IOW & WFW: No Shame

We deny Jesus every time we disregard His truth and put ourselves down. That hurts us. We deny Him every time we fail to see our value in Him. That hurts us. We deny Him every time we continue to hang on to our self-condemning thoughts and lies. That hurts us too. And then, it's as if Jesus turns and looks straight at us with His eyes of love and compassion, and something dawns on us. We have, in a sense, denied our Lord Jesus, and I wonder if that hurts Him."

~Shame Lifter by Marilyn Hontz~

There is a liar amongst us.

He slithers silkily into our lives to drape softly around our shoulders and whisper gently into our ears,

"Remember when you..."

"Who could forgive that...?"

"When that person hurt you, didn't you feel..."

"Do you really belong on this hallowed ground?"

"Since you've already messed up, why don't you..."

Shame is not of God. Shame says that we are bad, valueless, unworthy, defective, unlovable, inferior... Shame takes the wrongs, abuses, and neglect done to us and absorbs them into our self-image. We see ourselves as hateful, nasty, unworthy of love or simple kindness.

Satan is the father of shame. His desire is to twist every hurt or regret into a wedge that drives believers from staying close to our heavenly Father. He takes every word meant for encouragement and twists it into stabs that wound our fragile hearts, bleeding our joy from us...pouring into its place sorrow and fear and anger.

Beautiful lovers of God, we can defeat this liar with the Truth!

First, identify the lies we have believed about ourselves.

Second, confess to the Lord these lies.

Third, replace those lies with Biblical Truth about who God is and who we are as His beloved children.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ~ Romans 8:1 NKJV

Look now at ourselves through the eyes of His love.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written:


“ For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Romans 8:31-39 NKJV

We must grab and hold to the Truth with everything within in us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Our acceptance of His Truth will lead our eyes from ourselves and point them to the Lord Jesus. Once we are focused on Him, we will be useful for His purpose.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

Rejoice now in the righteousness of God we have through Jesus Christ. God made us to be His Beloved ones. Do not deny the Lord the joy meant for Him through a close, intimate, and true relationship with us.

In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
~ Psalm 31:1-2 NKJV

Beautiful lovers of God, rejoice!

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ~ John 10:11 NKJV

Strength to see ourselves rightly through Love's eyes comes from a close, enduring relationship with Jesus Christ. He assures us of His love and gives us the power to live as He desires us to live:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ Romans 15:13 NKJV

Now, dear friends, if you have read this and find that you cannot understand what these words mean to you...perhaps it is time to start at the beginning with trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Please go here: Steps to Peace with God, read the wonderful words of Life. Come back and share with me how God has changed your world from the inside out.






<-- Loni at Writing Canvas is hosting this week's In Other Words. Visit her to view more posts and to add your own take on today's quote.


-->Susan at Forever His is hosting Word-Filled Wednesday. Visit her to view more posts and to add your own.

IOW & WFW: No Shame

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-other-words-word-filled-wednesday-no.html

IOW & WFW: Why Do You Despair?

Affliction will either warm you up toward spiritual things or turn you cold.

~Joni Eareckson Tada,
A Lifetime of Wisdom: Embracing the Way God Heals You~

My brain absorbs this. It understands the wisdom and nods in agreement.

My fingers zip to the keyboard, ready to translate what my brain understands into words of encouragement. They hover ready over the keys...

But my heart is choked with pain and worry. It refuses to give over to the wisdom of my brain and the work of my fingers. It has caused a seemingly permanent lump to lodged in my throat.

The lump, in turn, chokes off kind tones - instead letting the fear and pain shoot out in unloving bursts on those deserving better.

My God knows my dilemma. He sends Words... as a song on the radio... as a verse on a Facebook post... as a video link in my email.

He cups my heart in His Hands, loosening the grip of misery tightly bound around it. He caresses and soothes, gently urging TRUST and FAITH in Himself - He Who also holds the hearts of the ones for whom I fear and fret.

Peace pushes through the pain... the tears still just a thought away... but His arm is gripping my shoulders to pull me in close when they spill over.






