Tuggings and Pullings

Lately, I've been trying to figure out who I am, what it is exactly that I am supposed to be doing at this point in my life.  In the past I had always based my identity on who others had said I was or what I was supposed to be doing, but now.....well, that didn't turn out so great. I gotta start new.

What are my dreams, desires, and goals? Better yet, what dreams, desires and goals does my Abba Father have for me? Many things are stirring in me. Some are new. Some make me nervous. Some cause excitement and anticipation again where it has been lacking. Some I have done before and I feel the pull to "go there" again.  All these tuggings and pullings are gentle yet, unrelenting. I do have to remind myself to take it "one day at a time". I have to remind myself that if God asks something of me, He will equip me. Jeremiah 29:11 is still one of my favorite verses to stand on. "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. plans for hope and a future." So, I can rest when I know that God asks something of me, that He will be with me. I won't have to go it alone. I don't have to have all the answers. I don't have to have ANY answers. I just have to follow closely to where He leads me. It's time for a new start.


What about you? Has God asked you to do anything lately? Any tuggings going on in you? 

Boundaries - Values & Limits

Some days it's more difficult to get our thoughts into focus. Today is one of those days for me The girlies were home 2 days this week due to the blizzard that hit, and hubby also off one of them, so my "norm" has been a bit off...:)

Since I'm not sure what to start with, I'll let the Bible get us going.  John 12:43 says "For they loved the approval and the praise and the glory that come from men instead of and more than the glory that come from God.  They value their credit with men more than their credit with God." 

Sometimes we feel like, or we KNOW that our life is out of balance or just plain messed up in areas. Other times, the realization sneaks up on us and then jumps in front of us and gives us a surprise and a jolt. So many times we discover that we have arrived in this place in our lives as a result of misplaced values or have been seeking approval from those around us instead of the God who truly loves us. I for one, have had to ask God to show me how much He loves me and then begin believing Him with all that is within me. When we finally grasp the amazingness of having the love and approval of our Creator, we have put ourselves on the path to be set free.

When we mistakenly try to get our identity from people around us instead of God, we will many times be disappointed and disillusioned in who we are. Our view of ourselves can become distorted...tainted...harmed.  We must choose carefully who we allow to speak into our lives. Who we allow to "control" how we feel about ourselves by their words, actions or opinions. Many times those around us have a distorted view of themselves and or God.  They are acting inappropriately or just making bad choices. By their standards, we just don't measure up.  I have been learning that I cannot set limits on others and make them act differently, but I can confront and set standards for those I allow close access into my life when they are unrepentant and not taking responsibility for their actions. Years, ago, a popular saying was printed on anything you can imagine...."What Would Jesus Do?" WWJD  Easier said than done...on our own, that is. What does Jesus say about confronting and setting limits? Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 5: 9-13 tell us. Take the time to check it out for yourself. Henry Cloud in the book Boundaries writes  this: "But God limits His exposure to evil, unrepentant people, as should we. Scripture is full of admonitions to separate ourselves from people who act in destructive ways. We are not being unloving. Separating ourselves protects love, because we are taking a stand against things that destroy love."

God is love and GOD LOVES YOU! Get it....believe it....be loved.