something different

I bought a HUGE journal a few weeks ago.....

One for me to write some of my deepest thoughts and emotions in. I have always loved to journal, but here lately I don't feel as if writing on here is enough.

There are some things I just don't want everybody to know about. With that said, I may not be writing as much on here.....other than writing about things God is teaching me.

Maybe I'll be back when my life gets more exciting. lol

Lies Women Believe

"Lies Women Believe...and the Truth that sets them free"

That book is AMAZING!

I read it while in college, and have recently picked it up again. Let me just tell you that it is transforming so many areas of my life!!

It includes lies about:

-God

-Yourself

-Sin

-Marriage

-Children

-Emotions

-Circumstances

And provides TONS or scripture to counteract that lie with the Truth of God's Word.

I want to really encouraged you to get the book and read it.....especially if you are married! The chapter on marriage really changed my viewpoints on a lot of things!

Below is a quote from the chapter on circumstances......enjoy!

All of use have seasons when we feel we just can't keep going; we just can't take any more. As with every other are of decption, the key to defeating this lie is to counter it with the Truth. Regardless of what our emotions or our cicumstances may tell us, God's Word says, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor 12:9). Most of us are familiar with that verse. But, when it comes to the circumstances and trials of our lives, few of us really believe it. What we really believe is, "I can't go on....

*I can't take one more sleepless night with this sick child;

*I can't continue in this marriage;

* I can't bear to be hurt one more time by my mother-in-law;

* I can't keep making it with 3 teenagers and a mother with Alzheimer's living in our home..."

However, whether I choose to believe it or not, if I am His child, the Truth is that "His grace is sufficient for me." (This is assuming, of course, that I haven't taken on myself responsibilities He never intended me to carry. If the burden is God-given, I can go on my His grace.) His grace is sufficient for every moment, every circumstance, every detail, every need, and every failure of my life.

Forgive

I'm learning so much right now, and I'm so thankful for God always teaching new things.

Just wanted to give a quick post on one thing that I'm trying to grasp....

FORGIVENESS.

I have been hurt by some people throughout the past several years, and have held on to such bitterness towards them. Over the past 2-3 weeks, God has been gradually been softening my heart towards that bitterness, and telling me to forgive and let go.

This morning at church, the entire message was on the topic, so I'm guessing that it's time to let go. The pastor brought up 3 different tenses of forgiveness.

Forgive = the thought/ agreement to make the 1st step.

Forgiving = in the process of the matter.....

Forgiven = the done deal. completely let go, and forgiveness has been done.

I have never thought about the matter in that way. I think we all know forgiveness is a process. Just because I say I want to forgive, doesn't mean I have forgiven.

My hurt is not nearly as bad as I know others have been through in life. But while the world says "you have a right to be mad....don't forgive." God's word says "Forgive as you have been forgiven."

I'm working on it.....and with God's help, I will get there one day. Here are some verses that go along with the subject.

Romans 12:14- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:17-21

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (prov 25:21-22) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

The challenge that was given this morning was to pray for that person that has hurt you everyday for 30 days. Pray for blessings upon them... (rom 12:14).

Who do you have to forgive?? Will you begin the process with me today?

Meltdown

I love my job. Really, I do. But days like today make me wonder "Am I really cut out to do this for the rest of my life?"

Here are some real phone calls that I have had today:

*Call from Client: My daughter said she wants to kill herself, and that she's tire of putting up with life....my mother's in the hospital and they don't know what's wrong with her.

*Call from Client: My grandson won't tell me anything that's wrong with him (teenager boy). I know something happened at his mom's, but he says everything's fine. Can you get some information out of him without letting him know I spoke with you? (yeah, that's always easy!)

*Conversation with school system: No, he (18 year old) can't be enrolled in the degree completion program due to not being enrolled in high school, and he can't enroll in high school unless he's enrolled in the degree completion program. (yeah, catch 22!) Pretty much, he should just get his GED, there's nothing we can do.

*From my Supervisor: NEW CASE FOR YOU.....teenager with mental health problems, just got out of the hospital. Dad has no clue about what to do about her horrible behavior. (those are always fun)

And last but not least, I got ANOTHER phone call just a bit ago from the mother of the suicidal daughter....she was talking about it again tonight. After over an hour on the phone with the family, I suppose I'm convinced that the daughter won't harm herself tonight.

And then I had a melt down......

My absolute worse fear as a Social Worker is for one of my clients to commit suicide. Scares me to death.......

So needless to say, the conversations about that today have upset me more than anything else.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated for that young girl. You don't know who she is, but God does....

Newton smewton....

Ok, so this post would be on facebook, but I have too many Auburn fans that would get upset.....

I really really really don't like quarterbacks who completely take over the whole game. That's what running backs are for.

I didn't like Tebow and him always "stealing the show" by making Florida a one-man team, and now I really don't like Newton who is doing the same thing.

AND the announcers constantly talking about the guy doesn't make me any happier! lol

Football is about playing as a TEAM......throw the ball, hand the ball off to somebody else, but if you keep running the ball yourself, you're going to get hurt.

If now now, then especially when the Tide Rolls on you!!!!

Just had to get that off my chest.

ROLL TIDE!

TRUST

Throughout this weekend, every devotion I have, no matter what the passage, it seems like God is telling me to trust.

The book of Daniel..... read it!

Daniel made a decision not to defile himself by eating what he was told to eat. He continued worshiping God despite being told the consequences he would face. The lion's den. DEATH!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego (not sure if those are spelled right) even were thrown into a burning pit full of fire because of their service and devotion to God.

Both are stories from the book of Daniel. I read part of it earlier this weekend, and was in awe of these people's complete dedication to God.

But what do we do when told:

"You can't openly talk about religion or pray at work...its unethical.....you will be terminated if you do so"

We shut our mouths. We fear for our jobs more than we fear our God.

When I say "we" I'm really meaning "I/me" because this is what God has eaten me up about lately.

But God saved Daniel from the lions....not a scratch was on him!

God saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego from the fire......perfectly unharmed!

And God can and will save you from things today as well.

My mind is going in a thousand different directions right now as I think about the many ways I lack complete trust in God.

My prayer is that I will place all my trust in Him and be devoted and a servant to him just as Daniel and others have been throughout the Bible.

Did they fall? Yes, they were human.

So why do we believe this world when we are told that Christians can't fall....or that you're a hypocrite if you ever sin.

That's not the truth! Get back up, get in the word and He is right there waiting!!

Every. Single. Time!