Honesty &Transparency In Friendships ~

Posted on July 17, 2014 by darla05

mother teresa2

Friendships… It is  always a conversation that  seems to makes its way to the front burner. I guess it is because I am always hearing about another friendship that has gone South as the saying goes.  I  also read articles or blogs on sites that I belong to about the lack of friendships, the ruins of it. So many have experienced hurt and betrayal. Why does this continue? What is the key? What is the missing link in friendships today?

I have experienced my own heartbreak in these area.  Relationships that dissolve can bring on many questions. I am one that can analyze everything, from every angle and guess what, sometimes I still do not get the answers I seek. I have learned to trust God when I don’t know why. He is making my heart steady in this area. Even when it hurts and it is hard,  I know all things work together for good for those of us who love and serve the Lord. He is faithful. He is sovereign over all. He removes people from our lives and at times we do not understand or know the answers. He does ~

Today with all the social media sites, I believe it has changed the meaning of friend. To me, it does not have the same meaning to society anymore.

As a Christian, should our friendships not look different from those of the world? For many of us, that is one of the problems is there is no difference. What does ” friend” mean to you? What does being a brother or sister in Christ mean?

For me, the foundation of friendship is being real  and transparent. For the close members of my tribe, they hear me say four words a lot in the last few months. Real, transparent, listen and obey. Four words that the Lord has placed on my heart.

What does Transparent mean? Webster defines transparent as having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly passing light without diffusion or distortion. Free from pretense or deceit. Easily detected or seen through, readily understood.  Don’t you love that it says what it is and what it is not?

The closer I grow to the Lord the more I see Him in everything. He wants His light clearly passing through us without diffusion or distortion. In everything, in every way, Praise the Lord. Praising the Lord in our day to day life will have more meaning and make more of a difference than any sermon that is ever preached on any given Sunday. 

A true friend is real in that they reveal their struggles. They ask and want and expect accountability. It is easy to say I want an accountability partner. It is harder to live out those words.  REAL friends sharpen each other and we help each other when we stumble or when we are heading down the wrong path that does not line up with the word of God. We also do it kindly. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He is not going to insult you or humiliate you. How many times have I heard stories when it started out… Thus saith the Lord and it was anything but the Lord. Feelings were hurt. Rejection was felt and people walked away saying if this is Christianity than I don’t want any part of it. What devastation for the body of Christ and heartbreak for the person who was on the receiving end. I can only imagine how this breaks the heart of our redeeming Savior.

Being Real and Transparency creates a safe environment. We feel accepted. I believe the one universal truth in ALL of us  is we want to be accepted no matter what creed, status, religion, age or color.

Christ was our example. Think of the stories. The woman caught in adultery. The lepers, the  outcast of society. Christ knew ALL of their deepest sins and wrong thinking and weaknesses, yet He spent time with them. He sat at their table. He touched ones that no one else would have even acknowledged their existence. He was a difference maker.

He healed them.

He befriended them.

He SAVED them.

He set the ultimate example for us to be REAL and TRANSPARENT ~

Why are we not  more transparent in the church today? Is it that we do not  want our brothers and sisters in Christ to clearly see our heart? To see the sins we struggle with, the pains in our heart, our fears? Like the definition says, when we are not transparent, all you see is a distortion. Pride is a key factor also. When we lay down our ego and our pride and the foot of the cross , great things can happen.

When we are not transparent with one another, we are being deceitful. The masks we wear cover who we truly are. We are lying about who we are by having others get to know this masked person instead of the real person behind it. The word of God tells us to bear one another’s burdens. How can we do that if we don’t know what those burdens are because of the masks that we wear? Why do we put on this act of having it all together? It is a major issue.  We ALL have issues.  As our Pastor Chris Hodges says, if you don’t think you have an issue that is your issue.  Where was the holier than thou act taught? Who told us that we have to act like we are perfect and have all the answers? This act fools nobody. I am the first to say I do not have all the answers But, I know who does. Our hope is in the Lord.

I believe true Christian friendship requires mutual transparency, don’t you? Can I get an Amen ? I want a friend who does not hide  who they really are but who is transparent  with me. A true friend reveals their struggles and asks for accountability. We pray for one another. We help each other walk when one stumbles.

Each time I sit down and  start writing my thoughts down and share my heart in my outlet of writing, one more layer of transparency comes through.  It’s not easy to bear my soul to the world. I feel vulnerable.  The potential for being judged, for being hurt, for being rejected is great. But Jesus did all of that for us, didn’t He? Again, HE is our example.

I believe when the body of Christ is not performing in their gifts and their calling , we are insufficient in every way for the body. I believe God gives us each other in the body of Christ to lift one another up, carry each others burdens, and to extend to one another the same love and grace we have been given. God, in his wisdom, has chosen to use the body of Christ as one of the means through which he uses to change us.

