My Life - An Inspired Adventure

What are YOU thinking about?

2013-12-23T02:28:00.001-06:00

Think about what you're thinking about. Do you ever do that? Really?

Thoughts --> Emotions --> Actions

Knowing and Doing are two different things.

Aren't they?

You may KNOW it, but not do it because of an emotional disconnect that influences your actions in a different direction. Our emotions drive us more than we realize.

So you KNOW something.

But then EMOTION enters.

Now a decision must be made!

Do you do what you FEEL based on your emotions...

Or do you do the right thing which may go against what you're feeling is fair in that moment?

THAT is the crossroad.

The next time you come to this crossroad YOU CAN CHOOSE DIFFERENTLY and begin getting different results in your life.

How?

Renew your mind.

Say what?

Here is a suggestion... Start reading God's Word and let His Word renew, refresh, and rejuvenate your mind.

This process puts RIGHT THOUGHTS in your head
...which drives your emotions
...which influences your actions.

So even if you FEEL like doing what you want... your mind renewal will drive you towards what you should be doing.

It all starts in your thinking.

What are YOU thinking about today?

Overwhelmed? Struggling to believe?

2013-04-05T14:33:00.000-05:00

We are too quick to believe the circumstances in front of us. If God believed what he saw, we wouldn’t exist and there would be darkness.

Has God ever told you something in your heart?

Do we see what the bible says?

God can’t lie. If he speaks, it happens.

He said there was light and there was light.

If he says there will be a purple polka dotted horse, there will be a purple polka dotted horse.

It has to happen if he says it.

BUT we are TOO QUICK to believe the circumstances in front of us.

God has ALREADY given us every amazing and incomprehensible blessing that we could ever imagine and many that we can’t. BUT we live within the confines of time. They haven’t all manifested yet… AND we can block him by not agreeing with him. Our words about ourselves and our lives need to align with God's.

So we need to be thanking him EVERYDAY, EVERY MINUTE for that which we simply don’t tangibly see in our life yet, but which we have already been given.

Don’t give the enemy a foothold. Don’t believe him!

Don’t believe your circumstances.

That’s how he sucks all of our authority and power away. We GIVE it away.

You are more than a conqueror.

YOU ARE A DAUGHTER OF THE KING!!!!

Think like a royal… one who has AUTHORITY!

(If you're not a female, you're still a child of God with this inheritance. Embrace it. Live like it. Think like it. Speak like it. Watch it unfold!)

CHANGE: Bite the FEAR Bullet

2013-03-04T17:14:00.000-06:00

Why don’t we like to change? Because the status quo is comfortable, it’s familiar, it’s a known factor in our life. We LIKE it, we can count on what we know or what we THINK we know.

The fact is that life throws a lot at us and in the past many years and in the coming years, events are occurring all around us that are causing us to have to adapt and change.

We don’t like to change because it usually involves unknowns, we like to have control and to know what’s going to happen. Unknown situations are scary and we want to avoid fearful situations, so we don’t change because we just don’t know what’s on the other side of that change.

Yet the bible says, “FEAR NOT!” over 300 times.

Usually in school when the teacher repeats something more than once, there’s a reason. It’s IMPORTANT! (And it’s probably going to be on the test.)

Fear not, I am thy shield
– Genesis 15:1

Fear not, I am with thee
– Gen 26:24, 2 Chronicles 20:17

Fear not, neither be discouraged
– Deuteronomy 1:21

Fear not, Be strong and of good courage
– Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20

Fear not, I will help thee
– Isaiah 41:13

Fear not, I have redeemed you, called you by name and you are mine - Isaiah 43:1

Fear not, I formed you in the womb
– Isaiah 44:2

Fear not, and don’t be ashamed
- Isaiah 54:4

Fear not, the Lord will do great things
– Joel 2:21

Fear not, thy prayer is heard
– Luke 1:13

Fear not, I bring good tidings
– Luke 2:10

Fear not, believe and be made whole
– Luke 8:50

God is even more clear in 2 Timothy 1:7 where he says:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

What do you fear?

What if you go back to school and don’t pass a class?

What if you change careers and aren’t successful in that new field?

What if you go after a dream and it flops and you "look bad"?

What if you get out of debt, THEN you’ll have to make decisions about finances when it’s easier to have all your money tied up in creditors?

What if you open up to your spouse or start doing for them and they don’t ever come around?

What if you reach out to your kids and they act like they don’t want anything to do with you?

What if you change… and then revert to your old ways and feel like a failure once again?

What if you ask that girl out and she doesn’t like you?

What if you seek God and you can't find him?

What if…

These are all lies of the enemy to have you living in fear of the outcome so that you never try.

God doesn’t want fear to be any part of your thinking. He knows it is, otherwise he wouldn’t address it so many times. But he offers reassurance all through the bible that he doesn’t want you to fear, he didn’t make you that way.

So when you are faced with change and the fear rises up, know that your heavenly Father wants you to stand firm and know that he has your back and for you to FEAR NOT!

Inputs = Outputs; Are You Consistent?

2013-03-04T17:10:00.000-06:00

Life is like a boiling pot of water.

The pot is filled with water.

It's smooth as glass initially. Calm.

Then the heat is on and it starts to boil.

Then it starts to boil over.

If removed from the heat, it returns to a calm state.

Put the heat back on and it begins to boil over again.

Then it does boil over and creates a big mess.

The mess dries in the heat, hardens and becomes much more difficult to clean up.

How often is life like this? How often are WE like this?

If that pot were "managed", adjustments could be made to keep it from boiling over and creating a mess.

What if we managed our inputs more consistently? More consciously? Then our outputs might be more consistent.

What you put in determines what comes out.

Fill yourself with the things of God, he will help you rise above the circumstances so that whether the heat is on or not, you are consistent and not wreaking havoc on those around you. :)

Where Are the Chinks In Your Armor?

