Showing posts with label The Crossing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Crossing. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
3rd Annual Jumbo Hunt
The Crossing hosted the 3rd Annual Jumbo Hunt today. The weather was beautiful, we had a great turn-out, and I'm pretty sure fun was had by all. Thank you to everyone who made it happen, and thank you God for blessing our efforts. Happy Easter Everyone, we hope to see you at church tomorrow. He is risen!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Eight
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.
Matthew 5:10
If I could sum up chapter 8 in one sentence, it would be this quote from the book.
I can't think of much worse than bottling up the things God has done for me and keeping it to myself. That's not how He works, and I certainly don't want to live that way. In fact, the only reason that I can think of keeping hurts, habits, and hang-ups completely to myself would be for the sake of keeping my pride and reputation in tact. I am almost over worrying about what people think of me. I am getting closer and closer to the point of only caring about the glory God receives, and less about myself receiving glory. The truth is that I don't ever want people to think that my faith, or my relationship with Jesus is any more sacred than the relationship that is available to all of us. I am nothing special. Well, I am special because I am a daughter of the king, but that is the only reason. Jesus has freed me from things and he continues to and anything good that comes from me is only because of the work he is doing in me.
So like I said, I am almost to the point of not caring what other people think of me. But I have not arrived. I have shared some on here and with friends, and I have gone to DEEP places with some people, but I thought surely that wouldn't happen again. At least not anytime soon. But I was wrong. As I prayed about who God would have me recycle my pain for and share my story with, he pretty clearly brought a certain woman to my mind. I called her today and I just have to say that He is so faithful and so amazing.
I called my friend, not sure exactly what I would say, or exactly what I would share, but the conversation just flowed so naturally and she said to me, "it is so amazing that you called me today and are speaking to me about the thing that has been such a burden to me here lately." Wow. Our stories are similar and I knew they were, but I didn't know how similar. We were able to encourage each other and now we can walk alongside each other as we heal from the pain in our pasts. Recycling pain. Beautiful. Amazing. Worth it.
I also want to REDUCE pain by sharing my story. Because friends, doing things that God says not to do always, always, ALWAYS has a price tag. And it's not because He is a mean God, it's because He is an extremely loving God. So if you are choosing to live outside of God's will right now...STOP!!! Please, please, please. Seek God. Turn your life around and begin the path to healing. I know it is so hard to take that first step, and I know it's sometimes easier to stay in the land of what's comfortable and known, but in the end...IT"S NOT EASIER. And it's not worth it!! Sin always has a price, and you never know how much that price will be or how long it will haunt you. And if you are a parent, you never know what YOUR sin will cost your kids. Don't fool yourself and think you can separate them from it. Believe me, I am paying the price for sin that was in my life many, many years ago and my hurts, habits, and hang-ups do not just effect me. They effect everyone that is close to me.
...and that, my friends, is the end of this book, but the beginning of a healthier life for me! Thank you for joining me!!
Choice 8
Yield myself to God to be used to bring this good news to others, both by my example and by my words.
Recap of the previous beatitudes that we have covered...
Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! (This is about acknowledging our need for God.)
Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! (This isn't just about crying, it's about crying OUT TO GOD!!)
Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised. (This is about acknowledging that we are not in charge of the universe, Jesus is. It's about surrendering to Him.)
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Matthew 5:10
If I could sum up chapter 8 in one sentence, it would be this quote from the book.
God is bigger than anyone who hurts you. (or anything that has hurt you.) No matter what other people have done to you, God can recycle it and use it for good. God never wastes a hurt. But you can waste it, if you don't learn from it and share it. Others will be blessed and encouraged if you share the problems and struggles you've gone through. God can and will use your pain to help others, if you let Him.(I added "or anything that hurts you" because sometimes life just hurts, pain is not always tied up in another person.)
I can't think of much worse than bottling up the things God has done for me and keeping it to myself. That's not how He works, and I certainly don't want to live that way. In fact, the only reason that I can think of keeping hurts, habits, and hang-ups completely to myself would be for the sake of keeping my pride and reputation in tact. I am almost over worrying about what people think of me. I am getting closer and closer to the point of only caring about the glory God receives, and less about myself receiving glory. The truth is that I don't ever want people to think that my faith, or my relationship with Jesus is any more sacred than the relationship that is available to all of us. I am nothing special. Well, I am special because I am a daughter of the king, but that is the only reason. Jesus has freed me from things and he continues to and anything good that comes from me is only because of the work he is doing in me.
So like I said, I am almost to the point of not caring what other people think of me. But I have not arrived. I have shared some on here and with friends, and I have gone to DEEP places with some people, but I thought surely that wouldn't happen again. At least not anytime soon. But I was wrong. As I prayed about who God would have me recycle my pain for and share my story with, he pretty clearly brought a certain woman to my mind. I called her today and I just have to say that He is so faithful and so amazing.
I called my friend, not sure exactly what I would say, or exactly what I would share, but the conversation just flowed so naturally and she said to me, "it is so amazing that you called me today and are speaking to me about the thing that has been such a burden to me here lately." Wow. Our stories are similar and I knew they were, but I didn't know how similar. We were able to encourage each other and now we can walk alongside each other as we heal from the pain in our pasts. Recycling pain. Beautiful. Amazing. Worth it.
I also want to REDUCE pain by sharing my story. Because friends, doing things that God says not to do always, always, ALWAYS has a price tag. And it's not because He is a mean God, it's because He is an extremely loving God. So if you are choosing to live outside of God's will right now...STOP!!! Please, please, please. Seek God. Turn your life around and begin the path to healing. I know it is so hard to take that first step, and I know it's sometimes easier to stay in the land of what's comfortable and known, but in the end...IT"S NOT EASIER. And it's not worth it!! Sin always has a price, and you never know how much that price will be or how long it will haunt you. And if you are a parent, you never know what YOUR sin will cost your kids. Don't fool yourself and think you can separate them from it. Believe me, I am paying the price for sin that was in my life many, many years ago and my hurts, habits, and hang-ups do not just effect me. They effect everyone that is close to me.