When we are real, transparent, listen and obey , then and only then can we see the love of Christ shine in and through each other. When we are sharpening each other in the word and through prayer and encouragement, we become more like Jesus.

The change we are seeking in friendships in the body of Christ will happen when we take off the mask. It is there, in that moment of feeling your heart is  exposed , that Christ uses our Christian friends to be the physical hands and feet and( arms to hug, I am in the South, we hug ) of Jesus.  Friends embrace us, accept us, and walk with us along this journey of the Christian life.  In our weaknesses is when the power of Christ shows up. I certainly need His strength.

Know the Lord created us to need one another. HE designed us to be that way. Let’s be what our example intended for us to be ~ We have to get this right to be difference makers for Him. He is our strength. He is our shield . My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Cast your cares , your masks on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall.

Lord, create in us a new heart. Change our perspective. May we lay down our mask at your feet. Open our eyes Lord.  For those who see with loving eyes, Life is Beautiful. For those who speak with tender voices, Life is peaceful, For those who help with gentle hands, Life is full and for those who care with compassionate hearts, hearts like yours Lord, Life is good beyond ALL measure. Lord, I want to use my influence to draw my friends closer to you. May your light shine through my weaknesses and your powerful grace show through. I want to be a difference maker for you Lord. Draw us closer to you and each other. Amen ~

Posted in Biblical perspective, Christian, Christian Inspiration, Faith, Friendship | Tagged , | 5 Comments

In The Secret Place

Posted on July 13, 2014 by darla05

Today has been a day of reflection for me. I have read through all 48 writings that I have written this year. I have read through notes in my Bible. Searching and reflecting and asking for Revelation, Wisdom and Divine Discernment that only He can give. This piece is the second thing I put on paper in this new journey of writing.  In the stillness of my mind this is where I long to go. I long for more of Him. I truly need more of Him. I need his peace that flows like a river. This warrior needs a rest. Lord, place me in your secret place that I may rest and renew in your strength and love. Equip me, guide me , use me, I place my life in your hands ~ Lord,  I just need a little more faith to believe what I already know ~

 

Psalms 91:1
He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the most Almighty.

What comes you your mind when you hear the secret place?  As a kid maybe it was a tree house or a fort or a hide away built in your closet. Only those who had the secret password could enter.

As an adult, I read this and I ask the Lord, what is this secret place? Where is this place that I can hide under or in your shadow? I want to find it. I NEED to find it. I find myself on a mission. In these last days and we are in the last days, I want to dig deeper. NO , It is more than that, I want to go places that I have never been. A new level. A spiritual longing that cannot be quenched.

I have been searching and reading this week about this very place. Studying to show thyself approved.My favorite person in the Bible, King David speaks of this place when he is in a battle. I find it interesting that the hiding place is revealed to those in trouble … to those needing a refuge … to those in the middle of a storm. We all have been there. Maybe you are experiencing one right now. So many times for me , it is only when I sense my weakness or needs that I look for the refuge of God’s protection. When I feel like my life is out of my control, that is when I seek His presence or for years I did the opposite and I was running from him. I want to quit riding the roller coaster and be consistent. In times of plenty and in spiritual highs and in times of the valleys know that I know He is my rock and my fortress. In HIM I will trust.

This secret place is a place of holiness. We are only able to abide there with  ”a pure heart (Psalm 24:4). Only he who has been covered in the blood of Jesus may abide in God’s presence. The minute we sin, we are again kicked out of the garden and are unable to enter again until we have confessed our sin. God is a holy God and cannot look upon or dwell with sin. Nothing impure can abide with Him. The moment we are out of His presence, out of the secret place, we are no longer hidden, and the enemy now has free access to do as he pleases with us. So thankful that HE has given us the comforter, the Holy Spirit to counsel us. To nudge us and who continues to tell us to come on back. He speaks to me….. I know you messed up but the Sovereign God, your father, YES my father, wants me to come on back in his presence . Without holiness, we are outside of the protection of God. But if we are hidden in Him and continue to die to sin, then “no evil shall befall us, nor come near our dwelling (Psalm 91:10).” When we are covered and sanctified in Christ, we enjoy the safety and peace that only he can provide and sustain. God gives us righteousness to do right, NOT do right to get righteousness. (Love that saying from Joyce Meyer) Think on that. ~~~~~Selah ~~~~~

In the secret place, we are safe from harm. We are hidden in God’s love . This is the place of Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It is a place of assurance. It is the place of Isaiah 30:15, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” It is a place of rest, quietness, and confidence. This is a place of healing. No stress is allowed in the heavenly place of Christ’s love. It is a place of peace, love and intimacy with God. It is a place of renewal and restoration. It is a place of revelation, and it is the place of God’s glory. It is a place where prayer is not only speaking to God, but when God speaks back to us and we listen and OBEY !

We have free access into the secret place, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and we should take advantage of it. Everyday we should spend a good amount of time in this place. I read something that said… This is the birthplace of every miracle. No dream will ever see fulfillment unless the dreamer learns to rest in the secret place. No vision will ever be established without times of resting in God’s holiness.

