healingplaceministries

GOALS

2011-12-14T12:42:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel as though you are adrift in the world? You work hard but just don’t seem to get anywhere. And sometimes it seems too hard – everything is just too hard! Often when I talk with people who feel this way they haven’t taken time to think about what they want from life. They have no formal goals – lots of ideas and plans running around in their head, but nothing formal that they can go back to check progress. If you don’t know what you are aiming for it’s very hard to hit it!
When we set goals it helps us choose where we want to go in life. Knowing what we want to achieve helps us concentrate our efforts and, importantly, helps us recognise the distractions that can, so easily, lead us astray.
Goal setting is big with top-level athletes, business people and those who are achievers in any field. They don’t get to be experts or sought after in their field if they haven’t set goals. Having a goal gives us long-term vision and short-term motivation. Setting goals focuses our attention so that the knowledge we acquire relates to the goal – you don’t go off doing studies in nursing if you want to be an engineer! And, having a goal or goals helps us organise our time and resources so that we can make the most of our life.
I was recently reading an article that discussed personal goal setting as ‘planning to live your life your way’. I thought about this and acknowledge that we are encouraged by society to always consider ourselves, and what we want ‘because I’m worth it’ as one popular advertisement declares. I then thought about it in light of those who profess to be a Christian. What should be the focus of the person who wants to walk with God – to live life my way, or God’s?
The apostle Paul is an example of someone who had a goal: he had a consuming passion – and anyone who talks about goals will say that you have to be passionate about your goal or you are very unlikely to achieve it. The one consuming passion of Paul was “to know Him (Jesus) and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. Not that I have already reached the goal, or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:10-12).
What is your goal? Is it the same as God’s goal for your life? Is it a ‘consuming’ passion? Philippians 3:15-16 encourages us to keep focused on God’s goal for us, make it our own, if we want everything God has for us. If we have something else in mind, something other than total commitment, then let’s allow God to clear the blurred vision that prevents us from seeing His goal for us. Once we are on the right track, let’s stay on it.
What is the goal that God has put in your heart? Can you see it? Or is it out of focus? The goal is the target of our high call, our purpose in Jesus Christ. This goal includes everything God has for us. When we are totally committed to seeing the goal, we will see it. The verses in Philippians tell us that when life seems a little blurry, when we seem to be drifting with no clear direction, what we need to do is choose to focus on heaven’s goal and clarity will come. Come back to what God has placed in your heart, pursue that vision. Don’t be distracted by people or circumstances that build doubt.
Choose this week to set your focus on God’s goal for your life, stay focused and once you’re on the right track, keep going, don’t be distracted for any reason…you will move towards, and into, all that God has for you.
Want some resources or some help in setting your goals? I’d love to hear from you and help you get on track for the first time or get back on track if you’ve wandered a bit and find yourself on the wrong track!

You can also read this at www.thehealingplace.com.au/blog where it is easier to leave comments.

An Unwelcome Visitor

2011-11-02T22:04:00.001-07:00

Doubt came to see me recently. It was an unwelcome visit – I wasn’t expecting to see her and she wasn’t too sure of her welcome. In the past whenever Doubt came she was always accompanied by – or accompanied – Fear and / or Intimidation. But since I refused entry to both of those characters in no uncertain terms, Doubt hasn’t attempted to come back – until now. Doubt always hides behind someone else but just keeps talking, repeating the same thing over and over – really annoying because she can make me forget what I am trying to tell her. This time though I knew what she was about and refused to even let her in the door. And since she was unaccompanied she couldn’t sneak in as she has done in the past. Who would have thought she would actually try to come in that way?? I’m sure she will try to come back – this was a very comfortable home for her after all – but Confidence and Authority are very happy here now and have no time for Doubt so I’ll just have them both answer the door with me whenever Doubt attempts to visit – that should fix her!

Walking in the Spirit

2011-10-12T23:05:00.000-07:00

I found this poem while looking back through my journal. I had been exploring the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh.

Walk in the Spirit, in the Light
Know He is guiding day and night
Hand-in-hand, step-by-step
Always forward, onward - securely kept.
Safe, assured of His presence,
His power, His essence
Flowing in and through
Always there, always new.
Dreams, visions, imagination
All encompassed in Christ-like formation.

Can't Sleep!

2011-10-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Head on pillow
Eyes closed tight
Lights are out
Please...let me sleep.

