It is only in the last three years that I have discovered my feelings. When I was living in an abusive marriage it was safer to hide my feelings. I stuffed and buried until I was dead inside. Through the last eight years of deliverance I dealt with the facts of the pain, but not the deep hurt inside my soul. Who knew my soul needed to be mended? God did. He sent a book my way called, Mending the Soul by Steven R. Tracy. This book tore open the wounds of my soul. And now I am embarking on a new journey.

Despite all the freedom I have experienced in the last eight years, I had not looked into the deep recesses of my soul. My expectation was to help other women through their past to healing. Instead God decided He is not done with me yet.

I am a relator; I am supposed to like intimacy. I am missing true intimacy with God and the people around me because my soul is still wounded. It should be no surprise it would take eight plus years to heal 50ish years of wounds. So I am taking another step to freedom by joining a group of women, sharing my deepest secrets in order to mend my soul. I am ready to look at my past without shame and condemnation. To grieve the loss of a marriage and yet rejoice in my new marriage. To learn to feel again, in a healthy fashion.

Am I nervous? Yes. I don’t like the old Karen. She was weak, lacked courage, was a doormat with a capital D. She was shrouded with shame. Her best friends were fear and terror. She was insecure and mousy. She had secrets. I am not thrilled to go back and visit her.

I am in anticipation however, of a new level of freedom. Expecting to see a change in my relationship with my husband which will trickle down to family and friends. I also believe it will transform my writing. I am choosing to look to the other side of this journey. I expect I will feel more, be less defensive, and liberated. Freedom is ongoing, it never stops.

God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul (Psalm 54:4). How about you? Is there something from your past you have been avoiding or hiding? Maybe it’s time to bring it out in the open and let the finger of God to mend your soul.

Originally posted on My Purpose Now.

Luke writes little of her character, yet his brief description is of a woman of great age, humble, having a serious nature, unearthly in spirit, and a woman of a strangely expectant faith. There were few like Anna who was certain that the prophecies of Micah and Isaiah would be fulfilled. She watched unceasingly for the coming of the Messiah.

The time for her to see him with her own eyes finally came. A young mother and her husband arrived at the Temple to present their infant son as was Jewish tradition. Anna realized this was the most mysterious offering that had ever been laid on the altar of the Temple.

Simon, the priest, took the baby boy in his hands and lifted him to the heavens. Anna at that moment caught heavenly inspiration declaring that this was the promised Messiah, the Hope of Israel, the Redeemer of the world. She had seen because she lived in the Temple, in the very presence of God and was intimate with His grace, providence and redemption.

In all probability Anna did not live to witness the manifestation of Christ. But she had been there to behold him and spent the remainder of her days thanking God for Him and spoke of the baby Jesus to all who would listen.

Originally posted on My Purpose Now.

“I’m right; you’re wrong.” Cats are especially good at non-verbally communicating this sentiment.

Today’s article was supposed to be about a magazine I used to write for, and how the owners — purportedly Christian — ran the place pretty much along standard, looks-like-any-other-business-these-days lines, but I couldn’t get the tone outside of the I’m right; they’re wrong mode.

So I thought of another topic that has to do with Christianity, which is our tendency — as Christians — of rejecting or despising one another.

If you’re not a Christian and you’re thinking, “What? They reject and despise each other, not just me?” I understand. We do have a problem with this whole love and acceptance thing, but people are messy and noisy and they drive too slow and they say unkind things and they never change the toilet paper roll and we, as Christians, too frequently get sidetracked.

One of our major sidetracking issues has to do with external signs of our Christianity — what we wear; how we wear it; what we eat; what holidays we celebrate — or don’t celebrate — and how; what we read or watch on TV; if we go to church services and how often. If there’s any outer, tangible way of differentiating ourselves from one another, you can bet we’ll do it.

Those of us who propound certain behavior as being obligatory, look down upon, or reject, those who don’t.

Sometimes, we’re the stronger, wiser person; sometimes, we’re the weaker, smaller one. Afternoon Tea by Steve Henderson.

And those who don’t have a problem with a particular activity or outer sign of religiosity, despise those who actively and aggressively push one.

Don’t blame me for this — the apostle Paul mentions the matter in Roman 14, when he says, “One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.

“Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.”

When I read this, a most unpleasant thought slammed me in the face — “I am one of those people who despises others. And this is not okay.”

Well, that’s certainly a revelation. I knew I recoiled at people who tsked me for my language, shook their heads when they learned my reading tastes, chastised me for sleeping in until 7:30 when all the rest of God’s people were up at 4.

These are the same people who murmured, “No smoke without a fire,” when bad things happened in our life, some going so far as to say (behind our backs) that it all started when we let our six-year-old watch James Bond movies.

And yes, I despise people like this.

