Interrupting Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

I'm interrupting our scheduled series on courage, well sorta. Today I want to introduce you to a woman who stepped out in great courage, Heidi.

I've know Heidi for a number of years and she has overcome so much through the transofrming power and love of Jesus. I was priviledged to interview Heidi last fall. And today I bring you her amazing story.

This is a story to encourage all women, join me at Laced With Grace today for:

Triumph After Childhood Sexual Abuse.

 

You Thought You Weren't One

The most unexpected thing happened to me yesterday.

Seated next to my daughter and her best friend, I opened my Bible to the passage and listened as the pastor began to read Luke 15. While he was reading this familiar passage, powerful emotion rose up from some place deep within me. He arrived at verse 24 and it was as if the world around me went into slow motion. Every part of me was engaged and experiencing this sentence. He spoke slowly and with purpose, each word emphasized and as I listened, tears welled. I felt the full impact of my salvation all over again.

With eyes spilling, I struggled to control the tide washing over me. I teetered on the verge of becoming a blubbering idiot right there in the extremely quiet worship center. But I determined to spare my 16-year-old daughter the uncomfortable reality of her mother becoming a complete spectacle in front of 500 people.

The 15th chapter of Luke is one of the many stories told by Jesus. And if you read our book, Winning Him Without Words, my introduction begins with this very passage. You also know that I am the epitome of this wayward son. I am the prodigal daughter. It’s no wonder as I sat there in church and the words….

…. was dead and now is alive again. Was lost and now is found…..

My heart lurched, my spirit soared, my mind humbled, my throat constricted. For Lynn Donovan was once very lost in her selfish life, lonely, scared, and deceived.

But…..

God loves redemption stories. His Son, Jesus, refused to let me go. He waited for me on the road, looking, calling out to me, just like the father in this story in Luke. He never gave up on me. Never. Ever.

Hear me now.    Don’t make the mistake and believe this story is not about YOU.

We all squander our inheritance.

We have let fear replace faith.

We have traded exceptional living for mediocrity.

We have replaced God’s truth with lies.

We have exchanged freedom for captivity.

We have handed over our miracles for apathetic safety.

Today, I say, “No more. That is enough.”

I want to be reacquainted with the God of love, the God of mercy, the God of grace. I want to know Him this season in an intimate and personal relationship that I haven’t yet experienced. I want to encounter this Father who waits on the road, scanning the horizon, calling to me, to you, “Come home my child, come home.”

What is your pain? What is God asking you to surrender? Our great God has so much for all of us Prodigals. Every…. Single…. One.

God loves redemption stories. We are His redemption story.

Be blessed, Lynn

Share your praises this season with us here at SUM- Join us next Monday for a unique way to honor God and give thanks. (PS. Get a Twitter account….hint…hint)

Inspired by Keith Potter. Thanks Keith

The Picture-Story of the Foolish Son Who Spent All His Money

Luke 15: ¹¹ And Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, let me have the part of the family riches that will be coming to me.’ Then the father divided all that he owned between his two sons. ¹³ Soon after that the younger son took all that had been given to him and went to another country far away. There he spent all he had on wild and foolish living. ¹⁴ When all his money was spent, he was hungry. There was no food in the land. ¹⁵ He went to work for a man in this far away country. His work was to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He was so hungry he was ready to eat the outside part of the ears of the corn the pigs ate because no one gave him anything.

   ¹⁷ “He began to think about what he had done. He said to himself, ‘My father pays many men who work for him. They have all the food they want and more than enough. I am about dead because I am so hungry. ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father. I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am not good enough to be called your son. But may I be as one of the workmen you pay to work?”’

   ²⁰ “The son got up and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him. The father was full of loving-pity for him. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to the workmen he owned, ‘Hurry! Get the best coat and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. ²³ Bring the calf that is fat and kill it. Let us eat and be glad. ²⁴ For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.’

