Check Your Perimeter

(picture from zinginstruments.com)

What stands between you and your enemy (or your perceived enemy, the one that rubs you the wrong way or downright hurts you)?

Because you are in Christ, Jesus comes between you and your enemy. You can’t do a thing to your enemy without going through Jesus. His Name is the authority we use to cast out demons and His Name is the Name by which we command the forces of evil to flee from us. His is the only Name through which we can triumph.

(picture from clearsy.com)

As believers, we are hidden in Christ. We are protected from the things that come against us, whether it be sickness, injury or disease, financial frustrations, or relationship disasters only to the degree we are willing to find ourselves in Christ. It’s not enough to say that we are Christians, or to shout amen and hallelujah from time to time. It’s not enough to pray when things get tough. It’s not enough to go to church or to give your tithe or to sing in the choir or volunteer to help those less fortunate than ourselves. All those things mean nothing if they’re not done in love – in Christ.

Scripture tells us that God IS love. We need to be completely wrapped up in that love, which means we need to be completely wrapped up in Christ. When we stick out our hands to do harm, or our eyes to watch sin, or our foot to go to where we know we shouldn’t be, we are creating an opening through which the enemy will run in a heartbeat, if given the chance.

When we allow the cares and affairs of the world to threaten us, we are exposing our weaknesses to the enemy. Jesus paid the price for all our sins, our guilt, our shortcomings and even our unbelief. But if we’re not willing to live inside that shelter of protection, we’re going to get hurt because our faith will be compromised.

Repeatedly throughout the New Testament Jesus tells us to make sure that we are abiding in Him and allowing Him to abide in us. He tells us to make sure His Word abides in us and that we abide in His Word. To abide means to make our abode within, to LIVE there. Not to just visit on Sundays or at bedtime.

When we’re feeling threatened or intimidated, overwhelmed and defeated, when we’re feeling depressed or frustrated, when we feel anxious or fearful, we’ve likely exposed ourselves somewhere.

As a woman, I recall feeling breezy on the backside only to discover that I’d accidentally tucked my skirt into my pantyhose. I left myself exposed – and I felt it. What I felt clued me in to check out the problem.

What clues me in to check out where my REAL problems lie?

When I feel the cold of the enemy stepping onto my turf, it’s time to check my borders. When the lies of the enemy overwhelm what I know to be God’s truth (therefore MY truth), it’s time to check my borders. When I’m feeling fearful or depressed or afraid, it’s time to check my borders.

(picture from skweldedmesh.com)

If I’m in Christ, I’m safe.

If I’ve allowed the devil to stick his toe into the doorway to my soul, he’s certain to take as much ground as he can. Did I start examining my perimeter the moment his ugly toe showed up? Probably not. It’s likely his whole foot or leg is through the door already, maybe he’s stepped completely in to try to sabotage my faith.

My job isn’t to fight the enemy. My job is to fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12) God is my defender. He’ll take care of my enemies – as long as I am found in Him.

God won’t keep me from sharing myself with the world. He’s given me the freedom to choose. And sometimes, Satan is so stealthy, I don’t pay attention to some of the bad choices I make. (Just like in my daily diet. If I paid better attention to what I consume, I’d likely be much thinner.)

If I’m not in God’s Word, and if God’s Word isn’t my staple daily diet, I’m exposed.

I don’t repeat myself in these blog posts to beat you up. I repeat them because these are the things God is talking about with ME. Surely, I’m not the only one, so I share with you.

(picture from keepcalms.com)

Is your go-to thought one of fear when the doctor says something you don’t want to hear? Is your go-to thought one of depression when your checkbook is getting a little too close to the negative? Is your go-to thought one of anger when someone disappoints or disrespects you or hurts you?

If so, you may want to check your perimeter. You may have left a door open somewhere. The enemy doesn’t come and kick in your door. He can’t. He doesn’t have the power or authority to do so. He patiently sits there, waiting for you to open it.

