Hello to all my readers! We finally had a nice summer rain yesterday. It cooled things off for a while and my tomato plants drank up the water that God provided. I now have 9 tomatos and hope they ripen before Keevin and I move to Boone. I have been watering them faithfully and watching the plants and fruit grow. I just hope to get the chance to taste my efforts. My efforts. Is it right for me to claim the efforts here? The fact is God created the tomato plant and fruit and caused the rain and supplied the sun. What did I do? I bought the plants at walmart and dug holes (Keevin did this). I watered them as needed and watched them grow. My, how we take all the credit but really it is God who deserves the applause for His creation. Father, I truly am so very thankful to you for the food you provide for us. I also appologize for taking the majority of the credit and not shinning a spotlight on You.
Self-centeredness comes easily to us. It is a hard thing to see but it happens--all the time. Just when we think we are doing good God sends a message to us that goes something like this: "Hey!! I'm still here and I can hear you. You've got it all wrong. Now, please listen to Me and I will help you on this life-path. I truly love you and want the best for you. So my child, look for Me, embrace Me. Now, my love, be at ease."
That brings me to some scripture I have been wondering about. This month's reading is Romans 6-10. Chapter 9 has had me puzzled so I looked it up on Biblestudytools.com and viewed it in The Message traslation. I thank the Lord for modern translations because it greatly helps me to understand His word and what He is saying to me.
Look at Romans 9:33 (MSG): "Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together. Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can't get around. But the stone is Me! If you're looking for Me, you'll find Me on the way, not in the way." Paul is saying that God's message to those of us who do God-projects, yet take all the credit, and don't even converse with God about the project, are on the wrong path and He wants to make us trip on a rock. Paul calls it a huge stone. Have you ever had your way blocked by something big? Well, it is God. Whatever you are facing right now consider that it is God trying to get your attention.
Now look at Romans 9:30 (MSG): "All those people who didn't seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as He straightened out their lives." Listen to God, my friend. He wants to help you. Allow Him to straighten out that mess of yours. Listen to His Word. Read His Word. Look for Him around you. He's everywhere. As you learn more about Him you'll recognize Him. He does love you!!
Journal note # 3 Best Friend Forever!
John 14:26 (MSG) 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.
My dear Friend, the Holy Spirit--You live inside of me. You make evrything plain and clear to me. You are making me well and whole. You are a beautiful gift from Jesus. Thank you for enriching my life.
End of Journal note. Just remember to handwrite it once a day for 21 days to rewire your distorted thinking system.
The Holy Spirit, or Holy Wonder as I like to call Him, is a huge source of wholeness and wellness. How can that be? Well, He is making everything plain to us. It is right under our noses--in the Bible. Remember Romans 9:33? God said "if you're looking for Me." Are you looking for Him? If means it is your choice. He also said "you'll find Me on the way, not in the way." Is He in the way? I feel like we treat Him that way, alot. In the way. Consider getting on His way and allow Him to make everything plain. It truly is refreshing when we have an "aha" moment. We marvel at how the "aha" is the key. My friend, He is the key. He is the real "aha". There are so many "aha's" in the Bible. Take the time during the part of the day when you are most alert and attentive. Find a quiet place so that it is just you and God. Open the Bible, let it fall open, and start reading. You'll find that your Bible reading will become more structured over time. Your passion for Jesus will grow. You will feel His love jump all over you. Ease will be a natural feeling for you. Walk His path and feel a new normal, the new, confident you!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Authority
Happy Friday to all!! We just love Fridays if we find ourselves off on Saturday and Sunday. It feels like free time, my time. The weekend is time for us to make our own decisions. So what plans do you have for the "your time"?
Sometimes our workweek can be a struggle because we are tired of being told what to do (unless you are the boss). As teenagers, we certainly didn't like the advise (rules) our parents gave us. And then there is the preacher and Sunday School teacher. They don't know my life and what I need. Anger. Frustration. Rebellion. Why am I so miserable around these people? And you know what? We sometimes have the same feelings toward God. Yes, admit it, we do!
Why, why, why. I am ashamed to admit that I rebell against God! But there it is-the truth, my truth. Well, friend, that used to be my truth but since I have been healed by God's word, this is no longer true.
Stll, there is the question of why. Some folks develop resentment because of controlling childhood authorities. Others may have felt invisible and totally unimportant to their parents. Physical, mental and emotional, and sexual abuse lead to bitterness. Unhealthy put-downs by your mom and dad may have caused distrust to authorities. Physical and emotional abandonment causes a disconnect all together with superior figures. If your parents were alcoholic, drug abusers, criminals, absent, divorced, depressed, angry, anxious/worriers, rejectors, etc then your home was no haven. You probably stayed away as much as possible. There are other possible situations that can cause "the why" of our rebellion. Do you claim any of these or is your reason different.
Ok, so we've gotten the big, bad truth out of the way. Whatever your truth is--please deal with it--ask God to help you forgive your authority. Get away from any danger. Ask Holy Dad to help you know why your authority treated you the way he/she did. Chances are you would be willing to forgive and console that person if you knew their past circumstances--but you may never know because they may not want to face their own pain. Sometimes our authorities want to keep uglyiness a secret and for that reaon you may never know the real truth. Just accept the fact that there was a reason for what they did, but it is not excused. Doing wrong is never excused. Consequences are inevitable but it maynot be by you.
Now what? After you are able to face your own ugliness, digest it and deal with it--try to put it up on a shelf as soon as you can and be done with it. I realize if you are just acknowledging some facts you may need time to grieve over it and that is ok but don't get stuck on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you with this. He will--just ask Him.