...and that, my friends, is the end of this book, but the beginning of a healthier life for me! Thank you for joining me!!
Choice 8
Yield myself to God to be used to bring this good news to others, both by my example and by my words.
Recap of the previous beatitudes that we have covered...
Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! (This is about acknowledging our need for God.)
Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! (This isn't just about crying, it's about crying OUT TO GOD!!)
Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised. (This is about acknowledging that we are not in charge of the universe, Jesus is. It's about surrendering to Him.)
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully. (This is the continual, life-long choice to always seek after what God desires.)
Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them. ( Choosing to forgive because God has forgiven us, resentment doesn't work, and in the future I will need forgiveness.)
Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God. (Confess
your deepest regrets, fears, and concerns to safe people. Satan likes
to keep our secrets in the dark and that is where they grow!! Light
exposes darkness for what it is and makes it dissipate!)
Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children. (Let's
quit feeling entitled and causing bickering!! Let it go!! Strive for
peace in your marriage, in your relationships, at your work, etc.!)The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Seven
Can I just be honest? For some reason, I am having a really hard time recapping this chapter and what it has meant to me. It's so huge that I am tempted to elaborate way too much, and yet it is so simple that I feel like I could just write two sentences and be done with it.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6
Reading my bible has changed me in many ways. Studying my bible has opened my eyes to a whole new world. Living out what I read in my bible has given me confidence. Finding others who believe the same things I believe has given me courage. Stepping out in faith has helped me to believe with total confidence that God's word really is true, no matter what my feelings are. Having a husband who loves the Lord, and others in my life who love the Lord, has caused me to hold fast when I've thought about throwing in the towel. All of these together have been a safety net of a sort for my life, and I need them all because life is hard, and God didn't ask me to follow him in a vacuum .
As a baby christian, I knew so little of what it meant to live a life that was pleasing to the Lord. I had no idea how to develop a relationship with my father in heaven who loves me so much. So many times, I think we have been failed, and we fail others when we tell them that the "secret" to knowing God and to living a life of freedom is just to "read your bible and pray." Yes, reading God's word, and talking to Abba father are so critical to our lives as Christians. But this book, (Life's Healing Choices, which is a exposition of the beatitudes), is full of such a few powerful, yet life-changing truths that I believe will continue to equip me in the future, and that I hope to share with others as they are learning how to be freed from the things in life that constantly hold them down.
So I will share one thing that has changed for me since I started reading this book and meditating on these scriptures. Here recently, I have been freed from some things of my past that I think were causing me to be at this place where I was ready to attack and fire back when and if I started to feel threatened. Anger was my cue. In the past, I think I would just go with it and get way too riled up about whatever the mishap was. Now, I am watching myself get a little upset about something, but then I can take a step back, ask myself why I am feeling angry, and then I evaluate if whatever it is really is worth getting so upset about. 99.9% of the time, it isn't. Maybe something bothered me, but lately, I can just address that one little issue, without being all bent out of shape, and then just leave it be no matter the outcome, without getting all mad and defensive. It's beautiful. And the issue can be the issue, instead of the hundred other issues that I had never dealt with.
So how can I know that I will continue in this pattern? How do I know that this won't be just a season and then I will forget and go right back to where I was??
That's where chapter seven comes in, it's about maintaining momentum and here is the truth, the second I start thinking I have got this in the bag, well that will be and is the second I fall on my face again. God has me in this sweet place right now, and the only way I can stay in this place of freedom, is if I continually stay connected to Him. Staying connected to Him (through the ways I mentioned above...), maintaining momentum, and preventing relapses is my goal. A relapse for me is just going back to that yucky place where my heart is not in tuned to His and I get more and more pulled by the world and the things it has to offer (ie. false security, false ways of feeling accepted and loved, selfishness, being a consumer, etc.).
One really cool tool that Chapter 7 provided was this...it's an emotional check.
H- am I hurting?
E- am I exhausted?
A- am I angry?
R- do I have resentment?
T- do I have tension?
I can go through this little check real quickly and pinpoint what's going on in my heart when I am feeling off. I love it. Quick and simple.
Choice Seven
Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
Recap of the previous beatitudes that we have covered...
Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! (This is about acknowledging our need for God.)
Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! (This isn't just about crying, it's about crying OUT TO GOD!!)
Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised. (This is about acknowledging that we are not in charge of the universe, Jesus is. It's about surrendering to Him.)
(Sorry if this is all over the place, again, I am having a hard time recapping this one!!)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6
Reading my bible has changed me in many ways. Studying my bible has opened my eyes to a whole new world. Living out what I read in my bible has given me confidence. Finding others who believe the same things I believe has given me courage. Stepping out in faith has helped me to believe with total confidence that God's word really is true, no matter what my feelings are. Having a husband who loves the Lord, and others in my life who love the Lord, has caused me to hold fast when I've thought about throwing in the towel. All of these together have been a safety net of a sort for my life, and I need them all because life is hard, and God didn't ask me to follow him in a vacuum .
As a baby christian, I knew so little of what it meant to live a life that was pleasing to the Lord. I had no idea how to develop a relationship with my father in heaven who loves me so much. So many times, I think we have been failed, and we fail others when we tell them that the "secret" to knowing God and to living a life of freedom is just to "read your bible and pray." Yes, reading God's word, and talking to Abba father are so critical to our lives as Christians. But this book, (Life's Healing Choices, which is a exposition of the beatitudes), is full of such a few powerful, yet life-changing truths that I believe will continue to equip me in the future, and that I hope to share with others as they are learning how to be freed from the things in life that constantly hold them down.
