On Saturdays we continue to post from our archives. Last year starting in April I did a series about the transformed mind. I'm feeling led to rerun that series over the next few weesk, my friends, and I pray it gives you more encouragement and inspiration to let the Holy Spirit transform you with the Word of God and His truths! Amen! Love you! ~Dineen The Transformed Mind: Claiming and Praying God's Promises What are you thinking right now? What are you worried about? What has your heart and mind twisted in knots on a daily basis? Do you know you have control over this? That you are not at the mercy of your thoughts and emotions? I didn't understand this for a long time. Only recently have I come to more ably see just how much I judged my faith (and myself) by my emotions. It’s an ongoing process... Read more →

My friends, we’re at the last Deadly D in this series, Disparaging Disappointment. God is so faithful—He answered your prayers for Words with reminders and a special email from one of you (Thanks, Jim!). I truly thought I'd lack words for the last two parts of this series, but quite the opposite has proved true! So many words came that I will breaking this one into two parts, so be sure to come back for part two on Saturday. In Dubious Doubt, Part One, I talked about how the enemy tries to steal our faith with his fiery darts of doubt, and in Part Two I shared some personal breakthroughs in this area (and even more came after that! God is good!). Then on Wednesday I covered Debilitating Disbelief and shared how the enemy tried to destroy my faith with a spirit of torment and gave you some tools to... Read more →

The last three weeks we have talked about the battlefield of the mind and the transformation that the Bible speaks of in Romans 12:2, first with Feasting on God’s Word, then part two, Claiming and Praying God’s Promises and last week, Giving the Holy Spirit Authority. This week I want to talk about pleading the blood of Jesus. Through this time of breaking and rebuilding that Abba has had me in, He’s given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ramifications and power of the blood of Christ and what makes it so powerful. As we travel through the Word of God, we see His ultimate plan of one perfect and final sacrifice. The Old Testament is the promise of the Messiah and the preparation of His coming. The New Testament is the revelation of the Messiah and His salvation plan for us. Sacrificial blood runs through the entire... Read more →

What are you thinking right now? What are you worried about? What has your heart and mind twisted in knots on a daily basis? Do you know you have control over this? That you are not at the mercy of your thoughts and emotions? I didn't understand this for a long time. Only recently have I come to more ably see just how much I judged my faith (and myself) by my emotions. It’s an ongoing process that I want to share with you, my friends, so we can grow together in this area—one I believe is crucial to every area of our lives and especially in our mismatched marriages. Because as we are transformed, you better believe your prebeliever is going to notice! And what I thought would be one post has now become multiple parts. So welcome to this series about the battlefield of our minds and how... Read more →

My friends, I’d planned to write a very different post today about two very important things we need to know—who does God say He is and who does He say we are. But I think we’ve actually talked a fair amount about how important it is for us to understand who we are in Christ (click here for a list of Scriptures that say who you are in Jesus). And the Bible is packed with full of the truth of who God is. And if you didn’t read my post, Spread the Love, I’d like to encourage you to read it and do the exercises at the bottom. Let Abba fill your heart and mind with the truth of who He says you are. In light of all this, I’m beginning to see the bigger challenge is to truly believe what God says about Himself and us. How many times... Read more →

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. — Romans 8:6 I used to be a horrible worrier. I used to be (and still am at times) fearful. I used to be very pessimistic. As I look back over the years of my faith journey I see a distinct pattern of change in my thinking process. I think this is the greatest challenge of living our faith. The old thoughts and ways have to change in order to be in alignment with God. Thankfully, this isn't something God expects us to do on our own. On the contrary, Romans 8:6 tells us that the Holy Spirit is responsible for this work. We are simply asked to be willing and aware, thoughtful and intentional. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we... Read more →

I feel slightly melancholy as I wave farewell to our Mind of Christ Experiment. Wow, we spent only 30 days focused fully on Christ. Lives were changed. I have to echo what Dineen said on Friday, “If this is what God can do in us when we give him complete control for 30 days, imagine what our entire lives can be when we give him every day!” AMEN!! I know this journey is only the beginning. Please write me as the Lord moves you along in your journey. I want to share in the victories and give all honor and praise to Jesus. I want to thank Dineen Miller, my writing partner and our guest contributor, Angela Smith. I told them both about this experiment way back in August. They were enthusiastic about what the Lord was planning. The Lord placed inspired words in their hearts. Thank you Dineen! Thank... Read more →

I haven't posted a lot of comments but this 'experiment' has had an incredible impact on me. I find that I have to keep my eyes and my mind and my heart on Jesus minute by minute because if I don't...the world and all its "stuff" tries to creep its way in. I only truly feel at peace when I focus on Jesus. Posted by Stacy Hi all! Sorry I haven't commented in a while. No, I haven't run away. There was a big break through in my life at the end of the second week and I have just so enjoyed the fellowship and love of the Lord since then. Last night was an awesome experience. I can't stop thinking about it. You know, one of those BIG moments where you KNOW, that you KNOW, it was ONLY GOD'S PERFECT timing. EXACTLY the right place and time. Another few... Read more →

