Hey there friend!! You may notice that I am meeting with you a day early this week. That's because Keevin and I plan to travel tomorrow morning to Hendersonville, NC to my Mom and Dad's second home (that's a blessing from God that I will have to tell you about, later). Our children and grandchildren will travel from Murfreesboro,TN to meet with us and my sister and family. An extra week of Christmas is great!
But the inevitable will happen. We will have to get used to saying 2012 instead of 2011. Yes, my friend, changes whether we like it or not. It signals a change of the time and date. Along with that particular signal comes encouragement from merchants and retailers to propel you into other changes--for the better of course. You know what those changes are--to get in shape, lose weight, organize your office, etc, etc. I'm not going to encourage you in those areas because, Lord knows, you are well informed by commercials and advertisements. But those areas of change will benefit you greatly. Through some recent reading I realized that feelings don't change overnight but a change in behavior leads your feelings in the same direction of the behavior. Just think about it and then act on it. OOPPss. I guess I ended up encouraging you in those areas.
What I want to concentrate on is a whole new life. Take a look. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GWT): "Whoever is a believer is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence." We all like reading these words and imagining a new way of living but actually changing the mess we are in is difficult. I asked Keevin the other day if he thought the reason people are unable to change is because of their anger with God? I am convinced that lots of folks don't realize they are angry with God because they are afraid to admit to it. Afraid of God. But God won't disown you if you tell Him that you are angry with Him. Follow me down a couple of verses from where we started. Verse 20 (NCV): "So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God." Some versions read it as being reconciled with God. So friend, He already knows that you are upset with Him. You probably blame Him for some of the bad things that have happened to you, perhaps in your childhood. However, I urge you to go back to the beginning. Genesis starts out with God creating everything from nothing. He placed Adam and Eve in the beautiful, lush Garden of Eden. Life was enjoyable and satisfying. And then in chapter 3 of Genesis the serpent comes along and entices the two of them to eat the fruit that God told them not to eat. The mess we are in is our fault--not God's. Yes, you may have been violated at a vulnerable time in your life but God can heal you of those rotten memories--please give Him a chance.
Now, let's back up to verse 19 of 2 Corinthians 5. (GWT): "In other words, God was using Christ to restore His relationship with humanity. He didn't hold people's faults against them, and He has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others." God know that we messed up and continue to mess up but He doesn't give up on us--we give up on Him and even blame Him. He went to extremes to make things right even though none of our mess was His fault.
Friend, allow His Word to change your life to a new one. 1 Peter 1:23 (MSG): "Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm. Your new birth comes from God's living Word." I highly encourage you to start a relationship with Him--talk to Him and listen to Him by way of His word. Then do what He says to do--He knows how for you to have a good life. And from the deep appreciation you will feel from the new life you will have--you will tell others--those who are hurting and living a dark life--how they, too, can have an amazing new life--through Christ.
The definition of anger (which you may be feeling toward God) is a feeling of displeasure and hostility that a person has because of being injured, mistreated, opposed, etc. Did you notice the word hostility? The definition for angry is feeling or showing anger, wild and stormy. Friend, your angry feelings are misplaced. Satan is the one who caused corruptness in the human race way back in the beginning. Please admit to God that you are angry with Him and that you are deeply sorry for the feelings. Ask Him to heal you and comfort you.
21 Day Journal Note # 25 is about control in difficult situations with others. You could also change the wording around to fit your situation--your anger toward God.
21 Day Journal Note # 25
Who's in Control?
Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG): Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitons and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholelness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
I get so stressed out when I am dealing with a difficult person. I feel loss of respect. I spiral out of control trying to gain control of my situation. I am to look at myself as the problem and not the other person. There will always be those "other persons" in my life and I will never be able to control them. However, I have control over me with Your help. Lord, I give You these difficutl times and trust You to keep me grounded.
end of journal note. If this one speaks to your life difficutlies then handwrite it once a day x 21 days. God's word is awesome by rewiring your brain and thinking system. Try it my friend, as I suspect your way of doing life has not yielded satisfying results. Try on this new behavior.
Instead of telling you to "get a life" I encourage you to "get a new life!"
Sending Jesus' love to all, Wynndy
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Lights in the Sky
The day before Christmas Eve. It seems that the magical time of the year is upon us. Magical. Why does it feel magical? Because Santa Claus is coming to town!! Santa brings us gifts that we have been wishing for and dreaming of all year long. The anticipation of the gift-receiving time builds up the excitement of the great moment. This time of year is also viewed as romantic. A girl hopes to receive a well-meaning gift that proves a young man loves her. Dreams fulfilled. Happiness happening all around. It just doesn't get any better, does it? Or does it?
Tomorrow night Keevin and I will attend a Christmas Eve service at one of the local Baptist churches. For most of our married life we have attended Christmas Eve services and it has become a tradition regardless of where we are. It feels really good, however, when we attend with fellow church members as a family of God. It is the ultimate feeling of unity with a body of folks who all love our Lord Jesus Christ. I read a devotion this morning about not worshipping Baby Jesus. What I want to point out is that I recognize the fact that Jesus had to leave His wonderful life in Heaven, separate Himself from His Father, become a helpless little baby, and start a life as a real human being who had to manage the emotions we do and experience temptations like we do. Thank You Jesus that Your story doesn't end in the manger!! But I recognize my Lord that you did sacrifice alot for us!!
After Keevin and I leave the Christmas Eve service we will head to Blowing Rock, NC which is just 5 miles down the road from Boone. We will drive through town and enjoy the lights that have been so wonderfully displayed. I love the lights. They are bright, festive and give us a great feeling of aliveness. God intends for us to celebrate all aspects of His great plan. We may look up in the sky searching for Rudolph's red nose but our hearts are fixed on Jesus!! It's funny how some folks can't stand the celebration of our season, no matter how you label it (Santa Claus. Jingle Bells, Elfs, etc) because it directs ones attention back to the original reason for happiness. That reason is Jesus, our Lord and Savior
There have always been someone trying to sabotage Jesus Christ's Lordship. In Heaven Satan's pride swelled really big causing him to misjudge his own power and status. Hmmm, do we do that? Well, it got Satan in a lot of trouble. He was thrown out of heaven. Imagine the scene in the sky when it happened. Luke 10:18 (NCV): "Jesus said, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.'" Wow!! I bet his big pride was bruised. Satan is still hot and heavy with his mission to overthrow God's plan. But don't fear because Jesus completed His mission from Baby to Savior on the cross to being raised from the dead and living again as our Lord and Master.
Consider another light. 1 John 1:7 (NLT): "But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin." The last part of that verse is very important. Satan wouldn't own up to his sin and pride but you and I can. We can unquestioningly believe that Jesus is who He says He is and did what He did do. Next, own up to your sins. God will help you to deal with them one at a time. Being cleansed from our mess-ups gives us freedom from the guilt we have been carrying around. Being cleansed releases us from the control the sin has on us. Can you feel the peace as you give it up to Christ? You start to glow (light?) for God. Enjoying the company of other believers is a great way to show big thanks and honor to Holy Dad.
And our light leads to other things. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (MSG): "It started when God said, 'Light up the darkness!' and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful." We start shining for Jesus to the ones who live in darkness. Satan spreads darkness. He wants everyone void of God and His goodness. Some folks void of God think they are just fine, but remember what happened to Satan up in Heaven--lightning, but not a good kind.