Mind is racing
Everything swirling.

Seems impossible to
Let it all go but...
Even breathing, in and out
Eases me into
Peace and rest - in You.

Searching for Myself

2011-10-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

I often hear people say, “I’m trying to find myself” or “I don’t know who I am anymore” or “I don’t think I’ve ever really known the real me.” Have you ever said that to yourself? Or to someone else? Sometimes when something big happens to us it can shake us up a bit and cause us to ask questions we might never have considered otherwise. In the movie Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, Julia Roberts plays a young woman who never quite makes it to the altar. She loses herself in every relationship so that everything she thinks and does becomes what the other person thinks and wants. She doesn’t even realise what she is doing, so she goes from one relationship to another thinking she will find what she is looking for there, and it’s not until Richard Gere challenges her in this that she finally comes to see that she needs to find herself, to learn who she is and be that person. We can do this too; we are what everyone else wants us to be, and we accept that as the way it should be. Because of this we constantly struggle to please people so our are emotions up and down because we are always worried about what someone else might think. It's impossible for us to enjoy life when we live like this. We can’t find our true self in someone else’s expectations of us, in someone else’s understanding of who we should be. Have you stopped to ask God how He sees you? Why not do it now because it’s not until we see ourselves as God sees us that we truly find ourselves. Hmmm…perhaps the following poem might resonate with you.

Looking, looking everywhere,
Under here, over there,
Where could I be?
I can’t be that hard to find.

Looking, looking everywhere,
Why am I lost?
How could I lose ……me?
Am I so unpresent?

Looking, looking everywhere,
There’s a veil
Diaphanous, pale
Hiding nothing, hiding everything.

Looking, looking everywhere,
There’s a box,
Am I in it?
Enclosed, trapped…hiding?

Looking, looking everywhere
Wait – is that me?
No! It can’t be…
So strong, full of authority.

No longer looking everywhere,
It’s really me;
Yes, here I am
In Christ, and Him in me!

Who are you? Do you know? If you are struggling with this, I’d love to help you. Contact me through the website www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

How Well Do You Love?

2011-09-14T15:25:00.001-07:00

Over the past few days readings in Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner have been focusing on the famous Corinthian passage about love.

I have come to see that love is the foundation – of all that I believe. If I can’t/won’t believe in God’s love for me then I can’t believe in all that He has done for me; I can’t believe that Jesus would die for me; that God chooses to forgive me; that He has a good plan for my life – all that I believe has love as its foundation. My security and who I am comes out of God’s love. It is this love that I want to flow from me to you, and you, and you… So I have asked myself, ‘how well do I love?’

The following is an expanded interpretive translation of 1 Cor 13:4-8:

“Love patiently and passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed;

Love doesn't demand others to be like itself; rather, it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need it to be;

Love is not ambitious, self-centred, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess;

Love doesn't go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating and embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others;

Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty, superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner;

Love is not rude and discourteous — it is not careless or thoughtless, nor does it carry on in a fashion that would be considered insensitive to others;

Love does not manipulate situations or scheme and devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage;

Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are so sharp, they cause an ugly or violent response;

Love does not deliberately keep records of wrongs or past mistakes;

Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed with the truth;

Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards people from exposure;

Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation;

Love always expects and anticipates the best in others and the best for others;

Love never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up;

Love never disappoints, never fails, and never lets anyone down.”

The above is from Sparkling Gems from the Greek.

There were many things in my life that stopped me accepting God’s love for me; in fact, I had convinced myself that He couldn’t possibly love me and that I would get to the ‘Pearly Gates’ and He would turn me away because I was so unlovable. Can you imagine what that did to me? Insecurity, anxiety – I lived on an emotional rollercoaster, and I couldn’t love well because I did not know what love was. That’s changed for me – dramatically. I live in God’s love, I am washed in it and I know without any doubt that He loves me! And out of that strong foundation I am learning to love well. You can too.

Sometimes we need help to see what is stopping us from walking in His love; what is holding us back from accepting that God loves me! I can help you, and would count it a privilege to help you learn to walk in the freedom that comes from knowing, really knowing so that every cell of your body vibrates with it, that God loves you.

