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.
July 25, 2012
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.
June 30, 2012
To keep things a bit less cluttered in my life currently, I had to take a break from working on Red Wednesday's Widsom this week, due to an actual break that happened to my ankle! Check back next Wednesday as we continue to look at Clutter Healing Guideline #1, and in the meantime, please be praying for my fast healing and recovery and keep plugging away at your SW.
June 20, 2012
Red Wednesday's Widsom - CHG #1, Part Two
Slow Down and Be Still
First of all, I would like to slow down and be still with you by praying.
Father God, we thank you for showing us this past week where we needed to slow down so we could become more patient with You, ourselves, and one another. You tell us in 1 Corinthians 13:1 that love is patient. It is the first word that You use to show me what love looks like. Boy Lord, I am so impatient! I want to pray fast, eat fast, talk fast, walk fast, and be in a relationship fast! I want a fast computer, a fast phone, and a fast fax. I want a fast car and a fast plane. I want to shop, shop, shop, move, move, move, till I drop, drop, drop! I want everything FAST – fast food, and a fast drive through. I want, want, want. I want this and I want that! Help me Lord, to slow down enough to hear You say what I need, need, need, vs. what I want, want, want.
What do you think is the #1 word that people use to describe how they think or feel about their clutter? If you said "overwhelmed," you are correct. How would you describe overwhelmed? The dictionary says that it means to pour down and bury beneath, or to crush. So being overwhelmed can make us think and feel like we are being poured down, buried, or crushed.
Being overwhelmed is often the result of taking on too much and doing it too fast. We pile up so much on ourselves that we feel overwhelmed by all of our doing!
In order to lessen that feeling of being overwhelmed, I would like to start out by having you slow down and reflect on what you found out about yourself this past week. How did you make an honest attempt to slow down or be still for just one minute every day? How did this slowing down change or transform you? Did your change influence someone else? Notice that I said influence and not change. I want to reinforce what I said last week. You can only change yourself. You can not change another. When change takes place in you, it can influence others, but it is up to each individual to decide if he or she is motivated to change themselves.
The one word that I used to describe my clutter from last week was “chores.” More specifically it had to do with all of my outdoor chores. Here was my thinking at the beginning of this past week. I wanted to get all my chores done by Father’s Day weekend, since I was expecting company, but I needed to be patient with myself. I needed to let go of the want to have 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.
So as we continue to reflect on the answers that we have gathered about ourselves over this past week, I am now going to ask you to consider what one clutter category best represents where you are at this time in your life.
I have classified clutter into 7 categories, and I use this acronym: MMESS PR
Mental
Material
Emotional
Situational
Spiritual
Physical
Relational
After each category you will see some examples of the signs/symptoms for that clutter category. Please note that the signs and symptoms that are listed are simply that, examples. No sign or symptom is specific to a certain category. Let me clarify. Scattered may be a sign/symptom that gets reflected in more than one category. It can be the sign/symptom of someone's mental clutter and for someone else it could reflect their emotional clutter.
Material: paper, clothes, toys, laundry
Mental: scattered, conflicting beliefs, low self worth or value, negativity
Emotional: anger, shame, depression, isolation, judging, criticizing
Situational: divorce, moving, death, job loss, finances
Spiritual: religiosity, psychics, horoscopes, numerology, over serving
Physical Health: weight/food issues, cancer, addictions (drugs, alcohol, smoking)
Relational: dating, marriage, parenting, work relations
Please keep in mind that these clutter categories along with their signs and symptoms are all intertwined with one another. You have clutter in all of these categories and it comes at you in different ways and at different times throughout your life. By breaking down the concept of clutter into these seven categories, we are breaking down the big picture of what is stress.
When we look at the whole big picture and think we have to deal with it all at one time, we don't know where to start, and that is what causes us to think and feel overwhelmed. It’s too much to tackle. It's like seeing the drawing of a new house you are going to build and thinking that you have to build the whole house all at the same time. It doesn't work that way. You have to break down the building of that home in a step by step process to accomplish the end result or you will be the one that ends up being broken down.
Your SW for this coming week is to choose the one clutter category that most reflects that area in your life that prompted you to slow down and be still last week. This is the area of clutter that most needs your attention in your life right now. As you focus on your clutter category, write it down, and then record some of your thoughts as you ask your self how the Scripture from Psalm 46:10, “Be silent and know that I am God,” speaks to you personally about your clutter category. This is the Scripture that backs up our need to slow down and be still. Do you remember what seed you waned to plant? Go back and look up the answer you wrote from your first SW. Was it healing, hope, love, or Truth? As reinforcement for yourself, write down the seed you wanted to plant in relationship to the clutter category you have now chosen to focus on. This will help you to begin to seeing the fruit of your planting.