2012-12-20T15:38:00.001-06:00

Vulnerabilities... We all have them. Strengths and weaknesses. The enemy has listened to the words that come out of our mouths our entire life. He knows our weaknesses best. Even as we grow and overcome in some areas, there are always others where the enemy will come at us.

STAY VIGILANT!

My friend and I have discussed how we need to put on our armor and stay on guard. But armor has chinks in it and the enemy will find them. Be confident in the Lord, but don't underestimate the enemy. Know where your chinks are.

ARE YOU WEARING YOUR ARMOR?

My friend even mentioned researching the armor that knights wore and is trying to find out how they dealt with them. Is there a padding or cushioning? Did they just protect those areas and stay aware of them more?

Then today, God gave me the idea today, not just about armor, but a fortress. How do you protect it?

HOW TO PROTECT A FORTRESS AFTER ATTACK:

You get attacked once...what do you do? Respond with the appropriate weapons (in spiritual warfare you don't use physical weapons), reinforce the fort, stay vigilant.

You get attacked again... this time you were expecting it, you knew what direction it might come from because you know your vulnerabilities, respond, reinforce, stay vigilant.

You get attacked again... this time the enemy has a new attack approach, you respond, REASSESS, reinforce, adjust fire, stay vigilant.

COMPLACENCY WILL GET YOU KILLED

How often do we overcome and then get complacent thinking "I've GOT THIS!" and then the enemy comes at us from another direction.

Stay vigilant, friends. The bible talks about the devil "prowling around as a lion seeking his prey" for a reason. He's real and he wants to take us out.

THE ENEMY WANTS TO TAKE YOU OUT!!!

He wants to take out anyone who is effective for God. Anyone who gets in the way of his mission to steal those God loves or to get them to distanced from God.

Stay vigilant!

Questioning vs. Action!

2012-12-20T15:16:00.000-06:00

A Navy Seal team trains together, works together, builds trust and cohesion. The more history they build, the quicker they are to react to the command of one of their own. Because they have a history of pulling each other out of tough spots, covering each other's backs, correcting when one is out of line, etc. But when the chips are down, the team lead makes the call and they react without question, they just go and do.

We have a history with God and him covering our back, pulling us out of tough spots, correcting us, of him showing us a true loyalty.

Yet when he says go, we question. And I'm just talking about the small everyday stuff. Not even the BIG things.

Ponder how reactive (vs questioning) you actually are for God, the next time he whispers, "Go and do."

Introducing Jesus: Where Do I Fit In?

2012-12-20T14:46:00.000-06:00

So today's MUFHH (My Utmost For His Highest) devotional was PHENOMENAL for me. It would be for December 20 at www.utmost.org .

For some reason it hit home how getting people saved is not my burden, but his (Gods). I grew up Baptist. Hellfire and brimstone. Get saved, then NOT be told how to live, how to adapt, how personal it was, and it was all rules, with no understanding of the rules... not rules for punishment but for protection, not rules to be mean but to show how imperfect we are and our need for him.

I didn't understand where I fit in to this picture.

I grew up watching people become missionaries or go to seminary or bible school, watched them go on mission trips, or door to door handing out tracts. I was told about telling people about Jesus but it freaked me out, how do I do that without sounding like a zealot? I didn't understand where I fit in to all of that. What was MY call? What was I do to? How could I "do" for God? I didn't fit into the textbook roles.

All in all it eventually pushed me away in my late teens and early 20's. Oh God never left my heart, but my living was out of control. Seeking, searching, fulfilling, in whatever way I deemed in the moment.

This devotional today shares in the most simplest form I've ever heard for sharing Jesus. Here's what came to my mind after reading it, it's basically a hypothetical conversation between me and someone who doesn't know Jesus:
______________

"You need Jesus, but I'm not here to win you over to him. You see, everyone has an empty spot in them that needs filling. We all try to fill it with people, with physical gratification, with ambition, money, prestige, cars, houses, stuff, accomplishments, we try to earn, move up the totem pole of success, we try and try and try and often fall on our face and wonder why.

But the fact is that the hole in us can only be filled by the one who created it. So no matter what you do, you may find temporary satisfaction, but it won't last. The only thing that will give you true lasting satisfaction and fulfillment is a relationship with your creator. He's a gentleman, he won't force his way in. You have to ask him. He can't give you what you don't ask for.

So if you're going to turn away and scoff, well, that's on you, you're missing out. You will never know God until you turn to him and ask him to show himself to you. But if you want him, he's there for the taking. If you even turn towards him, he will start making himself known to you. But you have to want it. YOU have to seek it. You have to ask for it.

Until you do, you won't see him or know him. He'll keep himself behind a veil just beyond your sight. So you can scoff and question and be sarcastic and cynical all you want, but if you ever decide you want to know God and what he's all about, if you REALLY want to know, just ask. He'll start to show you."
______________

Wow. That's as basic as it gets. It's not about me saying "You need Jesus" and someone getting all offended and smart alecky and then me having to defend God with all of the fantastic numbers of scripture I have memorized.... It's about me making an intro and then loving them. Me making an intro and then letting the Spirit do His thing. I love them where they are at and put the ball in God's court (which to be honest, God ALWAYS has the ball, we just THINK we have it at times. ;)

A guy walked by my desk here at work and saw a bible website on my screen and started calling me "one of those crazies". He said "You know, more and more people AREN'T believing in God and at the end, there's just going to be a small group of you crazies...." (I was thinking, gee if you only knew how accurate that statement is. But not in the way that you think.) Now you have to understand that he is the type to argue about ANYTHING. We had a BRIEF discussion, but I found myself in offense (for God) and wishing so bad that I could argue God's case. But in this devotional, it reminds us that God doesn't need us to CONVINCE anyone, we don't have to defend him. He his OUR defender. We need to introduce him to others (and preferably have our loving actions likewise backup the intro) and if people don't want him, that's on them. It is not our burden to convince.