The next thing to realize is that all of that mess you were in is still deep down in your subconcious. Let's help ourselves to get it out and put in God's goodness. Here is journal note #2:
#2 Authorities: Heavenly & Earthly
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NCV) I will teach you to respect Me completely and I will put a new way of thinking inside of you. I will take out the stubborn hearts of stone from your bodies, and I will give you obedient hearts of flesh. I will put My Spirit inside of you and help you to live by My rules and carefully obey My laws. Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) Don't sin by letting anger control you. Romans 8:28 (MSG) That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Father, relationships with You and earthly authorities often are not close, intimate and comfortable. However, I am to obey them unless they are not within Biblical guidelines. I will do the right thing by showing respect to them and following their rules I will not allow myself to burst into anger from rebellion. Instead I will listen calmly to the words of my authority. I know that everything is going to be ok. I will forgive my authorities of their offenses and will remember that You, My Lord, have forgiven me of all my offenses. Thank You for healing this area of my life!
End of journal note.
Friend, work this journal note for your healing. Hand write it once a day x 21 days and be free from authority rebellion. You will feel more respect for yourself, as well.
Enjoy the healing.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Sometimes our workweek can be a struggle because we are tired of being told what to do (unless you are the boss). As teenagers, we certainly didn't like the advise (rules) our parents gave us. And then there is the preacher and Sunday School teacher. They don't know my life and what I need. Anger. Frustration. Rebellion. Why am I so miserable around these people? And you know what? We sometimes have the same feelings toward God. Yes, admit it, we do!
Why, why, why. I am ashamed to admit that I rebell against God! But there it is-the truth, my truth. Well, friend, that used to be my truth but since I have been healed by God's word, this is no longer true.
Stll, there is the question of why. Some folks develop resentment because of controlling childhood authorities. Others may have felt invisible and totally unimportant to their parents. Physical, mental and emotional, and sexual abuse lead to bitterness. Unhealthy put-downs by your mom and dad may have caused distrust to authorities. Physical and emotional abandonment causes a disconnect all together with superior figures. If your parents were alcoholic, drug abusers, criminals, absent, divorced, depressed, angry, anxious/worriers, rejectors, etc then your home was no haven. You probably stayed away as much as possible. There are other possible situations that can cause "the why" of our rebellion. Do you claim any of these or is your reason different.
Ok, so we've gotten the big, bad truth out of the way. Whatever your truth is--please deal with it--ask God to help you forgive your authority. Get away from any danger. Ask Holy Dad to help you know why your authority treated you the way he/she did. Chances are you would be willing to forgive and console that person if you knew their past circumstances--but you may never know because they may not want to face their own pain. Sometimes our authorities want to keep uglyiness a secret and for that reaon you may never know the real truth. Just accept the fact that there was a reason for what they did, but it is not excused. Doing wrong is never excused. Consequences are inevitable but it maynot be by you.
Now what? After you are able to face your own ugliness, digest it and deal with it--try to put it up on a shelf as soon as you can and be done with it. I realize if you are just acknowledging some facts you may need time to grieve over it and that is ok but don't get stuck on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you with this. He will--just ask Him.
The next thing to realize is that all of that mess you were in is still deep down in your subconcious. Let's help ourselves to get it out and put in God's goodness. Here is journal note #2:
#2 Authorities: Heavenly & Earthly
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NCV) I will teach you to respect Me completely and I will put a new way of thinking inside of you. I will take out the stubborn hearts of stone from your bodies, and I will give you obedient hearts of flesh. I will put My Spirit inside of you and help you to live by My rules and carefully obey My laws. Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) Don't sin by letting anger control you. Romans 8:28 (MSG) That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Father, relationships with You and earthly authorities often are not close, intimate and comfortable. However, I am to obey them unless they are not within Biblical guidelines. I will do the right thing by showing respect to them and following their rules I will not allow myself to burst into anger from rebellion. Instead I will listen calmly to the words of my authority. I know that everything is going to be ok. I will forgive my authorities of their offenses and will remember that You, My Lord, have forgiven me of all my offenses. Thank You for healing this area of my life!
End of journal note.
Friend, work this journal note for your healing. Hand write it once a day x 21 days and be free from authority rebellion. You will feel more respect for yourself, as well.
Enjoy the healing.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Heart Words
Hey there, my blogger friends!! I hope you enjoyed a long, patriotic weekend ending with glorious, explosive fireworks. Aren't fireworks fun? Whether you are the operator of the display or one totally enjoying it--it is an event full of thrill.
Those types of times seem to be the ones we live for. We like one thrill after the other. We like a thrill that is bigger than the last one. Do you agree? Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying a thrill--having an unsatiable appetite for something big and explosive can cause you to be a miserable person. Are you that miserable person? Are you never satisfied? Are you trying to prove to someone that you have worth?
And then there is the person who stays put inside and doesn't venture out to enjoy our patriotic displays. This person doesn't have feelings toward anything. A stale life--but yet his life feels safe to him. Safe but very dull. No energy. No purpose. No worth. Could this be you?
My personal ministry passion is to help people find healing, to forgive and be forgiven and to grow. But in order to do this one must recognize where they are. Do you like the big, explosive thrills or do you stay inside where it seems safe? The best place to be is in the middle. This is called living a balanced, normal life. If you are not living in the middle--would you decide at this very moment to discover your new, balanced life? You may choose to live in your explosive world. You may choose to live in your lonely, isolated world. Or you may be ready for the middle ground and have been for a long time but didn't know how to get there from here. Follow me, my friend!
Lately, when I have been in the firing range of an angered individual (and other undesired emotions) I have been able (not even trying) to remain cool and level headed allowing me to respond confidently and calmly, actually stepping back emotionally. Now, this is a fairly new experience for me. Talking about the thrill of victory!! In the not so distant past I would have received the anger in a personal way, become frozen and be unable to think and say the things that needed to be said. I would not have been able to realize that the angered person is the one with the problem. I thought I had provoked it. Now here's another thrill--since this new way of reacting has happened I have been reading what Christian psychology authors suggest--and guess what? It is to react the way I automatically did--without even knowing their advise. But I have to say that reacting the way I did recently toward anger was not possible prior to me being healed by God's word. Are you with me? Do you want to know more? This can be your new life, too! It is real and possible and not very hard to accomplish.