Ask Jesus to live inside of you. Turn away from your sinful habits. Read God’s Word (the Bible) every day. Meditate on what you read there. Pray for guidance. God says that when we lack wisdom, to simply ask Him for it! (James 1:5)

Closing your perimeter doesn’t keep people out. It keeps sin out. It lets the love of Jesus pour through you to the very people and circumstances that seem to give you the most trouble.

The Struggle is Real

(Picture from livestrong.com)

What an honor to be asked to share a guest blog for Positively Debbie! She never ceases to amaze me with her courage, tenacity and determination. She continues to inspire me and encourage me in my fitness journey as I watch her push forward with hers.

It’s not just about weight loss, but that seems to be where we measure it the most. For me, it’s clearly about what I do and don’t put into my mouth; that’s where my weakness seems to triumph over me, daily.

I tend to look at things through the mirror of parallels – what’s going on around me spiritually while I take part in what’s going on around me physically?

My weight loss pendulum swings far to the heavy side, at the moment. As I age, it’s quite tempting to blame the advancing years for the slowing down of my body. It’s also easy to blame my emotions for the Doritos and pizza my mouth craves.

I’ve read some terrific books over the years (here’s a great one: - Made to Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst).

And, I’ve met some fabulous encouragers, those who’ve gone before me in this fitness journey, and met it with success. Debbie is one of those who’ve faced the battles, though different in appearance from my own, the roots are the same.

Among so many things, we face loneliness (empty nest syndrome), sadness (the absence of loved ones), hormonal fluctuations, boredom, and an overall emptiness that longs to be filled.

The way I see it, the deciding factor for reaching our fitness goals is simply: with what do I fill my gaping voids?

Another great book? I AM, by Michele Chusatt

Sometimes, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m a Christian, because too often, there’s a lack of evidence with which I could be convicted as such. I feel like many could judge me and say, “If this God of yours truly loves you, why doesn’t He help you with these important areas of life struggles?”

And that’s just the kind of thing the enemy tries to silence me with, not being a good example before my fellow strugglers.

But, the blame lies with me. Enough of this banter that says, “…it’s not your fault…” Indeed, most of the time, it IS my fault. I get to choose whether I listen to the voice of logic and reason that tells me the bag of Doritos I’ve hidden for myself is the wrong place to go for validation and acceptance. I know in my heart, that God has already validated my heart, and has unconditionally accepted me, blemishes and all. He waits eagerly to meet my every need. He longs to be my source, for everything. Better yet, He loves me – always has, always will.

Yet… I too often seek refuge in a salty snack. Why? I suppose if I had all the answers, my book would be the next best seller and I wouldn’t have a weight loss care in the world.

The answers that I know will truly work, are those answers that have worked for me in the past:

*Get my eyes on Jesus, not on the weight scale. What we look at determines what fills our minds. Is my mind on God? Or on that little digital number that can ruin my day?

*Turn to the Bible before I lunge for the snacks. Most often, the desire for the snack disappears. My focus determines my actions.

*Get my praise on! Don’t listen to sad, sappy love songs where the songwriter ended up on the losing end of things!

*Listen to what God says about me, not what the world tries to force down my throat. I AM worthy of love, I AM accepted and justified, through Jesus Christ! Gone are the days of shame, Jesus has washed me clean of all that. The enemy of my soul loves to drag me down with his lies and a big bag of chips.

*Recognize: I GET TO CHOOSE. With every single choice presented to me throughout my day, I get to choose my response.

*My go-to passage in the Bible: Philippians 4:4-8 – Think on the good things!

Of course, eating clean and moving more are pivotal, but, we have to get to a place where we recognize that we deserve to eat clean and move our bodies. The lie that it’s just not worth it, we’re just not worth it – is the chain that binds us to unhealthy habits (whether it’s overeating, or overconsumption of alcohol or any other addiction that tempts us).

(Picture from Pinterest.com)

 Thank you for hearing my “points to ponder”.

Here’s a poem I wrote a few years back while seeing the weight scale greet me with pleasantries each morning. But, it’s true, even when the scale is mean to me.