Contact me through the Healing Place Ministries website: www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

Living Sedulously

2011-08-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

Don’t you love that word? I learned it a couple of days ago when I was reading 2 Thess 1:4 and wanted to look a bit more deeply at the word ‘persistence’. Sedulous means persistence and so much more. It means that no matter what, you keep moving forward, you hang in there, you are totally committed. So it has a sense of responsibility, commitment, perseverance and steadfastness. Great word!
I thought about my life then and asked myself, “Am I living sedulously? Am I sedulous in some things and not others?”

Charles Ringma (Dare to Journey) tells of Father Stan Rother a Catholic priest working in Guatemala who, in the midst of growing unrest and violence stated,"I have too much of my life invested here to run." And what about the early Christians, those in Thessalonica Paul wrote to? They were experiencing devastating hardships and persecution, yet, according to what Paul writes, they refused to bend under pressure, to give up on what was promised, to walk away from their commitment because things were tough. They were sedulous in their Christian walk.

I was just sitting on the front veranda in the spring sunshine, enjoying the warmth and peace. Birds are singing and chattering, the alpacas are making a joyful noise, roosters are crowing and chickens muttering happily as they wander around the garden. It’s easy for me to say that I will be sedulous, that I am sedulous right now. But, I wonder, will I put up with, bear up under and endure, remaining steadfast and strong no matter what the obstacles and opposition? I suppose I can’t say until I am faced with it, but I am reminded that Christ in me, His Holy Spirit does strengthen me. It’s Holy Spirit who has brought me this far despite some not-so-pleasant things happening in my life, so my trust in Him, my faith tells me that no matter what, as long as I stay firmly in Him, I am strong and I can live sedulously!

Has God promised you something and it just doesn't seem to be happening? Are you having a hard time and wondering if it is worth being sedulous in the pursuit of God's promise? Don't give up, in fact, resolve to never give up, to 'stay put' until God's promise is realised in your life. Be sedulous in the pursuit of all that He has for you.

What do you think? Is it a great word? Share your thoughts on living sedulously, I’d love to hear them.

Are you a White Rabbit?

2011-08-14T03:59:00.001-07:00

“I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date!” White Rabbit’s line from the movie, Alice in Wonderland, is an often used line, whether used in fun or seriously. When I think of a worrier, White Rabbit’s scuttling figure often flits through my mind. People who worry are a bit like White Rabbit; they are usually tense and anxious, alert to the possibility of something going wrong, in fact, they expect something to go wrong. There’s nothing wrong with a little anxiety and worry as it can motivate you to take action, like studying for a test or preparing for a presentation. But anxiety is a problem when it happens too often, is too intense, or you can’t turn it off. If you are always anxious and worried, your body is always prepared for the worst, for the possibility of danger in the future. And, if you live like this you’re likely to experience sleep problems, fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration – it can negatively impact relationships, your work and how productive you are.
We can say a lot about worry but basically when we worry we divide our mind between what is useful and worthwhile and what is damaging and destructive. Worry blocks the flow of creative energy in our life; it displeases God because underlying it is unbelief and disobedience.
Let’s compare what I just said with TRUST:
To trust is to place confidence in the intentions and integrity of another person. Trust within a relationship implies both belief and behaviour, perceiving another person as trustworthy and placing yourself in a position of vulnerability with that person. Trust in God implies both a belief in Him and changed behaviour. If we trust God, if we believe He is dependable and reliable, unchanging, we will willingly submit to Him and give Him control of our mind, will and emotions and that means we won’t worry.
The question is then: do you trust God? If you are a worrier, if you find yourself constantly anxious about something, ask yourself: ‘Do I trust God?’ If the answer is ‘no’, ask yourself ‘why not?’
I had to do this after our girls died, after my mum died and I wasn’t able to say goodbye because we were in the Amazon jungle, after my sister died only two weeks after we reconnected having had no contact for nearly 10 years. I had to do it because I was struggling with trusting God and so I worried; I worried about not measuring up; about not being good enough for God to love me; about not meriting His blessing. I worried that I would die and God would say He didn’t want me in heaven because I wasn’t good enough; that He had allowed all these things to happen because I didn’t measure up.
Underneath all this worry was unbelief. I allowed the enemy to sow the seeds of doubt and then I watered and fed the doubt so that it grew and dominated my thinking, squeezing out the Truth, pushing out God’s plan for me and leaving the strongly rooted weeds of doubt and mistrust, of disobedience, of anger and fear. And so, unbelief, the biggest weed of all with the deepest root, grew and protected the other weeds so that the good seedlings were choked; they barely survived with so much against them. But God is greater than all this. His Truth is always Truth and I learned that:

‘In the multitude of my anxious thoughts within me, Your (God’s) comforts cheer my soul!’

