Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you all!! Some of you will be having cookouts. Some will take a short trip. Some will spend the time remembering those who have and those who still serve our country. Some will spend it like an ordinary weekend. But you have to admit anytime the calendar is marked with a national holiday there is excitement in the air. You can see it at Walmart. Red, white and blue stuff all over the store. Cookout supplies on sale. So, take advantage of the air of excitement and manage to have some fun.
Last Saturday my husband and I made an announcement to our two grown children and Sunday we went up before our church and shared the news with them. We will be moving to Boone, NC later this year. The reason for the move is totally God. In 1992 while on a family camping trip Keevin asked me "what would you think if God was calling me to preach?" I replied, "I wouldn't be surprised." I always had an inner feeling that I would be married to a minister. We made a bold move and packed up everything and moved to Nashville, TN where he attended FreeWill Baptist Bible College. That was 1993. Burn-out soon came after a year of full-time school, full-time employement, and part-time youth ministry. Somthing had to go and school was it. He went to school upon advisement from our former pastor. But was it God's advisement?
Over the years we made bold moves, served in youth ministry positions, taught Sunday School, started Awana programs, etc. Keevin, however was always dissatisfied. Always restless. His self-esteem suffered.
Perhaps Keevin observed my joy in discovering my writing talents and using it for the Lord. You see, my husband has an extraordinary talent to speak. He is very gifted with communicating God's message verbally. In fact, God knew that he didn't need schooling to do what he already possessed within himself--God's gift. We all have God's gift. They are just different gifts.
2011. 19 years later, still unsettled, Keevin approached God and asked Him "what do you want me to do? I am willing to go wherever, do whatever, whenever You direct me." Keevin felt that he never fulfilled the role of pastorship that he was called to do. So he asked God for signs of where. The signs pointed to Boone, NC. He asked again. Again, the signs pointed to Boone, NC. And I think he asked again, maybe six times. Each time pointed to Boone, NC. Keevin grew up within an hour of Boone in Spruce Pine, NC and my family vacationed there often during my childhood--so we know the area. We know that jobs are hard to find. Winters are cold. Seasonal-touristy. But that is the place God has called us to. And that is where we will go. We have had so many confirmations from God since the initial pointing that we know for a fact Boone is the place and now is the time and a new church plant is the what. All of those "availabilities" have been answered.
I have to tell you that as scary as the change maybe--it is exhilarating. I am seeing a new and confident Keevin. Things feel right. When was the last time you could say that "things felt right?" When was the last time you saw a "new and confident husband"? And the adventure of it all gives stimulation to the marriage creating a new type of bonding--one fit for the next season of our lives together. " How can I come to the place where I can hear God?" I hope you are asking that question because I am going to answer it--at least the way that God has worked in my life.
A few of us church ladies meet in my home for a Beth Moore Bible study (Breaking Free) on Thursday nights. Last night after watching the dvd, we lingered and talked about everything that was new with each of us ladies. One thing led to another and we found ourselves discussing the times when we feel God is not answering us. I shared with my lady friends that since I have been journaling to Him and being opened to Him that it seems I always get an answer. One of my friends made the comment that sin blocks our answers from God. Which then brought to my mind that I have an unusual comfort in asking God to reveal the areas in my life that need changing. Asking this would normally scare a person but I have a strong inner desire for a much better life and for some strange reason I am not afraid of the truth. I welcome the truth. And I know that this is not what women normally gravitate towards. But I do. I thank the Lord for His courange inside of me.
So, I'm thinking that being opened to the Holy Spirit to change the areas that I need to and developing a system (my 21 day journal notes) has brought about changes--healing--stopping a sin. I find this way of life very comforting.
Beth Moore used a portion of scripture in the Bible study last night that I thought would be appropriate for today's blog. Friend, take it to your heart and use it very wisely, but do use it!! Here it is--Matthew 11:28-30 (NCV): Jesus is saying to us "Come to Me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept My teachings and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The teaching that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light." And (The Message): "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I find it very hard to explain how doing life my way is not fulfilling even though one would think I know best how to live my life and the fact is doing life God's way brings comfort, quietness and confidence in one's life. One of my all-time favorite Bible truths is Isaiah 32:17 (NIV): "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Doing life the right way, God's way, produces peace and rest from a weary, stressed life. Living God's way feels confident and done in a quiet way---and don't forget the "forever" part.!!
Well, friend, I've laid out the plan I use. You have the true word of God. Confience can happen. Choose it and live lavishly in it!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
P.S. No matter where I am I will continue this blog as long as it is God's plan for me. Stay tuned.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Pleasing people? Pleasing God?
Welcome to all of you lovely people!! Join me for a conversation about pleasing. Pleasing has to do with striving for delight or satisfaction. I enjoyed a pleasing pasttime yesterday. Keevin, Macey and I went yard-saleing. I found an awesome round coffee table in really good shape for only $5.00. Love it!!!! And I scored a couple of unique serving dishes also for $5.00. It was a good day for me. But I have to admit that it was a temporary diversion from something clogging my mind. In fact, I wasn't able to settle down and write this blog last night like I usually do.
What was wrong with me? Well, I heard a comment, and that comment sent me straight back to childhood and some adulthood events and my mind went into a frenzy and frantic state. The comment didn't change the way I feel about the subject that we were discussing--so why did it have any effect on me at all? I started journaling and jotting down words of feelings that came to my mind. One of my sentiments I journaled was "I constantly find myself scanning people's reactions to my words or actions."
I have already established with myself and God that my childhood was influenced by worry of what others think of me, my family, etc. It may have been rooted in our church's teachings. Whatever a child is inapproriately influenced with--it is something that has to be dealt with and has to be dealt with God's way. I thought I had previously dealt with it but I guess when I first attacked the wrongful thinking system I didn't attach faith with the words I had used in my 21 day journal note. Just a reminder that faith is # 7 in the confidence elements found in Galatians 5: 22-23.
One of the feeling words that I jotted down was stifled. I have always been a free thinker but my free thinking has not always been encouraged. I feel stifled when someone discourages me not to express myself. It's a claustrophobic-type feeling. I also feel frustrated, as if that person wants to control my thinking and stop the path that I am taking.
I looked up the word discourage and it means to deprive of courage or confidence. If you have been reading my material very long--you have figured out that I jumped on the confidence word in the definition of discourage. It was not in God's design for us to be discouraged and not feel confident. In fact throughout the Old Testament He commands different ones to be courageous. I especially like Psalm 31:24 (AMP) " Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!"
When I find myself confronted with this stifled feeling-my mind goes into a frenzy and frantic state. I find it very hard to focus--hence, my inability to write this blog last night. But I suppose that God had big plans for my uncomfortableness. So, frantic means: emotionally out of control with anger and frustration. Marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity. As I wrote down the definition I recognized some feeling words I had journaled: anxious, nervous and restless and irritable. And frenzy means a temporary madness. Emotional agitation.