The 30 Days -Mind of Christ Experiment has reached the end. However, truly this is only the beginning. Christ continually works in our lives to show us how to live. TO LIVE! So many of you shared your struggles and triumphs along the way.Change can be painful but when Christ is the silversmith, we know we will be gleaming when the dross is melted away. Today is a day to celebrate and worship Jesus for what He has done in the lives of those on the journey. If I didn't include your triumph, please, please write it in the comments and I will post them tomorrow for all those who read SUM through a subscription service. If you struggled and you find it difficult to read these, I truly understand and realize God may be working slowly in your life. Feel free to add what you DID get from this... Read more →

Isaiah 43:19a For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I made a bold promise 30 days ago. I told you that if you were willing to place Jesus Christ on the throne of your life, you would discover the circumstances in your life lose their power over you. Many of you joined in the journey, from all over the world. You were sick n’ tired of being sick n’ tired. You were seeking relief from unbearable burdens. You were in need of joy –bliss in your life. Well the promise I made was not my promise. It was Jesus who offered you that promise. It is not just a promise but a guarantee. Strong statement I know, but it is trustworthy and true. I want you to think about a few things. We learned we are utterly loved, we... Read more →

Can you believe we're in the final week of our journey? Part of me wants to shed a few tears, sad to see it end already. But a bigger part of me wants to shout HALLELUJAH right along side all of you from the tallest rooftop nearby. What a month, yes? I don't know about you, but God has brought me to some pretty difficult places these last few weeks and asked me to grow and stretch in ways I didn't think possible. He's used this journey, you precious readers, and my ongoing situation with my daughter's recovery to teach to trust him and wait on him in ways that hurt beyond belief! But I know they are so necessary to my future, my daughter's future, and especially to my husband's future. Lots of preparation going on in the Miller household! God has designed my circumstances in this moment is... Read more →

I want to share a story with you. About four weeks ago my relationship with Christ was so on fire that I thought there were times when I was praying or singing worships song that I might explode from the sheer joy I felt. I have heard of the joy of God flowing upon a person in such powerful waves they begged God to stop for fear they could bear no more. (I have much to share about this next Friday… You won’t want to miss it, stay tuned.) Most days I feel the Lord is present, around me listening to my constant chatter. I never stop talking/praying with Him…. Sheesh! I bet He wishes I would take a break! *kiddin’* But these few days were unique. The closeness the…., let’s see if I can describe what it was like, the intimacy and joy and contentment and happiness and the... Read more →

Welcome to Thankful Thursday. It is a privilege to give thanks to the Lord and to host this awesome event in October. Next month we will meet at Grace Alone. December we will return to Women Taking A Stand. If you have stopped in to participate in Thankful Thursday, I am so glad you are here. I am hosting this event even as I am on an airplane flying across America to Sneads, Florida for the: BLOGGER'S RETREAT! I know many of you wanted to attend but were unable. Well know this ~I have taken you with me. You hold a place in my heart. I hope to share some photos here at S.U.M. on Saturday and Sunday so stop back and get a glimpse of what some of your blogging friends actually look like. I never imagine anyone the way they actually look after knowing them on-line for years.... Read more →

As a new Christian, one of my favorite books to read was “Jesus Freak” by DC Talk. The book is a collection of true stories about individuals who have stood for and given their lives for Jesus. It is amazing and inspiring to read these stories. These are people who have lived out Jesus’ instructions to us: Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ~ Matthew 22:36-39 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. ~ Luke 6:27-28 These people have died standing for Jesus and the most inspiring thing is they do so while... Read more →

Do you remember the first day we started this journey? October 2nd and I wrote: In about three weeks, you will grow tired of this journey. So I am giving you a heads up now to watch for your discontent. Satan absolutely will do everything possible to keep you firmly seated in power. Have none of it. Today I am reminding you not to allow the enemy to steal away your efforts as we head into week three. In the first two weeks I have received emails and comments from many you. You shared how you have overcome major road blocks and struggles you have contended with for years. Miracles! I want to encourage those of you who aren’t seeing progress as of yet. I want to spur you on because God has promised us something new. We need only to place Him on the throne of our lives. Romans... Read more →

"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" The disciples spent three amazing years with Jesus. And then one nightmarish day, he was gone. At least in their eyes He was. Imagine for a moment how they felt. They’d lived with clear purpose and guidance for three... Read more →