And our precious God didn't leave us without instructions and helps. Psalm 119:105 (GNT): "Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path." Friend, the Bible may seem boring or hard to understand but take the time to ask Holy Dad questions about the word you are reading. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you through His word. Ask Him to reveal any areas in your life that you may need to deal with and improve. It may seem scary at first but the freedom from guilt and sin-control is worth the peace that you will have--so just do it!!
Now, I know you have experienced being "lighted on" by anger. I call it a verbal explosion. It is very stress inducing and causes all sorts of wrong thinking to happen inside of you. Check out 21 Day Journal Note # 24.
21 Day Journal Note # 24
Verbal Explosion!!
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
BOOM!!! I am being attacked verbally by an angry person who is standing in front of me. My usual response is to freeze my thinking system and run away. My past experience has been that the one projecting their anger on me was placing the blame on me, rejecting me and not accepting my explanation. I misinterpreted their behavior as a sign that I was worthless. Lord, You have taught me that You live inside of me. I am infused with Your words, thoughts, wisdom as well as Your forgiveness and compassion. I recognize that the person standing in front of me is full of problems and misery. His/her harsh words stem from a distorted thinking system. I am pausing and seeking You. You are helping me to remain calm and rational and I am speaking words of wisdom to this wounded person. Thank You Lord for indwelling me.
end of journal note. Friend, this will help you when you find yourself in that very situation. You'll be amazed at how this note and God's words will rise up and give you a solid footing to say what you need to say to the individual in front of you. The spew of harshness and the power that is meant to cripple you will be deflated and left powerless. Handwrite this note once a day for 21 days to rewire your brain. You'll be glad you did when the next verbal explosion happens--and it will.
My friend, ask Holy Dad to help you get through a family get-together, especially if you are fearful of a verbal explosion. These tend to happen during chaotic, stressful times. Holy Dad wants to help you. He doesn't want you to remember this time of year as "bad family times."
Make plans, everyone, to enjoy the lights tomorrow night. And don't forget the star that the 3 wise men and the shepards saw when they searched out for Baby Jesus!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Tomorrow night Keevin and I will attend a Christmas Eve service at one of the local Baptist churches. For most of our married life we have attended Christmas Eve services and it has become a tradition regardless of where we are. It feels really good, however, when we attend with fellow church members as a family of God. It is the ultimate feeling of unity with a body of folks who all love our Lord Jesus Christ. I read a devotion this morning about not worshipping Baby Jesus. What I want to point out is that I recognize the fact that Jesus had to leave His wonderful life in Heaven, separate Himself from His Father, become a helpless little baby, and start a life as a real human being who had to manage the emotions we do and experience temptations like we do. Thank You Jesus that Your story doesn't end in the manger!! But I recognize my Lord that you did sacrifice alot for us!!
After Keevin and I leave the Christmas Eve service we will head to Blowing Rock, NC which is just 5 miles down the road from Boone. We will drive through town and enjoy the lights that have been so wonderfully displayed. I love the lights. They are bright, festive and give us a great feeling of aliveness. God intends for us to celebrate all aspects of His great plan. We may look up in the sky searching for Rudolph's red nose but our hearts are fixed on Jesus!! It's funny how some folks can't stand the celebration of our season, no matter how you label it (Santa Claus. Jingle Bells, Elfs, etc) because it directs ones attention back to the original reason for happiness. That reason is Jesus, our Lord and Savior
There have always been someone trying to sabotage Jesus Christ's Lordship. In Heaven Satan's pride swelled really big causing him to misjudge his own power and status. Hmmm, do we do that? Well, it got Satan in a lot of trouble. He was thrown out of heaven. Imagine the scene in the sky when it happened. Luke 10:18 (NCV): "Jesus said, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.'" Wow!! I bet his big pride was bruised. Satan is still hot and heavy with his mission to overthrow God's plan. But don't fear because Jesus completed His mission from Baby to Savior on the cross to being raised from the dead and living again as our Lord and Master.
Consider another light. 1 John 1:7 (NLT): "But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin." The last part of that verse is very important. Satan wouldn't own up to his sin and pride but you and I can. We can unquestioningly believe that Jesus is who He says He is and did what He did do. Next, own up to your sins. God will help you to deal with them one at a time. Being cleansed from our mess-ups gives us freedom from the guilt we have been carrying around. Being cleansed releases us from the control the sin has on us. Can you feel the peace as you give it up to Christ? You start to glow (light?) for God. Enjoying the company of other believers is a great way to show big thanks and honor to Holy Dad.
And our light leads to other things. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (MSG): "It started when God said, 'Light up the darkness!' and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful." We start shining for Jesus to the ones who live in darkness. Satan spreads darkness. He wants everyone void of God and His goodness. Some folks void of God think they are just fine, but remember what happened to Satan up in Heaven--lightning, but not a good kind.
And our precious God didn't leave us without instructions and helps. Psalm 119:105 (GNT): "Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path." Friend, the Bible may seem boring or hard to understand but take the time to ask Holy Dad questions about the word you are reading. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you through His word. Ask Him to reveal any areas in your life that you may need to deal with and improve. It may seem scary at first but the freedom from guilt and sin-control is worth the peace that you will have--so just do it!!
Now, I know you have experienced being "lighted on" by anger. I call it a verbal explosion. It is very stress inducing and causes all sorts of wrong thinking to happen inside of you. Check out 21 Day Journal Note # 24.
21 Day Journal Note # 24
Verbal Explosion!!
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
BOOM!!! I am being attacked verbally by an angry person who is standing in front of me. My usual response is to freeze my thinking system and run away. My past experience has been that the one projecting their anger on me was placing the blame on me, rejecting me and not accepting my explanation. I misinterpreted their behavior as a sign that I was worthless. Lord, You have taught me that You live inside of me. I am infused with Your words, thoughts, wisdom as well as Your forgiveness and compassion. I recognize that the person standing in front of me is full of problems and misery. His/her harsh words stem from a distorted thinking system. I am pausing and seeking You. You are helping me to remain calm and rational and I am speaking words of wisdom to this wounded person. Thank You Lord for indwelling me.
end of journal note. Friend, this will help you when you find yourself in that very situation. You'll be amazed at how this note and God's words will rise up and give you a solid footing to say what you need to say to the individual in front of you. The spew of harshness and the power that is meant to cripple you will be deflated and left powerless. Handwrite this note once a day for 21 days to rewire your brain. You'll be glad you did when the next verbal explosion happens--and it will.
My friend, ask Holy Dad to help you get through a family get-together, especially if you are fearful of a verbal explosion. These tend to happen during chaotic, stressful times. Holy Dad wants to help you. He doesn't want you to remember this time of year as "bad family times."
Make plans, everyone, to enjoy the lights tomorrow night. And don't forget the star that the 3 wise men and the shepards saw when they searched out for Baby Jesus!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, December 16, 2011
Unplanned Events
Some of my facebook friends (ok, they're my cousins) are complaining about the not-so-Christmasy weather they are having in Jacksonville, NC. One of my other cousins poked at the first one by saying he didn't want snow because of his surfing habit--but he thought twice about it and decided it might be cool to surf in the snow. But I told them that it's not cold up here in Boone, NC either. I thought if anyone would have a chance at a white Christmas that it would be me--but nooooo. Of course the Good Lord could surprise me yet. With it being 50 degrees at the moment I don't think the rain that is coming down will turn into snow.