So I will share one thing that has changed for me since I started reading this book and meditating on these scriptures. Here recently, I have been freed from some things of my past that I think were causing me to be at this place where I was ready to attack and fire back when and if I started to feel threatened. Anger was my cue. In the past, I think I would just go with it and get way too riled up about whatever the mishap was. Now, I am watching myself get a little upset about something, but then I can take a step back, ask myself why I am feeling angry, and then I evaluate if whatever it is really is worth getting so upset about. 99.9% of the time, it isn't. Maybe something bothered me, but lately, I can just address that one little issue, without being all bent out of shape, and then just leave it be no matter the outcome, without getting all mad and defensive. It's beautiful. And the issue can be the issue, instead of the hundred other issues that I had never dealt with.
So how can I know that I will continue in this pattern? How do I know that this won't be just a season and then I will forget and go right back to where I was??
That's where chapter seven comes in, it's about maintaining momentum and here is the truth, the second I start thinking I have got this in the bag, well that will be and is the second I fall on my face again. God has me in this sweet place right now, and the only way I can stay in this place of freedom, is if I continually stay connected to Him. Staying connected to Him (through the ways I mentioned above...), maintaining momentum, and preventing relapses is my goal. A relapse for me is just going back to that yucky place where my heart is not in tuned to His and I get more and more pulled by the world and the things it has to offer (ie. false security, false ways of feeling accepted and loved, selfishness, being a consumer, etc.).
One really cool tool that Chapter 7 provided was this...it's an emotional check.
H- am I hurting?
E- am I exhausted?
A- am I angry?
R- do I have resentment?
T- do I have tension?
I can go through this little check real quickly and pinpoint what's going on in my heart when I am feeling off. I love it. Quick and simple.
Choice Seven
Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
Recap of the previous beatitudes that we have covered...
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully. (This is the continual, life-long choice to always seek after what God desires.)
Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them. ( Choosing to forgive because God has forgiven us, resentment doesn't work, and in the future I will need forgiveness.)
Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God. (Confess your deepest regrets, fears, and concerns to safe people. Satan likes to keep our secrets in the dark and that is where they grow!! Light exposes darkness for what it is and makes it dissipate!)
Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children. (Let's quit feeling entitled and causing bickering!! Let it go!! Strive for peace in your marriage, in your relationships, at your work, etc.!)
(Sorry if this is all over the place, again, I am having a hard time recapping this one!!)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Lifes Healing Choices- Choice Six
Happy are those who are merciful to others.
Happy are those who work for peace.
Matthew 5: 7 and 9
So this week, as I cracked open the book, I am not going to lie... I was kind of like, "ok, I'm ready to move on to a different thing." BUT I embraced the book and my sweet friend must have been feeling the same thing when she prayed, "God, help us to finish this strong and not fizzle out!!" She read my mind!
The bottom line of this chapter for me was this. I need to be a forgiving person. All the time. No matter what. Why?? Because God forgave me, because resentment doesn't work, and because one day in the future, I will need forgiveness.
Sometimes I try to make this more confusing than it is, but it's really pretty simple. Here is a tricky part. Allowing myself to forgive means acknowledging wrongdoings and oftentimes, denial is easier. BUT denial is a prison.
I realize I am not elaborating much but that's just kind of where I am at right now.
In the beginning of this book, I examined my past and realized some ways that I was in the wrong for things that are a part of my past. Things that I had never asked forgiveness for. I struggled because I didn't want to open up old wounds and I didn't want to be a deterrence to the other parties involved. God so graciously showed me that I can ask for forgiveness without anyone else knowing IF it is a situation where that is the most effective. So that's what I did. I am forgiven. Thank you Jesus.
All this to say, when I got to the assignment part of this chapter, I kind of felt like I already had done it, but I am still open to God showing me other things that may need to be addressed if necessary.
One last note, forgiveness is a constant, fluid, way of living. Every day I can choose to forgive and overlook offenses, or I can be Ms. Super Sensitive and take every little thing personally. I choose the latter. (You might have to remind me of this on some days!!) But that truly is my desire.
Choice Six
Evaluate all of my relationships.
Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me, and make amends for harm I have done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.
Choice One
Choice Two
Choice Three
Choice Four
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Happy are those who work for peace.
Matthew 5: 7 and 9
So this week, as I cracked open the book, I am not going to lie... I was kind of like, "ok, I'm ready to move on to a different thing." BUT I embraced the book and my sweet friend must have been feeling the same thing when she prayed, "God, help us to finish this strong and not fizzle out!!" She read my mind!
The bottom line of this chapter for me was this. I need to be a forgiving person. All the time. No matter what. Why?? Because God forgave me, because resentment doesn't work, and because one day in the future, I will need forgiveness.
Sometimes I try to make this more confusing than it is, but it's really pretty simple. Here is a tricky part. Allowing myself to forgive means acknowledging wrongdoings and oftentimes, denial is easier. BUT denial is a prison.
I realize I am not elaborating much but that's just kind of where I am at right now.
In the beginning of this book, I examined my past and realized some ways that I was in the wrong for things that are a part of my past. Things that I had never asked forgiveness for. I struggled because I didn't want to open up old wounds and I didn't want to be a deterrence to the other parties involved. God so graciously showed me that I can ask for forgiveness without anyone else knowing IF it is a situation where that is the most effective. So that's what I did. I am forgiven. Thank you Jesus.
All this to say, when I got to the assignment part of this chapter, I kind of felt like I already had done it, but I am still open to God showing me other things that may need to be addressed if necessary.
One last note, forgiveness is a constant, fluid, way of living. Every day I can choose to forgive and overlook offenses, or I can be Ms. Super Sensitive and take every little thing personally. I choose the latter. (You might have to remind me of this on some days!!) But that truly is my desire.
Choice Six
Evaluate all of my relationships.
Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me, and make amends for harm I have done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.
Choice One
Choice Two
Choice Three
Choice Four
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Five
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.
Matthew 5:6
Wahoo!! Chapter five is my favorite so far!! (Have I said that already about previous chapters?!)
