Hello again! I know I haven't shared much at all on here, but I've been going through a lot of heart issues (not physical heart issues, but emotional and spiritual) and dealing with them and being set free in a lot of areas. I really didn't feel like I had anything to give or share because I felt so barren and dry. Then, God spoke this week and I felt like He wanted me to share this.
I have several things I'm believing God for, among them healing in several areas (eyesight, teeth restored, ideal body weight, my skin renewed) along with peace (fear/worry have been my biggest battle) and all my debts paid off. For some reason (and I really don't know if this was preached from the pulpit or not) because Apostle Paul had a "thorn in the flesh", I thought God would leave a thorn in the flesh for every believer. I've been believing God for the areas I mentioned, but would kind of rank them so if God was going to leave me one as a thorn it wouldn't be the one I was believing for the most.
On the drive home the middle of this last week, I was just praying a little and I felt God say why couldn't I believe for them all to be taken care of? I said that I thought he was leaving a thorn in my flesh and I felt his amusement as he said, "That was for Paul." So I started thinking about it and I realized Paul was God's special case. God had to literally stop him and blind him on the way to persecute Christians to get his attention. Don't you imagine God had tried to speak to him before, but no, Paul had to get slapped upside the head by God to even hear what he was saying. Then, by Paul's own words, if any Jew had a reason to boast, it was him and he goes on to list all the reasons he had to brag. God literally had to allow/leave a thorn in his flesh and it was so Paul would always remember it was about God and not him!!!
It's not that I don't think I'm above needing a reminder that it is all about God, but I think it is because God can generally whisper to me about what he wants and I listen. It may also take a nudge or two, possibly a shouted warning or even a hard shove, but I'm pretty sure this sensitive heart gets the message long before a bright light and a slap upside the head are needed to get my attention. So for me, God is saying to dare to believe him for everything I'm asking for.
I don't presume to tell you if you have a thorn or not, but knowing that I don't need one has set another part of this girl's heart free.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Breaking the Spirit of Toil
I am such a go-getter by nature and I usually feel compelled to "make things happen" particularly if things seem to be moving too slowly. However, God in His great sovereignty has joined me with a man who is methodical (sometimes painfully methodical) so that I don't get ahead of God. The other day I was urging him, as we wives are so skillful at doing, to "make something happen" and to rectify a wrong that was done to him. While thoughtfully considering my passionate request, he said, "I'm going to pray about that, but I don't think that is what I am supposed to do." I wanted to add a quick, verbal jab about how God gave "me" to Him for just this very thing. To help him get moving and "get the lead out". You see, I abhor injustice and will often times take up the job of defending the ones I love in an effort to bring righteousness to a situation. While this "drive" is intricately woven throughout the fabric of my personality and is indeed a gift, it has, on many an occasion, gotten me in trouble when I ran ahead on my personal timetable and not on the Lord's.
Thankfully Darron, in his blessed, methodical way, sensed that God must be His defense. And boy was he right! That afternoon, the fifth day of our fast, that situation began to turn around. In fact, I dare say, we have already seen a 180 degree turn in our favor! What a God we serve!
While reading my Bible as Darron prepared a light Daniel-fast meal in the kitchen that evening, the Lord highlighted a passage for me in scripture found in Matthew chapter 6 that really caught my attention.
"So why do you worry about _________ (fill in the blank concerning the things you regularly worry about be it finances, clothing, career, children, etc.). Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
As we began to meditate upon this passage together, I realized that if I take up the cause to defend myself against wrongs done against me, then I will always have to take up that cause. That is pretty exhausting. Always looking over your shoulder. Always in a fighter's stance. That is the spirit of "toil". Clawing and scratching to make "your" way in the world. Is it any wonder why so many people hate Monday mornings? There's no rest in that kind of mindset.
Darron shared some insight with me on this very same passage. Jesus said that the lilies of the fields were clothed better than the most wealthiest king in all the world, Solomon. Imagine all the amazing designer gowns that America's actress gush over...hoping to don some famous designer's dress to the Grammy's or to the Oscars. Gowns worth tens of thousands. Yet the Lilly of the field, which is here today and will be dead tomorrow, God says those flowers are better dressed! Darron said to me, "We might think that it is lavish and wasteful to clothe a flower whose lifespan is so temporary. But God says to us, 'It's mine to dress.'"Aren't we, His people, much more valuable than the Lilly of the field?