A Letter of Hope

Dear Lynn,  

Good afternoon!  My name is Christine and we have emailed once before (about a year ago).  You helped me so much though what seemed to be an enemy attack on my family and myself.  In retrospect, the last year turned out to be my Red Sea, if you will.  God lead me though so much...the death of my father, the near collapse of my marriage, a court case and two months best described as a dark night of the soul.  It was in mourning the death of my father a year ago, that broke me open in a way only grief can do.  As I look back over the last year, and I can see the work that God did, the beauty leaves me without words.  It was as if every pain only made His voice more clear.  My only regret is that I did not journal as much as I should have.  My memory is fading even now.  I suppose that's what having four kids does.  : ) 

I have so enjoyed your blog (and recently, your book!) because my husband was very firm in his agnostic (I suppose...I could never quite pin him down), anti-religion ways and would visibly bristle when God was brought up.  This summer something happened that, aside from my mom and my pastor (because he was witness to part of it!), probably only you and Dineen would believe.  I just have to share it with you...  

Things had gotten bad between us, marriage-wise.  The children and I left for a week long beach vacation, mid-June, and he didn't come with, deciding last minute he was too busy.  While we were there, on the last day, I was able to escape to the beach for a little time alone.  I really needed to sit and speak with Jesus.  The beach wasn't crowed and I felt free to talk, cry, really open up and tell Jesus I couldn't do it anymore.  I'd been hearing Joel 2:25 from Him (the verse about being repaid for the years the locusts have eaten), so I was certain God was going to make good on that, but I poured it out to Jesus and told Him it had to be soon.  I reminded Him of how difficult my life had been since becoming an adult (with the last year being the kicker), and how I so trusted that God would make good on this promise, but could He please start now?  I will never forget how desperate I felt when I sat on that beach and begged for Jesus to ask this of His Father on my behalf.  I'd never asked anything in that way.  When I was done, I felt Jesus tell me to go into the ocean, almost as a re-baptismal.  With that, I got up and started packing everyone to go home. 

I had no clue what was waiting for me when I got home.  My husband told me that night, the marriage was over.  He had thought about it, and had it all planned out.  Long story short....despite the fact I could hear Jesus loud and clear in my head and heart, saying, "Let him go...I have work to do"  I could only maintain that for about 12 hours before I crashed.  I just fell apart.  It was horrible.  I begged my husband not to go.  I promised anything and everything.  An odd thing I know, why wouldn't us staying together be what God wanted...I wasn't sure, but God needed to do His work in His own way.  I met with my Pastor, and asked him what was wrong with me and where was my faith?  I knowingly would rather make the decision to stand in God's way, than to feel this horrible pain and allow my husband to leave.  Why couldn't I get out of the way???  I knew God had work to do in both of us, and I was keeping it from happening, but by then we were back together and my husband had decided to try one more time.  

By mid-July, I'd come to realize what I'd done by standing in God's way.  This time I promised Him, if He ever saw fit to give me a second chance, no matter how painful, I would trust in Him and not back down to my horrible fears.  Within three days, things were so bad, that I felt in my heart it was time.  I told my husband he was right, it was best if we separate and the kids and I traveled to my mom's house.  I felt a peace about things I couldn't explain.  I felt like the storm was swirling all around me, but God gave me such a sense of protection and peace. 

Sit down because here comes the good part! 

Our God is an awesome God! 

He moved in ways no one saw coming.  About two days later, my husband...Mr. Marine, tough guy, who couldn't even say the word God, texted me at 5am.  He'd been up all night.  He wanted to start again, but this time in church.  I never saw this one coming...so to be honest I didn't even believe it.  I had a sense of peace about it...like it wasn't just a line...but still.  Sure enough, a few days later my husband met with the Pastor and when we got home later that week, he went to church with us.  He's been every single week since then (except while on vacation), started seeing a therapist by himself - FAITH BASED therapy!, is working through a faith based marriage book with me the therapist recommended, and, here is the kicker, when a visiting missionary couple came to the church a couple of weeks ago, said he'd like to do a missions trip...and started looking up the info.  I don't know what God has in store from here, but I have never been so certain of God's love for His children.  The God Who Sees...He saw me on that beach that day... 