God created the hole. God creates the desire. Some fight it, some give in. He waits for those who want him. If we love everyone, then those who come around to wanting him, can more easily can see him through us. But it is not our responsibility to woo over every lost soul. That is actually God's burden. Our challenge is to NOT to get in his way and NOT be someone's stumbling block and to JOIN him in his work. :) I just found this so freeing, so thought-provoking, so awesome today.

Be Blessed!

The Daily Battle

2012-12-18T16:59:00.001-06:00

In the flesh, I often feel alone.

In the Spirit, I KNOW I am never alone. God says he will never forsake me.

In the flesh, I feel like I have to strive, earn, be accepted, be approved.

In the Spirit, I KNOW I am approved and I don't have to DO anything.

In the flesh, I want feel loved and wanted.

In the Spirit, I KNOW God loves me and approves of me because of what Christ did.

In the flesh, I feel insufficient 1/2 the time and like a conqueror the other half.

In the Spirit, I know that Jesus overcame it all, I AM a conqueror all the time and I win because Jesus won and God already has told us the ending.

In the flesh, I see my circumstances and question...

In the Spirit, I KNOW that God spoke things into existence before there was visible evidence. I need to follow his example and get my mouth into agreement with him.

In the flesh, I feel like God is never going to give me the desires of my heart at times... (of course, all the while forgetting all that he has already blessed me with...)

In the Spirit, I know that God doesn't just want to give me what I ask for, but things I can't even imagine...

In the flesh, I feel like God is waiting too long...

In the Spirit, I know that God doesn’t work within the limitations of time and he has already given me everything I could ever want, so I need to thank him for it, even though I don't see it yet. And because I live within the limitations of time, I need to wait for it to unfold and it WILL because he cannot lie.

When God SAYS something, it happens. And THAT'S all she wrote!

Hard to believe at times...

2012-12-17T14:57:00.001-06:00

A verse someone sent me:

He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

My comments:

Its hard as a kid to believe God will take care of that bully at school, or that older sibling who taunts you... Even as an adult, watching other adults say dumb hurtful things about things, events, or people you respect or care about... Its SO hard to remember that God says....

"Vengeance is mine! MINE! I am the GREAT I AM. I said I'd never forsake you. I said I only want good things for you! I said I will complete the work I've begun in you! I said I've got a plan for you - for a future and a hope. I said it. And when I TALK things happen. Light happens. Earth happens. Land and waters part. People get created. And thats just when I talk! But when I DO! When I came to earth and died to save you... THAT is when I gave my all. So stop...

...walking around like its so hard to believe I mean it when I say vengeance is mine! You can't see what I see. You don't have my vantage point or perspective! And half the time when you want justice it applies to you as well and you don't even realize you're asking me to wipe you out too!

So the next time you see an injustice. It's not against you. Its against me. I created you. So anyone who does or says something that hurts your heart - they are hurting and disrespecting ME! The one that created you. Its not about you, Dear One.

Rest in my arms. No matter what circumstances surround you - KNOW that its my fight, not your own. Know that my reputation is at stake, not your own. Know that I allow things to pass thru your life because they will shape, grow and mold you and I love you too much to leave you where you are.

No matter what, know that I am walking out each day with you. I am your constant companion. Always there and ready for consultation day or night. I've got your back. And I love you.

Love,

God"

Perspective on a 20 Child Massacre

2012-12-15T17:15:00.000-06:00

There was a massacre of 20 kids in the U.S. today and in this blog I want to offer a different perspective on it. One of hope.

I am heartbroken for the parents and families.

I am heartbroken for the emergency response personnel who had to work that tragedy.

I am heartbroken for God as he watches us down here.

What must he think?

He see's the media, the facebook walls, the tweets, the conversations between people as they try to figure out why it happened and place blame.

The fact is this world is sin-filled.

There is an enemy wreaking havoc on the "perceived good" people.

God says no, not one is good.

We all fall short.

Until we join him, this earth is going to continue to decay. But we don't have to go along with the world. We can choose God and his way and firm up our appointment to be with him one day.

He is all about relationship and that is what has decayed most on this earth.

20 kids were taken today.

And while we mourn on earth... I know that heaven is partying.

Those kids got THEE biggest welcome party they've ever seen. They KNEW Jesus when they saw him. They were likely greeted with great excitement by family, extended family and even family from generations back. You see, while we focus on what we've lost as humans, we forget what they are gaining... Those kids aren't suffering in this world anymore...because this world IS suffering compared to what we will have in heaven. Those kids aren't just in a better place...that's just cliche...they are in the ultimate place with the ultimate protector, father and lover of their souls and hearts.

Consider that. And let's start loving one another and reaching out. Maybe, just maybe the more of us that do that, will help prevent one more tragedy because ONE more person came to know God's love, forgiveness, acceptance and presence...

God makes all the difference.

YOU make a difference!!!!

Be blessed!

Are You a Blessing or Stumbling Block?

2012-12-15T16:54:00.000-06:00

This particular blog is about a LONG day that I had and I found myself feeling angry, pitiful, and self-centered. Here is my story...and how I walked it out...

I had a particularly long and hard day the other day. I've worked 37 days of 12 hr shifts (that is just for context, there are others who work a year at a time like that). The first week of that was 60+ hours of travel and then a week of 15, 17 and 21 hours of work. Then it leveled out.

Now a month into things, I had a particularly rough day. And of course this is on top of the fact that what little sleep I get, I am awakened by "noises" and concerns of personal security every hour.

So as that "bad" day ended at 14 hours, which means I was going to lose sleep because I had to be back at work in 10 hours. I missed the evening meal because I had worked through it and nothing is open at this time of the night. I was frustrated because the reason I worked late was due to writing a weekly status report. I grew angry rationalizing that the person who came on shift after me could have done it. But I said nothing and pressed in.