The only way we will experience God’s power is if we become one with Him . Only then can the light of the kingdom of heaven shine through us and into this dark world and people will be saved from sin and death. He has called us to be his disciples and preach the gospel. It is not a request, it is a command. If we know what we are to do and do not do it then it is sin.

We have to stay in the shelter … in the secret place. So how do we do that? Jeremiah 29:13-14 – You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart…I will be found by you, declares the LORD.

secret placeThese verses tell us where we find that secret place: ~~~

Psalm 18:11 – He made darkness his secret place; his canopy around about him, darkness of dark waters, thick clouds of the skies.
Psalm 27:5 – For in the day of trouble he will conceal me in his tabernacle: in the secret place of his tent he will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
Psalm 31:20 – You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
Psalm 32:7 – You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psalm 61:4 – Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.
Psalm 81:7 – You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
Psalm 119:114 – You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.

 

Posted in Believe, Bible, Biblical perspective, Christian, Christian Inspiration, Christianity, Confidence, Courage, Determination, Encouragment, Grace, Inspirational | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Hard Time Will Always Reveal True Friend

Posted on July 12, 2014 by darla05

friendship behind your back

Sometimes we expect more from others because we would be willing to do that much for them. One of my dearest friends wrote what I am sharing. With her permission, I am sharing this. It is hard for me to see injustice done to someone that I care so much about. I am the warrior for the ones I love. I am fiercely loyal and want to go to battle for them. There is a season for everything. In these times we trust our Sovereign God . He ordains all. He is our defender. We must trust in him at all times. Pour our heart out to Him for he is our refuge.

She was there for me last week through some revealing and refining that the Lord was doing in me. She was listening to me and my heart open wide and exposing my struggles and feelings of inadequacies. She sat by as the tears were pouring down my face.  Who knew the very next week it would be me encouraging her. We are both cheerleaders and encouragers. It is rarely the encourager gets encouraged. SO thankful that our friendship has lasted through the years and miles. As I told her, a righteous man (woman) may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalms 34:19.

I am sharing this because during our darkest hours of night, HE is there. She is pouring out her heart and the raw emotions are leaping off the page. There are few things that hurt me as much as the act of betrayal by a friend.  But, our redeeming Savior experienced that too. There is a saying that I have said many times this year, I started praying for the Lord to protect me from my enemies and I started loosing friends. God does everything for our good even when it does not feel like it. He knows who we need in our lives and He removes who we don’t. Trust in Him ~  My friend HE is refining you for such a time as this ~ Stay strong and continue the course. The road is narrow and sometimes rough. True companions are few but OUR GUIDE , He is reliable and HE will see you through.  You are loved DeeDee Shaw ~

 