Psalm 46:10 reminds me to be quiet so I can listen. When I am quiet I can listen to what God is saying through His word, His creation, my experiences, and others. When I am quiet I can better hear what I say to myself through my thoughts. And when I practice the discipline of keeping my mouth closed, I am able to better hear what others are speaking. This Scripture also reinforces my need for knowledge. It says know that I am God. In other words, I am not God, God is God, and God really wants me to think about being quiet and Him being God. When I meditate on what God is telling me, I am applying that knowledge about Him being God to my thoughts and it will change me. Remember what we learned from last week: knowledge + application = change.
My clutter will always build up when I attempt to do too much, do it too fast, or I am too busy to slow down. My clutter builds up when I do not still myself to be renewed, refreshed, and relaxed. Therefore, when I slow down and I when I still myself, I lessen my clutter.
In terms of symbolism, the lighthouse is a symbol that God has often used with me, and others, to get our attention to slow down and be still. Whenever I see one, whether it is a picture or an actual lighthouse, I am reminded that God is God, and He is the Lighthouse that directs me at all times, especially in my darkness when I am alone, or when I am overwhelmed by the storms of life. See if He uses the lighthouse to get your attention to remember that He is God, and that He is the One who will direct your steps to slow down and be still in Him. If not a lighthouse, it may be this song by Steven Curtis Chapman called Be Still and Know.
First of all, I would like to slow down and be still with you by praying.
Father God, we thank you for showing us this past week where we needed to slow down so we could become more patient with You, ourselves, and one another. You tell us in 1 Corinthians 13:1 that love is patient. It is the first word that You use to show me what love looks like. Boy Lord, I am so impatient! I want to pray fast, eat fast, talk fast, walk fast, and be in a relationship fast! I want a fast computer, a fast phone, and a fast fax. I want a fast car and a fast plane. I want to shop, shop, shop, move, move, move, till I drop, drop, drop! I want everything FAST – fast food, and a fast drive through. I want, want, want. I want this and I want that! Help me Lord, to slow down enough to hear You say what I need, need, need, vs. what I want, want, want.
What do you think is the #1 word that people use to describe how they think or feel about their clutter? If you said "overwhelmed," you are correct. How would you describe overwhelmed? The dictionary says that it means to pour down and bury beneath, or to crush. So being overwhelmed can make us think and feel like we are being poured down, buried, or crushed.
Being overwhelmed is often the result of taking on too much and doing it too fast. We pile up so much on ourselves that we feel overwhelmed by all of our doing!
In order to lessen that feeling of being overwhelmed, I would like to start out by having you slow down and reflect on what you found out about yourself this past week. How did you make an honest attempt to slow down or be still for just one minute every day? How did this slowing down change or transform you? Did your change influence someone else? Notice that I said influence and not change. I want to reinforce what I said last week. You can only change yourself. You can not change another. When change takes place in you, it can influence others, but it is up to each individual to decide if he or she is motivated to change themselves.
The one word that I used to describe my clutter from last week was “chores.” More specifically it had to do with all of my outdoor chores. Here was my thinking at the beginning of this past week. I wanted to get all my chores done by Father’s Day weekend, since I was expecting company, but I needed to be patient with myself. I needed to let go of the want to have 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.
So as we continue to reflect on the answers that we have gathered about ourselves over this past week, I am now going to ask you to consider what one clutter category best represents where you are at this time in your life.
I have classified clutter into 7 categories, and I use this acronym: MMESS PR
Mental
Material
Emotional
Situational
Spiritual
Physical
Relational
After each category you will see some examples of the signs/symptoms for that clutter category. Please note that the signs and symptoms that are listed are simply that, examples. No sign or symptom is specific to a certain category. Let me clarify. Scattered may be a sign/symptom that gets reflected in more than one category. It can be the sign/symptom of someone's mental clutter and for someone else it could reflect their emotional clutter.
Material: paper, clothes, toys, laundry
Mental: scattered, conflicting beliefs, low self worth or value, negativity
Emotional: anger, shame, depression, isolation, judging, criticizing
Situational: divorce, moving, death, job loss, finances
Spiritual: religiosity, psychics, horoscopes, numerology, over serving
Physical Health: weight/food issues, cancer, addictions (drugs, alcohol, smoking)
Relational: dating, marriage, parenting, work relations
Please keep in mind that these clutter categories along with their signs and symptoms are all intertwined with one another. You have clutter in all of these categories and it comes at you in different ways and at different times throughout your life. By breaking down the concept of clutter into these seven categories, we are breaking down the big picture of what is stress.
