Ask for Help, Ask Question, and Pray
I had hoped to write last week, but with packing up the moving truck, cleaning the house, and then driving five hours, all done in one day, and then unloading the truck at two different locations, the following day, I am sure you can appreciate why I did some reprioritizing. Consequently, I took a very much needed break from doing the blog. And I can tell you that within two days I felt planted, settled, and at peace in my new place!
Looking back over the past two weeks and thinking about the SW that related to Jesus knocking at our doors, I can say with certainty that the only way this entire moving process took place so quickly for me within less than 2 months and with a broken ankle, is because of the decision I made 18 years ago to open my door to asking Jesus to come into my heart and life. And as I share this with you, I have to mention that I was taken back to CHG #2, which tells me that my clutter will lessen as a result of loving the Lord. One of the symbols that the Lord has consistently used with me in regards to CHG # 2 is a cluster of green grapes along with these words from John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” I know that the only way I was able to do what I did with the selling of my home and the move, was because of my dependence and connection to Jesus as that vine who feeds me and gives me the power and strength I would never have had on my own.
Even though our focus has been on CHG # 3, I hope that by expressing this thought with you about CHG # 2, you will begin to see how the CHG’S have been separated out, one by one, for simplicity’s sake, but in reality they are intricately intertwined with one another.
Your SW from the last posting also had to do with taking time to consider what God looks like to you as your Father. I know there are so many of you who have had a very difficult time with thinking of God as your Father because of the memories you have had of your earthly fathers who were not devoted, loving, caring, and present in your lives. This is relational clutter that is very common, and I can assure you that if you ask the Lord to bring you the insight and healing that you need with respect to your earthly father, you will discover the devotion, love, care and compassion that God has for you as your Heavenly Father, Daddy, or Papa.
In my teaching I have recommended the Life Recovery Bible, but regardless of which Bible you choose to use, going to God’s Word is where you will find the help, insight, healing, and guidance that God has for you about anything that is cluttering your life. God’s Word is a collection of written love letters and prayers that are just for you.
God’s Word is a 24/7 telecommunication prayer line: You pick up the phone. You make the call. You ask a question. You get an answer. You make a connection. You now have a direct and intimate communication line to God. God is never too busy to answer your call. There is never a message that says I can not talk right now. God will always answer your call. God will always have something to share with you.
So as we draw to a conclusion with CHG # 3, I want to emphasize how simplified, organized, and nurturing your lives will become when you:
♥ Keep on asking the Lord for His direction so you know the path He wants you to take.
♥ Keep on looking to Him so you know what it is He wants you to see.
♥ Keep on knocking till the door He wants opened for you opens.
Your SW this week is to review the seed you wanted to plant and your personal Scripture that goes along with that seed. Look at them in relationship to CHG # 3 and see how they are speaking to you. Go to your Bible and look up your personal Scripture to see what added insights you gain as you see the other verses that surround the verse you have chosen.
August 29, 2012
August 15, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #3, Part Two
Ask for Help, Ask Questions, and Pray
In this past week, I am certainly much more aware of the questions that I have had to ask and the help that I have needed and requested. As I prepare to move out of state next, after living in Cincinnati for 41 years, I am realizing just how much I have had to apply CHG # 3, when it comes to asking questions and asking for help.
One example of this has been with my email address. Until the end of last week, it never occurred to me that my email address would have to change since it goes through a local server. Consequently, all kinds of questions began to run through my head. How do I get a new address? How do I get the address book transferred? How do I get all the information downloaded to my Blackberry? Talk about the questions themselves that can cause you to feel overwhelmed because they build up or pile up. But as those questions were bombarding me, I had to constantly “fight” them off by telling my self to slow down so that I could address each question one at a time. To do this it meant that I had to ask the bigger question of who could help me and guide me through each question that I had. Some of the questions were answered by the help of my local phone company, while others were through friends and family. The bottom line became this, no matter what starts to build up or pile up in my life, I am always being called to slow down so that I can break down the pile up into the smaller steps. That slowing down is critical to not getting overwhelmed and out of balance, and the only way I could slow myself down enough was to be in constant prayer with God. I was constantly asking Him, “How do I address this question? Who do I need for You to put on my heart so I can ask them for help? Ultimately it is God Who guides me and directs me in knowing what I need to ask and who I need to call.
There have been many phone calls to make in the midst of all the packing - technical support, utilities, insurance, postal service, finances, calendar scheduling, the list goes on. But here is the one thing that I have consistently heard from the people I have spoken to, “You are covered.” Or, “I think I found a simple solution for you!” This entire move has been an example of God’s grace, light, and safety in my life.
People said to me this morning, “I can not believe that you are doing the blog since your move is happening in just days!” Here is why I am doing it. In my quiet time, I asked the Lord if I was to do it. In my spirit I heard, “Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven.” This is from what is called The Lord’s Prayer or The Our Father. It is the prayer that Jesus prayed when the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Since CHG # 3 is about prayer, I knew I was being lead to do the blog today. Here is the other affirmation that I just received as I am writing this post to you. I was on the phone with my daughter, and I was in shock at what I read in front of me. I Googled the title of the artwork mentioned above, and one of the "random" sites that I was brought to had an image of the painting and then below it was the editor’s note. It said that the picture was in a “1994 exhibition catalogued by Dr. David Morgan, Department of Art, Valparaiso University.” I am moving to Valparaiso, and until my daughter moved there, I had never even heard of this town! This made it even more clear to me that the Lord’s will was on my move to Valparaiso and that I was also to be indeed writing for the blog this morning, all because I first asked the Lord in prayer what He wanted. It brought me to tears.
In this past week, I am certainly much more aware of the questions that I have had to ask and the help that I have needed and requested. As I prepare to move out of state next, after living in Cincinnati for 41 years, I am realizing just how much I have had to apply CHG # 3, when it comes to asking questions and asking for help.
