The Way of Cain

The Way of Cain

The Way of Cain

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Warfare

Scriptures: Jude 8-11, 1 John 3:10-12, and Genesis 4:3-8

Jude 8-11
Likewise these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

1 John 3:10-12
In this the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not from God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Genesis 4:3-8
And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the first born of his flock and their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry and his countenance fell.

So, the Lord said, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

 

I was watching the news the other day and they were interviewing this man from Great Britain, Winston Aubrey Aladar Marshall, a former band member of Mumford and Sons, but because he spoke up about things like Antifa and BLM, he had to leave the band. He was being persecuted for speaking the truth. In the interview, he was speaking about Ann Widdecombe, who was a former governor in parliament who was murdered for her stance on protecting life in the womb and biblical marriage. He then mentioned something I never heard before, “The spirit of Cain,” or also known as “the way of Cain.”

When I thought about Cain in the past, I felt sad for Him that God did not receive his offering because he was a tiller of the ground. I came to find out after reading some commentaries that God did not accept his offering because Cain was coming to God on his own terms; he rejected God’s way. Cain’s heart was not right before God. The way of Cain is a rebellious and prideful religious system; they are consumed with jealousy, hatred, envy, and they will even murder others who disagree with them. They have sexually perverted God’s design for marriage and sexual intimacy.

Does this sound familiar? This is what people today on the extreme left are doing. If they don’t like what you are saying, they will silence you by killing you. It’s been almost a year since Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight with thousands of people present. What a tragic and very sad thing.

How did we find ourselves under the spell of this insidious spirit? For those of us who had abortions, we terminated our child’s life because they stood in our way. They did not fit into our plans at the time. We were our own little “g” god. We wanted to control our own destiny. They were an inconvenience, a problem to be taken care of. How heartless of us. We were blinded and deceived by the evil one instead of recognizing the beautiful gift from God that they were.

For those of you dear ones who have been abused, that same spirit of Cain caused the perpetrator to be taken over by this prideful evil spirit, doing things that were ungodly and an abomination in the sight of God.

This same spirit seems to be in those who are running for political offices here in the U.S. as DSA Democratic Socialist of America, aka communism. Many of them have won in cities such as New York City, Portland, Washington DC, and it’s definitely concerning.

What are we supposed to do about this? I would say, first if you are an American citizen and are not a registered voter, you need to be. Second, you need to vote in every election. Get involved at serving at the polls or distributing voter guides to inform people of the issues and the candidates. Luci and I met back in 2010 when we were distributing voter guides to our churches. There are still organizations you can get that information from.

How do we combat this evil spirit? The answer can be found in the verse above in Jude , “The Lord rebuke you!” Also pray that God will remove the blindness so these people can see clearly the error of their ways and receive the beautiful and life-transforming power of the Gospel and be saved. We need to build and continue to have relationships with family members and friends who have become disillusioned and bitter about God and our country. We need to speak the truth when we can, if we can, and never stop praying for them.

Articles of interest:

You can research this topic on www.GotQuestions.Com search the Way of Cain.
https://www.gotquestions.org/way-of-Cain.html
Six Characteristics of the Way of Cain, Pathway to Victory, August 7, 202, ptv.org.
https://ptv.org/devotional/six-characteristics-of-the-way-of-cain/

Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about, “The way of Cain?” Have you heard about this before?
  2. Have you personally experienced this spirit through another person’s words or actions?
  3. Please pray for our nation to come back to God.
  4. How can we pray for you?

Please do not allow the evil one to gain even more ground. Stand on the truth, defend the faith, and vote your conscience. Please reach out if you need to talk, toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,
Toni

Back to BLOGS

Freedom That Lasts: Celebrating Independence Day Through the Freedom Found in Christ

Freedom That Lasts: Celebrating Independence Day Through the Freedom Found in Christ

Freedom That Lasts: Celebrating Independence Day Through the Freedom Found in Christ

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV)

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Freedom That Reaches Deeper

As Americans gather to celebrate Independence Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and determination of those who fought for our nation’s freedom. Fireworks light the sky, flags wave proudly, and families come together to celebrate the blessings of liberty.

But while political freedom is a wonderful gift, there is another kind of freedom that reaches much deeper—the freedom found in Jesus Christ. No matter what our past holds, Christ offers healing, forgiveness, and a new beginning.

Freedom From the Weight of the Past

Many women carry burdens that no one else can see. Past mistakes, broken relationships, abortion, abuse, shame, guilt, fear, or regret can become invisible chains that keep us from experiencing joy and peace.

Jesus came to break those chains.

Scripture reminds us:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36 (NIV)

The freedom Christ offers isn’t based on our performance or our past. It is rooted in His grace, mercy, and unconditional love. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we are invited to leave behind condemnation and embrace forgiveness.

Healing Begins With Surrender

Freedom doesn’t mean pretending the pain never happened. It means allowing God to enter our broken places and transform them into something beautiful.

God Turns Ashes Into Beauty

Isaiah 61:3 tells us that God gives us “a crown of beauty instead of ashes.”

