GO WEST YOUNG MAN

As I opened my Christmas gift I never imagined that two concerts ticket to see the Newsboys and Michael W. Smith would be so helpful! I can't think of a word "helpful", maybe "insightful", but what I am trying to say is meaningful, with deep meaning.

Let me explain.

We, my husband and I, are in the busiest, most stressful time of our life and then it happened, an alert on our phone calendar "Michael W. Smith Concert." Do we go? Geez the timing tho! Then I say maybe the "pause, time out, be still moment" will be good. Forcing ourselves to slow down for just one night. We would play catch up later to that maddening "To do list." Off we went.

I never imagined the impact this would mean. let me try and write it. It would be a confirmation...mmm...another faith builder. As the Newsboys came on stage and starting singing the songs I knew from the days of youth camp. The memories of students screaming and singing to the song. It took me back to the time my husband and I were youth leaders of our kids and church kids. We would take them to these crazy concerts, wait out on the street and scream when the Newsboys would meet and greet us. Crazy time of joy and laughter!
At the concert, I left my "To do" behind and just rested in the words to the songs, which were filled with scripture and memories. My change in my life needed to happen; scanning my past and remembering that good times will help me to roll forward and remember, it won't always be so tough. Hey! When the song by Michael W. Smith, GO WEST YOUNG MAN, I about fell onto the floor because we had been preparing to do exactly that in the next few days, moving WEST.

A message came through, go west, go in peace, don't look back, you are leaving Egypt (which for Israel was slavery and for me a modern day slavery (bills, congestion, frustration all strangling me and my husband)). 

Friends this story carried me long enough till the next story...a better way to say it is the next encounter with Jesus, where I clearly can't deny he is with me and orchestrating my path. Thank you Jesus.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. NKJV Heb. 12:2"

SLAVERY

Holding the children's bible up high for all the three year olds to be able to see I read "They were grumbling and complaining and crying out take us back to Egypt."

It it me hard.

Take them back to SLAVERY! No TLC back there. There was lack of food, provision, violence, beatings, death, disease....

How many times do I ask to go back to something like a bad job or in my case a house I have sold. I can get gripped with fear, fear of the unknown and think well staying here is what I know so it has to be better.

Does it have to be better?

How many times do you catch yourself complaining about a relationship or job and stay in it for fear of having nothing or no one else?

Here is my deal. I prayed the move would happen in the right time. When it was time Lord release us.

You are probably saying but you are not suffering like the Israelites were. In my life, a house to big is a waste. In your life a job that is making you literally miserable (sick even) or a relationship that is not edifying to the Lord is just "Slavery". 

You may be thinking, comparing these things to slavery is pretty extreme. 

I can't tell you in the moment of reading this story to these kids it hit me like a brick, I catch my self complaining and asking Why? I prayed and it has been a journey, but it is time to move on. It was clear!

I am praying all the scriptures that say for me to not be anxious for nothing.

I repented for the grumbling.

Now my mind is steadfast on the future and I have peace.

God has given me a block of some sort to not go to grumbling, complaining, thinking, asking why. Does that mean I have a picture of the future with all the answers. NO! But I do have peace and I have been sleeping well.

I have my Lord and Savior (and family of course). But I have given up the Stinking thinking.

I have stopped trying to figure it all out. 

I am trusting God daily as I get up, I say, here we go again Lord. More packing and purging! He says ok come on,  I will give you the love and strength and I reply Ok, Love you too!

Please pray about everything. It makes life better, more peaceful.

REALITY CHECK

While I was sitting in the meeting observing the power of motivation going on in the room for everyone wanted to loose weight. Some of the defeated ones shared, "I had peer pressure and ate things I shouldn't have, I can't do this! This is so hard! I am sick of eating this way! I gained this week! I'm not going to be able to reach the goal! 

The theme for the meeting was "Realty Check", lickety-split I realized this could apply to anything in life and God would agree.

You know me and the mind space. You know the place between your two ears. Maria Kondo has the house organization and I have the mind organization. LOL!

I have always taught 2 Corinthians 10:5,  in the Message version it states we use our powerful God tools to smash down warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into a life shaped by Christ.

So many warped philosophies for pretty much all our worldly concerns, like loosing weight, self-doubt, self-improvement, addictions...to name a few. We get quick loose thoughts, emotional and impulsive about so many of our struggles. Even in the instance of diet we have to listen to God.

My training is awareness, acceptance, action, available.

Weight watchers asks:

1.  What is an unhelpful thought you are having right now?

2.  Do a reality check like ask:  What would you tell a friend about the unhelpful thoughts? Where did the thought come from? Are you willing to learn to take this opportunity to cope?

3.  What will be your new helpful thought?

For the third one I replace my thoughts with reassuring words from Jesus. I discover that in everything He wants to be involved and help. He wants us to trust Him and not give up. 

In every day life we will have strong mind space days and weak ones. It's ok! Tomorrow is a new day. Don't give up!

I just loved this and was very excited to get some time to write.

This was a fast track to freedom. Stop, destroying yourself with thoughts. Jesus knows there is a battle and He is willing to help you, bring everything to Him in prayer!

GARDEN FULL OF FLOWERS

When I enter a garden in season I expect or want; not sure if I expect or want; both I guess, but anyway,
I want:
A sweet aroma to feel as if I entered a new realm. Yes!
I want:
Vibrant colors; something to look upon that catches my eye. invigorates my heart.
I want:
Intricate flowers that are complex; made up of many patterns. An orchid is an example of intricacy.
Intricacy can be related to size and shape also.
 I want:
To see new life. The dead to be pruned out. The green leaves to be vibrant and alive.

What do you like, want, expect?
When I pay money to go into a garden I think they are successful when the weave all of the above into it. I would give a good review on Yelp! lol!

I read today that a visit with God should be like being in a "GARDEN FULL OF FLOWERS"!
The images that popped up in my head; what a great analogy.
A visit with God should not be like entering a field full of stubble.

Stubble; the ugly part of grain left behind when the garden is finished and dead.

I expect or expectantly, want to enter the realm with God, it is a beautiful place to coexist with Him.

In my mind I will have a preconceived idea that no matter what; with God it will be beautiful and a refuge where I regain my strength.

How about you? Do you know this place, have you been there, are you reassured that something magnificent will occur?

Or maybe you are wondering? Does a place like this really exist?

go to youtube.com
Oh Come to the Alter by ELEVATION WORSHIP

Allow the lyrics to take you to your place with God. Where is it? Garden, church, alter, an art gallery, epic coffee shop...where? I just know as I invite you to enter it. It will be a sanctuary; a sacred place!

Lord, help me to find a sacred place where I can renewed!...Amen In Jesus precious name.

"The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places (Habakkuk 3:19 NASB)."

I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain! (Hab. 3:19 MSG)