One example of this has been with my email address. Until the end of last week, it never occurred to me that my email address would have to change since it goes through a local server. Consequently, all kinds of questions began to run through my head. How do I get a new address? How do I get the address book transferred? How do I get all the information downloaded to my Blackberry? Talk about the questions themselves that can cause you to feel overwhelmed because they build up or pile up. But as those questions were bombarding me, I had to constantly “fight” them off by telling my self to slow down so that I could address each question one at a time. To do this it meant that I had to ask the bigger question of who could help me and guide me through each question that I had. Some of the questions were answered by the help of my local phone company, while others were through friends and family. The bottom line became this, no matter what starts to build up or pile up in my life, I am always being called to slow down so that I can break down the pile up into the smaller steps. That slowing down is critical to not getting overwhelmed and out of balance, and the only way I could slow myself down enough was to be in constant prayer with God. I was constantly asking Him, “How do I address this question? Who do I need for You to put on my heart so I can ask them for help? Ultimately it is God Who guides me and directs me in knowing what I need to ask and who I need to call.
There have been many phone calls to make in the midst of all the packing - technical support, utilities, insurance, postal service, finances, calendar scheduling, the list goes on. But here is the one thing that I have consistently heard from the people I have spoken to, “You are covered.” Or, “I think I found a simple solution for you!” This entire move has been an example of God’s grace, light, and safety in my life.
Growing up, I always admired this picture shown above that hung on the dining room wall of my Grandparent’s home. It adorned our family gatherings. My Mother inherited it and eventually she passed it on to me. I have carefully wrapped it up so that it attends me in my move. The picture is titled, Christ at Heart’s Door, and the artist is Warner Sallman. It is such a beautiful depiction of how God tells us in Luke 11:9 (the Scripture that backs up CHG # 3) to keep on knocking and the door will be opened. That is exactly what Jesus does with each one of us. He keeps on knocking, and knocking, and knocking, hoping that we will answer His call and open the door to let Him into our hearts and into our lives.
Reading this editor’s note, took me back to another story to share with you about my new home town of Valparaiso. During my home inspection, the oven was making a very loud noise when it was turned on. We discovered that the fan needed to be replaced. When my daughter looked for the model number on the old fan, in tiny, barely readable letters, it said “made in Valparaiso, IN!” I have lived in this home for 16 years never knowing that God’s handprint was on my oven fan to tell me that someday I would move to Valparaiso. That someday has arrived. I have learned that sometimes God is silent and sometimes He makes a lot of noise. And when asking Him first about what we should be doing with our lives; where does He want us to be living, what jobs does He want us to be employed in, etc., He answers, and sometimes in what we would call unusual or funny ways, even by using an oven fan!
This week, see how the Holy Spirit speaks to you through your SW. What does He want to tell you about His Son, Jesus, who is knocking at your door? If you examine the picture, you will note that there is no door knob on the outside of the door. It is only on the inside, the inside of you. It is up to you to decide if you will let Jesus in. He will not force Himself upon you. It is your choice. This week, I ask you to reflect on The Lord’s Prayer and consider what it means to think of God as your Father. He is the God of simplicity and order and there is a pattern to everything He touches and weaves.
August 8, 2012
Red Wednesdsay's Wisdom - CHG #3, Part One
Ask for Help, Ask Questions, and Pray
As I reflect on the past two CHG’S, the first CHG tells me to slow down, and from a Biblical perspective, this CHG is about slowing down enough to really come to know God. The second CHG tells me to love the Lord that I am getting to know. CHG # 3 will lessen and heal your clutter as you learn to ask for help, ask questions, and pray. The order of asking for help and asking questions is to always go to God first before going to others. The SW that you have been doing is an example of how to pray and ask God for His help and to seek answers to the questions that we have. There are times when it will only be God who can give you the help and answers that you need.
My clutter builds up when I do not ask for help, ask questions, and pray. Therefore, when I ask for help, ask questions, and pray, this lessens my clutter and brings healing to me.
Asking for help teaches me about trust and it limits the load that I have to carry. It lessens my need to control and teaches me to delegate, while humbling me. Asking questions invites communication in. It lessens the temptation to advise and assume. You practiced this CHG last week when you implemented the SW that asked you to reflect on the traps that have kept you from growing in your knowledge and love for God.
The Scripture to support CHG # 3 is from Luke 11:9, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.”
So what does Luke 11:9 imply as being the root cause of my clutter? My clutter builds up when I do not keep on asking to then receive, keep on looking to then find, and keep on knocking to have the door opened. Therefore, when I keep on asking to receive, looking to find, and knocking for the door to open, I lessen my clutter and this brings healing to me.
This coming week, I am praying that God will help you become more aware of what you need to ask for help with from Him, and also from others, so that you can lessen the load that you think only you can carry. I also ask that God help you to know the questions to ask of Him and others so that you are less confused and have more clarity and wisdom.
One of my favorite songs is “The Prayer” sung by Andre Bocelli and Celine Dion. See how God uses this song to speak to your own prayer life so that you gain wisdom and know how to experience His grace, light, and safety in your life.
As I reflect on the past two CHG’S, the first CHG tells me to slow down, and from a Biblical perspective, this CHG is about slowing down enough to really come to know God. The second CHG tells me to love the Lord that I am getting to know. CHG # 3 will lessen and heal your clutter as you learn to ask for help, ask questions, and pray. The order of asking for help and asking questions is to always go to God first before going to others. The SW that you have been doing is an example of how to pray and ask God for His help and to seek answers to the questions that we have. There are times when it will only be God who can give you the help and answers that you need.
My clutter builds up when I do not ask for help, ask questions, and pray. Therefore, when I ask for help, ask questions, and pray, this lessens my clutter and brings healing to me.
Asking for help teaches me about trust and it limits the load that I have to carry. It lessens my need to control and teaches me to delegate, while humbling me. Asking questions invites communication in. It lessens the temptation to advise and assume. You practiced this CHG last week when you implemented the SW that asked you to reflect on the traps that have kept you from growing in your knowledge and love for God.
The Scripture to support CHG # 3 is from Luke 11:9, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.”
So what does Luke 11:9 imply as being the root cause of my clutter? My clutter builds up when I do not keep on asking to then receive, keep on looking to then find, and keep on knocking to have the door opened. Therefore, when I keep on asking to receive, looking to find, and knocking for the door to open, I lessen my clutter and this brings healing to me.
