Hi there, folks! How's the weather where you are? It has been storming here but we needed the rain--as a lot of places do. We are entering the new school year season. My grandson went for 1/2 a day today and my granddaughter will attend for 1/2 a day for kintergarden on Monday. It will be quieter around here for most of the days but there will be thngs for me to do. Keevin and I are moving our camper over to our house and will start preparing it for the next phase of our God-assignment. Satan is playing around with me and causing me to stress out. I am using this time as a reminder that I trust God and trust Him completely. Every now and then God tests us or Satan tries to trip us up--but either way I have the Holy Spirit inside of me to make the right decisions. Thank You O Great God!!
So, I guess you are wondering how I came up with today's title. An idea came to me as I read a good little book entitled "Heaven is for Real" written by Todd Burpo. Todd Burpo is the father of a then 4 year old son. In the book Todd recounts the many stories that his son, Colton, shared with him and his wife about an experience he had with Jesus while undergoing an emergency appendectomy. I know it sounds crazy but all the things the 4 year old said was true according to scripture and this 4 year old had never heard all of the amazing things that he told about. It truly seems this little one experienced heaven and Jesus. His mom was really entrigued about Colton's "other sister". His mom and dad had never shared with him about the miscarriage his mom had prior to his own birth. And mom and dad didn't know that the baby was a girl. So his mom asked what her name was and he replied "she doesn't have a name." He also revealed that his other sister has been adopted by Jesus' Father.
So getting back to my idea about our identity. We often feel our identity is based on our name, financial status, maritial status, family lineage, sexual preferrence, educational level, career choice and even body shape. But guess what? None of those things make up our identity, they are only paths. But our identity leads us down those paths.
So what is our identity? Let's start by talking about God's creation. He has given us incredible bodies and minds and different makeups. Our individuality and uniqueness is a very big deal. It is a well-known fact that no two fingerprints are alike. We may have a "twin" out there but we have lots of differences. Our minds are different. Our life experiences are different.
Each person has 5 distinct strengths. These strengths are areas that we are drawn to and have natural abilities toward. We also have secondary strengths that are not as strong as the first 5. There are many areas of strengths and combinations. These represent so many different identities. Let me share of few of my strengths with you. For instance, I have a strong belief system and have natural abilities toward communication and absolutely love restoration.
We are all born with creativeness, however our distorted thinking systems block our minds, hence our creativeness is stifled. My creativeness is released in the form of writing and teaching, thanks to communication. Restoration explains why I have a passion for helping me and others to reach healness, forgiveness and grow into the best us for God. And my number one strength is belief. Others may have a very strong sense of belief in other things but mine is God. My whole life is done because of God, influenced by God, for God and to illuminate God to others.
There are ways to figue out who you are. The real you!! Think back to your childhood. What were your favorite and easiest subjects in school? This could be a clue to the real you. What projects or jobs were not really a challelnge but you just seem to know how to do it the first time? We can recognize areas of interest if we find ourselves asking "when can I do this again?" versus "Do I have to do this again?"
Some of your strengths may not be discovered until later in life as you may not have been introduced to it yet. It's all about God's timing. I didn't know about my gift of writing until I found myself without transportation which led to my unemployment. God used that time to help me develop my strength of communication. My writings center around my passion for healing, forgiveness and growth. But my belief steers it all toward God.
Our life experiences and circumstances also shape who we are. Our passions are often born from a tragedy or an exciting event. So you may want to ask yourself "what makes me cry or what makes my heart beat fast with excitement?"
And finally, the infusion fo the Holy Spirit. Those of us who are committed Christ followers are more than ourselves. Look at John 14:26 (MSG): "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. the Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you." That verse is a great one to add to your core memory truths. And see what else the Holy Spirit does in Romans 8:15 (NIV): "For you did not recieve a spirit that makes you a slave agian to fear, but you recieved the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" Abba means Daddy. God is our Daddy--a trusted Daddy who takes care of us--after all He gave us the Holy Spirit to give us lots of super cool things in order to live this wonderful life. Look up other verses to see what the Holy Spirit does for you.
The 21day journal note has to do with slavery to a fear. As you work on this journal note allow the Holy Spirit to remove this fear and free you to be a better you for God.
# 5-- 21 Day Journal Note: Worried about what others think of YOU?
Galatians 1:10 (NCV): Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Yes--I am free from making other people happy. Free from worrying about their opinions. I am constantly aligning myself with Your plans and directions, Father. Jesus, I am your servant and my life is better for it. Thank you Heavenly Daddy!!
end of journal note.
Friend, discover the real you!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