One thing I recognize is the people who make discouraging comments about my way of thinking are probably reacting from a cloudy, distorted view themselves. I try very, very hard to follow God's view of things from His Word and so I feel that my way of thinking is close to His. I realize that I am not perfect and am wrong occasionally but at the beginning of this blog I stated that the comment made to me did not change my point of view--so, in that, I feel confident.
You can see how Satan uses discouragement, stifling, frustration, franticness, and frenziness against God's work. Can you see how those feelings are the opposite of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control? I was none of those things while suffering from Satan's attacks.
So, how do I undo what Satan has done? I rewire my thinking, again, but this time with the faith of Jesus Christ given to me by the Holy Spirit. Here's my 21 day journal note:
Yes Lord, I heard that comment of discouragement and I felt the effects of it, too. I know that Satan is the one who wants me to feel stifled, anxious, nervous and frantic. Satan wants me to stop and fall flat on my face but Lord, I am your slave. I work for You and You only. Satan, leave me alone! Jesus Christ is my Lord!! Galatians 1:10 (NCV) asks: "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." and Colossians 3:21 (The Message) urges: "Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits." Holy Father, I refuse to listen to Satan through people's comments. I will not be crushed by their words. Instead, I keep working on because of Your courage and hope and strength. Thank You for Your many wonderful gifts to me.
End of journal note.
A couple years ago I was struggling to pinpoint my identity. I had asked God that morning to "father" me. As I was chasing down some definitions in the dictionary for a Bible study that I was writing I stumbled across this word: wynd. I recognized it as my name--in the dictionary. WOW!! And the definition is dramatic as well, at least for me. It means: to wind, proceed, go. to twist, a very narrow street.
God was telling me that I am to keep moving, going forward with whatever plans He has for me and not be afraid of the narrow parts and the twisting roads as they lead to an interesting path with a beautiful view. Matthew 7:13-14 (NCV) says: "Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road." Ture Life. That's what I want to experience and I can say that God has helped me through some hurdles and bumps in the road to live a better, truer life than what I had a couple years ago. Thank You Sweet, Amazing Lord!!
Friend, find your true life--God will show you if you ask Him. Ask Him!!!
Love to all, Wynndy
What was wrong with me? Well, I heard a comment, and that comment sent me straight back to childhood and some adulthood events and my mind went into a frenzy and frantic state. The comment didn't change the way I feel about the subject that we were discussing--so why did it have any effect on me at all? I started journaling and jotting down words of feelings that came to my mind. One of my sentiments I journaled was "I constantly find myself scanning people's reactions to my words or actions."
I have already established with myself and God that my childhood was influenced by worry of what others think of me, my family, etc. It may have been rooted in our church's teachings. Whatever a child is inapproriately influenced with--it is something that has to be dealt with and has to be dealt with God's way. I thought I had previously dealt with it but I guess when I first attacked the wrongful thinking system I didn't attach faith with the words I had used in my 21 day journal note. Just a reminder that faith is # 7 in the confidence elements found in Galatians 5: 22-23.
One of the feeling words that I jotted down was stifled. I have always been a free thinker but my free thinking has not always been encouraged. I feel stifled when someone discourages me not to express myself. It's a claustrophobic-type feeling. I also feel frustrated, as if that person wants to control my thinking and stop the path that I am taking.
I looked up the word discourage and it means to deprive of courage or confidence. If you have been reading my material very long--you have figured out that I jumped on the confidence word in the definition of discourage. It was not in God's design for us to be discouraged and not feel confident. In fact throughout the Old Testament He commands different ones to be courageous. I especially like Psalm 31:24 (AMP) " Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!"
When I find myself confronted with this stifled feeling-my mind goes into a frenzy and frantic state. I find it very hard to focus--hence, my inability to write this blog last night. But I suppose that God had big plans for my uncomfortableness. So, frantic means: emotionally out of control with anger and frustration. Marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity. As I wrote down the definition I recognized some feeling words I had journaled: anxious, nervous and restless and irritable. And frenzy means a temporary madness. Emotional agitation.
One thing I recognize is the people who make discouraging comments about my way of thinking are probably reacting from a cloudy, distorted view themselves. I try very, very hard to follow God's view of things from His Word and so I feel that my way of thinking is close to His. I realize that I am not perfect and am wrong occasionally but at the beginning of this blog I stated that the comment made to me did not change my point of view--so, in that, I feel confident.
You can see how Satan uses discouragement, stifling, frustration, franticness, and frenziness against God's work. Can you see how those feelings are the opposite of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control? I was none of those things while suffering from Satan's attacks.
So, how do I undo what Satan has done? I rewire my thinking, again, but this time with the faith of Jesus Christ given to me by the Holy Spirit. Here's my 21 day journal note:
Yes Lord, I heard that comment of discouragement and I felt the effects of it, too. I know that Satan is the one who wants me to feel stifled, anxious, nervous and frantic. Satan wants me to stop and fall flat on my face but Lord, I am your slave. I work for You and You only. Satan, leave me alone! Jesus Christ is my Lord!! Galatians 1:10 (NCV) asks: "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." and Colossians 3:21 (The Message) urges: "Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits." Holy Father, I refuse to listen to Satan through people's comments. I will not be crushed by their words. Instead, I keep working on because of Your courage and hope and strength. Thank You for Your many wonderful gifts to me.
End of journal note.
A couple years ago I was struggling to pinpoint my identity. I had asked God that morning to "father" me. As I was chasing down some definitions in the dictionary for a Bible study that I was writing I stumbled across this word: wynd. I recognized it as my name--in the dictionary. WOW!! And the definition is dramatic as well, at least for me. It means: to wind, proceed, go. to twist, a very narrow street.
God was telling me that I am to keep moving, going forward with whatever plans He has for me and not be afraid of the narrow parts and the twisting roads as they lead to an interesting path with a beautiful view. Matthew 7:13-14 (NCV) says: "Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road." Ture Life. That's what I want to experience and I can say that God has helped me through some hurdles and bumps in the road to live a better, truer life than what I had a couple years ago. Thank You Sweet, Amazing Lord!!
Friend, find your true life--God will show you if you ask Him. Ask Him!!!
Love to all, Wynndy
Friday, May 13, 2011
Overcoming Past Relational Pain May 13, 2011
Hey there, my friends!! Are you sick and tired of the cicadas? They are incredibly present in our yard and are very loud. At least today they are quiet due to the rain. Yes, it is raining again. The sunshine was nice for a couple of days--and I took advantage of it. I sat out on my patio and read from a book about Heaven by Randy Alcorn. I highly recommend it to you. The life you live on the old earth will be greatly enhanced by your knowledge of the New Earth. I really love the book.