This coming week, I am praying that God will help you become more aware of what you need to ask for help with from Him, and also from others, so that you can lessen the load that you think only you can carry. I also ask that God help you to know the questions to ask of Him and others so that you are less confused and have more clarity and wisdom.
One of my favorite songs is “The Prayer” sung by Andre Bocelli and Celine Dion. See how God uses this song to speak to your own prayer life so that you gain wisdom and know how to experience His grace, light, and safety in your life.
August 1, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #2, Part Three
Love the Lord
I would like to start out praying these words, Father God, this past week we began to explore the possibilities of lessening our clutter by considering what it means to love You. If we could interview the mind and heart of every person, we would quickly discover that most of us desire to be loved, but we struggle to even know what that love looks like. So Lord, as we begin to gather our thoughts and feelings as they relate to loving You, we ask that You teach us about Your love. You are the Creator of love, so it can only be through You that we learn to love and connect with You, ourselves, and one another.
This past week your SW was about reflecting on the color green and what it symbolized for you as you grow in your knowledge of God and His love. The only way I could even begin to learn about what it meant to grow in my ability to love the Lord was to be in His Word. When I slow myself down and take even a few minutes to be in God’s Word I am blessed with the awesome revelation of knowing what God Himself thinks and feels!
The Book of John is a great starting point to learn about God’s love. In fact, John was known as the loving disciple. His Book is filled with Scriptures that will grow you in understanding who God is. The Book of John gives us focus on GOD being true love.
It was through God’s Word that I learned about the traps that kept me from truly knowing and loving God. Have you fallen prey to any of them?
Psychics
Numerology
Astrology
Horoscopes
Religion verses relationship
The occult
“The Course in Miracles”
“The Celestine Prophecy”
New Age thinking
Evolution and Darwinism
Here’s What God Says About Loving the Lord.
♥ Jesus says in 1 John 4:8, “But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.” GOD is LOVE. I need to remind myself of these three words over and over all of the time, because when I show love for myself and others, I am expressing that I know God, but when I am not loving towards myself and others, I am expressing that I do not know God.
♥ Jesus also says in John 15:16, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” In other words, love is a choice and it started with God. God chose to love you and that is why He created you. You are on this earth because of God’s decision to love you! God’s love is never forced. If love is forced then it is not of God and it is not love. Forced love is robotic and God wants you to choose if you want to love Him. God wants you to choose if you want to love yourself. And God wants you to choose if you want to love others.
It’s a command by God to love, but you have free will to choose whether you want to or not. Will you choose to receive God’s love or reject it?
Loving the Lord is the only way I am going to love the way God says to love.
♥ First, I am going to commit to knowing Him (CHG #1)
♥ Second, I am going to commit to loving Him (CHG #2)
Until we grasp that God is Love, our clutter will keep us in bondage as it relates to the MMESS PR:
♥ Mental
♥ Material
♥ Emotional
♥ Situational
♥ Spiritual
♥ Physical Health
♥ Relational
As we conclude with CHG # 2, your SW this week is to reflect on the traps that have kept you from growing in your knowledge and love for God. Meditate on the Scriptures from this posting. Journal some of the thoughts and feelings that come to you as you go through this reflective time. God is speaking to you through these Scriptures, and when you journal just a one word thought or feeling in response to them, you are interacting with God and this is prayer. We will talk more about our prayers when I introduce you to CHG # 3 the next time we meet.
I would like to start out praying these words, Father God, this past week we began to explore the possibilities of lessening our clutter by considering what it means to love You. If we could interview the mind and heart of every person, we would quickly discover that most of us desire to be loved, but we struggle to even know what that love looks like. So Lord, as we begin to gather our thoughts and feelings as they relate to loving You, we ask that You teach us about Your love. You are the Creator of love, so it can only be through You that we learn to love and connect with You, ourselves, and one another.
This past week your SW was about reflecting on the color green and what it symbolized for you as you grow in your knowledge of God and His love. The only way I could even begin to learn about what it meant to grow in my ability to love the Lord was to be in His Word. When I slow myself down and take even a few minutes to be in God’s Word I am blessed with the awesome revelation of knowing what God Himself thinks and feels!
The Book of John is a great starting point to learn about God’s love. In fact, John was known as the loving disciple. His Book is filled with Scriptures that will grow you in understanding who God is. The Book of John gives us focus on GOD being true love.
It was through God’s Word that I learned about the traps that kept me from truly knowing and loving God. Have you fallen prey to any of them?
Psychics
Numerology
Astrology
Horoscopes
Religion verses relationship
The occult
“The Course in Miracles”
“The Celestine Prophecy”
New Age thinking
Evolution and Darwinism
Here’s What God Says About Loving the Lord.
♥ Jesus says in 1 John 4:8, “But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.” GOD is LOVE. I need to remind myself of these three words over and over all of the time, because when I show love for myself and others, I am expressing that I know God, but when I am not loving towards myself and others, I am expressing that I do not know God.
♥ Jesus also says in John 15:16, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” In other words, love is a choice and it started with God. God chose to love you and that is why He created you. You are on this earth because of God’s decision to love you! God’s love is never forced. If love is forced then it is not of God and it is not love. Forced love is robotic and God wants you to choose if you want to love Him. God wants you to choose if you want to love yourself. And God wants you to choose if you want to love others.
It’s a command by God to love, but you have free will to choose whether you want to or not. Will you choose to receive God’s love or reject it?
Loving the Lord is the only way I am going to love the way God says to love.
♥ First, I am going to commit to knowing Him (CHG #1)
♥ Second, I am going to commit to loving Him (CHG #2)
Until we grasp that God is Love, our clutter will keep us in bondage as it relates to the MMESS PR:
♥ Mental
♥ Material
♥ Emotional
♥ Situational
♥ Spiritual
♥ Physical Health
♥ Relational
As we conclude with CHG # 2, your SW this week is to reflect on the traps that have kept you from growing in your knowledge and love for God. Meditate on the Scriptures from this posting. Journal some of the thoughts and feelings that come to you as you go through this reflective time. God is speaking to you through these Scriptures, and when you journal just a one word thought or feeling in response to them, you are interacting with God and this is prayer. We will talk more about our prayers when I introduce you to CHG # 3 the next time we meet.
