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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 9/26/2005 10:06:54 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Stepping Out
It had been two days since I last checked my mail. Should I stop and check it now? I don’t feel like stopping, maybe I’ll check it later… Impulsively, I clicked on my turn signal and pulled into the small parking lot. I might as well get this over with… I was irritated at my own indecisiveness. I wanted to get on with the rest of my day.
I live in a trailer park. All the mailboxes are clustered together. There is a small playground next to them and today it was void of excited little children.
I stood with my back to the playground, unlocking my box with a small key. A young lady walked past me and I assumed she was taking a shortcut through the playground to reach her destination. I was wrong, she sat down on the nearest swing and began to sob.
Okay Lord, I thought. Should I go over there? Should I say something to her? What should I say?
Nothing happened as I glared at the stack of bills in my box. I stood there, stalling, waiting for an answer from the Lord.
I know you heard me, Lord. What do you want me to do? Silence… the sobbing was getting louder.
Lord! I don’t have time to wait for you! I was frustrated that he wasn’t speaking to me. Okay… what would Rachel do? Would I walk away and pretend like I never saw her?
I stepped out in faith, knowing that even without hearing specifically from the Lord, I couldn’t leave this woman in apparent distress. I approached her and started a conversation. I felt a strong desire to pray for her as we talked about her problems. I kept thinking to myself, Am I nuts? She’s a complete stranger! I couldn’t stand it, I just had to pray.
“Can I pray for you?” I finally blurted out. She looked at me in complete surprise and her sobbing stopped.
“Yes, I would like that very much.”
I placed my hand on her shoulder and prayed a simple, yet earnest prayer. I hugged her and gave her a reassuring wink as I headed back towards my car.
Smiles danced across my lips and my heart jumped with joy. How hard was that? I thought to myself. Glancing skyward, I smiled big smiles at the Lord. Lord? Could you make witnessing any easier? It was a playful punch to his arm. He knew exactly what he was doing in his silence.
It was at this moment that I knew who I was, am, and will always be. I am a woman, free to walk in faith, trusting and knowing that God shaped me for his plans and his purpose.
I am always Rachel- and God is very cool with this. He trusts me, and I trust him- knowing that he is there as I step out in faith.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Luke 16:10 (NIV)
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 10/5/2005 10:22:56 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Second Best
I've been doing some "heart-work" and conquering a fear. It seems the best way to conquer a fear is to expose it, so this is the real me bringing it forth into plain sight.
I had a fear of always being second best. This was a difficult thing for my boyfriend to hear.
Second best... why? Let's see... growing up, I seemed to be the child who was never the winner. I had a multitude of bad relationships in my teen years which extended into marriage. I've been second best to porn, trucks, sports, friends, old girlfriends... the list goes on. I've never really felt completely cherished or good enough. It seems failure closely shadowed me in any relationship.
My guy now is amazing. How we met is an amazing story orchestrated by God and someday I'll tell you the story. My guy is the most awesome person I've ever dated. He is never selfish, he goes above and beyond his call of duty to spend time with me and my children, he truly cares about us- he loves us with all he has.
... and yet, the shadow followed me to him. Even with all that he does for us and all the sacrifices he's made for us, there I was- choosing to feel like second best. We love each other like crazy, and I knew that one day, my fear would come to light because we keep no secrets from each other. It did. Just a few days ago... and it was a big deal.
I will not go into detail about the circumstances that brought my fear into light... but I will tell you that we were working through a Bible study on fear. The questions were tough and I didn't really want to reveal all that I had written to my boyfriend. I knew what I had written would hurt him. After some encouragement, we talked about how I felt and he prayed for me.
Something interesting happened as he held me close and prayed. He put his hand on my head and started praying, telling God to take the fear from me- commanding the fear to go. I felt like something was gripping me, trying its best not to lose its stronghold on me. It was an icky yucky feeling, hanging onto me with all its might.
I can see now that the fear I had wasn't the real me... I had believed lies- for my entire life. Carrying that fear all of my life actually made my life messier than it ever had to be.
