An Amazing 2014 in Christ

I wrote a similar post on protectyourdreams.blogspot.ca, this year, but I thought it was worth duplicating to share this with you. Many said that 

2014 was both terrible and awesome at once.

 I can truly relate. That means, however, that we've all grown in some way. You may have learned that 

you're more resilient than you thought,

 or that there are more efficient ways to do something or quite simply that you'll do something very differently moving forward. Whatever you learned this year, I'm sure there is a positive perspective and takeaway, if not a few. Would you be willing to share what those were?

I believe none of our experiences are for naught. They're all necessary to help others advance too.

Source:

protectyourdreams.blogspot.com/2014/12/seasons-greetings-2014-review.html

My 2014 Eureka Moments

I don't know where to begin, but I'll aim for a list of 12 lessons I've learned this year, that I hope can help you find greater efficiency, balance and joy, in all areas of your lives.

1. If you enter every situation with Thanksgiving in Christ, believing it as you say it, you'll be surprised at how it will be turned around for good. Whether that's based on a change in perspective or a miracle, it's good.

2. Lesson #1 above has led to a series of serendipitous moments that I could not have dreamed up myself. From people to opportunities to new mindsets, our words to manifest our experiences.

3. In being true to myself, as I embrace the lessons above, I've also been a great source of inspiration without even realizing it! People have been moved to love and intrinsic purpose, after listening to me gush on about what I've been learning and how it's helped me.

4. Money is a friend, not a foe. This year, my mindsets around money have changed to understand that as a friend, financial wealth empowers me to be even more generous. When I am financially healthy, it is far easier for me to help others achieve the same.

5. My intuition is not just 'in my head', it works with Christ. It is a very real aspect of my being that has, to date, never (seriously) steered me wrong. I've attracted like-minded entrepreneurs, just by trusting my gut. It takes practice when you've ignored it for so long, but try it.

6. Love is the opposite of fear. We all believe it's Courage, but courage is merely a product of Love. This year, I've learned to focus on what I'm pursuing in Love, rather than dwelling on what could go wrong as I pursue it (fear). What would it look like for you to live this way?

7. Self care is not selfish. Self care is the wise setting of boundaries to ensure that you remain whole as you pursue your dreams which, inevitably, will help others. We are of no use to anyone if we are burnt out or spread thin. We can't do anything well if we're doing everything.

8. When I am taking care of myself, even when it means saying "No" from a place of love to someone or something, I have created a safe space for them, too, to do the same. No one is forced to do what they don't want to, or really can't, do.

9. Lesson #8 also no longer comes with guilt or anxiety about letting others down or fear that something or someone might fail because I said "No". I completely understand (most days) that this "No" sets clear boundaries for me to be able to be at my best when I do say "Yes".

10. Lessons #8 and #9 became real to me when I viewed them through the lenses of my Time, my Goals, my Space, my Perspective, my Pace of life and decision-making, my Feelings, my Preferences, my Comfort Zone and Stretch Zone*, and other aspects of life. (*Your stretch zone refers to moments where you risk stepping out of your comfort zone to try something new. You shouldn't be coerced to enter this zone; it should be your decision. The Panic Zone is that beyond your stretch zone. If you're in the panic zone, you're not ready. It's fine to step back.)

11. I've always known this, but never put it into words. I make decisions from a place of conscious awareness of why I'm making those decisions. Decisions are no longer based on false time-pressure or peer-pressure or any kind. When I've made decisions this way, I know I am committed to those decisions, to seeing them to fruition.

12. I'm now more comfortable knowing that I am not to be all things, at all times, to all people. I know that my part is important, but I am free to stay balanced, true to myself, as I do my part.

Some of you may have heard me rave about some or all of these, already, but those are my 2014 - year of Eureka Moments - lessons. I know I'm not alone though. 

Willing to share yours?

Wishing you, your loved ones and everyone you encounter, love, joy, healing and prosperity in every area of life.

See you in 2015!

Best, always!

[Adapted from:

Protect Your Dreams

, December 22, 2014]

Single Christian Women & Marriage

I wasn't going to touch this with a 10-foot pole, because I truly believe in the individual and am saddened by a world - particularly insecure men and women - who take a mega-phone to the streets talking about "why christian girls remain single", without walking half a mile in those girls' shoes.

After a close friend sent me this blog post, "

5 reasons why many christian girls remain single

", my stomach really turned. Some women may be Sarah, but in my experience, that's not most women. I realized that if I don't write this, then perhaps no one will, and too many young girls will wind up further misunderstood and attacked because of this thinking.

Source:

lovecoversall-godislove.blogspot.ca/2014/06/single-christian-women-marriage.html

A Day in the Life of a Christian Girl, Woman

Ages ~5-12

My disclaimer: what you're about to read not everyone's story, but it's the story of many women I grew up with, and have spoken to, to-date.

