The Lies We Believe

Every day we’re faced with the choice of what we will believe about ourselves. There will be voices of lies and truth. What we choose to listen to can and will change the trajectory of our life. I ask, “What will you believe about yourself today?”

There is greatness inside everyone of us that God wants to manifest. Purpose and plans that lead to peace and an abundant life. However, if we’re listening to the wrong voice we will never get there.

I came across this picture while searching for quotes on Pinterest. If you take a few minutes and take it in you will see the powerful message it tells. In a time where we’ve excessive bullying at all levels I can’t help but ask, “What lies are you believing about yourself?” The reality of this picture caught my attention as I see so many with potential caving into the lies of others and the media who seek to steal their hopes and dreams while creating confusion over their identity and so much more.

I pray today you will not listen to the voice of lies and will listen for the voice of Truth. The voice of One who sees your beauty and potential. The voice of the One who looks at you with love and acceptance. The voice of the One who came to speak life and not death. May it be that you believe in all you were created to be and so much more.

“The Lord your God is in your midst. A victorious warrior He will exult over you with joy. He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17

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The Power Of Our Thoughts

What kind of thoughts are hiding out in your head?  How do they affect your heart, and how you feel about others?

It’s wise to check our thoughts and words, “Do they build up, honor, and leave others feeling loved?”  Words and thoughts can change the trajectory of someone’s life, even ours. This screams, our thoughts are important to God for our good and for the good of others.

Truth: God knows our hearts, knows our thoughts and what we will say before a word is formed on our lips.

“You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.” Psalm 139:4

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2

Now, I’m not pointing a finger because I’m guilty of not always having the right thoughts floating around in my head – About myself and others. This can become a battle even when I start my day with the purest of intentions.

Knowing how God sees all and knows all should help position our hearts to receive his thoughts toward us. When we allow God’s thoughts toward us to rule in our heart, soul and mind the lies of the enemy are forced out!

It’s when we look up and not down at others we learn to appreciate the truth of God’s Word.  (“Love your neighbor as yourself”) We learn to value the truth of how wonderfully and fearfully we are created.  We begin to love like God loves!

Scripture comes alive as we experience in real time the Word of God cutting through the lies of the enemy, and the thoughts corrupting our minds and hearts.  (Cutting through soul and spirit).

Imagine – Our thoughts aligned with God’s and the impact it would have on our relationships, and around the world!

I pray you will allow God’s Truth to permeate your thoughts as they resonate in your heart, and negate the lies of the enemy.

Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Onward,
Lorna

What Does God Say?

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Are you tired of how others and the media say you should act, should look and how you should feel?  Do you find yourself trusting the words of others more than God’s?

And why is it we feel the need to be strong all of the time and never show emotion. It’s as if the expectation is for a bunch of robots to show up so no one feels threatened.

Can it be the expectations of others are what we wear everyday…expectation of perfection.  Are the voices in your world telling you if you’ve not done anything spectacular then you’re not worth celebrating?

Hmmm…maybe if we remain conformed to the ways of the world we will wake up looking like the world, and then we can keep our true self hidden.

Now I’m not suggesting we wallow in the hard things of life, or stay stuck.  Not at all!  There is a season to mourn and a season to celebrate.  We’re shaped by the experiences of every season in life.

Ladies, our emotions are a gift from God.  They allow us to be an extension of His love so others may see his miracles lived out in us. In our every win and loss God will develop in us deep compassion and conviction for what matters to him.  He will move us to change, and to be the change the world needs.

Today, may you see and believe just how fearfully and wonderfully you were created by your Heavenly Father:

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand –

when I awake I am still with you.
Psalm 139:11-18

Onward,
Lorna

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Iron Sharpens Iron

Thank God for friends who do life with us!

What beautiful friendships I’ve been given with these women who love God, life and one another.

My move to So Cal was such an amazing experience God used in many different ways.  As I reflect over those 5 years I’m humbled by how God loved me into a new season of healing, self reflection and most importantly – how he taught me to be happy single!

A few months back I told myself to get busy and blog about all God had done.  His grace and life lessons were to be shared in hopes of encouraging others during life’s hard transitions. However, I did not realize my life was about to change in a BIG way.  In a flash, and I mean in a flash God orchestrated some events and moved me back to the Bay Area.

Truly, I did not feel I’d ever move back…to live…to start again.  It was not in my plan because I had fallen in love with So Cal, my church, the community, new friends and of course the beautiful weather and beaches. It was all so good!

However, what I missed the most about being away from the Bay Area was my precious family.  Once again my heart overflows with gratitude for the time God is giving me back to love on the littles, and share in their life in a new way.

As I sit in my new apartment writing this morning there are streams of sunlight peeking in at me, and my heart is touched by God’s gentle reminder of what we all know so well.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”
Proverbs 16:9

Through it all God is faithful to fulfill all his promises and bring us what we need to accomplish all he has for us.  So many things…whether it be new friends, new surroundings, or seasons of reflection and learning.  May we never doubt God’s perfect plan and strategy in bringing his people to their greater purpose.