And moving away from the weather talk, Christmas Eve is just one week and a day away. It has come upon us quickly, or so it seems. There has to be alot of cooking and cleaning and wrapping like crazy going on out there. A lot of activity for this coming up week. I am wishing all of you a safe and very happy Christmas. Really try to enjoy it and don't get too stressed with all the decisions to be made.
Speaking of holiday stress, have you ever experienced an awkward moment at those Christmas gatherings? Well Joseph was faced with a difficult and heart-breaking moment. He was engaged to marry Mary but he found out that she was pregnant. No way was the baby his because they were true to their vows of being celibate untill the wedding night. As awkward and heart-breaking the news was, he chose to deal with it in a quiet way. He was going to divorce her (yes, an engagement in that time was a very committed relationship so much so that a divorce was in order) but do it privately and not expose the disgrace of her pregnancy. While he was thinking up a plan an angel appeared to him in a dream (Matthew 1: 20) and explained to him that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and not to be afraid of marrying her. Can you imagine waking up from that dream! Would you believe a dream like that? Listen on and see what he did next. The angel in the dream told him something that sounded familiar. In last night's dream he heard the angel say: (Matthew 1:23, MSG) "Watch for this--a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name Him Emmanuel (Hebrew for 'God is with us')." And the angel said this would happen to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. So Joseph knew that this story had been passed down for ages but never in a million years did he expect to be linked to it. Where was it in the scriptures that foretold of this event? Isaiah 7:14 (GWT): "So the Lord Himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and she will name Him Immanuel [God is with us]." Wow!! This is really happening! Why is this Baby so special? Skimming down a couple of chapters Joseph finds the answer. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV): "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Repeat these titles once again but very slowly. Let them sink into your psyche. Now I want to back up, way back, all the way to the beginning. Let's review why Jesus is being born to a virgin. In Genesis we witness Adam and Eve doing bad. They chose to eat a piece of fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God had placed them in the most idylic place ever with not a care in the world. But He gave them one condition for living there--do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Along comes a beautiful snake and this snake talks. There have been other stories in the Bible of animals talking so please don't freak out about this part. The beautiful snake used very convincing words to persuade them to eat the fruit that they were not suppose to eat. That one itty bitty little mistake change their whole world forever. They immediately felt fear which they had never felt before. They felt guilt and shame over their newly discovered nakedness. You see they were sinless and innocent before this event and that is why their nakedness didn't bother them. They felt the need to hide from God and ran among the trees when they heard Him walking around in the garden. Unfortunately, they were about to be thrown out of the lovely, lush garden. God then promised to the woman pain and difficulty with pregnancy and delivery. And to the man, gardening would no longer be as much pleasure as it once was. Now he would have to contend with weeds and thorns and adverse weather conditions. This would make it harder for him to grow the family some food. God cursed the ground and the snake. All of the planet was affected by the itty-bitty mistake. But with God handing out all the bad news He also had good news. Genesis 3:15 (NCV): "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 head, and you will bit His heel." God said this to the snake. Don't forget that the snake is Satan. Satan approaches us in many different forms and ways--keep this in mind as we discuss this some more. Eve's descendant that God was referring to is none other than Jesus. Even when we broke God's heart He gave us a way out from all of our mess.
Fast forward to Joseph. Matthew 1:24 (MSG): "Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream. He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus."
And fast forward to today. Friend, what kind of mess-ups are putting you in an awkward situation for this Christmas? Could it be from a past traumatic event that keeps living large in you? Is it something new that you have experimented with and discovered that it caused more problems than enjoyment? How about the family member that everyone whispers about and shuns? Unforgivness? Regrets? Then you will want to apply 21 Day Journal Note # 23.
21 Day Journal Note # 23
Haunted by the Ghost of Childhood Past
Proverbs 25:8 (MSG) Don't jump to conclusions--there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
1 John 4:18 (MSG) 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.
Childhood uncertainties. Things we can't explain. guilty dispositions placed on small ones by bigger ones just so they can feel release from their pressures. Whether divorce, suicide, rape, abandonment--a child cannot be the one who shoulders the blame. 1 John 4:19 (NIV): "We love because He first loved us." I am loved with a perfect love by the highest being. I no longer have a reason to feel fear. I am bold. I am loving. I am sensible and rational. Thank You Lord for Your deepest love to me!!
end of journal note. Handwrite this note once a day for 21 days to rewire your brain. Get this one buried deep in your psyche to bring about better outcomes for you. With God's help, arrest that old controlling childhood event. Discover how Jesus really means for you to live and enjoy this life of yours!!
As this next week moves toward the big day think about the beginnig and your own itty-bitty mistakes and how they affect lots of folks. Work on those areas and you'll find Christmas to be an even sweeter time than you could ever imagine.
Enjoy the jingles and tinsel everyone!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
And moving away from the weather talk, Christmas Eve is just one week and a day away. It has come upon us quickly, or so it seems. There has to be alot of cooking and cleaning and wrapping like crazy going on out there. A lot of activity for this coming up week. I am wishing all of you a safe and very happy Christmas. Really try to enjoy it and don't get too stressed with all the decisions to be made.
Speaking of holiday stress, have you ever experienced an awkward moment at those Christmas gatherings? Well Joseph was faced with a difficult and heart-breaking moment. He was engaged to marry Mary but he found out that she was pregnant. No way was the baby his because they were true to their vows of being celibate untill the wedding night. As awkward and heart-breaking the news was, he chose to deal with it in a quiet way. He was going to divorce her (yes, an engagement in that time was a very committed relationship so much so that a divorce was in order) but do it privately and not expose the disgrace of her pregnancy. While he was thinking up a plan an angel appeared to him in a dream (Matthew 1: 20) and explained to him that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and not to be afraid of marrying her. Can you imagine waking up from that dream! Would you believe a dream like that? Listen on and see what he did next. The angel in the dream told him something that sounded familiar. In last night's dream he heard the angel say: (Matthew 1:23, MSG) "Watch for this--a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name Him Emmanuel (Hebrew for 'God is with us')." And the angel said this would happen to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. So Joseph knew that this story had been passed down for ages but never in a million years did he expect to be linked to it. Where was it in the scriptures that foretold of this event? Isaiah 7:14 (GWT): "So the Lord Himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and she will name Him Immanuel [God is with us]." Wow!! This is really happening! Why is this Baby so special? Skimming down a couple of chapters Joseph finds the answer. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV): "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Repeat these titles once again but very slowly. Let them sink into your psyche. Now I want to back up, way back, all the way to the beginning. Let's review why Jesus is being born to a virgin. In Genesis we witness Adam and Eve doing bad. They chose to eat a piece of fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God had placed them in the most idylic place ever with not a care in the world. But He gave them one condition for living there--do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Along comes a beautiful snake and this snake talks. There have been other stories in the Bible of animals talking so please don't freak out about this part. The beautiful snake used very convincing words to persuade them to eat the fruit that they were not suppose to eat. That one itty bitty little mistake change their whole world forever. They immediately felt fear which they had never felt before. They felt guilt and shame over their newly discovered nakedness. You see they were sinless and innocent before this event and that is why their nakedness didn't bother them. They felt the need to hide from God and ran among the trees when they heard Him walking around in the garden. Unfortunately, they were about to be thrown out of the lovely, lush garden. God then promised to the woman pain and difficulty with pregnancy and delivery. And to the man, gardening would no longer be as much pleasure as it once was. Now he would have to contend with weeds and thorns and adverse weather conditions. This would make it harder for him to grow the family some food. God cursed the ground and the snake. All of the planet was affected by the itty-bitty mistake. But with God handing out all the bad news He also had good news. Genesis 3:15 (NCV): "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 head, and you will bit His heel." God said this to the snake. Don't forget that the snake is Satan. Satan approaches us in many different forms and ways--keep this in mind as we discuss this some more. Eve's descendant that God was referring to is none other than Jesus. Even when we broke God's heart He gave us a way out from all of our mess.