As I walked back to my room after work I was mad. Then as I walked I began to feel self-pity. I began to cry. Cry because I had to work late. Cry because I missed my meal. Cry because I was feeling sorry for myself. Then I got angry again. Why did I have to stay late? Why couldn't my counterpart have done it?

God began to show me Jesus. He showed me Jesus in the garden, at the most important moment of his life and his friends fell asleep. Did he get resentful? He showed me Noah and how Noah stood firm by God's promises for 90+ years through ridicule, just KNOWING it was going to rain. Noah arranged his whole life around the purpose God put in his heart.

The fact is that I just didn't have my routine down last week. This was my second time doing this report and to be honest, I should have been chipping away at it daily so that it wouldn't have piled up on Friday. The fact is that I took on this report from my coworker, it wasn't his responsibility, it was mine. The fact is that while things HAD been slow, all of a sudden a bunch of last minute requests came in Friday which filled up the shift and kept me from being able to work on that report. Across the board it was my own fault and lack of planning, but that didn't stop me from getting mad.

I was so angry, I could have spouted off so many things. But I didn't. I didn't do what I felt like doing, I did the right thing (it took EVERY bit of will power). I didn't say what I felt like saying, I bit my tongue.

Fatigue will create vulnerability in you. When you're tired, you may overcome in some areas, but the enemy WILL find the chinks in your armor. He will try to get you to falter. Did I pass this scenario with flying colors? NO! I'd say I bumbled through it. But by God's grace, I didn't ruin my witness. I didn't allow the situation to cause me to be a stumbling block for others. God did that. He pulled me through.

He reminded me that there is nothing I can endure that is any more of a challenge than what Jesus went through. Most of all, to remember that feelings and circumstances are fleeting and we are always more vulnerable when tired. Remember this. And be at-the-ready. If you can't be a blessing to someone, at least don't be a stumbling block! Don't get in God's way.

Your Way or His? The HARD road or waiting...

2012-12-15T15:46:00.000-06:00

God has a plan for you. You should want his best for your life. Why wouldn't you? And yet how often do we settle? We do it in impatience. In disbelief that he could possibly do better. And then we get frustrated and wonder. Why?

Stay tight with God. Listen to his whispers in your heart as he leads and guides you. Trust in his ways.

You see, you get to choose. You can choose one way and it is a hard road. Imagine traveling across the Appalachian mountains from Tennessee into North Carolina by trail. Now imagine doing that with your spouse and three kids. You have a LOT to deal with. You have to get them fed and sheltered daily, you have to keep them with you and safe. It's isolated and not easy to get to you if you need help and who do you reach out to? It's an isolated area with the occasional other hiker. In addition to all of this, you have God's will to live out in your life...

Now imagine crossing those mountains on the interstate. The road is smoother, it's still steep at times, but now you can push a stroller, it's an easier walk for your family, you have more resources available and other people to lean on because more are walking this road with you - with a similar purpose. And it's easier, more accessible for God to lead you in his will...

Consider the difference between choosing your way and his way. The point is not how easy it is, but how much sense it makes with all that a person has to deal with in life. Why would you purposely make it harder? I bet most wouldn't if they realized what God has in store for them.

Wait on God. He's so good. He knows you so well. And he has a plan JUST for you, using your unique gifts and granting the desires of your heart.

He's not a God of "just enough". He's a God of abundance and overflowing. Hold out for that. Not because you're selfish, but because you want for you, what HE wants for you. Align yourself with Him. It's SUCH a better way.

Be Blessed!!!

Predict Your Future With Your Words

2012-12-08T16:17:00.002-06:00

Today I was on instant messaging with a coworker and we were good naturedly bantering for a few minutes back and forth. Then I typed in something that while to most would be considered mild, to God it was NOT good and he chastised me. Saying, do not say such things about yourself and do NOT release words like that into your life. Oh trust me, what I said was a joke and was lighthearted, true enough often in the lives of others, but not in my own, which is what made if funny, but God didn't think it was funny and he let me know it!

When you criticize yourself, you criticize God.
When you speak negatively of your life, you are mapping out your future.

You see words have power and God's full power can't be released in our life until he gets us to realize the power we have through him. He gives us authority. And that is released in our words. So when we speak derogatory, even jokingly, things into our own lives, we are basically predicting our own future. This is no laughing matter.

God needs us to align our words with his word. If we speak against his truths, what HE says about us, then we are NOT in agreement with him and we are removing his ability to work in our life. You see he is a gentleman, he doesn't force his way in. He needs permission. And if through you words and lack of agreement with him, you basically tell him that you don't want him to work in your life.

You see, to get married, you must agree to the vows of marriage.
In order to be taught something, you must agree to accept the teaching.
To be fed, you must accept the food.
To receive a gift, you must reach out and take it.
For a visitor to be welcomed into your home, you must be in agreement that you want them there.
If you disagree, they are turned away.
This is how it is with God in your life.

It starts with your words.
It's not just about your actions. It's not just about your thoughts. The most tangible thing you can "get right" is how you speak over your own life. Then start looking at how you speak into and over the lives of others. Words have power.

Just consider:

In Genesis 1:3 - And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.

Gen 1:6 - Then God said...

Gen 1:9 - Then God said...

Gen 1:11 - Then God said...

Gen 1:14 - Then God said...

Do you get the point? Every great thing that has ever happened began with words. So do yourself a favor and start thinking about what you say - not just about others, but about yourself and YOUR OWN life. You speak your own future into existence. Speak well!!!

Critical Control - You're NOT God. Quit it!!!

2012-09-13T00:40:00.000-05:00

A blog you won’t like because it’s critical.

Why is it so often that we as women want to fix things.

We either want to help someone improve or sometimes we just think we have it together and because of that, are "obligated" to fix everyone else which usually comes out sounding a lot like criticism.

God showed me the criticism in me. I was so ashamed.