From the time you wake up, to the time you go to bed, you're taught that you must keep improving. You always have to be better, quieter, smarter, stronger, more humble, kinder, cleaner, more lady-like (no clear definition there), the

Proverbs 31 woman

. Without ever saying it, they teach us, essentially, to be a doormat.

You wake up thinking about the mistakes you will not make today, and go to bed ashamed of all you did wrong that day.

Ages ~12-18

Then, out of nowhere, puberty begins, and you have to "learn to say 'No'". No one quite explains the application of this 'learning to say No', when all our upbringing is about 'meeting with everyone's approval' or, essentially, "saying 'Yes'" to everyone. In fact, you've always been disciplined for saying "No". "No" is a word reserved for the rude, impolite, ill-trained among us. Still, that's the expectation.

Yet, we are to continue to be above everyone's reproach, which essentially teaches us that everyone's opinion of us is valid and important, further teaching us to assume that everyone's mind is sound enough to have a valid opinion of us; opinions that we must keep positive at all times. How do we "be" all of this and say "No", again?

Ages ~19 Until We Reprogram Ourselves

The answer? We don't learn to '"be" all of this and say "No"'. Hence, we have a society of women walking around "

addicted to approval

" and willing to do anything to get it - from everyone. Remember, 'doing anything' ranges from isolating ourselves so we never sin, to delivering on the depraved desires of society's most perverse minds, all in the hopes of one day receiving that approval. For the purpose of this blog post, we'll look at those prone to "isolating ourselves so we never sin" - as these tend to want perfect husbands.

Even God says that humans are insatiable. As a result, we cannot ever please everyone. We can't even please one person! Many don't know, and may never learn, this. Even when we know this, it takes time to undo years of programming.

The result: our families must also be 'above reproach' to the world. Our husbands, therefore, must have the same goal. The double-standard we raise our society with, however, means there are few men who were raised with this kind of burden. Men are then encouraged, by older men and women alike, to label their female peers: Frigid, B--tch, Crazy. Do you see where the devil has succeeded in destroying the family? Can you see where it starts?

Worse, with the constant fear driving Christian society to "keep boys and girls apart", Christian adults are learning about each other from media, books, misinformed adults and everything except conversation. We cannot relate to each other.

Are You Getting The Picture?

THAT is the challenge single Christian women face. Many of us will not get out of that loop. Can you imagine constant fear of losing God's love, your salvation, fear of going to hell, all because you 'slip up'? Marriage is also the one thing you can't 'undo'. Try living with that burden on your shoulders before you walk around spitting fire at 'single christian women'!

The Solution

So then you understand even more the soothing waters of the river of life that stems from Christ, for a woman who's lived the life above. "You mean I'm loved regardless?!" We still don't grasp it, but it's a flicker of hope! Jesus Christ means more to us than anything!

Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

We're called to please or answer only to God. In fact, He doesn't even call us to please Him. That's impossible. He calls us to surrender (

Matthew 6:24-34 ESV

), so He can

shower us with His Love

, which is what changes the desires of our hearts.

To Future Husbands

You can wallow in the insecurity of rejection, or you can decide whether or not this girl is worth it. Pursuit is not "aye girl. I like you." Particularly for the girl above, it is hard work. And unlike you, Jesus was willing to do it. You have had the good fortune, some of you, to grow up accepted as you are. Find a way to teach her what that feels like.

Remind her that marriage is not about marrying the man who is better, more intelligent, stronger, more humble, kinder, cleaner, more manly. Help her, through relationship, to see that marriage is about partnering with your provider and protector, who is very much human, and needs her to help him excel. Just as she needs you for the same.

Encouragement & Caution

Pray for each other. Prayer truly is powerful. This is what conquers the enemy and his attacks against our families. Pray, and keep praying in faith.

Young Men

I am not saying to take abuse. If someone is always calling you "no good", and critiquing you, you might have to run.

However, do not run because it's hard. Decide that she is worth it, and commit. You show her that you love and support her regardless of anything, and the person you pursued because of whatever intrinsic qualities you saw, will reciprocate. Place no conditions on your love for her, and she will reciprocate. She truly is worth the fight.

That is how I found my husband-to-be. He is not what I dreamt of, but he's so much more. I was swept off my feet by a man who emulated God in ways of love that I could never fathom. He has loved the unloveable in me, and nothing speaks louder of love.

Young Women

Likewise, do not suddenly drop all of your standards and say "God can fix anything, so I can marry anyone and God will make it work."

However, stop running the course they put you on. Turn of the recording of "I must be perfect", He must be better" and the other nightmares that reel on in our heads. God is not going to punish you for marrying a man with 'more flaws than you have'. God will use your strengths to uplift (not criticize) him in those areas, and (believe it or not) vice versa. Trust me. God really only shows us what we can handle. We have far more flaws that we will ever see all at once. He is just kind to us about it because He loves us.

Please, please, when you turn it off, try to stop seeing all that's wrong and needs fixing - with him and with yourself - and ask: Can I build a life in Christ with this man? Are his values the same, even if we falter? Just as he sticks with you, stick with him. He's worth it.