Hanging onto our fears not only affects us, but the ones who love us as well. This was made very clear to me when he told me “I’m not good enough for you, because if I was, you would’ve never doubted my love for you.” His statement stabbed me in the heart like a searing knife. Fear is a destroyer, and it spreads quickly.
It's my choice to hang onto that creepy creature... or to push it away.....
I no longer hold claim to this fear. I realize that my boyfriend didn't choose me because he couldn't get who he really wanted. He chose me because I was the best. I am a handpicked, God-given gift to him.
It’s true, we were both hurt by this experience, but we are healing now and soon the wounds will be small scars that remind us of God’s powerful presence in our lives. I am blessed daily as my guy extends grace and mercy to me with abundance. I am so thankful that he is just like his Father.
I am so very blessed to be his girl.
… and the creepy creature? Bon Voyage.
Love always, Rachel
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 10/11/2005 11:20:56 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Waiting...
I’ve been experiencing some major struggles lately. Some of them are mine, some of them belong to others whom I dearly love.
I want to share with you what the Lord is telling me.
God knows my struggles.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired
His understanding is inscrutable.
Isaiah 40:28 (NASB)
His understanding is inscrutable… what does that mean? Somehow, someway, God knows every nuance of my struggles. He can identify every feeling, every stab of pain, and the reasoning for every tear drop.
How am I supposed to be an overcomer in these struggles? I will be an overcomer if I can wait on the Lord, and doing this is almost beyond my comprehension.
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
I’ve learned from past experience that my efforts to “fix” things on my own make it harder for God to work. Allowing myself to “help things along” prolongs the excellent outcome that God desires.
Yesterday, the Lord told me to step back and let Him work. This is something that is difficult for me to do. I often feel like I must have my hands in everything.
Today, He is telling me again: Psalm 33 (NASB)
God knows my every struggle…
13The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
My ideas of fixing the struggle or getting my hands in others struggles only create false hopes;
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
but because I fear Him, or hold Him in reverence,
18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
He will deliver me.
19To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
Waiting on the Lord is not giving up,
20Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
and I will experience joy because I am completely trusting in Him.
21For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
He does this for me because He loves me….
22Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.
The Lord has been telling me for two days the stand back and let Him work. This time I am listening and learning to wait on Him. No matter how hard that may be for me.
The best thing about letting God work is the fact that when it’s finished, I know the work will be done right and the outcome will be most outstanding.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 10/14/2005 1:54:48 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Letting Go...
We will all walk through valleys. God never guaranteed that we wouldn't. He did promise that we won't have to walk alone, He will be with us every step of the way... and that's what really matters.
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
Isaiah 43: 1-2 (NASB)
The thing for me to remember is to not look back after I've traveled through the valley.
Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
"Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NASB)
Sometimes people, situations, or poor habits from the past will keep us from the full benefits of Christ. We need to let go of these things and look forward to the exciting plan that God has for our future.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24(NIV)
We are new creatures in Christ...
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5: 17-18 (NIV)
When we let go of the past, we need to replace it with something new. It is a conscious effort, not something that comes naturally. It's hard work and often you must speak against the enemy who will try to distract you.
Paul says this:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4: 8-9
Speaking the Truth walks hand in hand with letting go. I personally believe that if we speak the Truth into existence, it will be so. What do I mean by this? Speaking only good of your children, spouse, situations... speaking what you hope life will be.
For me, it's speaking out loud the person I want to be: a sold out lover of Christ, a most excellent mom, a great listener, an encourager, a true friend, the best girlfriend a guy could ever have... this is the life I desire, speaking it out loud brings it to reality.
Just some heart work thoughts for today... Be blessed my friends.
Love Always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 10/23/2005 5:16:42 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Don't Feed the...
We've all got a little darkness in us. It's the part of us that we don't share with others. It's the part of us that harbors dark thoughts and feelings towards others.
Today in church, my pastor talked about this darkness. He talked about not 'feeding' it. He talked about other stuff, too, but I just wanted to record some stuff about feeding it.