Last week I asked each of you to allow the Lord to show you the great affection He has for you. One fiction series I’m particularly fond of refers to this as the “Great Romance”. I LOVE that. Today I want to tell you about the second stage that the Lord took me through to begin transforming me into the likeness of Him. However, if you have not yet read last week’s post, I encourage you to do so first. I know without an understanding of how much God loved me, I would not have understood what He did next in my life. I am a bit of a perfectionist and have been known to have some self-esteem issues. I actually have conversations in my head about what others are saying about me. Talk about creating your own issues! Needless to say, I have tended to have a lot of... Read more →

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV I must tell you the thoughts, prayers, hopes, struggles, scripture, and links all of you have left in comments over the past week during this series are incredible. Thank you. Thank you for loving others in the community of God with your words. What are you feeding your brain? I want to tell you a story. There once was a girl who was lost in a world of ambitions, caught up in obtaining all the “stuff” the TV commercials said she was entitled to have. She was lost in pride and self-centeredness. That girl was me. I bought into the lie… I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan... Read more →

This week I want to welcome everyone who is participating in The Mind of Christ Experiment to Thankful Thursday. When I was a kid and my brother, sister and I would start whining and complaining my mother would have none of it. She would immediately burst into song and sing over our small voices. Probably to drown out the noise of it all but it is a lesson that has stuck in my head all these years later. She would sing: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. I looked the song up. (I love Google.) It was written by Johnson Oatman Jr. in 1897. Now read the lyrics from the first verse: When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed When you... Read more →

You send an email to a friend updating her on everything going on at the moment. Your letter seems more like a list of crises than anything else. Then you go to sign it with “God is good” but you hesitate. Can you honestly say that and mean it in the midst of your discouragement? You know in your head it’s true, but in your heart…in your heart, you’ve noticed a disconnect. You’re tired and struggling to believe that the trials in your life are in God’s control. Are you there right now? I know in recent weeks I have been. But I have the answer for you. If we spend anytime at all in the Bible, we are shown over and over again a God who cares and sacrifices for his children, his ultimate sacrifice being his Son. Jesus Christ is the greatest representation of God’s incomprehensible love. Along... Read more →

Tune in on Wednesday, October 7th for our next post in this series by Dineen Miller. Stop in Thursday because I have a special story to share. It is a genuine true story of a woman who decided to trust God when it didn’t make sense. The ending is unbelievable. I have a question for you today to write in your journal. We will discuss it further on Friday. What are you feeding your brain? Open your journal and get to work. Write the question and then listen to what God is telling you. Come back and share it with everyone. Also, if you have not read the comments from Friday or Monday, do so now. They are awesome, inspiring and filled with hope in Jesus. You are on a fantastic journey with some pretty amazing people. Take time to encourage one another. Leave a comment here today about what... Read more →

When Lynn first asked me to join her and Dineen for this 30 Day journey, my mind was filled with so many different things I could write about, things I’ve learned over the last couple years about having a mind and heart after Christ. Then as I began to meditate on these things I realized how very much I have yet to learn. In fact, this process of sharing my heart with all of you is just a continuation of my journey to put Christ on the throne of my life. My journey began in earnest two years ago when I stumbled across this site and read a post about “the most dangerous prayer”. I prayed that night with a sincere heart. “Whatever it takes, Lord. Whatever it takes draw my husband to you.” The Lord heard my cry and responded, but not in the way I had anticipated. You... Read more →

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea; the Lord is mighty! Psalms 93:4 (NIV) 1. Faith is the ability to not panic. 2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry. 3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home. 4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. 5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still, so He can untangle the knot. 6. Do the math. Count your blessings. 7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. 8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me. 9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted. 10. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging. 11. The most important things in your home are the people. 12. There is no key to happiness.... Read more →

I’m sitting at my computer and the Holy Spirit is flooding my mind with so much. There is so much to tell you, much to share and I want to get it all to you right now. But, the Lord is reminding me that this is a journey. To know the Mind of Christ, to be transformed by Christ, is a progression. He reminds me to begin simply yet purposefully. I must tell you I have been completely overwhelmed by the response. So many of you listened to the call from God. I mailed envelopes all over the globe. I went to the store several times as I ran out of supplies. They all know me at the post office now. But, what an amazing privilege to be a sojourner along with you. I am utterly humbled and thankful to the Lord. Some of you arrived because you are sick... Read more →

On Saturday I attended my annual writer’s conference for the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild. Every year something profound comes from this conference and this year…… SO much more than I could dream or think. Cec Murphy was our keynote speaker. Many of you know Cec as an author of something like a bazillion books as well as the bestselling author of 90 Minutes In Heaven. (I loved that book) I have been richly blessed to sit under his teaching a few times and Saturday was no exception. Cec asked me a question on Saturday that sent my heart flying and ignighted a new fire in my being. I came home and called Dineen and asked her the same question. Now we are both filled with such amazing hope and determination. But, this question is not just for us. It is for you also. Are you ready? WHAT IS YOUR... Read more →