So now that I have peeled back a few layers into examining my hurts, habits, and hang-ups, it's time to declare truth through scripture over those areas of my life. With the help of the Lord, I have identified some of my issues and now, I need God's help to retrain my mind so that I can be free from those reactions and/or ways of thinking.
A friend worded it like this, she said, we can choose to ignore the junk that goes on within our hearts/minds, and we can choose to pretend that we have it all together by continuing to make the outside look pretty, or we can deal with the hard things that are in our hearts and find healing and truth through the hope of Jesus.
So this week, I got out some note-cards and wrote scriptures that are near and dear to my heart. On the back of each card, I wrote how that specific truth of God applies directly to MY life on a daily basis. In the mundane, seemingly small parts, of my life and in the big parts of my life. And the assignment is to read over the cards every morning and every night and allow my mind to be transformed by God's word. I am excited about this because I know how powerful it is to continuously be washed by the word.
It's funny bc these same scriptures have been posted on my walls over the years, and as soon as I stop focusing on God's truth, my mind is swayed by other influences and I forget what God says about me and about my life. I am like a kid, I need CONSTANT reminders!! I keep hoping one day I will have this life figured out, but I am also becoming more and more ok with the fact that I never will, and that I think the biggest "secret" to a happy life is to continuously stay plugged into My God and Savior and the truths that I have access to through scripture.
Choice Five-
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
God, please continue peeling away the junk in my life and removing the character traits in me that are ugly. Please replace them with more of you and your spirit. I don't want to be a source of discouragement for others in my life, but I want to be used by you to bring hope, joy, and peace into the life's of my family and friends and I know I can't do it when I am wrapped up in myself. Help me Jesus. I love you, Amen.
Choice One
Choice Two
Choice Three
Choice Four
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Matthew 5:6
Wahoo!! Chapter five is my favorite so far!! (Have I said that already about previous chapters?!)
So now that I have peeled back a few layers into examining my hurts, habits, and hang-ups, it's time to declare truth through scripture over those areas of my life. With the help of the Lord, I have identified some of my issues and now, I need God's help to retrain my mind so that I can be free from those reactions and/or ways of thinking.
A friend worded it like this, she said, we can choose to ignore the junk that goes on within our hearts/minds, and we can choose to pretend that we have it all together by continuing to make the outside look pretty, or we can deal with the hard things that are in our hearts and find healing and truth through the hope of Jesus.
So this week, I got out some note-cards and wrote scriptures that are near and dear to my heart. On the back of each card, I wrote how that specific truth of God applies directly to MY life on a daily basis. In the mundane, seemingly small parts, of my life and in the big parts of my life. And the assignment is to read over the cards every morning and every night and allow my mind to be transformed by God's word. I am excited about this because I know how powerful it is to continuously be washed by the word.
It's funny bc these same scriptures have been posted on my walls over the years, and as soon as I stop focusing on God's truth, my mind is swayed by other influences and I forget what God says about me and about my life. I am like a kid, I need CONSTANT reminders!! I keep hoping one day I will have this life figured out, but I am also becoming more and more ok with the fact that I never will, and that I think the biggest "secret" to a happy life is to continuously stay plugged into My God and Savior and the truths that I have access to through scripture.
Choice Five-
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
God, please continue peeling away the junk in my life and removing the character traits in me that are ugly. Please replace them with more of you and your spirit. I don't want to be a source of discouragement for others in my life, but I want to be used by you to bring hope, joy, and peace into the life's of my family and friends and I know I can't do it when I am wrapped up in myself. Help me Jesus. I love you, Amen.
Choice One
Choice Two
Choice Three
Choice Four
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Four
Blessed are those who are pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
Chapter four was a little in my face. I wasn't too excited about it at all the first time I read through it. However, I decided to stick to the course and do what was asked of me.
First I want to mention that I believe everyone's outcome of this chapter, and the book for that matter, would be very different from the next person. This was just my take on it.
The biggest "assignment" that chapter four involved was taking a personal inventory of my life, both the good and the bad. They recommend this little chart and I did it exactly how the book asked of me because quite frankly I didn't have any idea where to start if I were to do it any other way. I struggled with the whole idea because I know that every sin of mine is forgiven. I also know that I do not have to live chained down to the things of my past. Therefore, I hesitated to even go there in the slightest bit. But again, I followed the directions:). Immediately I realized that there are things in my past that although I have repented of, and I have asked for forgiveness, it still brought on feelings of shame and condemnation for me to think about some of the stuff. There are some things from my life "before Christ" that I realized still haunted me a little and that I would prefer for no-one else to ever know about. However, along comes with that a feeling of secrecy, and of potentially being found out and I don't think God wants me to live that way. I'm not going to hash out the details on here, but I did do so with my friend who is walking through this book with me. It was amazing.
Another component of the chart was to write in a section what the "effect" of said event was. As I looked over the "effect" section of my chart, the progression of things was astounding. I believe if I do not take away anything else from this chapter, this in and of itself was enormous. Most of my stuff is encompassed with broken relationships. In the beginning, the broken relationships caused me to be a little less vulnerable and a little less trustworthy. It progressed to things like "lack of emotions", "feeling alone, isolated, and weird", and "contempt towards emotions." Crazy. So at the bottom of my 3 page chart, when I got to silly little "offenses" that happened within the last few years, my responses to the broken relationships were all the way to the most desperate place instead of at the top where I was shaken up just a little and feeling a little less trustworthy.
Here is what is huge. I feel like God is showing me that His desire is to break down those walls and to restore my heart to a place of vulnerability and purity. He wants to heal me and bring me to a place where I can trust HIM with childlike faith that never waivers. My trust was never meant to be put solely in the relationships around me, but it was meant to be in Him. With my trust, foundation, and identity found completely in Him, I can withstand the risks that come with being in healthy, honest relationships with others.