I asked him how I could possibly ever be in another relationship and entrusted with the treasure of a man’s heart? Why bother if after the warm fuzzy wears off, I begin to start trying to fix him, always having an opinion about how things are done and generally coming off as sounding untrusting, discontent, and critical? How can I be trusted with marriage let alone a relationship?

So I ask God, “Why am I so critical, why are we as women so critical? Why do we believe the lie that criticism fixes ANYTHING?"

He said, “Because since the beginning, you’ve had free will and since sin was chosen, you’ve wanted my power, to be like me, to be a god.”

God has a bigger picture and bigger purposes going on than the nitpicking couples do in relationships.

God is not limited by time, WE are focused on time and we don’t think He works FAST enough. So we want to take control to fix things.

When I am controlling, I am not trusting and when I am not trusting Him, I am not in relationship because in relationship there is trust.

We are called to love the people right in front of us, for who they are, right where they are.

We are to let God love them through us.

We get impatient and we want to fix them up the way we think they should be.

It comes out as criticism. It tears down. The enemy wants to steal kill and destroy.

God just wants us to let Him love them through us.

Then He can use us and other situations around that person to slowly mold them into a reflection of Himself.

Only the Creator can do that, we can’t.

We are not to get in His way. Not to block him. And when we are critical, controlling, not trusting Him or trying to do it our way, we are not being that flexible, pliable mold that He needs to use to draw others to Himself.

The world can’t see Him. He needs us to reflect Him so that the world can see Him in us.

If someone feels unloved and we let Him love them, through us, they then come to know God.

Our "Fix":

We as women like to fix people. God showed me that the way WE fix things is similar to boarding up a broken window.

it’s still a window
there’s an opening there
now it has a board over it
but the weather is no longer getting in
so it’s fixed right?

God's Fix:

remove remnants of the previous window
prep the window opening to the perfect fit
new double-paned, 50 year warranty, multi-functional
beautifully handcrafted window to perfectly fit that space
it would be beautiful and functional
with extras
LONG lasting
it would reflect him
it would allow His light to shine through it

When WE try to fix people, we screw it up. When God fixes, it’s a masterpiece.

Would You Risk Your Life To Save You?

2012-07-15T20:27:00.002-05:00

If I were in a different body, looking at a photo of myself, knowing I'm "missing" and "out there" somewhere in a war torn country, I would use all means, all resources, every ounce of energy to save me, to get back to me, to be reunited with me... I'm worth it.

The Dollhouse - a series on Netflix

There is a series on Netflix called the Dollhouse. In this show, people contract their life/body for 5 years and after that time, they get a sum of money large enough to live luxuriously for a lifetime.
During the 5 year contract, their personality is wiped from their body and backed up to a hard drive. They are then "imprinted" with other personalities as is needed by the company for whatever characteristic or skill. Such as doctor, investigator, adventurous companion, romantic companion, etc.

I know this sounds odd...but stay with me here. I'm going somewhere with this.

How much would you sacrifice for YOU?
You might do it for others, but would you do it for you?

At the end of the 1st series, the main character has found herself imprinted into the body of a 10-12 year old little girl. Which is disconcerting considering she is about 30 years old.

She stands in front of a wall of photos of those who had also been "wiped of their personalities" and finds her own picture. She says, "I hope we find me alive." The me she references is her body, but with other personalities in it and none of her own memories. The reason she makes that statement is that they are about to traipse across a war torn country of people who have been imprinted and gone crazy.

So what struck me, for anyone suffering with low self-esteem, if you were put into this type of situation (hypothetically of course), would you cross hell or high water to save yourself and be reunited? Would you find yourself worthy of such a sacrifice? [Jesus did.]

Don't give up on you. Jesus thought you were worth it.

So why is it that so many people who are currently living within their own bodies devalue themselves, fall victim to depression, no self esteem, self-sabotaging choices and thinking? Allowing other people - outside of themselves to define who they are through words, accusations, and treatment of them. They let the inner-me take over and listen to disruptive and unproductive voices and messages on the inside of themselves...and that is how they live their life or rather, don't live it. Because that's not living.

If only there were a way to help those people step out of that body and mindset and see themselves from the outside, to see the bigger picture of their potential and who they are. There is!

KNOWING God - is the key. Father, Son and Holy Spirit loved you enough to give you choice, yet have a plan to save you in spite of yourself. And no matter the sacrifice, it was worth it to them. That's how much they value you. So how can you not value yourself as much as they do?

How can you value those who make unfounded claims about your worth or status in this world over yourself? If you even subconsciously believe what they say, then you are choosing to believe them over what YOU know to be true about yourself, your heart and your intent. Because that's the part of you that they don't know. That's between YOU and God.

Think about what you believe about you. You KNOW you. But you believe lies. I don't care how "balanced or stable" you appear to others. Everyone has a lie they believe about themself. If we didn't, we wouldn't have one single insecurity. And EVERYONE has those.

So to pull out of self-sabotaging thinking or speaking, the key is to read what God says about you. Speak out loud, not what you THINK, but what God says about you. Why? Because faith comes through hearing (Romans 10:17). If you say it enough, you'll believe it. How do you speak about your life? Why not try a different way?

It's all in the bible. Start with Proverbs, that's a great book on leadership and if you need to lead anyone, it's YOU!

If you ever think less of yourself than what God does, you need to reprogram. And you do that through repetition and vigilance and commitment to this new way of thinking about and viewing yourself.

There is an enemy (including the inner-me) who is prowling around (1 Peter 5:8) just watching for your vulnerabilities. The enemy has heard every word out of your mouth since your birth, he knows exactly what you think about yourself, what your fears are and you have likely said quite a few things about yourself and your life that have invited him to come in and wreak havoc on your life...though you don't need much help. All he has to do is introduce one idea and you, with your insecurities, run with it and blow it all out of proportion and wreak your own havoc.