Which brings me to today!  A friend at church and I have been thinking of beginning a group for women at church who are spiritually mismatched.  We've been talking about it for a while...but are finally putting it into action and meeting with the Director of Spiritual Growth.  She thinks it's a great idea, as does the Pastor...but I am wondering if you will add us to your list of groups to pray for?  

May God bless you Lynn.  You are truly amazing.  Thank you for your blog, book, everything...you just don't know how much support you've given to people like me!  : ) 

Christine 

And the Walls Came A-Tumbling Down

Lynn’s post yesterday talked about the walls we erect that keep our guys on the outside. I want to share with you how this translated into my life.

I walked into my marriage with the expectations I’d leaned from the pages of romance novels and movies. I’d bought into the fairytale. Everything was fine in the beginning but then the reality began to settle in.

My husband wasn’t perfect. He didn’t do the things I thought he should. He didn’t get that he had a role to play in the script I’d written in my mind and heart. He didn’t even know his lines!

How dare he let me down like that? How dare he not do the things around the house that seemed so obvious to me? How dare he not pull his weight in the relationship?

So what else could I do? I jumped in and did it. After all, these are things that have to be done and done right. You know the saying, if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. So I did!

I did everything. I had to. No one else would. I took care of the kids, the house—everything. And I worked so hard to get things just right and either he didn’t notice or the kids just undid it all so that I had to do all over again.

Life wasn’t fair. Why didn’t he get that if he would just do things the way I wanted and was there when I needed him, life would be so much easier.

Let’s fast forward to a little ways into my marriage. We’d moved to Switzerland because of a work opportunity for my husband. Things started out great, then went from bad to worse. The weight of the world on my shoulders effectively doubled.

I walked into my new church one day and was approached by a soft-spoken woman. She handed me a piece of paper about a group called 1Peter3, a group for women married to unbelievers. I joined immediately and we studied the book Beloved Unbeliever together.

God began to open my eyes through this and another Bible study, Experiencing God. Not to see my husband’s faults and lack, but to see my own. I began to see how much I pressure I had put upon my marriage and my husband through my expectations. I backed off, reassessed, and started to painfully change the way I talked to my husband. I became aware of my words. My marriage began to improve greatly as God taught me to respect my husband.

Still, there was this pattern that seemed to show up. Things would go great for a while and then go down the drain again. Why? Why did this keep coming back? Why did we keep getting stuck in this place? I’d done pretty well in communicating my needs and helping to understand what I was saying without being condemning, so why did the same issues keep cropping up?

One day I was walking into my kitchen. Maybe I was praying, I don’t clearly remember. What I do remember was a very clear and sudden thought.

“It’s not him who has to change, it’s me. It’s not his perceptions that need adjustment, it’s mine.”

Like a light bulb bursting with light, this truth exploded in my head and did a number on my heart. I realized I had let go of my expectations of what I wanted and had replaced them with negative expectations. The kind where you expect your spouse to do what he’s always done, to disappoint you the way he always done, to let you down the way he’s always done.

I’d placed these negative expectations on my husband, ones he could actually meet, but never gave him a chance to do anything else. The problem was, each one added a brick to that wall around me, the one I thought would keep me from feeling the hurt of being let down. And my poor guy kept bouncing into it, feeling as if he could never do anything right.

It’s a vicious cycle. It destroys marriages. It destroys people.

I had to tear down the bricks and it would take a while. First, I had to break this habit of negative expectations that I’d developed and see in my husband the potential God had created in him. Until I did, my husband would never become the man God had fashioned him to be. And two, I had to rebuild trust in our marriage. I had to show my husband I believed in him, that I truly supported him, and trusted him. Respected him.

My desire to change my husband shifted to a desire to change me. I wanted to change. I needed to change. I was desperate for freedom! I prayed for God to change me, to change my heart, to change my thinking, and to help me love my husband the way Jesus loves him.

God took my pain and desire and used it to tear down the walls I had built around my emotions. He freed me from lies and bad habits and showed me how to affirm, appreciate and out-love my husband.

