The Sisterhood Project

Hi. I know, it’s been a minute:) Sorry I haven’t posted in a while!I’ve been taking time away from...

Ava Barnes — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 18:09:40 -0400

Hi.

I know, it’s been a minute:) Sorry I haven’t posted in a while!

I’ve been taking time away from creating regular podcasts to work on…A BOOK. It’s going to be awesome.
Without giving to much away, here’s a hint: SONG OF SOLOMON. There is a WHOLE LOT to Song of Solomon. God’s love is expressed so incredibly, so unbelievably, and I feel like we’ve been missing some of that depth. So yeah, that’s coming. I’ll probably chop it up and make the content into podcasts also.

In the meantime, I’ll be posting some thoughts here and there.

I always love to hear from you.

Stay tuned!

TRUE LOVE 4: THE LETTERMy relationship with God feels sort-of...

Ava Barnes — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:09:45 -0400

TRUE LOVE 4: THE LETTER

My relationship with God feels sort-of private.

But.

I was asked recently from someone close to me, “Why don’t you share your experiences with others?” and God has echoed that question to me though several sources.

So, I am going to share a letter. One I believe God whispered to me, and one I think He wants you to hear too. Not as something he said to me, but as something he says to you. As a message of hope, that he stands ready and waiting to be everything to you. Everything your heart has ever really wanted.

I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop (Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party) thinking about the phrase, “God is love.” What does that really mean? How does the Bible define love? I started to look up verses, and imagined what the verses would sound like if they were spoken directly from God. The rest is strange. A letter came out and very quickly. I don’t write often or well, which made this episode more unusual. The content surprised me…

I think God wants you and me to know that He loves us.

If you prefer to listen (as I do:), here is the letter in podcast form along with my two cents on hearing from God.

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In case you prefer reading, here it is written:

THE LETTER:

Hello Beloved,

I want you to know Me better.

I am patient. My love for you is enduring. I by nature am enduring. My desire is not to reject but to include.

I am always here. I wait for you. I long for you. (Isaiah 30:18)

I love when you seek Me first, when you think of Me first thing.

I think of you all the time. You could not count the number of thoughts I have about you. You are on My mind.

Do you think of Me?

When you lie down at night, when you awake in the morning, do you think of Me?

I am with you. I watch you, I think of you, I sing over you.

Can you hear Me? can you hear Me singing? (Zephaniah 3:17)

Turn your heart to Me beloved. Hear my song. I love you.

My face is toward you. My eyes wait for your eyes.

I have loved you forever.

I know you completely.

And still I love you, still I choose you.

I desire your heart…and not just part of it…not just some of your thoughts.

I desire them all, every ounce of love and energy you have to give, I want.

I am saddened when another fills your heart and you forget Me. (Jeremiah 8:18-9:3)

Even then, I still sing to you. A sad love song.

I long for your attention. I want to be first in your heart.

Then, out of your oneness with Me, we together can love others.

Out of the cup that I fill, you can pour love onto others.

Who are they that they could love you like I can?

Why would you put another before Me?

Have you known selfish human love?

It is not like my love. have you seen the man love you for himself?

Not love you, but love how you make him look…how you make him feel…love to posses you. Though he may try to love you truly, he falls short, even the most transcendent human love will fall short.

How can that love compare with My love?

How can his knowledge of you compare with My knowledge of you?

His desire for you compare with Mine?

Fix your eyes on Me beloved. Fix your heart on Me beloved.

I am here. I sing songs over you.

I am kind. I am gentle in nature. I am gracious. I am compassionate. I am full of mercy.

Think of the waves, gently slowly steadily lapping in on the shore unceasingly.

That is an illustration of Me, of my enduring and everlasting gentleness.

I want to help you and help others. Tell Me about your troubles.

Every care and concern you have—I care.

I always care. If anyone cares, I care. I will help you. (1 peter 5:7)

Listen to Me, listen for Me…let Me guide you. Let My direction and voice help you.

You can give your burdens to Me. I don’t like to see you stressed.

I don’t like to see you try and do it all.

Please, I am here, arms open. Arms capable.

Give it to Me, for that pleases Me. Ask Me to solve it and relax.

Go take a bath. I love you. I can take care of you. I will take care of you.

Will you let Me?

Sometimes you hold your troubles so close to your heart, you push Me away.

Please beloved, soften. Soften to Me. Trust Me.

Open and give your trouble to Me.

It is but a small thing for Me. I can take care of it. Do you believe Me?

I am attentive. I notice every wrinkle, every furrowed brow, every clenched jaw.

I hear your heart beat. It is a pleasing music to my thoughts.

I hear when your heart rate increases. When your heart strains under the pressure.

Let Me ease your troubles love.

Please relax beloved. You can trust Me. Remember? I love you.

I hear when your heart skips a beat.

I feel with you.

I breath over you when you behold the mountain’s top…the sunrise.

When your heart skips, and you feel wonder.

LOOK. Look around you beloved. When I create beauty, I think of you.

Look, I painted those flowers and thought of you.

Look, I painted the skies and thought of you.

See the light play with shadows through the trees…gentle.

Notice the beetle and the bumble bee, I painted them, I invented them.

Look at them amble about, and laugh beloved.

LISTEN. Listen to Me whisper, I want to tell you about Myself.

Look around you in wonder. Notice what I’ve made.

Listen, I made the bird’s song and thought of you.

Listen, I made the ocean waves and thought of you.

Of how the sound and the smell…the breeze and the bare sun would make you feel.

SMELL. Smell the gardenia, smell the honey suckle.

I thought of you when I made that delicate scent.

TASTE. Taste the mint leaf, taste the sweet pear.

I made them for you. For you to enjoy and be nourished, but mostly for you to think of Me…

to thank your Beloved for the gifts He made.