Do you truly trust God in Christ?

God's Love in our unbelief

I have gone back and forth in my relationship with God on

the issue of trust.

While I realize that this is a lifelong journey, I can't say that I'm not always appalled by the knowledge that I'm so far removed from the faith I think I have. I thank God daily for our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit, our guide and comforter in a fallen world.

I love my God,

my Beloved Father in Heaven, and I know that without a doubt, but I know that:

1. I love Him only because He Loved me first (unconditionally)

2. His Love in me is what makes me capable of love at all

3. He is working with me always to perfectly manifest His Love in me

4. Every time I grow in that Love, He allows it to overflow to those around me

5. I know that my God is good and sovereign, and that no one is born 'by accident'. We all have a purpose - one significant to Him.

Sin and the enemy's deception

Still, our enemy who roams like a roaring lion seeking to steal, kill and destroy our lives (literally) - an enemy that is not flesh and blood, but spiritual powers and principalities (

Ephesians 6:12 Amplified Version

) - is persistent.

I detest my sin nature, the sins I slip into from time to time and escape readily through conviction, as well as those sins that keep me in bondage, even when my eyes are opened to the knowledge that I am free to walk away from them. I detest the power that I have given these sins in my life, and I am not sure about how to walk in freedom from them, except that

in Christ I can do all things

(

Philippians 4:13

) - we have the authority to stop the enemy. Having

put on His armour,

during the times that I walk in wisdom (

Ephesians 6:13-18

), knowing that

the Word is my sword,

I know that

we are conquerors in Christ,

that if we

resist the devil he will flee

and that

our salvation is finished already in Christ,

we are simply walking it out.

For all the sins I cannot escape,

Hebrews 13:1-9

, particularly verse 5, reminds me that my key sin is

unbelief.

Do you truly trust God in Christ?

Do you truly trust God in Christ, or do you only trust Him when things don't go wrong?

Image Source: 

http://smsread.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Incredible-Wave-Pictures-006.jpg

Throughout 2013, I have struggled with the knowledge that I don't - and it rocked my world. How could I not trust God after all the miracles I've lived through?! We judge

the Israelites

in the desert during the Exodus from Egypt for seeing miracles yet doubting God, but how different are we? We attack

Adam and Eve

- Eve for eating the forbidden fruit and Adam for looking on and saying nothing - but is our faith that God would not forsake us any stronger?

I know that my entire walk with God is a journey to learn to

Love as He Loves

- Love everyone unconditionally - and that stems from understanding. To Love Adam, Even, the Israelites of Exodus, we walk in their shoes. Whose shoes are you walking in? 

I often feel like I'm walking in David's shoes.

In those moments, my David moments, when I'm about to hang my head in shame, I remember that

David was a man after God's own heart,

and I run after God, again. I try to run with Jacob's boldness. I LOVE my God.

He will never leave us. People need the Gospel

Whatever you're going through, whatever you're doing in secret, whatever wavering your faith is doing, I pray that God bring you - us - back to reality. There is no time for you to agree with your accuser, that you 'are what you do'. There is no time (

Matthew 24

). Knowing that we are already saved, we still stumble. We have hope! What about those who don't? How much worse is their plight?

There's only time for you to know who you are in Christ. We are born in sin - and the enemy would love to keep our heads buried in that, as though that's the end of our story. Don't let his lies in! That was the beginning of your story. Our journey is a milli-second-by-milli-second series of repentant moments - joyfully repentant moments - because we know that we actually have had our sin debt paid in full. We know that 

even this trial

 (however big, long, deep, dark) is not bigger than God, and cannot separate us from the Love of God (

Romans 8:35-39

). We need to share that knowledge!

Image Source: 

http://smsread.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Incredible-Wave-Pictures-006.jpg

Hold On

I relent to God that I am forever His and I will always return to Him, and believe that He forever draws me near and will never let me go (

Hebrews 13:5-6

). My Love for Him will not grow cold with doubt. I pray for the same unwavering fact to keep you firmly rooted in our God. Amen.

Scriptures to Encourage Series (1) Proverbs 3:1-10

Source: 

http://wallpaper4god.com/wallpapers/proverbs-35_5567_1024x768.jpg

On days when it is challenging to stay focused on Christ because nothing seems to be going right, you doubt your actions or you're seeing yourself falling and can't stop, I hope this can be a bit of rope to hang onto in the midst of the storm.

My friend, and occasional prayer partner, Aleea, inspired me to write this series on the 6th March 2012.  Thank you, Aleea!  I hope this series inspires you the way it did us.

Proverbs 3:1-10

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

1  My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

2  for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

3  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4  So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6  In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7  Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8  It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

9  Honor the Lord with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10  then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Source: The Bible, Book of Proverbs, Chapter 3, Verses 1-10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203&version=ESV

(Note: This version of the Bible may be different from that used above. Each version phrases scripture differently.)