I know that when I role the weight of the care upon the Lord and seek FIRST His Kingdom (God's way of doing things) and His righteousness, there is rest. I know that He has my back. He is my strong tower and my defense. He is my rear guard.
So before you take out a battery of prayer requests that you are ready to fire at the Lord all at once, why not crawl up into His lap and worship Him? I am really learning how to "live" a life of worship. Worship is not just what I do at church service or even in my personal quiet time moments with the Lord. Worship is what I say with my mouth about my God. May my life be a total confirmation of what I believe to be true about my God. He is the Great I AM!
P.S.--I've added a few wedding photos for those of you who weren't able to join us at our wedding celebration. Please enjoy. God gave Darron and I a debt-free wedding! Isn't God good?
Thankfully Darron, in his blessed, methodical way, sensed that God must be His defense. And boy was he right! That afternoon, the fifth day of our fast, that situation began to turn around. In fact, I dare say, we have already seen a 180 degree turn in our favor! What a God we serve!
While reading my Bible as Darron prepared a light Daniel-fast meal in the kitchen that evening, the Lord highlighted a passage for me in scripture found in Matthew chapter 6 that really caught my attention.
"So why do you worry about _________ (fill in the blank concerning the things you regularly worry about be it finances, clothing, career, children, etc.). Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
As we began to meditate upon this passage together, I realized that if I take up the cause to defend myself against wrongs done against me, then I will always have to take up that cause. That is pretty exhausting. Always looking over your shoulder. Always in a fighter's stance. That is the spirit of "toil". Clawing and scratching to make "your" way in the world. Is it any wonder why so many people hate Monday mornings? There's no rest in that kind of mindset.
Darron shared some insight with me on this very same passage. Jesus said that the lilies of the fields were clothed better than the most wealthiest king in all the world, Solomon. Imagine all the amazing designer gowns that America's actress gush over...hoping to don some famous designer's dress to the Grammy's or to the Oscars. Gowns worth tens of thousands. Yet the Lilly of the field, which is here today and will be dead tomorrow, God says those flowers are better dressed! Darron said to me, "We might think that it is lavish and wasteful to clothe a flower whose lifespan is so temporary. But God says to us, 'It's mine to dress.'"Aren't we, His people, much more valuable than the Lilly of the field?
I know that when I role the weight of the care upon the Lord and seek FIRST His Kingdom (God's way of doing things) and His righteousness, there is rest. I know that He has my back. He is my strong tower and my defense. He is my rear guard.
So before you take out a battery of prayer requests that you are ready to fire at the Lord all at once, why not crawl up into His lap and worship Him? I am really learning how to "live" a life of worship. Worship is not just what I do at church service or even in my personal quiet time moments with the Lord. Worship is what I say with my mouth about my God. May my life be a total confirmation of what I believe to be true about my God. He is the Great I AM!
P.S.--I've added a few wedding photos for those of you who weren't able to join us at our wedding celebration. Please enjoy. God gave Darron and I a debt-free wedding! Isn't God good?
Hi, I'm Cherinda.
Hi, I'm Cherinda. Valencia invited me to share on her blog, so I thought I'd better introduce myself first.
I met V when we were in college at ORU and we were both placed on the summer missions team to Spain in 1993. It was obvious she had (has) zest for life and zeal for the Lord (two z words you can't use very often, but are so V). She was (is) also very compassionate and caring and just loved (loves) people. We clicked right away. (Incidentally, Terri D was also our teammate and my future husband was also on our team--we've been married almost thirteen years now.) It was a life changing summer for me and V and the members of that team hold a special place in my heart.
What I like to do to start off a New Year is to spend some time with God and ask him to give me a scripture for the year. I write it down in my journal and can go back and read it when I need some encouragement and I can also say it like an affirmation; that I am who He says I am and have what he says I have. I like to get in agreement with God.