Now, it is time for you to sit up straight, shoulders down and back and smile. Smiling makes you look younger. Smiling makes you brighter. Your voice changes when you smile. So, give it a try.
You don't feel like smiling? Why? Folks who are panicky, depressed, stressed, worried, fearful and angry have a hard time forcing a smile. Let's look into your background for some answers and then we will put up the past and move on to a smiling world. Thank You Holy Dad for providing such care to us!!
Parenting is a hard job. Parenting small children is often done by young, immature, inexperienced people--simply because of the age we have babies. If we were to be able to wait untill we are middle-aged then we would have more suffiecient ideas for parenting. But I am reminded of some change-of-life babies who are treated more like grandchildren and spoiled rotten. So much for my theory. My point is: parents do the best they can and do what they think is right at the time.
I am going to list some scenerios. One of them may fit you. None of them may fit you. Sometimes stuff happens in a family that is kept secret and you think you are the odd man out and cannot for the life of you figure it out. And you may never know what the secret is. But God knows. And He wants you to trust Him. Also, things happen to some of us and we block it out. Just be aware of what could be true for you.
You may find yourself adopted and wonder why your mother gave you up. Your mother or father may have left you at your grandpaents home, never to return. Living in the same home as your parents but not bonding with them for whatever reasons. Your father or mother was a strict disciplinarian. Alcoholic. Gambler. Addicted to drugs. Pornography. Prostitution. Married to the career. Always gone. Incest. Beatings. Called you bad names. Said you wouldn't amount to anything. Ignored you. Always angry. Depressed. Panic attacks. In jail or prison. Homosexual. Divorced. Unfaithful in the marriage. Mental Disease. Handicapped. Sickly and needing you to take care of the parent. Murderer. Murdered. Suicide. Hoarder. Always moving the family from city to city. Controlling. Extreme phobias. Mood swings. Thief. Dramatic. Always lying. Morbidly obese. Your home-life is totally different than what is portrayed to the public. Greedy. Smothering. Overprotective. Pushing you into a sport or career path that you absolutely hate. Over commiting you to extra curricular activities. Legalistically religious. Unable to hold down jobs and provide for family. Impulsive. Never saying "I love you".
Did anything ring loud and true for you or seem familiar?
After reading this blog I want you to do an assignment. Sit down in a quiet, private place and journal how and what you feel about your upbringing. Be honest. Don't be afraid of writing it down. You can destroy the document afterwards. Write your heart out. Then write down the reasons why you think things were the way they were. Later on quiz your parents or family members or family friends about the past. Do this so as not to harm anyone intentionally. Try to do this in a factual way and without emotions. Pretend your parents, siblings, whoever, are not related to you and do some research.
I realize that this is a very hard assignment. I am praying that you are ready to move on to a more fulfilling and satisfying life than the one you have been living in. Ask Holy Dad to give you His strength and insight as to what to ask and whom to ask and when to ask.
Now, just suppose you find yourself in a situatioin where you cannot question your family past. They may all be dead. You may not know who they are. You may not know anything except things don't feel right. That could be due to a secret. If you are acting outside the perimeters of the confidence elements (Gal. 5:22-23-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) then something is not right. Write down how it is that you are acting out. Present these to Holy Dad and ask Him to help you resolve them. He may reveal a secret and He may not.. Either way, He can heal you.
I have a helpful 21 day journal note for you to hand write once a day for 21 days. This rewires your brain and subconscious. Remember how it takes 21 days to change a habit--this is along the same lines but you are literally placing God's thoughts into yours. It works amazingly!!
Here's the journal note:
Psalm 37 (NIV) Vs. 1. Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. Vs 7. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Vs 8. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. Vs 9. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
I am not fretting and worrying because of past relational pain. Instead, I am standing still before You Lord, waiting patiently and calmly for You. I refuse to get stuck in an angry rut toward people who have hurt me. I choose to forgive them. Fretting and worrying produces only one thing and that is bad behavior. Bad behavior breaks up relationships. Holy Dad, You are dealing with bad behavior whether it is mine or others. But those of us who choose to trust You Lord will thrive.
End of journal note.
Notice that the journal note talks about forgiving. That doesn't mean that whatever was done to you is excusable. It also doesn't mean that the memory won't hurt--but God can and does heal memories as well as the real event. Just remember, He allows you the time to grieve but He also wants you to heal and forgive and move on so that you cam be the best you for Him. He has a great life already planned out for you. And let me tell you that when you feel the relief, when you realize in a quiet way that you didn't react like you always do--you will stop andworship and praise our Holy God--for He is sooo good.
I know that this blog has been a heavy one but if you are truly serious about developing confidence done right--then this is something to deal with. Deal with it and don't wallow in it. Deal with it and move on.
I want to point out that today we are dealing with the confidence element self-control. It takes your self-control and self-discipline to achieve and receive God's healing. Don't be afraid. Don't blame yourself for where you are today. Look at yourself realistically and admit what your current situation is. Present it to God and give the situation or condition to Him. There are two verses in Psalm 37 that are smack dab in the middle of today's journal note but not included. Here they are: Psalm 37: 3-4 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." My friend, that is a wonderful gift to you from our Heavenly Father. Do what it says and enjoy the gift!!!
My friend, now is the time to grow up. Up until now, you have been acting out of your child-self because you were stuck. However, unless you are a very young person reading this, you are now an adult. You couldn't help what was done to you as a child but you are responsible for you as an adult. Let's do this thing and do it well!!
Please feel free to comment or ask questions on this blog. I want to help you out in any way that I can.
Father, please help my friend to press on with this difficult task, but at the same time give peace about it.
Thank You for healing us!! We love You Lord. Amen.
Love to all, Wynndy
Now, it is time for you to sit up straight, shoulders down and back and smile. Smiling makes you look younger. Smiling makes you brighter. Your voice changes when you smile. So, give it a try.
You don't feel like smiling? Why? Folks who are panicky, depressed, stressed, worried, fearful and angry have a hard time forcing a smile. Let's look into your background for some answers and then we will put up the past and move on to a smiling world. Thank You Holy Dad for providing such care to us!!
Parenting is a hard job. Parenting small children is often done by young, immature, inexperienced people--simply because of the age we have babies. If we were to be able to wait untill we are middle-aged then we would have more suffiecient ideas for parenting. But I am reminded of some change-of-life babies who are treated more like grandchildren and spoiled rotten. So much for my theory. My point is: parents do the best they can and do what they think is right at the time.
I am going to list some scenerios. One of them may fit you. None of them may fit you. Sometimes stuff happens in a family that is kept secret and you think you are the odd man out and cannot for the life of you figure it out. And you may never know what the secret is. But God knows. And He wants you to trust Him. Also, things happen to some of us and we block it out. Just be aware of what could be true for you.
