This past weekend, we returned to our former church (where I'm still very actively involved). The message was called "Recycling the Pain". The message was about re-living past hurts and struggles because sharing your story with others will bring them hope, solutions, and help. Tim shared the struggles he/we faced 4 1/2 years ago. It wasn't easy to admit your sins in front of a few hundred people - but he was open, and honest, and gave God the credit for his 100% success in overcoming, and I'm so proud of him for that. All I had to do was explain how I felt as we went through it, and how God changed my perception to create a whole new future I never would've had today. I pray those who heard the message (or listen to it on the church's website) will be helped in some way by us re-living our worst season of life.
If I know you, and you want to hear it, leave me a message and I'll tell you where you can hear it. If I don't know you, just understand that you have things you've been through that can help others too...just be willing to share; you will be richly rewarded.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Be Careful...it knows what scares you.
This is a memorable line from a movie; I'm pretty sure it's from Poltergeist back in the early 80s. It still applies today.
Here I am, it's a typical Saturday. The kids are playing outside with friends, my oldest worked for most of the afternoon, Tim's at work, as usual, and I've finished housework and school planning for the week. I find myself sad, for no reason, so I go to God and ask why.
Without saying things I shouldn't here, let's just say that I hate Tim's job. I'm thankful he has one since we still need him to have one - and I'm thankful because there are worse ones out there than his - but I still hate it. We're going to miss church together tomorrow, just as we're in the process of trying to restructure our lives to purposefully put God at the center to get out of some bad circumstances. Out of the lots of stores he could be sent to tomorrow, he's at the one store I wish he didn't have to go to, ever. Because of a meeting, he'll even be there early and will work til closing.
I've prayed that we could eliminate his job with passive income for years, but it hasn't been willed for us just yet.
All that to say this...the enemy knows what scares you.
When you try to pray more, he makes things go wrong so you ask, "What's the use?"
When you try to do God's will, he causes old issues to pop up and distract you.
When you try to bring your family together, he'll cause a child to act out in a bad
way, or to get into trouble that requires attention and strife.
When you try to strengthen your marriage, he'll bring temptation and bad thoughts
to you or your spouse.
When you try to let go and trust God in all things, he'll harrass you with doubt and
fear and depression, until you feel sick to your stomach.
And when you're trying to make things in your life better, stronger, and holier,
he'll send you sadness, and bring up past hurts, disappointments, broken
trust, forgotten promises, and keep you replaying bad moments of the past.
That's when you need to run to God, run to the father, ask Him to hold you safe in His arms where the enemy can't touch you. That's when you need to pray for peace that surpasses all understanding. That's when you need to summon the power of Christ in you, deny the schemes of the enemy, acknowlege his lies, and demand he leave you.
Remember, in Christ, He's strong when you're weak. You've been given all authority over the enemy. You CAN defeat the enemy in the name of Christ.
I hope this helps someone besides me at their time of need.
Here I am, it's a typical Saturday. The kids are playing outside with friends, my oldest worked for most of the afternoon, Tim's at work, as usual, and I've finished housework and school planning for the week. I find myself sad, for no reason, so I go to God and ask why.
Without saying things I shouldn't here, let's just say that I hate Tim's job. I'm thankful he has one since we still need him to have one - and I'm thankful because there are worse ones out there than his - but I still hate it. We're going to miss church together tomorrow, just as we're in the process of trying to restructure our lives to purposefully put God at the center to get out of some bad circumstances. Out of the lots of stores he could be sent to tomorrow, he's at the one store I wish he didn't have to go to, ever. Because of a meeting, he'll even be there early and will work til closing.
I've prayed that we could eliminate his job with passive income for years, but it hasn't been willed for us just yet.
All that to say this...the enemy knows what scares you.
When you try to pray more, he makes things go wrong so you ask, "What's the use?"
When you try to do God's will, he causes old issues to pop up and distract you.
When you try to bring your family together, he'll cause a child to act out in a bad
way, or to get into trouble that requires attention and strife.
When you try to strengthen your marriage, he'll bring temptation and bad thoughts
to you or your spouse.
When you try to let go and trust God in all things, he'll harrass you with doubt and
fear and depression, until you feel sick to your stomach.
And when you're trying to make things in your life better, stronger, and holier,
he'll send you sadness, and bring up past hurts, disappointments, broken
trust, forgotten promises, and keep you replaying bad moments of the past.
That's when you need to run to God, run to the father, ask Him to hold you safe in His arms where the enemy can't touch you. That's when you need to pray for peace that surpasses all understanding. That's when you need to summon the power of Christ in you, deny the schemes of the enemy, acknowlege his lies, and demand he leave you.
Remember, in Christ, He's strong when you're weak. You've been given all authority over the enemy. You CAN defeat the enemy in the name of Christ.
I hope this helps someone besides me at their time of need.
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