Do you ever have moments or times where you experience what I like to call ‘freaky peace’? It’s that Philippians 4:7 kind of peace. It only comes from God and we don’t understand it. But it’s there.
Recently I experienced one of the more horrible days in my life. (Thank God those are few and far between!) But then I realized this isn’t about me and my feelings but it’s about Christ in me. I guess that was the first step in allowing His peace to wash over me. It’s not about me.
My oldest daughter is 23. She was raised in a spirit-filled church. She received Christ when she was six years old. When she turned 21 and after some family/church related turmoil (a story for a later time) she decided she wanted to rebel. She moved out-of-state and befriended people who pulled her down spiritually. This was two years ago. Since then she has been miserable in every sense of the word—exactly what happens when one knows the truth.
At the same time and knowing that she’s not living right (and her thinking she’s pulling the wool over our eyes), her dad and I have been praying, praying and praying!
About two months ago while out on my walk I was praying for her and began sensing such an urgency to pray more intensely. I began confessing that ‘today, now, she is coming home. Today she is Born Again. Today…today…’ That evening she called us and said it was time to come home. I’m so thankful for the Holy Spirit urging me to pray more intensely than ever before that morning. He is so faithful if we’ll listen and obey His voice.
It took two months to finally get her home. And I’m telling you in the past two months I have never prayed more, confessed more, rebuked Satan’s attack off her life more. It has been a battle. But I have to confess, the biggest battle has been feeling the need to take it out of God’s hands--It's ok God, you got her home, now I"ll take it from here’!--like I can fix anything, sheesh! (Moms the world over know exactly what I’m talking about!) There have been so many other things He has taught me through this—compassion (I thought I had), love, realizing that the foothold of self-righteousness and pride are hard to break in one’s life (speaking of my own). Wonderful lessons but learning them through the ‘freaky peace’ process.
There is still a battle waging. Satan is doing his best to annihilate Chels from the face of the planet. This 'horrible' day had to happen for all of us. Sometimes we have to face the very thing we’d rather shove under the carpet. So me and my Father went for a drive. I cried, I felt Him cry with me, wrap his arms around me and cover me with His peace.
God is working to will and do His good pleasure in her life (Phil. 2:13). He brought her home and keeps reminding me that He’s going to finish what He’s started in her life. As for me, my responsibility is to love, speak words in due season, and pray like never before.
Yet God Is!
Brenda
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Welcome!
Some of you are here because I have personally invited you, others because you have randomly happened upon my blog. Welcome to both!
This blog is my attempt at journaling my thoughts on being Christ-like--or as close as I can get to becoming Christ-like. I am ever-growing and hungry for more and more of Him.
I am Born Again. I am Spirit-filled. And, yes, I do speak in tongues (gasp!).
Some of my thoughts are non-traditional, non-mainstream, non-religious Christianity. Things the Holy Spirit has been teaching me that go against the flow or 'traditions of men'.
I believe in contextual study of the Word of God. It's easy to pull a verse or two 'out of the hat' to fit whatever need is present in one's life or to get more money or service from a congregation (ouch!) but is that verse read in context? {Here's a fun challenge. The next time the minister gives the scripture reference for his/her sermon, quickly read above and below the said scripture. Sometime you'll know right then if what is being delivered from the pulpit is in context with scripture. If this can't be done quickly--for instance, the whole chapter or book in question should be read, then take it home and read it. This may include looking up the Greek and/or Hebrew meanings of certain words. (Some things may really surprise you!) It is our responsibility to 'study to show ourselves approved'. Plus you get the added benefit of growth through personal study.}
I chose my blog title 'Yet God Is!' because no matter what my thoughts are--whether filled with faith or I happen to be in a horribly-negative moment, no matter what I am personally going through, I can rest assured that God is still the same, the Rock, steady and unchangeable. No matter what I think, Yet God Is!
God bless,
Brenda
This blog is my attempt at journaling my thoughts on being Christ-like--or as close as I can get to becoming Christ-like. I am ever-growing and hungry for more and more of Him.
I am Born Again. I am Spirit-filled. And, yes, I do speak in tongues (gasp!).
Some of my thoughts are non-traditional, non-mainstream, non-religious Christianity. Things the Holy Spirit has been teaching me that go against the flow or 'traditions of men'.
I believe in contextual study of the Word of God. It's easy to pull a verse or two 'out of the hat' to fit whatever need is present in one's life or to get more money or service from a congregation (ouch!) but is that verse read in context? {Here's a fun challenge. The next time the minister gives the scripture reference for his/her sermon, quickly read above and below the said scripture. Sometime you'll know right then if what is being delivered from the pulpit is in context with scripture. If this can't be done quickly--for instance, the whole chapter or book in question should be read, then take it home and read it. This may include looking up the Greek and/or Hebrew meanings of certain words. (Some things may really surprise you!) It is our responsibility to 'study to show ourselves approved'. Plus you get the added benefit of growth through personal study.}
I chose my blog title 'Yet God Is!' because no matter what my thoughts are--whether filled with faith or I happen to be in a horribly-negative moment, no matter what I am personally going through, I can rest assured that God is still the same, the Rock, steady and unchangeable. No matter what I think, Yet God Is!
God bless,
Brenda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)