Onward,
Lorna

 

Every Day I Am Reminded

Every day I am reminded of God’s perfect love that overshadows my struggles to love well.

How I long for my life to be a testimony of this kind of love and to see others through the eyes of Jesus…all the time.  I know, it’s easy to love the lovable, but what about those that appear to be unlovable. Not so easy.  Imagine, with each experience we’d be that much closer to knowing and loving like our Creator. Wow, how world changing that would be!

In my earlier blog I spoke of Phileo love and shared how God sent sweet hints my way as reminders to not forget to love others well. This love encompasses love for fellow humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. It’s the love we share with our BFF’s and those in need.  A love the world can’t live without as it unites and contributes to the beauty of relationship.

God has provided plenty of examples throughout Scripture of how to love. Not to mention the life change it brings to those inside and outside the walls of our homes. Who knows whose heart may be changed forever because we loved them well with our compassion and resources.

One Day Jesus Said…

Luke 8:22-25

“Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.  In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Have you found yourself drowning in the trials of life, and crying out for God to rescue you?

I know when I’ve gone through trials of any kind I become anxious for God’s intervention. I long for my day of reprieve!

But recently I’ve been pondering the question, “Can we become all we were created to be without experiencing the storms of life?”

So as I reflect I begin to cringe over what might have become of me had I not gone through uncomfortable seasons where loss and sorrow came crashing in.  What if I traveled this journey to never experience God’s hand of power over my life that refined me in the fire!  Or, to see God work his power in the healing of broken hearts, broken dreams, and failed health. These are seasons we try hard to escape but they’re also the seasons which bring us closer to God. It’s when these storms have settled down we find ourselves clothed in His image reflecting the glory of his love and power over our lives! What a beautiful plan for the pain that is inevitable in life.

And I can’t help but wonder if I would hurt for a broken world or just be happy I am not that broken had I not walked through some seasons that produced storms?

And what about the faith needed to overcome the evil schemes of the enemy God cautions about in his Word?  Would my compass reflect a woman of faith?

As much as I/we want our lives to be stress free we all know that is not “real” life.

Like the disciples that cried out and saw the power of God respond it’s my prayer we will continue our journey in confidence knowing we serve a powerful God.  Our God who desires to bring us to complete knowledge and understanding of His love for us through an unshakable faith.

May all your seasons leave you amazed by his love for you and yours!

Thursday Night’s NightCap!

Have you seen the Disney movie “Up”?

This movie came out in 2009 and is one of my faves! If you’ve not seen it then I highly recommend that you do!  Yes, I know it’s Disney and why would us adults watch a Disney without the kids?  I believe this movie was especially made for adults and then they added some humor for the kids!  “smile”

In this movie you will meet Carl and Young Ellie who fall in love and stay in love. They grow old together. They begin their life together with hopes and dreams but then life happens. Before long they discover things break, house repairs are needed, and disappointments are inevitable.

But you know what I love about Carl and Ellie the most is how they love each other in spite of all life throws at them!

The first time I watched this movie I was reminded of how I don’t want to grow old alone. (Not to mention the thought of having to ride up and down the stairs on a motored chair when the day comes where I no longer can walk up and down them!)

But truly this movie pulls at the heartstrings in many ways as Carl and Ellie begin their life adventure as a couple working side-by-side to build a home and a family.  Before too long they’re faced with the realities of life that sometimes bring sorrow that so many have experienced.  One is that Ellie finds out she is unable to have children. But what they do next is a life lesson for us all!  They dream new dreams and plan new adventures. Now use your imagination and go with me on this one!  Ellie creates her Adventure Book and the two of them continue on with life making adjustments as they go.

The beauty this animated film displays is we all will struggle at times and we may discover things don’t always end up the way we’d planned. Life goes on and so must we.

Let’s face it, we’ve all experienced what it feels like to deplete our savings and our emotions for the unwelcome emergencies of life!

I look at Carl and Ellie as another couple to leave us and our kids an example of what it looks like to love, work together, and live out “until death do we part.”

And yes, even when Carl was grumpy and life became mundane!

Finally they come to the end and Ellie passes leaving behind her “Adventure Book” which eventually motivates Carl to continue on with life.

I hope you will take the time to watch this sweet and fun movie that reeks of hidden treasure!

Tonight let’s raise our glass to Carl and Ellie!   Let’s also toast you and me as we look forward to a future of love that inspires and keeps us committed to going the distance.

Time Alone with God

Do you have a place where you go to get away from the pressure, stress, and chaos of life? A special place where you can sit quietly without interruption, allowing yourself to unwind and be alone with God?  Can you sense an emotional siren pulsating through your body, alerting you to your need for a time out?