Fast forward to Joseph. Matthew 1:24 (MSG): "Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream. He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus."
And fast forward to today. Friend, what kind of mess-ups are putting you in an awkward situation for this Christmas? Could it be from a past traumatic event that keeps living large in you? Is it something new that you have experimented with and discovered that it caused more problems than enjoyment? How about the family member that everyone whispers about and shuns? Unforgivness? Regrets? Then you will want to apply 21 Day Journal Note # 23.
21 Day Journal Note # 23
Haunted by the Ghost of Childhood Past
Proverbs 25:8 (MSG) Don't jump to conclusions--there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
1 John 4:18 (MSG) 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.
Childhood uncertainties. Things we can't explain. guilty dispositions placed on small ones by bigger ones just so they can feel release from their pressures. Whether divorce, suicide, rape, abandonment--a child cannot be the one who shoulders the blame. 1 John 4:19 (NIV): "We love because He first loved us." I am loved with a perfect love by the highest being. I no longer have a reason to feel fear. I am bold. I am loving. I am sensible and rational. Thank You Lord for Your deepest love to me!!
end of journal note. Handwrite this note once a day for 21 days to rewire your brain. Get this one buried deep in your psyche to bring about better outcomes for you. With God's help, arrest that old controlling childhood event. Discover how Jesus really means for you to live and enjoy this life of yours!!
As this next week moves toward the big day think about the beginnig and your own itty-bitty mistakes and how they affect lots of folks. Work on those areas and you'll find Christmas to be an even sweeter time than you could ever imagine.
Enjoy the jingles and tinsel everyone!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, December 9, 2011
Christmas Mouse
Last Wednesday, December 7th, was Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I started that day off by posting on Facebook about my very own Pearl Harbor moments. My childhood church is Harris Creek Baptist Church, Jacksonville, NC. I am pleased to say that my youngest brother, Drew, is now the pastor of that church. It scares me to think of what he is sharing up in that pulpit about his siblings and I'm not even there to defend myself. But thinking back to those younger sibling days, I commented on FB that the kids I grew up with at HCBC are like extended siblings to me. I have lots of memories of indiviuals, of the different phases of our lives, and of the different holidays celebrated with them. And Pearl Harbor Day is no exception. One of our Sunday School teachers for the teenage class was Mr. Adrian Gurganus. He was a great SS teacher and leader. He is also a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack and shared his experience with us every year around December 7th. His daughter, Peggy, posted a Jacksonville Daily News (NC) article on FB honoring Mr. Adrian at a ceremony celebrating him and others who have served in the military. I was wowed at his age--89 years young. Thank you, again, Mr. Adrian, for the service you rendered and for leading such fine students to continue on with our own walks of life. Keevin and I discussed how our parents were small children at the time of the attacks, being 70 years ago. And I observe the remembrance day because of Mr. Adrian. But other younger folks don't hold the same feelings for this part of our history as I do. Not many Mr. Adrian's are still alive. Most of them have gone on to their next life phase, heaven I hope. The further we travel away from December 7th, 1941 the dimmer of the memory. Those good serving folks are less notable and important and visible.
And now that we have arrived to the Christmas season, gifting is on our minds. Every weekend Keevin and I point out the Christmas trees tied up on top of vehicles traveling out of the town of Boone and back to their homes. Some of the vehicles have 2 and 3 trees tied on top. Maybe they have a large home and put up several and maybe more than one family traveled to our lovely town to experience the choose-&-cut tree method. But still those trees are going to good homes, to be put up and lovingly decorated and admired and enjoyed. Once that's done the next phase is to get busy wrapping presents and carefully designing the underneath of the beautiful tree. Some of those presents will be for people other than family members and friends. There will be gifts for coworkers, neighbors, Secret Santa pal, pastor, SS teacher, school teacher, mailman, etc. Perhaps, though, with this being a lean, hard-to-find-job year not as many of these folks will receive gifts as in years past. Somehow I think these important people know that they are still significant in the lives of the would-be giver.
But what about the person who wishes they could be significant enough to receive a gift? This person feels invisible and feels like no one sees him/her. A couple years ago Heidie Harris and I shared the Women's ministry duties at Lascassas Baptist Church (TN). She is awesome at newsletter design and she knows how to do all that is done on the computer to accomplish this. She can bake and decorate a beautiful,or whatever you want on it, cake for any occasion. One personal link we shared was to help the ladies who did not participate in the up-front activities (such as choir, teaching, praise team, etc) to feel included with all the ladies of LBC. That inspired me to go around every Sunday morning and shake hands and greet every person that I could. I developed relationships by that very act. Some folks would ask my where abouts if they missed me the week before. People got used to being acknowleged and spoken to. These are folks that I had to go to. I found them in their usual pews. I think they appreciated the effort I put into finding them. But if I hadn't--did they feel invisible? Overlooked?
Do you feel invisible? Overlooked? Are you afraid that you are not significant enough to receive a Christmas present? 21 Day Journal Note # 22 can help you turn this way of life into a visible, noticed and signifcant life--but the main reason for you to be noticed is to attract your contacts to Jesus.
21 Day Journal Note # 22
Invisible
Ephesians 4:21-24 (MSG) That's no life for you. You learned Christ! We do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you.
Lord, I feel invisible. I feel no passion. I have not interest in anything. No energy. No creativity. I am floating along in life with no purpose or direction. I feel lost in the crowd. I follow the crowd and do what they are doing because my thinking has no direction for my life. Because of Your word I realize that I am on a dead-end path. One that is not Your path. I choose this day to be lead and directed by You. Help me Lord to love You with my whole being and energy. Help me to share in Your character, Your loves, Your ways. I refuse to live lifeless anymore. My goal is to be renewed, refreshed and to add color and flavor to my life so that you will be visible in me. Thank you my Father!!
end of journal note. Change the bad habit of lifelessness by handwriting this journal note once a day x 21 days. Christ's blood will start pumping through your body and wake it up to a new life.
Friend, if you are a quiet Christmas mouse I encourage you to start this journal note right away. You'll feel some effects of it by day 4 but continue on to day 21 for that new life you crave. However, this doesn't mean that you will get those presents this year that would make you feel important. Your importance comes from God and God gave you Jesus and Jesus gave you the Holy Spirit--That's alot of giving that you have already received. You just need to accept it wholeheartedly. But maybe by next year you will receive those extra gifts and maybe have a wall full of Christmas cards. The idea is for you to courageously climb out of your pew and wander to the other side of the scantuary and say "hello" to someone. Tie a string around you finger to remind you to say "good morning" to your coworker as you walk past him/her by. Draw a smiley face on a yellow post-it note and stick it on your desk to smile as you talk to anyone on the phone. People can feel smiles as they are talking to you on the phone. I know all this change will be hard but it's the right thing to do!! Remember a verse from last week Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)? It says: "The fruit of righteousness will be peace. The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." The quietness referred to in this verse means a lack of anxiousness and chaos in your spirit. That's the kind of quietness you really want. Not the outward quietness that comes from fear of rejection and other fears. That kind of quietness is a cowering and shrinking away from humans (and maybe even God). Friend, I hope you choose this kind of life.