Let me end with this. I allowed God to be in control of my life when I turned 20 years old. Had I not, my life would be completely different than it is now. My life is not perfect right now, but I am very blessed. I have a husband who loves me so well, I have 3 precious kids, and most importantly, I know that I am a child of the king of the universe. I know I have a daddy in Heaven who loves me and who pursues me every single day. That is amazing and it gives me hope in this hard, hard world.
I fall short every day. I make mistakes every day and I get off track, but because God loves me so much, He always forgives me and pulls me back close to Him.
My parents are the only ones in my family heritage who are still married, and it is only by the grace of God. I have a long line of divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction, and so forth in my family and I am certain that I would be right there in that lifestyle to this day had it not been for my mighty God who saved me. I had a huge hole in my heart that I was seeking every where for someone or something to fill, and thankfully God showed me that it was Him I was looking for before the damage I did to myself was irreversible. I don't care what your family tree looks like, or how far you feel like you are from the Lord, He is ready to forgive you and to comfort you. He is ready to equip you to move out of a life of desperation and into a life of hope. He did it for me. I am so thankful and I am so thankful for this chapter and for the reminder that I don't have to be ashamed of who I used to be or of the things I have done in my life. They are forgiven and what's equally amazing to me is that God is REDEEMING my past. He is taking the ugly parts of my life and making them into something beautiful, BUT He can only do that when I am honest enough with myself and with others to let those things be exposed and not hidden in a corner of my life.
Choice Four
Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
Choice One
Choice Two
Choice Three
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Matthew 5:8
Chapter four was a little in my face. I wasn't too excited about it at all the first time I read through it. However, I decided to stick to the course and do what was asked of me.
First I want to mention that I believe everyone's outcome of this chapter, and the book for that matter, would be very different from the next person. This was just my take on it.
The biggest "assignment" that chapter four involved was taking a personal inventory of my life, both the good and the bad. They recommend this little chart and I did it exactly how the book asked of me because quite frankly I didn't have any idea where to start if I were to do it any other way. I struggled with the whole idea because I know that every sin of mine is forgiven. I also know that I do not have to live chained down to the things of my past. Therefore, I hesitated to even go there in the slightest bit. But again, I followed the directions:). Immediately I realized that there are things in my past that although I have repented of, and I have asked for forgiveness, it still brought on feelings of shame and condemnation for me to think about some of the stuff. There are some things from my life "before Christ" that I realized still haunted me a little and that I would prefer for no-one else to ever know about. However, along comes with that a feeling of secrecy, and of potentially being found out and I don't think God wants me to live that way. I'm not going to hash out the details on here, but I did do so with my friend who is walking through this book with me. It was amazing.
Another component of the chart was to write in a section what the "effect" of said event was. As I looked over the "effect" section of my chart, the progression of things was astounding. I believe if I do not take away anything else from this chapter, this in and of itself was enormous. Most of my stuff is encompassed with broken relationships. In the beginning, the broken relationships caused me to be a little less vulnerable and a little less trustworthy. It progressed to things like "lack of emotions", "feeling alone, isolated, and weird", and "contempt towards emotions." Crazy. So at the bottom of my 3 page chart, when I got to silly little "offenses" that happened within the last few years, my responses to the broken relationships were all the way to the most desperate place instead of at the top where I was shaken up just a little and feeling a little less trustworthy.
Here is what is huge. I feel like God is showing me that His desire is to break down those walls and to restore my heart to a place of vulnerability and purity. He wants to heal me and bring me to a place where I can trust HIM with childlike faith that never waivers. My trust was never meant to be put solely in the relationships around me, but it was meant to be in Him. With my trust, foundation, and identity found completely in Him, I can withstand the risks that come with being in healthy, honest relationships with others.
Let me end with this. I allowed God to be in control of my life when I turned 20 years old. Had I not, my life would be completely different than it is now. My life is not perfect right now, but I am very blessed. I have a husband who loves me so well, I have 3 precious kids, and most importantly, I know that I am a child of the king of the universe. I know I have a daddy in Heaven who loves me and who pursues me every single day. That is amazing and it gives me hope in this hard, hard world.
I fall short every day. I make mistakes every day and I get off track, but because God loves me so much, He always forgives me and pulls me back close to Him.
My parents are the only ones in my family heritage who are still married, and it is only by the grace of God. I have a long line of divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction, and so forth in my family and I am certain that I would be right there in that lifestyle to this day had it not been for my mighty God who saved me. I had a huge hole in my heart that I was seeking every where for someone or something to fill, and thankfully God showed me that it was Him I was looking for before the damage I did to myself was irreversible. I don't care what your family tree looks like, or how far you feel like you are from the Lord, He is ready to forgive you and to comfort you. He is ready to equip you to move out of a life of desperation and into a life of hope. He did it for me. I am so thankful and I am so thankful for this chapter and for the reminder that I don't have to be ashamed of who I used to be or of the things I have done in my life. They are forgiven and what's equally amazing to me is that God is REDEEMING my past. He is taking the ugly parts of my life and making them into something beautiful, BUT He can only do that when I am honest enough with myself and with others to let those things be exposed and not hidden in a corner of my life.
Choice Four
Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
Choice One
Choice Two
Choice Three
The Crossing's website where you can find encouraging messages that enhance the journey of this book and healing journey:)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Three
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
As I read through this chapter, I found myself thinking, "this is great. this is REALLY good stuff especially for those who have not put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but I have. I did 10 years ago, so how does this apply to me NOW?"
And God answered...are you ready??? Turn the lights down and get ready for something spectacular...!!!
He said, "now get on with it!!" I believed that Christ was my savior, and have believed it for 10 years, I have trusted that He has good things for me, and that He is enabling me to live a righteous life, and currently He is showing me all of these lies I believed, He is replacing them with His truths, and now he is telling me to "believe Him and get on with it!!!"
So let me back up. These are a few of the lies I believed.