So, on with the story. I had a conversation with God telling Him of my wishes to not be so ultra-sensitive to others emotions. At that time I seemed to stay in a tiz. My anxieties were always kicking in and keeping me revved up. That type of treatment wears a physical body down. I knew God's word said not to have anxieties but for the life of me I could not get His word to stick. Well, God answered my request. There was a week that each day of that week I heard about journaling from different media sources--TV, radio, magazine, etc. I heard it but it didn't sink in that it was God was telling me this until the end of that very week. I found my Sunday School teacher encouraging us ladies to journal to God. "Ok", I said to God. "I hear You and will start it tomorrow." So, I did. I bought a couple of 5-subject composition notebooks and began writing to Him. I found myself writing about my quandries to Him. As I did this scripture would pop into my mind. They were mostly verses from the 20 core memory truths I have instilled in me. I would match them up with my particular problem and write about them. At about the same time I was reading a wonderful book authored by Dr. Caroline Leaf. She is a Christian neurologist who explains how thought processes work and how the brain works. I got my idea of 21 day journaling from her teaching because she explained that it takes 21 days of hand writing God's word to rewire our faulty thinking in our brain. One by one, I tackled and journaled lots of bad areas in my life. I must say that I am well pleased with the results.
Look at what God's word says about journaling: Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT): "And you must commit yourselves whole heartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." See, Holy Dad wants us to journal His words to Him. And getting them seeped into our pyche helps us to automatically react the correct way--His way!! It really works.
So blogger friend, my plan is to share one journal note at a time that has helped me. Hopefully you will get the hang of it and write your own for personal spiritual investment. Just remember that these are to be handwritten once a day x 21 days. You'll feel a difference after the 4th day but be sure to continue to the 21st day to acheive full effect. This treatment does not take much time or effort and it reaps big healing rewards.
#1 Relationships
Mark 12:30-31 (MSG) Jesus said, love the Lord God with all of your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. Love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these.
I willingly choose to love You, O God, with my whole being. My desire for You is great. I talk freely and comfortably with You about everything. I will constantly learn more aout You and the things You want me to do. I am actively obeying Your word as it leads me to the life You created me to have. I am thriving in the love You have for me. I will no longer feel guilty for loving myself. It is so refreshing to know that You created me to love. By allowing myself to feel love for me--my heart is healed. My healed heart is able to love others. Thank You so much!!
End of journal note.
Invest in these heart words my friend!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Those types of times seem to be the ones we live for. We like one thrill after the other. We like a thrill that is bigger than the last one. Do you agree? Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying a thrill--having an unsatiable appetite for something big and explosive can cause you to be a miserable person. Are you that miserable person? Are you never satisfied? Are you trying to prove to someone that you have worth?
And then there is the person who stays put inside and doesn't venture out to enjoy our patriotic displays. This person doesn't have feelings toward anything. A stale life--but yet his life feels safe to him. Safe but very dull. No energy. No purpose. No worth. Could this be you?
My personal ministry passion is to help people find healing, to forgive and be forgiven and to grow. But in order to do this one must recognize where they are. Do you like the big, explosive thrills or do you stay inside where it seems safe? The best place to be is in the middle. This is called living a balanced, normal life. If you are not living in the middle--would you decide at this very moment to discover your new, balanced life? You may choose to live in your explosive world. You may choose to live in your lonely, isolated world. Or you may be ready for the middle ground and have been for a long time but didn't know how to get there from here. Follow me, my friend!
Lately, when I have been in the firing range of an angered individual (and other undesired emotions) I have been able (not even trying) to remain cool and level headed allowing me to respond confidently and calmly, actually stepping back emotionally. Now, this is a fairly new experience for me. Talking about the thrill of victory!! In the not so distant past I would have received the anger in a personal way, become frozen and be unable to think and say the things that needed to be said. I would not have been able to realize that the angered person is the one with the problem. I thought I had provoked it. Now here's another thrill--since this new way of reacting has happened I have been reading what Christian psychology authors suggest--and guess what? It is to react the way I automatically did--without even knowing their advise. But I have to say that reacting the way I did recently toward anger was not possible prior to me being healed by God's word. Are you with me? Do you want to know more? This can be your new life, too! It is real and possible and not very hard to accomplish.
So, on with the story. I had a conversation with God telling Him of my wishes to not be so ultra-sensitive to others emotions. At that time I seemed to stay in a tiz. My anxieties were always kicking in and keeping me revved up. That type of treatment wears a physical body down. I knew God's word said not to have anxieties but for the life of me I could not get His word to stick. Well, God answered my request. There was a week that each day of that week I heard about journaling from different media sources--TV, radio, magazine, etc. I heard it but it didn't sink in that it was God was telling me this until the end of that very week. I found my Sunday School teacher encouraging us ladies to journal to God. "Ok", I said to God. "I hear You and will start it tomorrow." So, I did. I bought a couple of 5-subject composition notebooks and began writing to Him. I found myself writing about my quandries to Him. As I did this scripture would pop into my mind. They were mostly verses from the 20 core memory truths I have instilled in me. I would match them up with my particular problem and write about them. At about the same time I was reading a wonderful book authored by Dr. Caroline Leaf. She is a Christian neurologist who explains how thought processes work and how the brain works. I got my idea of 21 day journaling from her teaching because she explained that it takes 21 days of hand writing God's word to rewire our faulty thinking in our brain. One by one, I tackled and journaled lots of bad areas in my life. I must say that I am well pleased with the results.