You may find yourself adopted and wonder why your mother gave you up. Your mother or father may have left you at your grandpaents home, never to return. Living in the same home as your parents but not bonding with them for whatever reasons. Your father or mother was a strict disciplinarian. Alcoholic. Gambler. Addicted to drugs. Pornography. Prostitution. Married to the career. Always gone. Incest. Beatings. Called you bad names. Said you wouldn't amount to anything. Ignored you. Always angry. Depressed. Panic attacks. In jail or prison. Homosexual. Divorced. Unfaithful in the marriage. Mental Disease. Handicapped. Sickly and needing you to take care of the parent. Murderer. Murdered. Suicide. Hoarder. Always moving the family from city to city. Controlling. Extreme phobias. Mood swings. Thief. Dramatic. Always lying. Morbidly obese. Your home-life is totally different than what is portrayed to the public. Greedy. Smothering. Overprotective. Pushing you into a sport or career path that you absolutely hate. Over commiting you to extra curricular activities. Legalistically religious. Unable to hold down jobs and provide for family. Impulsive. Never saying "I love you".
Did anything ring loud and true for you or seem familiar?
After reading this blog I want you to do an assignment. Sit down in a quiet, private place and journal how and what you feel about your upbringing. Be honest. Don't be afraid of writing it down. You can destroy the document afterwards. Write your heart out. Then write down the reasons why you think things were the way they were. Later on quiz your parents or family members or family friends about the past. Do this so as not to harm anyone intentionally. Try to do this in a factual way and without emotions. Pretend your parents, siblings, whoever, are not related to you and do some research.
I realize that this is a very hard assignment. I am praying that you are ready to move on to a more fulfilling and satisfying life than the one you have been living in. Ask Holy Dad to give you His strength and insight as to what to ask and whom to ask and when to ask.
Now, just suppose you find yourself in a situatioin where you cannot question your family past. They may all be dead. You may not know who they are. You may not know anything except things don't feel right. That could be due to a secret. If you are acting outside the perimeters of the confidence elements (Gal. 5:22-23-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) then something is not right. Write down how it is that you are acting out. Present these to Holy Dad and ask Him to help you resolve them. He may reveal a secret and He may not.. Either way, He can heal you.
I have a helpful 21 day journal note for you to hand write once a day for 21 days. This rewires your brain and subconscious. Remember how it takes 21 days to change a habit--this is along the same lines but you are literally placing God's thoughts into yours. It works amazingly!!
Here's the journal note:
Psalm 37 (NIV) Vs. 1. Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. Vs 7. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Vs 8. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. Vs 9. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
I am not fretting and worrying because of past relational pain. Instead, I am standing still before You Lord, waiting patiently and calmly for You. I refuse to get stuck in an angry rut toward people who have hurt me. I choose to forgive them. Fretting and worrying produces only one thing and that is bad behavior. Bad behavior breaks up relationships. Holy Dad, You are dealing with bad behavior whether it is mine or others. But those of us who choose to trust You Lord will thrive.
End of journal note.
Notice that the journal note talks about forgiving. That doesn't mean that whatever was done to you is excusable. It also doesn't mean that the memory won't hurt--but God can and does heal memories as well as the real event. Just remember, He allows you the time to grieve but He also wants you to heal and forgive and move on so that you cam be the best you for Him. He has a great life already planned out for you. And let me tell you that when you feel the relief, when you realize in a quiet way that you didn't react like you always do--you will stop andworship and praise our Holy God--for He is sooo good.
I know that this blog has been a heavy one but if you are truly serious about developing confidence done right--then this is something to deal with. Deal with it and don't wallow in it. Deal with it and move on.
I want to point out that today we are dealing with the confidence element self-control. It takes your self-control and self-discipline to achieve and receive God's healing. Don't be afraid. Don't blame yourself for where you are today. Look at yourself realistically and admit what your current situation is. Present it to God and give the situation or condition to Him. There are two verses in Psalm 37 that are smack dab in the middle of today's journal note but not included. Here they are: Psalm 37: 3-4 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." My friend, that is a wonderful gift to you from our Heavenly Father. Do what it says and enjoy the gift!!!
My friend, now is the time to grow up. Up until now, you have been acting out of your child-self because you were stuck. However, unless you are a very young person reading this, you are now an adult. You couldn't help what was done to you as a child but you are responsible for you as an adult. Let's do this thing and do it well!!
Please feel free to comment or ask questions on this blog. I want to help you out in any way that I can.
Father, please help my friend to press on with this difficult task, but at the same time give peace about it.
Thank You for healing us!! We love You Lord. Amen.
Love to all, Wynndy
Friday, May 6, 2011
Calm, Cool, and Collected
Happy Friday Friend!! We have experienced a huge amount of news this week. Whether they be accurate reports or rumors, they cause us to sit up and think. We have a lot of thoughts swirling around in our minds. Worry thoughts. Negative thoughts. Good thoughts. Scary thoughts. Busyness thoughts. Stressful thoughts. Biblical thoughts. National security thoughts. Job search thoughts. Futuristic thoughts. Regrets of the past-thoughts. Health-related thoughts. Guilty thoughts. Parental thoughts. Churchy thoughts. Sexual thoughts. Foul-lanuaged thoughts. Angry thoughts. Food thoughts. Event-planning thoughts. And it goes on and on and on.
I just listed lots of thoughts and some I left out. The fact is our mind can be a chaotic place. And indeed, it is a place. It is a place that has rooms. Rooms that we choose to enter. Please get what I just said. We choose to enter certain rooms in our minds.
Do you feel confused? Are your thoughts unorganized? Do they dart from one subject to another?
Lots of us live in an overwhelming environment and our minds are no exception. Overwhelmed. Does that describe you today? Do you have a hard time focusing your thoughts? Are they out of control? Control. Why do thoughts have control? Well, they shouldn't. You have control. Oh, I know that at times it feels like you don't, but actually you do. You can manage and exercise restraint over your thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (GWT) says: "...We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. Let me give you an example of how this works: identify what your favorite food is. Let's use fried chichen for an idea. Now, smell the chicken cooking on your moma's stove. Your mom has set it before you on a plate and your mouth is watering for it. You pick it up using your fingers. It is greasy and crumbly. As you place it in your mouth you taste salty and feel the crunchiness of it. Now, lets end the food thought. Can you do it? Are you still tasting the chicken? Are you now hungry? Do you see what I have accomplished with a food thought? Your taste buds reacted as well as the saliva glands. Your stomach became prepared with enzymes to recieve the food. Your fingers may even feel greasy. Just one type of thought did all of that to you. Imagine all of the types of thoughts flowing through your mind at this time and the physical effects they are having. It is a real thing. But the wonderful thing is that you reacted to a thought I gave you. You can talk to yourself and stop thoughts as easily as they start.
