Self-Injury
Molested and Suicidal
Manic Depressive
Failure
Raped
We all have stories and people are sharing their story on the Your Secret Name website.
The beautiful thing is that it doesn't end there. These people are being vulnerable, but they have also either discovered their Secret Name or are well on the way to discovering it.
We all have stories. I was angry and bitter due to the names I was given on my journey through life. I remember the feelings of rejection I struggled with and how my identity was wrapped up in that and other names I had picked up.
I found Hope. I found out what my name truly was. Loved. With my new identity in Christ I began the daily process of walking in my new identity.
Read the stories, take the test, read the book...let God transform your life.
10/10/10
10/8/10
Your Secret Name
If you read one book this fall, please do yourself a favor and make it Your Secret Name.Kary Oberbrunner has written what is surely his Magnum Opus. This book is an eye-opening look at the story of Jacob. Interspersed with his own journey, Kary leads you on a Biblical discovery of your Secret Name.
We were all given names at birth. From there, as we journey through life, we are given other names as well. Some of my given names were klutz, rejected and fearful. It took many a year before I discovered my Secret Name. This is why I find this book to be so powerful. Kary doesn't shy away from the pain of his own journey.
I cannot accurately describe how blessed you will be by reading this book but I want to encourage you to check it out for yourself. You can also go over the books website and take the Secret Name Test.
Watch this video and then go check out Your Secret Name today.
10/6/10
Ecstasy and the Love of God
I knew the punch was coming before it was even thrown.
After he hit me in the chest 3 times, I was able to convince him to sit back down on the sidewalk and sip some coffee.
With that, my day had taken an interesting turn.
When the guy had wandered into my store 20 minutes before, he plopped into a chair and began to drift off to sleep. I encouraged him to wake up and come outside with me. As we sat on the ground, he told me he was tripping on Ecstasy. He might have been...I really don't know. I do know he was not with it. I also know I felt God's presence.
Years ago I would have avoided these situations like the plague. I never used to feel comfortable around people who were "tripping." God, well He had other plans. Instead of fear, trepidation or general anxiety, I felt an overwhelming peace and genuine care for this guy having a bad reaction to something in his system.
Philippians 4:7, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
I knew he needed to be in a safe place, he was liable to hurt himself or others. While getting his coffee I asked one of volunteers to call the police. He needed to be off the street, for his own safety.
As I walked back out and set his coffee down I immediately knew the blow was about to come. After his 3 quick hits, I asked him if he was ready for his coffee. Then I sat with him as we sipped coffee and chatted.
After a time (still waiting for the cops) he began to put his hand close to my face and started to tap me on the side of the head...I looked at him and said, "You can stop now." With that he lowered his hand...a bit...
He then began to curse some more...and then he said something else..."Why are you an Angel. Why are you being so kind to me."
"Jesus loves you and I care...you are obviously in a bad place right now and I don't want to see you get hurt."
He shook my hand and got up to leave...spewed a few more curse words, then began to stagger towards the road.
He walked right into the arms of the police and quietly let them handcuff him and take him away...
Whatever happens next, I thank God for His peace, His protection and His Love. While this guy was tripping I felt love, while he was smacking me in the chest...I felt love, while he was cursing me and raising his hand to my face...I felt love. Loved by God and love for this stranger.
After he hit me in the chest 3 times, I was able to convince him to sit back down on the sidewalk and sip some coffee.
With that, my day had taken an interesting turn.
When the guy had wandered into my store 20 minutes before, he plopped into a chair and began to drift off to sleep. I encouraged him to wake up and come outside with me. As we sat on the ground, he told me he was tripping on Ecstasy. He might have been...I really don't know. I do know he was not with it. I also know I felt God's presence.
Years ago I would have avoided these situations like the plague. I never used to feel comfortable around people who were "tripping." God, well He had other plans. Instead of fear, trepidation or general anxiety, I felt an overwhelming peace and genuine care for this guy having a bad reaction to something in his system.
Philippians 4:7, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
I knew he needed to be in a safe place, he was liable to hurt himself or others. While getting his coffee I asked one of volunteers to call the police. He needed to be off the street, for his own safety.