That promise is at the heart of every healing journey.

At My Ashes to Beauty, we believe no story is beyond God’s redemption. Whether your wounds come from abortion, loss, addiction, abuse, or other painful experiences, the Lord specializes in restoring what feels impossible to repair.

Healing often begins with one simple step: surrendering your pain to the One who already carried it on the cross.

Walking in Your New Freedom

Just as our nation celebrates freedom every July, believers can celebrate spiritual freedom every day.

That freedom allows us to:

  • Let go of shame.
  • Receive God’s forgiveness.
  • Experience His peace.
  • Walk confidently in His purpose.
  • Share His hope with others who are hurting.

Your past does not define your future. God’s grace has the final word.

Celebrate the Greatest Freedom

This Independence Day, enjoy the celebrations with grateful hearts—but don’t forget the greatest freedom ever offered.

Jesus invites every weary heart to exchange guilt for grace, fear for peace, and ashes for beauty.

If you’ve been carrying hidden burdens, know that you don’t have to carry them alone. Christ’s love is greater than every mistake, every regret, and every painful memory.

Today can be the beginning of a new chapter—a life marked not by your past, but by God’s redeeming love.

As we celebrate our nation’s freedom, may we also rejoice in the everlasting freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

 

My prayer for you is that you will experience all of the deep and lasting freedom the Lord has provided for your spirit, soul, and body.

Please reach out if you would like to talk this week: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Here for you,

Toni

Back to BLOGS

The Memorial Stones: Remembering What God Has Done

The Memorial Stones: Remembering What God Has Done

The Memorial Stones: Remembering What God Has Done

By Toni Weisz/Abuse Recovery

Scriptures: Joshua 4:4-7, Revelation 12:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Acts

1:9, Romans 8:34, and 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Joshua 4:4-7
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

We see several times in Scripture that God commanded the children of Israel to set up a memorial of remembrance for what He had done for them. These memorials were to be shared with future generations so they could see what great things God had done for them. I believe it is important for us to look back as well to see where we’ve come from and remember what the Lord has done for us.

Think back to a time before you knew the Lord, when you were walking in the ways of this world and living your life for yourself and your own selfish desires.

What did your life look like before Christ? Tell others the wondrous and amazing things that God has done for you. There is power in your testimony.

Revelation 12:11a, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the power of their testimony.”

There is power in you sharing your testimony. No one can dispute what the Lord has done for you.

My Testimony:

When I was 12 years old, I decided the “good quiet” persona was not working for me. I was not getting the attention that I longed for. So, I decided to take another path, one that would lead to self-loathing, addiction, destruction, and death. I was blinded and unaware of the evil that I would do to myself and to others. My unhealthy destructive choices would only intensify with age and become more and more grievous as I plunged headlong into drug and alcohol usage, promiscuity, smoking, and ultimately an abortion. I just wanted to be loved, but instead I was used by others, and I used them to fill this void in my heart. I would continue on this self-destructive path until I was 34 years old.

Then one day in January 1994 in a small Baptist church, I heard the gospel for the first time: Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on the cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world, was buried and rose again on the third day and ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It was His love for me and you that kept Him nailed to that cross. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Acts 1:9, Romans 8:34)

I don’t deserve His love, but it is the sweetest gift I have ever been given. I have been forgiven from my sin debt and set free to live the life He created me to live. I am so humbled and grateful to Jesus for His work and for my relationship with Him. I am a new creation in Christ; old things are passed away, behold, the new has come. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:17) I have a new life, a new purpose, and a new song in my heart thanks to Jesus.

I pray this topic has encouraged you to share your testimony. Please reach out if you need to talk, toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,

Toni

P.S. If you have never written out your testimony, I suggest you do. It’s an incredible exercise. and it will fill your heart with joy, hope, and thanksgiving to God for all He has done for you.

 

 

Back to BLOGS

Mental Wellness and Relationship with Jesus the Healer

Mental Wellness and Relationship with Jesus the Healer

Mental Wellness and a Relationship with Jesus the Healer

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

In the journey of mental wellness, many people are searching for more than coping strategies—they are searching for true, lasting peace. For those navigating the emotional aftermath of trauma, including abortion or abuse, healing often requires both practical support and spiritual restoration. A relationship with Jesus as Healer offers a powerful source of comfort, renewal, and stability for the mind.

Understanding Mental Wellness After Trauma

Mental wellness after trauma involves caring for your thoughts, emotions, and overall psychological health. Trauma can leave lasting imprints—such as anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression, or feelings of guilt and shame. These mental patterns can feel overwhelming, especially when they persist over time.

Mental wellness is not about ignoring these struggles. It’s about learning how to respond to them in healthy ways—developing awareness, building resilience, and creating new thought patterns that support healing. This is where both intentional habits and spiritual connection become essential.

Jesus the Healer and the Mind

A relationship with Jesus is not only spiritual—it deeply impacts mental and emotional health. Throughout Scripture, Jesus is shown as a healer of the whole person—body, mind, and heart. He meets people in their brokenness and brings restoration, not condemnation.