And there are many I want you to discover.

Many more I have hidden for you.

I delight in your delight.

Would you let Me purify your heart?

Would you let Me prepare your heart to hear and see and smell…to receive My gifts?

To receive Me? Would you seek Me first?

FEEL. Feel the breeze soft,

feel the warm fire after a cold walk.

I made them and thought of you,

thought of how you might enjoy them.

Enjoy them beloved. It brings Me joy to watch you.

Feel love. Feel love for your Earth husband, and think of Me.

It is but a shadow beloved. A practice session, a pretend play, a preview for what you’re meant for.

This life on Earth is full of shadows. You will soon see the Source.

I am excited for that day. Think of it!

When you come closer to Me than ever before, when all distortion is removed.

When you see Me fully. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Oh beloved, the time is not far off!

And on that day you can be with Me forever, I will never send you away from my side.

Will you love Me?

Will you give yourself to Me? Your heart, soul, mind, and energy to Me?

But listen, feel, look inside yourself. I am already there.

I am there in your soul.

Look into the core of who you are, the eternal you. I am there. I will always be there.

Feel the love flood your body when you look into your baby’s eyes.

Can you believe I feel this same love for you and more?

Can you believe I would die for you?

You, who were not worthy of Me, but low I have made you worthy.

I have filled you with Myself.

I have adorned you with Myself, and you are beautiful.

I love you.

Can you believe I want all good things for you–the way you want good things for your baby…and more.

Draw near to Me. Cling to Me (Jeremiah 13:11)

Listen to Me daughter.

I am your answer.

I have more love for you than you can hold.

I don’t want your pigeon or your grain.

I don’t need your money.

I don’t need. I am over all, and in all, and through all.

I want you. I want you to give yourself to Me, because it is good for you, and pleasing to Me.

The only sacrifice I desire is your entire being.

I want you to willingly and cheerfully give yourself to Me.

I do not take as the world takes, I do not take to take…I take to give. I take to bless.

I take what hinders you to better you. I take to teach.

I have everything I need. I don’t need anything from you, but I want you.

I am pleased by your attention. I want your time… heart and mind.

Do you worry that when you give yourself to Me, you will be empty?

Do not fear that you will lose, because really you will gain.

I have everything to give.

Make room for Me and gain Me.

I am everything you need. I am even what you really want.

Trust Me. Follow Me. Listen to Me. I love you.

I have a gift for you.

Each new day I have a new gift for you.

I have endless treasure, and I offer it to you.

I love you.

Look and see. Come and find.

I have hidden many good things in Myself for you.

Seek Me, and you will find Me. (Eph 3:8)

Know Me.

The more you know Me, the more you will worship Me in spirit and truth.

You will not be able to help but glorify Me.

Know Me better, draw near to Me.

Let Me increase in you.

It is my spirit in you that makes you beautiful.

I am the true source of beauty.

I am the true source of attractiveness.

Be radiant as you radiate Me.

I have called you My own and you are Mine.

Remember Me.

I love you.

Well, there you have it. He loves you. He’s said it a million different ways. He says it everyday. Just listen!

1 Kings 19:

11 Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

TRUE LOVE 3: THE CURE FOR MARRIAGE (MY STORY)This episode is...

Ava Barnes — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:28:43 -0500

TRUE LOVE 3: THE CURE FOR MARRIAGE (MY STORY)

This episode is story driven. It’s my story–or a piece of it.

I had (and still fight not to have) a relationship idol. I wanted the prefect marriage. The perfect companionship. Unity with my husband was more important than unity with God. After a few years on this disappointing road, I realized I had misplaced the object of my affection. I had confused the source of true companionship.

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MYTHS OF MARRIAGE 3: CONFLICT MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG Conflict...

Ava Barnes — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:20:00 -0400

MYTHS OF MARRIAGE 3: CONFLICT MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG

Conflict is inevitable…it’s what you do with it that counts. This podcast addresses God’s prescription for conflict followed by a series of practical tips for how to navigate conflict in your marriage.

Conflict doesn’t have to be bad, in fact it can be helpful.

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And! As promised, here are the additional (super practical) Communication Tips:

Download PDF Here

Myths of Marriage 1: Love is a Feeling

Ava Barnes — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 23:33:00 -0400

We’re taking a detour from our Happily Married series to explore some marital myths that color our expectations. In this short and sweet “mini-cast” the definition of love is explored. What happens during the euphoric stage of romantic love? Does God define love like you do?

*The Myths of Marriage series is also great for dating and engaged couples.

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Happily Married 4: If Only... (Expectations)

Ava Barnes — Thu, 22 May 2014 16:37:00 -0400

Expectations have been called “planned disappointments”. This podcast explores the expectations we set, where they originate, and how they become stumbling blocks to unity and joy. It ends with practical steps for how to improve this part of your marriage. Unconditional love, not just from God but from you, is your best chance at inspiring change in your husband.

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Happily Married 3: I Can Do Better (Pride)

Ava Barnes — Fri, 02 May 2014 17:54:00 -0400

Pride is arguably the most destructive force in a marriage. This podcast clarifies what pride is in light of our self-esteem-happy culture. It outlines major forms pride can take in marriage and ends with practical steps to combat pride.

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Happily Married 2: The Little Things (Bitterness)

Ava Barnes — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 20:27:00 -0400

This podcast talks about the progression of unforgiveness to bitterness to hatred and gives practical steps for how to forgive. Forgiveness will change your marriage and free your heart!

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Happily Married 1: My Husband Drives Me Crazy (Thoughts)

Ava Barnes — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 10:04:00 -0400

You’re stuck with him…you might as well enjoy him! The first podcast in the Happily Married series, this segment talks about negative patterns of thinking and how to appreciate and enjoy your husband more.

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