Blog Archives

What Lens Are You Looking Through?

9/30/2016

"And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
--2 Kings 6:17(NIV)

Experiences, environments, interactions, and exchanges shape how we see our world. A lens of rebellion, anger, inferiority, insecurity, or rejection (for example) often distorts our perceptions, governs our thoughts, attitudes and disposition, relationships, speech, and even body language!

The good news is that there is remedy for a skewed or obstructed lens--it's the mind of Christ, and it's a game changer. Find out more by tuning into our latest podcast, "What Lens Are You Looking Through?"

0 Comments

The Power of God's Love

9/28/2016

0 Comments

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."--Jeremiah 31:3(NKJV)

My family and I recently had the privilege and honor of witnessing a couple married 75 years renew their wedding vows. As I panned the room of witnesses, I saw the fruit of this couple's union--children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends. Can you imagine the history, the intimacy, the enduring love story shared between this couple? Seventy-five years is a long time!

I am sure, like anyone else, they had their share of challenges, tests, and trials. Undoubtedly there had to have been highs and lows, challenges and victories. I do not know their story, but the human experience would suggest that life is full of a myriad of experiences that shape our perspective on our world.

                     So, what keeps a couple together for 75 years?

Could it be that they tapped into the power of God's love? I Corinthians 13:4-5 describes love as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful or proud, rude or demanding. It is love that is benevolent and affectionate. It's love that transcends hurt, rejection, emotional distress and pain, humiliation, disappointment, discouragement, and inadequacy. It's supernatural. It's God's love. His love pursues--it is relentless and enduring.

God's love fills gaping soul wounds and brings complete and total healing. This is love on a supernatural level, yet we have been granted full and unlimited access to it. As we receive God's love, we become conduits of his love--his love is shed abroad (Romans 5:5) in our hearts and others are impacted by the experience of encountering divine love.

0 Comments

Anger!

9/23/2016

0 Comments

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.""--Ephesians 4:26-27(NKJV)

Anger is a natural, normal emotion. It's our body's internal alert/alarm system. In and of itself it is not a bad thing--in fact the Bible says, "Be angry...". However, when we are angry we are given specific tools to manage and express our anger healthy ways.

Anger can be a change agent. Find out more about how to practice the spiritual discipline of managing anger and make this natural emotion work for you, rather than against you, in our latest podcast, "Anger".

angry: (G 3710) orgizo-- to be angry, provoked. Having a strong feeling of annoyance, hostility, or displeasure

sin: (G264) hamartano--to miss the mark, to err, to wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to wander from the law of God

place: (G5117) topos--opportunity, power, space, occasion for acting

devil: (G1228) diabolos-- devil, slanderer, false accuser

*** Greek definitions are from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible***

0 Comments

The 24/7 God

9/21/2016

0 Comments

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]--
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber [briefly] nor sleep [soundly]..."
--Psalm 121:1-4(AMP)

Psalm 121, in its entirety, is reassuring, good news. If we take the time to unpack it and fully embrace all that God is saying--we find a remedy for restless minds and sleepless nights caused by worry. David, in Psalm 121, describes God as his help--his 'ezer (Hebrew) aid, help, or helper. David grabbed hold of the truth that God does not clock out, nap, snooze, doze off, or go into a deep REM sleep as we do. God is always awake, alert, and present to assist, aid, and help. He is a very present help in the time of trouble or need (Psalm 46:1); all we have to do is look to him.

Many of the challenges and difficulties we face are so deeply involved and complex that they become emotionally taxing and albeit, unbearable. However, nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27)! Even in the midst of deep trouble and woe, we have the reassurance that God is with us. He will keep us. He will not allow our feet to slip. Even when we feel as though the rug has been pulled out from under us--God says he will not allow our feet to slip! Even when we have been shaken to the core of our being, if we look to him for help--our feet will not slip.

Whatever you are facing today--a health matter, financial concern, relationship struggles, problems with children, a difficult work environment, feelings of inadequacy, etc.-- may I encourage you to look to God for help? He is present to offer assistance and aid around the clock.

0 Comments

You're a God Idea!

9/16/2016

0 Comments

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb."--Jeremiah 1:5

Many of us may have grown up in environments in which our existence was less than celebrated. Perhaps you heard statements like, "You were a mistake", or "I wish you were never born", or "You're nothing--just like your father". Statements like these are wounding and unfortunate in the ears of the receiver, but they are also false!