Lie 1. I am your father in heaven and I want you to work for me now. Get out there and make me proud!!
Replaced with, " I have loved you with an everlasting love. I am proud of you because you are mine. I made you and I remember what you are made of. Your "shortcomings" are no surprise to me and I am NOT keeping a tally of them, they are NOT what defines you."
Jeremiah 31:3; Isaiah 43:1; Genesis 2:7; Romans 8:1
Lie 2. You are not safe and you must protect yourself at all times.
Replaced with, " I am your protector. You will never be and you NEVER WERE alone. I have been with you all along, eager to comfort you. Come to me and I WILL comfort you. Yes, I gave you a brain to set boundaries with, but some things are/were out of your control and even then, especially then, I AM WITH YOU. "
Psalm 68:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 5:4
Lie 3. Don't let others see the REAL you. Don't let them see the ways you fall short and/or the fears you have in your heart because then you will be unlovable and no one will like you or want to keep you in their lives.
Replaced with, "I see the real you. You are covered in the blood of Christ. I see your heart and I think it is beautiful. I made that heart remember. I know your fears, I know your vulnerabilities and they do not intimidate me in the least bit. Please share them with me. And please find safe sisters in Christ to share them with as well bc they aren't going to leave you either. In fact, your vulnerabilities might make them feel a little more comfortable with their own. EVEN if everyone else abandons you though, even if, I NEVER WILL. And even if every single one of your "secrets" are exposed, it WILL NOT change your identity. Your identity is in me and in me ALONE.
Isaiah 43:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17
SO, I am believing Christ Jesus for what He says to be true. I am clinging to these promises and I am "getting on with it already!!"
Thank you Jesus.
One last thing that God showed me through various avenues was that I forgot to let him hold me, and I went straight to the helping me part. I never dealt with the hurts, habits, and hang-ups from my past. I just pushed right through them. I pulled myself up from my bootstraps if you will, and went straight ahead. God has brought me through a precious season where I am reminded to let him ALWAYS hold me first. That's His hearts desire. Then and only then, can He help me in a way that stands the test of time.
Choice Three
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
Life's Healing Choices -Choice One
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Two
also. don't forget to check out our church's website to hear Marty and Jason preach on this series, based on the beatitudes.
Matthew 5:5
As I read through this chapter, I found myself thinking, "this is great. this is REALLY good stuff especially for those who have not put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but I have. I did 10 years ago, so how does this apply to me NOW?"
And God answered...are you ready??? Turn the lights down and get ready for something spectacular...!!!
He said, "now get on with it!!" I believed that Christ was my savior, and have believed it for 10 years, I have trusted that He has good things for me, and that He is enabling me to live a righteous life, and currently He is showing me all of these lies I believed, He is replacing them with His truths, and now he is telling me to "believe Him and get on with it!!!"
So let me back up. These are a few of the lies I believed.
Lie 1. I am your father in heaven and I want you to work for me now. Get out there and make me proud!!
Replaced with, " I have loved you with an everlasting love. I am proud of you because you are mine. I made you and I remember what you are made of. Your "shortcomings" are no surprise to me and I am NOT keeping a tally of them, they are NOT what defines you."
Jeremiah 31:3; Isaiah 43:1; Genesis 2:7; Romans 8:1
Lie 2. You are not safe and you must protect yourself at all times.
Replaced with, " I am your protector. You will never be and you NEVER WERE alone. I have been with you all along, eager to comfort you. Come to me and I WILL comfort you. Yes, I gave you a brain to set boundaries with, but some things are/were out of your control and even then, especially then, I AM WITH YOU. "
Psalm 68:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 5:4
Lie 3. Don't let others see the REAL you. Don't let them see the ways you fall short and/or the fears you have in your heart because then you will be unlovable and no one will like you or want to keep you in their lives.
Replaced with, "I see the real you. You are covered in the blood of Christ. I see your heart and I think it is beautiful. I made that heart remember. I know your fears, I know your vulnerabilities and they do not intimidate me in the least bit. Please share them with me. And please find safe sisters in Christ to share them with as well bc they aren't going to leave you either. In fact, your vulnerabilities might make them feel a little more comfortable with their own. EVEN if everyone else abandons you though, even if, I NEVER WILL. And even if every single one of your "secrets" are exposed, it WILL NOT change your identity. Your identity is in me and in me ALONE.
Isaiah 43:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17
SO, I am believing Christ Jesus for what He says to be true. I am clinging to these promises and I am "getting on with it already!!"
Thank you Jesus.
One last thing that God showed me through various avenues was that I forgot to let him hold me, and I went straight to the helping me part. I never dealt with the hurts, habits, and hang-ups from my past. I just pushed right through them. I pulled myself up from my bootstraps if you will, and went straight ahead. God has brought me through a precious season where I am reminded to let him ALWAYS hold me first. That's His hearts desire. Then and only then, can He help me in a way that stands the test of time.
Choice Three
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
Life's Healing Choices -Choice One
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Two
also. don't forget to check out our church's website to hear Marty and Jason preach on this series, based on the beatitudes.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice Two
Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Choice one wasn't a very FUN chapter for me to go through. This book is actually coming into my life in God's most perfect, incredible timing. I have been processing some stuff for months now, and I believe going through this book, is going to help me in knowing what to do with the "junk" in my life. It is really so much bigger than this book, it's the message of the gospel, however, the words in this book, and the message that I am hearing thus far is one of redemption and revival.
For the past ten years of my life, since I surrendered my life to the Lord, I have gone full-fledged into "serving Him" mode. I think I realized that I belonged to a daddy in Heaven who wanted me and who had a purpose for me, and so my response for Him was to work for Him and to never stop showing Him how thankful I was/am for the things He has saved me from. My life would be very different right now if it weren't from the crazy-style intervention that God worked in my life when I was 20 years old.