When the mind is burdened with anxiety, guilt, or pain, turning to Jesus can bring a sense of peace that goes beyond circumstances. His presence offers rest for overwhelmed thoughts and comfort in moments of emotional distress. For many, this relationship becomes an anchor during seasons of mental instability.

Renewing the Mind Through Faith

One of the most powerful aspects of mental wellness and faith is the concept of renewing the mind. Trauma often plants negative beliefs—about self-worth, safety, or identity. These beliefs can become deeply ingrained.

Through a relationship with Jesus, those thoughts can begin to shift. Replacing lies with truth—such as moving from “I am broken” to “I am being restored”—is a key part of healing. This process takes time, but it creates lasting mental and emotional change.

Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, or sitting in quiet reflection allows truth to take root and reshape how you think and feel.

Practical Ways to Strengthen Mental Wellness

While faith is foundational, daily practices also play an important role in supporting mental health. Combining both creates a balanced approach to healing:

  • Prayer and Quiet Time: Helps calm anxious thoughts and create mental clarity
  • Journaling: Allows you to process emotions and track your healing journey
  • Community Support: Encourages connection and reduces isolation
  • Healthy Boundaries: Protects your mental and emotional space

These habits, paired with faith, help build consistency and strength in your mental wellness journey.

Healing from Guilt, Shame, and Emotional Pain

For those walking through post-abortion and/or abuse recovery, mental struggles often center around guilt, shame, or self-blame. These emotions can be deeply rooted and difficult to release.

This is where Jesus as Healer becomes especially significant. His message is one of forgiveness, grace, and new beginnings. Bringing your pain honestly before Him—without hiding—creates space for healing to begin. Instead of carrying the weight alone, you are invited to release it and receive peace.

Moving Forward with Hope and Healing

Mental wellness and a relationship with Jesus work together to create a path toward wholeness. Healing is always not instant, and it’s not always easy—but it is possible. Each day is an opportunity to take a step forward, to think a little differently, and to experience a little more peace.

If you are on this journey, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. Jesus meets you where you are—in the middle of the struggle—and walks with you toward healing. With time, intentional care, and faith, your mind can find rest, your heart can find peace, and your life can move forward with renewed hope.

Being in a space where others understand—where you don’t have to explain or hide—can make a meaningful difference. Post-abortion and abuse recovery support groups, like those at My Ashes to Beauty, are created to offer that kind of safe, compassionate environment. We invite you to join us on a conference call, a safe place where you can speak honestly about your abortion or abuse, in an understanding and loving environment.

Please reach out if you would like to talk this week: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Here for you,

Toni

 

Back to BLOGS

Hidden Grief

Hidden Grief

Hidden Grief

By Toni Weisz / Recovery Tools

Scriptures: Psalm 34:18 and Psalm 51:17

Grief has a way of showing up quietly. Not always in ways others can see—but deeply, intensely, within.

In Scripture, we see this kind of grief in the life of David.

David wasn’t a stranger to sorrow. He experienced loss, regret, and deep emotional pain. In one of the most difficult seasons of his life, after his own failure and its consequences, David found himself overwhelmed with grief.

And he didn’t hide it from God.

In Psalm 34:18, he later writes:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

That wasn’t just a comforting idea—it was something David lived.

David understood what it meant to feel brokenhearted, to carry sorrow that others may not fully understand, and to wrestle with both grief and the weight of his own choices.

And yet—he brought all of it to God.

In another moment of honesty, David writes:

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

David didn’t try to hide his grief.
He didn’t pretend he was fine.
He didn’t push his emotions away.

He brought his brokenness fully into the presence of God.

And that’s where healing began.

Grief after abortion can feel complicated—just like David’s grief was.

There may be sorrow mixed with regret.
Questions mixed with silence.
Feelings that don’t seem to fit into neat categories.

But David’s story shows us something important:

God is not repelled by your grief—He draws near to it.

You don’t have to have the “right words.”
You don’t have to sort out every emotion first.

Like David, you can come as you are—honest, broken, unsure—and still be met with compassion.

Grief is not something to rush past.

It’s something to bring into the light—gently, honestly, and at your own pace.

And sometimes, healing deepens when you’re walking through that grief with women who have walked that road and now experience the healing that is available to you.

Being in a space where others understand—where you don’t have to explain or hide—can make a meaningful difference. Post-abortion support groups, like those at My Ashes to Beauty, are created to offer that kind of safe, compassionate environment. We invite you to join us on a conference call, a safe place where you can speak honestly about your abortion, in an understanding and loving environment.

David didn’t heal by ignoring his pain.

He healed by bringing it to God—and allowing himself to be seen in it.

You can do the same.

Your thoughts:
If you’re dealing with grief right now and would like to be as honest as David was about his grief, what would you say to God about your grief right now?

Please reach out if you would like to talk this week: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,
Toni

Back to BLOGS