Shine - by @Lori_Kennedy

 

Photo By Amelia Grace Photography

Shine 

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:15b-16a (NIV)

We, as Christians, are called to shine the light of Jesus wherever we go.  I had a friend tell me just the other day that we are atmosphere changers inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit in whatever places our physical bodies inhabit.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel like I shine.  I sometimes feel like there is a cloudy film that just envelops me and holds me back from shining the way God has truly called me to shine.  When I take a deeper look at that shroud of shame that covers me at times, I begin to see some things I would like to share with you.

I find that that I shine brighter when I do three things:

1.       RECOGNIZE

The first step is to recognize what’s holding you back from shining.  In many cases this may be your childhood wounds and fears.  Feelings of inadequacy or fear of rejection may hold you back.  You may possibly need to forgive someone for something that they have done to you.  Anytime you make decisions, you are filtering them through something.  Is that something that your decisions are being made through a filter of shame and surrounded by feelings of unworthiness or is that filter the filter of prayer, love and the truth of God’s Holy Word?      

2.      REPLACE

Once you recognize what is stealing your light, then you must replace those lies (from your wounds and fears) with truth.  So you ask how do you do that?  Romans 12:2b (NIV) says to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.  The way to remind your mind is put scripture in place of the lie.  For example, if you are feeling like you aren’t good enough, then read Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

3.      REPRESENT

The final step is to represent God’s glory to the world.  Those that shine brightest have allowed Him to use those broken places to shine through.  In Genesis 50:20 (NIV), Joseph says to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Shine for Jesus!

 

 

 

 

Q and A from friend Me? Conference 3/16/2013

Someone at the Friend Me? Conference asked the counseling panel this question: 

"My brother asked me to lie to a friend. If he is a believer, why ask me to lie?" 

I think there may be two parts to your question: 

1.  If my brother is a believer, why does he sin and want me to sin? 

Just because your brother is a Christian, it doesn't mean he is perfect. 

Before we were Christians we were spring-loaded to the sin position. It was impossible not to sin. Sure we could do “good” things, but our motives are probably self-centered. In 1 John 1: 8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Though we strive for perfection (Matthew 5:48) our old nature still exists. If you read Romans 7, you will see that Paul struggled with his sin nature, but he knew that one day he would be victorious.  

When we become believers we have the Holy Spirit living in us. For the first time we have the power not to sin. However, but are still human. Because of the Fall, we live in a broken world. We are still capable of ignoring the Holy Spirit's power.  

2. I think a second part of your question might be, “Is it okay to tell my brother I won’t lie for him?” 

Do you have a hard time standing up for yourself? Do you feel like he has more influence over you than he should? Do you feel like there will be a price to pay if you don't lie?  

If you struggle with these questions you might want to read the book, Boundaries by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend. Or you may want to see a counselor to help you work on these struggles.

Lucille Zimmerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Littleton, CO and an affiliate faculty professor at Colorado Christian University. 

She is also the author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World. Through practical ideas and relatable anecdotes, readers can better understand their strengths and their passions—and address some of the underlying struggles or hurts that make them want to keep busy or minister to others to the detriment of themselves. Renewed can help nurture those areas of women’s lives to use them better for work, family, and service. It gives readers permission to examine where they spend their energy and time, and learn to set limits and listen to “that inner voice."

 

 

A Better Inside View, Enhanced Imaging Part 1 by Debra Courtney

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography  

A Better Inside View, Enhanced Imaging Part 1

By  Debra Courtney 

~What specific things are God's Will?

~What are the characteristics of a spiritual    mirror?

~What does it mean that a believer’s life is “hidden with Christ”? 

So turn to me and be helped – saved – everyone, whoever and where you are. I am GOD, the only God there is, the one and only. Isaiah 45: 22 MSG.  

