Embracing a Different Perspective

As a woman I find myself many times drifting towards perceptions even when I know truth. You may have heard it said, "People's perception is their reality". Well, "What is my perception about who I am as a woman of God....daughter of the King"? Is my perception based on the truth of God's Word or based on lies of the enemy. The adversary doesn't want me to embrace the truths in God's Word and embrace freedom in Him. Jesus gladly peels off the scarlet letters that have been pinned all over us. Nothing's too hard for Him. There is no past He can't restore, no lie He can't erase, and no offense He can't make right. He takes the stones that have injured us and turns them into jewels fit for a crown.

Psalm 27:1 -"The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"

I can drift toward the perception of who I am or even what I think others think of me when that becomes my focus instead of the truth. I then take things personally & react defensively.

Think of it this way - We as women, at one time or another , have all done "shadowboxing". In other words, we percieve what we think someone else may be thinking, and in anger we react to that perception. In our minds we get mad, react, and then defend ourselves. And then, based on little or no factual information, we soon find ourselves swinging at the air because of a percieved conflict with an opponent who is totally unaware of their offense or our feelings.

2 Corinthians 10:5 - "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

NLT - "We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ."

Our reaction to this perception can be based on our past, our pride, the need to be right & even the desire to be percieved perfect. I am realizing that I can spend thousands of dollars trying to improve myself, and way too much energy trying to prove myself, when what I really need is to be purified.

1 John 3 -"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..........Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure."

Matthew 5:8 -"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Thank you, Father, that you have forgiven me, You have redeemed me, and retored me! I refuse to buy into the world's perception of who I am. I will treasure and value what is true and lovely and worthy of praise. I release to you my own perceptions and help me to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Help me to relenquish the need to be right or wrong and to live and move and breath by your Holy presence. Help me to daily renew my mind in Your Word.

Love is Forgiving

John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

We are on Day 22. We are halfway through our 40 Day journey of loving like Jesus! It is truly life-changing. We have looked at 3 powerful principles modeled and taught by Jesus:
1. Place the highest value on relationships
2. Love as Jesus loves you
3. Communicate from the heart

Last night we looked at Love is Forgiving.

1 Corinthians 13:5 - Love...doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do."

I am praying for the Lord to transform my memory and help me to release to Him the wrongs of others and not keep a list. I know I wouldn't want someone to keep a list of all of my wrong choices so I need to do the same for others. Love is forgiving!

Luke 6:27-28 - "Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

3 Reasons to forgive others:
- God has forgiven me
- Bitterness makes you miserable
- You are going to need more forgiveness in the future.

Lord, help me to forgive others because You have forgiven me. Help me to realize that I can forgive others through You. Help me to love like Jesus.

Love Like Jesus

John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Wow, this journey that we are on as a church....40 Days of Love....is convicting! I thought I was doing ok - loving one another, but the familiar truths we are learning are challenging me to really look at the way I love others. Sunday's message from John 8 and the example Jesus gives us in how He truly loves people can be life changing.

As much as Jesus loves me I am to love others the same way.....through Him! Jesus treats me much better than I deserve......His love is unfailing, unconditional, eternal, perfect tender, with "no strings attached", holding nothing back. Thank you, Jesus!

Romans 15:7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

Thank you for Your Word, it speaks truth to me. I need to filter everything through Your Word.....Do I accept others like You accept me? Do I value others like You value me? Do I forgive others like you forgive me? Do I believe in others like You believe in me?

Thank You, Father, for loving me, accepting me, placing value on my life, forgiving me and believing in me. You breathed life into me!

Decorating for Fall

I love the colors of the leaves, the smell of warm apple pie and pumpkins! I love this time of year. I am decorating our home with the colors of fall because when you live in Florida you don't get to see the leaves change in color. I definately do not miss raking the leaves but they sure are beautiful. It is pretty cool to have a "fall" atmosphere in your home, maybe even a fire in the fireplace (not yet it is too warm unless the air is on), homemade soup cooking and warm bread baking.....and then sitting by the pool.....all in the same day! Last Friday Katie and I made a trip to Pennsylvania to see friends and our Zion family:) Western Pa.....Zion is a special place to us. We love you all!
We went to all of our favorite places on Main St. First stop.....Michele's Cafe for coffee with Pam and Kris. I have loved and treasured their friendship!


Then Pam and I had to get subs from the best sub shop....Bob's Sub!!!!



We stopped at Zion and then made our way to the Ladies Retreat at the Castle in Franklin. What a beautiful place for a Ladies Retreat.......thank you for letting me be apart of it. I had so much fun catching up with everyone and hearing how all of our kids are growing up. I love each one of you ladies!!!


Barb and Catherine you did a great job leading us in worship with Cara and Kelly.
God used you in an incredible way....it was great to see you :)!!!


Pam, you are doing a great job with the ladies of Zion. They are blessed to have
you as their Pastor's wife......I love you, my friend!!! The Clarion River......memories of Canoe trips, kayaks and tubing:)

Katie saying goodbye to Breanna and Chara....we love you girls, thanks for hanging out with Katie and having a sleepover with Kara and Ashley.

Our First Gator Game!

What an awesome day we had in the"swamp" for our first Gator Game!

Here we are before the game.....Kerry, me, Robbie and Kristi...dressed in our Gator colors:)


Even the Gators at the stadium are dressed up in their Gator colors! Thank you John & Olga for an incredible memory filled with friends, great food and a great game.
Katie and Breanna had so much fun too and we shared some chocolate and popcorn with them:)
The verse for the day from the Message was Proverbs 12:3 - "You can't find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm."

Go Gators....this week we play Tennessee.

Fresh Brewed Life

Fresh Brewed Life - A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul - By: Nicole Johnson

As much as I love coffee I was drawn to this book by the cover but the wit and wisdom of Nicole left me savoring each chapter.

Matthew 11:28-30 - "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

The fragrance that comes from surrender is like a cup of fresh brewed coffee. Surrendering to God unlocks the door to the life you've always wanted. When we give ourselves to God - mind, body, soul & spirit - He changes us. Smell the aroma of a surrendered life!

An authentic life and self is one in which the layers on the outside are merely expressions of the core on the inside. The core on the inside is what we surrender to God.

Matthew 22:37 - "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."

I read this book back in June of 2000 but I still come back to it like refreshing a good cup of coffee. She leads you on a journey of awakenings - first to God as you respond to His tender, passionate love for you; second, to yourself as you embrace your identity as a woman, your gifts, and your dreams; finally, to others as you learn to love and communicate in ways that bring joy and closeness. It is filled with not only truths from God's Word to apply to your life but she has also included movies to watch, coffee recipes & stories to inspire you or just make you smile.

Fresh Brewed Life will help you to shake of the doldrums and shout a resounding "Yes!" to everything God has for you.

I am going to fill up my coffee cup and say "Yes!" to all that God has for me today.....and then I will brew a fresh pot tomorrow:)

Confidence

"Confidence is yours even if you weren't voted
Most Likely to Suceed".

Confidence has nothing to do with our background, our personality, our physical appearance, our financial status, it is not the result of accomplishments, it isn't related to the friends we have or even where we have traveled. True confidence comes from within and it comes from our relationship with Christ.

Jesus is our confidence.....

Psalm 71:5 - "For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth."

Psalm 118:8 -"It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man."

Proverbs 3:26 -"for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

Jeremiah 17:7 -"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."

God wants you and I to have confidence as we journey through life. God wants us to be confident in our faith, in our gifts/abilities but especially in Him. He gets the glory when our trust in Him gives us the confidence to tackle whatever challenge He puts before us.