Friends, this is not easy to share with you. I have no shame admitting my path because I know God has forgiven and redeemed me and my past. But to write this out brings me tears. It’s not been an easy journey. It’s been painful but so worth it!

God is gracious, kind and faithful. I shared in our Weekend Devo what my husband did for me last week. That is not how it’s always been. It has taken work and time to reach this place of where I can love him without expectation and the more I do—the more I love my husband through Jesus—the more our marriage has healed and thrived.

For so many years I wanted my guy to fit a mold that I had created for the perfect husband. To finally release him from that and to just love and appreciate the man he is, and then to out-love him as we’ve been doing here, brought something from his mouth I thought I would never hear. He actually referred to a task that needed to be done in our home as a “job for him, a husband’s job.” Something I never would have imagined I’d hear him say.

I still stumble at times and God is quick to show me and pick me up so I can apologize to my husband. The results of this journey are still coming in. I’ve changed dramatically and my husband has responded in so many unexpected ways. Now he’s starting to out-love me. That was never my motivation for out-loving him. I wanted only to be obedient to God for the sake of my husband’s future salvation, to show him Jesus.

The world will tell you that your perfect mate will meet your every need. God will tell you that He is all that you need and will show that He’s already met your every need in His Son Jesus. When we live in this truth, we are free to love Jesus and everyone He puts in our path. We truly love because He first loved us.

God sees your desires and efforts, your pain and struggles in your marriage. He wants to show you a better way. Ask him. He’s just waiting for you to make the first move.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

Out-Love Your Spouse

Are you ready to be intentional about changing your marriage? Do you want to see God moving in your life, your heart, and that of your husband?

I know you do and so do I. So let me share this. You do your part and God will do His part.

We are setting out this month to "Out-Love" our spouse. We are going to love, serve and surprise our husband/wife. We are going to discover that when we are intentional and make an effort to change, really change, through the power of Christ, our lives, our hearts and that of our spouse can truly change as well.

I want to introduce you to my friend Shelly Weaver. I met Shelly when I visited her small group this summer. The Warrior Wives (her group) had just finished the study of Winning Him Without Words and I was invited to wrap up their study of the book.

During that evening Shelly,  by chance, happened to share a snippet of a journey the Lord set her on to "out-love" her husband. 

It's remarkable.

It's real.

It's possible because Shelly loves and serves Jesus. So, today, I'm introducing you to my friend. She will share a portion of her story and we have a challenge for you for this month. Listen in as she describes what God is doing  and then decide if you are willing to commit to honestly change your thoughts, actions and your heart.

I promise if you do, YOU WILL SEE GOD AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE.

Through the month, Dineen, Shelly and I will be sharing different aspects of how to out-loving our spouse. By the end of the month, it is our sincere and heart-felt prayer that you will also step out on your own journey and join us to out-love our spouse.

Now, please take 15 minutes to listen in. These few minutes can change everything. Hugs, Lynn

Shelly Weaver. 

Okay, start today. Pray right now. Lord, help me to see how I need to respect my husband with my words. Help me to refrain from words that harm or hurt and then Lord to begin to speak words of love, healing, and holiness into his life. Transform me Lord to be a woman who reflects Jesus to my spouse. In the powerful and life-changing name of Jesus. Amen

Today in the comments, let Shelly, Dineen and I know you also want to reflect Jesus to your spouse. Start with your words. Let me know where you struggle and how you can be specific and intentional to start to change those old patterns of speech. 

We love all of you. Just imagine what can happen in the next month with Jesus alive and working in our lives. I wonder who might be touched. Who might find Christ. Who will discover peace, love and fulfillment in their marriage. 

I promise if you begin to put theses hints into practice, things start to change. We have so much more to share with you. Looking forward to your comments, Hugs, Lynn

Alcohol, Pornography, Rage

The big three.

Alcohol addiction, pornography addiction, and rage. These three are the destructive sins in marriage that I see women deal with the most.

I share some experience and some insights. I pray this article will encourage one woman out there who is dealing with one or more of the "Big Three."