Do you sometimes struggle with how people respond to situations? It is a rare occasion that my fuse burns down and ignites my soul. Cleaning or digging in the dirt are usually my solace when this happens. Sometimes, the emotions are so raw that solace isn’t even sought. Do you allow yourself to wallow in self pity? One of the qualities of leadership and growth, and a measuring stick for determining your maturity and emotional fitness is how long you wallow. Today was a day of wallowing. In a split second my life was changed, and that flame etched a forever memory into my soul. Pollyanna would remind me to be glad that no one died or was injured (and I am.) I am usually pretty good at playing the glad game, so much so that my children get sick of it. Today Satan’s voice was louder. F A I L U R E he shouted. You are a loser he whispered. So much for the confidence I was preaching to a friend not long ago. I have pondered that conversation and tried to define the difference in confidence and self confidence. Maybe the real word I was looking for was determination. Confidence is often placed in things, inanimate props, or is sometimes attached to financial successes and tangible achievements. We become confident when we achieve something, or master a skill. I honestly think self confidence can’t be taught or developed. The more I think about it, the more I think it is rooted in our faith in God. Can you have self confidence that you will be successful even if you have failed? Only if you dig deep and cling to determination coupled with faith in a power greater than yourself.
If you have that determination deep within your soul, it will surface, and you will get back up when circumstances push you down. Maybe people without faith can succeed, but I know it is the strength that I draw off of when I am unable to get back up on my own. I can do, all things through, Christ who strengthens me. (can you hear the tune?) Without Christ, I am a miserable blubbering excuse of a human being. In my weakness, He makes me strong. I don’t always believe that. Do you? I still don’t feel strong. I am the child warrior who crumples to the ground when no one is around. My armor isn’t invincible, and today my heart was pierced.
I have processed through a lot of emotions in my lifetime including the death of my son, but I can honestly say what I struggled to work through today was harder in many ways. It had to do with me failing, and finding myself in a position where I couldn’t “fix” it. Not only that, in my failings, I have failed my children. I am so thankful that God is a God of second chances. I can not imagine the anguish he feels when we fail in the tasks he sets before us because I know my internal turmoil is a finite taste of his infiniteness. What if God only gave us one chance?
If there is one shortcoming I see in Christians it is their ability to extend grace. Here in the south we do it in a superficial way outwardly (which in my opinion exacerbates the problem.) Inwardly we carry on conversations with ourselves though, don’t we? If we entertain them, they will eventually become discussions out of range of the listening ear of the one who needs grace. It is never easy to accept criticism, but it is especially difficult when it comes to you in a way that excludes Matthew 18:15. That is a verse that is always referenced when there is a conflict, but there are so many more that are just as applicable. If you have an issue with a brother or sister in Christ, it is especially important that you seek biblical resolutions. Always, we are to live a peace with others to the best of our ability. (Rom 12:18) Some people feign peace and create strife, crying peace, peace, when there is no peace. (Jer 6:14, 8:11)
A little bit of grace goes a long way especially when you couple it with kind exhortations.
As moved into the realm of needing a physical outlet for my frustrations today, I decided to clean my long neglected bathroom. And God used it as a teaching moment. As I stood on my head scrubbing with baking soda and vinegar I contemplated how much easier it would be to use toxic chemicals. Outwardly I’d get the results I was wanting faster and with much less effort, but at what cost? Am I willing to trade convenience for cancer? I have to admit, I do sometimes give in, when I have neglected the task for so long that I know doing it the healthy way isn’t going to be easy. As I scrubbed, my thoughts transferred the same principle to tending relationships. Sometimes it isn’t fun to confront someone or point out areas where they need to improve, but a healthy relationship needs that. It also needs a heavy dose of grace, administered often. When we seek to handle a situation without using biblical principles it is like cleaning with toxic chemicals. Outwardly it might look “clean” and you may have gotten the results you were seeking, but expect there to be some collateral damage. It might not surface immediately, but it will accumulate and eventually create problems, and usually the problem that emerges is far more detrimental than the issue that was never addressed correctly.
The question then becomes: How will we handle it when the toxic buildup surfaces like the iceberg in front of the Titanic? Let us learn from history and not be so arrogant to think we are unsinkable. We can choose to react or respond. Today I must confess; I reacted. We can choose to unleash our righteous anger and feel justified, or we can question what it is we are supposed to learn and move forward. How long we are frozen at this crossroads determines how much of our life we waste. I hope that putting some of my musings on paper kept this from being a totally wasted day. There is something about anger that many people don’t realize. It is always more damaging to the giver than the receiver, even when it is justifiable. We can’t compare it to Jesus’ anger either because he managed to be angry and not sin. The rest of us don’t escape so easily, even if it is just sinful thoughts. One way or another we choose. People don’t make us angry. We choose to react. People don’t make us happy or sad. We choose, regardless of the emotion. We can spin our wheels wishing things had been done differently, we can be paralyzed by our feelings, or we can choose to seek to treat others differently than we have been treated (and often differently than they deserve.) Our choice affects US more than anyone else.
We can let the death of a dream destroy us, or we can succumb to the change of direction God is leading. There will always be a path in front of us if we are willing to exercise faith and step out onto the next rock. When it looks as if the vastness of the sea will swallow us up, God will part the waters. I have to believe that, even when I don’t see it, even when I don’t feel it.

Posted in Confidence, Determination, Faith, Perseverence | 1 Comment

Each Day His Grace Finds Me ~

Posted on July 9, 2014 by darla05

 

 

Psalm 143God is so faithful.

He continues to remind me that He is not calling for a perfect heart but an obedient one. Four words He has given me….Four words I say over and over…. REAL….TRANSPARENT…. LISTEN….. OBEY ~ Every day. In every situation that life brings.

Last night was the last meeting of our Summer small group. It is so awesome to see a group sharing the answers to prayer. The struggles with life and share how the Lord is working through the midst of it all. For me, He is showing me that when I am real and reveal my weaknesses that He shows up. He is the strength that I need.

He gave me confirmations last night that were so needed for where I am in my life right now. Most of the time we never know what we do when we are obedient to him does in the big scheme of things. We seldom see the results. Last night through a special lady sharing a story, HE showed me what happens when I will be obedient to what He tells me to do. He showed what happens when I will step out of my comfort zone, yes with knees knocking and I start getting red spots all over my skin that look like a Dalmatian when I get nervous, STEP OUT. IF only I will take the first step, I will find him there. I know it is not possible in my own strength but He is the strength that I need. He allowed a door to open and I got to see what happens when I obey. The domino effect was breathtaking ~

A friend of mine that has seen me display my good, bad and ugly side said to me recently when she met me years ago that she was amazed at the confidence I had. It overflowed. Where did that go? My answer was, “Was it confidence or arrogance?” He has stripped away so many things and there is STILL more work to be done. He is stripping away the pride in the wrong things. The stinking thinking , the worldly attitudes. He has and continues to create in me a new heart. This unfamiliar territory that I am walking on is truly out of my comfort zone. But, if it is one thing that I am learning it is this, the only way we grow is to step out of the comfort zone. He is stretching my faith in ways that I have never dreamed. He is using the vulnerable side of me to make a difference. He really did take me up on my request, Less of me and more of Him. Be prepared when you say that to Him.

