They Say, We Say, I Say, You Say

We can say so many defeating and negative things about ourselves – when we need to be saying what God says about us instead. Others may cast shadows of doubt in us by what they say to us and then there’s the times when WE (you know, misery loves company) speak negative and self-deprecating things about ourselves. I love Lauren Daigle’s song “You Say”. It is an anthem to what God says about us and His is the only voice we should be listening to, unless others agree with us about what God says about us. We must silence other voices that tell us otherwise.

Lauren Daigle, two-times grammy award winning artist and songwriter, said the following about her song “You Say”. She was being challenged with the issue of her identity and was trying to figure out how to exist when she felt like so many things were pulling her in so many different directions. She said, “I think a lot of times we build these complexes based on insecurity, based on fear, based on rejection, and lies that we have to constantly overcome. And so, this song for me was just a reminder of identity. It was a reminder that I know when I’m weak, He’s strong—so how do I change that and bring that into my everyday life? When I feel inadequate, how is it that there’s always these moments where I feel like God just steps in and supersedes my inadequacies. This entire song was so every single day I would get up on stage and remind myself—no, this is the truth, this is the truth, this is the truth. Don’t get buried in confusion. Don’t get buried in waywardness. Just remember to steady the course, steady the course." Here is the chorus:

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe, Oh I believe, What You say of me. I believe.

Lauren’s worth, according to her song's lyrics, is found in God and whatever He says about her strength and ability. I agree with Lauren. It is so easy for me to fall into the trap of allowing what others think of me to determine my identity. There is really only ONE who has the authority to tell me who I am...and that is my Creator. This song, “You Say” encouraged me so much the first time I heard it. And, it inspired me to do a little treasure hunt for scriptures that we can all use to discover who we really are in Him. Let's discover what God's Word has to say about it and stand in faith and belief on what it says.

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
I am a friend of Jesus. (John 15:15)
I have been justified and redeemed. (Romans 3:24)
I have been set free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
I have been accepted by Christ. (Romans 15:7)
I am a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am no longer a slave, but a child and an heir. (Galatians 4:7)
I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4)
I am seated in heavenly places with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
The peace of God guards my heart and mind. (Philippians 4:7)
I have been made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
God loves me and has chosen me. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

All of those “I am” scriptures prove who we are if we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and committed to serve Him in word and actions. I've seen way too much evidence that He sees me right where I am today, and I know His love for me is vast. I've experienced way too many of God's blessings, and I know they didn't come to me by coincidence. I've been loved so much that it's the story of my life. And, I want it to be the story of your life as well. I want it to change everything -- including how you look at God, and yourself, and other people. I want you to live in confidence that when God looks at you, He sees beauty. He sees value. He sees hope. He sees a precious treasure beyond compare. And when you're hiding, or when you feel so beaten down, and you can't see anything clearly, He's still hard at work, crafting for you a beautiful future. He sees you. He loves you. We are SO loved by ALMIGHTY God -- doesn't that AMAZE you? It sure amazes me. Listen to this song and let it resonate within your spirit that YOU ARE HIS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

Just a Jesus Follower

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
-- The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1)

I was one of those non-conversational, shy, withdrawn, and lacking self-confidence, kind-of-girl. I had big faith, but little output. I kept my faith to myself. The main reason? The fear of rejection. Sure, I’d invite friends to church with me, but I’d leave the Jesus-talk to the minister. I knew the “Good News” of Jesus, but I was afraid to share it. I worried my friends would reject me because they thought I was a Jesus fanatic.

I overcame those fears when I got me out of my “first place” priority and moved God up to "Numero Uno"! That helped me understand my place in God’s family and allowed me to view the opinions of others with an eternal perspective. That eternal perspective of being a leader who others follow right on to eternity with me!

I’m quite in-your-face when it comes to my blogging. I know it. You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to impress you, but I do want to impress upon my followers that FIRST PLACE priority. My point isn’t to get more followers. I am just a follower of Jesus. I am just a gal who found out where the living water is and I am trying to share it with others. I am not the source of it, Jesus is. Follow Him.