Take good care of yourself, my friend, because you are very significant!!! I see you and so does God!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
And now that we have arrived to the Christmas season, gifting is on our minds. Every weekend Keevin and I point out the Christmas trees tied up on top of vehicles traveling out of the town of Boone and back to their homes. Some of the vehicles have 2 and 3 trees tied on top. Maybe they have a large home and put up several and maybe more than one family traveled to our lovely town to experience the choose-&-cut tree method. But still those trees are going to good homes, to be put up and lovingly decorated and admired and enjoyed. Once that's done the next phase is to get busy wrapping presents and carefully designing the underneath of the beautiful tree. Some of those presents will be for people other than family members and friends. There will be gifts for coworkers, neighbors, Secret Santa pal, pastor, SS teacher, school teacher, mailman, etc. Perhaps, though, with this being a lean, hard-to-find-job year not as many of these folks will receive gifts as in years past. Somehow I think these important people know that they are still significant in the lives of the would-be giver.
But what about the person who wishes they could be significant enough to receive a gift? This person feels invisible and feels like no one sees him/her. A couple years ago Heidie Harris and I shared the Women's ministry duties at Lascassas Baptist Church (TN). She is awesome at newsletter design and she knows how to do all that is done on the computer to accomplish this. She can bake and decorate a beautiful,or whatever you want on it, cake for any occasion. One personal link we shared was to help the ladies who did not participate in the up-front activities (such as choir, teaching, praise team, etc) to feel included with all the ladies of LBC. That inspired me to go around every Sunday morning and shake hands and greet every person that I could. I developed relationships by that very act. Some folks would ask my where abouts if they missed me the week before. People got used to being acknowleged and spoken to. These are folks that I had to go to. I found them in their usual pews. I think they appreciated the effort I put into finding them. But if I hadn't--did they feel invisible? Overlooked?
Do you feel invisible? Overlooked? Are you afraid that you are not significant enough to receive a Christmas present? 21 Day Journal Note # 22 can help you turn this way of life into a visible, noticed and signifcant life--but the main reason for you to be noticed is to attract your contacts to Jesus.
21 Day Journal Note # 22
Invisible
Ephesians 4:21-24 (MSG) That's no life for you. You learned Christ! We do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you.
Lord, I feel invisible. I feel no passion. I have not interest in anything. No energy. No creativity. I am floating along in life with no purpose or direction. I feel lost in the crowd. I follow the crowd and do what they are doing because my thinking has no direction for my life. Because of Your word I realize that I am on a dead-end path. One that is not Your path. I choose this day to be lead and directed by You. Help me Lord to love You with my whole being and energy. Help me to share in Your character, Your loves, Your ways. I refuse to live lifeless anymore. My goal is to be renewed, refreshed and to add color and flavor to my life so that you will be visible in me. Thank you my Father!!
end of journal note. Change the bad habit of lifelessness by handwriting this journal note once a day x 21 days. Christ's blood will start pumping through your body and wake it up to a new life.
Friend, if you are a quiet Christmas mouse I encourage you to start this journal note right away. You'll feel some effects of it by day 4 but continue on to day 21 for that new life you crave. However, this doesn't mean that you will get those presents this year that would make you feel important. Your importance comes from God and God gave you Jesus and Jesus gave you the Holy Spirit--That's alot of giving that you have already received. You just need to accept it wholeheartedly. But maybe by next year you will receive those extra gifts and maybe have a wall full of Christmas cards. The idea is for you to courageously climb out of your pew and wander to the other side of the scantuary and say "hello" to someone. Tie a string around you finger to remind you to say "good morning" to your coworker as you walk past him/her by. Draw a smiley face on a yellow post-it note and stick it on your desk to smile as you talk to anyone on the phone. People can feel smiles as they are talking to you on the phone. I know all this change will be hard but it's the right thing to do!! Remember a verse from last week Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)? It says: "The fruit of righteousness will be peace. The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." The quietness referred to in this verse means a lack of anxiousness and chaos in your spirit. That's the kind of quietness you really want. Not the outward quietness that comes from fear of rejection and other fears. That kind of quietness is a cowering and shrinking away from humans (and maybe even God). Friend, I hope you choose this kind of life.
Take good care of yourself, my friend, because you are very significant!!! I see you and so does God!!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, December 2, 2011
Christmas Decorating Mood
Not in the spirit yet? I have to admit that I feel like I have already experienced Christmas and there's no reason to go to the trouble of decorating. Last weekend I spent lots of family time and enjoyed every bit of it. Moma said that Thanksgiving this year felt like Christmas. The funny thing is not one bit of Christmas decoration was around. My mom, sister, aunt Janice and I shared time while baking pies and cakes. The fun of it was the discussion of Grandma Millie's 7 layer cake. Lorie determined that the 1 cup of lard was the secret ingredient. Grandma's cakes really do taste different. Aunt Janice even wrote down the recipe, borrowed a cup of lard and vowed to cook it for their Thanksgiving meal at Regina's (my cousin) house. And she did. I crashed their family meal later that evening (because Aunt Janice said I could) and taste tested her cake. It tasted just as good as Lorie's. Oh, and the relationship time was the icing.
I have heard from lots of facebook friends that they are simply not in a Christmas mood. One friend asked if it would be selfish to put up decorations just for herself. She also replied to some others that she really wasn't in the mood. I commented to her that it was worth putting it up if it reminded her of Jesus. The ambiance that is emitted from the soft colorful glows lifts our spirits and that is exactly what Jesus does for us. I am among many who may be celebrating the important day with only my spouse but I am also celebrating it with Holy Dad and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I will be putting up a few lights in the camper and a couple of little pre-lit trees out on my little deck. You see, we don't have to let bland moods get us off track from celebrating Jesus--He is after all so very important to us and our lives. Let's lift Him up, even if you are the only one in your home.
So--what keeps us out of the Christmas mood? Stresses. Homesickness. Financial troubles. Family squabbles. Bad memories. Distorted thinking. Loneliness. Pain. Depression. And there are probably more.
All of these scenerios are very real and deeply affect us. The fact is--these situations are in front of you, blocking you from enjoying life--agree? So--do you want to enjoy the 2011 Christmas time? Let's see what we can do about it.
We have blockages. In fact, we nurse and coddle our blockages. Perhaps it is attention you are getting from your affliction. You may enjoy self-pity. Old bad memories play over and over in your mind like a tape recorder. Pride keeps you from forgiving or asking for forgiveness of a friend or family member. You come up with excuses for not getting out and meeting friends in your new town. Changing the way you think feels too big of a task. No energy due to depression. No hope due to no job.