Ps 94:19

All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil by anxious thoughts and forebodings (worrying), but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast regardless of circumstances.

Pr 15:15

I don’t need to be perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about my life... Mt 6.25.

Worrying and being anxious does not add one unit of measure to my life...

Mt 6:27

I don’t need to worry about what I will wear because God will make sure I am clothed...

Mt 6:28, 30

I don’t have to be anxious about what I will eat because my Father knows what I need and if I seek Him first and His Kingdom He will make sure I have all I need...

Mt 6:31-33

That I am not to be anxious and worried about tomorrow, rather I am to focus on today...

Mt 6:34.

Best of all I learned that He chose me, in love, before time to be His daughter, to be adopted through Jesus because it pleased Him and nothing can snatch me out of His hand…

Ephesians 1:4 & 5; John 10:29

Worry is a bit like fear – it doesn’t stop trying to undermine our faith but we have a choice – believe God and trust Him and His Truth, living in His peace and rest, or give in to worry and live constantly on edge waiting for the worst to happen. How are you living?

Where's The Dream...

2011-07-18T14:00:00.001-07:00

Matthew 2:9 "...Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child." [MSG]

Have you ever been on a trip and suddenly realized that you are lost and don't know where to go? The three wise men had been following their star but then it disappeared for a while! What did they do? They simply waited for its return before moving ahead. It reappeared and successfully led them to their destination.

Often in life's journey God places a dream in our hearts. In some seasons we are led with clear direction concerning our dream while in other seasons it seems we are not. During these times we must wait on God like the three wise men. When the dream direction re-appears we are to start moving ahead again according to God's leading without any doubt that we are on our journey again.

This week spend time in God's presence letting the Holy Spirit minister life back into the God dreams in your heart. The humble star that appeared to the three wise men knew exactly where to take them. Be confident that the Holy Spirit knows specifically what you are seeking from God and He will guide you safely to that destination.

This is from Glenn & Esther Nurse of Spirit Word –I thought you would find it encouraging.

Who Are You Considering Today? (Hebrews 10:24)

2011-06-25T14:58:00.001-07:00

This reading for today, June 26th, is one I believe will encourage and challenge you as it has me. We are not alone, we are part of a family, and family members care for each other.