As I walked back out and set his coffee down I immediately knew the blow was about to come. After his 3 quick hits, I asked him if he was ready for his coffee. Then I sat with him as we sipped coffee and chatted.
After a time (still waiting for the cops) he began to put his hand close to my face and started to tap me on the side of the head...I looked at him and said, "You can stop now." With that he lowered his hand...a bit...
He then began to curse some more...and then he said something else..."Why are you an Angel. Why are you being so kind to me."
"Jesus loves you and I care...you are obviously in a bad place right now and I don't want to see you get hurt."
He shook my hand and got up to leave...spewed a few more curse words, then began to stagger towards the road.
He walked right into the arms of the police and quietly let them handcuff him and take him away...
Whatever happens next, I thank God for His peace, His protection and His Love. While this guy was tripping I felt love, while he was smacking me in the chest...I felt love, while he was cursing me and raising his hand to my face...I felt love. Loved by God and love for this stranger.
10/2/10
Holding My Tongue
Sometimes it is better to leave things alone.
I learned that recently when an issue of gossip cropped up on my radar. Keeping the details sparse, let me just say this:
Things were said about others by others and it got back to them. As it came up at work, I tried to speak into the issue and see if it could be resolved and the outside rumoring stopped. I thought that by going to the source, I could bring resolution.
Yeah that didn't work. Mushroom clouds were fairly obvious and it only created more issues.
I think it's under control now...
But I learned some lessons...
"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
and the best answer of all:
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8
Needless to say, even though I was not involved in the gossip, only trying to bring resolution, I will be seeking to guard my tongue as well.
I learned that recently when an issue of gossip cropped up on my radar. Keeping the details sparse, let me just say this:
Things were said about others by others and it got back to them. As it came up at work, I tried to speak into the issue and see if it could be resolved and the outside rumoring stopped. I thought that by going to the source, I could bring resolution.
Yeah that didn't work. Mushroom clouds were fairly obvious and it only created more issues.
I think it's under control now...
But I learned some lessons...
"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
and the best answer of all:
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8
Needless to say, even though I was not involved in the gossip, only trying to bring resolution, I will be seeking to guard my tongue as well.
10/1/10
It's the little things - Just A Thought #46
As I woke this morning to a house that was almost too quiet, I struggled to wipe the sleep from my eyes, poured myself a cup of rapidly cooling coffee and let the dog out. Praise was the furthest thing from my mind.
Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"
I wasn't feeling too spiritual. It has been a rough few days. I was a bit taxed mentally from some job stuff and as I found my attention shifting, I noticed my personal time with God was waning as well.
Saturday was kind of a breaking point for me. I struggled through where I was at and ended up sitting on my couch in exhaustion both mentally and spiritually. Why was I doing all these mental gymnastics?
Oh yeah, I wasn't living out of my identity! I was back to trying to solve the worlds problems in my own strength.
Thankfully, God used these last few days to bring me back to reality.
In the stillness of the dawn, in the midst of a 9 hour power outage, God spoke to me in the darkness. It wasn't an audible voice. It was a gentle nudge. A nudge to His Word.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
There is something about a house without power. There was no hum of background noise. I couldn't "distract" myself with TV or the net.
It was just me and God.
So I gave up.
I let go of my strength..
I listened...
Now, as I sit here writing this, I feel like a boxer after 15 rounds. I am tired, exhausted....and free.
Thankfully God was here all along, waiting for me to rediscover who I was meant to be. A child in His arms!
Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"
I wasn't feeling too spiritual. It has been a rough few days. I was a bit taxed mentally from some job stuff and as I found my attention shifting, I noticed my personal time with God was waning as well.
Saturday was kind of a breaking point for me. I struggled through where I was at and ended up sitting on my couch in exhaustion both mentally and spiritually. Why was I doing all these mental gymnastics?
Oh yeah, I wasn't living out of my identity! I was back to trying to solve the worlds problems in my own strength.
Thankfully, God used these last few days to bring me back to reality.
In the stillness of the dawn, in the midst of a 9 hour power outage, God spoke to me in the darkness. It wasn't an audible voice. It was a gentle nudge. A nudge to His Word.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
There is something about a house without power. There was no hum of background noise. I couldn't "distract" myself with TV or the net.