Perhaps you didn’t hear me when I said I’d lose this weight

I meant it when I said it and you cannot change my fate

In Jesus’ Name I cast down any morbid enemy

that would try to take my freedom

and my grace away from me

I rebuke you, I resist you and you cannot steal my day

I choose this day Whom I shall serve,

and I shall serve His Way

I choose to live and not to die, I’ll walk a life of faith

I choose to lose the extra weight I’ve carried and I hate

In Jesus’ Name I’ll not give in to worldly ways and whine

I’ll not go running back to food for comfort for my mind

The God that made the universe and holds it in His Hands

Can surely take me through this trial into the promised lands

My mind’s made up, I’ve turned my face

away from earth’s rewards

I’ll draw upon my GOD as I take up His trusty Sword

I’ll fight the battle to be fought and know that I will win

His Sword is filled with Living Words

that keep my soul from sin

His Word will build me up

and keep me from the snares of man

He’ll fill me up with all I need -as only Jesus can

He Himself said meat is just to do His Father’s Will

He is the Bread of Life and will sustain me ever still

I’m living proof that Jesus truly saves, forgives and keeps

He’ll sanctify me daily as I yield my heart so deep

The wounds that I have carried for so many haunting years

Are healed in Jesus’ Precious Name, erased with all my fears.

~Helen Williams! c  2002

Write Anyway

(photo from indeanexpress.com)

Writing, whether in blog format, or journaling or for a project, taps into my soul and my spirit, even when I’m not aware of it.

I suppose that’s why I neglect writing when I’m hurting or sad or fearful.

God wants me to turn to Him, of course, in those times of need, just as He wants me to share with Him in my joyous times and celebrations.

But, the heaviness of the hard times can weigh us down and tempt us to curl up in a ball inside of ourselves. We can convince ourselves not to reach outward and upward, but to reach inward and wallow in the grief and anguish.

Without God, I am undone, in good times or in bad. I just recognize it more clearly in the bad times.

Celebrations can cover over feelings of emptiness or lacking, because there are so many distractions while celebrating.

But, sometimes, a person can sink so low, that even amidst celebrations, they’re pretending; forcing the image of sharing in the revelry. That can magnify sorrows even more intensely.

I suppose most of us who put our blogs out there in cyberspace are really writing to and for ourselves. Those who have a larger following may cater more to what their readers want or even ask for. But, those of us with smaller audiences basically pour out our hearts, in hopes that perhaps something we say can bless someone in some small way.

(picture from pinterest.com)

It frustrates me that my posts have become so infrequent and sporadic. It frustrates me that I feel I have less and less to share. But, it frustrates me most, that from the wealth God has given me, I feel as though my bucket is running dry.

Feelings can betray us. If I feel as though you’re judging me and you’re not, I’m feeling something that isn’t even true. Thus, I know that I know that I know that God’s eternal life springs up within me, even when I feel my proverbial bucket has run dry.

I've got a river of life flowing out of me

makes the lame to walk and the blind to see

opens prison doors, sets the captives free

I've got a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring up, O well, within my soul

Spring up, O well, and make me whole

Spring up, O well, and give to me

that life abundantly

Click here for: River of Life Song

(photo from iamhealed.net)

Should I just stick to praying for you, instead of writing to you? Or will the enemy of my soul then seek to steal that from me, also? He’s already stolen most of my songs….not this, too!

No. I’ll write. I may continue to be sporadic and sparse, but, I’ll continue to write.

I’ll write when no one reads. I’ll write when I write through tears. I’ll write – even when I don’t share it in a blog post.

But, I’ll write.

To God be the glory. He who began a good work in me, shall be faithful to complete it.  (Philippians 1:6 paraphrased, I sometimes memorize scripture via song choruses.)

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”” – John 4:13-14 (KJV)

Click here for: God Will Make a Way Song

(picture from crossmap.com)

Rain, Rain Go Away!

(kottke.org)

In an attempt to lift my mood, let’s visit the gratitude attitude again. I’ve been letting the gray skies have their way with me, pushing me around like I was theirs to command. Well, I’m not.