Too often, we believe what we see and too often, it is not the truth. The truth is there and to get it from unseen to seen, we have to believe that it is. Simple, yet profound. It's no wonder so many people can't wrap their minds around it. To them, it is a paradox. To Jesus, he is simply speaking how it is. How beautifully profound, how beautifully simple. I love it!
I guess I mispoke when I said I only ask him for a scripture for the year. That's what I did four years ago. The past two, I've just let him keep giving me scriptures for my year until he is done (not that he can't give you scriptures to stand on during the year, but these are specifically from him for the year). I figure the more he gives me, the more I can stand on. More, for me, is better. (Same with communion, I take the largest piece of bread or cracker or whatever because I want as much of Him as I can get. I don't just want a little of Him, I want all that he is and all that he has.)
So here are the scriptures he gave me for this year (and boy, do they sure look good):
Psalm 18:30-36
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn."
Psalm 121 (I have changed a few "yours" to personalize it.)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let my foot slip--he who watches over me will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Cherinda will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over me--the Lord is my shade at my right hand; the sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep me from all harm--he will watch over my life; the Lord will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore."
These are such beautiful scriptures of help and encouragement for me (us) and I sure needed it after such a hard year last year. I love it that he will broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn (important) and that he watches over me, now and forever. It lets me know just how much he cares and how important I am (we are) to him.
There you have it. I want to leave you with a blessing (because I like to bless and speak healing and wholeness): May God show you the depth of his love and concern for you, may he heal the dry, broken, barren places in your heart, may his blessings overtake you so that you do not even have room enough to contain them, and may you walk in health and peace and joy in 2009.
I met V when we were in college at ORU and we were both placed on the summer missions team to Spain in 1993. It was obvious she had (has) zest for life and zeal for the Lord (two z words you can't use very often, but are so V). She was (is) also very compassionate and caring and just loved (loves) people. We clicked right away. (Incidentally, Terri D was also our teammate and my future husband was also on our team--we've been married almost thirteen years now.) It was a life changing summer for me and V and the members of that team hold a special place in my heart.
What I like to do to start off a New Year is to spend some time with God and ask him to give me a scripture for the year. I write it down in my journal and can go back and read it when I need some encouragement and I can also say it like an affirmation; that I am who He says I am and have what he says I have. I like to get in agreement with God.
Too often, we believe what we see and too often, it is not the truth. The truth is there and to get it from unseen to seen, we have to believe that it is. Simple, yet profound. It's no wonder so many people can't wrap their minds around it. To them, it is a paradox. To Jesus, he is simply speaking how it is. How beautifully profound, how beautifully simple. I love it!
I guess I mispoke when I said I only ask him for a scripture for the year. That's what I did four years ago. The past two, I've just let him keep giving me scriptures for my year until he is done (not that he can't give you scriptures to stand on during the year, but these are specifically from him for the year). I figure the more he gives me, the more I can stand on. More, for me, is better. (Same with communion, I take the largest piece of bread or cracker or whatever because I want as much of Him as I can get. I don't just want a little of Him, I want all that he is and all that he has.)
So here are the scriptures he gave me for this year (and boy, do they sure look good):
Psalm 18:30-36
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn."
Psalm 121 (I have changed a few "yours" to personalize it.)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let my foot slip--he who watches over me will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Cherinda will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over me--the Lord is my shade at my right hand; the sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep me from all harm--he will watch over my life; the Lord will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore."
These are such beautiful scriptures of help and encouragement for me (us) and I sure needed it after such a hard year last year. I love it that he will broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn (important) and that he watches over me, now and forever. It lets me know just how much he cares and how important I am (we are) to him.
There you have it. I want to leave you with a blessing (because I like to bless and speak healing and wholeness): May God show you the depth of his love and concern for you, may he heal the dry, broken, barren places in your heart, may his blessings overtake you so that you do not even have room enough to contain them, and may you walk in health and peace and joy in 2009.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Daniel Fast
So our new church is participating in the Daniel Fast! I am so excited about it. Unfortunately, I have not been very consistent in fasting. I have only done this sporadically since Teen Mania days. It's sad of what you let go of...the things that were such a bedrock and an integral part of your Christian walk. Although as a church we were set to start on January 4th, Darron announced to me over the phone from work that he was beginning his fast early, on December 30th. I thought that was definitely the Lord's leading for our family.