When we look at the whole big picture and think we have to deal with it all at one time, we don't know where to start, and that is what causes us to think and feel overwhelmed. It’s too much to tackle. It's like seeing the drawing of a new house you are going to build and thinking that you have to build the whole house all at the same time. It doesn't work that way. You have to break down the building of that home in a step by step process to accomplish the end result or you will be the one that ends up being broken down.
Your SW for this coming week is to choose the one clutter category that most reflects that area in your life that prompted you to slow down and be still last week. This is the area of clutter that most needs your attention in your life right now. As you focus on your clutter category, write it down, and then record some of your thoughts as you ask your self how the Scripture from Psalm 46:10, “Be silent and know that I am God,” speaks to you personally about your clutter category. This is the Scripture that backs up our need to slow down and be still. Do you remember what seed you waned to plant? Go back and look up the answer you wrote from your first SW. Was it healing, hope, love, or Truth? As reinforcement for yourself, write down the seed you wanted to plant in relationship to the clutter category you have now chosen to focus on. This will help you to begin to seeing the fruit of your planting.
Psalm 46:10 reminds me to be quiet so I can listen. When I am quiet I can listen to what God is saying through His word, His creation, my experiences, and others. When I am quiet I can better hear what I say to myself through my thoughts. And when I practice the discipline of keeping my mouth closed, I am able to better hear what others are speaking. This Scripture also reinforces my need for knowledge. It says know that I am God. In other words, I am not God, God is God, and God really wants me to think about being quiet and Him being God. When I meditate on what God is telling me, I am applying that knowledge about Him being God to my thoughts and it will change me. Remember what we learned from last week: knowledge + application = change.
My clutter will always build up when I attempt to do too much, do it too fast, or I am too busy to slow down. My clutter builds up when I do not still myself to be renewed, refreshed, and relaxed. Therefore, when I slow down and I when I still myself, I lessen my clutter.
In terms of symbolism, the lighthouse is a symbol that God has often used with me, and others, to get our attention to slow down and be still. Whenever I see one, whether it is a picture or an actual lighthouse, I am reminded that God is God, and He is the Lighthouse that directs me at all times, especially in my darkness when I am alone, or when I am overwhelmed by the storms of life. See if He uses the lighthouse to get your attention to remember that He is God, and that He is the One who will direct your steps to slow down and be still in Him. If not a lighthouse, it may be this song by Steven Curtis Chapman called Be Still and Know.
June 13, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #1, Part One
Slow Down and Be Still
Prior to writing today’s Red Wednesday’s Wisdom, I stilled myself by spending some time in prayer and reflection. As a result of that slowing down, I wanted to share what came to me through Pastor Tony Evan’s daily e-mail devotion. And to put it quite simply, had I not slowed down to be still with the Lord, I would have missed what God wanted to say to me, and particularly as it pertains to this blog! Today’s devotion was just one example of the many ways that God affirms for me that I am on His path, heeding His calling.
Last week I taught you about journaling and what you can learn through God’s Holy Spirit when you write down your one word responses or phrases that are reflective of your answers to the SW. This morning’s devotion began with these words. “Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord” (Exodus 24:4), and then Pastor Evans went on to say that Moses did not want to miss or forget anything that God was telling him.
I can not tell you how excited I got! Whenever I hear God specifically and personally speaking to me through His written Word and His Holy Spirit, I continue to be in awe. Just think about it, the God of the universe wants to talk to us! It is so unfathomable, but the Bible, which is inclusive of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), was inspired through God’s Holy Spirit! The Bible remains the # 1 best selling book, and it contains God’s most personal love letters that have been written to each and every one of us!
So with that little side note, grab your journal and pen as we prepare to slow down. Take some time to slowly breathe in and slowly breathe out so you can get that oxygen flowing to your brain. Now take a moment to think, and consider the visual that comes to mind as you ponder on the word "clutter." Write down your thought in one word. If you then want to elaborate on your one word go right ahead. For the majority of you there was an immediate mental picture of the pile ups and build ups of material “stuff” - mail, paperwork, laundry, dishes, or toys. My one word would have been "chores." Maybe your word was "paperwork."