July 25, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #2, Part Two
Love the Lord
Before I get started, I want to remind you that if you ever have any questions or need clarification with the spirit work, Scripture, or things that you are reading in the posts, I encourage you to use the comments section at the bottom of the postings to let me know what is on your mind. I will then be able respond back to you. If you are emailing to the blog I will never see your questions or comments.
Having said this, this past week I was asked this question in regards to doing the SW, “Do I write down the first answer that comes to me or do I marinate on the other words that can also enter my mind?” I can not predict how the Holy Spirit works with any of us. I can tell you that in my own life it is often the first word that comes to me, but there are times when the word is not readily manifested. In fact, there can be many words that come to you. So, apply CHG # 1 and allow yourself to slow down with how much is coming into your brain. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you focus on just the one word that He wants you to receive. It can be days or an entire week until the Holy Spirit gets my attention with a specific word or thought. I do not vacillate over the answer because that then clutters my trust in God speaking to me. Our God is the God of pattern and order, consequently, He will often speak the same word over and over to us. Please do not labor over getting an answer of the “right” one. Remember that SW is prayerful communication between you and God’s Spirit. Be at peace in trusting that the Holy Spirit will answer your prayer and give you what you need. It was God’s Spirit that led me to write the SW questions so that we can be drawn into a working and loving relationship with Him. So it is His Spirit that will prayerfully lead you to the answer that He wants you to have. He knows your heart and what you need at every specific moment.
As I reflected on the first SW question from the last post that related to my thought or belief regarding God, the word all was consistently showing up in my Scripture and devotional readings, as well as my journaling. As I looked at the second SW question that related to the one major feeling that was elicited when I meditated on the word all, it was a feeling of gratitude, because I am continuously learning what it means to love God and believe in Him. And because of the relationship I have with the Lord, I am blessed to witness how alive and present He is in my life. He is not dead. He is always demonstrating His love and care for me.
So, on a practical level, as I have been going through the process of selling my house and moving, there is one word that is reflective of the third SW question that asks how my heart, soul, mind or strength have been influenced by thinking about CHG #2. The word would be struggle. I have had my moments of struggleing between doubt and faith. There is a part of me that wants to go to doubt and ask what if……, what if…..? And when that has happened, I have reminded myself to trust God with all of my heart, all of my soul, all of my mind and all of my strength. There is no question about what I heard God telling me, “It is time to sell and it will happen quickly.” Things have moved very quickly. But the doubt wants to ask if I believe all of what God has said or do I believe in just part of it?
As I write about CHG #2 I believe that its focus came at just the right time for me. It has caused me to have a new trust in the word all. I believe in all of what has God put on my mind and heart about selling my home, and I believe with all of my soul and all of my strength that He has empowered me to do all of this in the midst of healing my broken ankle very quickly as well.
SW question # 4 had to do with how God uses symbolism to get my attention in turning towards God and loving Him. Symbolism plays a big role in how God will communicate with us if we are in His Word daily and we are seeking Him though the course of our day. I loved how the Lord used the symbolism of a song verse during church recently to emphasize this word all for me. It was the song called, “Jesus Paid it All.”
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
As you gather all your answers to the previous posting’s SW questions, what story is God wanting you to discover about loving Him?
When I was learning what loving God was all about, the Lord would bring the color green to my attention. For me the color green symbolized growth and reinforced my need to grow in loving the Lord.
This week your SW is about reflecting on the color green. Think about what it symbolizes in terms of growing in your knowledge of God and His love. Jesus says in 1 John 4:8 “But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.”
I would like to close with this prayer.
Father God, as we reflect on Your amazing grace may it be that grace that sheds light on how we have cluttered our lives by not loving you or appreciating your goodness. You are the Creator of love, so it can only be through You that we learn to love and connect with You, ourselves and one another.
Before I get started, I want to remind you that if you ever have any questions or need clarification with the spirit work, Scripture, or things that you are reading in the posts, I encourage you to use the comments section at the bottom of the postings to let me know what is on your mind. I will then be able respond back to you. If you are emailing to the blog I will never see your questions or comments.
Having said this, this past week I was asked this question in regards to doing the SW, “Do I write down the first answer that comes to me or do I marinate on the other words that can also enter my mind?” I can not predict how the Holy Spirit works with any of us. I can tell you that in my own life it is often the first word that comes to me, but there are times when the word is not readily manifested. In fact, there can be many words that come to you. So, apply CHG # 1 and allow yourself to slow down with how much is coming into your brain. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you focus on just the one word that He wants you to receive. It can be days or an entire week until the Holy Spirit gets my attention with a specific word or thought. I do not vacillate over the answer because that then clutters my trust in God speaking to me. Our God is the God of pattern and order, consequently, He will often speak the same word over and over to us. Please do not labor over getting an answer of the “right” one. Remember that SW is prayerful communication between you and God’s Spirit. Be at peace in trusting that the Holy Spirit will answer your prayer and give you what you need. It was God’s Spirit that led me to write the SW questions so that we can be drawn into a working and loving relationship with Him. So it is His Spirit that will prayerfully lead you to the answer that He wants you to have. He knows your heart and what you need at every specific moment.
As I reflected on the first SW question from the last post that related to my thought or belief regarding God, the word all was consistently showing up in my Scripture and devotional readings, as well as my journaling. As I looked at the second SW question that related to the one major feeling that was elicited when I meditated on the word all, it was a feeling of gratitude, because I am continuously learning what it means to love God and believe in Him. And because of the relationship I have with the Lord, I am blessed to witness how alive and present He is in my life. He is not dead. He is always demonstrating His love and care for me.
So, on a practical level, as I have been going through the process of selling my house and moving, there is one word that is reflective of the third SW question that asks how my heart, soul, mind or strength have been influenced by thinking about CHG #2. The word would be struggle. I have had my moments of struggleing between doubt and faith. There is a part of me that wants to go to doubt and ask what if……, what if…..? And when that has happened, I have reminded myself to trust God with all of my heart, all of my soul, all of my mind and all of my strength. There is no question about what I heard God telling me, “It is time to sell and it will happen quickly.” Things have moved very quickly. But the doubt wants to ask if I believe all of what God has said or do I believe in just part of it?
