty that He heard me, and that He can do this. I still need glasses. But, boy, did He fix my vision! I was blind and following blind guides. He gave me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart of flesh (not stone). Then He reached down and lifted me out of the den of wolves and set me in a spacious place and gave me rest there. All I was asking Him to do was clear up some nearsightedness. See, I didn’t even know what to ask Him for!
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Thank you M’Kayla and just1ofhis for your insights. I know the Lord will continue to open up and clarify this for me… He ALWAYS does!
You are so right when you describe the “spiritual bondage.” It’s depressing, exhausting, defeating, paranoid, superstitious and prideful at the same time. No wonder it’s the devil’s M.O. (misery loves company.)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)
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I like this topic – recognizing truth & rejecting falsehood – and perhaps that’s why, since my early days as a Christian, I was fascinated by the Urim & Thummim. two objects placed in the breastplate of the high priest to divine Gods judgement on a matter in question [I just learned that this is referred to as “cleromancy” – cool word, huh?].
What I have come to realize is that the Holy Spirit now takes the place of the Urim & Thummim. In fact,Christ & the Apostle John are clear on this point, as spelled out in the farewell discourse and 1 John chapter 2. It seems that abiding in Christ, recognizing that Gods word is truth, and that the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth are the three great basic safeguards that the Christian has against falsehood. I mean, think about that – how GREAT is that? God gives His children these WONDERFUL tools so that we may be wise. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12.
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Pingback: Quacking away from M’Kayla’s Korner. | Char seeks the Truth in Love.
Over two years ago I signed a contract with WestBow Press to self publish a book. Describing my mental state this past weekend as discouraged is an understatement. This afternoon I read the blog on John Paul Jackson and the comments. Well, most of them. I came back to read it again but found this post. It reminded me of a duck story I had saved about 20 years ago.
My book is about culling sacred cows from the Word. It’s been a tough two years. lol
I had already written in my book about the townsfolk reaction to Gideon’s obedient to God by pulling down the false worship altars; they wanted to kill him.
Folks take their traditions very seriously.
I’m so encouraged to find this blog.
Oh, in case anyone might enjoy the duck story:
I was walking by Seattle’s Lake Union with a friend when she explained, “Look at the deep diving ducks!”
In the water bobbed several black and white ducks. My friend, a former park service naturalist, explained, “They don’t just dip their heads in the water to feed; they dive to the bottom where food supplies are richer. Most ducks are capable of deep diving but are content to feed on the surface.”
How often we Christians feed on the surface! We munch on good sermons, gulp books by Christian leaders, take a nip of Christian radio, nibble on taped messages, or snack on devotions. We are content with these when a feast of gourmet food and clear, thirst-quenching water awaits us if we dive into the scriptures, seeking to know God better, to learn God likes and dislikes, God’s plans, God’s thoughts.
The surface food is necessary and nourishing, but the best is discovered when we dive deeply and spent time studying God’s word, learning what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us. (Unknown)
I think my soul is a tame old duck,
Paddling around in the barnyard muck,
Fat and lazy with useless wings.
But sometimes when the north wind sings,
And wild ones hurtle overhead,
He remembers something lost and dead,
And cast a sad, bewildered eye,
And makes a feeble attempt to fly.
He’s not too bad for the shape he’s in,
But he isn’t the duck he might have been!
(Unknown)
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Very nice! Thank you!!!
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