Remember when I told you last week that clutter = stress? I am going to help you see how specific we can be in identifying our stress when we rethink of it in terms of what builds up and piles up not only with our possessions, but also in our heads and hearts, as well as situationaly, spiritually, physically and mentally. All you have to do is look at the expression on this face and you can sense that there is way more clutter going on than meets the eye!
Build ups and pile ups take place first and foremost in our heads, where we are bombarded with unlimited thoughts. Those thoughts can then give way to an endless array of built up emotions and feelings that get stored up in our hearts. Thoughts and feelings directly influence the numerous situations that we find ourselves piling into. Add to all of this the bewildering pileup of spiritual beliefs systems, and you will see the ripple effect of what builds up inside of our bodies that adversely affects our physical health, and spreads to a build up of damaged relationships.
Looking at clutter from this point of view helps us to more clearly see that it can encompass every aspect of our lives. As we look at stress in the light of defining it as clutter, I hope you will be better prepared to see what is robbing you from living with simplicity, order and nurturance.
Slow down and reflect on this:
♥ Clutter is anything that builds up or piles up around us.
♥ Clutter is anything that builds up or piles up inside of us.
♥ Our outward clutter reflects our inward clutter.
♥ Clutter is directly related to the build-up or pile-up of how we think and feel.
♥ Clutter is the build-up or pile-up of “pushing off” or “putting off” the making of a decision. In one word, we "avoid" or "procrastinate" the making of a decision. In one phrase, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
♥ Clutter causes confusion, chaos, and disorder within us and around us.
♥ Clutter can reflect the barriers of sin that come between us and God.
To summarize, our outward environment reflects what we think and feel on the inside. Therefore, our outward clutter is a reflection of the clutter that is going on inside of us. And here is the truth about clutter, it is always coming at you just like the mail, whether it is snail mail or e-mail. Clutter never goes away but, we can learn how to manage it and lessen it.
How do we manage and lessen the clutter? We will start by slowing down, and I will for warn you, this is a Clutter Healing Guideline (CHG) that is a foundational life skill for living in a very fast paced world. We are going to spend some very precious time in learning how to do this. So, in your journal, and even on a post it note, write down the following equation: Knowledge + Application = Change. Over the next week, take just one minute each day to remind yourself to slow down and think about how change pertains specifically to you and not someone else.
Knowledge without application is useless. And when you are introduced next week to the 7 categories of clutter, you will begin to gain the knowledge that you need and the opportunity to apply that knowledge. You will be able to lessen, manage, and heal your clutter, and that will bring about a transformation that is life changing.
Here is the challenge for you this up coming week as you still yourself to reflect these three truths about change:
♥ You can only change you.
♥ You can not change another.
♥ True change, true transformation, comes through God’s power source, His Holy Spirit.
This week let’s make a conscientious effort to honestly assess where we need to slow down and/or be still. Maybe it has to do with our scheduling, driving, talking, reacting, spending, serving, pleasing. Ask God to help you identify that one area in your life that needs to change, and then write it down for yourself in just one word.
The first guideline to healing any kind of clutter is to slow down and be still. We have build ups and pile ups in our life because we are doing everything way too fast and we think there is no time to slow sown or to quiet ourselves. Here is the Scripture that God speaks to us in backing up this first Clutter Healing Guideline, which will be referred to as CHG from here on out. “Be silent, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I look forward to breaking this Scripture down for you next week as we continue to explore CHG #1.
Prior to writing today’s Red Wednesday’s Wisdom, I stilled myself by spending some time in prayer and reflection. As a result of that slowing down, I wanted to share what came to me through Pastor Tony Evan’s daily e-mail devotion. And to put it quite simply, had I not slowed down to be still with the Lord, I would have missed what God wanted to say to me, and particularly as it pertains to this blog! Today’s devotion was just one example of the many ways that God affirms for me that I am on His path, heeding His calling.
Last week I taught you about journaling and what you can learn through God’s Holy Spirit when you write down your one word responses or phrases that are reflective of your answers to the SW. This morning’s devotion began with these words. “Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord” (Exodus 24:4), and then Pastor Evans went on to say that Moses did not want to miss or forget anything that God was telling him.
I can not tell you how excited I got! Whenever I hear God specifically and personally speaking to me through His written Word and His Holy Spirit, I continue to be in awe. Just think about it, the God of the universe wants to talk to us! It is so unfathomable, but the Bible, which is inclusive of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), was inspired through God’s Holy Spirit! The Bible remains the # 1 best selling book, and it contains God’s most personal love letters that have been written to each and every one of us!