As I write about CHG #2 I believe that its focus came at just the right time for me. It has caused me to have a new trust in the word all. I believe in all of what has God put on my mind and heart about selling my home, and I believe with all of my soul and all of my strength that He has empowered me to do all of this in the midst of healing my broken ankle very quickly as well.
SW question # 4 had to do with how God uses symbolism to get my attention in turning towards God and loving Him. Symbolism plays a big role in how God will communicate with us if we are in His Word daily and we are seeking Him though the course of our day. I loved how the Lord used the symbolism of a song verse during church recently to emphasize this word all for me. It was the song called, “Jesus Paid it All.”
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
As you gather all your answers to the previous posting’s SW questions, what story is God wanting you to discover about loving Him?
When I was learning what loving God was all about, the Lord would bring the color green to my attention. For me the color green symbolized growth and reinforced my need to grow in loving the Lord.
This week your SW is about reflecting on the color green. Think about what it symbolizes in terms of growing in your knowledge of God and His love. Jesus says in 1 John 4:8 “But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.”
I would like to close with this prayer.
Father God, as we reflect on Your amazing grace may it be that grace that sheds light on how we have cluttered our lives by not loving you or appreciating your goodness. You are the Creator of love, so it can only be through You that we learn to love and connect with You, ourselves and one another.
July 11, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #2, Part One
Love the Lord
No matter what the clutter is in our lives we have found out from CHG # 1 that we need to slow down and be still so we can lessen our clutter and experience healing. Now I want to introduce you to CHG #2. It tells us to love the Lord. My clutter builds up when I do not love God. Therefore, when I love the Lord, I lessen my clutter and this brings healing to me.
Here is the Scripture to support CHG #2. It says, “….Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mark 12:30). So here is what I want to ask you. What does Mark 12:30 imply as being the root cause of my clutter? This Scripture is affirming that my clutter is going to build up if I do not choose to have the Lord in my life and love Him. The second part to this Scripture tells me that my clutter increases when I do not love God with ALL of me; it’s not a segmented part of me that only loves Him, or limiting my presence with Him in temple or church once a week. ALL means that I love God as best I can with my whole being and life. ALL of me includes:
♥ All of my heart
♥ All of my soul
♥ All of my mind
♥ All of my strength
Therefore, when I love the Lord with my ALL, I lessen my clutter, and this brings healing to me.
When you go to the Bible and look up Mark 12:28-30, you will find out that Jesus is telling us that this is the most important commandment. This command is such a great example of how God loves you and me. God does not love just a part of us but He loves every fiber of our being. Jesus was also reaffirming that this commandment was first spoken from God to Moses. It can be traced back to the Old Testament in the book of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” These words are not new to the Jewish culture. They are referred to as the Shema and are recited in Jewish Worship.
So how do we summarize what Jesus is telling us? Jesus is saying God exists and He is the only God. He alone is the God of Israel and He alone is the only God of you and me. There is no other God. It is spiritual clutter to think there are other gods or that God does not exist. It is spiritual clutter to think that all gods lead to the same God. The Truth about who God is can only be found in God’s Word.
This week, your SW is to focus on asking the Holy Spirit to help you do some exploring:
Identify the one major thought or belief that you have about God.
What is the one major feeling that this thought or belief elicits in you?
In one word how was your heart, soul, mind or strength influenced by thinking about CHG 2 that says to love the Lord?
Next week we will consider some of the symbolism that God has used with me to get my attention in turning towards Him and loving Him. See what He may use with you this coming week in getting you to turn towards Him and Love Him.
I would like to close with this prayer that may shed some light for you on some of your own beliefs and feelings about God.
Father God, there was a time when I felt so overwhelmed and confused by the spiritual clutter of this New Age secular world. Thank you for this CHG that is constantly guiding me to find You and love You. This coming week, I pray for those who are searching for love and Truth and have not yet found You. I pray that they be moved this week by Your Holy Spirit so they can grow in knowing You, believing in You, hearing You, seeing You, and feeling You in their lives. Show them the way to Your heart so they can experience Your healing, hope, love, and truth.
No matter what the clutter is in our lives we have found out from CHG # 1 that we need to slow down and be still so we can lessen our clutter and experience healing. Now I want to introduce you to CHG #2. It tells us to love the Lord. My clutter builds up when I do not love God. Therefore, when I love the Lord, I lessen my clutter and this brings healing to me.
Here is the Scripture to support CHG #2. It says, “….Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mark 12:30). So here is what I want to ask you. What does Mark 12:30 imply as being the root cause of my clutter? This Scripture is affirming that my clutter is going to build up if I do not choose to have the Lord in my life and love Him. The second part to this Scripture tells me that my clutter increases when I do not love God with ALL of me; it’s not a segmented part of me that only loves Him, or limiting my presence with Him in temple or church once a week. ALL means that I love God as best I can with my whole being and life. ALL of me includes:
♥ All of my heart
♥ All of my soul
♥ All of my mind
♥ All of my strength
Therefore, when I love the Lord with my ALL, I lessen my clutter, and this brings healing to me.
When you go to the Bible and look up Mark 12:28-30, you will find out that Jesus is telling us that this is the most important commandment. This command is such a great example of how God loves you and me. God does not love just a part of us but He loves every fiber of our being. Jesus was also reaffirming that this commandment was first spoken from God to Moses. It can be traced back to the Old Testament in the book of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” These words are not new to the Jewish culture. They are referred to as the Shema and are recited in Jewish Worship.
So how do we summarize what Jesus is telling us? Jesus is saying God exists and He is the only God. He alone is the God of Israel and He alone is the only God of you and me. There is no other God. It is spiritual clutter to think there are other gods or that God does not exist. It is spiritual clutter to think that all gods lead to the same God. The Truth about who God is can only be found in God’s Word.
This week, your SW is to focus on asking the Holy Spirit to help you do some exploring:
Identify the one major thought or belief that you have about God.
What is the one major feeling that this thought or belief elicits in you?
In one word how was your heart, soul, mind or strength influenced by thinking about CHG 2 that says to love the Lord?
