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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He Speaks What is True

As I watch the news and listen to the conversations around me I’m convinced we’re living in a time where everyone needs to be “right”. So much self righteousness. Too inward focused vs. having love for others, and for the sanctity of life. So much confusion over “image” and purpose.

In a need to be seen, heard and loved I would like to remind those still searching or dissatisfied with life that God sees you – He hears you – He loves you right where you are.

Yes, Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides. The provider of all Truth. The truth we hope to discover about meaning and purpose in life.

We will find this Truth in God’s Word. It will guide us through the issues of ” life” helping us discover the answers the world cannot provide. It will spark love and truth in a way the world cannot. It will provide meaning and purpose many still search for as they ponder in their hearts what is true.

Nobody knows us like God knows us. He holds the truth our hearts long for and desires to speak truth into our heart and lives so we can walk out his plans and purposes for such a time as this.

I pray you won’t miss it! It’s my prayer you will read how God speaks of you, your heart, your purpose and his love for you in His Word – the Bible.

Go in Truth – Onward, Lorna

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

GRACE

The wise, kind spirit that sees all and understands all.  It believes in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves.  It embraces our journey and has the highest hopes for us.  It shares our sufferings and inspires us to endure to the end, arise and move forward.  It is humble, patient and gentle.  It rejoices in Truth and the lessons of life; It speaks on our behalf.  It is the heavenly spirit that celebrates growth.  The Father of the Prodigal Son was full of grace.  (Luke 15:11-32)

Shortly after my move to Newport in 2014 I decided to make my way over to Balboa Island which soon became a favorite place of mine.  Surrounded by cozy beach homes with roof top views of beautiful sunsets, and the smell of the fresh ocean air. As I made my way over to the S Bay Front anxious to see the boats coming in after a day out at sea I came across a little store with cards.  The picture of the heart drew me to the post cards and the quote above referencing the book of Luke.  I must’ve read this post card 10 times before purchasing it, and I’m not sure how many times I’ve read this Scripture.  I just know it’s too many to count.  But this particular day it tugged at my heartstrings and I knew I had to have it.  I had to have it on my desk to read every day.  Another reminder of the grace lavished upon us by our Heavenly Father.

Interesting how I’ve always thought of this Scripture being solely about the ungrateful son that took his dad’s wealth, acted foolishly and denied the father’s love and his heritage for the things the world could temporarily offer him.  And, I’d think to myself, “Oh, those kids when will they learn!”

Of course being a parent I could relate to the experience with the son in Luke.  I too had experienced the rebellion of kids who I love dearly and sacrificed for.

But this day it was different.  As I stood reading the post card synopsis of Luke 15: 11-32 I heard God’s soft voice whisper, “I do this for you.”

The gentle whisper of God reminding me of who I am in him and how much he loves me.  My heart was touched as I stood there realizing how Jesus’ words written by Luke were for me.  They were reminders of my own rebellion toward my Heavenly Father.  A reminder of the times I too insisted on my own way, choosing not to wait on God.

It was his grace covering my sin.

Suddenly I became overwhelmed with gratitude over the thought of God celebrating our growth!  Just as we celebrate the growth of our children, He too celebrates ours!  He rejoices in Truth and the lessons of life we so gingerly learn!  Without them, how would we know of his deep love for us. He believes in us even when we don’t!  He desires us to arise and move forward!  He say’s to us, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Ah, how wonderful it is to be called a daughter of the Most High King!

Onward,
Lorna

Post Card/Picture created by: Larry Martin

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Light of The World

Love Is the Greatest

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or clanging cymbal…

Love is patient and kind,

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance…

Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-

and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13

God bless you and your day.

 

Piece by Piece – Father’s Matter

As mentioned in previous Blogs I was a young girl when my mom moved me to California. To this day I am thankful she found a good man to help raise me and that I could call daddy. As children we can conjure up all kinds of “ideas” and “reason” as to why our families are no longer living together, happy and loving one another. Truth may be we are no longer capable of living together but we can still “parent” together.  And most importantly, we can still love our children together even though we’re apart.

Yes, some parents leave.  Sometimes never to return. By “abandoning” they leave deep wounds.

