**So I have this annoying tendency to get totally caught up in my head, letting my emotions race. Like an anxiety/depression funk sort of thing. I allow the darkness to exaggerate & magnify “all that’s going wrong in my world”. I’m learning that when these symptoms arise that I gotta STOP & FLIP THE SCRIPT.
Take for example this line of thinking: the kids are driving me crazy– I’ve been yelling a lot.
Stop & Flip the Script: the kids are only revealing the yuck that’s still inside me– they bring my sin to the surface– they sift me– I can now confess & repent of this sin– I need to ask God for sanctification & purity– this isn’t something to get upset about– it’s actually something to give thanks for– it’s good– it’s revealing sin areas that still need to be dealt with— I can allow this to change me& make me more Christ-like.
With this new script there’s now new perspective. It turns the negative into a positive & gets the brain thinking Biblically.
These flowers are SO beautiful!!!
**Today I had the joy of having a (3) hour break from ALL of the kids so I could get my schtuff together at home & paperwork-wise. Y’all… having retired parents is a weird & fantastically awesome thing. I’ve got support & help like I’ve never had before. It’s freakin’ amazing! #incrediblyblessed
**I LOVE my front porch area. It’s simple. It’s clean. It’s beach-y. It’s my happy little respite place where I love to do my devotions, write/blog, have my quiet time, do yoga, and enjoy a drink while people watching. And seriously, how cute is that flamingo wind chime?
**Today’s yoga routine was Yoga With Adriene’s “Joyful”, Day 23 from her “Dedicate” program. Check it out here on YouTube:
**Ran across this fantastic video on Choosing Positivity biblically. Had to share:
**Here’s a couple of houses I’ve recently come across that are super-duper cute. They just make me happy every time I see them:
This is the first time I’ve ever really stopped to notice this, but: summer is THE time for transitions and life changes.
I suppose it’s just a good time in general for people because most everyone is on school break, they are available, & are taking vacas, etc. Plus, if there are big moves and changes, it’s nice to take care of it all while the weather’s nice & before school starts back up and cold weather comes.
This summer in particular has been a very crazy wild season of transition for my family and I. Things such as:
*both my father & mother-in-law retiring– with that comes parental presence & availability & help that I’ve never before had (PTL!). *my oldest daughter has her first boyfriend– new territory for everyone. *my oldest is now learning to drive– anxiety x10. *very good friends of ours moved to a lovely new home– BUT it’s on the other side of town/no longer just a couple blocks away/within biking & walking distance. *a fantastic neighbor of mine & her son (which is one of my son’s best friend’s) is moving out of town– that brings loss & grief & sadness. *a “difficult” neighbor, who’d abandoned their house for over a year, surprised us with moving back in– that brings frustration. *our church, which was newly planted in Jan. ’18, got adopted into another church– that brings with it a weird mix of loss and curiosity + change. *both my husband & I transitioned into “middle age” when we turned 40 in June– said goodbye to our 20’s & 30’s. *I just noticed our sugar maple has started to change its leaves’ colors. That means Fall is just around the corner and my beloved Summer is coming to an end soon:
I watch other people and they they seem to accept change and transition without much of a hitch. But for me, dude… change is HARD. I really have to work through it, feel through it, journal through it, pray through it. Change is oftentimes overwhelming and frustrating, esp if it’s something completely out of my hands (like friends moving or my church merging). It often brings with it ugly tears & long bouts of being alone to process. Even GOOD change can be difficult for me to wade through. It’s just me, just the way I’m made, it just takes time.
But God… though my world changes and swirls around me… He doesn’t change. These Scriptures have been my anchor this summer:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8
For I, the Lord, do not change… ~Malachi 3:6
Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. ~James 1:17
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. ~Isaiah 40:8
Of old Thou didst found the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. Even they will perish, but Thou dost endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing Thou wilt change them, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not come to an end. ~Psalm 102:25-27
Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations… ~Psalm 119:89-90a
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. ~Psalm 33:11
God & His word will never change. We can bank on that, we can rest in that, we can give thanks for that. We can relax and trust that He’s got good plans because He’s a good God and a good Father.
God and His word are our anchor through life’s changes!
On Saturday, June 15th, a significant transition of life occurred: I said good-bye to my 20’s/30’s (my “young” adulthood)… And said hello to my 40’s/50’s (my “middle” years of adulthood).
Middle-aged…
Hmmmm, that’s a very strange and kinda awkward title to now have to wear.
But can I be honest here?… I’m actually very happy and quite at peace.