Next week we will consider some of the symbolism that God has used with me to get my attention in turning towards Him and loving Him. See what He may use with you this coming week in getting you to turn towards Him and Love Him.
I would like to close with this prayer that may shed some light for you on some of your own beliefs and feelings about God.
Father God, there was a time when I felt so overwhelmed and confused by the spiritual clutter of this New Age secular world. Thank you for this CHG that is constantly guiding me to find You and love You. This coming week, I pray for those who are searching for love and Truth and have not yet found You. I pray that they be moved this week by Your Holy Spirit so they can grow in knowing You, believing in You, hearing You, seeing You, and feeling You in their lives. Show them the way to Your heart so they can experience Your healing, hope, love, and truth.
July 4, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #1, Part Three
Slow Down and Be Still
A number of you have personally expressed to me that you have wanted to start the journaling, but it has not yet happened. If you are thinking of it as a “to do,” then I would encourage you to change your thinking. Let go of the idea that it is a “to do” and replace it with the thought of how you are going to be blessed.
Before I share some final teaching on CHG #1, I thought it might help if I gave an example of my own journaling in response to the SW questions and answers. I included the original questions so it would make it easier for you to follow. Hopefully, this will be a guide in helping you to begin your own journaling. Please note, my SW answers are in italics.
Wed. 5/30/12
1. In one word, write down the thought that reflects why you are choosing to read Red Wednesday’s Blog – Teaching
2. In one word, write down the feeling that relates to why you are choosing to read Red Wednesday’s Blog - Moved
3. Circle the one seed (healing, hope, love, truth) that you most want to plant as you consider how you answered your first two questions: Healing
4. As you reflect on the one seed that you want to plant, circle the one Scripture (Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 11:9, John 1:1, John 8:32) out of the following that most speaks to you in regards to the seed that you want to plant for yourself: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Wed. 6/6/12
How did the song “Draw Me Close” touch you? I heard “Draw Me Close” on the radio for the first time in years. I also came upon the Scripture in James 4:8 that reflected its title, “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” The song and the Scripture affirmed for me that God was reaching down, taking my hand, and saying, “I am always here with you. You drew close to me Colleen, and I drew close to you.” I was healed from the cluttered emotions of sadness and disappointment of this past week and I am at peace!
Wed. 6/13/12
What visual did I get of my clutter? Chores
Wed. 6/20/12
Here is how I elaborated on chores being my clutter: It had to do with all of my outdoor chores and my needing to let go of the perfect completed look. I needed to be realistic about the full work week schedule that was already going to take place. By choosing to be still and let go of all the doing,, it enabled me to nurture myself and take in the beauty of my yard as it was, while enjoying conversation with neighbors passing by - a big change for me, because I often tell myself that I do not have time.
Wed. 6/27/12
I identified my clutter as outdoor chores, so I chose my clutter category to be situational. Those chores are now being taken care of by friends and neighbors because of my broken ankle.
Wed 7/4/12
Planting that seed of healing to lessen the clutter of my chores has sure come in a very unexpected manner. Being sick 4 times this year and now dealing with this broken ankle, I have come to realize that my healing is much bigger than this ankle. It is about letting go of this home. It is a bitter sweet pill to take, but it is a celebration of freedom, just like today, as we celebrate the birth and freedom of this God ordained country. God’s care and timing is perfect. In 6 days my home is under contract - no yard sign and no MLS listing! I wanted the seed of healing in my life and I am seeing it. My Scripture for that seed is to remember hat God has His plan for me, Jeremiah29:11.
As indicated by last week’s post, I have really been made to slow down as a result of my ankle being broken. I can tell you that I am more intentional than ever to move slowly because there is to be no weight bearing on that ankle for two more weeks, and I am very much challenged with the crutches when it comes to balance and strength. Talk about slowing down and to think before you move! I have gained a new appreciation for CHG #1 in being still, I am doing a lot more sitting than I have ever bee accustomed to and I have an even deeper empathy for you precious people in wheelchairs. Maybe now you can better understand why I am lead to teach this stuff. My experiences have been my best teachers and lessons.
If you will recall, my outdoor chores were symptomatic of my clutter category being situational. And because of my broken ankle, I no longer have those chores demanding me of my energy. So as we finish up with CHG #1, I want to give some reinforcement to what I have already shared with you in previous teaching.
Your clutter will never go away but you can learn to lessen it and mange it. And if you choose to accept and follow the 12 CHG’S you will develop a deep, caring, and loving relationship with God The Father, His Son, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. And because of those relationships you will know and feel the peace of God’s Simplicity, Order, and Nurturance, even in the overwhelming midst of your clutter.
What can I say? Accidents happen, and I had a terrible one. My left ankle got trapped into the sweeper tubing that is used for vacuuming my pool. And as my foot made a major twist, into the pool I went. I have a serious fracture of my lower fibula. It is the bone that runs along the outside of your leg. We are praying that there will be no surgery, and that I will heal in 6-8 weeks.
Now, if it was not for my relationship with the Lord and what He has taught me through the 12 CHG’S, I would be a MESS. I have certainly been slowed down to be still. And here are the points that I wish to make as I apply CHG # 1 to my own cluttered situation.
♥ I was not moving fast but I was distracted. I was not completely focused on the chore at hand. I usually vacuum when I am alone. I had company.
♥ This was not the Lord’s doing. God is love and His plan is never to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus even warns us in John 16:33 that we will have trials and sorrows BUT, we are to take heart, because he has overcome the world. In other words, no matter what I may face or what I am going through, I find my peace in Jesus. I love what Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
♥ We live in a world where the enemy wants and needs to destroy us. If we did not live in a sinful fallen world accidents would be nonexistent. We live in a world that is not yet heaven.
♥ Our best intentions do not keep us from being hurt and feeling pain.
♥ Needs vs. wants becomes a priority if we want to lessen our clutter. My daughter and her family were to come to Cincinnati last week. Her husband and daughter came down with colds. With my low immunity we both knew that their coming was not healthy for me. It was hard, sad, and disappointing to admit that we needed to postpone our visit even though we wanted to be together and I needed help. But you know what? We were at peace with our decision, because in our slowing down to pray and to look at our past history, we knew what we needed to do to prevent the clutter of me getting sick again. And by the way, friends have blessed me CONSTANTLY with their help and support.
