Hello there! I am going to start out by talking about the weather. We here in middle TN have been waking up to mid-60's degree temperatures, lately. The crispness in the air promotes freshness, newness, even stimulates us. I know we are still in the summer months but the slow drop of temperature in the mornings is a signal that fall is on the way. Another change of seasons. I am so glad God programed this earth to allow for gradual changes. It gives us a chance to readjust and get accustomed to the new atmosphere.
Keevin and I have been going through some gradual changes, too. Our story begins back last year when Keevin was restless and sensing that God wanted him to do something. Unable to figure it out he asked God to show him what was blocking him from hearing God. God urged Keevin to give up his regrets about past things--things he hadn't done and things he had done, good things he didn't try and bad things he wished he hadn't done. So Keevin gave up his regrets. He then felt free--free to be available to God. He told God "I am ready for You." Whatever, whenever and whereever. Keevin felt a strong sense that God had called him to be a pastor but when and where were still unaswered. So Keevin asked God to give him signs and God did. He gave many distinct signs pointing to Boone, NC. The whereever was to be about 6 months. God gave us time with our children and time to tie up some loose ends. Lascassas Baptist Church ordained Keevin last Sunday night. That was on the preparation list and is now checked off. Keevin told the church members that he wants to reach out to people who have been hurt by churches. We want to experience a more God-like church, one that is truly healthy, loving, non-judgemental and not at all legalistic. I know we will have alot of trial and error times to learn from but God can still turn things into good for Himself.
Keevin and I have been greatly hurt by almost all of our past churches. There was one particular church that was healthy and growing and thriving, even without a pastor for a years time. We have taken lots of mental notes of how God was in that church. I believe that God allowed us to experience these many hurts to give us a passion for the calling He has planned for us.
Hurt feeling. The normal human response to hurt is to run away from the source, withdraw or even fight against the source. Conflict. A church that promotes conflict within its core members is a mass of bad behavior and not attracting anyone to Christ. No one should be invited to a church like this. It is not a haven of unconditional love, no condemnation and forgiveness. However, the Bible talks about us holding each other accountable and walking beside each other through tough times, even if it is a time of correcting areas in our lives. Walking beside means helping someone and not hurting them, doing it with love. I feel for sure that when a fellow Christ follower mentions a particular area of concern to one another that the Holy Spirit has already tapped the person on the shoulder about the situation. Can you see how this is a "walk beside you" type of event and not a conflict or a shut-out?
But still, how many of us have experienced the correct way of dealing with our bad behavior? We all behave badly. I think we can go back further in our personl histories and discover that the same attitudes and conflicting behaviors were modeled in front of us at home, school, or around so-called friends.
Rejection, emotional and physical abandonment, abuse, put-downs, never able to please, feeling unloved, not listened to, misunderstood, etc grows us into shy, withdrawn, mousy type of people. This type of person cannot be used by God in the full way He intends. But all of this can be fixed, healed by God's word!! That leads me to 21 day journal noted # 7.
21 Day Journal Note #7
Tired of Being Mousy and Withdrawn?
John 14:27 (MSG): Peace. I don't leave you the way your're used to being left--feeling abandoned, bereft. Don't be upset. Don't be distraught.
When I find myself in the middle of being relationally challenged I will feel Your peace. They may abandon me, reject me and even deprive me of a relationship. But You, Lord Jesus, are alsways with me. I refuse to be intimidated, mousy and withdrawn. I will not feel distraught or agitated with doubt and mental conflict. These negatives (which show up as bad behavior) are very un-Jesus-like. Instead, I will feel your peace, quietness, calmness and confidence, forever. Thank You Jesus!!
end of journal note.
I want to direct you to 2 Timothy 1:7
(NIV): For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
(MSG): God doesn't want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
Can you see how God doesn't want us to be shy and timid? He wants us to be operating in His power, love and to use our self-disciplining techniques to accomplish this.
I assign this to the confidence elements of: love, peace, self-control and let's add boldness.
I assing this to confidence-busters: shyness and timidity, fearful, powerlessness, self-centered, uncertainty, unforgiving, unspiritual, wounded, anger, depression, anxiety, abandon/rejection, cowardly, critical, unsettled, weak, restless, unloved. Wow--see what you can overcome with God's word!!
Friends, be bold, loving and sensible.
Have a great weekend and worship our Wonderful, Holy God!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