Remember the rooms in your mind? The first room is the conscious. This is the upper level of mental life. You are aware of what is going on. Next is the subconscious--which is just below the threshold of consciousness. And then you enter the unconsciousness. Webster defines this room as: the psychic apparatus that does not ordinarily enter the individual's awareness and that is manifested esp. by slips of the tongue or dissociated acts or in dreams.
As you start to manage your thoughts you will experience a sort of let-down. Don't be discouraged over this. This will be your sub- and unconsciousness fighting against the grain of what it knows to be true. After all, you have fed it wrong information all of these years and it is fighting to keep what it thinks is right.
Another type of room that you have in your mind is the area you go into to escape. You may be escaping the other chaotic thoughts going on. You may be wallowing in your self-pity which you find, oddly enough, pleasurable. It is a comfortable place. And in saying that, the thoughts of God found in His word may not feel comfortable to you and your consciousnesses because you haven't thought of them as truth. You have been grounded by other foundations. No doubt, most come from your family background. Some from your spouse. Others from co-workers and employers. You may inflict yourself with wrong info. Just give it some thought and examine your mind from this point of view.
I also want you to know that thoughts are things that are measured by brain scans and have shapes. A negative thought has thorns and Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist, says these thorns actually cause pain. Think about it. It is true. Negative thoughts disrupt peacefulness. That is why you have a hard time feeling peaceful. Did you remember that peace is a confidence element and a fruit of the Spirit? Our Holy Spirit is here to help us, thank you Lord!!!!
Listen to The Message as it proclaims 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosopohies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." What a wonderful gift--powerful God-tools! Satan doesn't want you to use them though. But let's annoy him anyway and use them.
Did you notice the title of todays blog? I have the words: Calm. Cool. Collected. written on a bright orange card sitting on my desk where I can see it often. Guess what I notice when I say the word calm? I catch myself taking a good breath. You are probably aware that relaxation breathing causes peacefulness and calmness. Just the word calm makes you breathe. That's the power of words and thoughts.
Here's a good one to journal for 21 days to get into your sub and unconsciousness. It will replace the bad one that is already there. Try this: Proverbs 14:30 (AMP) "A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones." And add: 2 Cor. 10: 4-5 (MSG) "I use my powerful God-tools for smashing my warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting my every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of my life shaped by Christ." Thank you Lord for giving me a calm mind.
Be sure to personalize scripture that speaks to your area of need. It is ok to do this because God wants you to hear Him and take His word personally. It changes your heart and mind and body.
Thank you Lord for Your amazingness!!
Now sit up straight, shoulders back and smile!!
Love to all, Wynndy
I just listed lots of thoughts and some I left out. The fact is our mind can be a chaotic place. And indeed, it is a place. It is a place that has rooms. Rooms that we choose to enter. Please get what I just said. We choose to enter certain rooms in our minds.
Do you feel confused? Are your thoughts unorganized? Do they dart from one subject to another?
Lots of us live in an overwhelming environment and our minds are no exception. Overwhelmed. Does that describe you today? Do you have a hard time focusing your thoughts? Are they out of control? Control. Why do thoughts have control? Well, they shouldn't. You have control. Oh, I know that at times it feels like you don't, but actually you do. You can manage and exercise restraint over your thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (GWT) says: "...We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. Let me give you an example of how this works: identify what your favorite food is. Let's use fried chichen for an idea. Now, smell the chicken cooking on your moma's stove. Your mom has set it before you on a plate and your mouth is watering for it. You pick it up using your fingers. It is greasy and crumbly. As you place it in your mouth you taste salty and feel the crunchiness of it. Now, lets end the food thought. Can you do it? Are you still tasting the chicken? Are you now hungry? Do you see what I have accomplished with a food thought? Your taste buds reacted as well as the saliva glands. Your stomach became prepared with enzymes to recieve the food. Your fingers may even feel greasy. Just one type of thought did all of that to you. Imagine all of the types of thoughts flowing through your mind at this time and the physical effects they are having. It is a real thing. But the wonderful thing is that you reacted to a thought I gave you. You can talk to yourself and stop thoughts as easily as they start.
Remember the rooms in your mind? The first room is the conscious. This is the upper level of mental life. You are aware of what is going on. Next is the subconscious--which is just below the threshold of consciousness. And then you enter the unconsciousness. Webster defines this room as: the psychic apparatus that does not ordinarily enter the individual's awareness and that is manifested esp. by slips of the tongue or dissociated acts or in dreams.
As you start to manage your thoughts you will experience a sort of let-down. Don't be discouraged over this. This will be your sub- and unconsciousness fighting against the grain of what it knows to be true. After all, you have fed it wrong information all of these years and it is fighting to keep what it thinks is right.
Another type of room that you have in your mind is the area you go into to escape. You may be escaping the other chaotic thoughts going on. You may be wallowing in your self-pity which you find, oddly enough, pleasurable. It is a comfortable place. And in saying that, the thoughts of God found in His word may not feel comfortable to you and your consciousnesses because you haven't thought of them as truth. You have been grounded by other foundations. No doubt, most come from your family background. Some from your spouse. Others from co-workers and employers. You may inflict yourself with wrong info. Just give it some thought and examine your mind from this point of view.
I also want you to know that thoughts are things that are measured by brain scans and have shapes. A negative thought has thorns and Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist, says these thorns actually cause pain. Think about it. It is true. Negative thoughts disrupt peacefulness. That is why you have a hard time feeling peaceful. Did you remember that peace is a confidence element and a fruit of the Spirit? Our Holy Spirit is here to help us, thank you Lord!!!!
Listen to The Message as it proclaims 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosopohies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." What a wonderful gift--powerful God-tools! Satan doesn't want you to use them though. But let's annoy him anyway and use them.
Did you notice the title of todays blog? I have the words: Calm. Cool. Collected. written on a bright orange card sitting on my desk where I can see it often. Guess what I notice when I say the word calm? I catch myself taking a good breath. You are probably aware that relaxation breathing causes peacefulness and calmness. Just the word calm makes you breathe. That's the power of words and thoughts.
Here's a good one to journal for 21 days to get into your sub and unconsciousness. It will replace the bad one that is already there. Try this: Proverbs 14:30 (AMP) "A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones." And add: 2 Cor. 10: 4-5 (MSG) "I use my powerful God-tools for smashing my warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting my every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of my life shaped by Christ." Thank you Lord for giving me a calm mind.
Be sure to personalize scripture that speaks to your area of need. It is ok to do this because God wants you to hear Him and take His word personally. It changes your heart and mind and body.
Thank you Lord for Your amazingness!!
Now sit up straight, shoulders back and smile!!
Love to all, Wynndy
Monday, May 2, 2011
Picture of my office window
For all who are curious of what I am looking at as I type on the computer--now you know. I love nature and the out of doors. Whitney and Cody are teaching me how to apply pictures -- so hopefully my blogs will be more interesting. Have a great week, Wynndy
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Royal Confidence April 30, 2011
I heard these comments:
"I am struck with how easy her smile is--how comfortable she seems." "She is very much at ease. She puts everyone at ease around her." "She is composed and together as a young woman." "This new role fits her like a glove." "She has a princess posture." "She never seemed uptight and tensed." "Regal nature."