When I think back to how I felt in my early adulthood years, it can all be summed up into one hard word: insecurity.
Perhaps others have “found themselves” during those two long decades (kudos if that describes you!). But I wasn’t so lucky. It took me *20 years* of soul-searching, praying, questioning, trying and failing (then trying and failing again), and finally getting into counseling before I began to feel comfortable in my own skin.
Anxiety. Depression. Stress. Overwhelm. Struggle. Questioning: am I good enough? smart enough? mature enough? capable enough? Self-doubt. FEAR. Frustration. And to boot, I picked up some pretty poor/immature coping mechanisms to deal with all of these big feelings.
What do I want? What did I need? What are my boundaries? Who were “my people”? What thrills me? What is for me (and what is NOT for me)? Where do I fit in? What should I be doing with my life? What do I do? Where do I go? How do I live? WHO AM I?
But now as I step into 40, that insecurity of my youth is gone and has finally been weathered away. I KNOW who I am. I know what I want (and what I DON’T want). I know what I’ll tolerate (and what I WON’T). I stand up for myself and my beliefs and needs. I KNOW what to embrace (and what to run from).
I finally discovered that I am an empath and an HSP (which put together a LOT of missing pieces). Knowing this made it incredibly easy to change up my inner and outer worlds so as to create a lifestyle that beautifully accommodates my needs.
The fear of man’s approval is finally dying. I’m doing what I need to do. All the should’s and ought to’s are being put to rest. I’m figuring out who God made me to be and do here on this earth. I’m not being tossed around by the waves of people anymore.
For once, inside and out, I can finally breathe and dance and REJOICE. I’m finally enjoying life.
It’s actually with great relief I say good-bye to the insecure days of my young adulthood. And I’m gladly, joyfully welcoming my 40’s and beyond. I’m absolutely thrilled to see what God has in store for me and my beautiful family. I’m ready for an adventure!
So I officially entitle this next decade of life: Fun & Free Forties!
I am the Vine and you are the branches. He that ABIDES (remains) in Me, and I in him will produce (bear/bring forth) much fruit; for apart from (without) Me you can do nothing. ~John 15:5
Are you “connected to Source”? It’s a little New Age-y catch phrase thrown around quite a bit these day. To followers of that movement, it could mean God/god, the Universe, a Higher Power, the Divine, etc. Basically what they mean is that there’s something outside of ourselves that’s bigger than we are that we can connect with– and this force will give us guidance, intuition, information, and inspiration. I also saw this type of terminology quite a bit when I was working within the drug and alcohol counseling community and the 12-Step programming. They would use the blanket term “Higher Power” because not everyone was open to the God of the Bible. But there’s no doubt about it, having faith in something outside ourselves definitely aids in people’s healing and their conquering of mental health issues. Just take a brief survey on Google and you’ll see all over the place that faith brings healing.
I’m not into New Age ideology. And I do believe in the God of the Bible (Jesus/Holy Spirit). But I really got to thinking this morning about being “connected to source” in regard to being connected with God. What does that mean? What does that look like? What benefits would come from such a practice?
John 15:5 immediately crossed my mind.
To be “connected with source” (the God of the Bible) looks like ABIDING, or another word for that would be “remaining”.
God paints for us a beautiful visualization about Him being a Vine and we Christians being the branches. Just quiet yourself for a moment, get away from distractions, take a deep breath, and go there with me for just a few moments to really get a mental picture of this.
Imagine a vine… actually see the branches growing out from this vine… see the ends of these branches weighted down with grapes… really take a moment and see this image in your mind… go through your senses and make this mental image real… what does the vine and fruit feel like, look like, smell like?… what do the grapes taste like? what’s going on in the vineyard? are there any sounds like birds or wind or farmers working in the background?… The more you can bring your five senses into this visualization, the more it becomes meaningful…
So long as these branches ABIDE and remain connected to the main vine, they can bear fruit. All the nutrients and life energies to maintain life and growth and fruitfulness flow through this main vine. But as soon as a branch is cut off, what happens to it?… It withers, dries up, shrivels, and eventually dies and decomposes. It has been cut off from its life source. It can’t produce and create life on its own. A cut off branch can quite literally accomplish nothing.
Another Scripture that comes to mind is Psalm 1, esp verses 1-3:
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers.
There are two main parts to these verses: 1- don’t get cozy with sin/sinners 2- delight in/meditate on the Word of the Lord
Why?