Who Are You Considering Today?
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.
— Heb 10:24
Do you ever get so busy and self-consumed that you forget there are people all around you who have needs and challenges too? It's true that we are often so concerned about ourselves that we forget or bypass people who are struggling terribly, not realizing that they need a special act or word to encourage them. This is especially sad when it happens inside the church, because we are supposed to be a spiritual family who genuinely cares for one another and who helps meet each other's needs. This is why Heb 10:24 says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
The word “consider” is from the Greek word katanoeo, a compound of the words kata and noeo. The word kata depicts something that is moving downward; the word noeo (from the word nous) depicts the mind and means to think. When the two words are placed together, the new word means to thoroughly think something through or to ponder something from the top all the way to the bottom. It is the idea of mulling something over; carefully contemplating a matter; pondering and carefully looking at a particular issue; or examining and fully studying a subject.
This word pictures someone who is so concerned about someone else that he has taken the time to really consider that other person. He has observed the person's ups and downs and his highs and lows. He has studied to find out what helps that person feel encouraged and what events tend to pull him down. Because he has determined to really know and understand that other person, he invests a great deal of time and concentration into studying and getting to know that other person. This kind of knowledge doesn't come by accident, but by determined pursuit.
In light of this understanding, we must remember that although the local church is to be a place where we can come to worship and hear the Word of God preached and taught, it is also a place where believers should “consider one another” as this verse commands. The writer of Hebrews uses this word to convey the picture of a loving community where people are vitally concerned about each others' welfare. In fact, they are constantly observing and contemplating each other to know how to encourage and provoke each other to love and to good works.
Not only are we to consider one another, but the Bible goes on to say we are also to provoke one another unto love and good works. The word “provoke” is the Greek word paraxusmos. The word para means alongside, and it carries the idea of being close. The second part of the word is the Greek word xusmos, which means to sharpen something, such as a knife, and indicates a very sharp situation. When you put the two words together, the compound word describes someone who has come alongside of someone else for the purpose of prodding and impelling that person to do something.
You may have already guessed that “provoking” one another can be either a positive or a negative thing! One translation for this word paraxusmos would be to call into combat. Throughout the New Testament, the word paraxusmos is usually translated to mean to irritate, to incite, to anger, to inflame, or to enrage. Obviously, this kind of provoking is very bad! But in Heb 10:24, the word “provoking” is telling us that our relationships with other believers should incite us to become better, stronger, and bolder in the Lord.
How can you provoke other believers in a positive way? How can you stimulate your brother in the Lord in such a way that you make him want to walk in love and do good works? How can you sharpen and inspire the fellow believer who is in need of endurance?
You can come alongside that person and love him enough not to leave him in discouragement and defeat. You can sharpen him, prod him, impel him, and inspire him to keep on fighting the good fight of faith! All believers need to be provoked at times, no matter what their position is in the Body of Christ. Everyone needs a loving push in the right direction now and then!
A paraphrase of this verse might be the following:
“And constantly be observing one another, seriously contemplating, studying, and examining each other, until you know exactly how to incite and stimulate each other to love and to good works.”
This verse plainly tells us that we should be extremely concerned about each other's welfare and spiritual progression. We are to get involved in the local church, not just for our own benefit, but to be a benefit to others as well. We need people who will love us, observe us, and support us when we are struggling or standing on a word from God. But at the same time, others need our assistance too.
Prov 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” This verse is telling us that real friends love us at all times and stay with us even in the midst of difficult circumstances. They will love us and stand with us no matter what we are going through, looking for ways to assist us when we are experiencing challenging times.
The local church should be a place of victory where faith is built up, the soul is encouraged, and wisdom and strength are imparted. It's a community where faith lives and triumphs through a family of believers' love and concern for one another.
There is nothing like living in an atmosphere of faith and love where you are surrounded by believers who really believe and practice the Word of God. Having friends like this gives you strength — and being a friend like this to someone else helps give him the strength he needs to live as an overcomer.
There is absolutely no substitute for the joy and satisfaction that comes when fellow church members go out of their way to call you, to come see you, to write you a note, or to personally check up on you — just because they have noticed that you need a little encouraging! Just knowing that someone cares enough to do that can make such a difference when you're going through a difficult time!
If you're anything like the rest of us, you're probably pretty good at provoking others in the negative sense. So why not commit yourself to becoming just as proficient in provoking your brothers and sisters in the Lord in the positive sense? Make a quality decision to become an expert at provoking others unto love and good deeds!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, forgive me for being so self-consumed that I have neglected to see the needs in people around me. I am sorry I've been so selfish that I haven't even recognized the times I could have been a blessing and an encouragement. I repent and I make the decision to reach out to those who are around me. Just as others have strengthened me, I want to be a source of strength to those around me!
I pray this in Jesus' name!
MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY
I confess that I take the time to carefully consider other people's needs. I observe their ups and downs and their highs and lows. I study to find out what helps them feel encouraged. I am constantly observing and contemplating others to know how to encourage and provoke them to love and to good works. God uses me to come alongside those around me to help impel them to stay on track with God and with their God-given assignments. Because I am careful to notice other people's needs and I reach out to assist them with words of strength, they are becoming better, stronger, and bolder in the Lord.
I declare this by faith in Jesus' name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
1.    Can you think of someone whom God really used to encourage you at a critical moment in your life? What did that person do that had such a dramatic impact on you?
2.    Who is that one person who needs you to be a source of strength and encouragement to him or her right now? Isn't it time that you help someone else as others have helped you in the past?
3.    What practical things can you do to communicate your concern to others (for example, writing them a note, calling them on the telephone, sending flowers, etc.)? Is there something concrete you need to do today to show someone you are thinking and praying for him or her?