Whereas if you had your sense of self and value grounded not in what you think, not based on your history or experience, not based on what others have said about you or what society says about your "type", but based on what God says... THEN the enemy wouldn't have a foothold to get into your life. Even when he tries, he'd slip and fall away because you wouldn't have any hangups for him to hold on to... It would be like water off a ducks back.

So consider God's way. Stop trying to do it your way. Your way is grounded in deception. And if you don't agree, you're likely deceived. Everyone has SOME area of their life in which they are deceived...even successful people. So be aware. Be vigiliant. And stick with God and what HE has to say to you and you will truly rock this world and your craft will coast right through all of the tough storms that come your way.

Why? Because when you're grounded in Him, when it's all about Him, you don't care what you "lose" in this physical world because you have everything to gain in Him. What you have in this world, status, investments, assets, relationships, activities, toys, things, it's just stuff. It stays here and you're just a visitor here. It's not nearly as important as the bigger picture of what God has going on.

Example: God's Perspective (Click Here)

Keep your head up friends. And keep your eyes on Jesus...and off of yourself!

Be Blessed!

10 Wrong Misperceptions About God

2012-07-07T06:35:00.001-05:00

1. He doesn't care about me (Romans 5:6-8)
2. He isn't a part of my life (Psalm 139:1-18)
3. He's mad (Luke 15:11-24)
4. He makes bad things happen to me (Romans 8:28)
5. He isn't on my side (Romans 8:31-32)
6. He doesn't want to be my friend (John 15:13-15)
7. He doesn't have good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11)
8. He doesn't hear my prayers (Jeremiah 29:12)
9. He's hiding Himself (Jeremiah 29:13)
10. He doesn't love me (John 3:16)

How to receive Christ (in 30 seconds): CLICK HERE

Borrowed from: http://aheartforgod.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-wrong-thoughts-about-god.html

Top 10 List A Mother Wants In Daughter's Future Husband

2012-05-05T23:06:00.001-05:00

As written to daughter:

1. Must love Jesus 1st with all his heart and soul thus sharing your faith with you.

2. Must be willing to pray together.

3. Be your best friend.

4. Must have a job and be confident in who He is in Jesus and in this world.

5. Must love and respect you making you feel like you are #1 in his worldly life.

6. Must be a good listener (this goes for you as well).

7. Be flexible…Be a good follower of Jesus letting him lead you in setting your goals and priorities. What is really important in the direction you want to go.

8. Understanding, honesty, kind, caring, having common values, strength in character.

9. Be good with children of all ages.

10. Love your mother!

11. Support your mother if necessary. LOL!

Love you,
Mom

Types of People God hired onto His Staff Team Over Centuries

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Noah was a drunk - Genesis 9:21
Jacob was a liar - Genesis 27
Leah was ugly - Genesis 29:16-18
Joseph was abused - Genesis 37:22-28
Moses had a stuttering problem - Exodus 4:10
Gideon was afraid - Judges 6:15
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer - Judges 16:5-17
Rahab was a harlot - Joshua 2:1
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young - Jeremiah 1:6
David had an affair and was a murderer - 2 Samuel 11:2-4 and Chp 14-17
Elijah was suicidal - 1 Kings 19:4
Isaiah preached naked - Isaiah 20:2
Jonah ran from God - Jonah 1:3
Naomi was a widow - Ruth 1:3
Job went bankrupt - Job 1:21
Peter denied Christ - Mark 14:71
The disciples fell asleep while praying - Matt 26:40
Marth worried about everything - Luke 10:40-42
The Samaritan woman was divorced more than once - John 4:17-18
Zaccheus was too small - Luke 19:2-3
Paul was too religious - Acts 22:1-5
Timothy had an ulcer - 1 Timothy 22:1-5
Lazarus was dead - John 11

These are not exactly cream puff seminary grads. How could God use them? How can God use you?

It's through "Jesus Christ IN you."

(From Pg 61 "Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All the Rurals" By Shannon O'Dell)

_______________

You are not what you do. It is who you are and what Christ did FOR you.

It is not His acceptance of YOUR work, but your acceptance of His work on the Cross for you.

My power is made perfect in your weakness. 2 Cor 2:19

God can use you, where you are right now. Now YOU just have to believe.

This We Believe! (Do you really?)

2012-04-28T23:04:00.002-05:00

Check out the following christian beliefs and consider if you live your life in such a way that reflects that you REALLY believe them...

God created the world - Genesis 1:1
God scripted the Holy Word of God - 2 Timothy 3:16
Jesus Christ was born of a Virgin - Matthew 1:23
Jesus is the sinless Son of God - Hebrews 4:15
Salvation is real and found only through Jesus Christ - Acts 4:12
Jesus rose from the dead - Acts 10:41

As stated by Shannon O'Dell inTransforming Churches in Rural America...

"These are monster beliefs!"

No wonder the non-believing world thinks that the Church is absolutely crazy.

What Does Our Life Show That We Believe

Yet as believers, we meet together each week, gathering together because these truths have moved us to obedience, because we believe.

Or do we?

If we believed, wouldn't we really be stepping out as if these things were true?

How do we say we believe and then "display such a midget, powerless God working within our church and our lives? By God's grace, most of us would die for what we say we believe.

Would we, with a gun to our heads, take a bullet rather than deny Christ as our Lord and God the Father as the all-powerful, all-knowing sovereign One of the universe?

If that's what we believe, why don't we believe God for the day-to-day stuff, when it comes to the back-pocket issues of our lives?

Without belief we will step right up to the edge of God-driven, God dependent vision and then back away in fear, hiding behind pious, corporate doubt.

Pastors, leaders and church volunteers often struggle to believe:

God can remove the church bully
God can ignite spiritual fire and revival within the "church family"
God can provide resources for faith-filled ministries
God can use your church to reach the world
God can change the way it's always been
God care about my church
God can use me to change my rural community

Vision is realized not because of us but because of the God who uses us.

If you are having a hard time believing that God can use you, if you ask why I believe that He can, I'll tell you because of "Jesus Christ in You."

