Do you know what the Sword of the Spirit is? Do you know how vital to your own survival it is? I urge you to take a few minutes and watch this video. It is the final installment of the Spiritual Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) series from Skyline Church.
Today I saw something online that really caught my eye. This really speaks volumes to me – for many reasons. I was grateful today to just see this perspective explained. It really is true. I encourage you to read and really understand the message below.
A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”
She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Thhink about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”
It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!
Wise, wise words – my friends. Take this message with you and remember it always.
If you are at a place right now where you’re finding it hard to hold on, or where holding onto something is hurting you – please don’t hesitate to reach out. YOU are worth it. Your heart and your emotions – so very worth it. Sometimes there are things in our life that hurt us, and it might seem painful even to put those things down. You might be holding onto someone, or even a relationship that causes you pain. It might be time to put that glass down. Allow yourself the opportunity to heal. Don’t hold onto things so tightly, and for so long that it multiplies and causes such pain and heartbreak.
If you are at that place right now, know that you are not alone. If you’d like to talk about it, to ask for prayer or to just plain vent – don’t hesitate to comment in the comments below, or send me a message via my contact me page. I’ll look forward to connecting.
Yesterday, I wrote an open and honest account of how I was feeling – and just the emotions that surrounded that. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read – but more than that, for taking the time to pray. Please know you have my gratitude. I have received words of support and encouragement from many of you – and I am grateful more than there are words. This is the beginning to a beautiful new day. In fact, I already shared one blog post that talks about a song that means a great deal to me. It’s referenced in this title as well. Knowing that you are not alone – and that you have people to lean on when you don’t feel the strength to stand firm on your own — that, my friends, is what the body of Christ is all about.
So, it is with gratitude that I say thank you for being part of the many “somebody’s” who are praying me through. Our God is good. He is faithful 100% of the time. His hands are not small that they cannot reach me. All of the things from yesterday are still real, and still there. However, with God – and the beautiful people He’s blessed me to do life together with – I am still standing. All these things are in His hands.
Thank you for your friendship and support – but especially for your prayers. Please connect and let me know how I can be praying with you as well! It’s an honor to do life with you.
There is a song that a good friend of mine shared with me recently. It has come to mean the world to me. The song title speaks for itself: Somebody’s Praying Me Through. This song, like so many beautiful songs, has the potential to reach you exactly where you are.
When I recently found myself facing some pretty unsure circumstances, this song made it’s way to my email inbox. It could not have come in better timing. This song (lyrics below) helps you remember and simply know that somebody is praying me through. And, as the song also states – somebody is praying YOU through also. You don’t always know who, but there is someone who cares enough to pray. Don’t EVER feel like you’re walking through this life (or your struggles) alone.
You may feel as if your heart has been broken – again, and again. You may look at yourself in the mirror, not fond of what you see. You may sometimes believe that life isn’t worth fighting for, and that it won’t ever change. You may be hurting in a way hard to put into words. You may be facing health concerns out of your control. You may have a laundry list of things in your life that you feel like are helping you feel apart.
HOWEVER, do not lose track of the FACT that somebody is praying you through. You are NOT alone. You ARE worth fighting for. YOU are beautiful. And, somebody is praying you through. Never, NEVER lose track of that thought.
If you are in that place of struggling, feeling broken or just need a friend – please feel free to post below in comments, or send me a message through my “contact me” page. I’m human, not perfect, but have much love. It’s an honor to walk through life with you. If you need to know somebody’s praying you through – know that I am, or will be if you reach out.
To Allen – I just wanted to say thank you for following the heart of God, and for this song. You have many songs that speak volumes as to God’s love. This particular song has met me right where I am, so to speak, time and time again. You have my gratitude.
The song lyrics:
SOMEBODY’S PRAYING ME THROUGH
Pressing over me like a big blue sky
I know someone has me on their heart tonight
That’s why I know it’s gonna be alright
‘Cause somebody’s praying me through
Somebody’s praying me through
It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad
Or an old friend I’ve forgot I had
But whoever it is I’m so glad that
Somebody’s praying me through
Somebody’s praying me through
Through the tears, through the rain
Through the sorrow, through the pain
It keeps bringing me through
Over and over again
So when you’re drowning in a sea of hurt
And it feels like life couldn’t get any worse
There’s a blessing waiting to push back the curse
‘Cause, somebody’s praying you through Oh…
Somebody’s praying you through Oh…
Somebody… somebody is, Praying
Oh… Somebody is, Someone Somewhere
Someone got down on their knees and prayed for me
Somebody’s, praying
Somebody’s praying… you through
Yes, it’s true. It’s okay to not always be okay. There are times in all our lives that life isn’t perfect. It’s what we do during those times that dictate how the next 20 minutes (or day/week/month) will go. This is on my heart because I just realized how not okay I am right now. Don’t get me wrong. I will be fine. This happens from time to time – for one reason or another – and I deal. I realize that how I feel right now is temporary, and as such, won’t last forever. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this, and that it’s one of those part of human nature.
That said, it’s what I’m choosing to do with this that I believe will make the difference. I will be open and transparent, and also reach out. I’ll ask my friends in real life, and those of you who are reading to stand with me. I will not stand alone.
If you are curious – there are a variety of things going on right now that are making me think and/or feel the way I do in this instant. Part of it may be a random chemical imbalance. Part my be my crazy thyroid. Part may be a pending medical issue. Part may be transition. Part may be things completely out of my control. Moral to the story – all these parts add up. They do for me, they would for you.
It’s my choice to see a God larger than life in the midst of it all. It’s my choice to also just be honest and let you know – it’s okay to not always be okay. During those times, I encourage you to do what I am doing – reach out. You aren’t alone. Neither am I. If you have taken the time to read this, please know that I am grateful for you, and for your friendship and prayers. Please know it is reciprocal. You are loved, friends!
