My first experience with the power of community did not begin in the church. As a Sunday School teacher in the throes of alcoholism, there was no way I could get “real” or be “real” with the people there.

They’re “church people,” after all. They could never understand my shame, my sin; they weren’t sinners, I was.

So, I kept the secret, showing up every week, terribly hungover (sick) and ashamed.

As much as I prayed to be delivered, it didn’t happen.

Today, I realize that God was pushing me toward help, people who not only related to my burden, my addiction but were open and honest about their own journey.

It was the beginning of true community for me. People (mostly women) who accepted me as I was and only wanted to see me free from the horrific effects of the years of addictions.

Within this small community, and later in the larger gatherings, I began to shed the pain and shame of many years of hiding, pretending, and searching for remedies.

I began to grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally (and physically)–transformed by God’s Grace and Love through the guidance of others who, like me, desired healing and fulfilled lives.

When I became honest, reached out for help, and became a part of a community, the Holy Spirit began His work in me. Through the process of recovery, I became the woman God created me to be from before I was in the womb. (Jeremiah 1:5)

I came back into the church a different woman, delivered, forgiven, and free to share my story so others could heal. This could only have happened with others, not alone, not “me and God”–He’s the one who graciously steered me to those angels with skin on for help.

We need each other, now more than ever. Long-term isolation brings pain. Secrets keep you stuck, robbing you of the abundant life in Christ.

We are made to gather together. Jesus created a sacred community with His disciples and others. He is about honest, loving, and genuine relationships through believers like you and me.

Real community is a hearts-to-hearts connection. There is more power, more strength together.

Community is more important than ever, especially when gathering together is challenging, and for some, non-existent.

Wisdom from nine-year-old Johnny

The hustle and bustle of this season may look different for most of us; however, the pressures of the holidays may still exist.

Several years ago, I came upon this list of how to get through the holiday season thriving, not just surviving, the activities and extra duties that are part of Christmastime. Nine-year-old Johnny made some compelling (and truthful) observations and offered several tips to consider:

1. Adults get cranky when they get too busy. Ask for help. People like to help.
2. Don’t get uptight. Try to stay calm as much as you can.
3. If you get cold, just bundle up. Then you’ll like snow.
4. Be grateful.
5. If there’s too much cooking to do, get rid of the olives and the salad. But, not the turkey.
6. Think about God.
7. Help people.
8. Give people presents from their favorite store and get a gift receipt. It’s so exciting to see if people like the presents you bought for them! So, in case, they don’t like your gift, they can just return it and find something they DO like.
9. If you’re really too busy, don’t get a tree. That will make a huge difference!

Johnny was right about adults getting “cranky” when faced with all those holiday tasks. Sometimes I forget until I’m deep into the grouch persona. Johnny offers the remedy in Tip #2—Ask for help.

Am I the only one who has a difficult time asking for help? For most of my life, I desperately struggled with reaching out for assistance. I kept trying to prove I could do it all and all by myself. Pride keeps us from seeking and accepting help. It also keeps us stuck in misery—and this goes beyond setting up the Christmas tree! It leaks out into the way we handle all of the demands of life.

And, yes, people will answer your requests for help. Try it!

There isn’t much I can offer in the suggestion to bundle up—I think it might just be me—but winter weather is definitely for the birds, but not this California chick! We have been blessed with the late summer-like fall weather until today! We woke up to a dusting of tiny snowflakes. I’ll not complain. Instead, I will strive to be grateful.

And, not just grateful for the weather—but as the Word tells us—give thanks to God in all things! (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Why? Because gratitude brings about a heart and mindset change where we can rise above the world’s clatter. Gratitude brings peace to your soul.

The best part of Johnny’s list? Think about Jesus whose birth we celebrate at this time of year. Our #takebackyourlifegroup is reading through the Gospel of Luke. Join us! It will make your heart full!

It’s the giving season; a time to help others. Reach out to those who are alone, who struggle with sadness and depression; those who have had a loss this year, and those who may be in financial hardship. This year has been tough on all of us; some have suffered so much loss in so many ways.

This season take little Johnny’s sweet advice—get out of overwhelm, think about God, and help others.

And, if you need help, don’t forget to reach out. Don’t be alone in the stress, loneliness, or uncertainty of this unusual holiday season.

If you haven’t yet downloaded your complimentary copy of “Overcoming the Impossible: How to Live Your Faith in Troubling Times” it’s a helpful guide to navigating through to the other side. Click Right Here.

 

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16

It’s been a different kind of year. Okay, that’s an understatement. We have never been this way before as we head into our Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.

Our world as we have known it has ceased to be, and we are in a season of uncertainty as we navigate daily life during the strife, the sickness, and fear of the future.

Yet, the Word says, be grateful “in all things.” It isn’t easy, not in our humanness. Our restless hearts seek comfort, happiness, and well-being—the blessings. We want to know that everything is going to turn out okay (my way). Sometimes it doesn’t.