The last couple of weeks I have seen thoughts and attitudes surface that I did not even know was inside me. The potter is surely at work. The stripping away of the impurities is happening. Just like the song lyrics of the Potter’s hand, HE is gently calling me into His presence. He is guiding me and teaching me to live all my life through His eyes.

He is taking me and molding me, using me and filling me, calling me and guiding me each step of the way. He is walking beside me and one thing I know for sure is each day He is holding my life and my hopes and dreams in His hands.

He is my beautiful Lord and wonderful Savior. Lord, set me apart. Draw me closer to you.

I truly give my life to the Potter’s hand. Keeping it real, transparent, listening and obeying my loving Savior. The days I don’t get it right, the days I fall on my face, He picks me up. His mercies are new every morning. Each battle, Each trial is one step closer to being clothe with more of His character. Know that God gave us righteousness to do right, we do not do right to get more righteousness.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. There is never a dull moment. He is an amazing God. Each day in every way His grace finds me ~

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Life Lessons with Bali ~

Posted on July 7, 2014 by darla05

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Last week I truly encountered every emotion known to man at the horse clinic in Georgia.  Excitement, frustration, anger, helplessness, insecurity, overwhelmed,  tears of happiness and sadness flowed freely.  There was so much information given. There were so many lessons learned about myself and my horses.  My brain is still in “information overload” mode but I am starting  to sort it all out.

Horses teach us things about ourselves that we cannot even begin to imagine. Our two instructor’s Ari and Hayden are in their early twenties. They have been around horses all their lives. They are wise beyond their years and they keep refining their skills.  They have truly been given a gift from God and it is truly amazing to sit back and listen to them and watch how they break down complex thing and make them simple.

If I lay it all on the table here and I am  perfectly transparent, they taught this 48 year old a lot about herself and the instructions and lessons with the horses were a bonus.

There were a couple of days that I said, ” Bali made me angry or frustrated.” It was he did this and I did that. My words reflected what was very clear, there was not a partnership.  I learned that Bali was being Bali and what he does naturally.  Those days  showed me that I don’t know how to maintain my composure in certain  situations and I was not acting  emotionally fit for my horses. When  I got frustrated with him and myself  it was because he was not doing what I wanted him to do. He did not  react favorably when I lost my  temper because he thinks like a prey animal and I was acting like a predator.  His instincts will always  prevail and he’ll do whatever it takes to get away from the predator. Yes, that could involve, running off, shutting down or rearing  or whatever it takes to get rid  of the predator which was me.

I love my horses dearly. I have rarely been angry around them. I have learned this past week that I possessed limited knowledge about natural horsemanship and that is what triggered the emotions that I was feeling. IT also did not help to be in the hot blazing sun ALL day and experiencing the first major sunburn that I have had in years. One day it was pouring down rain and we were still going.  Lack of sleep was another factor. Away from my routine and my comfortable familiar surrounding all added up to a hectic week. But, when I start breaking it down, it showed me that it is really easy to maintain your composure when all the external things around us are in sync. It is really revealing when the pressure is turned way up and my reaction to it all.

I went out the next morning with a different attitude. I was determined to not show any emotions. Calmly ask everything. All the tasks we could not do the day before we sailed through them. Same horse, same HOT  SUN conditions just with a different attitude on my part. It created a different attitude in him. My words  changed also. It was now , WE did this and WE did that. I was amazed. I was wanting to break out with shouting and dancing and margaritas on the house for all but I had to control my emotions even when I was happy.  What a life lesson.

The more we learn about horses the more we can set ourselves up for success. It can only get better the more knowledge we gain, the time we take and  the time we set aside  to practice with them perfectly. Keep refining our skills.  The horses will mimic their owner. Boy, was that a lightbulb moment. He can only be as good as the leadership I am offering him. If I do not have the same high  standards day to day it will speak volumes through him.

Ari and Hayden have theory classes every afternoon. They breakdown the barriers we have with horses in a classroom environment. It was powerful. They were relating how we have low standards with horses. Their tag line was, “Don’t be a hussy.” I was a hussy without realizing it. Some days I require the horses to have great manners and be respectful and then there are days that I am in a hurry and I will let them by with less than acceptable behavior. They said think of it this way, would we be ok with our spouses being faithful part-time? Well, obviously there was a big NO in the room. We should not allow our horses to be respectful and mannerly part time. It takes time to be a good leader but it is so worth it. Horses live in the moment. They do not have sadness over the past and they do not think about the future. Each day is a new day with them.  In class we talked a lot about spiritual lessons and the Lord. One of the things that was said that I think we will all leave with was,  “Their mercies are new every morning.”