You see.... the darkness grows stronger if we feed it. How do we feed it?
Darkness is fed when we give into it, or give into the thoughts. A feeding frenzy happens when we entertain the dark thoughts instead of pushing them away with the help of Jesus. Often entertaining dark thoughts will lead us into some kind of action.... a sinful action that will cause more harm than good.
Darkness also feeds on secrecy. When we keep it hidden... it grows. I think we are only deceiving ourselves when we attempt to keep dark secrets to ourselves. Eventually they will grow out of control and be exposed, whether we want them to be exposed or not.
How do we defeat the darkness? We fight it with prayer and light. We pray fervently against it and focus on getting closer to God.
Finding someone who will help us to be accountable for our secrets is a most excellent way to fight the battle. Being accountable doesn't sound fun, and it's not, but it's one of the best battle tools we can use against the darkness.
One last thing... the battle ground? It's often in your mind.
Just some 'food for thought'! ;o)
Love always, Rachel
Submit therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8
(NASB)
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 11/2/2005 9:16:54 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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I live my life to....
The Lord has asked me to open one of my journals from the past. Here is an entry from when I was married to an abusive person.
I was mentally and emotionally tired. I struggled to find self-worth and value in this world. It was a very dark time for me, but reading this entry tells me that I was beginning to see the Light.
1/27/02
I have been enlightened. So many people drift through this world. Many have purpose and do visibly great things. Many more just try to live this life day by day, just surviving until they die.
I think I've found the difference between these two types of people-
The people that enjoy this life are people who know they have a purpose. They know that they are here on this earth for a reason. They have a purpose- a mission.
I would like to enjoy my life instead of just trying to make it from day to day.
I have been tossing around this idea of having my own mission statement and goals to help me get there. It is time for me to be me.
This is my mission statement.
I live my life to:
~ empower children at every opportunity
~ creatively express myself
~ walk as if I were enveloped in a carefree breeze
~ let laughter dance on my tongue and a smile play on my lips
~ capture honesty and entwine it with self respect and wellness
~ love as if there were no tomorrow
Most importantly- I live this life knowing that I am worthy of the party in heaven.
~~~~~~~~~
I don't know why the Lord asked me to share this.... maybe as a challenge to you.
Why are you here? Where are you going?
.... but most importantly~
What steps do you need to take to get there?
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 11/22/2005 11:17:05 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
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Waste to Beauty
I found this verse this morning when I was studying my Bible.
Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion;
He will comfort all her waste places
And her wilderness He will make like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.
Isaiah 51:3 (NASB)
Just a few thoughts...
Everyone has a waste place. It's the part of you where the icky stuff in your life lies... the stuff that you'd rather hang onto than give to God. Waste places don't just appear, they take time to develop.
The part about this verse that caught my eye is where it says "He will comfort all her waste places". Comfort? Think about it. God doesn't say "take away" or "diminish", he says comfort. This leads me to believe that He's not going to force you to let go of anything before you are ready. Letting go will happen in your time and when you are ready.
... and then look and see the miracles God can do when you give your icky stuff to Him. He can make the land beautiful- more beautiful than you can imagine. You have to trust Him....
Look at the promises waiting for us... joy, gladness, and thanksgiving. Giving our all to God is a melody to his ears.... a most precious and beautiful melody....
...beauty out of waste.
Blessings to you on this Thanksgiving Holiday, my friends.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/3/2005 6:13:37 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
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Restless Hearts and Tossing Seas…
Everywhere I look, I see people with restless hearts. People who are searching but unable to find, people who are empty and sad but don’t know why, and people who are never satisfied even though they possess more than they will ever need.
What if there was something that could fill all the emptiness that we feel? How would life be if we never had to search again? How would life be if we never had to feel empty inside? How would life be if we could be physically satisfied?
Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.
Here is an invitation to come and find what we’ve always been looking for. The best part about this invitation is the fact that our financial status has nothing to do with what we can buy. It’s free- gratis, and we can have all we want.
Isaiah 55:2a "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?