Look at what God's word says about journaling: Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT): "And you must commit yourselves whole heartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." See, Holy Dad wants us to journal His words to Him. And getting them seeped into our pyche helps us to automatically react the correct way--His way!! It really works.
So blogger friend, my plan is to share one journal note at a time that has helped me. Hopefully you will get the hang of it and write your own for personal spiritual investment. Just remember that these are to be handwritten once a day x 21 days. You'll feel a difference after the 4th day but be sure to continue to the 21st day to acheive full effect. This treatment does not take much time or effort and it reaps big healing rewards.
#1 Relationships
Mark 12:30-31 (MSG) Jesus said, love the Lord God with all of your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. Love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these.
I willingly choose to love You, O God, with my whole being. My desire for You is great. I talk freely and comfortably with You about everything. I will constantly learn more aout You and the things You want me to do. I am actively obeying Your word as it leads me to the life You created me to have. I am thriving in the love You have for me. I will no longer feel guilty for loving myself. It is so refreshing to know that You created me to love. By allowing myself to feel love for me--my heart is healed. My healed heart is able to love others. Thank You so much!!
End of journal note.
Invest in these heart words my friend!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, June 24, 2011
Bragging Because You have JOY!
Hi there, again, my friend. Today's blog will probably be a short one because I am in the middle of transitioning from this house to Maria's house. Everything is boxed up with the exception of last minute things and today is the day to wrap up last minute things. Keevin and I will be moving to Boone, NC the last of August to start a new church plant. Keep us in your prayers. We intend to start a cleaning business that will hopefully flourish and give us finances. We are going on faith because God is sending us to that area and He will take care of things.
I have been reading the first 5 chapters of Romans for this month's reading. I read a small (or parts of) book of the Bible each morning for 30 days. I came across Romans 5: 1-5 that speaks about faith, peace, joy, confidence, hope and other wonderful things that God does for us. You will see later why I titled today's blog with BRAG.
Let's look at the NLT version of todays scripture: "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Chrsit our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privelege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." God created us. We sinned. Jesus was sent to us by God to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus died and suffered for us. Jesus experienced everything we experience. He knows what we know. Believeing that Jesus is who He says He is and trusting that He did what He said He did--is called faith. Our faith also carries us forward knowing that God has more to show us and more for us to do for Him. With all of that said--this brings us to a privileged state. That means we are standing up straight and tall and confidently. Not because of anything we have done but because Jesus Christ made it possible! Our attitude becomes Joyful! Not sad. Not depressed. Not sulking and bitter. But JOYFUL!! Now come the problems and hardships. What to do? We deal with them. Dealing, first of all, takes the fear out of the situation. Dealing creates a stick-with-it attitude. That attitude brings out your individual features. He makes the real you shine. Do you know the real you? All of that brings us back full circle to Christ and our salvation because of Him. We are safe in His care!! We are loved!! He will not dissappoint us.
Now let's look at God's Word Translation of the same scripture as above: "Now that we have God's approval by faith, we have peace with God, because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in His favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will recieve glory form God. But that's not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence. We're not ashamed to have this confidence, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Ordinarily, we Christians are turned off by the word brag because it seems a bit self-centered. God does not want us to be self-centered. Far from it--this scripture talks about God and His love and gifts, Jesus and His life, death, sacrifice and gift of salvation, and the Holy Spirit who is a gift to us and resides in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is a gift that keeps giving--look Him up for yourself and see what He does for you. Now, getting back to BRAG, this word intends for us to brag about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Brag means to engage in self-glorification but in this word the glorification goes to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I want your attention to be drawn to the word engage. It means to attract and hold by influence or power, to interlock with. Do you see why bragging applies here? God is attractive. Jesus is the best influence for us. The Holy Spirit interlocks us all together in a unified spirit of bonding. I also like to think that the notion we have about bragging on ourselves is one of motivation. We are motivated to do more of the same when we are glorified because of an act of ours. Let our acts be for God's use and be so motivated and active toward Him. My friend, this kind of life is a confident one and enjoyable one and full of peace and satisfation. If you currently find yourself in the opposite frame of mind then I suggest that you pray Romans 5:1-5 to Holy Dad and ask for His help in this area. Memorize it. Make it personal and insert me and my for we and our. Holy Dad and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all excited about life with you. Come and live a confident life with Him!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
I have been reading the first 5 chapters of Romans for this month's reading. I read a small (or parts of) book of the Bible each morning for 30 days. I came across Romans 5: 1-5 that speaks about faith, peace, joy, confidence, hope and other wonderful things that God does for us. You will see later why I titled today's blog with BRAG.
Let's look at the NLT version of todays scripture: "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Chrsit our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privelege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." God created us. We sinned. Jesus was sent to us by God to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus died and suffered for us. Jesus experienced everything we experience. He knows what we know. Believeing that Jesus is who He says He is and trusting that He did what He said He did--is called faith. Our faith also carries us forward knowing that God has more to show us and more for us to do for Him. With all of that said--this brings us to a privileged state. That means we are standing up straight and tall and confidently. Not because of anything we have done but because Jesus Christ made it possible! Our attitude becomes Joyful! Not sad. Not depressed. Not sulking and bitter. But JOYFUL!! Now come the problems and hardships. What to do? We deal with them. Dealing, first of all, takes the fear out of the situation. Dealing creates a stick-with-it attitude. That attitude brings out your individual features. He makes the real you shine. Do you know the real you? All of that brings us back full circle to Christ and our salvation because of Him. We are safe in His care!! We are loved!! He will not dissappoint us.
