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

Merry CHRISTmas!

“Though you may not see him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”

1Peter 1:18

May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart and homes with love to…

and change the world!

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.

LOVE

 

God has been speaking to me about LOVE.  How do I know?  Well, when God has something He wants me to pay attention to he will put it right in front of me…everywhere I go.

It began with a walk on the beach with a friend when I came across a rock shaped like a heart buried in the sand…a broken heart.

Hmm…shortly after my pastor asked us to volunteer for the Houston project helping families after the floods.  So many people in need of help to gut homes, rebuild and clean up neighborhoods.  Many were left with no home. My heart was broken as I struggled with going and facing the devastation of so many families.

Once there we attended a church service at Ecclesia. As I sat down I looked across the row from me and there was a woman wearing a shoe with LOVE stamped across it. Clearly I had to snap a pic of it as it screamed L O V E.

  I thought to myself, “Who wears a shoe like that?”

Before the trip ended God brought me face-to-face with not only people in need of love, help and support but a few more reminders of how I was to “LOVE”.  That evening we shared dinner with some others who had flown into Houston to help those in need.  As some of the men piled into the chow hall 5 of them came in wearing red t-shirts that spelled out LOVE.  They were so kind, they even gave me one!

Ok, God I get it…You want me to love better!

Throughout my time in Houston God continued to put in front of me hints of love. Gently reminding me, not only do I want to be loved but I am called to love others.  Even when it’s uncomfortable and it takes hard work!  Especially in the times I feel helpless and incapable of loving well God promises to help me love better.

Before departing Houston I had an opportunity to walk some of the neighborhoods, as I passed through I saw homes that were unaffected by the flood. Beautiful homes all in tact.  As I looked at these homes and thought about the families living inside of them, God gently whispered, “Sometimes the devastation is on the inside and we don’t see it but make no mistake, My Love is for everyone”.

I Corinthians 13:1-13 reminds us of God’s perfect love and how we’re to put it on and share it with others:

vs.3 “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing…vs. 13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”.

My First Last Date

Great things are happening as I step into the New Year!  It begins with a new career, great friends, and new opportunities!

But I had one “dilemma” causing me confusion and of course, it was with a man.

In fall of 2015 while in Israel with our church I met a man who I thought would be great for one of my friends. However, I fell for him when he wooed me and captivated my heart!

Our first adventure was Christmas Eve at Disneyland which lead to more adventures. Hikes, sailing, talks and bike rides were only part of it. But after many dates there was one we never shared, dinner at a fancy restaurant.

I knew better than to date a man who’d never been married or in a longterm relationship. (Meaning longer than 5 years) However, ignoring the signs I invested my heart and learned another valuable lesson on dating – don’t settle.

Ladies know what you want so when they don’t you can get out of their way.

Within 6 months of dating he began distancing himself feeling pressured to have to make a decision to move into a more serious relationship or just date.  For me, if the relationship wasn’t going anywhere then we needed to be free to date others. Two months later we agreed to end the relationship.

Apparently we missed each other because we connected again last month and had 7 hours in a car where he shared what caused him issues in the relationship.  He then admitted he was pulling away in the end. He felt better. I did not.

Had I heard him correctly?  Was he asking to start over, slow. I thought that’s what we were doing and it didn’t work!  As much as I love a happily ever after story this appeared to be more of an all about him story.

It was two dates later we had our first last date. I got that nice dinner at A’s restaurant in Newport Beach.  It felt more like an obligation and not a date as he asked me why we never had dinners like this when we were dating. Really? I could not help but remind him of how he was watching his weight. Not to mention, he never asked.

Was I supposed to be feeling good about where this was going?  If so, I was not.

Sometimes we find ourselves waiting on the wrong man.  We allow them back in when we know they don’t want the same things out of a relationship. This time it didn’t take me 8 months to see the signs that this relationship was not going to go anywhere.

I appreciate his “slow” offer but I needed to be true to myself. The alarm went off as I realized if expressing my heart puts pressure on a man, then clearly I’m with the wrong man.

Yes, believe in love and don’t force it.

I promise you this, it won’t take you for a short ride, drop you off and park you somewhere. It will leave you secure when sharing your heart, dreams and goals for the future. Wait for it and don’t settle.