Looking for that silver lining, I’m turning my attention to the good in my life, as Paul instructs us to do in Philippians 4:8. I don’t think he wrote this to be skimmed over, but because he knew there would be days we’d need this point drawn to our attention.

To sum it up: Think on the good things!

To spell it out, here’s what it says: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV) 

The thunder rolling around the heavens is no reason to let lethargy have its way. The thunder, too, shall pass. There are rainbows to look for!

I challenge you, again, to come up with your own list of good things to think on; replacing the negative thoughts that try to consume our days. For some reason, it just seems more powerful to write them down, but, don’t feel like you have to. If you find yourself without pen and paper (or keyboard), just say them; out loud will drive the points home to your conscious and subconscious. Drive down the road reminding yourself about what’s good around you. Fold your laundry while recognizing the sweet things you can see. As your children play (perhaps noisily) point out to yourself some of their best assets (number one could even be that you’re their parent!) Sitting at your desk writing memos or email? What do you love about the person you’re writing to? 

(langevin.com)

As I eat my lunch and wait for the rain to pass so that hopefully I can go for a walk OUT-side, I’ll ponder the good things.

1.     My salad tastes GREAT!   

2.     I’ve chosen a healthy lunch.

3.     My laptop works.

4.     I have a blog to share.

5.     I can read!

6.     My home is a happy place.

7.     My home is cozy!

8.     No matter how much it rains, my home hasn’t flooded. Yay!

9.    The bulletin board over my desk is filled with things that make me happy.

Not to mention the BIG things:

10.    God loves ME!

11.    My husband loves me!

12.    My children love me!

13.  I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head that DOESN’T love me! How cool is THAT! 

14.     I'm well fed.

15.     I’m smart.

16.     I’m healthy.

17.     I’m beautiful! – I’m feeling happier already!

18.   My husband and my children are all well fed, smart, healthy and beautiful!

19.    God’s grace completely covers me – all the time!

20.    God is soooooo patient with me.

And silly things:

21.    My new carpet is soft.

22.   When I go out to eat, I can tip enough to make the server smile.

23.    My shoestrings are pink.

24.    The burning candle smells wonderful!

25.    I got junk mail instead of bills.

26.    My friends don’t expect perfection from me.

27.    My haircut makes me feel stronger.

28.    I discovered a new favorite tea.

29.    My husband generally fills my gas tank for me.

30.  I have my “junk” phone calls labeled and sent directly to my voicemail so I never even hear the ring when they try to disturb me.

How long is your list so far? I could go on all day. The gift of being chatty.

BUT – the rain has stopped and I’m going for a walk; outside, with a smile on my face and my step-counter on my arm!

(freeimages.imagestocks.in)

I’ll take my pink ‘brella in case the clouds aren’t finished purging yet. But, those simple lists turned me around. For now; I may have to make them again later – and I will, because I know they work. The Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about!

See ya later!

A Sneakier Kind of Crisis

(quora.com)

What kind of a crisis goes unidentified; unlabeled?

A health crisis might be faced when we or a loved one is given a frightening diagnosis.

An emotional crisis might rise up against us when suddenly a rug is pulled from beneath us; life takes a turn in an unexpected direction.

A financial crisis may loom over us if we lose our job, or if some insurmountable expense is hurled our way.

But, how do we define a crisis we feel sneak upon us, with no tangible beginning and no see-able cause?

Sometimes we just feel as though we’re going through something that rattles us or throws us off course, when nothing around us has realistically changed for the worse, at all.

We might call it depression – or oppression. We might simply call it a case of the blues, or a pity party. We could refer to it as “falling off the wagon” – when we’ve cleaned up a part of our lives for a significant period of time and we relapse. But, how does that relapse happen when we can’t point our finger at an action that caused it; the trigger that caught us off guard?

(stevensstrategic.com)

What about when this “crisis” occurs due to something in our subconscious that we’re not even aware that we’re carrying around with us?