<-- Debbie at Heart Choices is hosting this week's In Other Words. Visit her to view more posts and to add your own take on today's quote.


-->Christy at Critty Joy is hosting Word-Filled Wednesday. Visit her to view more posts and to add your own.

IOW & WFW: Why Do You Despair?

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/09/iow-wfw-why-do-you-despair.html

WFW: Evidence of Love

I don't see images of God in my pancakes or paint splashes...but I couldn't help but be reminded of my Savior's love in the coffee stain on my counter, especially since I had just read the words of Job and Nicole C. Mullen's song is playing through my head:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
and Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
and Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives:
Let all creations testify
Let this, life within me cry
I know my Redeemer lives, yeah.

The very same God that spins things in orbit
runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creations testify
Let this life within we cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives forever, I'll proclaim

That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and
There's an empty grave.

And I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creations testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer,

I know my Redeemer
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know that I know that I know that I know that I know my redeemer lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
I Know I know
He lives He lives yeah, yeah I spoke with him this morning
He lives He lives, the tomb is empty,
He lives I gotta tell everybody

~Nicole C. Mullen, I Know My Redeemer Lives

Everyday you can hear the Lord tell of His love for you...pick up the love letters He put together for you in the Scriptures. Start here:

John 3:16
1 John 4:7-10, 16

For more Word-Filled Wednesday posts, visit AmyDeanne @ The 160 Acre Woods.

WFW: Evidence of Love

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/09/wfw-evidence-of-love.html

Power's Back On: IOW-Faith Steps, WFW, & Thankful Thursday

We've had a weather related disaster week! An outdoor faucet got bumped and the pipe broke clean off at the main line underground. Gushing water in the yard directed us to the problem and after hours of digging and mending in the snow/ice/rain mix, we had water coming out of the tap not the ground. Then the snow/ice/rain mix caused the downing of trees which snapped power lines...and we spent a day huddled in the living room around the fireplace. As a result of all these adventures, my posts this week are combined into this one.




My husband and I take spur of the moment mini-vacations all year long. Most of the trips are just for an afternoon or a single day. Our children got us a Garmin Nuvi for Christmas to make these little trips easier. The Nuvi is a global positioning device that uses signals from satellites to triangulate our location and that of whatever destination we tell it.

The first few days, we input my parents' address (8 miles away), a restaurant's name (15 miles away), and the mall bookstore (25 miles away). We had fun with it and my husband was (and still is) amazed at the technology that could fit in the palm of his hand and has the ability to take us from our home to any destination we told it.

On the Friday after Christmas my husband's aunt died in Akron, Ohio (a five-hour drive away). When we left for the funeral on Monday afternoon, all we took was an overnight bag, our cell phones, the address of the funeral home on a piece of paper, and the Nuvi. We put the address into the Nuvi and set off. We were amazed when, following the turn-by-turn directions, we arrived at the parking lot of the funeral home.

On the way home we encountered the first of several drawbacks to blind faith in technology. As we approached an interstate on-ramp and the Nuvi said, "turn right onto ramp," my husband turned right at the first turn he saw -- a road that ran parallel with the on-ramp. We had gotten accustomed to obeying the Nuvi's directions and momentarily ignored what our own eyes told us. After a trip to Nashville later that week, we finally started keeping our eyes and minds fully engaged in our travels, using the Nuvi as the tool it is meant to be.


Often our steps of faith are just like that week of learning and relearning we had. We have our ulitimate destination assured, but there are many turns and detours along the way. God expects us to be informed followers - not stepping out blindly - while trusting Him as we go. He gives us guidance through His word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Because the destination is already secured, it really isn't the point of the trip. Each step (and/or turn) on the journey is the point. Having faith in God and His leading -- trusting His good purpose because we have studied and understood His map (read the Bible and prayed), growing into the person He has called us to be...that is the point of the journey.

Lord, thank You for Your guidance and the trust You never break. Help my faith be strong and steady for the journey on which You have set me. Let me always look to You for the next step and the next. Amen.