Now let's look at God's Word Translation of the same scripture as above: "Now that we have God's approval by faith, we have peace with God, because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in His favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will recieve glory form God. But that's not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence. We're not ashamed to have this confidence, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Ordinarily, we Christians are turned off by the word brag because it seems a bit self-centered. God does not want us to be self-centered. Far from it--this scripture talks about God and His love and gifts, Jesus and His life, death, sacrifice and gift of salvation, and the Holy Spirit who is a gift to us and resides in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is a gift that keeps giving--look Him up for yourself and see what He does for you. Now, getting back to BRAG, this word intends for us to brag about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Brag means to engage in self-glorification but in this word the glorification goes to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I want your attention to be drawn to the word engage. It means to attract and hold by influence or power, to interlock with. Do you see why bragging applies here? God is attractive. Jesus is the best influence for us. The Holy Spirit interlocks us all together in a unified spirit of bonding. I also like to think that the notion we have about bragging on ourselves is one of motivation. We are motivated to do more of the same when we are glorified because of an act of ours. Let our acts be for God's use and be so motivated and active toward Him. My friend, this kind of life is a confident one and enjoyable one and full of peace and satisfation. If you currently find yourself in the opposite frame of mind then I suggest that you pray Romans 5:1-5 to Holy Dad and ask for His help in this area. Memorize it. Make it personal and insert me and my for we and our. Holy Dad and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all excited about life with you. Come and live a confident life with Him!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, June 17, 2011
Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy!!!!!!
Hi There! Well, my week has been a busy one. Packing, purging, sorting, wrapping fragiles, etc. We will be moving over to our daughters house next weekend, so all of this will be over pretty soon. But Keevin and I have a little more time with our children before we leave.
Are you feeling more loved than you did before starting the 21 day journal note? I have found that writing journal notes for all the areas in my life that needed correcting helped me to find a nice balance and peace. So you may not feel all balanced out just yet but keep working at it. Ask the Lord to show you the next area of concern that He wishes for you to correct.
Today we will talk about joy. The meaning of joy is: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Delight. Gaiety. A state of happiness. Enjoyment. Do you relate?
The opposite of joy is sadness, grief or unhappiness, depression, feeling worthless.. Do you relate?
Let's look at John 15: 10-11 (GWT): "If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in His love. I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete." The end result is thorough, total, absolute joy. What does that type of joy feel like? We'll go back to last weeks blog where we talked about "love." Total joy is felt when we live in His love. His love. That is the basic ingredient to our joy. How do we live in His love? We obey His commandments. Remember Mark 12:30-31? "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself." Did you ask Holy Dad to help you love Him the way He wants you to? If you didn't, then stop this very second and do it, sincerely.
I'd like to show you how Holy Dad is able to give you such great joy. Romans 15:13 (NCV) says: "I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit." Have you noticed that many of the confidence elements overlap each other and rely on each other? Trust in Him. Faith is #7 on the list (you can find it in Galatians 5: 22-23). Trust and faih are areas that you have to be willing to let go and let God. You have to actually let go and let God. Release your control. It may seem hard but you can talk yourself into it. Ask the Lord to help you in this area. What does this accomplish? Joy and peace and hope. Hope overflows because of the Holy Spirit. I like to call Him the Holy Wonder. What an incredible conduit. He flows His power right into us and gives us power. We are not in this life alone. We are super-naturally charged.
Friend, let's get out of the depressing slump and move on to joy. Let's be determined to get over our sadness that we have been wallowing in (self-pity) and replace it with Jesus' complete joy.
The right life path is this: Psalm 16:11 (NLT): "You will show me the ways of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You, forever." And The Message relates it this way: "Now You've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face. Ever since You took my hand, I'm on the right way." Have you felt God's presence since reading my blog? Or, maybe I should ask Have you felt God's presence since you have started loving Him with all your passion, prayer, intelligence and energy?
I'm not going to give you a journal note this week but I want you to continue your previous journaling.
Here's a confident booster: When talking to someone keep good eye contact and truly listen, nodding occasionally.
Holy Father, I ask you to help my readers to "get it". "To get You." Help them to want to give up control and allow You to empower them with all of Your love, joy and goodness. You are so great and awesome. Thank You for hearing my prayer and attending to it.
Friend, have a great weekend and find a good Bible-teaching church to worship our Holy Lord this Sunday.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Are you feeling more loved than you did before starting the 21 day journal note? I have found that writing journal notes for all the areas in my life that needed correcting helped me to find a nice balance and peace. So you may not feel all balanced out just yet but keep working at it. Ask the Lord to show you the next area of concern that He wishes for you to correct.
Today we will talk about joy. The meaning of joy is: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Delight. Gaiety. A state of happiness. Enjoyment. Do you relate?
The opposite of joy is sadness, grief or unhappiness, depression, feeling worthless.. Do you relate?
Let's look at John 15: 10-11 (GWT): "If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in His love. I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete." The end result is thorough, total, absolute joy. What does that type of joy feel like? We'll go back to last weeks blog where we talked about "love." Total joy is felt when we live in His love. His love. That is the basic ingredient to our joy. How do we live in His love? We obey His commandments. Remember Mark 12:30-31? "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself." Did you ask Holy Dad to help you love Him the way He wants you to? If you didn't, then stop this very second and do it, sincerely.
I'd like to show you how Holy Dad is able to give you such great joy. Romans 15:13 (NCV) says: "I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit." Have you noticed that many of the confidence elements overlap each other and rely on each other? Trust in Him. Faith is #7 on the list (you can find it in Galatians 5: 22-23). Trust and faih are areas that you have to be willing to let go and let God. You have to actually let go and let God. Release your control. It may seem hard but you can talk yourself into it. Ask the Lord to help you in this area. What does this accomplish? Joy and peace and hope. Hope overflows because of the Holy Spirit. I like to call Him the Holy Wonder. What an incredible conduit. He flows His power right into us and gives us power. We are not in this life alone. We are super-naturally charged.
Friend, let's get out of the depressing slump and move on to joy. Let's be determined to get over our sadness that we have been wallowing in (self-pity) and replace it with Jesus' complete joy.