If I was drowning, trapped in a car that was rapidly sinking and filling with water, surely I’d be in a panic. But, the ecstasy I’d experience should someone rescue me would be hard to put into words. So, right here, right now, I won’t look for that description.

My car, so rapidly sinking and filling with water, was my mind. I felt as though I was trapped there, spiraling to the bottom of an abyss too dark to fathom.

(newsongwomen.com)

When rescued, I took on new life.

Even my email address exudes the victory as resqued1. I once displayed a vanity plate on my car which read, FORGVN1.

In my enthusiasm, I allowed myself to believe it was a one-time rescue; that I’d never be trapped in a car like that again.

But, the truth is, I’ve need to be rescued most every day. On the days I seem to sail through without a hitch, I surely ride on autopilot in my own vanity or on the tailwinds of a recent victory of some sort.

Daily, I need to immerse myself in the Living Word of God, or again I’ll begin to sink into a frailty I prefer to leave behind. I sink, not because I cannot swim, but because I have an enemy that would tie a weight around my neck to pull me from joyful freedom, only because he sees God living in me, thriving and lifting up the very hearts of those around me. He hates that.

(allsaintscharlotte.com)

Yet, oftentimes I allow myself to “forget” where my strength and joy comes from. As if I could forget to eat or breathe, no; I’d die. I ponder, how can I have so much disregard for the spirit in me?

Ah, no. I am the spirit in me.

So is this then, a lack of regard for my very self? I am not merely flesh and blood; that simply houses who I am. I’m not only the thoughts I think and beliefs I hold dear or the fears that sometimes seek to take control; that would be my soul, what makes me unique among humans.

Yes, the spirit I am, lives in this mortal house; why do I allow the needs of the house or the soul to usurp my need spiritual need for nourishment?

O foolish Helen! Who has bewitched you? …. How are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? (See Galatians 3:1-5)

Though I exhort you all to remain in the Word of God, how do I sometimes think I can get by without it? Forgive me, Lord!

(pinterest.com)

I am God’s forgvn1 and His resqued1 – but, it’s a daily thing; moment to moment. I need to remain connected to the very Source that gives me life and rescued me. And in this, yes, God is faithful. He will always draw me into His arms and hold me and empower me and forgive me and fill me with His joy. He believes in me, even when I stop believing in myself. He lifts me up and surrounds me, in His Word.

  

(etsy.com)

What's a Parent to Do?

(I apologize, I don't recall where I got this picture.)

Our worth. Where does it come from? How do we build our children’s self-worth and self-esteem? How do they know they’re worth loving? How do we teach them of their tremendous value?

Is it up to us to prevent them from being quitters? Is it up to us to see to it that they become all they can be, instead of settling for whatever comes along? Is it up to us to plant seeds of confidence in them so that they don’t hop from one girlfriend/boyfriend for another in an endless search for completion?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, our value, our worth is intrinsic. That means we were born with it, we were created with unfathomable value already built into us. It isn’t what we accomplish or how great we look that determines our value.

But do we believe that? No, I think not. If we believed it, it would show in how we carry ourselves, how we treat ourselves and others and in how we raise our children.

There’s far too much depression and fear surrounding us. When did we let that creep in? If we let it in so long ago that we don’t even remember, then it’s time we stand our ground and kick it out the front door with purpose and intent! Then we can take measures to insure it doesn’t infiltrate our lives and our homes again.

It would take many more words than a simple blog post to answer all of the above questions. But, maybe by admitting the answer to the first question, the other answers will begin to come to us.

Our value comes from our Creator. The very God that took the time to breathe life into us also placed unspeakable value into our lives. None of us is a mistake; none of us is destined to “settle” in life. Jesus Himself came to give us life and life more abundantly! He even said so! “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10 (KJV)

When we believe there is a God, a God Who loves us – we also have to face the fact there we have an enemy, one which seeks to steal from us, to kill us and to utterly destroy us. And he does so, simply because God loves us. If he can convince us we have little or no worth, what point is there in existing? What point is there in striving to be all we can be?

To be continued…..