• Denise is the host of In Other Words this week at her blog "Shortybear's Place."
• Amy is the host of Word-filled Wednesday at her blog "The 160-Acre Woods."
• Lori is hosting Thankful Thursday this week at her blog "Lori's Reflections."
  

Power's Back On: IOW-Faith Steps, WFW, & Thankful Thursday

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/01/powers-back-on-iow-faith-steps-wfw.html

WFW: The Glory of God!

Nothing says rejoicing like the enthusiasm of children!
This is the Dynamo's preschool group singing
"We Wish YOU A Merry Christmas!"
(It's also his first on-stage performance!! *proud Nana sigh*)

WFW: The Glory of God!

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/12/wfw-glory-of-god.html

WFW: Letters from a Pilgrim Thanksgiving

"The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe

The Mayflower Compact

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

Edward Winslow, Mourt's Relation

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

William Bradford, Of Plimoth Plantation

"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

The letter of William Hilton, passenger on the Fortune
(The letter was written in November of 1621)

Loving Cousin,
At our arrival in New Plymouth , in New England, we found all our friends and planters in good health, though they were left sick and weak, with very small means; the Indians round about us peaceable and friendly; the country very pleasant and temperate, yielding naturally, of itself, great store of fruits, as vines of divers sorts in great abundance. There is likewise walnuts, chestnuts, small nuts and plums, with much variety of flowers, roots and herbs, no less pleasant than wholesome and profitable. No place hath more gooseberrries and strawberries, nor better. Timber of all sorts you have in England doth cover the land, that affords beasts of divers sorts, and great flocks of turkey, quails, pigeons and partridges; many great lakes abounding with fish, fowl, beavers, and otters. The sea affords us great plenty of all excellent sorts of sea-fish, as the rivers and isles doth variety of wild fowl of most useful sorts. Mines we find, to our thinking; but neither the goodness nor quality we know. Better grain cannot be than the Indian corn, if we will plant it upon as good ground as a man need desire. We are all freeholders; the rent-day doth not trouble us; and all those good blessings we have, of which and what we list in their seasons for taking.
Our company are, for most part, very religious, honest people; the word of God sincerely taught us every Sabbath; so that I know not any thing a contented mind can here want. I desire your friendly care to send my wife and children to me, where I wish all the friends I have in England; and so I rest

Your loving kinsman,
William Hilton

How it began.

Some carried it on.

Most dropped it along the way.

We must pick it back up again...it is THE WAY.

The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. ~~Deuteronomy 6:4-9



Visit Amydeanne @ The 160 Acre Woods for more WFW posts and to link your own.

WFW: Letters from a Pilgrim Thanksgiving

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/11/wfw-letters-from-pilgrim-thanksgiving.html

WFW: Our Strong Tower

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to trust in people." Psalm 118:8

I tend to be really upbeat and positive. I'm happy and bubbly and friendly.

...until...

someone or something lets me down.

Then I become fearful, angry, sad, fretful, depressed.

I spend hours, days, weeks in soul-deep ----and physical---- PAIN.

While all along, a still small voice reminds me: "Patty, I love you." John 3:16a

The chattering WORRY at first overpowers the soft voice but doesn't completely drown it out.

For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved." Isaiah 30:15a

And I turn toward the voice and my panic begins to settle...

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15b

My hands unclench...

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7a

the tightness in my chest eases.....

"Great peace have those who love Your law."
Psalm 120:165a

And I reach up to take His outstretched arms...

"And nothing shall cause them to stumble."
Psalm 120:165b

I curl in to Him and I fall into the sleep He gives His dearly loved ones.

"He gives His beloved sleep." Psalm 127:2d

*******Dear friends, if you have gotten this far in today's blog, let me make a request of you. I wrote this in response to a situation that has just come up...but has been around for years. It involves my loved ones and someone on the outside of our family circle with the potential to cause harm. Please pray for us. I'm at the panic level right now...trying to lean so hard on the Lord's word. ********

***Update 10:35 est --- I've had an upgrade level....I'm at the turning toward His voice level. Thank you for praying.***

WFW: Our Strong Tower

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/10/wfw-our-strong-tower.html

WFW: Love Pouring Over

Pastry Princess and Dynamo @ a roadside waterfall in West Virginia. So refreshing on a hot summer day...Just like the love of God to His children.