Let me say that again, Their mercies are new every morning. I can see God at work in this clinic. I can see that we must continue in the journey of life just like the journey with horses. There was a day that I wanted to pack it up and go home and treat myself to a day at the spa but I didn’t ! I stepped back and knew my limits were maxed out for the day. I got up the next morning and faced the challenge. Isn’t that just like this life journey we all are on today. There are days we say Lord, it is to hard. I can’t overcome this challenge but He provides a way. He is our strength that we need to make it through. He never promised us that it would be easy but it is doable. Keep refining. Keep running the race that is set before us.

I see that there are a lot more layers to me that have to be peeled back and confronted. God is stripping away more and more. I did not even know some of the issues I experienced this week were in me.  He has a way of teaching us privately and if we don’t listen, publicly. I am so thankful His mercies are new every morning with each new rising of the sun. I am also so thankful every time I look at my horses that they possess that mercy also. We can forget about what did not go well the day before. We can concentrate on the moment. We can build a relationship one step at a time. We are building a foundation for a lasting relationship that this horse will have eyes for nobody but me. It takes time, skill, knowledge, patience and determination.  My love for them trumps all the other emotions. I will not give up, let up, slow down or back away from this partnership with my horses. I will continue working and learning and refining our relationship so when I walk in their presence all three of them will have no problem recognizing me. They will see me as their fearless leader who protects them and cares for them. They will have no problem following me with anything I ask them to do. They will follow me not because I make them do something but because THEY WANT to do what I ask.

IF it is one thing this past week has taught me, it is life does not get easier, we just get stronger ~  For we CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us ~

 

 

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She Awakes From Her Slumber ~ Just Like A Lioness ~

Posted on June 25, 2014 by darla05

She Awakes From Her Slumber ~ Just Like A Lioness ~

“The lioness rises from her slumber, a magnificent image of strength, passion, and beauty. Her mere presence commands the landscape, protects her young, and empowers the lion. In groups, lionesses become a creative and strategic force to be reckoned with, acting as one to change the world around them.”

I truly feel like what Lisa Bevere shares in her book, Lioness Arising. This paragraph above is enlightening. This woman ministers to me ~ What a warrior for the Lord.

The Lord is awakening me. He is awakening the gifts he has placed in me long ago. He never took those gifts back. They are irrevocable. Full Warranty was given. This is truly something to get excited about. Celebrate it. Never take this for granted. How great is our God? I am amazed at the wonder of it all.

As women that love Christ, We need to claim the victory for it has already been won. We need to rise up in strength and numbers and unite together to change the world. We can be a difference maker when we allow HIM to rise up in us. He is our leader. He is our guide. We have His love and approval on our side. He has created each one of us with a unique purpose, an AWESOME purpose. HE will never leave us or forsake us. Never ~

Jesus is the lion of the Tribe of Judah.

We are His lioness arising. So excited this morning that I cannot help but SHOUT for He is good. His mercy endures forever ~

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Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Dreams~

Posted on June 23, 2014 by darla05

Don't Let Anyone Steal Your Dreams~

DON’T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAMS ~ following are some notes that I have written down from articles that I have read. I have also included notes to myself that I am sharing for that someone else that I KNOW needs to hear this today.

Have you ever let down your guard and shared your dreams/plans with someone or in a group environment. You thought it was a trusted protective environment. Only you find out that it was not. The plans you shared in fact were taken by another and they took the idea and ran with it and you were left holding the bag . The plans were stomped on and you heard discouraging words all along the way. Well, I am here to tell you don’t let anyone steal your dreams. The God we serve sees everything. He is a just God ~ He is in the business of making wrong things right. What the enemy has stolen the Lord will restore. Actually, the Lord can take that dream and multiply it into something we could never dream or imagine.

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory.”Ephesians 3:20

It sounds good, being strengthened with power, using that power to accomplish more than we can ask or even imagine. In fact, it has become, for me, one of those passages from scripture that keeps getting played over and over in my mind. We MUST confidently have faith in this. BELIEVE IT. MEDITATE on it. We also have to put our plans into action.

What are Dreams? Dreams are made to come true, so don’t let anyone steal your dreams from you. KNOW that it doesn’t say anything about you but it says a whole lot about them when they do this to you.

From the days when we were little boys/girls we were told “You can be anything you want to be, and do anything you want to do.” We’ve always been taught to dream big, “if we shoot for the moon, then you’ll end up with the stars.” Right. So why is it as we go through life, getting older, we hear more and more that it’s not possible, it can’t be done, why are you wasting your time with that just give up on your crazy dreams and be happy with where you are and what you have. I believe dreams are worth fighting for, dreams are not envisioned to remind us of what will never be, they are not reminders to us of a lifestyle we cannot achieve. So what are dreams, I believe dreams are a vision of what our mind knows is possible, be fearless and determined knowing that you will achieve anything your heart and mind can imagine.