I just want to write and to share out of the abundance of the life-giving water He gives me every day. I lean on the well and even hang out at the well. I try not to wander too far off from it. I know my track record and I don’t like the feeling of being so thirsty, lacking hope and joy, when I meander away from the well. I will tell you a secret. I don’t know all of the 4,193 friends on my Facebook page. And, all of them don’t really know me. I pray they are following me because they met Jesus face to face in something I blogged about. I am so thankful for that because it is the reason I began blogging in the first place.

It’s time to let God get the glory from what we do and what we say. It is so worthless to rant and rave about things that don't matter in the light of eternity. It is so worthwhile to spread the Good News that has a pay-off of eternal proportions. It’s time to Follow Him so He can say about us: “Hey, you know her/him. She/he started this blog/social media ministry, and now I HAVE ____ followers. Well done good and faithful servant.”

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) We are meant to catch them and teach them to follow Him not us. It is important to get the message out there, but it shouldn’t be our focus. He is our focus, and our message just keeps getting clearer and clearer!

WANTED for Stealin' Farrah's Hair

Day 176 of Photo Inspirations -- WANTED for Stealin' Farrah's Hair
A couple of weeks ago, we had a Western Party at the community where I live.  I laughed as I walked in and saw that I was WANTED.....for stealin' Farrah's Hair -- $50,000 Reward.  Actually, that hairdo did come from Farrah's era (late 60s & 70s).  I guess I was a Farrah-wanna-be -- well, at least her hair, but we did name our son, Ryan!  LOL!

Where I'm going with today's post isn't about Farrah OR her hair. It's about being wanted.   I don’t know your history -- how you came to be here at this place and at this time.  I don't know if you were ever rejected and made to feel UNWANTED.  I don't know if you were a "wallflower" at that school dance or if you had a long line of fellas waiting to dance with you.  I don't know if you've received pink slip after pink slip on jobs that just didn't click for you.  I don't know if the love of your life walked out on you for another or if you've never known the love of your life.

But I do know this: YOU ARE WANTED!!!

Before you were conceived in your mother's womb, the God of the Universe knew you, planned you and gave you breath.  Your life is His proclamation of "I want him/her in this world at this specific time, in this specific place, for reasons that only he/she can fulfill."

When God was handcrafting and designing you -- His Masterpiece, He included your strengths, your talents, your gifts, your eyes, your nose, your goofiness or your seriousness.  He put it altogether and created the miracle of YOU!

Whatever has happened along the way of your journey to this day, His purpose for you still remains strong.  God is still saying “You are WANTED".  He is still saying “There is purpose for you being here and I have plans for you -- to prosper you and not harm you -- plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Don't ever listen to the lies of the thief who wants to steal you of your wantedness.  Rejection is a thief and a liar. Don't listen to him when he tries to convince you you've failed too many times or you've messed up too much. That you took a wrong turn somewhere and you can never get back on track. That there is something “wrong” with you or everything in your life would be right. Just don't listen to those lies.

Instead lean into your Father -- the ONE that brought you here and let Him tell you again, “You are mine. You are chosen. You are accepted. You are cherished. You are my prized possession -- my masterpiece."

Yes, YOU ARE WANTED -- but for how much?  You are PRICELESS -- a one-of-a-kind ORIGINAL.  Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise!
#WANTED

"I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"

A couple of weeks ago, I heard from a friend who wanted to meet with me because she was very troubled, so we met at a restaurant, and spent about two hours talking about "issues" in her life -- those issues had been going on for many years, and she was consumed with it all and unable to find peace.  She had talked to friends who gave her conflicting advice which brought her even more confusion.  At that meeting I explained my response by using the salt and pepper shakers and a ketchup bottle.  I know God used our meeting that day, and His inspiration, to give me what I should share with those at the Advent by Candlelight events.  I explained it this way by using a small lit votive candle and another one that was unlit.