I am a huge believer in this: The way you exit a year is the way you will enter the next. Darron and I are so eager for the favor of the Lord and increase that we are willing to "buffet our flesh and its carnal appetites" for more of the Lord. So I decided to start early, too. I hadn't eaten anything yet, so why not?
On New Years' Eve, it had already been a day- and- a- half of a complete fast and the voice of the Lord was so much more pronounced! I love living like this! I love hearing His voice so effortlessly and without second-guessing. Sometime that afternoon Darron called me to ask me if I would consider going on a "Soup" Date with him. You see our Daniel Fast consists of the following diet: soups, juice and water. I am allowed salads/spinach and an occasional bowl of oatmeal or grits should I start loosing weight. Oh, and some wheat crackers. This will last 21 days (See the book of Daniel chapters 1:12; 10:3).
So when Darron invited me on a Soup Date on New Year's Eve, I just thought that was the sweetest invitation. He took me to La Madeline's and we had Tomato Basil soup and water. That has got to be one of my most memorable dates of 2008! Basking in the presence of my husband and my God. Does it get any better?
I am a huge believer in this: The way you exit a year is the way you will enter the next. Darron and I are so eager for the favor of the Lord and increase that we are willing to "buffet our flesh and its carnal appetites" for more of the Lord. So I decided to start early, too. I hadn't eaten anything yet, so why not?
On New Years' Eve, it had already been a day- and- a- half of a complete fast and the voice of the Lord was so much more pronounced! I love living like this! I love hearing His voice so effortlessly and without second-guessing. Sometime that afternoon Darron called me to ask me if I would consider going on a "Soup" Date with him. You see our Daniel Fast consists of the following diet: soups, juice and water. I am allowed salads/spinach and an occasional bowl of oatmeal or grits should I start loosing weight. Oh, and some wheat crackers. This will last 21 days (See the book of Daniel chapters 1:12; 10:3).
So when Darron invited me on a Soup Date on New Year's Eve, I just thought that was the sweetest invitation. He took me to La Madeline's and we had Tomato Basil soup and water. That has got to be one of my most memorable dates of 2008! Basking in the presence of my husband and my God. Does it get any better?
Happy New Year!
I hope that you are as excited about this year as much as I am! My beloved husband, Darron and I married just seven, short months ago. And in the midst of wedding planning we discussed from time to time that change was on the horizon. Not just the change of my name, my living arrangements, and the adaptation of learning how to become "one" with my spouse, but other significant changes as it related to our spiritual growth, place of worship, and our giving and wealth-building streams.
As God would have it, a brochure came to our home in the month of June inviting us to hear the riveting testimony of Bill Wiess's riveting message to the Body of Christ. I have to admit, as the testimony was about a 23-minute visitation to Hell, I wasn't interested; however, my husband was engrossed. He spent hours studying his testimony and looking up scriptural references that confirmed the speaker's encounter. Wanting to be supportive of Darron's interest, I attended the service held in Kingwood completely unaware that we would meet our future pastors at that event.
The testimony was stirring to say the least and although I did not meet the head pastor, I met his wife and found her personality delightful and her easy laugh contagious. They are Afrikkans from South Africa. She joked with us about how she was more African American than were we. Darron's quick and witty reply was, "You are right! I have never been to Africa. I am an American." And we laughed and laughed and laughed.
While perusing through their church flyer I was impressed by their boldness regarding the role of the Holy Spirit in the church body today. It really caught my attention.
Some time afterwards Darron received a call from him. He was so touched that he called me to tell me about their conversaion. On and on, my husband expounded upon how timely the pastor's call was. Before we knew it, we were exchanging phone calls and enjoying his wise counsel and his genuine extension of friendship. He never once tried to sweep us away from our current church and for this we were very grateful.