BE A DREAMER
There is NO Book, Rule, Law, or Person that determines, how big you can dream,. The only thing that determines this is “YOU” and your drive, desire, and determination. If you desire to become wealthier, more athletic, or increase your spiritual relationship, the only one who can change this is “YOU.” This may require you to study the beliefs, habits, and strategies that will allow you to grow into the successful person that you want to become. Never, Never, Give up. Never Quit. We are all meant to be great, remember “If you can Dream it, You can Achieve it.”

DREAM KILLERS
What are dreams killers? There have been, and will be many more times when the people we care about the most unknowingly or knowingly attempt to kill our dreams. It’s not because they don’t want you to be successful and achieve your dreams. It is merely that we are all different people, we like different thing, have different ambitions, dreams and desires.

There are a few who are Dream Killers, these people are afraid that if you change, grow and succeed that they might lose you, so they try to hold you back in fear that they will be left behind. Mark my words, whoever you spend time with is who you will become. Jim Rohn said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If you surround yourself with positive, successful, driven, like-minded people, that is who you will become.

I keep saying over and over IF MY GOD…MY LOVING FATHER is for ME that it does not matter who is against me, I will succeed for He is my guide. He and He alone is my strength and I will trust in Him. For He is the dream maker~ He will accomplish the dreams that He has placed in our hearts. We must have faith and take action. Some times we have to take the first step and then He will show up. The waters will part in His timing.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Everyone can achieve extrodinary things its those who BELIEVE they can that do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Keeping the faith for I have the ONLY living God on my side. He has got this and my job is to listen for His voice and keep an obedient heart. HE AND HE ALONE IS FAITHFUL ~

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Confidently Call On Him ~

Posted on June 21, 2014 by darla05

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Reading this morning from different books and  in the word, I really feel that the Lord is showing me to not underestimate the power of prayer. He is reminding me to confidently call on him that I may see His mighty hands work on this earth.

I cannot totally wrap my head around the word confidence. I have battled back and forth with confidence for years. I placed  my confidence in the wrong people and valued the wrong things such as trophies, awards and accomplishment for years. How many of us say I wish I would have known then what I know now?

Many times I LET people who have caused me pain paralyze me from joy, peace and confidence. I GAVE them the reins so to speak. I allowed unfair judgment in my past  to dictate how I felt about myself and I allowed it to control my future for way to long.  The only thing that truly freed me from deep pain and baggage that I buried for years is the power of Jesus Christ. When I truly laid the baggage down once and for all , HE picked it up and I have never experienced the kind of freedom that I have today. NO, It is not all wine and roses. Yes, I still get frustrated, hurt and at times angry at what people will do.  Yes, this journey that I am on is a bumpy road and the battle is fierce at times but it is truly worth the ride. For I know, for us to be a difference maker for Him the enemy will be planning his attacks. He will throw the fiery darts from every side at times. I am understanding more and more about standing alert and firm and putting on the whole armor of God EVERY SINGLE DAY. I also know that the battle has already been won !

The Lord has used  heartache to show me that HE and HE alone will love me perfectly and like no other. He has taught me through the lessons of others that have come in and  out of my life that I need to choose wisely the ones I allow in my inner circle and who I place my confidence in, let me say it again, CHOOSE WISELY ~ For years, I continued to search for something or someone else to give me confidence and the strength I needed. It took me a long time on this continual search to realize that strength and confidence only comes from the Lord. He truly made the ultimate sacrifice because he loved us. Self help books and relationships may make us feel good for awhile BUT the firm assurance that God values and loves us only comes from God.

He wants us to confidently call on Him. He wants us to confidently strengthen the unique gifts that He has placed in each one of us. We must have confidence that when we speak encouraging words in someone’s dark hour that it will bring light to their path. When we pray for a friend who is lonely it will usher in HIS comfort. He wants us to embrace humility. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. ( 2 Corinthians 12:9) When we boast in our weakness, God’s power will rest on us. I have learned to humble myself under His mighty righteous hands. Then and only then will He exalt me when and how he chooses.

I read this morning that, “there is an invisible war around you and your prayers are the evidence that my power is at work in the world.” One day, on the other side of eternity , we will see how our prayers affected and protected lives where we lived.