*to be like a tree planted by streams of water *to yield fruit in season *so that your leaves do not wither *so that whatever you do prospers
This is what ABIDING is: remaining “connected to source” (God), allowing His life blood to flow to/through us and grow within us fruit, to flourish, prosper, to never shrivel or wither or die off, to produce and create, to yield, to mature, to be alive/radiating life, always supplied with everything we need for life and godliness.
The life flowing through that vine and the water rushing through that stream… they never stop flowing. They never dry up or tap out. They are *always* rushing and pumping and giving and sharing and pouring. It’s an abundant, never-ending supply.
And you, yes you, are completely welcome to drink from it. God would LOVE to richly bless you with life, abundance, prosperity, and multiplication. He desperately wants to see you flourish and flower and bloom and grow and produce and share with the world. And He is providing you with everything to make this happen.
So today I leave you with this intention: ABIDE in God
As you go to work, take care of your family, sit through baseball practice, clean your house, exercise, file paperwork, go to sleep tonight… focus on ABIDING in Him. Really take moments today to think about and visualize that branch (you) connected to the vine (God)… and the tree planted by a stream of water… about God’s never-ending supply of nourishment and life that He willingly and lovingly wants to pour into you. Accept that gift. Open your hands and heart to the life that He dearly wants to give to you. Connect to source. Let Him pour life into you. He is SO for you!
If you haven’t started a meditation practice, I would *highly* recommend it. It doesn’t have to be any sort of lengthy or fancy process. Five minutes would be plenty. Doesn’t matter what time of the day. Just get alone someplace where you won’t be interrupted. You can sit or lay down. No noise, no distraction, no cell phone, nobody needing you. Take a deep breath. Then take a couple of mindful breaths. Focus on the in-and-out feeling of your breathing. After you do that a few times, do a quick body scan. Are you holding onto stress anywhere? Clenching? Tightness? Try to relax those areas. Then for just a few moments, think about the Scriptures mentioned today about ABIDING. Really visualize what that looks like to you. Take a few moments to pray. Open your hands to receive God’s abundance and life. Thank Him for all that He has done (and will do) in and through you. Take another deep breath… and… you’re done!
Another awesome way to really integrate with these Scriptures is to do EFT/Tapping while slowly reading and meditating on them. Not familiar with this?? Here’s a great little info clip on it. There are acupressure points on your face, hands, and torso and when you tap on them while saying aloud Scriptures (and/or positive affirmations), it’s meaning more deeply gets into our hearts and minds. It brings awareness of deeper issues that need to be dealt with. It clears the mental/emotional clutter and blockages and replaces it with words of truth. It calms the nervous system. I personally thought it was terribly silly in the beginning– but I stuck with it. When I first started with EFT, it was to help deal with my anxiety, stress, and fear issues. It worked ok. But when I got the idea to incorporate Scripture and Bible-based affirmations instead– it got taken to a whole new level. Not only has my anxiety been healing more quickly, but I’m also way more easily able to memorize Scripture. It just seems to “stick” now! Tapping works. Give it a try. It takes practice. Let me know what you think! If you’re already incorporating EFT/tapping into your Bible Study routine, I’d love to hear your experiences with it!!!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You SO much for giving us Your word. Thank You that we have truth to anchor our lives and hope into. Fill us with faith. Fill us with Your word. Help us to ABIDE in You and stay connected to You. We love You. And we are SO thankful for what Your Son, Jesus, did on the cross for us. Thank You for giving us things like prayer, meditation, visualizations, EFT/Tapping, etc. to calm our nervous systems, to better help us focus on You and Your word, and for your truths to deeply penetrate our hearts and minds. May Your words “stick” with us today. Pour into us Your abundance and may we flourish for You. ~Amen
It’s time for us to more than just survive– We were made to thrive!!!
From as far back as I can remember… I have been a writer. A writer in the sense that I write practically every day (not necessarily that I’ve been published– though #goals). Journals. Word docs. Scraps of loose paper. Writing on the edges of my daily to-do lists. Even when I’m in meetings or seminars, not only do I doodle on my paperwork, but I write.
What do I write about?: observations, reminders, deep thoughts, blog topics, Scriptures that come to mind, mantras, personal pep talks, prayers, day dreams, words of motivation and inspiration, quotes I hear, gift ideas, meal ideas, etc.
For me, it’s absolutely cleansing and clearing. The way my heart and mind work, there is *always* so much going on inside (even though I may appear cool as a cucumber on the outside). So much thinking. So much feeling. Big thoughts. Big feelings.
It’s like my senses are on hyper-alert at all times. I see, hear, observe, smell, experience, and feel things SO incredibly deeply.