So with that little side note, grab your journal and pen as we prepare to slow down. Take some time to slowly breathe in and slowly breathe out so you can get that oxygen flowing to your brain. Now take a moment to think, and consider the visual that comes to mind as you ponder on the word "clutter." Write down your thought in one word. If you then want to elaborate on your one word go right ahead. For the majority of you there was an immediate mental picture of the pile ups and build ups of material “stuff” - mail, paperwork, laundry, dishes, or toys. My one word would have been "chores." Maybe your word was "paperwork."
Remember when I told you last week that clutter = stress? I am going to help you see how specific we can be in identifying our stress when we rethink of it in terms of what builds up and piles up not only with our possessions, but also in our heads and hearts, as well as situationaly, spiritually, physically and mentally. All you have to do is look at the expression on this face and you can sense that there is way more clutter going on than meets the eye!
Looking at clutter from this point of view helps us to more clearly see that it can encompass every aspect of our lives. As we look at stress in the light of defining it as clutter, I hope you will be better prepared to see what is robbing you from living with simplicity, order and nurturance.
Slow down and reflect on this:
♥ Clutter is anything that builds up or piles up around us.
♥ Clutter is anything that builds up or piles up inside of us.
♥ Our outward clutter reflects our inward clutter.
♥ Clutter is directly related to the build-up or pile-up of how we think and feel.
♥ Clutter is the build-up or pile-up of “pushing off” or “putting off” the making of a decision. In one word, we "avoid" or "procrastinate" the making of a decision. In one phrase, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
♥ Clutter causes confusion, chaos, and disorder within us and around us.
♥ Clutter can reflect the barriers of sin that come between us and God.
To summarize, our outward environment reflects what we think and feel on the inside. Therefore, our outward clutter is a reflection of the clutter that is going on inside of us. And here is the truth about clutter, it is always coming at you just like the mail, whether it is snail mail or e-mail. Clutter never goes away but, we can learn how to manage it and lessen it.
How do we manage and lessen the clutter? We will start by slowing down, and I will for warn you, this is a Clutter Healing Guideline (CHG) that is a foundational life skill for living in a very fast paced world. We are going to spend some very precious time in learning how to do this. So, in your journal, and even on a post it note, write down the following equation: Knowledge + Application = Change. Over the next week, take just one minute each day to remind yourself to slow down and think about how change pertains specifically to you and not someone else.
Knowledge without application is useless. And when you are introduced next week to the 7 categories of clutter, you will begin to gain the knowledge that you need and the opportunity to apply that knowledge. You will be able to lessen, manage, and heal your clutter, and that will bring about a transformation that is life changing.
Here is the challenge for you this up coming week as you still yourself to reflect these three truths about change:
♥ You can only change you.
♥ You can not change another.
♥ True change, true transformation, comes through God’s power source, His Holy Spirit.
This week let’s make a conscientious effort to honestly assess where we need to slow down and/or be still. Maybe it has to do with our scheduling, driving, talking, reacting, spending, serving, pleasing. Ask God to help you identify that one area in your life that needs to change, and then write it down for yourself in just one word.
The first guideline to healing any kind of clutter is to slow down and be still. We have build ups and pile ups in our life because we are doing everything way too fast and we think there is no time to slow sown or to quiet ourselves. Here is the Scripture that God speaks to us in backing up this first Clutter Healing Guideline, which will be referred to as CHG from here on out. “Be silent, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I look forward to breaking this Scripture down for you next week as we continue to explore CHG #1.
June 6, 2012
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - Journaling
As we get connected to one another through this blog, I am going to suggest that from here on out you consider buying yourself a journal. It can be as simple as a paper tablet. And if you have any kind of hesitation to doing this because you hate to write, I want to put your mind at ease. The journaling or writing that I am talking about is simply related to one word thoughts or feelings, and sometimes it consists of just a phrase or sentence.
Last week I introduced you to Spirit Work (SW). The journal is a great place to begin recording your answers to that SW and to the ones that will follow. If you begin to write your SW answers in one place you will start to see the story that the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to you about yourself. Consider using the journal like you would use a container. You are going to use it to gather your thoughts and feelings.
Writing is actually one of the guidelines for lessening and healing the clutter in your life. Think of your “to do list,” it is a great example of this. When your “to do list” is put down on paper it gives you more clarity and direction. It can actually save you space, time, energy, and money. That is what journaling is all about. It gives you a more clear direction in how to live your day to day life with the Holy Spirit guiding you.