And then there were these reports from her past:
"As a younger girl she was lacking in confidence, having trouble finding her way. She found her way and carried this off beautifully." "She was bullied in school."
If any of you watched the Fox News account of the Royal Wedding then you know where I heard the above statements. I did not awaken early to watch it but I DVR'd it and watched it later Friday morning. I really enjoyed all of the sights and sounds and the Spirituality of the event.
Now, I would like for you to be honest and unafraid about your presentation to the world. Your presentation is very public, just not broadcasted on the TV in front of millions of people like Catherine Middleton's life is. You represent Jesus and she in her earthly role represents the Royal British Monarchy. The reporters claimed that William and Kate have rejuvenated the Monarchy and that Queen Elizabeth is very happy because, now, through this couple, the monarchy will live. You, my friend, also have a Kingdom to build and thrive. It is the Kingdom of our Lord God Almighty. You are a member of the royal family (if you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ). 1 Peter 2:9 (NCV) tells it like it is: "But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." You are not a commoner. You are royalty. I like the wording of the same scripture (as well as verse 10) from The Message: "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you--from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." If you know anything about the Middletons it is that they are considered commoners but Catherine is now a member of the royal family. So are you!!!!
My friend, are you still living in your past? You have a new life to live, a new beginning to start, a new role to perform. Are you up to it? Yes you are because you have Jesus living inside of you.
Now it is time to preview your wedding. God has it all planned out--in Royalty style!!(He is the best planner, you know). Come and let's take a look: "Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-strong! Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give Him the glory! The marriage of the Lamb has come; His wife has made herself ready. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Angel said to me, "write this: 'Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb."' He added, "These are the true Words of God!"" These true words are found in Revelation 19:6-9 (MSG). You are the bride. The Church is the bride. Jesus is our bridegroom. And you have been given a royal bridal gown that will show off your beauty even more strikingly than you appear now.
As the priest began William and Kate's ceremony he pointed out that we, as the Church, are all the bride of Christ and that Jesus Christ is our bridegroom. I loved the fact that their earthly marriage was prefaced by our marriage to Christ--as a guide. The priest made this declaration to them: ...but as we move toward our partner in love following the example of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light and this leads on to a family life which offers the best conditions in which the next generation can receive and exchange those gifts which can overcome fear and division and incubate the coming world of the Spirit whose fruits are love and joy and peace." You heard the confidence elements--didn't you?
Go ahead and sit up straight with your shoulders back and head held high. Do you feel better, allready?
Kate had an appearance and a spirit about her that made her approachable and others felt at ease. Look in the mirror. Or better yet, have someone video you on a cell phone at an event or even at church. How do you present yourself? Are you approachable? At ease?
Kate Middleton obviously had to change something about her young lifestyle in order to arrive at the now-princessly quality that she puts off. How did she do it? I do not have the direct answer but I do know that there are etiquette schools over in England that teach you how to sit, stand, eat, drink, talk, laugh, etc.
Are you telling me that you cannot afford to fly over to the UK to attend one of those schools? Well, the good news is that we have something better. We have the Holy Spirit in us teaching us Jesus' way. I know--He doesn't exactly touch on the fine arts of posture but He wants us to work on it. Romans 12:1 (HCB) says: "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." Oh! I guess I am suppose to work on my bodily presentation. Yes, we are! But work on one thing at a time and don't overwhelm yourself. That would set you up for failure. But do make a plan.
What about Kate's ease? How do I accomplish that? The next verse Romans 12:2 (NLT) says this: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is." Lot's of high-society Londoners gave their guesses as to what the Queen would wear and what the next move would be, etc. They read her mind, so to speak. And what the Queen says--people do. Well, my Christ-follower bride friend, we can read God's mind. We can know how to act, what to say. how to look. And we have a bonus. The Holy Spirit is our counselor at all times. And further more, we have each other to consult. But it is up to you to change the way you think. That is what God's word says about making you into the new person you are meant to be. You are to think God's way. And how do you do such a monumental thing? You memorize and live His word. Everyday you do this. It works, my bride friend, I am living proof. It heals, it changes, it presents you with ease and confidence.
I told the ladies at our "breaking free" Bible study last Thursday night that once you have experienced and felt healing from an injury that you have an overwhelming sense of gratitude and adoration to Jesus that cannot be measured against anything else. It is awesome. God's word starts making even more sense to you. Please try it. Let your first memory truth be Mark 12:30-31 (MSG) "Jesus said, ...so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: Love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these." OK, my bride, you have your first command from the Royal King!! Love Him totally. Love you. Love others.
I really want to hear from some of you. Please know that it is ok to look at yourself truthfully. You may not like what you see and feel but it is important to recognize what you are----after that---the journey of change can begin. Some folks hold onto their injuries and past pain as an identity. You may not be able to imagine who you would be like without it. I hear you. I know you. I have been there before. Right now, that is all you know--but knowing the real you without the mess of past stuff is a beautiful life. Your life and identity will be different but it will be full and engaging and enjoyable and at ease. Your new life will fit you like a glove. Take a wonderful chance, my bride friend. It is yours to claim.
Love to my wonderful Jesus and all my bride-friends, Wynndy
"I am struck with how easy her smile is--how comfortable she seems." "She is very much at ease. She puts everyone at ease around her." "She is composed and together as a young woman." "This new role fits her like a glove." "She has a princess posture." "She never seemed uptight and tensed." "Regal nature."
And then there were these reports from her past:
"As a younger girl she was lacking in confidence, having trouble finding her way. She found her way and carried this off beautifully." "She was bullied in school."
If any of you watched the Fox News account of the Royal Wedding then you know where I heard the above statements. I did not awaken early to watch it but I DVR'd it and watched it later Friday morning. I really enjoyed all of the sights and sounds and the Spirituality of the event.
Now, I would like for you to be honest and unafraid about your presentation to the world. Your presentation is very public, just not broadcasted on the TV in front of millions of people like Catherine Middleton's life is. You represent Jesus and she in her earthly role represents the Royal British Monarchy. The reporters claimed that William and Kate have rejuvenated the Monarchy and that Queen Elizabeth is very happy because, now, through this couple, the monarchy will live. You, my friend, also have a Kingdom to build and thrive. It is the Kingdom of our Lord God Almighty. You are a member of the royal family (if you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ). 1 Peter 2:9 (NCV) tells it like it is: "But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." You are not a commoner. You are royalty. I like the wording of the same scripture (as well as verse 10) from The Message: "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you--from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." If you know anything about the Middletons it is that they are considered commoners but Catherine is now a member of the royal family. So are you!!!!