     

We are to narrow all our interest until our spirit, soul, and body are focused on Jesus Christ. The greatest difficulty, spiritually, is concentrating upon God, and His blessings are what make it so difficult. Our troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere. We should not look to other Christians (sons of Adam and daughters of Eve) as an image of what we should be, but instead we should focus on God. We will find what we are looking for if we concentrate on Him. Live your life on purpose for "who" you were designed to be. It is our eternal enemy that puts pressure on us.

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transformed into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP.   

The greatest characteristic a Christian can demonstrate is a total unveiled openness before God, which allows our life to become a mirror for others. When we allow the Spirit to fill us with His presence we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. Make a careful exploration of "who" you are and the calling you have been given. Take a moment and ponder this thought: Were you designed to make a living? Or were you designed to create a living?

Remember—Something good, but not what is the best, 
can tarnish the mirror in us. 

It is very important to focus on keeping our lives open to God. Set everything aside. The enemy likes to break our focus on the cares of this world, (i.e. work, clothes, housing, food, and luxury items etc...) The busyness of worldly cares blurs our focus on God. Don't allow a yoke of bondage to be placed on you again. Take the responsibility for doing the "creative" best you can with your own life. 

                                                                               

Risen and Renewed

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

Risen and Renewed

 by

Cheryl Laurenza, MA, LPC, NCCBCPCC, CPCS, ACS

 “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. —2 Corinthians 4:17”. 

I was watching The Bible miniseries this past Easter as it depicted the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. I was overwhelmed with the emotions of gratitude and love for him, and for those followers to whom we owe so much. It truly is indescribable ( listening to Chris Tomlin)  you are amazing God!  He suffered for us, in our place, knowing we had the free will to believe and accept or not. I cannot fathom that type of selflessness, but I accept it humbly. 

As I watched Paul pen the above scripture passage from a prison cell, after having been beaten etc., I  see that he was NEVER a prisoner except for before his conversion. Then this morning this passage was part of a devotional reading in Jesus Today by Sarah Young. 2 Corinthians 4:17 does not make light of what you are dealing with. Instead it wants to take what is painful, difficult or heart wrenching and draw a comparison to Paul, who saw Christ and knew about what we have coming through the finished work of the cross!  That's how we hold on to Joy in the midst of very real and very painful stuff in our own experiences. God does not want you to feel ashamed or condemned for feeling real, human emotions. He created them! This has been even more freeing and grace-filled for me.  I invite you to journey into that with me this Spring, as a sort of renewal for your heart and for your life.  

You are precious in His sight, loved one.

The Refuge Counseling Center

500 Sun Valley Dr. Suite C-1

Roswell, GA 30076

P: 678 693 2281

F: 770 640 9287

Cheryl@refugecounselingcenter.org

www.refugecounselingcenter.org

Really, it's Raining Today?



Really, it’s Raining Today?

by Deborah Lenderman, Operating Director for C4C

I Peter 5:10:  And after you suffer for a short time, God, Who gives all grace, will make everything right.  He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling, He called you to share in His glory in Christ and a glory that will continue forever.

I will remember the day my son (Garrett) was getting his senior pictures taken.  He was not a fan of dressing up or sitting still for any length of time for a professional picture.   Now, he will goof off and make funny faces all day long for a camera, if it will bring a laugh.   However, this was the day to capture a picture, reflecting that moment in life where the first significant change in his life starts taking place. 

He stepped outside only to moan, turning his head “Really, mom, it’s raining today? UGH!”  Off he goes!

 A major change is coming; Garrett will be moving out of our home to a new environment, new people,  new influences and unprotected by our watch.  He has never been on his own before.   This is a major change for a young 18 year old.  There are “unknowns” in this new world.

Have you ever endured a significant change in your life?  Maybe a change you could not control or a change that you pursued that was not, “as planned”.  A job change, a loss, a divorce, financial devastation or maybe an action has changed the way you feel.   Significant change has many effects on our lives.