So I hope you get that journal book and begin to write down your answers to last week’s SW. I then want you to look at those answers and consider if they had any bearing on what took place in your life from last week to this week. How did that one thought, feeling, seed, or Scripture influence you or not influence you? How did the song Draw Me Close touch you?
Here is an example of how I would respond to the question in regards to the song. I “happened” to hear that song on the radio this past week. I had not heard it for a long time. I then came upon the Scripture in James 4:8 that reflected the title, “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” This past week was filled with much sadness and disappointment concerning a loved one. Consequently, I knew that I needed a couple of days to be by myself and in God’s presence. This song and Scripture came after my two days of quiet time. It 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, and I am at peace!
I am just about ready to dig in to your specific clutter, but there are five points that I want to reinforce as the Holy Spirit prepares us to take this journey through our clutter.
♥ Truth
Truth can only be found in God’s Word. Truth comes from what God says, and not what man says or thinks it should be. John 14:17 says, “He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”
With the vast number of cluttered divorces, broken families, wounded relationships and the wide spread addiction to drugs, alcohol and sex, we have all been personally and adversely affected. We desperately need God’s Word to guide us through these tumultuous issues that I refer to as clutter.
Jesus said in John 14:6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the only one who can direct my path because He is truth and He is life. Every breath that I take is because He is the life Giver! The Truth of God’s Word continually teaches me to look at life from God’s view point and not mine.
♥ Prevention
As a Nurse I want to help you in knowing how to prevent the problems that create your clutter. I want to equip you with the tools that will help you to take better care of your physical health so you can lessen the burden of disease, sickness, and illness that can clutter your body, mind, spirit and the environment that you live and work in.
Clutter = Stress
Clutter = Build ups and Pile ups
Clutter is anything that builds up or piles up on the outside of our bodies as well as on the inside of our bodies. In my years as both a nurse and patient I can tell you that the word stress has been used as a nonspecific catch all for many of the symptoms that cause people to seek medical help. I define clutter as being equal to stress, and I will get very specific in helping you to identify the cause of those build ups and pile ups so you can know how to become healthier.
♥ Nurturance
I also want to focus on prioritizing your need for nurturance. It can be very difficult to nurture and care for others if you are not first taking care of yourself. We have been erroneous in thinking that loving and taking care of ourselves is selfish. To be selfish is to have no regard or interest for anyone but me! Nurturance has to do with self love and it means that I nourish my physical and emotional needs. Giving yourself permission to take care of you, to nurture you, is not selfish. You need to know how to care for your own health if you are going to effectively care about the health of others.
♥ Conservation
As a professional organizer I want to help you better manage the clutter of everyday life and to help you conserve your STEM – your Space, Time, Energy, and Money.
As a professional organizer I want to help you better manage the clutter of everyday life and to help you conserve your STEM – your Space, Time, Energy, and Money.
For most of you, your biggest expense will be where you live, but many of you avoid going there at all costs, and it’s because you are so overwhelmed by all your “stuff!” I want to help you to know how you can change that for yourself and create a place that says, “Welcome Home!”
♥ Guidelines
As a Biblical coach/counselor, I want to help you become more aware of how to care for your spiritual health. Whether you believe it or not you have an enemy and it is not each other! This enemy is a spirit that desires to steal, kill, and destroy your entire life.
♥ Guidelines
As a Biblical coach/counselor, I want to help you become more aware of how to care for your spiritual health. Whether you believe it or not you have an enemy and it is not each other! This enemy is a spirit that desires to steal, kill, and destroy your entire life.
Talk about clutter! As you learn to draw into a loving relationship with God, yourself, and others, you will be armored to move against this enemy instead of God, yourself, and other people.
I will guide you in knowing how to apply the “Twelve Clutter Healing Guidelines.” Each guideline is based on God’s Word. These guidelines are the tools in your tool box, but they only work to your advantage if you use them every day. They are the tools to use if you want to prevent and manage the clutter of day to day living.
In my thirty plus years of nursing, organizing, coaching, and counseling, I can say this with confidence and authority, CLUTTER will literally rob you of your health, home, family, heart and work. I know it all too well. It happened to me and it does not need to stay that way for me or for you!
I hope and pray that you make the decision to nurture yourself - get that journal and write in last week’s SW and then get ready for a new way of living. God’s voice is shouting out to you “Prepare a straight pathway for My coming,” John 1:23. Can you hear Him?
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