Writing allows me time and a platform to process and work through all the things I experience throughout the day. It’s exhausting when your senses are always so aware of what’s going on around you. Writing helps get all that out so I can be chill on the inside, too.
If I don’t write, it all begins to swell up inside like a balloon that’s going to burst. Everything gets muddled and confusing and cloudy. I have all this big stuff bouncing around inside of me and I can’t seem to make heads or tails of anything. It’s overwhelming. It’s maddening.
I HAVE to get it out. Writing keeps me sane and centered and cleared and light.
The more I talk to people the more I see that many other’s have this same thing going on inside, too. There’s this “thing” they have to do, must do. It’s like there’s a freshwater spring of something going on inside of them that has to come out– and it never runs dry. They have to create. If they don’t, they feel like they’re going insane. Getting it out keeps them cleared and happy and free.
Working on computers and tech. Sewing. Performing in theater. Writing. Creating and/or performing music. Painting. Making beers and wines. Farming or gardening. Arts and crafts. Making movies. Interior design. Financial planning. Traveling. Language learning. Preaching. Teaching. Yoga. Sharing the gospel. Cooking.
Because we are all created in the image of God, I believe there’s a creative genius within all of us. There’s something, or multiple somethings, within each of us that is just dying to come out.
Your “thing” coming out may or may not even start with the goal of “helping people”. It may very well simply start with doing it to stay sane!!! But it’s when you take a chance and get your “thing” out there for others to see and experience that the “blessing others” becomes a part of the picture.
So what’s your “thing”? What makes you tick? What do you have to do to keep your energy and mind clear and light? What can you seemingly do or create day-in day-out that’s never exhausted or runs dry? What could you never get bored of doing?
I want to encourage you in the following ways: 1- if you don’t know what your “thing” is– explore, try new things, take a class, experiment. Ask love one’s what they see in you. Ask God for clarity. 2- if you already know what your “thing” is– are you doing it regularly? Are you investing yourself and time in it? 3- if you are regularly doing your “thing”– are you brave enough to put yourself out there, to stop hiding your light under a bushel?
It’s scary sharing your gifts and talents with the world. Many will like what you put out there– it will bless and enrich their lives. But you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea– and that’s ok. Keep tapping into that well of creativity within you and let it spill out into the world.
I truly believe that each of us was created with some spark of creative genius that’s just dying to come out and bless the world. Some invention that will make life easier. Some disease to cure. Some song to rivet the world. Some literary work that will awe its readers. Food that captivates. Movies that take us through the whole gambit of emotion.
Some people love languages, culture, and travel. Show us worlds we may never see with our own eyes.
Some people love gardening, landscaping, and horticulture. Bless the eyes of mankind with the beauty you can create with your hands and soil.
Some of you have the gift of healing. Bless those of us that are sick with health and wellness.
Some people love photography. Share your eye for angles and light. Help us to see the perfection in the moment like you do.
Some people love their country. Serve and protect with all that you have.
Some people love sewing. Light up the eyes of that beautiful bride or that teen going to prom with a dress of absolute perfection.
Some people love computers. Help companies and businesses thrive and expand.
Some people love justice and fairness for all. Fight for weak one. Speak out for freedom.
It’s our job to figure out what that thing is that makes us tick, that thrills our soul– to hone our skills and craft– and to be brave enough to share it with the world.
Our lives here on earth were meant to be filled with LIFE & abundance & prosperity & blessing & multiplication. And not just in our own lives… but Scripture says that when we choose life–> not only may we live BUT ALSO life may be passed down to our descendants as well (see Deut. 30:20)!!! How awesome is that: generational BLESSINGS!!!
It’s always our choice… each day… each moment… what will we CHOOSE?: -the words we speak to others -the words we speak to ourselves (our inner dialogue) -our actions & behavior -our parenting style -how we spend our time -how we spend our money -the food we ingest -the content we consume media-wise -what we post online -what we daydream about -our attitudes
Is what we’re saying, doing, & thinking giving LIFE?
Y’all, God loves us SO much and He SO wishes to bless us! I’m not preaching that if we ‘give our resources to religious causes God will bless us’. That’s called a “prosperity gospel”. But what I AM saying is that if we love the Lord and obey His voice and hold fast to Him: yes, blessings will come. Scripture says so! Whether or not we receive these life blessings could most def come down to what we CHOOSE day-in day-out.
I don’t know about you, but I want LIFE and life abundant… not just in Heaven some day… but here on earth, too!
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