The right life path is this: Psalm 16:11 (NLT): "You will show me the ways of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You, forever." And The Message relates it this way: "Now You've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face. Ever since You took my hand, I'm on the right way." Have you felt God's presence since reading my blog? Or, maybe I should ask Have you felt God's presence since you have started loving Him with all your passion, prayer, intelligence and energy?
I'm not going to give you a journal note this week but I want you to continue your previous journaling.
Here's a confident booster: When talking to someone keep good eye contact and truly listen, nodding occasionally.
Holy Father, I ask you to help my readers to "get it". "To get You." Help them to want to give up control and allow You to empower them with all of Your love, joy and goodness. You are so great and awesome. Thank You for hearing my prayer and attending to it.
Friend, have a great weekend and find a good Bible-teaching church to worship our Holy Lord this Sunday.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, June 10, 2011
Let's love, not hate!!
Happy end to the work week to my readers!! Do me a favor and make plans (definite plans) to have an extremely good weekend. We have collected boxes and newspapers (for wrapping fragiles) to move our family to Maria's house--so we have our work cut out for us. Keevin is so ready to move on to Boone, NC and start the new church plant but we have a little time left here with our family.
Did last weeks blog speak to you? If it did we will discuss it some more today. The whole unloved issue is a big one but it is very worth tackling. Did you start the 21 day journal note toward your healing? No, you say? Well, you can't expect a different life if you don't do life differently. Give it a try--it's only 21 days. And don't forget to talk to God straight up about anything that is bothering you and find a spot in the Bible to concentrate on and read. Your life will definitely change.
An interesting discussion took place in our circle of friends last night--the group that meets at my house on Thursdays for "Breaking Free" Beth Moore Bible study. Everyone of us has had the same unworthy, ugly, stupid feelings about ourselves. We concluded that a large percentage of women feel the same way. We are breaking the #1 confidence element found in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). #1 is of course, love. Webster defines love as: strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. This totally sounds like God's love for us. As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ we are adopted into God's family. We are children of the almighty God!! And He cares for us in a very personal way--you just need to experience it--you won't want to live without it again. Did you notice that I said we are "breaking" the # 1 confidence element? What does "breaking the feeling of love" mean? The opposite of love is hate. Webster defines hate as: an intense hostility and aversion usually deriving fror fear, anger, or sense of injury. That definition completely fits the feelings we have about ourselves. So, how do I stop breaking the # 1 confidence element? Accept the truth!
One of my friends expressed to me that my explanation of the sub and unconscious mind clicked with her. I reported on the unconscious mind back in the May 6, 2011 blog, but I'll refresh your memory. As a child and adult the thoughts, and words spoken to us are filtered through our mind. Our brain decides whether to accept the thought or reject it based on if it seems like truth. If an authority figure told you something, especially repeatedly, then the child brain is going to accept it as truth whether it is a lie or not. Those so-called truths come out in slips of the tongue or behavor or dreams. As an adult who has been informed of the wrongfulness of your so-called truths, it is your responsiblity to retrain your brain. And guess what, you have help doing it. Our Holy Dad and the Holy Spirit gives courage, strength and endurance. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised that it the effort it takes isn't as bad as you had dreaded it to be.
Let's take a look at why we can believe that we are loved and lovable and worthy of it. 1 John 3:16 (GWT) says: "We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave His life for us." The Message reads it this way: "This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed His life for us." You see, my friend, He not only died for us, but suffered intense pain and humiliation. He didn't deserve any of this because He was perfect. So, why did He do it? Because He loves us. The worthiness comes from Christ as well. Love and worth.
Psalm 31:7 (NLT) says: "I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul." Yes, you can be glad and jump up and down because Christ's love is here to stay. You're stuck with it--so start enjoying it!! He loves you -- you and your messy emotions and behaviors. He knows the "real you" and loves you. Don't try to explain it in your head. Don't make excuses for not believing it. There's nothing you can do to stop His love. In fact, Romans 8:38 (GWT) tells us: "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us." Not even you can stop His love.
What I find exciting is the list of results that you will experience once you are healed of your unlove injury. Here it is found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NLT):
Love is patient and kind. (Sound familiar?)
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
The Message reads this way:
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Don't you want the above to describe you? Well, it can.
Jesus wants you to know that He loves you so much He wants to marry you. See for yourself--Hosea 2:19 (NLT): "I will make you My wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion." What a doting husband!
Now for the 21 days journal note:
Lord Jesus, I feel so unloved, unlovable and even unworthy to ask You to help me feel love. I feel that I don't have a right to seek love for myself and I truly don't know how to love You.
Jesus, according to 1 John 3:16 (GWT), I understand what true love is. I realize and acknowledge that You suffered pain and humiliation and death for me. I thank You from the deepest part of my heart.
And Holy Dad, (Psalm 31:7 {NLT}) I am very happy and ecstatic because You know the real me and my messy emotions and yet You love me anyway. And You care enough to want to help me recover from my internal pain. I love you, too, Lord! Thank You!!
End of journal note.
My friend, start showing love to your body and take excellent care of it. You may not feel natural about it at this time but when the healing sets in you will have established good health habits. The Right Feelings will come about.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Worship our Lord this weekend!!
Did last weeks blog speak to you? If it did we will discuss it some more today. The whole unloved issue is a big one but it is very worth tackling. Did you start the 21 day journal note toward your healing? No, you say? Well, you can't expect a different life if you don't do life differently. Give it a try--it's only 21 days. And don't forget to talk to God straight up about anything that is bothering you and find a spot in the Bible to concentrate on and read. Your life will definitely change.