♥ Let go of saying “I can’t,” “I won’t,” “I don’t.” Remember, words are thoughts before they are spoken. Replace your negative thinking with positive thoughts of, “I can,” “I will,” “I do.” Here is how I have applied that teaching to my present situation: “I can safely get up those steep on my knees and go down them on my bumbum. I will keep the weight off my left foot so I do not need surgery. I will choose to make those crutches my friend and not curse them.
♥ Stop “shoulding” on yourself by saying, “I should!” Replace it with what I need. Here is what I am saying: I need to accept all the help that my neighbors are offering and express an attitude of gratitude. It is very humbling for me to ask, and it is one of the CHG’S.
♥ Practice saying, “no”. Remember, you can say “no” without saying the word. An example: I am so sorry. I would love to do that for you but at this time I need to focus my energy on me getting healthy.
♥ Practice silence, Psalm 46:10. Speak less and listen more.
♥ Keep your eye on God and not your circumstance.
Keep in mind that all the clutter categories are intertwined, but for simplicity we are focusing on just one clutter category. My clutter category is situational BUT here is the effect it has had in each area:
Material clutter? I am buying less because my mobility is limited. Less stuff and more money. I am selling my home!
Mental clutter? I am choosing to focus on God and His Word rather than my circumstance of a broken ankle that leads to self pity and being negative. God’s Word has taught me that when I carry heavy burdens He will give me rest and He will teach me how to do that according to Matthew 11:28-30.
Emotional clutter? I have had to deal with sadness but I am also excited as I anticipate the new order that God has for me as I go through the transition of a move.
Situational clutter? The energy required to do chores is being lessened.
Spiritual clutter? I live and breathe God’s Word. I know He is in control of my life.
Physical health clutter? I have a broken ankle. My daily way of living has been drastically altered, but I will not allow it to create more clutter for me. I will accept that I need to rest and be still at this season in my life, though it is hard for me.
Relational clutter? I have the gift of hospitality and serving others, but it is that, a gift, and I need to ask God more often about how I am to use it. I am a people pleaser and that means that I often decide who to entertain and serve rather than asking God. It can adversely affect the balance that God wants me to have in my life – figuratively and literally. I am physically off balance right now but hopefully, not for long.
SW questions: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify answers to your questions. What one clutter category did you choose to focus on? How did you make an honest attempt to slow down and be still for just one minute every day? How did Psalm 46:10 impact you about being more silent and knowing Him as God? Did the symbol of a lighthouse get your attention to slow down and be still or was it some other symbol that you consistently noticed was appearing? (In my case it was any kind of tubing, cording, or roping). Did the song Be still and Know, have any kind of influence on you? How does the seed you wanted to plant and your personal Scripture speak in to your clutter category?
These SW questions are meant to help you know God and yourself on a more intimate and deeper level. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us to know His truth as we partner with Him to explore our thoughts and feelings. These questions are not designed with the idea that you are to give some fuzzy, warm, right answer. Your thoughts or feelings may be quite the opposite. Let go of judging your answers and allow the truth of what you think and feel to be expressed.
This coming week, I hope you will make the effort to apply the ♥ points that are outlined above. They are to guide you in learning how to slow down and be still and heal the clutter in your life. Keep in mind that this will be a life long process as you continue to know God and spend time with Him. Next week I will introduce you to CHG # 2. You will discover how loving the Lord lessens your clutter.
A number of you have personally expressed to me that you have wanted to start the journaling, but it has not yet happened. If you are thinking of it as a “to do,” then I would encourage you to change your thinking. Let go of the idea that it is a “to do” and replace it with the thought of how you are going to be blessed.
Before I share some final teaching on CHG #1, I thought it might help if I gave an example of my own journaling in response to the SW questions and answers. I included the original questions so it would make it easier for you to follow. Hopefully, this will be a guide in helping you to begin your own journaling. Please note, my SW answers are in italics.
Wed. 5/30/12
1. In one word, write down the thought that reflects why you are choosing to read Red Wednesday’s Blog – Teaching
2. In one word, write down the feeling that relates to why you are choosing to read Red Wednesday’s Blog - Moved
3. Circle the one seed (healing, hope, love, truth) that you most want to plant as you consider how you answered your first two questions: Healing
4. As you reflect on the one seed that you want to plant, circle the one Scripture (Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 11:9, John 1:1, John 8:32) out of the following that most speaks to you in regards to the seed that you want to plant for yourself: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Wed. 6/6/12
How did the song “Draw Me Close” touch you? I heard “Draw Me Close” on the radio for the first time in years. I also came upon the Scripture in James 4:8 that reflected its title, “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” The song and the Scripture affirmed for me that God was reaching down, taking my hand, and saying, “I am always here with you. You drew close to me Colleen, and I drew close to you.” I was healed from the cluttered emotions of sadness and disappointment of this past week and I am at peace!
Wed. 6/13/12
What visual did I get of my clutter? Chores
Wed. 6/20/12
Here is how I elaborated on chores being my clutter: It had to do with all of my outdoor chores and my needing to let go of the perfect completed look. I needed to be realistic about the full work week schedule that was already going to take place. By choosing to be still and let go of all the doing,, it enabled me to nurture myself and take in the beauty of my yard as it was, while enjoying conversation with neighbors passing by - a big change for me, because I often tell myself that I do not have time.
Wed. 6/27/12
I identified my clutter as outdoor chores, so I chose my clutter category to be situational. Those chores are now being taken care of by friends and neighbors because of my broken ankle.
Wed 7/4/12
Planting that seed of healing to lessen the clutter of my chores has sure come in a very unexpected manner. Being sick 4 times this year and now dealing with this broken ankle, I have come to realize that my healing is much bigger than this ankle. It is about letting go of this home. It is a bitter sweet pill to take, but it is a celebration of freedom, just like today, as we celebrate the birth and freedom of this God ordained country. God’s care and timing is perfect. In 6 days my home is under contract - no yard sign and no MLS listing! I wanted the seed of healing in my life and I am seeing it. My Scripture for that seed is to remember hat God has His plan for me, Jeremiah29:11.