Lynn

A Perspective for those dating a nonbelievier by Martha McMillan

I am a 52 year old divorced mother of two mostly grown girls (age 21 and 18). I can  testify to being unequally yoked. I was married for 21 years. It was hard on many occasions and lonely as well. But I loved being married, even when it wasn’t good. I loved my husband and mistakenly thought that my love would be enough. I also mistakenly thought that God would heal my marriage after the separation. I fasted and prayed to that effect.

What I was not mistaken about were the horrible effects that divorce would rage on my family and my children. And I was not given a choice as to whether I wanted a divorce or not. The effects are lasting and deep on my children, even though they are greatly healed at this point.

I once heard a minister point out that there are other ways to be unequally yoked than just Christian/non-Christian. Those include how you spend money, raise children, work, save, play etc. I have tried to teach my girls to be "smart" about whom they date, as well as the definition of a Christian man. In other words, if he doesn't "walk the talk", maybe you need to leave him alone. In addition, if you can't pray with him on the second date, maybe you shouldn't go on a third. I have prayed for my girls, that God would provide the right man who would never leave them or forsake them.

Of course, they have seen firsthand the disastrous results of being unequally yoked. There are those who give great advice about the marriage relationship who have years of experience in both education and counseling. "The more you share in common, the better the marriage will be." (paraphrased Dr Neil Clark Warren) "Opposites may attract, but down the road opposites ATTACK" (also Dr Warren)

"Date for at least four seasons" says Dr. Laura.

"Marry your best friend." (Not certain which author penned this.)

"Commitment is what keeps a marriage together." (Chuck Swindoll? and others).

I surely know why "God hates divorce." It’s like the never-ending wave that beats on the shore. You feel like you are in the "high tide," tossed and thrown about by the waves of insecurity, abandonment, loneliness and great change, to name a few. "How can I trust God again after He let this happen?" Slowly though, God in His infinite wisdom, mercy and grace, rebuilds that trust, and your faith, to greater than it was before, if we let Him. And to His glory, I might add. We reach the low-tide of divorce at some point but there are still ripples...when a child marries...grandchildren come....Hig school graduation...holidays, etc. And how do you handle the death of your ex-spouse who is the father of your children? Maybe the generations before us that stayed together, even though they lived in "mediocrity" were, in the long run, not so bad off. Maybe they learned that the grass is not always greener on the other side; and sometimes it’s not about "what I want."

It has been a journey (and still is) to learn that "God is all I need."  Not because I can physically touch Him and converse with Him like we humans do, but because HE is my source and my strength, even though that often comes thru others. I still have more questions than answers but know that in His time, I will have all that I need. I continue to look to Him to bless me "beyond what I could ask or think." and continue to be reminded it is "about His glory." ...not mine.

I would also be willing to talk with anyone who wishes to, especially those who are going thru divorce and the mountains of struggles that brings. Or just pray for them as the needs arise. One of my callings is a prayer warrior, and one of my spiritual gifts is mercy.  If you see fit to include any of that, here is my personal email nanabugg@ymail.com and Facebook: Martha Piper McMillan

Winston Salem NC

Our Soul and the Natural World ~ Article III

Article III: Our Soul and the Natural World

A few weeks back, I began a series on the natural world and how nature, the world God created, can bring healing and joy to our soul. We started with light. If you missed that post, you can read it here. Then we looked at darkness and how we are adversely affected. You can read that post here.

Today is the third post in this series. I’m completely convinced the natural world was created for our health; physically, emotionally and spiritually. The environments where we spend time affect our lives and they impact the spiritual realm and impact the spiritual warfare going on around us.

So you’re in a bad mood. What is a believer to do?

We could likely spend hours and hours of conversation answering these questions. Anything from a slight inconvenience to a catastrophe can change our optimism to pessimism and leave us feeling defeated, mad, and or sad.

Let me be clear here. Those negative emotions are NOT how or where God wants us to live. Those feelings and moods are straight from the enemy who is relentless to discourage and crush. Note: I recognize there are physiological causes for some depression and mood swings. But that aside, how do we deal with an everyday bad mood or sadness?