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Galatians 2:20

Left to ourselves, we would be toast!

All of God's power resides within. He resides in you so that you can take His vision and let Him make it a reality through you.

For some reason, He has chosen human beings to glorify Himself; as His vessels, we enable God's vision. That is why we are here; that is why the spirit of God lives within us.

Take the bible and don't just listen to it - BELIEVE IT!

We believe in Him theologically (mentally), but we don't believe in Him practically.

GOD MAKE US BELIEVE!

It's no wonder the unbelieving world thinks Christianity is make believe.

Without belief, we cannot have vision.

I want the body of Christ (starting with ME) to believe that ALL things are possible.

But the church takes out "all" and inserts "some".

Most of us can't envision anything outside of what seems prudent and practical.

We do what seems logical - things that the Church can do in it's own strength, things in our comfort zones, things that our budget can handle.

So many are afraid to ask boldly because "Well it may not be God's will." We need to get past that.

If you are praying according to the God's Word, then you are praying according to His Will.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you shall receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these. John 14:12

Jesus SAID we would do more than HE did! So I'm pleading with God to make us believe Jesus.

We have a "less than" mentality - and we aren't even comparing ourselves to Christ, but to the status quo.

We have the same power of God living within us that Jesus did.

Jesus said, "I am coming soon."

Christ will return. I'm not sure we truly believe it. Few of us have contemplated how the implications of that future event should be affecting our lives.

MAKE US BELIEVE. Otherwise it will just be MAKE BELIEVE and the world will say, "Oh I've seen that before." or "I know what goes on at church." There are people, associates, family members, and parents that are literally dying to see a difference.

If we BELIEVE, they will see the real deal.

This blog outlined Pg 59-67 of "Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking all the Rurals" by Shannon O'Dell.

Are the Following True of You?

2012-04-28T15:31:00.002-05:00

Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All The Rurals

Consider the following:

You passionately love Jesus but you don't really want to be like Him.

You admire His humility, but you don't want to be THAT humble.

You think it's beautiful that He washed the feet of the disciples, but that's not exactly the direction your life is headed.

You're thankful He was spit upon and abused, but you would never let that happen to you.

You praise Him for loving you enough to suffer during His whole time on earth, but you're going to do everything within your power to make sure you enjoy your time down here.

I'm reading a book called Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All the Rurals by Shannon O'Dell.

www.brandnewchurch.com

This blog post outlines blurbs from his book.

If you want your faith transformed, check this book out.

The insight and thought-provoking, blunt straight talk in this book will cut to your core.

Passages from the book, as written by Shannon O'Dell:

1. If you want to go somewhere else, you have to start where you are and God is ready to meet you on the backside of your desert. Pg 38

2. When you desire to grow a congregation, you will never get it. But if you grow congregants, then you are going to see transformation in their lives and within the church. Pg 39

3. I finally realized I really have to love people...I have to lead with my life. So I started by sharing the Gospel one person at a time, it started getting everyone's attention and transforming this small community.

4. Churches get mired down in "discuss, debate, vote". I chose 5 men, of like mind, who would let God's Word speak for itself. We researched bylaws and biblically based constitutions from churches of every size and denomination. We were trying to figure out what needed changing to allow us to work most efficiently and (most importantly) most biblically. Pg 43

5. It isn't about power, it's about accurate structure. Pg 44

6. They hired me THINKING they wanted to change, but they wanted to be engaged to change and stay married to their traditions. Pg 47

7. Many struggling rural churches don't want a real pastor to lead them; they just want a pacifier to nurse them throught the years. Pg 47

8. Ranchers don't expect their herd to grow and multiply without hard work and strategic effort. Farmers don't expect harvest without working the soil, planting seed and praying for rain. These people are brilliant and apply the most powerful principles of LIFE. The rural community has vision and belief bred into their DNA and they take that wisdom everywhere they go, it seems, until they step in the door of the church. Pg 54

9. Too many rural pastors have little vision and few have a call. They don't have a vision for their staff, the building, their marriage or their personal worship, so it all falls into disrepair. They are content with "small" everything. Pg 54

10. Too often rural churches have committees and boards paralyzed by indecision, bogged down by bureaucracy, and shackled by tradition. Pg 54

11. One of the tests of God-driven vision is that it can only be accomplished if God does it.
Your own vision will likely be something you can plan or orchestrate and do on your own. Pg 58

12. A God-driven, God-dependent vision allows you to see with faith eyes, not just facts. Pg 58

13. We need to step out in a way that reflects total and bold dependence on God's leading in a God's provision. Pg 58

And that's JUST the beginning...

This isn't just a book about a pastor from a large church moving to the country and trying to make a small church large... It's about having a REAL faith, believing what we say about God and what God says about Himself and truly LOVING people to Him.

What They Don't Tell Pastors About Rural Ministry:

2012-04-28T13:26:00.001-05:00

As written by Shannon O'Dell in "Transforming Church in Rural America".

1. It's the most difficult job on earth.

2. Friends will become enemies.

3. The people who leave the church are going to glare at you in the check-out lane at Wal-Mart for the rest of your life.

4. You're going to be thrown in a pit.

5. A red-hot marriage is a MUST for being an effective rural pastor.

6. Scritpures never give us qualifications for the office, but it gives us tons of Scripture for the home.

You Are In Your Own Way

2012-04-23T20:39:00.001-05:00

What you say is your success or failure.

You don't have to be eloquent or have correct english, but you DO need to agree with God.

If you speak negatively about yourself or your life, you are disagreeing with the word of God and you are limiting his ability to work in your life.

God has to have permission to work in your life.

You give the devil permission all the time.... You invite him in through your negativity or self-criticism or doubt...

Find out what God says about you and your life and circumstances, how HE views you and what HE wants for you and claim THAT over your life in all that you say everyday.

THEN you will begin to see real break through in so many areas of your life.