Click on the button below to check out our latest podcast and discover who you are in God's eyes--a person of value, worth, and importance with a pre-ordained purpose and destiny.

Button Text

0 Comments

The One Who Heals and Helps

9/13/2016

1 Comment

"Eternal One, my True God, I cried out to You for help; You mended the shattered pieces of my life."--Psalm 30:2 (VOICE)

King David, who penned Psalm 30, was passionate about pursuing God. He understood the meaning, and significance, of a relationship with God. Whether he was in distress, afraid, joyous, angry, celebratory, sick, or anxious--he was in constant communication with our heavenly Father. His prayers were authentic and genuine; he pulled no punches when it came to sharing his heart.

Psalm 30:2 is an example of such. Can you envision this tired, battle-weary, frustrated king pleading to the Lord and asking for help? That is what the word "cried" means in Hebrew, shava. His request or earnest plea for help invoked the power and the presence of God to be manifested in his life. Psalm 30:2 concludes with David saying God healed (rapha': to make healthful, to heal of individual distress, to repair, to make whole) him.

We can learn a lot from David's example and experiences. He was imperfect and made plenty of mistakes. Like us, he faced many challenges and obstacles in his lifetime. He battled fear, troubled interpersonal relationships, betrayal, lust, anger, loneliness, hurt, physical infirmity, and brokenness. Yet, no matter what he faced--he always went to God. He did not allow his title, his anguished soul, his position, his hurt feelings, his reputation, or his wealth hinder his pursuit of God.

Very often, many of us are not doing well in our souls simply because we are not asking God for help. This sentiment reminds me of a hymn we sang in church years ago:

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (Merle Haggard)
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grieves to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Of what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptation
Is there trouble anywhere
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Of what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrow share
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer
_________________________________________________

May I encourage you today? If you are facing something difficult, ask God for help like David did. He is as close as your next prayer.

1 Comment

Identifying Roots

9/6/2016

0 Comments

"Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant.”--Jeremiah 1:9-10 (NIV)

The pictures tell the story!

One day while my husband and I were doing yardwork, he attempted to pull up what looked like a weed or some type of wild flora. He tugged at the stubborn leaves and only met resistance. How could a couple blades of grass be so difficult to uproot? It wasn't the exposed flora; it was the root of the exposed flora.

So often what happens in our lives is analogous to our (my husband and I) yard work experience. When we are plagued with trouble or difficulties, we may look to relieve symptoms or treat what is "obvious". However, I'm sure you would agree that in matters of the heart, without getting to the root cause--we will continue to experience symptoms.

But, there is good news for you today! We, as believers of Jesus Christ, have been given the divine ability to uproot (as in the case of Jeremiah [Jeremiah 1]). The word "uproot" in Hebrew is nathash, meaning to expel, pull up, root out, pluck up, to utterly destroy and overthrow. The best part is when we work in tandem with the Kingdom of God we are assured victory. Therefore whatever has been uprooted will not make a return appearance.

What proverbial flora continues to pop up in your heart? Anger, fears/phobias, anxiety, substance abuse, manipulation, toxic relationships? These examples are the result of an underlying root. If you can identify the root, you can pull it up! It may difficult because roots do not want to be dislodged--especially generational roots (habits, attitudes, traditions, mindsets, styles of relating that pass from one generation to another). However, if we are willing to activate our faith, take God at his word, put in the time, and do the hard work we will experience unprecedented victory in our lives and in our families.

0 Comments

Overcoming Emotional Incest

9/2/2016

0 Comments

Please listen to our latest podcast as we find hope and encouragement through the promises of God, despite a challenging childhood experience.

http://abrokenheartsgps.podomatic.com/entry/2016-09-02T10_37_42-07_00

For prayer or supportive counseling in this area, please contact us at 1.866.460.8976 or lauri@abrokenheartsgps.org

‘For I will restore health to you And I will heal your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘Because they have called you an outcast, saying: “This is Zion; no one seeks her and no one cares for her.”’--Jeremiah 30:17 (AMP)

0 Comments

What Lens Are You Looking Through?

The Power of God's Love

Anger!

The 24/7 God

You're a God Idea!

The One Who Heals and Helps

Identifying Roots

Overcoming Emotional Incest

Archives

Categories

Author