So… why do we spend so much time seeking out self-help sources instead of looking and trusting in God? I agree that others can help us by challenging our thinking and bringing issues to light, but, the real thing that will take your emptiness away is accepting the love that God has for us.
Isaiah 55:2b “Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.”
We are invited to eat what is good through having a relationship with God. Through this relationship, we know that we can delight (Rachel’s words: completely enjoy) God’s abundance.
Thoughts on abundance: God will not hold back in what he has for us- and He has lots of good stuff waiting for us.
God wants to revive us. He’s not a mysterious figure who lives in the clouds. He’s real and He lives with us.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.
Our past lives are not important to God. He is bigger than anything we’ve ever done. We can give our lives to Him and He will fill our emptiness and calm our restless hearts.
Isaiah 57:18 "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
Isa 57:19 Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "and I will heal him."
God wants to heal us and restore us. He wants to wash us in peace. He wants to take away our restless hearts and replace them with content and happy hearts.
Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
Isa 57:21 "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
What is the ‘wicked’ referred to here? It is a person who is making morally wrong decisions. The wicked are people who are continually making bad decisions and acting upon them with no regard to morality.
Praying for peace…
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/3/2005 6:28:21 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Heb 13:4 “Marriage is to be held in honor among all…”
Announcing the engagement of...
James & Rachel
We are a non-traditional kind of couple….
We have not:
• set a date,
• started wedding plans,
• or joined cell phone contracts.
It is possible that we will:
• surprise you with the wedding date
• get married in Vegas with Elvis as the officiator, get married in the grocery store parking lot, or have the ceremony while bungee jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge
• wear jeans and tie dye t-shirts during the ceremony
• write our own vows, sing our vows, say our vows in a poetic format, or let people guess what we are saying as we whisper our vows…
• let the black lab be the ring bearer
• take a vacation with the money we saved from not having a traditional ceremony!
We are living one day at a time and praying for God’s guidance for our future.
Please keep us and the girls in your prayers!
Your Friends Always,
Doer & AlwaysR8chel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/9/2005 10:46:57 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Two Steps Back...
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
(Psa 55:22 NASB)
Wow. I had a really freaky day yesterday.
I don’t know what caused it… all I know is that I took two steps back in my thoughts about trusting the Lord with my life.
Today I understand why I was shaken. It had nothing to do with the issues at hand… it had everything to do with me not giving my burdens to God. Not only giving my burdens to God- but my lack of diligence to do it right away.
Cast means:
quote:
H7993
שׁלך
sha^lak
shaw-lak'
A primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively): - adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw.
This doesn’t mean to hang onto it and think about it for a while. Casting means a quick separation from your burdens.
Sustain means:
quote:
H3557
כּוּל
ku^l
kool
A primitive root; properly to keep in; hence to measure; figuratively to maintain (in various senses): - (be able to, can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold (-ing in), nourish (-er), be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals).
God will sustain us. This makes me think that our level of maintenance walks hand in hand with our level of commitment to Him. If we want to be sustained as a sold out Christian, than we need to be living as a sold out Christian.
“He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” I think this is contingent upon our ability to completely cast our burdens onto Him- and not take them back. I think that not giving our burdens to God gives Satan a stronghold in our lives. This stronghold is what Satan uses to shake us.
Today I know that when I cast all my burdens on Him- right away, I am able to confidently walk forward instead of taking two steps back.
Love always, Rachel
~
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries
Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek Words taken from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., 1890.
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/13/2005 10:55:05 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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My Wandering Mind....
I've been working through a lot of ickiness in my life. My guess is that God is preparing me for marriage. He is healing me so that I will be able to honor my love with all the goodness in me.
Sometimes when we work through ickiness, we are shown things about ourselves that happened in the past so that we can truly deal with them and put them to rest. A great temptation of looking back is to let your minds dwell on and in the past.
The past is comfortable... today and tomorrow are new- unknown, and sometimes scary.
The other day I read a post from a friend which reminded me of a long lost tool that helped in some major healing years ago.