It's in the Details

http://bluemoondevotionals.blogspot.com/2010/06/stop-signs.html

“Surrendering the story and it’s ending to Jesus takes me to a place where I don’t have to contend with whether the script is going according to my timeline or to what I want to see happening by now, or the faulty ways I’d have orchestrated the storyline and it’s outcome. My way wouldn’t allow room for all the equipping necessary for the victorious ending we’re in for.”

 

That was a reassuring thought I pondered the other morning.

 

There’s a reason I’m not God, no doubt, many reasons.

 

Clearly I’m nowhere near as patient as I’d need to be, I want to see things done right now. I get frustrating with all the “prep-work” that goes into becoming who God designed us to be. I get grouchy over muddling through the stages necessary to become strong and equipped. My heart breaks over the pain and agony that sometimes unfolds along the way.

 

And that’s just when I’m looking outward, at the stories unfolding around me. It’s harder to see the story unfolding in my own life.

 

We all have loved ones who appear to have hit “rock bottom” in their lives, sometimes more than once. It makes us cry, but it makes them stronger. I know a few people who don’t recognize the bottom even when they’re sitting there, seemingly by themselves.

 

Every “aha moment” we experience is ours alone.

 

I can’t give you an “aha moment” – though God may use my words or actions to bring you to that place. Nor can you do the same for me.

 

This journey of life takes a myriad of twists and turns through joyful mountaintops and grueling valleys. Some moments are meant only for transactions between us and the God that created us; they can’t truly be shared with anyone else, though we may wear ourselves out trying to express them, even trying to force them on each other.

 

There’s a guy on TV that’s famous for drawing you into his conversation, only to pause and say, “…wait for it…” before he presents you with his trophy point to be made. Life is packed full of “…wait for it…” moments. Too often, we refuse to wait. Our loss.

 

What’s at the end of the journey and all along the way? Joy.

We can’t create it or reproduce it, it comes from God. We can create happy memories, happy events and even moments of ecstasy. But God gets the credit for joy.

 

Whether you’re wrestling with the way your story is unfolding, or praying over someone else’s storyline, wait for it; God is at work in His own wise ways, weaving His joy-filled masterpiece.

 

Even when our mortals eyes can’t see it.

 

“…but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalm (30:5 KJV)

Wintertime

As I look out my dining room window over the gray and brown city that sprawls out before my eyes, the stillness and silence captures my attention almost as quickly as the drab, muted colors. It looks lifeless out there. I find myself discontent, ungrateful and wanting springtime hues to splatter themselves on the picture before me, a picture to bland to even place within this blog post.

 

But what lies in wait out there? Seasons occur for a reason. Plants go dormant, temperatures drop, leaves disappear, clouds block out the warmth of the sunshine, all to create a season of preparation. Why can’t the whole world enjoy seasons the way Florida does? Their temperatures dip – but not to the point of freezing temperatures that chill us to the bone. Yet I’m glad the whole world doesn’t have to watch the seasons pass like those closer to the North Pole.

 

Diversity. God must really dig it.

 

I’ve learned that diversity is not without reason and purpose. Just as you and I are different, intentionally, God enjoys it all. He created us for His good pleasure. He gave us this world to live in and take care of, as it takes care of us. He’s provided everything we need and placed us in the middle of it. There’s so much to learn, if we’ll just pay attention to the illustrations He surrounds us with.

 

I wonder how many of us die in the wintertime, simply because we don’t have the courage to hold out for spring. Sometimes the dismal view outside our window sucks us into it and we feel gray and cold and somehow that translates to feeling alone and misunderstood.

 

This aloneness is merely another season to explore…we are not alone. Who better to explore it with than your constant companion and the lover of your soul?

 

“So the Lord alone led him, and there was no foreign god [no loneliness, no fear, no emptiness, no sorrow, no purposelessness, no poverty, no grief, no despair] with him.” ~ Deuteronomy 32:12 (NKJV)

 

“Indeed the hour [season] is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” ~ John 16:32 (NKJV)

 

Expounding in the brackets is mine.