And friend, I have been there and done that. I am no stranger to hard times, to anxious times, to distorted times. A few years back God allowed my car to suffer an oil pump diaster and we couldn't afford to have it fixed. At the same time Keevin's job was going down the drain. We had to live in our camper because that was what we could afford. I no longer had transportation for employment--and could't receive unemployment for that situation. We moved our camper back to Murfreesboro, TN where Keevin was able to get a better job, but it took a while to recover enough to move into a rental house with our grown children. Still out of employement myself, I had lots of time on my hands. That is when God showed me the gift He had given me. The gift of writing. It is one of those strengths that comes naturally for me. I don't have to do much thinking about it--I just start writing and it flows. His word says He has given all of us gifts. They sometimes appear later in life, though. I share my story with you for you to see that hard times are also gifts from God. It may take a while for you to figure it out. It also depends on how you are relating to God about the situation. I gave the hard times to God and He showed me the gift He wanted me to use for Him. It has been one of the most fulfilling happenings in my life. My writing has strengthened my relationship with God, myself, my husband, my children and the rest of my family and Keevin's family. Keevin and I once again are living in the camper but this time because the Lord led us to Boone,NC to start a church. We hope to be in a rental apartment before too long. God knows what He has planned for us and we are waiting patiently for Him.
Where do you stand with God? Do you talk daily to Him with the first words out of your mouth being praises? Do you read His word daily to hear from Him? Do you actually learn from His word about problem areas in your life? He has answers and advise. It is the best advise in the world--oh yeah, He created the world and the way things work. You'll be so in love with Him by experiencing the healing His word brings about. With healing comes clarity, peace and the ability to accept love.
That clarity, peace, and ability to accept love will help you to be in the Christmas decorating mood.! The next 21 Day Journal Note will help with the blockage problem--give it a try.
21 Day Journal Note # 21
Blockage
1 Corinthians 10:19-22 (MSG): Do you see the difference? Sacrifices offered to idols are offered to nothing, for what's the idol but a nothing? Or worse than nothing, a minus, a demon! I don't want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself. And you can't have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next. Besides, the Master won't put up with it. He wants us--all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?
My eyes and mind have not been on You, Lord. I have allowed outside influences to control me. I find myslef encouraging and nursing them. I am sinning and my sin is blocking You out of my mind. Because of You and You only do I have confidence and strength to face my challenges. I am comforted that You are holding my hand through this process and You won't let me fall. Praise You!!!
end of journal note. Hand write this note for 21 days to rewire your brain and to replace the blockage that is keeping you from feeling festive. You'll start to feel the effects by day 4 but continue on to day 21 for full and lasting effect.
Ok friend, you have a big decision to make. I have explored reasons as to why you are not in the Christmas mood and I have offered reasons as to why you stay in the blue mood you are in. I have offered up God's solutions to feeling festive for His celebration. It's the right thing to do and you'll feel amazing results. Check out Isaiah 32:17 (NIV): The fruit of righteousness will be peace. The effect of rightousness will be quietness and confidence forever.---That's one of my faves!!
Now start your Christmas decorating, inside and out!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
I have heard from lots of facebook friends that they are simply not in a Christmas mood. One friend asked if it would be selfish to put up decorations just for herself. She also replied to some others that she really wasn't in the mood. I commented to her that it was worth putting it up if it reminded her of Jesus. The ambiance that is emitted from the soft colorful glows lifts our spirits and that is exactly what Jesus does for us. I am among many who may be celebrating the important day with only my spouse but I am also celebrating it with Holy Dad and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I will be putting up a few lights in the camper and a couple of little pre-lit trees out on my little deck. You see, we don't have to let bland moods get us off track from celebrating Jesus--He is after all so very important to us and our lives. Let's lift Him up, even if you are the only one in your home.
So--what keeps us out of the Christmas mood? Stresses. Homesickness. Financial troubles. Family squabbles. Bad memories. Distorted thinking. Loneliness. Pain. Depression. And there are probably more.
All of these scenerios are very real and deeply affect us. The fact is--these situations are in front of you, blocking you from enjoying life--agree? So--do you want to enjoy the 2011 Christmas time? Let's see what we can do about it.
We have blockages. In fact, we nurse and coddle our blockages. Perhaps it is attention you are getting from your affliction. You may enjoy self-pity. Old bad memories play over and over in your mind like a tape recorder. Pride keeps you from forgiving or asking for forgiveness of a friend or family member. You come up with excuses for not getting out and meeting friends in your new town. Changing the way you think feels too big of a task. No energy due to depression. No hope due to no job.
And friend, I have been there and done that. I am no stranger to hard times, to anxious times, to distorted times. A few years back God allowed my car to suffer an oil pump diaster and we couldn't afford to have it fixed. At the same time Keevin's job was going down the drain. We had to live in our camper because that was what we could afford. I no longer had transportation for employment--and could't receive unemployment for that situation. We moved our camper back to Murfreesboro, TN where Keevin was able to get a better job, but it took a while to recover enough to move into a rental house with our grown children. Still out of employement myself, I had lots of time on my hands. That is when God showed me the gift He had given me. The gift of writing. It is one of those strengths that comes naturally for me. I don't have to do much thinking about it--I just start writing and it flows. His word says He has given all of us gifts. They sometimes appear later in life, though. I share my story with you for you to see that hard times are also gifts from God. It may take a while for you to figure it out. It also depends on how you are relating to God about the situation. I gave the hard times to God and He showed me the gift He wanted me to use for Him. It has been one of the most fulfilling happenings in my life. My writing has strengthened my relationship with God, myself, my husband, my children and the rest of my family and Keevin's family. Keevin and I once again are living in the camper but this time because the Lord led us to Boone,NC to start a church. We hope to be in a rental apartment before too long. God knows what He has planned for us and we are waiting patiently for Him.
Where do you stand with God? Do you talk daily to Him with the first words out of your mouth being praises? Do you read His word daily to hear from Him? Do you actually learn from His word about problem areas in your life? He has answers and advise. It is the best advise in the world--oh yeah, He created the world and the way things work. You'll be so in love with Him by experiencing the healing His word brings about. With healing comes clarity, peace and the ability to accept love.
That clarity, peace, and ability to accept love will help you to be in the Christmas decorating mood.! The next 21 Day Journal Note will help with the blockage problem--give it a try.
21 Day Journal Note # 21
Blockage
1 Corinthians 10:19-22 (MSG): Do you see the difference? Sacrifices offered to idols are offered to nothing, for what's the idol but a nothing? Or worse than nothing, a minus, a demon! I don't want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself. And you can't have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next. Besides, the Master won't put up with it. He wants us--all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?
My eyes and mind have not been on You, Lord. I have allowed outside influences to control me. I find myslef encouraging and nursing them. I am sinning and my sin is blocking You out of my mind. Because of You and You only do I have confidence and strength to face my challenges. I am comforted that You are holding my hand through this process and You won't let me fall. Praise You!!!
end of journal note. Hand write this note for 21 days to rewire your brain and to replace the blockage that is keeping you from feeling festive. You'll start to feel the effects by day 4 but continue on to day 21 for full and lasting effect.
Ok friend, you have a big decision to make. I have explored reasons as to why you are not in the Christmas mood and I have offered reasons as to why you stay in the blue mood you are in. I have offered up God's solutions to feeling festive for His celebration. It's the right thing to do and you'll feel amazing results. Check out Isaiah 32:17 (NIV): The fruit of righteousness will be peace. The effect of rightousness will be quietness and confidence forever.---That's one of my faves!!
Now start your Christmas decorating, inside and out!