I will post some good things to remind my wandering mind that I am well, I am loved, I am cherished... and that God's love, grace and mercy are not far from me.
I remember:
- hugging my little sister during a time when my mother lived away from home in order to finish college.
- walking through a cemetery when I was 10, September leaves falling around me, and wondering about all the people who've gone to be with Jesus. Finding a tombstone with the name 'Rae' on it and then insisting that everyone call me 'Rae', too.
- my dad playing a cd for anyone who would listen. My sister and I recorded a duet of Casual Christian and gave it to him for his birthday.
- my mom, making bunuelos for New Years.... and tamales at Christmas.
- my brother, tolerating me enough to let me stay in his room for countless hours while he composed music with guitar and keyboards.
- the band, Smiley Kids, singing happy birthday to my oldest daughter when she was 10- with kazoos.
- my middle daughter dumping cheerios all over the couch when she was 15 months and all I could do was laugh instead of get mad.
- my youngest daughter teaching me a long song she learned at preschool when she was 4- without skipping a beat.
- my Bosch kitty who was my friend when I felt alone.
- how my heart melted when my fiance told me again that he chooses me for life.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/20/2005 10:22:20 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
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There is a better way…
I want to honor the Lord and the people I love by learning a better way to pray. God’s work through his lovingkindness is a concept that I was never able to grasp until recently.
Somehow, somewhere in my life, I picked up a different prayer idea. I remember using it, years ago, on the girls’ father who was a chain smoker.
“Lord please… when he smokes, make him physically ill.”
This kind of prayer gives new meaning to a praying wife. Yes, guaranteed that if God had honored this prayer, this man would not be smoking today- or if he was, he would be too ill to survive daily routine. I’m not saying that God won’t honor a prayer like this, I’m not saying that I pray a prayer like this for everyone I know, what I am saying is: there is a better way to pray.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
(1 Peter 2:17 NASB)
Where’s the honor in a prayer like this? Where’s the demonstration of God’s lovingkindness? Where’s the compassion?
My prayer list is filled with people who are in bondage to alcohol, nicotine, poor eating habits, pornography, same sex attraction, extra-marital affairs, self- mutilation… the list goes on.
The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
(Psalms 138:8 NASB)
Nothing I say or do will change the lives of these people; real change can only happen if God is doing the work.
How, then, should I pray? What kind of prayer would be honorable to God and to the people I love?
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
(Psalms 143:8 NASB)
“Lord,
Teach me how to pray for these people. Help me to know how to help them. Give me Your words when I should speak and show me when to be quiet. Show me when to encourage and when to wait. Help me to love them unconditionally and set my personal feelings aside. Most of all, Lord, do your good and most excellent work in their lives. I trust You Lord, and I know that Your ways will not look like mine. I accept that not knowing the specifics of how You work is okay. Please bless these people Lord. I praise and thank You because I know that Your lovingkindness will prevail.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,
but also vessels of wood and of earthenware,
and some to honor and some to dishonor.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things,
he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master,
prepared for every good work.
(2 Timothy 2:20-21 NASB)
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 12/28/2005 9:44:03 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
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A New Year
“I was looking at your website the other day…” it was my friend, Mike, on the phone. “So do you know what your new theme will be for the coming year?”
“Uuumm…. I hadn’t really thought about it yet.” It was a lame answer because I knew that I should have already prayed about what I God and I should work on this next year.
I have this theory about New Year’s resolutions. I believe New Year’s resolutions are empty promises that set people up for failure. Years ago, I started a new tradition in my life. I decided that God and I would discuss and agree on a life change that I needed to make in order to be the child of God that He wants me to be. We would both work on the change for the entire year.
The heart work and changes are never easy, but the rewards are well worth the pain, so I welcome each New Year with excitement and wonderment about what God will bring my way. These are the past issues that God and I have worked on together:
2003: Brutal Honesty
The year after my second divorce. I had lived a lie for twelve years, pretending that all was well when it wasn’t. I wasn’t able to ask for help when I needed it, I wasn’t strong enough to face the truth that staying in an abusive relationship was not only destructive to me, but harmful to my children as well.