Soon it became quite apparent that this just might be the place God was leading us. Yet at the same time we were regularly visiting Believers Church in Katy, Texas. Which one, Lord?
You know for years I had been a faithful member of Lakewood Church. I had grown up there and never thought I would ever leave. I was even on staff for five years there. The person I am today is largely because of the greatness of that church and its leadership through the years. Even my husband's life was changed at Lakewood some nine years ago. Had he not met Jesus at Lakewood, he wouldn't even be alive today. And then I would have never met my Beloved. So we have a lot of fond, fond memories from that place.
However, nothing is forever as the late Pastor John Osteen used to say. The hardest decision was resigning from Compass and New Begginnings Classes as teachers and facilitators. We both love to teach! And it was a thrill ministering together in that capacity.
So as of December 22, 2008 we are now members of Christian Family Church, Int'l with Pastor Pieter and Tessa van Dyk. We are full of expectancy regarding where the Lord is about to take us. The best way that I can describe our unbridled joy is that we sense that we are on the launching pad. And as the Bishop T.D. Jakes would say, "Get ready, get ready, get ready!"
As God would have it, a brochure came to our home in the month of June inviting us to hear the riveting testimony of Bill Wiess's riveting message to the Body of Christ. I have to admit, as the testimony was about a 23-minute visitation to Hell, I wasn't interested; however, my husband was engrossed. He spent hours studying his testimony and looking up scriptural references that confirmed the speaker's encounter. Wanting to be supportive of Darron's interest, I attended the service held in Kingwood completely unaware that we would meet our future pastors at that event.
The testimony was stirring to say the least and although I did not meet the head pastor, I met his wife and found her personality delightful and her easy laugh contagious. They are Afrikkans from South Africa. She joked with us about how she was more African American than were we. Darron's quick and witty reply was, "You are right! I have never been to Africa. I am an American." And we laughed and laughed and laughed.
While perusing through their church flyer I was impressed by their boldness regarding the role of the Holy Spirit in the church body today. It really caught my attention.
Some time afterwards Darron received a call from him. He was so touched that he called me to tell me about their conversaion. On and on, my husband expounded upon how timely the pastor's call was. Before we knew it, we were exchanging phone calls and enjoying his wise counsel and his genuine extension of friendship. He never once tried to sweep us away from our current church and for this we were very grateful.
Soon it became quite apparent that this just might be the place God was leading us. Yet at the same time we were regularly visiting Believers Church in Katy, Texas. Which one, Lord?
You know for years I had been a faithful member of Lakewood Church. I had grown up there and never thought I would ever leave. I was even on staff for five years there. The person I am today is largely because of the greatness of that church and its leadership through the years. Even my husband's life was changed at Lakewood some nine years ago. Had he not met Jesus at Lakewood, he wouldn't even be alive today. And then I would have never met my Beloved. So we have a lot of fond, fond memories from that place.
However, nothing is forever as the late Pastor John Osteen used to say. The hardest decision was resigning from Compass and New Begginnings Classes as teachers and facilitators. We both love to teach! And it was a thrill ministering together in that capacity.
So as of December 22, 2008 we are now members of Christian Family Church, Int'l with Pastor Pieter and Tessa van Dyk. We are full of expectancy regarding where the Lord is about to take us. The best way that I can describe our unbridled joy is that we sense that we are on the launching pad. And as the Bishop T.D. Jakes would say, "Get ready, get ready, get ready!"
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Andersons
Well, it's about time. In an effort to get settled into married life, I had to put a few things on hold--blogging happened to be one of them. I sure have missed my blog.
In exactly four days, Darron and I will have been married two months. I absolutely love married life. I tease Darron a lot about how much laundry he accumulates! I wash clothes about twice a week to stay on top of everything. I was listening to a Marriage on the Rock CD on "Designing Your Dream Spouse." In the lesson, the female author of the book with the self-same title of the lesson shared how she spent the first four years of her marriage comparing her husband to her father or some other great, male leaders that she admired in her church. Why can't you be like Brother Such-and-Such, the great orator and speaker? Or Minister Whatcha-ma-call-him, the man of the supernatural? Unbenownest to her she was tearing her husband down with her words until one day she looked up and she didn't even recognize him.