My short answer: Take a walk.

Recall from my first post in this series the importance of living in the light. Well, when we are in a mood or feeling sad, my experience leads me to believe there is some kind of healing power in getting outside into the natural world.

When I'm worried, troubled, confused, sad, angry, I put on my tennies and head out for a two-mile walk. I make a point to walk where there are little distractions (people). I want to “really see” the natural world. I often listen to praise music on my Ipod (this is a post for another day~ sense of hearing). Or I listen to the sounds of the birds, the dogs barking in the distance, frogs, the breeze blowing the flowers.

AND that is when I start…….

AND that's when everything changes.....

I look at the brilliant blue sky and I start to praise God for His wonder and creation. I praise Him for the color of coral as I pass a rose bush in the neighbor’s front yard. I praise Him that the birds are singing and they bring Him glory. I smell in the bouquet of flowers more sweet and pleasing than any man-made perfume.

I walk. I breathe. I worship.

I return home and life is better.

Why?

Because I spent time with God in the natural world. He walks beside me when I walk and pray. When I’m praising Him the devil MUST flee. God dwells in the praises of His people. He delights in us when we thank Him for His creation. After all, He made it just for us.

I don’t pretend to understand how this time affects the spiritual realm but after many years of walk/praying I know it makes an impact.

Get out and walk. Even in the winter months a short walk will help. Walk with the baby in the stroller. Walk before work, after work, on yhour lunch hour if you need a recharge. Walk with the dog, the cat, the pet pig if you have to, just walk. Anytime outdoors walking noticing nature, praising God will draw you closer to Him and can totally change your mood, perspective, dare I say, your life.

Thoughts? Who has experience in this? Please share.

Next up. Two areas I discussed in this post: Physical activity. God made us to work, physically. And, hearing. Oh, I can’t wait to share about this aspect of our natural world and the profound impact on the spiritual realm. Stay tuned. We are in the summer months, the best time to put all of these posts to the test. Discover for yourself if what I’m sharing proves true in your life. I challenge you. Be blessed, Lynn

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 ¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
 ² He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    ³ He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths,
      bringing honor to his name.
 ⁴ Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me.
   Your rod and your staff
      protect and comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a feast for me
      in the presence of my enemies.
   You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
      My cup overflows with blessings.
 ⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
      all the days of my life, and
I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Light Vs. Darkness: Living in the Natural World

Article II: Our Soul and the Natural World

A few weeks back, I began a series on the natural world and how we can let nature, the world God created, bring healing, and joy to our soul. We started with light. If you missed that post, you can read it here.

Today I want to post another article in this series. I’m completely convinced the world God created is purposed for our health; physically, emotionally and spiritually. The environments where we spend time affect our lives. I want to take one more look at light before we move on to sound, sight, exercise and perhaps a few others.

Light vs. Darkness: This scripture just grabs me: Luke 22:53 NIV Jesus said: Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.

This encounter occurs in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was betrayed into the hands of those who were determined to see Him dead.

Now read between the lines. Darkness reigns. Sin, satan, evil reigns in the darkness. Why do you suppose Jesus said this? Look at the ESV rendering:

Luke 22:53 ESV When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

I get the cold shivers when I read this passage. It’s obvious that the powers of evil live in darkness.

So what does this mean for our lives as believers. Stay out of the dark. Literally and figuratively. Now think about this with me. Isn’t it interesting that we as humans desire to sleep at night? We remain unaware and inactive during the night. Now, some of you skeptics out there may disagree but walking with Jesus all these years, I yearn to live in the light. I don’t even like it when it’s foggy here in May and June. Bring on the sunshine. I go to bed early and wake up with the dawn. It’s awesome.

We can’t ignore the fact that great evil takes place in darkness (and the light as well.) However, it seems to me Jesus was warning us that evil thrives in the dark. Secrets we keep in the dark, untold and unconfessed hold us captive. I think television programing in the late evening hours attest to the enemy’s power. Have you watch any of it lately? Sheesh.