This is the year that I made a daily and conscious effort to always tell the truth, and to make sure that if I caught myself in a lie, that I would make the conscious effort to expose the lie and ask for forgiveness. I can’t tell you what a hard year this was for me!
2004: Getting Closer to God
Even though I had lived a life full of painful brutal honesty, I found myself in a ‘self-destruct’ mode. This is the year that I did the best I knew how to shake myself out of self-destruction after my divorce. I knew the key could only be to get closer to God. Thankfully, the closer I got to Him, the more balanced my life became. A lot of healing happened in this year, and I think more-so because I worked hard at getting to know God on a more personal level.
2005: Discipline
This is the year that I thought I would work harder at disciplining/training my children to be better little people. The funny thing about this year is, the discipline turned out to be a ‘Rachel’ thing instead. This is the year when I started a blog on Crosswalk.com. In order to keep the blog active, I was (and am) required to post an entry at a minimum of every nine days.
Writing for this blog took my personal journaling and writing to a new level and I’m finally starting to see ‘Rachel’s’ writing style develop. This has been a completely wonderful year as far as writing is concerned, and I’ve got plans of taking it a few bigger steps forward. God has really used this year of discipline in me to help others- and for this, I give him all the praise and glory.
2006: Honor
This will be the year where I learn to truly honor those who are in my life. I think that living through so many years of abuse has tainted my rainbow with some dim and off colors. I’m looking forward to brightening up my rainbow by learning how to honor people, but most importantly, I have an overabounding desire to honor my God with my life.
This is an excellent year to work on honor and I’m thankful to have a special guy in my life who is able to add the importance of accountability into the equation.
I encourage you to take up a new life tradition…
What will you be working on this year? ;o)
I pray the Lord will bless each person who crosses my path this year.
Love always, Rachel
~ * ~
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof,
For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
Proverbs 3:5-18 NASB
~ * ~
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 1/9/2006 11:15:31 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Word up...
Sooo.... my friends... what is the word of the day?
I read the entire book of Galations this morning... I think I'll pick out a verse from there:
Let us not lose heart in doing good,
for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
(Galatians 6:9-10 NASB)
These verses are for me. I am feeling weary lately and I hope I can hang in there long enough to reap goodness. I think a wonderful distraction, which can only bring good, is to reach out to others.
Sometimes we forget that filling our lives with goodness can help us to overcome the ruts of the past.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 1/15/2006 9:30:07 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Revelation....
Less than two hours ago, I had a revelation about some of my dark teenage years. This revelation places me in a group of statistics that is unfortunate and yet common at the same time.
What do I do with this information?
This information was what I needed to help answer so many questions that kept repeating themselves over and over in my life. This information tells me why I think the way I do sometimes and why I tolerated and even looked for hurtful relationships.
Does is change who I am today? Nooo.... and.... yes.
No, because I am Rachel. The same Rachel I was two hours ago.... and even though this revelation may seem painful, the hidden parts of it were parts that helped shape me into the person I am today.
Yes because I have found some very important answers to life questions which have gnawed at my spirit for years... finding the answers gives me peace and the tools I need in order to move forward and grow in Christ.
I called James right away to tell him of my discoveries... He had suspected already and my revelation was no surprise. "Are you okay?" He meant it sincerely and my heart will always remember this moment of love and true concern.
I got into my car to go see him right away.... As I turned on my radio, I was reminded that the Lord is with me~ always. What song was just starting at that moment? One of my most favorite songs... a song of love and mercy. I smiled because I knew He was smiling also.
Love always, Rachel
~ * ~
Smellin' Coffee
Chris Rice
Last thing I remember sayin’ bye to yesterday
Glad to see it over, pullin’ covers over my head
But what were You doin’ while I dreamt the night away
‘Cause I can tell that somethin’s different and
My eyes ain’t even open yet
I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’
I remember readin’ You’re the God who never sleeps
And while I’ve been dreamin’ You’ve been singin’ over me, yeah
Singin’ about my freedom, wakin’ me up to hear Your song
Now I can’t dance hard enough
‘Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!
