Revealing the Heart

Discernment vs. a Critical Spirit Some things just are not very pretty!  And it doesn't smell like a rose!  Wow, point a finger and get a punch in the arm from God! And it still hurts!!! I have to smile because I grew up in a family filled with insecurity and gossip and judgment (now I am blaming them for my short-comings - and critical spirit.)  The Bible says this is a curse and the longer I live the more I realize it truly is.  A critical spirit can destroy relationships.  And somehow, I have to laugh because I am blaming and pointing my finger at my own family environment, it is so easy for me to fall into this pattern of self-destruction and the destruction of others. I have also realized that whatever work environment I am in, it seems to be filled with a critical spirit?!?  Could this be coming from me?!? ....It must be contagious!?!  I think most all of us struggle with some element of being critical. I have attached an article t...

Corner Stone!  Who or what is your hope in today?  My song is loud and clear...my hope is found in Christ alone!   My anchor HOLDS within the Veil!!  Does this not give you goose bumps!  PRAISE GOD!! Wow!!!! Epshesians 2:20 - Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens of the saints and members of God's household!  Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone!!  In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple of the Lord!  Hallelujah!  HE IS LORD OF ALL - Oh, stand and praise HIM!  Yes, when darkness seems to rise it's face, I rest on His unchanging grace!  And every hard and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil!!  Let us reaffirm our faith and cornerstone!  Psalms 118:22  - The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone!  Proverbs 9:1 - Wisdo...

  Being a Friend!   "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers!  Not so for the wicked!  They are chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.  Proverbs 18:24" God has laid on my heart today to write about what it takes to be a friend! Often I write about subjects that I have struggles with in my own life that I literally run to talk to God about.  He is such a good listener and a friend.  You know in John 1:1 - it says that the word is and was God.  So when I want to sit down and have a chat with my Father, I know right where to find Him.  Please take time today to read this.  It definitely is something to t...

 Missing the Mark! The Hebrew word for sin is "chatah"it really means "missing the mark." How often do we miss the mark in this journey of life?   What do we do when we don't make it a successful journey?  What do we do when we choose pain instead of Abundant Life?  What do we do when we choose sorrow instead of JOY!  The BIG question....do we choose CHANGE?  Do we choose CHANGE? O Lord , you have searched me and known me!   You know when I sit down and when I rise up;      you discern my thoughts from afar.   You search out my path and my lying down      and are acquainted with all my ways.   Even before a word is on my tongue,      behold, O Lord , you know it altogether.   You hem me in, behind and before,      and lay your hand upon me.   Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;      it is high; I c...

Love is an experience not a feeling!   Several weeks ago I had the desire to buy a strand of pearls.   Not only is the pearl my birthstone; but it is also a reminder to me about the relationship that I have with the Lord.   Before the physical pearls I had his voice and words etched on my heart and mind.   It would often keep me from destruction.    In fact for 12 years I pondered on those pearls.     And was careful with His help to keep the strand intact.   I think I also had a pretty thick wall around my heart for protection too. The first thing that comes to my mind as I put my pearls on each morning is this strong and vivid message from my Abba, Father.   First, he reprimands me for my self-righteousness!   It’s in all of us.   His finger is pointed straight at me…..You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not giv...

A Thousand pieces!  Ok, so today I am plagiarizing because it just fits the moment!  I am letting go of the emotion within the melody!  As I listen to "You are Loved" by Stars Go Dim.  I think to myself, does anyone else ever have a day where their stars go dim?  Today is the day....I choose to love anyway and to be loved!  Oh my God...I hide pain in the weirdest places, my soul is broken with a smile on my face.  I am constantly fighting for surrender, in your presence Lord.  As I look around I see people scared to say how they really feel!  Oh my God we just need a little honesty!!!! You whisper to me.....you are loved.  My God my heart is in a thousand pieces I have lost and I am far from reason.  I must, must look up and know that I am loved!  I must continue to look up and see that I am loved!  His whisper.......You don't have to prove who you are and try to be someone else.... Just know you are...

How to stay above life's circumstances instead of under them.  Bring your focus toward God's promises, and don't look down at the crashing waves around you.  Sometimes we need less writing and more reading, less living loudly and more leaning, more singing and less complaining!  His word is always made REAL, in the circumstances of life. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.  — Proverbs 13:12  I envision holding a deep bucket and as the waves of life crash over me I catch as much living water as possible!  To me the living water is His word.  Let the water flow, whether it be tears of disappointment, or joy, or sorrow and pain, let them flow!  Because in the mix you will find His treasure!  You will find Him!  Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and...