(from Sparkling Gems from the Greek, © 2003 by Rick Renner. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

Living with Uncertainty

2011-06-15T09:52:00.001-07:00

At 3.30 this morning I heard the rumble again.It was no use putting my head under the covers, nothing changed; it was still 3.30 am, I was awake, temperature was below zero and the safety mechanism on the hot water service was literally warning me that if I pretended for too long that nothing was wrong the pipes might just burst!!
So here it is now 5.00 am. I have decided to make the most of the time;I might as well stay up so that I can run water as soon as the rumble starts each time.
I don’t know much about plumbing and for now I am living with the uncertainty of below zero temperatures and outside pipes that aren’t sufficiently insulated because we weren’t expecting such extreme cold. What if I go for a walk and...? What if I dash to the supermarket and…? What if, what if , what if? And then there’s the ‘How long?’ How long will this last for today? How long will I keep having to jump up and down like this? How long before the plumber comes?
The thing is, I don’t know the answer to any of the above questions; I’m living with uncertainty. News headlines every day remind me that we live in a world where uncertainty is a part of life. I have on my computer screen a story about the most recent earthquakes that have Christchurch, NZ residents reeling – they live with constant uncertainty of when the next quake might hit. Not only that, but many are now living with the uncertainty of whether they are the ones whose homes will have to be permanently abandoned. Will they lose the iconic cathedral? Is it possible to rebuild all that has been damaged? What will this do psychologically to the people of Christchurch? What has all this uncertainty already done?
The inability to tolerate uncertainty is an attitude many people have towards life. When we have this attitude we’ll do anything to avoid uncertainty, unpredictability and doubt because they are seen as unbearable and to be avoided at all costs.
In an attempt to avoid uncertainty, many of us worry. We think worrying prepares us for the worst – gets us ready for whatever might happen. I have a few friends who tell me ‘I’m just a worrier. That’s just me.’ Worrying, says June Hunt, is one of the most destructive habits ensnaring human beings, yet most people consider it as natural as breathing and as harmless as blinking.
Think of worry as a THIEF, yes, a thief. It robs you of peace, time, mental energy and emotional well-being.

‘Worry is like a thick braided headband that puts pressure on the mind-a confining cord woven with three strands-the distresses of yesterday, the trials of today and the fearful “what ifs” of tomorrow. The vice-like grip of worry tragically compresses your joy, cramps your peace and confines your freedom. But this constriction can be conquered.’

Worrying won’t help – it won’t give you more control and certainty in your life. In fact, worrying only leads to more worrying, and still more worrying.

Are you living with uncertainty in a tolerant and accepting way? Are you ‘anxious for nothing’? Or are you a worrier? The next couple of blog posts will look at worry in more detail . In the meantime remember:

Freedom is found, not by fretting over the temporal,

but by focusing on the eternal.

Sealed with a kiss…

2011-06-06T00:39:00.001-07:00

I’ve been feeling a bit “off” these past couple of weeks. Couldn’t put my finger on what was wrong; was there anything wrong I wondered as I talked to God about it, or was it just me being, well, hormonal – or something???
You know what it’s like: you’re a bit unsettled, irritable – things that normally don’t bother you cause you to be snappy, and sometimes you just can’t help yourself, you take it out on someone! Sigh!! I really prefer it when I can control myself because as soon as I let go Holy Spirit is prompting me to apologise – no excuses either, just a straight forward apology…
But that’s not what I want to talk about today. I want us to think about those other things that start happening when we feel a bit ‘off’. It’s a perfect time for those unhealthy thoughts to begin making their presence felt.
A daily practice of mine for quite a while is to deliberately focus on ‘taking every thought captive’ or renewing my mind and allowing only those thoughts that are based on the Truth of God’s Word to remain. I’m very aware that my mind is a battlefield. And this is something I really encourage in others. I suppose you could say it’s a bit of a soapbox for me.
I’m sorry to say that during my “off” time I lost my alertness and acted like a soldier on R & R rather than one who is in a battle. Not good! How vulnerable we are when we stop walking in the Spirit and start walking according to the flesh. For a while I certainly wasn’t practising what I preach. I began to allow such thoughts as those below to make me even more unsettled:

Why would God choose you to do this?
There are so many others who are far more capable than you, why bother?
I can’t imagine that God would really speak to me, perhaps I just imagined I heard Him.