I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’
Every little breath, every heartbeat
Is a gift of love that You give to me
You keep givin’ even when I’m asleep
‘Cause I know You never stop watchin’ over me
I wake up, my past is gone
‘Cause Your mercy’s new with the mornin’ sun
I’m forgiven, I’m free, it’s a brand new day
‘Cause Your faithfulness is the greatest, hey!
I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’
_____________________________
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 1/24/2006 10:39:43 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Confidence…
“I want you to go conquer…” He said. “But 22,000 people are too many for what I want done.”
So, all the frightened men were allowed to leave.
“10,000 men are too many. Take them down to the river for a drink.” He said.
Only the men who lapped up the water like dogs were allowed to stay- all 300 of them.
“Okay, 300 men are just right for the job. Now, I want you to go conquer…”
...
Wow… isn’t this just like God? To ask us to do something that seems impossible in our eyes?
God didn’t stop here, though. He knew Gideon was having doubtful thoughts. God wanted Gideon to be able to go out and do this job with complete confidence. God never made Gideon feel like a failure for having legitimate fearful feelings. Instead, God equipped Gideon with confidence.
Do you feel like God has asked you to do an impossible task? Look around… I am sure your confidence is closer than you think; all you have to do is pick it up and run with it.
Love always, Rachel
~ * ~
Now the same night it came about that the LORD said to him, "Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hands. But if you are afraid to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp, and you will hear what they say; and afterward your hands will be strengthened that you may go down against the camp." So he went with Purah his servant down to the outposts of the army that was in the camp.
Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore.
When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend. And he said, "Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat."
His friend replied, "This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand."
When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, "Arise, for the LORD has given the camp of Midian into your hands." (Judges 7:9-15 NASB)
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 2/3/2006 8:48:18 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4442
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Crown of Life
“So how was your afternoon at work today?” My heart sank, I knew exactly what he was asking me.
“My afternoon was just fine,” I lied.
No response.
Good, he bought it. We were enjoying a favorite TV show. Another commercial seemed to play in slow motion as my stomach began to knot up.
“It wasn’t fine!” I blurted out. “I messed up again.” A chasm suddenly appeared between us in spirit. His body language told me that he was disappointed. I didn’t dare look him in the eye.
Why did I lie? Why did I mess up today? My brain started to overload with self-condemnation.
I was tempted again today. Self control was far from me. I failed.
What was my sin? It was lust.
Lust can be focused on just about anything in life and usually happens when we long for something that we are not supposed to have. Sometimes the objects of our lust can be food, possessions or even people.
The Greek word for lust used in the book of James is defined as:
G1939
ἐπιθυμία
epithumia
ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah
From G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after).
There is something healing about confessing not only to God, but to another person as well. My fiancé is my accountability partner. I wonder if days like this make him wish he wasn’t. I’m glad he cares enough to not give up on me.
An email comes to mind. My fiancé sent it to me Wednesday morning. It read, “Cheer up! Jesus loves you, you got me, and there are promises God gave you this morning that are waiting for you to claim!!!”
Here it is. A promise for all to see and to claim for themselves: the crown of life.
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;
for once he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him.
(James 1:12 NASB)
Temptations are beautiful lies that can kill us spiritually.
But each one is tempted when
he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Then when lust has conceived,
it gives birth to sin;
and when sin is accomplished,
it brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
(James 1:14-16 NASB)
We can fight our lustful thoughts by appreciating the good that God brings into our lives…
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(James 1:17 NASB)
… and training our minds to dwell on excellence.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:8-9 NASB)
Today is a new day and God’s compassion and lovingkindness for us never fails.
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB)
Let’s do more than just think about change today. Let’s do it!!
But prove yourselves doers of the word,
and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
for once he has looked at himself and gone away,
he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law,
the law of liberty, and abides by it,
not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer,
this man will be blessed in what he does.
(James 1:22-25 NASB)
The crown of life is ours, my dear friends.
Love always, Rachel
~ * ~
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39 NASB)
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