You are your own worst enemy (or inner-me).

Stop now. Choose different words...whether you FEEL it or not.

It's not about how you feel, feelings are fickle, circumstances are temporary and constantly changing, only the Word of God is permanent and forever.

So stand firm on THAT. NOT what you feel.

Speak the Word and prepare to see your present and immediate future start to change!

Be Blessed!!!

Adoption is a Time of Celebration & Grief

2012-04-14T23:26:00.000-05:00

Adoption is a time of celebration by the adoptive family, but for the kids who are legally separated from their birth family, it is a time of grief, loss and confusion.

For many across all types of families, but especially at the child level, it is confusing to understand who to be loyal to and how to deal with new people in new roles in their lives.

A child feels the need to put people into the proper box, the parent box, the teacher box, the church box, the adults who are family friends box, the strangers box, the extended family box.... And historically, traditionally and societally, these boxes at times have an implied limited number of places. We all do it, it's how our brains work. It wants to compartment things neatly...

In today's world, the lines of what a defines a family have blurred...

When my parents were divorced I felt guilty that my Mom needed me when I was with my Dad. It was a challenge to choose which holiday to spend with whom. I was always torn. It was hard. Just as accepting stepparents and stepbrothers and sisters was a new experience. Figuring out my "place" in each family as my parents remarried, adapting to new "traditions" in the new families...it was a challenge. Children like consistency. To know what to expect. And a lot of new things thrown at them just makes it challenging to adjust.

Kids (and some adults) don't realize that love is something that is exponential.

There isn't just one love box per adult role with a limited amount of love in it to give.

So if the "parent box" is switched over from "birth parent" to "adopted parent"...then the birth parent doesn't have a place anymore?

No!

Both parents fulfill a unique role, meeting unique needs in each of their special ways, possibly at different times in the child's life. Maybe at the same time. There is room for all. At the very least to receive recognition as relevant and significant in a child's life.

To help the child understand it is not disloyal to embrace both in different ways and that it doesn't reduce the importance of either in their life.

As with any traumatic experience, if one doesn't know how to deal with it, they try to suppress the emotions which just continues to build over time. Or the emotions flare at different times.

The key is sharing coping skills with kids, to help them understand that it's ok to grieve, to miss family, to feel a sense of loss.

Helping them to give themselves permission and not to feel guilt when the feelings arise, to include helping them understand how they can vent and deal with those feelings.

A parent doesn't partition their heart to give a portion of it to each child. Each child gets it all. Love is that way.

Love originates from God and flows through us in an unending flow.

And a balanced, loving and accepting parent will help kids understand that it is ok to miss their family and help them understand how to deal with the sense of loss and that it isn't disloyal to the new family to have these feelings. It is important for them to understand that even if their birth parent isn't in their life, that parent never stops loving them. It's not a lack of love that caused the separation, but other circumstances.

My heart goes out to the tremendous amount of transition and adaptation that kids have to go through who are in foster care. As also for the parents who give them a home and genuinely try to support them in these transitional times.

May God watch over and have his hand of blessing on each and every child in foster care.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

There is nothing that anyone can go through that God can't turn around for good and work out in their life showing His goodness and glory in this sin-filled world. Nothing. I've seen it in my own life.

Whatever you may be going through today, God is walking it out with you. He wants to help you. Acknowledge Him and He'll help you through it.

Adoption is Special

2012-04-11T22:46:00.001-05:00

In birth families, God chooses the kids, in adoptive families, the parents choose the kids.

So where an adoptive child perceives they may have been cheated, they actually got the better deal because they were chosen specifically.

No matter what, I believe God is involved with every type of family connection. He is our Father and we are adopted into His family and treated as His own kids.

God chooses the kids he assigns to parents whether by birth or by adoption... Adoption is just a delay in the assignment department. It's God turning what the enemy meant to destroy, into something beautiful.

Parents are earthly guardians assigned to teach kids about God, His love & His ways. They will have to answer to God for their actions or inaction regarding their kids. So don't begrudge your parents if they seem hard on you.

It's their job. The harder they are on you now, the easier life will be later. I mean this with the utmost love.

Parents do the best they can based on the tools they have to work with from their own upbringing. They love you 100% of their capacity to love - in their own way. Always know that.

You may feel they could have done more, but few parents do less than they are capable. If they aren't doing it - they aren't capable...

And your heavenly Father wants you to know that He is walking with you through it all, loving you and holding you. Accepting you in exactly the perfect way He made you. He's right there with you ALWAYS!

God, Like Parents, Has To Repeat Himself

2012-04-10T21:33:00.001-05:00

No wonder parents get frustrated when they have to repeat themselves. God has to do it all the time.

(He says Fear Not over 300x in the bible, yet we do; He has tons of parables on money, yet we struggle with that.)

It's disheartening to realize a month or so late that God has been speaking to you and you acknowledged the ideas as your own and then blew them off...

Only to have God bring them back to mind months later AGAIN and this time you realize the Source, that there must be purpose and you need take it more seriously.

How often do we ask God for help or guidance but because it doesn't come in a form you expect... Then you miss it. How sad is that?

When I realized tonight that this had happened, I asked God if it was too late?

He didn't answer, per se, but It dawned on me that this task might have further ramifications than I had originally realized. That it wasn't tied to a project or current deadline, but is intended for longer term purpose that He is trying to work out.

So yes, it's possible that my lack of discipline, willingness & receptiveness, at that time, MIGHT have delayed His purpose...

But He knows ALL things. He knew how long it would take to get through to me. He has a plan to work it out based on that.

God is the Master strategist when it comes to working circumstances here on earth. He is highly efficient & wastes nothing!

So be receptive, be willing, be quick-response" obedient and don't be so quick to write off those ideas going through your head as your own!

God just might be trying to bless you and while not giving you the entire picture, He's giving you the next step.

You don't have to understand how it all connects. Just do it!!!

Be blessed!!!