It was just me and God.
So I gave up.
I let go of my strength..
I listened...
Now, as I sit here writing this, I feel like a boxer after 15 rounds. I am tired, exhausted....and free.
Thankfully God was here all along, waiting for me to rediscover who I was meant to be. A child in His arms!
9/27/10
Thoughts on Unity
I was re-examining some Scriptures on unity this week. Things popped up in our community that got me thinking about what unity was and what my role as a believer is.
Psalm 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"
This is probably the most oft-quoted Scripture on unity. I believe unity is a God thing and can change, not only our life, but the lives of those around us.
However, look at that Scripture again. It is pleasant for BRETHREN to dwell together in unity. My brother and I are a part of the same family. The same thing goes for my spiritual family. I can have unity with those of the same faith, Christianity. However, it is kind of hard to have unity with someone who doesn't believe in the same God as me. It is hard to have unity with someone who doesn't believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Coffee, yes! Unity, No!
Ephesians 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Let's be honest. God's children have not always modeled unity. It is hard to convince the world Jesus loves them when we can't even demonstrate that to someone from another denomination! Jesus ate with sinners and yet, I see pastors who can't share a coffee with one another!
There is the key...following Christ Jesus. If we, the followers of Christ, would focus on what we share instead of where we DENOMINATIONALLY differ, I believe God would be glorified even more.
Psalm 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"
This is probably the most oft-quoted Scripture on unity. I believe unity is a God thing and can change, not only our life, but the lives of those around us.
However, look at that Scripture again. It is pleasant for BRETHREN to dwell together in unity. My brother and I are a part of the same family. The same thing goes for my spiritual family. I can have unity with those of the same faith, Christianity. However, it is kind of hard to have unity with someone who doesn't believe in the same God as me. It is hard to have unity with someone who doesn't believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Coffee, yes! Unity, No!
Ephesians 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Let's be honest. God's children have not always modeled unity. It is hard to convince the world Jesus loves them when we can't even demonstrate that to someone from another denomination! Jesus ate with sinners and yet, I see pastors who can't share a coffee with one another!
Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is the key...following Christ Jesus. If we, the followers of Christ, would focus on what we share instead of where we DENOMINATIONALLY differ, I believe God would be glorified even more.
9/23/10
More Lessons From My Son
I love learning things from my kids.
Over the years my daughter, and now my son, have taught me a lot about God's character. God has also used them to teach me more about my character as well. Like my need for patience, understanding, compassion, etc.
This week I have been watching my son. He is getting more expressive and his facial reactions are priceless.
One thing I have noticed is his reaction to me as his father.
When I come home from work his face lights up. We start are day together as I lift him from bed and he "helps me" let the dog out, feed the dog, etc. He expects it now, waking up and looking for me to pick him up.
He likes to fly to the ceiling...as I lift him up and let him touch the smoke detector he get's giddy with excitement, and now, when I pass the doorway, he looks to the ceiling and smiles...
There is a devotion, a longing on his face to spend time with me...with his mom, his sister. He wants to interact with us.
It's the same devotion and longing for interaction I should have with the Heavenly Father.
It reminds me of Psalm 63:1-8
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Kids are wonderful!
Over the years my daughter, and now my son, have taught me a lot about God's character. God has also used them to teach me more about my character as well. Like my need for patience, understanding, compassion, etc.
This week I have been watching my son. He is getting more expressive and his facial reactions are priceless.
One thing I have noticed is his reaction to me as his father.
When I come home from work his face lights up. We start are day together as I lift him from bed and he "helps me" let the dog out, feed the dog, etc. He expects it now, waking up and looking for me to pick him up.
He likes to fly to the ceiling...as I lift him up and let him touch the smoke detector he get's giddy with excitement, and now, when I pass the doorway, he looks to the ceiling and smiles...
There is a devotion, a longing on his face to spend time with me...with his mom, his sister. He wants to interact with us.
It's the same devotion and longing for interaction I should have with the Heavenly Father.
It reminds me of Psalm 63:1-8
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Kids are wonderful!
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