An interesting discussion took place in our circle of friends last night--the group that meets at my house on Thursdays for "Breaking Free" Beth Moore Bible study. Everyone of us has had the same unworthy, ugly, stupid feelings about ourselves. We concluded that a large percentage of women feel the same way. We are breaking the #1 confidence element found in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). #1 is of course, love. Webster defines love as: strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. This totally sounds like God's love for us. As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ we are adopted into God's family. We are children of the almighty God!! And He cares for us in a very personal way--you just need to experience it--you won't want to live without it again. Did you notice that I said we are "breaking" the # 1 confidence element? What does "breaking the feeling of love" mean? The opposite of love is hate. Webster defines hate as: an intense hostility and aversion usually deriving fror fear, anger, or sense of injury. That definition completely fits the feelings we have about ourselves. So, how do I stop breaking the # 1 confidence element? Accept the truth!
One of my friends expressed to me that my explanation of the sub and unconscious mind clicked with her. I reported on the unconscious mind back in the May 6, 2011 blog, but I'll refresh your memory. As a child and adult the thoughts, and words spoken to us are filtered through our mind. Our brain decides whether to accept the thought or reject it based on if it seems like truth. If an authority figure told you something, especially repeatedly, then the child brain is going to accept it as truth whether it is a lie or not. Those so-called truths come out in slips of the tongue or behavor or dreams. As an adult who has been informed of the wrongfulness of your so-called truths, it is your responsiblity to retrain your brain. And guess what, you have help doing it. Our Holy Dad and the Holy Spirit gives courage, strength and endurance. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised that it the effort it takes isn't as bad as you had dreaded it to be.
Let's take a look at why we can believe that we are loved and lovable and worthy of it. 1 John 3:16 (GWT) says: "We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave His life for us." The Message reads it this way: "This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed His life for us." You see, my friend, He not only died for us, but suffered intense pain and humiliation. He didn't deserve any of this because He was perfect. So, why did He do it? Because He loves us. The worthiness comes from Christ as well. Love and worth.
Psalm 31:7 (NLT) says: "I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul." Yes, you can be glad and jump up and down because Christ's love is here to stay. You're stuck with it--so start enjoying it!! He loves you -- you and your messy emotions and behaviors. He knows the "real you" and loves you. Don't try to explain it in your head. Don't make excuses for not believing it. There's nothing you can do to stop His love. In fact, Romans 8:38 (GWT) tells us: "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us." Not even you can stop His love.
What I find exciting is the list of results that you will experience once you are healed of your unlove injury. Here it is found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NLT):
Love is patient and kind. (Sound familiar?)
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
The Message reads this way:
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Don't you want the above to describe you? Well, it can.
Jesus wants you to know that He loves you so much He wants to marry you. See for yourself--Hosea 2:19 (NLT): "I will make you My wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion." What a doting husband!
Now for the 21 days journal note:
Lord Jesus, I feel so unloved, unlovable and even unworthy to ask You to help me feel love. I feel that I don't have a right to seek love for myself and I truly don't know how to love You.
Jesus, according to 1 John 3:16 (GWT), I understand what true love is. I realize and acknowledge that You suffered pain and humiliation and death for me. I thank You from the deepest part of my heart.
And Holy Dad, (Psalm 31:7 {NLT}) I am very happy and ecstatic because You know the real me and my messy emotions and yet You love me anyway. And You care enough to want to help me recover from my internal pain. I love you, too, Lord! Thank You!!
End of journal note.
My friend, start showing love to your body and take excellent care of it. You may not feel natural about it at this time but when the healing sets in you will have established good health habits. The Right Feelings will come about.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Worship our Lord this weekend!!
Monday, June 6, 2011
It's all about LOVE!!
Good lovely Monday morning to you all!! I am a little delayed in my blogging by a couple of days but sometimes life pops up and you have to deal with it. But I want to share that with all of the changes going on in my family's life--life is pretty good. My son is excited about a new dream career in firefighting. My daughter found the cutest little house for her and the children to live in. It feels like the Lord is making things happen to help me and Keevin move along to Boone. The move will happen around the last of August or first of September. Keep us in your prayers.
Today we are going to talk about love The ultimate love. I know for a fact that lots of us do not know how to love. God's greatest commandment is Mark 12:30-31 (NLT): "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." What is the difference between soul-mind-strength? Well, The Message states this scripture as: "Jesus said, 'The first in importance is... 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.'" Sounds like a good and right thing to do if a person loves himself.
Lots of us have missed out on feeling loved. Some of us have been loved but didn't perceive it that way--so those of us in that category still don't know what love feels like. Some of us have been abandoned emotionally or physically, misused and abused, ignored, belittled, felt unimportant, underestimted, misguided, and maybe even dispised. You know if one or more of these adjectives fit you. Most of the ones listed have the same if not similar outcomes. The main one is not feeling loved.
The unloved person just simply doesn't know how it feels to be loved, or to feel loved. This person doesn't feel worthy to be loved--because "if the most important person in the world didn't show love to me then how in the world can I be lovable. Something must be wrong with me." Have you made those statements to yourself? You have rehearsed it and perhaps audibly heard it from your authority source over and over that you are unlovable. Your brain believes it to be truth. It is written in stone. Or is it? "Are you saying that maybe it is not written in stone and maybe my authority source and my brain is wrong?" Yes, my loved one, that is what I am saying!! Satan has used lies and lots of them to steer you away from God's love.
Let me show you something: 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV) says: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear inovlves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us." What I want you to come away with is the fact of fear-----involves torment. The person who feels unloved can surely say he/she feels tormented.
Now look at the Amplified Bible's version of the same scripture: "There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. We love Him, because He first loved us."
And then The Message says it this way: "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love--love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." My loved one--do you hear the wonderful hope of love?!?!