My friend, are you still living in your past? You have a new life to live, a new beginning to start, a new role to perform. Are you up to it? Yes you are because you have Jesus living inside of you.
Now it is time to preview your wedding. God has it all planned out--in Royalty style!!(He is the best planner, you know). Come and let's take a look: "Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-strong! Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give Him the glory! The marriage of the Lamb has come; His wife has made herself ready. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Angel said to me, "write this: 'Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb."' He added, "These are the true Words of God!"" These true words are found in Revelation 19:6-9 (MSG). You are the bride. The Church is the bride. Jesus is our bridegroom. And you have been given a royal bridal gown that will show off your beauty even more strikingly than you appear now.
As the priest began William and Kate's ceremony he pointed out that we, as the Church, are all the bride of Christ and that Jesus Christ is our bridegroom. I loved the fact that their earthly marriage was prefaced by our marriage to Christ--as a guide. The priest made this declaration to them: ...but as we move toward our partner in love following the example of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light and this leads on to a family life which offers the best conditions in which the next generation can receive and exchange those gifts which can overcome fear and division and incubate the coming world of the Spirit whose fruits are love and joy and peace." You heard the confidence elements--didn't you?
Go ahead and sit up straight with your shoulders back and head held high. Do you feel better, allready?
Kate had an appearance and a spirit about her that made her approachable and others felt at ease. Look in the mirror. Or better yet, have someone video you on a cell phone at an event or even at church. How do you present yourself? Are you approachable? At ease?
Kate Middleton obviously had to change something about her young lifestyle in order to arrive at the now-princessly quality that she puts off. How did she do it? I do not have the direct answer but I do know that there are etiquette schools over in England that teach you how to sit, stand, eat, drink, talk, laugh, etc.
Are you telling me that you cannot afford to fly over to the UK to attend one of those schools? Well, the good news is that we have something better. We have the Holy Spirit in us teaching us Jesus' way. I know--He doesn't exactly touch on the fine arts of posture but He wants us to work on it. Romans 12:1 (HCB) says: "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." Oh! I guess I am suppose to work on my bodily presentation. Yes, we are! But work on one thing at a time and don't overwhelm yourself. That would set you up for failure. But do make a plan.
What about Kate's ease? How do I accomplish that? The next verse Romans 12:2 (NLT) says this: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is." Lot's of high-society Londoners gave their guesses as to what the Queen would wear and what the next move would be, etc. They read her mind, so to speak. And what the Queen says--people do. Well, my Christ-follower bride friend, we can read God's mind. We can know how to act, what to say. how to look. And we have a bonus. The Holy Spirit is our counselor at all times. And further more, we have each other to consult. But it is up to you to change the way you think. That is what God's word says about making you into the new person you are meant to be. You are to think God's way. And how do you do such a monumental thing? You memorize and live His word. Everyday you do this. It works, my bride friend, I am living proof. It heals, it changes, it presents you with ease and confidence.
I told the ladies at our "breaking free" Bible study last Thursday night that once you have experienced and felt healing from an injury that you have an overwhelming sense of gratitude and adoration to Jesus that cannot be measured against anything else. It is awesome. God's word starts making even more sense to you. Please try it. Let your first memory truth be Mark 12:30-31 (MSG) "Jesus said, ...so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: Love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these." OK, my bride, you have your first command from the Royal King!! Love Him totally. Love you. Love others.
I really want to hear from some of you. Please know that it is ok to look at yourself truthfully. You may not like what you see and feel but it is important to recognize what you are----after that---the journey of change can begin. Some folks hold onto their injuries and past pain as an identity. You may not be able to imagine who you would be like without it. I hear you. I know you. I have been there before. Right now, that is all you know--but knowing the real you without the mess of past stuff is a beautiful life. Your life and identity will be different but it will be full and engaging and enjoyable and at ease. Your new life will fit you like a glove. Take a wonderful chance, my bride friend. It is yours to claim.
Love to my wonderful Jesus and all my bride-friends, Wynndy
Friday, April 22, 2011
TGIGF or Thank God its Good Friday
Welcome all who seek to do confidence done right.
Hope your week leading up to Easter has been a good one. It is a holiday that we don't normally get time off to celebrate yet it is highly celebrated. I think--no, I know, that Jesus loves it when we take time during our normal daily activites to highlight Him. The world watches as we revere the Love of our Life during the spring every year. I have attended Munday Thursday services, performed in choral events on Good Friday and sang jubilations on Easter morning. My own church choir (Lascassas Baptist Church) presented a spectacular song of praise to our Lord this past Sunday. And I can recall singing "Up from the grave He arose" all throughout the year. What gloriousness!!
What does this have to do with confidence? Everything!! Keep reading.
I refer back to "in the beginning" alot and this time is no exception. Genesis 3:15 (NCV) tells us: "I will make you and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants will be enemies. One of her descendants will crush your heel." The backdrop to this real story is just after (and I mean just after) Satan had persuaded Eve to eat fruit from the tree of good and evil that Adam followed suit and ate along with Eve. Both sinned. They had lived in perfectness. They had wanted for nothing. Yet they still sinned. Sin is attractive. Sin seduces us--so we must always be alert and ready for something to snag us. But God knows all about the easiness and prey of sin in our lives. He is so patient and gracious to us. After the initial sin He had a plan. A plan to redeem us. Redeem is a churchy term that some folks may not understand how God applies it to us. Webster defines redeem as: to buy back. To get or win back. To free from what distresses or harms. If sin had not happened Adam and Eve and descendants would have kept on living in the lushness of the Garden of Eden, living healthy, eating healthy, relating healthy, etc. Lovely picture isn't it? And it still is. Holy Dad sent Jesus 2,000 years ago to buy us back, win us back, free us from our distresses and harms. He did this by dying on the cross because of His claim of being the Messiah. You see, in the Genesis 3:15 verse Jesus is the "one of her descendants". On the day that He rose from the grave He crushed Satan's heel. The second we commit our souls and lives to Jesus Christ--Satan is defeated. Our Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us making us one with Jesus. All that Jesus is--we are, too. And this very plan was laid out when the first sin was committed. Isn't God all-wonderful? Friends, don't let us underestimate our Holy Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.
And don't let us underestimate our very real Holy Spirit. I love how The Message relays who the Holy Spirit is. 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." Jesus was telling His disciples of the new plan that was about to unfold. Jesus knew He was facing death and torture on our behalf--but the disciples couldn't wrap their minds around what Jesus was preparing them for. Do you see the ongoing love-actions that Christ did and is still doing? Everything to preserve us. The Holy Spirit is such a monumental gift. Massive!! Please, my fellow Christ follower, don't let us underestimate our precious gift.