With that said, I haven't really slowed down. Or stopped. I married a pastor, we had 3 kids in 5 years, we moved several times, we worked on staff at several churches, and you better believe, I have been "doing MY best" all this time to "make God PROUD." I want Him to be proud of me. I love Him, and I have found a lot of ways through scripture that I know are pleasing to Him. I have learned a lot about what it means to be a "good" wife and to be a good mom, I have read every book, I have gone to conferences, I have sought Goldy council, and the list goes on. And you better believe I have given it my absolute best. All of these things are good things, I am not saying they aren't.
However, when I got sick, I felt like the rug was PULLED OUT FROM UNDER ME. I felt WORTHLESS. I was so disappointed bc I felt God had showed me how to make Him proud, and now that I couldn't, now what? How was I still going to be lovable? How was I going to keep my family afloat? How was I going to raise Godly offspring? How would I be a helper and an encouragement to my spouse? How could I serve in the church? How could I love my neighbors when I couldn't get out of bed and/or when I couldn't do much more than survive. Much less, be active and engaged in my life that God had blessed me with. That's when I hit rock bottom. And I am so thankful.
God showed me in that place that there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I could do or not do that would make Him love me any more or less. He wasn't going to stop being proud of me and He was NEVER, EVER going to leave my side. Even if everyone else did. (Which to those of you who didn't, thank you. You have blessed me more than I could ever, ever communicate to you. Many of you are my faithful blog readers:))
With all of this being said, God is rebuilding me right now. And He is doing it with my foundation being made anew. My foundation is that I am loved and cherished by Jesus Christ. I am a child of the king and NOTHING can ever shake or change that. (If you have believed in Jesus Christ, the same goes for you by the way.)
God has revealed to me many hurts, habits, and hang-ups that I have. And they aren't pretty at all. I have grieved my sin. I have grieved the ways that I have tried to be in control of my life and the ways that I have refused to let God comfort me. I have pushed some things so far from the surface that I didn't give God the free reign to free me and release me from my past. Some of it 20 years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago, all the way up to 2 years ago.
It has been painful to bring things back to the surface, but in the company of beloved, trusted, sisters of mine, I have given so many things back up to my daddy.
He's got it now. I have given it all back to Him, and I refuse to believe that I can heal myself, or help myself any longer. I can't. I need God everyday. And I PRAISE Him because he cares enough for me that those things matter to Him. And in His kindness and goodness, He alone is big enough to give me the strength and power to overcome my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Daddy.
I love you.
Choice Two
Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
Ps. I prayed years ago that God would help me feel comfortable calling Him "daddy." He answered.
Pss. Please see The Crossing's website to hear Marty and Jason as they preach on the beatitudes, (the scriptures that this book is based on). It will bless your socks off. Truly.
Life's Healing Choices- Choice One
Matthew 5:4
Choice one wasn't a very FUN chapter for me to go through. This book is actually coming into my life in God's most perfect, incredible timing. I have been processing some stuff for months now, and I believe going through this book, is going to help me in knowing what to do with the "junk" in my life. It is really so much bigger than this book, it's the message of the gospel, however, the words in this book, and the message that I am hearing thus far is one of redemption and revival.
For the past ten years of my life, since I surrendered my life to the Lord, I have gone full-fledged into "serving Him" mode. I think I realized that I belonged to a daddy in Heaven who wanted me and who had a purpose for me, and so my response for Him was to work for Him and to never stop showing Him how thankful I was/am for the things He has saved me from. My life would be very different right now if it weren't from the crazy-style intervention that God worked in my life when I was 20 years old.
With that said, I haven't really slowed down. Or stopped. I married a pastor, we had 3 kids in 5 years, we moved several times, we worked on staff at several churches, and you better believe, I have been "doing MY best" all this time to "make God PROUD." I want Him to be proud of me. I love Him, and I have found a lot of ways through scripture that I know are pleasing to Him. I have learned a lot about what it means to be a "good" wife and to be a good mom, I have read every book, I have gone to conferences, I have sought Goldy council, and the list goes on. And you better believe I have given it my absolute best. All of these things are good things, I am not saying they aren't.
However, when I got sick, I felt like the rug was PULLED OUT FROM UNDER ME. I felt WORTHLESS. I was so disappointed bc I felt God had showed me how to make Him proud, and now that I couldn't, now what? How was I still going to be lovable? How was I going to keep my family afloat? How was I going to raise Godly offspring? How would I be a helper and an encouragement to my spouse? How could I serve in the church? How could I love my neighbors when I couldn't get out of bed and/or when I couldn't do much more than survive. Much less, be active and engaged in my life that God had blessed me with. That's when I hit rock bottom. And I am so thankful.
God showed me in that place that there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I could do or not do that would make Him love me any more or less. He wasn't going to stop being proud of me and He was NEVER, EVER going to leave my side. Even if everyone else did. (Which to those of you who didn't, thank you. You have blessed me more than I could ever, ever communicate to you. Many of you are my faithful blog readers:))
With all of this being said, God is rebuilding me right now. And He is doing it with my foundation being made anew. My foundation is that I am loved and cherished by Jesus Christ. I am a child of the king and NOTHING can ever shake or change that. (If you have believed in Jesus Christ, the same goes for you by the way.)
God has revealed to me many hurts, habits, and hang-ups that I have. And they aren't pretty at all. I have grieved my sin. I have grieved the ways that I have tried to be in control of my life and the ways that I have refused to let God comfort me. I have pushed some things so far from the surface that I didn't give God the free reign to free me and release me from my past. Some of it 20 years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago, all the way up to 2 years ago.
It has been painful to bring things back to the surface, but in the company of beloved, trusted, sisters of mine, I have given so many things back up to my daddy.
He's got it now. I have given it all back to Him, and I refuse to believe that I can heal myself, or help myself any longer. I can't. I need God everyday. And I PRAISE Him because he cares enough for me that those things matter to Him. And in His kindness and goodness, He alone is big enough to give me the strength and power to overcome my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Daddy.