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Monday, November 28, 2011
Moving toward the next celebration
If you are like me you endured some traveling within the last 5-6 days. My traveling was well worth the endure. I enjoyed awesome relationship times with my Mom and Dad, siblings and their families, aunts and uncles and some cousins. I just wish I had spent some time with all my cousins--but there are a lot of them and not enough time. Thanksgiving morning I found myself in Momma's kitchen with my mom, my sister and my Aunt Janice. We were baking Grandma Millie's 7 layer cake (which ended up being 10 layers) and had a great time reminicing over the techniques Grandma Millie used in making that cake. Aunt Janice vowed to go home and make the same cake and take it to Regina's-which she did. It was an awesome time creating more memories for us ladies to reflect back on. Momma said this Thanksgiving felt more like Christmas and not a single piece of Christmas decoration was in sight. It was all about relationship sharing.
What about you? Did you connect positively with someone during this highlighted time? Relationships don't come easy for some of us. Fear of rejection, failure, loss (death), etc cause gaps to come between family and friends. These events can occur in childhood and continue on into adulthood. If you read the first paragraph with envy I want you to know that it is possible for you to experience the same connections.
If you feel depressed, lonely, overlooked, invisible--I encourage you to write down your feelings. Follow your thoughts. This exercise will lead you to the central fear that is causing your dissatisfaction. Whoever or whatever caused your dissatisfaction can be forgiven. And I challenge you to forgive this person or situation. I don't intend for you to do this on your own--but with Holy Dad's help. Let's visit 2 Timothy 1:7 (Wynndy's combined versions) "God did not give me a spirit of fear/timidity, But He has given me a Spirit of power, love and self-discipline/sound mind." The truth is those fears of rejection, loss, failure, etc are not from God and He is replacing them with His power, love and self-discipline/sound mind. These wonderful things are already inside of you--you just have to ask Holy Dad to activate them. Now look at Philippians 2:13 (AMP) (Not in your own strength) for it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you (energizing and creating in you the power and desire), both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." I memorized this verse exchanging the your and you with my, me, etc. I have enbedded it in my subconcious in a personal way and it is very effective. I want to point out to you that God is the One who energizes you and creates in you power and desire. Sometimes we feel sluggish and uninspired. It's ok to feel this way--but be sure to recognize this state of mind and then turn to Holy Dad for help. What results in this type of activity is His satisfaction, good pleasure and delight. You may be wishing you could have some of the satisfaction and delight. Well you can. Follow me to 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NCV). I have exchanged the us, you, etc for me and I. "Jesus has the power of God, by which He has given me everything I need to live and serve God. I have these things because I know Him. Jesus called me by His glory and goodness. Through these He gave me the very great and precious promises. With these gifts I can share in being like God, and the world will not ruin me with it's evil desires." Did you notice all of the gifts and promises in these verses? These are ours!!! What a fabulous early Christimas present. But did you notice the last sentence where it says "I can share in being like God"? See, you can experience His satisfaction, good pleasure and delight.
But we're still facing those ugly fears that have cause disconnects in our relationships. First of all get your relaitonship with Jesus and Holy Dad in order. Ask Him to help you love Him with your total being and energies as He would want you to do. Next, work on healing your relational injuries. It's not totally your fault (or it may be) that you were injured but it is your responsibility (and thankfully possible) to heal these wounds. The Holy Word heals you. Try the next 21 day Journal note for a new way of relating.
21 Day Journal Note # 20
Fear of Intimacy
Psalm 27:10 (GWT) Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take care of me.
Galatians 4:7 (MSG) Doen't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:3 (NLT) The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband.
Lord, I have a fear of intimacy! Childhood circumstances and adulthood situations have prevented me from bonding with family and friends. I recognize that the spirit of who I am has been crushed. But Lord, Your hope wells up inside of me. I am Your child, Your family. You are my lifeline. I haveYour love, power, strength already infused in me to help me conquer this fear. I will from this day forward seek to satisfy my husband and he will satisfy me. Thank you for healing my spirit and energizing my sexual life within my marriage.
end of journal note.
This journal note indicates that our relational injuries influence our current relationships (or lack of). Try this one, handwriting it once a day x 21 days for a rewiring of your brain. Once you have come to the place of forgiveness and feel like your are moving up and onward, just remember that you have been healed but the other one who has caused those injuries to you has not. That's not to say that your healing won't bring about some amazing relationship resolves but beware that there are two sides to a relationship and you can only control your side of it. Please ask Holy Dad to hold your hand as you approach the one who has wounded you. Holiday times can be so stressful but I hope this one helps your face it and enjoy it.
Enjoy those turkey left-overs and rework those relationships.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
What about you? Did you connect positively with someone during this highlighted time? Relationships don't come easy for some of us. Fear of rejection, failure, loss (death), etc cause gaps to come between family and friends. These events can occur in childhood and continue on into adulthood. If you read the first paragraph with envy I want you to know that it is possible for you to experience the same connections.
If you feel depressed, lonely, overlooked, invisible--I encourage you to write down your feelings. Follow your thoughts. This exercise will lead you to the central fear that is causing your dissatisfaction. Whoever or whatever caused your dissatisfaction can be forgiven. And I challenge you to forgive this person or situation. I don't intend for you to do this on your own--but with Holy Dad's help. Let's visit 2 Timothy 1:7 (Wynndy's combined versions) "God did not give me a spirit of fear/timidity, But He has given me a Spirit of power, love and self-discipline/sound mind." The truth is those fears of rejection, loss, failure, etc are not from God and He is replacing them with His power, love and self-discipline/sound mind. These wonderful things are already inside of you--you just have to ask Holy Dad to activate them. Now look at Philippians 2:13 (AMP) (Not in your own strength) for it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you (energizing and creating in you the power and desire), both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." I memorized this verse exchanging the your and you with my, me, etc. I have enbedded it in my subconcious in a personal way and it is very effective. I want to point out to you that God is the One who energizes you and creates in you power and desire. Sometimes we feel sluggish and uninspired. It's ok to feel this way--but be sure to recognize this state of mind and then turn to Holy Dad for help. What results in this type of activity is His satisfaction, good pleasure and delight. You may be wishing you could have some of the satisfaction and delight. Well you can. Follow me to 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NCV). I have exchanged the us, you, etc for me and I. "Jesus has the power of God, by which He has given me everything I need to live and serve God. I have these things because I know Him. Jesus called me by His glory and goodness. Through these He gave me the very great and precious promises. With these gifts I can share in being like God, and the world will not ruin me with it's evil desires." Did you notice all of the gifts and promises in these verses? These are ours!!! What a fabulous early Christimas present. But did you notice the last sentence where it says "I can share in being like God"? See, you can experience His satisfaction, good pleasure and delight.
But we're still facing those ugly fears that have cause disconnects in our relationships. First of all get your relaitonship with Jesus and Holy Dad in order. Ask Him to help you love Him with your total being and energies as He would want you to do. Next, work on healing your relational injuries. It's not totally your fault (or it may be) that you were injured but it is your responsibility (and thankfully possible) to heal these wounds. The Holy Word heals you. Try the next 21 day Journal note for a new way of relating.
21 Day Journal Note # 20
Fear of Intimacy
Psalm 27:10 (GWT) Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take care of me.
Galatians 4:7 (MSG) Doen't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:3 (NLT) The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband.