So what does our precious gift do for us? First of all, He is our constant companion. No waiting to locate Him. He is INSTANT!! Instant consultant. Instant therapist. Instant personal cheerleader. Instant life planner. He is everything we need. You may be questioning all the "instant" that I threw around. He really is all that--but you and I have a part to play in order to use Him instantly. You have to get to know Him. Talk to Him every day all day long. Consult with Him about all of your decisions and thoughts. Jesus said that "He will make everything plain to you." Take His advise. It is the best in all the world. Jesus said "I am leaving you well and whole." Well----the Holy Spirit is the one to help us achieve that wellness and wholeness. And, of course, He is going to refer you to the Living Word for answers. The Bible. Ask The Holy Spirit often to reveal the things in your life that needs to be corrected and be dealt with. He will direct you. He is waiting for this request--after all, it is His job. He wants to do His job and with love, not condemnation. He won't snear down at you.
You may be wondering what I meant about the lovely picture of living healthy, eating healthy and relating healthy. These are obtainable with some work on your part. I want to introduce Galatians 5:22-23 (NCV): "But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." I like to refer to these 9 items as confident elements. Can you picture the confidence that oozes out of the person who displays these things? And who produces them? Yes, the Holy Spirit. But I want to point you in the direction of #9, self-control. Oh, do we really have to start out with that one? Yes we do. It is the facilitator to the other 8 items.
Allow me to show you a more intimate look at Galatians 5:22-23 from The Message: "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." Isn't this a great life!! And friend, it is ours, all ours. Hallelujah!!!!
Hope this is getting you excited because we will be talking about how to achieve confidence done right. But right now you are encouraged to start, build and strengthen a very real relationship with Jesus. Friend, He is waiting on you. He loves you, totally. Love Him back, totally.
Dear reader, if you do not know Jesus please feel free to talk to me about Him. I want to encourage you to speak with someone who is a Christian or the pastor of a church as soon as you can. If you feel that the Holy Spirit is wooing you then talk to Him. He is very real. Admit to Him that you are indeed a sinner (as we all are) and that you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came and died and 3 days later rose from the dead and is alive even today.
It is an exciting life!! Let Jesus lead your exciting life!! Love to all, Wynndy
Hope your week leading up to Easter has been a good one. It is a holiday that we don't normally get time off to celebrate yet it is highly celebrated. I think--no, I know, that Jesus loves it when we take time during our normal daily activites to highlight Him. The world watches as we revere the Love of our Life during the spring every year. I have attended Munday Thursday services, performed in choral events on Good Friday and sang jubilations on Easter morning. My own church choir (Lascassas Baptist Church) presented a spectacular song of praise to our Lord this past Sunday. And I can recall singing "Up from the grave He arose" all throughout the year. What gloriousness!!
What does this have to do with confidence? Everything!! Keep reading.
I refer back to "in the beginning" alot and this time is no exception. Genesis 3:15 (NCV) tells us: "I will make you and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants will be enemies. One of her descendants will crush your heel." The backdrop to this real story is just after (and I mean just after) Satan had persuaded Eve to eat fruit from the tree of good and evil that Adam followed suit and ate along with Eve. Both sinned. They had lived in perfectness. They had wanted for nothing. Yet they still sinned. Sin is attractive. Sin seduces us--so we must always be alert and ready for something to snag us. But God knows all about the easiness and prey of sin in our lives. He is so patient and gracious to us. After the initial sin He had a plan. A plan to redeem us. Redeem is a churchy term that some folks may not understand how God applies it to us. Webster defines redeem as: to buy back. To get or win back. To free from what distresses or harms. If sin had not happened Adam and Eve and descendants would have kept on living in the lushness of the Garden of Eden, living healthy, eating healthy, relating healthy, etc. Lovely picture isn't it? And it still is. Holy Dad sent Jesus 2,000 years ago to buy us back, win us back, free us from our distresses and harms. He did this by dying on the cross because of His claim of being the Messiah. You see, in the Genesis 3:15 verse Jesus is the "one of her descendants". On the day that He rose from the grave He crushed Satan's heel. The second we commit our souls and lives to Jesus Christ--Satan is defeated. Our Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us making us one with Jesus. All that Jesus is--we are, too. And this very plan was laid out when the first sin was committed. Isn't God all-wonderful? Friends, don't let us underestimate our Holy Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.
And don't let us underestimate our very real Holy Spirit. I love how The Message relays who the Holy Spirit is. 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." Jesus was telling His disciples of the new plan that was about to unfold. Jesus knew He was facing death and torture on our behalf--but the disciples couldn't wrap their minds around what Jesus was preparing them for. Do you see the ongoing love-actions that Christ did and is still doing? Everything to preserve us. The Holy Spirit is such a monumental gift. Massive!! Please, my fellow Christ follower, don't let us underestimate our precious gift.
So what does our precious gift do for us? First of all, He is our constant companion. No waiting to locate Him. He is INSTANT!! Instant consultant. Instant therapist. Instant personal cheerleader. Instant life planner. He is everything we need. You may be questioning all the "instant" that I threw around. He really is all that--but you and I have a part to play in order to use Him instantly. You have to get to know Him. Talk to Him every day all day long. Consult with Him about all of your decisions and thoughts. Jesus said that "He will make everything plain to you." Take His advise. It is the best in all the world. Jesus said "I am leaving you well and whole." Well----the Holy Spirit is the one to help us achieve that wellness and wholeness. And, of course, He is going to refer you to the Living Word for answers. The Bible. Ask The Holy Spirit often to reveal the things in your life that needs to be corrected and be dealt with. He will direct you. He is waiting for this request--after all, it is His job. He wants to do His job and with love, not condemnation. He won't snear down at you.
You may be wondering what I meant about the lovely picture of living healthy, eating healthy and relating healthy. These are obtainable with some work on your part. I want to introduce Galatians 5:22-23 (NCV): "But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." I like to refer to these 9 items as confident elements. Can you picture the confidence that oozes out of the person who displays these things? And who produces them? Yes, the Holy Spirit. But I want to point you in the direction of #9, self-control. Oh, do we really have to start out with that one? Yes we do. It is the facilitator to the other 8 items.
Allow me to show you a more intimate look at Galatians 5:22-23 from The Message: "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." Isn't this a great life!! And friend, it is ours, all ours. Hallelujah!!!!
Hope this is getting you excited because we will be talking about how to achieve confidence done right. But right now you are encouraged to start, build and strengthen a very real relationship with Jesus. Friend, He is waiting on you. He loves you, totally. Love Him back, totally.
Dear reader, if you do not know Jesus please feel free to talk to me about Him. I want to encourage you to speak with someone who is a Christian or the pastor of a church as soon as you can. If you feel that the Holy Spirit is wooing you then talk to Him. He is very real. Admit to Him that you are indeed a sinner (as we all are) and that you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came and died and 3 days later rose from the dead and is alive even today.
It is an exciting life!! Let Jesus lead your exciting life!! Love to all, Wynndy
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