WFW: Love Pouring Over

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/10/wfw-love-pouring-over.html

WFW-Climb God's Mountian

Do you want to know your purpose in this life? Go, seek out the One who made you.

"Seek the LORD while He may be found, call on Him while He is near." ~~Isaiah 55:6

He knows you and has a plan for your life.

"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~~Jeremiah 29:11

He has been planning for you since before you were born.

"My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."~~Psalm 139:15-16

You can find Him in His word. He will guide you to Himself.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." ~~Psalm 119:105

"Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart." ~~Psalm 119:111

Praise Him on His holy mountain!

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth...this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself...how my heart yearns within me!" ~~Job 19:25, 26b-27

WFW-Climb God's Mountian

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/10/wfw-climb-gods-mountian.html

WFW: Chocolate=Love

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" ~Lucy Van Pelt from the Peanuts comic by Charles M. Schulz.

Chocolate comes in so many varieties that no matter my mood, I can always find something to satisfy a momentary need...

Mmmm...hazelnut milk chocolate for soothing.

Dark chocolate for a great finish to a great evening.

Mint Chocolate Torte creamer in my coffee for a special start to the day.

And then there's Lindor Lindt Truffles....don't mess with my Lindor chocolate! I can't be held responsible for my actions if you snitch my Lindor!!

Really I do share my chocolate most of the time. I wouldn't want to withhold good things from my family. My girls and I like to have girls' night once in a while. The evening consists of chick flicks, favorite soft drinks, Cheez-its, tortilla chips and a variety of toppings, and Mr. Goodbars, M&Ms, Toblerone....

If one of us in having a bad time, my daughters or I will show up with chocolate and sympathy. I've even trained my son well: He takes a variety of chocolate in a pretty bag whenever he is invited to a girl's birthday party. You know, "Train up your son...." It works! His gift is always the favorite.

Chocolate is a mood lifter and we don't we just love it?!?. But it shouldn't ever be a substitute for facing the realities of life.

When my grandson is angry, he tells me "I don't like you, Nana." It would be more hurtful if he weren't hungry, tired, bored, missing his mommy, or just plain misbehaving.

Evidently wisdom comes with age (according to the Bible--the silver twinkling in my hair is indicating a wave of wisdom coming my way! *wink*) and I've developed the ability to see past his words and try to figure out the real reason.

I'm trying to get to the point where I can be sensitive enough to my husband and grown children to get the underlying feelings that cause words to be harsh. Not quite there yet... I still grab the Godiva baking chocolate after an unresolved dispute with my dh. When I come to myself, I try to apologize and share a few bites of the Godiva. (He's been known to come home with a whole bag of chocolate as an apology too. What a man!!!)

As wonderful as chocolate is, it is important to face the real causes behind our problems. Too often, like my grandson, we tend to expect those closest to us to fill our needs and expectations. And too often, like me for my grandson, those needs and expectations go unmet or unsatisfyingly met. We have to acknowledge that God is the only One who will truly never let us down. This is where love is supposed to come into the picture.

If we can get to the point where we love before we speak...perhaps those things which cause disunity in our relationships can be remedied. If we learn to practice selfless love in our homes, we will be better equipped to show love outside our homes.






~~~~I've got a great book called Chocolatherapy" Satisfying the Deepest Cravings of Your Inner Chick by Karen Scalf Linamen. It is funny and so much applies to me that I sometimes feel she was inside my brain when she wrote it. It's on sale for $4.99 at Christianbook.com. Get yourself a copy. You'll love it!~~~

WFW: Chocolate=Love

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/10/wfw-chocolatelove.html

Word Filled Wednesdays: Teach your children

Word Filled Wednesdays: Teach your children

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/04/word-filled-wednesdays-teach-your.html