Realizing that she was serving as a destructive force of the enemy rather than a "builder", she began to actively seek out wise counsel. She remembered a woman whose personality is typically domineering, passionate and strong who was married to a more reserved male. "How in the world does she do it?" she mused. How does she keep from running over him?" As she spoke with her friend and new mentor she learned a critical truth. She didn't marry the man in his "height" of greatness. In fact, he was far from that early in their relationship. But rather than speaking "to the gap" she spoke to his potential. (Lisa Bevere quote)
How many of us women speak to our spouse's gap (lack or insufficiency)? To our children's gaps rather than speaking to their potential? Proverbs 14:1 states, "A wise woman builds her house but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." With her own hands.
Are you your family's worse enemy?
Taking the wise advice of this woman who had been married longer than she and was experiencing sustained success in her marriage relationship, the mentor encouraged her to identify a man in the Bible to whom she could "safely" compare her husband to without tearing him down. And with the Holy Spirit's guidance, she identified Joseph as the biblical character that she most found as sharing similar attributes and character traits of that of her husband.
Most people know the story of Joseph's coat with many colors. This woman went out and bought a brand new suit for her husband. Then holding up the coat she allowed that coat to represent her husband as she tenderly laid hands on it and began to intercede for her husband. As she poured herself into that prayer something supernatural began to happen. She began to see her husband as Christ saw him and thus began to treat him as if he were a Joseph. She began to pray for him as if he were already the mighty leader rather than looking at him in disdain because he was still on "the path to becoming".
So as I wash my Beloved's laundry, I pray over his day-to-day business. I pray for wisdom and favor to rise up in him. I declare success, and light and understanding. I declare increase and promotion.
It's a powerful thing to see a man through God's eyes.
Million Dollar Question:
Whether you are married or not, does/will your spouse see his or herself through your eyes? Is that an encouraging or discouraging thing?
If it is discouraging, in what way can you begin changing that today? If it is encouraging, in what way can you increase the empowerment that you provide?
In exactly four days, Darron and I will have been married two months. I absolutely love married life. I tease Darron a lot about how much laundry he accumulates! I wash clothes about twice a week to stay on top of everything. I was listening to a Marriage on the Rock CD on "Designing Your Dream Spouse." In the lesson, the female author of the book with the self-same title of the lesson shared how she spent the first four years of her marriage comparing her husband to her father or some other great, male leaders that she admired in her church. Why can't you be like Brother Such-and-Such, the great orator and speaker? Or Minister Whatcha-ma-call-him, the man of the supernatural? Unbenownest to her she was tearing her husband down with her words until one day she looked up and she didn't even recognize him.
Realizing that she was serving as a destructive force of the enemy rather than a "builder", she began to actively seek out wise counsel. She remembered a woman whose personality is typically domineering, passionate and strong who was married to a more reserved male. "How in the world does she do it?" she mused. How does she keep from running over him?" As she spoke with her friend and new mentor she learned a critical truth. She didn't marry the man in his "height" of greatness. In fact, he was far from that early in their relationship. But rather than speaking "to the gap" she spoke to his potential. (Lisa Bevere quote)
How many of us women speak to our spouse's gap (lack or insufficiency)? To our children's gaps rather than speaking to their potential? Proverbs 14:1 states, "A wise woman builds her house but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." With her own hands.
Are you your family's worse enemy?
Taking the wise advice of this woman who had been married longer than she and was experiencing sustained success in her marriage relationship, the mentor encouraged her to identify a man in the Bible to whom she could "safely" compare her husband to without tearing him down. And with the Holy Spirit's guidance, she identified Joseph as the biblical character that she most found as sharing similar attributes and character traits of that of her husband.
Most people know the story of Joseph's coat with many colors. This woman went out and bought a brand new suit for her husband. Then holding up the coat she allowed that coat to represent her husband as she tenderly laid hands on it and began to intercede for her husband. As she poured herself into that prayer something supernatural began to happen. She began to see her husband as Christ saw him and thus began to treat him as if he were a Joseph. She began to pray for him as if he were already the mighty leader rather than looking at him in disdain because he was still on "the path to becoming".