After all the talk of transition with our local Christian station(s), today was the first day as an official part of the WBGL listening family.
Although I have heard the music and message on air from WBGL before, somehow it seems more “my” station since the switch. As I listened to the radio all day today, God touched me so many times – through the music as well as the spoken words.
More tears today. These tears, however, were not negative in any way, shape or form. They were simply as a result of God’s love and grace. So many things that got said today were spot-on…pertinent for exactly such a time as this.
I am grateful for the on air voices who spoke from their heart and allowed God’s grace and love to flow through the airways. Thank you WBGL. It’s an honor to walk through life with you! You are also so very loved.
Well, today marked the “end” of Family Friendly WIBI Radio. I say “end” because, as referenced in this post, the call letters “WIBI” have been retired, so to speak. But, all is not lost. Instead, a larger extended family is gained. At 7 PM this evening, the switch was flipped, and WIBI was officially taken under the wings of then sister stations WBGL and WCIC.
A little before 7 PM, I felt some unexpected emotions. I was not prepared for tears. As I sat there, I had both “sad” but also really happy tears. Sad, only because WIBI was instrumental in seeing me, my family and so many people through many trials and life’s circumstances. I am grateful for the friendships and prayers that have become a part of my life because of a radio station that put God first, and allowed Him to reach out across the airways to meet people exactly where they are. I have had the honor of meeting much of the staff, and many of the volunteers over the course of time. I consider myself blessed to have been able to volunteer in the WIBI studio several times in support of this station that has come to mean so much in so many lives. Hearing the voices essentially say goodbye, that was sad. Hearing them say, “but welcome to WBGL and/or WCIC” that was happy. Hearing the heartfelt passion and love the on air personalities have displayed and I’m sure will continue to display on an ongoing basis – it was heartwarming, and very much a blessing.
All of these reflections have me going back through some of the pictures I have taken over the course of spending time with the WIBI family. This has been an honor, one I am grateful to now be sharing with the WBGL family.
Anyway, I’d love to share some pictures and videos with you. I have plenty more – and as I sift through them, I will update. To any of you pictured in these photos, know it was an honor to meet you, and to have you as a part of my life. No matter how small or how large of a part you have played, know that I am grateful.
Today is Valentine’s Day. There are so many things worth fighting for in life – love being paramount. Love is such a special thing – and celebrating it should take place year ’round — not just on this day. However, since today is a day in celebration of this, I wanted to talk about love a little bit.
I am truly blessed to know love. First and foremost – love from the creator of the Heavens and the Earth. To experience even a fraction of His love has enabled me to reach out and love others in a way I didn’t always even understand myself. It’s hard to reach out in love when you don’t fully grasp it yourself. God’s redeeming love is life-changing. His love has opened my eyes to see things in a different light. My marriage, for example. It isn’t perfect. (I’d like to meet the couple who says theirs is!) However, it is something worth fighting for.
Learning to reach out in love, and to see things through eyes not just my own – priceless! I think that is key – allowing yourself to look through someone else’s eyes. When you do not agree or even understand another person’s point of view, do you even attempt to see both sides of the coin? Do you want to know how or why they feel how they do? I have seen interesting things happen when I take the time – and I really mean make a concerted effort – to care enough to see both sides of the conversation. It makes a difference.
I’m thankful to God for helping me reach out in love – today and always.
I’m thankful for peace in and through a variety of situations. Today, I am thankful for the ability to smile and remain at peace when I walked up to the “patient registration” counter to pre-register – only to be told that my appointment wasn’t today, it was tomorrow instead. Evidently they rescheduled it (I had the paper they sent me with the “right” date/time in hand) and forgot to tell me! That said, I just smiled, thanked him, and called the doctor’s office directly. Yes, there had been a mis-communication. I seem to have a knack at being on the receiving end of those. But, truth be told, I’m not complaining. I am not actually looking forward to tomorrow’s appointment, as much as I AM looking forward to it getting over with.
All in all, though, I really am grateful to God – as, I am learning peace in such a special way through all of this. That, and thankful that He is helping me see the need for grace in so many areas, and in so many places.
I have mentioned Connection Groups before, but it is time to talk about them again. Our church breaks the year up into “semesters” and has three separate semesters of Connection Groups each year. Our last semester led right up towards Christmas, with a break following that. I should add that I am a patient person, but not as fond of waiting in between semesters! I said all of that to say this – I’m very excited because our new semester starts this evening!
To better explain, Connection Groups are small groups that meet at someone’s home during the week. We get together for snacks, fellowship and to discuss the semester’s topic. Put simply, we get together and do life together outside the four walls of our church. We actively engage amongst each other, and within our community. It is our goal to love God, love others, and to make a difference.
I will have to write again as a follow up after our meeting this evening. I think it should suffice it to say – I’m excited!
*******Edited to Add a few thoughts about the group tonight*******
Wow. I am speechless. Well, okay, maybe not. But, I am blown away by God’s love, as displayed through His people. When I walked into our Connection Group, I was so very excited. I think the first thing I said was, “Wow! Look at all the new faces!” I saw several people that I did not know – or had only seen in passing. It wasn’t a long meeting, but enough time to briefly tell a few things about who we are, etc. We are going to be studying Romans – the Letter that changed the world. It caught my eye right away. We haven’t gotten very far into the lessons at all yet, but I’m excited to start. What we have started has stirred something in me, making me want to learn more. What I really love about our Connection Group is the ability we all seemed to have to share with transparency. I cannot wait to watch as the rest of this semester unfolds.
Living Life Unscripted 