As indicated by last week’s post, I have really been made to slow down as a result of my ankle being broken. I can tell you that I am more intentional than ever to move slowly because there is to be no weight bearing on that ankle for two more weeks, and I am very much challenged with the crutches when it comes to balance and strength. Talk about slowing down and to think before you move! I have gained a new appreciation for CHG #1 in being still, I am doing a lot more sitting than I have ever bee accustomed to and I have an even deeper empathy for you precious people in wheelchairs. Maybe now you can better understand why I am lead to teach this stuff. My experiences have been my best teachers and lessons.
If you will recall, my outdoor chores were symptomatic of my clutter category being situational. And because of my broken ankle, I no longer have those chores demanding me of my energy. So as we finish up with CHG #1, I want to give some reinforcement to what I have already shared with you in previous teaching.
Your clutter will never go away but you can learn to lessen it and mange it. And if you choose to accept and follow the 12 CHG’S you will develop a deep, caring, and loving relationship with God The Father, His Son, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. And because of those relationships you will know and feel the peace of God’s Simplicity, Order, and Nurturance, even in the overwhelming midst of your clutter.
What can I say? Accidents happen, and I had a terrible one. My left ankle got trapped into the sweeper tubing that is used for vacuuming my pool. And as my foot made a major twist, into the pool I went. I have a serious fracture of my lower fibula. It is the bone that runs along the outside of your leg. We are praying that there will be no surgery, and that I will heal in 6-8 weeks.
Now, if it was not for my relationship with the Lord and what He has taught me through the 12 CHG’S, I would be a MESS. I have certainly been slowed down to be still. And here are the points that I wish to make as I apply CHG # 1 to my own cluttered situation.
♥ I was not moving fast but I was distracted. I was not completely focused on the chore at hand. I usually vacuum when I am alone. I had company.
♥ This was not the Lord’s doing. God is love and His plan is never to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus even warns us in John 16:33 that we will have trials and sorrows BUT, we are to take heart, because he has overcome the world. In other words, no matter what I may face or what I am going through, I find my peace in Jesus. I love what Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
♥ We live in a world where the enemy wants and needs to destroy us. If we did not live in a sinful fallen world accidents would be nonexistent. We live in a world that is not yet heaven.
♥ Our best intentions do not keep us from being hurt and feeling pain.
♥ Needs vs. wants becomes a priority if we want to lessen our clutter. My daughter and her family were to come to Cincinnati last week. Her husband and daughter came down with colds. With my low immunity we both knew that their coming was not healthy for me. It was hard, sad, and disappointing to admit that we needed to postpone our visit even though we wanted to be together and I needed help. But you know what? We were at peace with our decision, because in our slowing down to pray and to look at our past history, we knew what we needed to do to prevent the clutter of me getting sick again. And by the way, friends have blessed me CONSTANTLY with their help and support.
♥ Let go of saying “I can’t,” “I won’t,” “I don’t.” Remember, words are thoughts before they are spoken. Replace your negative thinking with positive thoughts of, “I can,” “I will,” “I do.” Here is how I have applied that teaching to my present situation: “I can safely get up those steep on my knees and go down them on my bumbum. I will keep the weight off my left foot so I do not need surgery. I will choose to make those crutches my friend and not curse them.
♥ Stop “shoulding” on yourself by saying, “I should!” Replace it with what I need. Here is what I am saying: I need to accept all the help that my neighbors are offering and express an attitude of gratitude. It is very humbling for me to ask, and it is one of the CHG’S.
♥ Practice saying, “no”. Remember, you can say “no” without saying the word. An example: I am so sorry. I would love to do that for you but at this time I need to focus my energy on me getting healthy.
♥ Practice silence, Psalm 46:10. Speak less and listen more.
♥ Keep your eye on God and not your circumstance.
Keep in mind that all the clutter categories are intertwined, but for simplicity we are focusing on just one clutter category. My clutter category is situational BUT here is the effect it has had in each area:
Material clutter? I am buying less because my mobility is limited. Less stuff and more money. I am selling my home!
Mental clutter? I am choosing to focus on God and His Word rather than my circumstance of a broken ankle that leads to self pity and being negative. God’s Word has taught me that when I carry heavy burdens He will give me rest and He will teach me how to do that according to Matthew 11:28-30.
Emotional clutter? I have had to deal with sadness but I am also excited as I anticipate the new order that God has for me as I go through the transition of a move.
Situational clutter? The energy required to do chores is being lessened.
Spiritual clutter? I live and breathe God’s Word. I know He is in control of my life.
Physical health clutter? I have a broken ankle. My daily way of living has been drastically altered, but I will not allow it to create more clutter for me. I will accept that I need to rest and be still at this season in my life, though it is hard for me.
Relational clutter? I have the gift of hospitality and serving others, but it is that, a gift, and I need to ask God more often about how I am to use it. I am a people pleaser and that means that I often decide who to entertain and serve rather than asking God. It can adversely affect the balance that God wants me to have in my life – figuratively and literally. I am physically off balance right now but hopefully, not for long.
SW questions: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify answers to your questions. What one clutter category did you choose to focus on? How did you make an honest attempt to slow down and be still for just one minute every day? How did Psalm 46:10 impact you about being more silent and knowing Him as God? Did the symbol of a lighthouse get your attention to slow down and be still or was it some other symbol that you consistently noticed was appearing? (In my case it was any kind of tubing, cording, or roping). Did the song Be still and Know, have any kind of influence on you? How does the seed you wanted to plant and your personal Scripture speak in to your clutter category?
These SW questions are meant to help you know God and yourself on a more intimate and deeper level. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us to know His truth as we partner with Him to explore our thoughts and feelings. These questions are not designed with the idea that you are to give some fuzzy, warm, right answer. Your thoughts or feelings may be quite the opposite. Let go of judging your answers and allow the truth of what you think and feel to be expressed.
This coming week, I hope you will make the effort to apply the ♥ points that are outlined above. They are to guide you in learning how to slow down and be still and heal the clutter in your life. Keep in mind that this will be a life long process as you continue to know God and spend time with Him. Next week I will introduce you to CHG # 2. You will discover how loving the Lord lessens your clutter.
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