And so it goes – I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences.
But God is faithful; He says He’ll never leave or forsake me. And I believe Him. Okay, so if I test those thoughts against God’s Word how do they measure up?
Why would God really choose me? I was reminded a couple of days ago of a favourite passage of Scripture, Ephesians chapter 1, especially v4. According to this verse, God deliberately chose me, He picked me out for Himself as His own because He loves me! Try reading it in the Amplified Bible and put your name in there – it’s as much for you as it is for me. But, choosing me to work with Him? Have look at 1Corinthians 1:26 & 27. According to those Scriptures I am just the kind of person God is looking for to work with Him! He delights in choosing ‘normal’ people to partner with Him; from the beginning of time He reaches into the hearts of ordinary people. That's me!!
As for God speaking – I should be familiar with that trick by now and not even go there! There is no doubt God speaks to us so it is not a thought from God, and does not line up with His Word if it tells me I don’t hear from Him.
And one final thing. Ephesians 1:13 tells me I am “sealed” with the Holy Spirit. That means I am God-approved. For God to approve, everything is intact and in order, I am not ‘damaged goods’. I am, according to the Greek meaning of ‘sealed’, approved, endorsed, recognised, affirmed, sanctified and notarised by the Spirit of God – what more could we ask for??
Since God has inspected me, sealed me and guaranteed me (sealed with a kiss ) I know I am going to make it to my final destination. So when dratted thoughts start telling me I won’t make it, that I wasn’t called in the first place, I’ll treat them as what they are, lies and deception; I’ll stand on the Truth of the Word and will not allow the enemy to steal, kill or destroy the plans God has for me!
Can you see how easy it is to be deceived? How easy it is to slip into unhelpful/toxic thinking? Let’s get back to testing every thought – take it captive and examine it – is it TRUTH? Does it line up with God’s Word? If not, don’t go there because it’s not going to be good for you!
Want to share your experience? Need some help getting back on track? I’d love to hear from you www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

Are you a ‘Good Christian?’

2011-04-29T00:12:00.001-07:00

What does that mean? Why am I asking this question?I’ve just read an article by Francis Chan who says we need to throw away the term ‘good Christian.’ Having read the article I must agree with him.
Chan suggests that the term ‘Christian’ has been polluted to the extent that millions of ‘nice’ but immoral people consider themselves Christian. I’m sure you've heard it, been in a conversation with someone who talks about this one or that one who is ‘a good Christian person. He goes to church every Sunday, doesn't cheat on his wife and kids, and I know he believes in God.’ Often we call someone a Christian whose life bears no resemblance to the life Christ lived-but they are good people ... I know a young man who seriously believed he was a Christian. When I got to speak with him and asked him about his faith he didn’t know what I was talking about. So I asked him why he said he was a Christian; he looked confused. ‘Well, I’m not a Muslim and I’m not a Buddhist, I was born in Australia and I’m a good person so I assumed I was a Christian.’ Hmm…I wonder how many people might say the same thing?
But let’s move on to you and me. Perhaps as Chan suggests, we should be asking; ‘Am I a good Christ?’ In other words, am I anything at all like Jesus?
Chan tells the story of a friend who spent a day with a pastor working in the rubbish dumps of Tijuana, Mexico. The day Chan’s friend spent with the pastor was ‘the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.’
Like Chan, I’m sorry to say I doubt very much that anyone has said that of me, and I’ve never said it to, or of, anyone else. I’m asking myself why not?
What does it mean to you, to be a Christian? God has been challenging me about his, about being real, walking the talk. Can I really call myself a Christian if my goal is not to pursue Christ-likeness, if I am not actively seeking transformation into His image? Who are my role models? Who are yours?
In our small group we are studying the Gospel of Matthew. To pursue Christ likeness I need to know what He is like; reading Matthew is a great challenge – this is Jesus, the Jesus I want to be like. How serious am I?
I want to be more than a ‘good Christian.’ I want to be a good Christ and that means walking as Jesus did, conducting my life the way He did (1John 2v6). ‘It’s ironic,’ says Chan,’ that a man can be known as a successful pastor, speaker and CHRISTian, even if his life doesn’t resemble Christ's.’
To follow Jesus means to follow His pattern of life. Will you, with me, make a conscious decision to stop talking so much and start living like Jesus?
If you’d like to chat about this, I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch via the Contact Page on the website.

Temporary Distractions

2011-04-05T18:38:00.001-07:00

A few days ago I was having a tidy up in my office trying to make space for more bits and pieces! As I fossicked through the filing cabinet, trying to decide what should go and what should stay I came across a folder pushed right to the very back. It’s one of those envelope type folders, unassuming in colour with nothing to indicate what it contained. What a pleasant surprise to open it up and see copies of Amigos magazine, and various other publications – a pleasant surprise because as I began leafing through the contents of the folder I saw that all the publications contained articles I wrote many years ago when we were in South America. One in particular jumped out at me for some reason: it was written for HCJB Today in Spring 1990 when we were still in the jungle village of Shell, when our daughter, Sarah, was still with us and our third daughter Ileana was not yet born.