And many parents stay.  They work hard to give their children what they need to grow and become their best self.  They give them family, love and a place to belong. God bless these parents, and I know He will.

My oldest son and his wife have a blended family.  Both families work well together and parent with love. I am proud of them for the work they’ve done and happy to say my granddaughter is thriving.  I’ve watched her grow into a confident, talented and happy young lady. I am not saying they don’t have challenges.  There are challenges in every home. But the difference they’ve made is all parents are working together to create a loving home for their child!

Not all families have a happy ending. In fact, the family I worked hard to create did not have a happy ending. There were years of challenges with heartache. My divorce ended ugly and my ex refused to cooperate with me for the good of our youngest son. It was a heart  wrenching journey from fear to faith as I worked through the consequences of divorce.

My hope is for us to leave our children free to love and be loved by their parents.  And if one parent walks away from their responsibility then the remaining parent will work to assure their child knows it is not any fault of theirs. Today I share this song by Kelly Clarkson, Piece by Piece and as we go from fear to faith we help our children to the other side. (Matthew 7:12)

Matters of The Heart

 

 

What has taken up residence in your heart?

So many things fill our heart leaving parts of us unrecognizable as we navigate life.  Scripture tells us in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Basically, our heart drives us whether it be good, bad or indifferent.

At times there can be a myriad of emotion from love to hate and everything in between.  All of which impact who we are and how we love.

As I’ve spent time reflecting on my early childhood I discovered one of my heart matters to be about “trust”.   At the age of 4 years old I was driving with my mom and soon to be new dad to sign adoption papers.  I was in the backseat of the car when my mom turned around to tell me something very important.  At 4 years old I knew it was important because we were all dressed up and I felt anxious.  Not sure if I was picking up on my mom’s anxiousness or if my heart knew something was about to change.

It was through my blue eyes I saw my mom’s brown eyes and big brown hair (Bee hive dew) as she leaned over the seat and said, “Now we’re going to go talk to a nice man and he is going to ask if you want him to be your daddy, as she looked across the seat toward the man I would soon know as my daddy. Now remember to say yes when he asks if you want him to be your daddy, and when we’re done we will go get an ice cream.”  Point being I was a little girl who loved ice cream and so I eagerly agreed.

We drove the rest of the way in what felt like silence.

Growing up I knew very little about my biological father outside of a few things I had heard from others.  All of which were not good.  This made me come up with a few reasons of my own for him not being around.  These too were not good.

It’s with a grateful heart I can say, the decision my mom made to marry her new man and make him my dad was a good one.  He has always been a man of integrity, and takes his commitments seriously.  What I am most thankful for is he never left and he always made us feel loved.

Unfortunately, the rejection experienced during this time left scars that would eventually cause trouble for me in future relationships with men.  Interestingly enough it was after my 21 year marriage came to an end when I began to experience these effects of betrayal.  During my time of loss and sorrow I would lay awake at night thinking about what could have been or should have been.  It was after a short time of this I realized I needed to move on and let go of what should or could have been. After all, the last thing I wanted was a hardened heart.  Before long one of my daily prayers was for God to help me so I would not become an angry bitter woman afraid to love.  It was in this determination I had the strength to move forward.  I began to trust God in a new way.  There were times it wasn’t easy navigating the broken pieces of my heart but I was fearful of what could become of me.  I pictured myself driving down the street with a scowl on my face, laying on the horn for no apparent reason outside of the fact that I was just plain angry at life. And I reminded myself of how this would not be pretty!

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I never had pity parties! As ugly as they are I’ve thrown a few that have left me hung over from life.  But thank the good Lord for the remedy of friends!  Because in the midst of my heart matters I’ve had the love of family and good friends help rescue me.  It has been their support and unconditional love that helped pry open my eyes to the many promises of God. How we need God, family and friends!  I can see clearly how God used them to help resuscitate and push me through to the other side. I pray you let him do it for you too!

May these Scriptures bring encouragement and healing to your heart matters as you learn to trust God for more.

Q: Is there a heart matter you need let go so you can push through to the other side?

Today’s Scripture:

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong”

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 138:3 “In the day I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”