If this is you, don’t ignore the warning signs and your need to be alone with God as it can be hazardous to your health!  Our spiritual being was created for communion with our Creator. The hunger of our soul is to be quenched by God who supplies every need. He provides our strength and hope as we push through this life.

It’s hard to admit that there were fourteen years, (yes fourteen!)  where I spent too much time attempting to overcome all life had thrown at me in my own strength. It may sound pathetic and a little victimized, but I found myself wrestling to get through loss, pain, disappointment, and fear so I could finally say, “I made it, we made it!”  I desperately wanted to be done with all of the stress I had put myself under to try and save my family. I wanted everyone fixed so we could all start living life how I had always envisioned it. I had convinced myself it was my fierce determination and hope for a better tomorrow that got me through each day. However, that was not it at all!  My hope for better tomorrows and prayers for all that concerned me were right on, but my inability to release control and live life according to God’s way had become infectious to mind, body and spirit. My need to “fix” everybody and everything was hindering me from doing life God’s way, and it was His grace that brought me through and into each new day.

Somehow I believed my dreams would be the same dreams my family shared. Over the years the aspirations and expectations I envisioned for us had morphed into the goal behind every need to repair, save, cover up, and control.  Take that mentality and mix it with additional chaos, stress, and people behaving badly and I found myself in not such a good place.

(Divorce, troubled teen, son leaving for college, loss of a loved one to cancer, moving to a new home, and starting a new job)  All high on the stress bar! 

It was in my reflection time God was able to show me how I had allowed the behaviors of others to rob me from trusting Him in all things and for all things. I had surrendered to pressure and not God.

As pressure builds we can find ourselves breaking down, and if we don’t allow ourselves time to get away to reflect and pray we may find ourselves reacting instead of responding in wisdom, peace, gentleness and a spirit of truth and love. I came to realize it was under this pressure I was losing my way.

Many times throughout the New Testament you will find Jesus leaving everyone and everything to get away alone to pray. He has left us with the perfect example of what to do when life becomes overwhelming and we need a break!  Even if we’re praying throughout our day there are times when we will need to remove ourselves from all people and things so we can focus and listen to the still small voice inside warning, encouraging and instilling wisdom for the moment and days ahead.  It is imperative to take ourselves to a place where we can connect with God and listen without interruption.

Because God is a faithful and loving God, He graciously brought me to the place where I could see the light and love of His ways. He brought me to the end of myself where I was surrendered enough to move deeper into his purposes and plans for my life. His plan was and is to save us all but we need to make the choice to let Him. In my choice to surrender the family I held so dear to my heart God gently showed me how to leave all that concerns me, all that I love and cherish at His feet for His purposes. After all, God has not made me the savior of my family.  He already provided a Savior for us long ago!

We will find when taking time to be alone with God, we find freedom. The troubles invading our hearts, homes, families, careers, friendships, and every important part of our life become smaller and less frightening, and God becomes bigger.  His power and grace will take over as we relinquish control and surrender.

Today if you find yourself struggling I pray the Scripture below will help comfort you as you make your way to the other side:

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:16

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”  Mark 1:35

“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.”  Matthew 14:23

“Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7b

Thursday Night’s Night Cap

Welcome back to Thursday Night’s NightCap!

Tonight I thought I’d leave you with a favorite of mine! I am sure you’ve all heard Michael Jackson’s hit that touched many with its lyrics and rhythm, “The Man in The Mirror”.  I can’t sit still when I listen to this song but more importantly I love the lyrics. Yes, this song became a hit in 1987 and I am still singing it like I just heard it for the first time today!

Listening to this song prompted me to think about how easy it can be to get tripped up in life when we really desire to do what is right. It doesn’t take much to bring out selfishness, greed, and a victimized spirit.

Well, guess what, God’s Word speaks of this very thing in James 1:24 & 25. He, more than anyone wanted to remind us of how easy it is to forget who we are and what we were created to do while on this earth.

We all know a reflection of oneself in the mirror is only the outward appearance, and not what is on the inside. Many things are hidden on the inside where no one can see. But God sees all. He knows us and loves us. We are his creation and He created us with great potential, strength and a spirit powerful enough to make a difference in this world.

The analogy of the mirror and reflection is to remind us of how easy it is to forget who we really are when we are not looking at ourselves, examining our lives, our motives and where we are going. I can’t help but wonder if Michael Jackson was thinking about this very thing when he wrote this song. I want to believe he knew the verse in James too.

Most importantly is that we are God’s creation and he sees the good in us and does not want us to forget who we are, and how he created us for great things. He desires to manifest himself in our lives. However, the change starts with us. It’s our decision as to whether we will make that change, trust God and work to make a difference in this world.

As we drift off to sleep tonight may we be mindful of the words in James, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.” James 1:34 & 25

Make that change!