And they reject me.

Our homes and families were designed as places for us to practice this loving one another concept. Sophie and Rose by Steve Henderson.

And neither one of these attitudes is in line with Jesus’ exhortation that we love one another, as evidence to the rest of the world that there truly is something different about us, and Christianity is something worth seeking and finding because it offers hope, peace, love, charity, mercy, and acceptance.

You know, nobody said that loving one another would be easy, but nobody said we had to do the whole thing under our own power and abilities either. Oddly, the more we think about God and His goodness, as opposed to our neighbor and his irritating habits, the easier it is to love — or at least tolerate — our neighbor.

This is where families come in as an incubationary means of practicing this very difficult task of loving one another. Not all of us are as easy to live with as others of us, but we overlook a lot because we all belong together, and we may very well all be together in the same room, come the next big holiday.

So if you’re a Christian, let’s work on this. I’ll do my best not to despise or reject you. I’d appreciate it if you’d do the same for me, but if you don’t, that doesn’t let me off the hook.

Carolyn Henderson writes about modern life’s oddities and ends at This Woman Writes. She is the author of Grammar Despair: Quick, simple solutions to problems like, “Do I say him and me or him and I?” and the manager of Steve Henderson Fine Art.

It’s a little weird being in the middle of the generational line. I am that proverbial “sandwich.” On one side, I’m pressed by the bittersweet journey of watching my aging parents and all that comes with the process. On the other, stands the joyful excitement of walking with my daughter and son-in-law as they parent my first grandchild.

Cord of Faith

As I contemplate this inevitable life role, I am thankfully aware of an invisible, but strong, cord running both directions. From my parents through me to my daughter and beyond, flows a current of faith in Christ our Savior. It binds our hearts and lives together now and into eternity.

My mother and father’s commitment before my birth to obey God’s call to parents initiated this faith flow. They took God’s Word seriously.

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV

My parents’ obedience not only pointed me toward a saving relationship with Christ, it also fostered a desire to continue this legacy of faith as my husband and I raised our own children. And now Kelley and Jeremy embrace the same responsibility with precious Micah.

Leave a Spiritual Legacy

In honor of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this post is the first in a series about building a legacy of faith in our families. For the rest of May, we will see what the Bible says on the topic and consider practical ways we can foster faith in Christ in the heart of our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and anyone else God has placed into our lives.  I’d love to have you along for the journey!

Did your parents work to pass down a legacy of faith to you? If so, what difference did it make in your life? Have you committed to passing along your faith to the next generation?

Originally posted on: Kathy Howard- Unshakable Faith for Life

Goodness knows who wrote it, since originally thought to be Protestant theologian, Rienhold Niebuhr.   However, the origin isn’t what this particular post is about.  I’m more interested in the second verse.

Yes!  There is a second verse!  I think the second verse is even more important than the first verse!!  It’s beautiful!!!

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

Originally posted on: Clayzmama

I’m sure there are many mothers who will receive cards on Mother’s Day from their children, husbands, and loved ones declaring them “The Best Mom”. Some may even receive awards from their children, I can remember making one for my own mother that claimed her “the very best mom ever”.

It is in the hearts of children that the “best” mom awards are found. My hope this Mother’s Day is that all of you wonderful moms who have sacrificed much for the sake of your children enjoy the best gift of all, the love and blessing of your children. Although, you may not actually receive a “best mom” award, may you know that if you have captured the love of your children you have fulfilled the greatest calling of all as a mother – To love well and to be loved.

As mothers we come to recognize that our best is often measured by how well our children do in life. Not based on worldly standards, but rather, things that we know to be eternal and of greater value. Like godly wisdom, good character, love, patience, discipline, kindness, gentleness, grace and mercy.  It is by seeking God and laying down our own life that we can take on the characteristics of Jesus, like the ones mentioned above.

As mothers do in many ways, so it is that Jesus sacrificed His life so that we might have life everlasting.  As we celebrate Mother’s Day may we remember the one who loved us first and just as the love of a mother is measured by the heart of her children, it is the love we have for the Lord that He desires. He calls us to love Him with ALL of our heart, mind, body and strength.

My prayer is that if you don’t know the love of your heavenly Father that you ask Him right now to come into your heart so that you might discover how much He loves you – With an everlasting love. A love that never fails, that is unconditional, unending, and that one would lay down his life for. His love is so great and so deep, it will fill you to overflowing and allow you to capture the hearts of your children, your husband, your neighbor, and even your enemies.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Carol Doyel is Editor-in-Chief and Founder of LivingBetterat50.com. She and her husband of 25 years have three grown kids and two grandchildren.  They spilt their time between Sisters Oregon and where ever her husband’s work may take them, which currently is in Los Angeles. Her desire is to inspire other women to live better physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.