A significant change took place when I accepted Christ and made a public profession of faith through baptism.   The water trickling over my head and covering my body, reflected  how His grace poured out over my head, down my body, covering my soul, all the way over my feet and washed me completely free of the “old me”.     I had no idea how this change would affect my life and there was some pain and suffering before it took place but because of His Grace, I am no longer alone in my circumstances. This is the Grace of our Father.

Below is the picture we chose to have framed on the day my son was photographed, he refused to reschedule.  As he was walking back from the session, he looked up at the rain, because in the midst of the rain, there was a ray of sunlight beaming through…thank God the photographer caught the moment.

Photo by Deborah Lenderman

Now this is my vision of “Reigning Grace”. 

 Allow His Grace to shine through the clouds of your life starting today.

The truth was the truth all along—but until I knew the truth, I couldn’t be free #Shine

I shared in this week’s teaching that for as long as I can remember, between the ages of babyhood and about 25, I was very afraid of men with beards and shaggy clothes or blue collar type work clothes. I can’t count the number of times I experienced a scenario like this one I am going to share with you. Picture me walking down an aisle in the grocery store, minding my own business, making my grocery selections and keeping tabs on my calculator. I focus intently on whatever I am doing—so much so that it drives my family crazy sometimes. The whole house could fall down around me while I’m focused on the task at hand and I probably would not skip a beat in what I am working on. In fact, a counselor friend once told me if I had any more dopamine in my brain, I would be psychotic! (He said this tongue-in-cheek….I think!)

            So back to my scenario: Picture me focused intently on the task of grocery shopping—something I don’t enjoy anyways—and not noticing anyone around me except to go around them instead of through them as I do my shopping. Then, as if a radar detects danger, I notice a man round the corner with his own buggy, sporting a long beard, long hair and his work clothes from a construction job or something similar. Immediately, and without any provocation, my heart begins beating faster. I sense danger. I feel the intense need to make myself completely invisible to him. I feel panicky. But I have NO idea why. Logic tells me I’m being ridiculous. “Shelley, why are you freaking out? This guy has not done anything to you. Why do you always do this? Are you a bigot towards white men with shaggy hair or guys who work blue collar jobs?”

            This issue was so prevalent with me that I did not like it when the men in my life grew mustaches or beards. And I had NO idea why.

            Until one day in 1999 when my older brother and I were talking about memories from childhood. This was during the season I was experiencing an unwanted divorce from my first husband. My family members rose to the occasion big time and they all surrounded me with great support. My brother was helping me laugh as we reminisced about days gone by—the way that only siblings can because they go so far back together. At one point he started reminding me of the days when our parents could leave us kids in the car when they ran errands. This is something I never did with my children when they were young, but it was common in the late 70’s and early 80’s. My brother said, “Do you remember when Dad would leave the three of us (my two olders brothers and me) in the car to go into a store or something and you’d start crying for him?” I did not…I do not…remember this. And then he said, “And we  would tell you, ‘Shelley, you better be quiet…or the HIPPIES ARE GONNA GETCHA!!”

 Lightbulb.

            After all these years and after all the times I had asked my mom if something had happened to me when I was little that would make me experience so much anxiety when I would see men who looked a certain way; after all the confusion and guilt and fear, I finally understood where this all started and why I was affected so strongly.

            When the light was shone on this dark place, I experienced immediate release of all of that fear. (And it is a good thing my brother was on the other end of the phone or he might have been on the other end of my fist! Ha ha) 

The truth was the truth all along—but until I knew the truth, I couldn’t be free.

            And, as a side note, may I just say how thankful I am to have found this out before I met Stephen Hendrix—a man who has had facial hair almost every single day I’ve ever known him. J

• ·       Have you experienced a situation that this story reminds you of? If so, please share with us in the comments section below. 

  

• ·       What do you think might have happened if I continued to live without the knowledge about the idea of “hippies” and how the idea was planted in my mind when I was a toddler?