Ok, so you hear the hope but how do you get the love? First of all you are already loved! God loved you before you were conceived. Beth Moore tells it beautifully in her updated "Breaking Free" Bible study that you can tell God "I love you, too" because you just simply cannot love Him first. I will be suggesting a 21 day journal note to help you get God's love into your mind and to change the truth that your brain recognizes. But I would like for you to earnestly ask our Good God to heal you of this unlove-injury and to help you to feel love for Him the way He wants you to and to feel love for yourself. He wants you to feel it and He already feels it for you. You are that important to Him. He does not underestimate you. He sees and hears you. He doesn't ingore you--but your unloved nature keeps you from developing a real relationship with Him. He will never abandon you, misuse or abuse you. He wants the best for you. He wants YOU! I also want to highly suggest that you memorize and quote daily one of the 1 John 4:18-19 scriptues. You choose the one you like best--the one that speaks to you.
Here goes the 21 day journal note:
Dear Holy Dad, just calling you Dad is hard for me to do as I do not know how a father's love feels--but You have told me that You love me. My Lord, I feel dead to love--but Your word assures me that I can be healed of the injury and that Your word will be what heals me. Please help me as I am of no help to myself. Thank You for what You are going to do.
1 John 4:18-19 (MSG) tells me: "There is no room in my love for fear. My well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love. I am gong to love--love and be loved. First I was loved, now I love. You loved me first."
And my precious Holy Father, help me to love You. Grow passion for You inside of me. I am commiting myself to prayer with You. I will learn and read Your word to increase my God intelligence. And my energies will be directed to serve you with my talents and gifts. You are so awesome and gracious to love me with so much love. Thank you for Your attention to me.
End of journal note.
My friend, as you sit there reading this blog I want you to unclench your fist, uncross your arms and lay your hands to your sides. This looks and feels more confidently. A few years ago I learned a very wonderful thing while taking voice lessons. My teacher convinced me to pull my shoulders back and drop them down in a relaxed fashion and to practice this all throughout the week. Imagine my surprise at the confidence I felt just by replacing my posture in a correct position. And my singing improved. Work on how you present your body to the public. Show others that you are loved. They will want the same love you have!!
Sincere sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Today we are going to talk about love The ultimate love. I know for a fact that lots of us do not know how to love. God's greatest commandment is Mark 12:30-31 (NLT): "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." What is the difference between soul-mind-strength? Well, The Message states this scripture as: "Jesus said, 'The first in importance is... 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.'" Sounds like a good and right thing to do if a person loves himself.
Lots of us have missed out on feeling loved. Some of us have been loved but didn't perceive it that way--so those of us in that category still don't know what love feels like. Some of us have been abandoned emotionally or physically, misused and abused, ignored, belittled, felt unimportant, underestimted, misguided, and maybe even dispised. You know if one or more of these adjectives fit you. Most of the ones listed have the same if not similar outcomes. The main one is not feeling loved.
The unloved person just simply doesn't know how it feels to be loved, or to feel loved. This person doesn't feel worthy to be loved--because "if the most important person in the world didn't show love to me then how in the world can I be lovable. Something must be wrong with me." Have you made those statements to yourself? You have rehearsed it and perhaps audibly heard it from your authority source over and over that you are unlovable. Your brain believes it to be truth. It is written in stone. Or is it? "Are you saying that maybe it is not written in stone and maybe my authority source and my brain is wrong?" Yes, my loved one, that is what I am saying!! Satan has used lies and lots of them to steer you away from God's love.
Let me show you something: 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV) says: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear inovlves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us." What I want you to come away with is the fact of fear-----involves torment. The person who feels unloved can surely say he/she feels tormented.
Now look at the Amplified Bible's version of the same scripture: "There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. We love Him, because He first loved us."
And then The Message says it this way: "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love--love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." My loved one--do you hear the wonderful hope of love?!?!
Ok, so you hear the hope but how do you get the love? First of all you are already loved! God loved you before you were conceived. Beth Moore tells it beautifully in her updated "Breaking Free" Bible study that you can tell God "I love you, too" because you just simply cannot love Him first. I will be suggesting a 21 day journal note to help you get God's love into your mind and to change the truth that your brain recognizes. But I would like for you to earnestly ask our Good God to heal you of this unlove-injury and to help you to feel love for Him the way He wants you to and to feel love for yourself. He wants you to feel it and He already feels it for you. You are that important to Him. He does not underestimate you. He sees and hears you. He doesn't ingore you--but your unloved nature keeps you from developing a real relationship with Him. He will never abandon you, misuse or abuse you. He wants the best for you. He wants YOU! I also want to highly suggest that you memorize and quote daily one of the 1 John 4:18-19 scriptues. You choose the one you like best--the one that speaks to you.
Here goes the 21 day journal note:
Dear Holy Dad, just calling you Dad is hard for me to do as I do not know how a father's love feels--but You have told me that You love me. My Lord, I feel dead to love--but Your word assures me that I can be healed of the injury and that Your word will be what heals me. Please help me as I am of no help to myself. Thank You for what You are going to do.
1 John 4:18-19 (MSG) tells me: "There is no room in my love for fear. My well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love. I am gong to love--love and be loved. First I was loved, now I love. You loved me first."
And my precious Holy Father, help me to love You. Grow passion for You inside of me. I am commiting myself to prayer with You. I will learn and read Your word to increase my God intelligence. And my energies will be directed to serve you with my talents and gifts. You are so awesome and gracious to love me with so much love. Thank you for Your attention to me.
End of journal note.
My friend, as you sit there reading this blog I want you to unclench your fist, uncross your arms and lay your hands to your sides. This looks and feels more confidently. A few years ago I learned a very wonderful thing while taking voice lessons. My teacher convinced me to pull my shoulders back and drop them down in a relaxed fashion and to practice this all throughout the week. Imagine my surprise at the confidence I felt just by replacing my posture in a correct position. And my singing improved. Work on how you present your body to the public. Show others that you are loved. They will want the same love you have!!
Sincere sisterly love to all, Wynndy
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