Lord, I have a fear of intimacy! Childhood circumstances and adulthood situations have prevented me from bonding with family and friends. I recognize that the spirit of who I am has been crushed. But Lord, Your hope wells up inside of me. I am Your child, Your family. You are my lifeline. I haveYour love, power, strength already infused in me to help me conquer this fear. I will from this day forward seek to satisfy my husband and he will satisfy me. Thank you for healing my spirit and energizing my sexual life within my marriage.
end of journal note.
This journal note indicates that our relational injuries influence our current relationships (or lack of). Try this one, handwriting it once a day x 21 days for a rewiring of your brain. Once you have come to the place of forgiveness and feel like your are moving up and onward, just remember that you have been healed but the other one who has caused those injuries to you has not. That's not to say that your healing won't bring about some amazing relationship resolves but beware that there are two sides to a relationship and you can only control your side of it. Please ask Holy Dad to hold your hand as you approach the one who has wounded you. Holiday times can be so stressful but I hope this one helps your face it and enjoy it.
Enjoy those turkey left-overs and rework those relationships.
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
Friday, November 18, 2011
Stay Warm!
Mostly everyone is waking up to very cold temperatures this morning. It was 18 degrees here in Boone, NC. I have a little electric heater (for supplemlental heat) sitting in front of me. My feet get really cold so I have on 2 pairs of socks. Rocky, my dog, is sitting on a warming blanket. And I have a fresh cup of hot tea in my hands. The things we do to get warm and stay warm. I reported on facebook yesterday that it was snowing in our mountainous area. Others closeby chimed in with similar weather reports. Folks talked about hot chocolate and Russian tea. The first few snows of the season provokes excitement in us--and we actually enjoy the cold weather. Here, the skiing business thrives on the coldness and the ability to make man-made snow. Everyone dreams of going to a ski lodge and sitting in front of a rock fireplace with a big roaring fire and sipping on hot chocolate. And as the season of winter moves forward the excitement dies down but the need for warmth stays.
The ups and downs of our spiritual lives can look very similar to our physical need and search for warmth. Events happen in our lives that may affect our outlook on ourselves and God. The relationships with Holy Dad and ourselves may reduce to nothing. How about this: are you even speaking to God right now or giving Him the cold shoulder? And just how badly are you talking to yourself? Are you calling yourself nasty names? If you find yourself in this place then obeying the most important and 2nd most important commands is very difficult. Do you know what those commands are? Look up Luke 10:27. NIV says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, love your neighbor as yourself." So your relationship with Holy Dad and yourself is stunted at the moment and you don't feel like obeying this command. Friend, He doesn't tell you to do this because He is arrogant and disrespectful to you. He created you to love Him and He created you so that He could love you. Back in Genesis we were the ones who messed up the perfect situation He had put us in--keep that in mind. And in the here and now, we are the ones messing up from having a better situation. I know, I know--it's hard to force yourself to love. I'm not asking you to force yourself. In fact God's not asking you to force yourself. He has given us the Holy Spirit, living inside of us--available for service upon request--to help us with this difficult task. Use Luke 10:27 as a guide in a prayer request to Holy Dad. Tell our sweet Lord that you are having difficulty in the love department but you wish to love Him like He wants you to. And then ask Him to help you love Him with all your heart/passion, soul/prayer life, strentgh/energies, and mind/intellect. And ask Him to clarify how He wants you to feel about yourself and to achieve that level of care. Once you have those 2 things flowing in the right direction the flow continues on to others. And then give Him huge thanks.
With all that love swirling around in us our lives warm up and blossom. There is a warm light at the end of the tunnel. Now look to see what your life can become: 2 Peter 1:5-8 (MSG): "So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus." Did you pick out the word "warm" in this scripture? How about "basic"? And "passionate"? And "grass"? I really love these verses and what it means for my life. The quality of life is definitely raised by following the formula outlined here.
I used that same portion of scripture in the next 21 day journal note. See how I used it and perhaps you will use it and benefit from it.
21 Day Journal Note # 19
Who is Resposible?
My thoughts continuouslly zero in on people--what they are doing to me and what they are not doing for me. Lord, this is bad behavior that I am responsible to deal with. Psalm 118:8 (GWT) says: "It is better to depend on the Lord than to trust mortals." Father, You are helping me to depend on You and not put my responsibilities off on others! 2 Peter 1:5-8 (MSG) advises: "So don't lose a minute in building character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus."
end of journal note.
Just in case you are new to this site, it is proven that handwriting God's word once a day x 21 days rewires your brain and in turn changes your life. And it doesn't take much time to perform this very helpful task--you just have to do it.
So friend, will you warm up your soul today for God, for others, for yourself?
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
The ups and downs of our spiritual lives can look very similar to our physical need and search for warmth. Events happen in our lives that may affect our outlook on ourselves and God. The relationships with Holy Dad and ourselves may reduce to nothing. How about this: are you even speaking to God right now or giving Him the cold shoulder? And just how badly are you talking to yourself? Are you calling yourself nasty names? If you find yourself in this place then obeying the most important and 2nd most important commands is very difficult. Do you know what those commands are? Look up Luke 10:27. NIV says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, love your neighbor as yourself." So your relationship with Holy Dad and yourself is stunted at the moment and you don't feel like obeying this command. Friend, He doesn't tell you to do this because He is arrogant and disrespectful to you. He created you to love Him and He created you so that He could love you. Back in Genesis we were the ones who messed up the perfect situation He had put us in--keep that in mind. And in the here and now, we are the ones messing up from having a better situation. I know, I know--it's hard to force yourself to love. I'm not asking you to force yourself. In fact God's not asking you to force yourself. He has given us the Holy Spirit, living inside of us--available for service upon request--to help us with this difficult task. Use Luke 10:27 as a guide in a prayer request to Holy Dad. Tell our sweet Lord that you are having difficulty in the love department but you wish to love Him like He wants you to. And then ask Him to help you love Him with all your heart/passion, soul/prayer life, strentgh/energies, and mind/intellect. And ask Him to clarify how He wants you to feel about yourself and to achieve that level of care. Once you have those 2 things flowing in the right direction the flow continues on to others. And then give Him huge thanks.
With all that love swirling around in us our lives warm up and blossom. There is a warm light at the end of the tunnel. Now look to see what your life can become: 2 Peter 1:5-8 (MSG): "So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus." Did you pick out the word "warm" in this scripture? How about "basic"? And "passionate"? And "grass"? I really love these verses and what it means for my life. The quality of life is definitely raised by following the formula outlined here.
I used that same portion of scripture in the next 21 day journal note. See how I used it and perhaps you will use it and benefit from it.
21 Day Journal Note # 19
Who is Resposible?
My thoughts continuouslly zero in on people--what they are doing to me and what they are not doing for me. Lord, this is bad behavior that I am responsible to deal with. Psalm 118:8 (GWT) says: "It is better to depend on the Lord than to trust mortals." Father, You are helping me to depend on You and not put my responsibilities off on others! 2 Peter 1:5-8 (MSG) advises: "So don't lose a minute in building character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus."
end of journal note.
Just in case you are new to this site, it is proven that handwriting God's word once a day x 21 days rewires your brain and in turn changes your life. And it doesn't take much time to perform this very helpful task--you just have to do it.
So friend, will you warm up your soul today for God, for others, for yourself?
Sisterly love to all, Wynndy
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