I love you.
Choice Two
Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
Ps. I prayed years ago that God would help me feel comfortable calling Him "daddy." He answered.
Pss. Please see The Crossing's website to hear Marty and Jason as they preach on the beatitudes, (the scriptures that this book is based on). It will bless your socks off. Truly.
Life's Healing Choices- Choice One
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Life's Healing Choices- Choice One
Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.
Matthew 5:3
I have had a few hard blows in this short lifetime of mine. Who hasn't? In the past, I have allowed those "blows" if you will, to suck the life out of me at times. I have watched myself sort of self-destruct and go into my own little vacuum where all I can think about it the "suffering" that I am enduring. As I come out of those seasons, I am always thankful for the things God teaches me, and I am also always so frustrated with myself that I can get so distracted from being the wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend that God has called me to be. Don't get me wrong, I believe in grief, and I believe in staring pain right in the face while allowing it to penetrate every fiber of my being. But I don't like staying there. And I especially do not like staying there if it involves neglecting my husband and kids because I am too consumed with myself. I always regret it and feel more happiness when I choose to focus my energy on being a blessing instead of looking for what I can get out of life.
So when I started chapter one of Life's Healing Choices, I sort of made a deal with God. I told Him I would go through this book, but I refused to go into crisis mode. I refused to be broken to a point that I neglected those around me.
I think He laughed at me when I told Him that.
So as I journeyed through chapter one, I have journaled and shared with my accountability partner, I have cried, I have prayed, and I have asked God for forgiveness and healing. And I will continue to confess the sins of my heart to trustworthy sources and I will continue to seek healing and restoration in my heart, mind, body, and spirit. My journey is far from over.
BUT one thing God has shown me through this is that to be "spiritually poor" does not mean to go into crisis mode so much that I am consumed in my own little pity party. Not at all. It is simply an acknowledgement of how much I miss the mark and how far off I am from "doing all the things I want to do, and from being who I want to be" when I try and do life without Jesus. I have a track record of sin in my life. We all do. And even though my track record BEFORE Jesus looks different than my track record of sin AFTER Jesus in my life, it's technically all the same. It's falling short. It's living in my sin nature. And I continuously do it. I continuously do the things I do not want to do. And that is the definition of being spiritually poor. It's acknowledging that apart from Christ, I can do nothing. I need Jesus every second of every day to live this life as He has called me to. Everything I do is not so that I can boast and say, "Look at me!! I am an awesome Christian, I've got this thing in the bag!!" Nope, not at all. Everything that I do and everything that I am is because Christ is working within me and through me. Period. He gets all the glory. In my own strength, I am spiritually POOR, and I know it. Thank you God.
Our church is working through Life's Healing Choices, starting today at The Crossing. We have books on sale on Sunday mornings for $5. I am excited about this journey and I invite you to join us!
Matthew 5:3
I have had a few hard blows in this short lifetime of mine. Who hasn't? In the past, I have allowed those "blows" if you will, to suck the life out of me at times. I have watched myself sort of self-destruct and go into my own little vacuum where all I can think about it the "suffering" that I am enduring. As I come out of those seasons, I am always thankful for the things God teaches me, and I am also always so frustrated with myself that I can get so distracted from being the wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend that God has called me to be. Don't get me wrong, I believe in grief, and I believe in staring pain right in the face while allowing it to penetrate every fiber of my being. But I don't like staying there. And I especially do not like staying there if it involves neglecting my husband and kids because I am too consumed with myself. I always regret it and feel more happiness when I choose to focus my energy on being a blessing instead of looking for what I can get out of life.
So when I started chapter one of Life's Healing Choices, I sort of made a deal with God. I told Him I would go through this book, but I refused to go into crisis mode. I refused to be broken to a point that I neglected those around me.
I think He laughed at me when I told Him that.
So as I journeyed through chapter one, I have journaled and shared with my accountability partner, I have cried, I have prayed, and I have asked God for forgiveness and healing. And I will continue to confess the sins of my heart to trustworthy sources and I will continue to seek healing and restoration in my heart, mind, body, and spirit. My journey is far from over.
BUT one thing God has shown me through this is that to be "spiritually poor" does not mean to go into crisis mode so much that I am consumed in my own little pity party. Not at all. It is simply an acknowledgement of how much I miss the mark and how far off I am from "doing all the things I want to do, and from being who I want to be" when I try and do life without Jesus. I have a track record of sin in my life. We all do. And even though my track record BEFORE Jesus looks different than my track record of sin AFTER Jesus in my life, it's technically all the same. It's falling short. It's living in my sin nature. And I continuously do it. I continuously do the things I do not want to do. And that is the definition of being spiritually poor. It's acknowledging that apart from Christ, I can do nothing. I need Jesus every second of every day to live this life as He has called me to. Everything I do is not so that I can boast and say, "Look at me!! I am an awesome Christian, I've got this thing in the bag!!" Nope, not at all. Everything that I do and everything that I am is because Christ is working within me and through me. Period. He gets all the glory. In my own strength, I am spiritually POOR, and I know it. Thank you God.
Choice One
I admit that I am powerless to control
my tendency to do the wrong thing
and that my life is unmanageable.
Our church is working through Life's Healing Choices, starting today at The Crossing. We have books on sale on Sunday mornings for $5. I am excited about this journey and I invite you to join us!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The 2nd Annual Jumbo Hunt
The Annual Jumbo Hunt is this weekend! Invite your friends!
**reposted from the archives
While
we
were
still
sinners,
Christ
died
for
us
and
did
really
cool
things,
like
blessed
our
efforts
to
serve
the
community.
Amazing.
And
this
is
only
the
beginning.
I
am
excited!!
ps. we no longer meet at Spring Branch Middle School, we currently meet at Bill Brown Elementary and we have a great set-up going on there! Join us! Christ has risen!
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