I once heard an interview with a young man who was a Christian and once was possessed by a demon. He tells of his life during that time that he hated to go outside in the light that the spirit in him wouldn’t allow it. Fascinating. I also wonder if you are like me. There are times I can look at a stranger and I can feel the dark. I look in their eyes and I see they are dark.

It is healthier for us physically and spiritually to live in light. Open the shades, open God’s Word. Clean out the dark places in your heart and thrive. Avoid the darkness for that is where satan will use his power. Why give the enemy more advantage? Spiritual warfare is fought with the light. In the spiritual realm and in the physical. Thrive in the light and start fighting.

Okay, I’m really interested in your thoughts on this post. Be blessed, Lynn

Next post: In a bad mood? I bet I have something to help you out. 

Netflix - Light - Spiritual Warfare

A few days ago, I finally surrendered.

We signed up for Netflix.

It’s not like we don’t already have over 100 channels to choose from. But if you’re like me. I am very choosy about what I pour into my soul through television. So most of what’s available to watch….. I don’t.

Okay but back to Netflix. I’m having a blast. Let’s see last night Caitie and I watched a classic romance. Ahhhhh, all is right with the world. I have placed in my queue all kinds of programs from romantic comedies to syfy, even documentaries. In fact, I enjoy some documentaries. Alright, already...... stop the yawning.

Yesterday I watch a PBS documentary. It was about one woman’s journey to healing. She encountered healing through taking a trip to Crete. There she enjoyed the sunshine, long walks in nature, wholesome foods and laughter.

As I watched this show I found myself just nodding my head. Don’t you think that God created our natural world then placed us into this kind of environment because it is healthy. Healthy for our physical body AND healthy for our spirit…. our soul.

A prescription for our soul.

If you have been a reader here for some time, you know I have shared some of my very real battles with the enemy. I truly know what it’s like to be the only adult believer in your home and to fight through prayer the forces of evil that are present and trying to destroy your home and marriage.

Spiritual warfare is very real and girls and guys, we are on the front lines. So I have learned a few things about warfare that relate to our natural world. And after watching this program on Netflix, I found the Lord prompting me to share what I know in the hope it will help others.

Effective battling of the enemy begins first and foremost through spending time with God. Reading His Word and prayer. Every morning, every day, every week, every month…. without fail. Ready yourself with Ephesians six. God’s Word instructs us how to be prepared.

(Image from my kitchen window.)

I have also discovered there are many practical practices you can adopt which will render the enemy powerless. These have to do with the natural world that God has placed us in.

Sight: Let’s start with this passage:  Luke 11:34-36  Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.  See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.  Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.

I am fascinated at the numerous scriptures which reference the word "light."  Your eye is the lamp of your body. So, let the light in. The light of God and also the sunlight.

When Dineen visited my house a few months ago, we had a very interesting conversation. We got on the subject of how every morning she walks all around her house and opens the blinds and drapes to let the light in. 

I said to her, "I do the very same thing. I think that's because we are children of God and live in the light."

I am a child of God. A child of the light. I let the light into my home as much as possible. On warm days I open all the doors and the windows too to allow in breezes (smells) which we will discuss in a future post. Satan hates the light. Literally. And he flees from the light.

I am convinced one way I gain the upper hand in spiritual warfare is I flood my home with light. The Light of Christ’s truth and bright natural sunlight. In addition to scaring evil away, natural light also is a mood enhancer and cheerful.

So, step up your battle today. Every morning throw open the curtains, pull the blinds. Don’t worry about who can look inside. Let the light shine in. God created the natural world for us. For our joy and benefit.

I have a ton more to share with you and how I bring elements of our natural world into my home and create an environment that is edifying and healthy. We will look at sound, smell, movement.

I’m excited for you to experience how these subtle and small changes can make a giant impact on your spirit and your home. Stay tuned.

Be embraced by the King. Lynn

1 John 1:5-6 (The Message)  This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him. 

Do you open your windows? Do you think it makes a difference in your spirit and your spiritual warfare?