Please know that everyone is fighting some kind of battle. So many fight battles that few know anything about. I trusted few and carried so much weight on my shoulders. It is hard for me to share intimate details of my life or share hurtful areas of my past but I am finding out when I do the Lord will use that for His purpose and His glory. He truly shows us that he can turn the biggest mess into the greatest message for His purpose. I love the saying, ” Don’t judge her for you do not know the storm I have asked her to walk through. Signed God.” I can say I truly try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Once you have experienced harsh unjust judgment it creates in you the virtue of empathy. Even though I have felt judgement and said I would never do that to others, I have many times.  We are all guilty of judging others. It is something I battle still and I have to continue to talk to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. It is part of that less of me and more of you lesson that I am still in the midst of learning from the master teacher.  I want to know the why behind the what. What motivated them to do that? Why did you say that or do that? I am learning that it is ok to  not always get  the answers I seek. God sees what is happening and he is a just God. He will not allow injustice to continue without His justice being served. He is our protector and he will be our defender. God will contend with those that contend with us. How thankful am I for this blessed assurance ~

I pray that we all  have the confidence to take this weapon of prayer and use it continually. I pray that we will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and we will be an unstoppable force . I pray that mountains will  be removed and souls are saved and that we NEVER doubt HIS promises that He hears the cries of His children.

I do feel the war around me and I am battling battles  and this warrior has truly laid down her sword at his feet and cried.  I am so thankful that this Sovereign Father that I serve gives me time to rest in a fortress that only He can provide. So after my season of rest I am once again lifting my sword for I know within my soul that the Lord will be my confidence and will keep my foot from being snared. Lord, teach me how to pray. Teach me your ways and thank you for never ever giving up on me ~  Thank you that I am your workmanship. I am a new creation. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am an overcomer and I am FREE. You are faithful and You and you alone are worthy of all praise by all creation ~

 

 

 

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The Farm Crew At King’s Home ~

Posted on June 10, 2014 by darla05

The Farm Crew At King's Home ~

Friends,

I am sharing this to ask for your prayers. We need the power of prayer for guidance and discernment and safety when it comes to this program. I ask for you to please remember us in your daily prayers. These kids are broken. Heartbreaking stories of abuse and abandonment. Praying that the Lord can make a difference in their lives through what we teach them about horses and our Father in Heaven.

I am honored to be a part of, The Farm at King’s Home. It is a non profit organization that has been in Birmingham, AL for a long time.

King’s Home has been home to hundreds of youth, women, and children seeking refuge, hope, and help from abuse, neglect, abandonment, homelessness, and other difficult and impoverished conditions and circumstances.

The farm program has just recently opened up in the last couple of months. It is introducing horses to the kids. I am a horse lover/owner and my three horses are a part of who I am today. They provide so much therapy.

This picture below was taken this morning. It was my first day to officially be with the kids. It was us four this morning working with the children. What an honor to be a part of The Farm program at King’s Home. What a great morning with people who have a heart for horses and the Lord ~ Teaching the kids that reside here all about horses from the ground up. Today, was rope tying techniques taught by Charlie. Leading a horse and grooming a horse. Great leader, Great kids and a great program ~

If you would like to read more about what this organization does here is their links- visit our website http://www.kingshome.org. Thanks.

Posted in Biblical perspective, Christian Inspiration, Encouragment, Faith, Inspirational | 2 Comments

What A Storm Last NIght ~

Posted on June 8, 2014 by darla05

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What a fierce storm last night. Between the rain, thunder, lightening and wind there was a lot of activity in our home. Having five dogs in our family and three being scared to death of storms made last night not a lot of fun. Thankful for my two youngest girls, Bella and Libby who were so brave and did not make a sound.  Our two boys are the loudest followed by our oldest who is the sweetest Queen imaginable. Charlie Brown, our chocolate lab went upstairs to sleep with our son, Joshua. Sadie, the queen and our older boy, Freeway, ended up in bed with me. I could feel their bodies trembling in the bed. They kept getting closer and closer to me. Both of them ended up snuggling right beside me. After about ten minutes the trembling stopped. I could hear the big sighs and soon they were both sound asleep. They found their comfort and their refuge laying beside me.

As soon as they went to sleep,  since I was WIDE AWAKE  and did not dare move, I started to think.  What a lesson for all of us. In the storms of life, if we would only run to the one that gives us shelter. There are so many  metaphors that  refer to God’s protection for his people. He is our Shield, Fortress, Hiding Place, Keeper, Refuge, Rock, , Shelter, and Stronghold.

God wants us to run to Him in every situation of our life.  There are three scriptures  that I remind myself and  hold onto during the storms. Sometimes, I feel like I am holding on for dear life. But, I have learn to look at it from a different perspective the older I get. HE is holding onto me. I might loose my way but He is faithful and will never let go of my hand.

YOU are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalms 32:7

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in his dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Psalms 27:5

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield  and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:2

I love the last one so much. King David uses the word fortress .  The word fortress means a place of defense, a place so strengthened that an enemy could not approach it, or where one would be safe. The Lord has been my fortress on so many occasions in my life. When I am in His presence NOTHING can harm me.

May we cling to these scriptures. May we write them on our hearts. So that when the storms of life come we can speak them to our storms. KNOW that the storms will come, the rains will fall, but in your darkest hour of all, we can lift our eyes and KNOW that HE IS GOD! We can stand on the rock of our salvation. So the next time you will stay in His perfect peace and not have a three dog night ~

 

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