So as I wash my Beloved's laundry, I pray over his day-to-day business. I pray for wisdom and favor to rise up in him. I declare success, and light and understanding. I declare increase and promotion.
It's a powerful thing to see a man through God's eyes.
Million Dollar Question:
Whether you are married or not, does/will your spouse see his or herself through your eyes? Is that an encouraging or discouraging thing?
If it is discouraging, in what way can you begin changing that today? If it is encouraging, in what way can you increase the empowerment that you provide?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Can You Believe it?--29 Days to the Big Day
Well, saints the glorious days is quickly approaching. Darron called me this morning at work to tell me that we are exactly 29 days out from our marriage union. Glory to God, forever! Even his colleagues at work are counting down for him.
Our motto has been, "No stress!" And we've done pretty well at keeping the tension down and resisting the external or internal pressures that come with wedding planning. You know the temptations. The temptation to try to "outspend" the Joneses so that your wedding can be listed in "People's" Magazine or something. I got the greatest advice. One from Jennifer O and another from Candria. Jenn dropped the vision of a chapel into my spirit...the wooden pews, the ambiance that is associated with grand structures, etc. I'll never forget how I teared up as she described what she wanted in a wedding venue. My response was a quiet testament to my own secret desire gently revealed. I knew that's what I wanted.
Then Candria, at breakfast one morning, told me to pick my Top 3 Must Have's and to not compromise on them one iota. She asked me to discover Darron's as well and to make a commitment to "make that happen"...everything else is unimportant.
What were my Top 3?
1. The Chapel
2. The Photography
3. The Ring/Dress
I can say with brimming pride and a skip in my step, that all 3 desires have been met.
Now although I have been asked about little niceties such as food, invitations, or party favors, because it's not in the Top 3, it won't receive the focus of my energy and time. As a couple, we have committed to ridding ourselves of the shackles of debt and to do so we must start with what is immediately before us--the wedding. Wise financial stewardship goes a long way and will only add to the peace and stability we desire in our home. And while there are gorgeous invitations out there, the primary purpose for an invitation is for the dissemination of information and not the wowwing of guests.
We can't break the bank to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. It's like what Pastor John Osteen used to say, "Those people who feel they have to keep up with the Joneses don't realize the Joneses went broke last week!"
I love that line! And by the way, our last name is not Jones, it's Anderson!
Our motto has been, "No stress!" And we've done pretty well at keeping the tension down and resisting the external or internal pressures that come with wedding planning. You know the temptations. The temptation to try to "outspend" the Joneses so that your wedding can be listed in "People's" Magazine or something. I got the greatest advice. One from Jennifer O and another from Candria. Jenn dropped the vision of a chapel into my spirit...the wooden pews, the ambiance that is associated with grand structures, etc. I'll never forget how I teared up as she described what she wanted in a wedding venue. My response was a quiet testament to my own secret desire gently revealed. I knew that's what I wanted.
Then Candria, at breakfast one morning, told me to pick my Top 3 Must Have's and to not compromise on them one iota. She asked me to discover Darron's as well and to make a commitment to "make that happen"...everything else is unimportant.
What were my Top 3?
1. The Chapel
2. The Photography
3. The Ring/Dress
I can say with brimming pride and a skip in my step, that all 3 desires have been met.
Now although I have been asked about little niceties such as food, invitations, or party favors, because it's not in the Top 3, it won't receive the focus of my energy and time. As a couple, we have committed to ridding ourselves of the shackles of debt and to do so we must start with what is immediately before us--the wedding. Wise financial stewardship goes a long way and will only add to the peace and stability we desire in our home. And while there are gorgeous invitations out there, the primary purpose for an invitation is for the dissemination of information and not the wowwing of guests.
We can't break the bank to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. It's like what Pastor John Osteen used to say, "Those people who feel they have to keep up with the Joneses don't realize the Joneses went broke last week!"
I love that line! And by the way, our last name is not Jones, it's Anderson!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