The unlit one represented the darkness in her life -- the confusion, rejection, disappointment, pain.  And the lit one was her.  I circled the unlit one with the lit one and said "Your world is revolving around the troubles -- and your thoughts are keeping you in the darkness.    And the more you keep your focus there, the more you'll be drawn to the darkness (the unlit candle)."

Then I replaced the unlit candle with the large lit candle.  That large candle represents Jesus.  When we focus on the ONE who said, "I am the LIGHT of the world, whoever follows ME, will NEVER walk in darkess" (John 8:12), then the darkness will diminish.  As we're drawn to spend time with the LIGHT, stay in fellowship with HIM, spending time in His Word, thinking about HIM -- He Who knows everything about everything, the answers we need will come from Him.  The divine set-ups and divine appointments and the "suddenlies" will start providing what we need.  We'll no longer be living in the darkness.

And I share those words with you, today, dear FB friends.  Maybe you are frustrated at the kids -- making yet another mess in the house you just cleaned, maybe you are in need of finances for the "extra" you'll need for this Christmas season, maybe you've received a negative health diagnosis, have relationship issues, have BIG decisions to make, and, now, the Christmas season has added to your stresses.  I encourage you, today, to cozy up to Him, THE LIGHT that shines so brightly and desires to dispel the darkness that is around you.  I promise you, He is the most reliable Counselor, the most indescribable  Prince of Peace and the ultimate source for restoring LIGHT to your world.

Then Came the Morning -- He is Risen

HE IS RISEN!! ALLELUIA!! Happy Resurrection Morning!!!
2,000+ years ago -- there was tremendous fear in the Jesus' followers because of such diabolical evil that had been rendered against the Son of God. They lost their dearest friend. How could they go on? But, THEN CAME THE MORNING!!! The stone was rolled away AND Christ rose from the grave. Night turned into day. Death had lost, and LIFE had won.

And, it's a new dawn and a new morning for us, too! The stones of fear, rejection, disappointment, worry, doubt and heartache are being rolled away. We can choose for the darkness to be gone, and to allow THE LIGHT to break forth as Jesus, our HOPE, stands in the doorway! He triumphed over ALL the powers of darkness and, by faith, His victory is ours, too! May His resurrection power flow through us and may it bring us healing, renewal, strength, and life. Since Jesus' resurrection was for our resurrection from death to life, too, why don't we start LIVING, today? Yes, it's a new dawn, it's a new day, and I'm feeling good!

PLEASE, PLEASE watch & listen to this gorgeous, amazing 5-minute video. Your heart and soul will be so lifted!! May HIS resurrection life be yours today!
http://www.ultimatetube.com/videos/12634/then-came-the-morning

I Believe I Can Fly -- If Dumbo Can -- So Can I

Yesterday, I posted "I believe I can fly!" Let's take it a step further. Do you remember Dumbo -- the Disney character that had huge ears? Other elephants ridiculed him, until he met Timothy Mouse that changed his perspective. Timothy convinced Dumbo that his little feather had magical powers that could turn his ears into wings. He created a sense of hope and expectation in Dumbo that was missing. The more Dumbo BELIEVED "anything is possible", the more Dumbo was convinced he could fly. Finally, despite the voices of opposition from the crows, Dumbo rose to the challenge and elevated his faith with courage. He turned his doubt into faith and turned those huge ears into an asset that helped him fly.

What changed for Dumbo? That brilliant little mouse helped Dumbo see that the power to fly begins in the belief that it's possible to fly. And the same with us -- when our hope rises, so does our perspective.

And what about you? What are the "ears" or "voices" that might be the cause for your discouragement, rejection or weakness? The voices of others who say you can't, or the voice of Father God -- that voice of TRUTH and FAITH, that says "With God, all things are possible"? With those "ears", we can rise above our challenges, our past, and those voices of opposition. Dumbo could fly. I believe I can fly…..AND I believe YOU can, too!