This past September, while visiting my mom in California, she suffered a stroke from which she never recovered. We prayed that she would be with us longer, but it didn’t happen. It was challenging to thank God at that moment.

But, when I asked God to bring peace into the situation for my sisters and me, I suddenly realized how grateful I was that I listened to the still, small voice that one month earlier said, “Don’t wait, go see your mom, now.”

I became grateful that I could be there with my sisters. Mostly, I thanked God that He was with us in all of it.

I have found that what the heart really yearns for is the higher life, the Jesus-centered way of living that focuses on Him as its source of fulfillment. No matter what is going on “out there.”

A grateful heart begins with a conscious decision to accept life as it is right now. Gratitude is a choice we make every day. When we choose it, God gives us the strength to accept the unacceptable. We pray with a thankful heart for the “peace that passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7)

Guided by Holy Spirit energy, our responses to life become powerfully effective. Fear and confusion leave us. We become energized and equipped, wrapped in Grace and Love.

Gently guided on the path to freedom from wanting our way, our world opens wide before us. We step into the days ahead filled with promise, hope, and security in Him.

Spiritual growth happens when we see that we have all we need and that God, our Source, loves us and will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

I pray that you will be in the joy and peace of Jesus during the Thanksgiving season. I pray, also, that you live in the supernatural gift of a grateful heart.

 

 

Life has been a blurred whirl since mid-August. Significant events made the days gone by memorable in ways I could not have imagined. And, the season has only just begun. 

What happens when life speeds up, and you’re already going as fast as you can, working to stay ahead, not just keep up? Maybe you’ve been there. Or it’s happening right now.

Someone mentioned that there are only nine Mondays until Christmas! And we are all seeking ways to celebrate the holidays in a new and different way.

I have been discovering the true essence of surrender–delivering (giving) up to God all that I have no control over, which is just about everything in life and this world. It comes with the territory of belonging to Jesus–my life is now His.

It has brought me to a deeper meaning of what we call in recovery circles, living “life on life’s terms.” Acceptance of the uncontrollable situations and circumstances—the ones we didn’t ask for as well as our heart’s desires.

We learn in early sobriety to get rid of the disillusionment that we can make things happen, change people, and stop the fearful worry that keeps us paralyzed and leads to anxiety and, ultimately, illness and depression. (Proverbs 12:25)

Jesus said, “the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy.”  (John 10:10) The devil works—sometimes not very hard—to disturb our daily peace, distract us from focusing on what’s in front of us right now—staying present in the moment —and deter us from our ultimate Kingdom mission on earth.  

My mom suffered a major stroke (from which she never recovered) while I was visiting her in August. My husband retired on October 1, and we are in the middle of purging, packing, and planning our move to another state. Some of you may be going through a patch of rough road.

Life is in session, and I am not in control. Acceptance and surrender are the keys to victory over the circumstances.

This morning I was reminded of the rest of John 10:10—God is in control. His Grace is sufficient for this day. His promise is for life above anything we could ever imagine—true abundance in Him.

What is true abundance?   Be looking out for an e-mail on what it means to live the abundant life. You can also head on over to Facebook and join my group #takebackyourlife! where we share as a community experiencing life in Jesus daily. 

Fall is usually the best of seasons for me. The change in the air brings about a shift; higher anticipation of things to come. Change happens in the most remarkable ways and brings hope for the new year.

What I hadn’t expected was my mother’s sudden stroke, hospitalization, and ultimate passing on September 3.

Sometimes during quiet time with God, I receive a prompting to take action that if I don’t question, always bring His Grace, Strength, and Love for the task. When I received a Holy Ghost “nudge” visit my mom as soon as possible, I hesitated. I usually visit in November around her birthday.

I felt that God was leading me into this new season in a different way and booked my flight out to the west coast.

We had a wonderful day and a half together before tragedy struck. Suddenly, she was down and unable to overcome the massive stroke that brought devastation to her mind and body.

As I prepare to head out again next week to be with my sisters for the service, I am reminded that “there is a season…for everything under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-22)

It’s God’s time frame for the uncontrollable events that happen in our lives—life and death, illness, and tragedy.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

My mom lived a long life; we knew she would be gone someday sooner than later. In an earlier conversation, I asked her if she was afraid of dying; if she knew where she was going after death. She said she had no fear and knew she was going to be with Jesus. There was a peace in my spirit for whatever came next.

It’s Fall, a season of change.

A lot is happening in our world right now; it’s all around us and distracts us from hearing Jesus calling us to Him, showing us the Way. This season change comes. A fresh season of hope, love, and joy. Don’t miss it.

Stay mindful. Be patient. Stay close to Jesus. He has so much for you this season!

Are you ready?

In His Love and Service,