Even though Temporary Distractions was written many years ago, it is still relevant. Read it and see what you think. I haven’t changed anything – it’s just as I wrote it 21 years ago.

Recently I was walking past Hospital Vozandes-Shell on my way to a Bible Study with my Ecuadorian friend, Mery, when some quietly grazing cows caught my attention. As I passed their eyes followed me—but only for a moment. They wouldn’t be distracted from what was the most important thing to them – eating!

Those cows caused me to think f the family I was going to visit and of others whom I’ve been privileged to meet since we came to Ecuador last year. Mery and Gonzalo Reyes and their four children live in Shell. Their home is little more than a wooden shed with three tiny rooms and a minimum of furniture. Last time I visited the Reyes they had squeezed three beds (instead of two) into the bedroom. Seven – year - old Jessica now had her own bed while her two brothers shared another. Baby Carina swung in a hammock which stretches diagonally across the room. Her parents share the double bed.

Several months ago Mery and Gonzalo committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Since that time we have become good friends as we study the Bible together. The Reyes have shown a deep desire to learn more about God’s will for them. But I’ve also noticed they sometimes get distracted. These distractions come from many sources—Gonzalo’s former drinking buddies,antagonistic relatives, an inconsistent work situation, and frequent sickness in the family. There’s always something ready to distract Mery and Gonzalo from the Lord.

Financially, and in other ways, the Reyes family’s situation is pretty grim. But as I thought of the steadfastness and resolve of the grazing cows, I was reminded of the steadfastness of this dear family. Distractions come, but they’re always short-lived. The Reyes quickly return to what is most important to them—Jesus Christ.

Outwardly our lives seem the same (as before we accepted Christ),” Mery said. “But inwardly God has, and continues, to make wonderful changes.”

It has been a joy and a challenge to see these people respond so fervently to the Lord. Hebrews 12:2 says we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. This is what Mery and Gonzalo do, and they challenge me to do the same.

Hmmm…written many years ago yet, still the distractions come. Now I am able to recognise them for what they are, and to do so more quickly. What about you? Are you distracted? What are the biggest distractions for you? Are they temporary, or do you find yourself continually distracted, with your eyes fixed on something other than Jesus? Do you need help recognising the distractions?

I’d love to hear from you. Contact me via my website:

www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

Shockingly Personal Grace

2011-02-19T01:36:00.001-08:00

This afternoon I was sorting through emails and clicked on one of those things friends send you. It was one I have seen before, about grace, and I almost deleted it without reading it but something stopped me. I got to the end of it and my mind was full of words and pictures all swirling together then separating with individual words then individual pictures standing out like a huge billboard demanding my attention. What’s happening here I wondered? In an instant the words and pictures merged into one – a picture of the Father with arms open and the word ‘GRACE’ shaped like a mantle flowing over me.
Perhaps it is the grey, overcast day, the fog that hasn’t yet lifted or the unrelenting rain; whatever the reason today is a day for pictures. I sat thinking about grace and was reminded of the finale of the Oprah Winfrey in Australia show when the Aussie flag was unfurled over hundreds of people gathered in front of the Opera House to see Oprah. From there I was taken to something God showed me a couple of years ago as I was praying. A distant hill, unexceptional in its bare, brown barrenness, a wooden cross also unexceptional in its simplicity, a man hanging, forsaken, alone, abandoned; from his side came a stream of red which flowed and flowed, and as it did it became a banner; a banner that fluttered and moved in the wind as it unfurled – longer and longer, never-ending, undulating through the skies, covering all in its path. The BLOOD OF JESUS; THE GRACE OF GOD.
The Bible is the story of God’s grace freely given to each of us. Grace is totally personal. Henri Nouwen says that ‘God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not because all human suffering and human pain have come to an end, not because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising Him for His goodness. No, God rejoices because one of His children who was lost has been found.’
Jesus draws a picture of God for us. One He wants us to keep in our heart. Yet, even though we might consider Jesus’ stories of grace, let their message filter through to our spirit, how quickly we let the veil of ungrace obscure our view of God.
My father knew the Scriptures well. His father, a lay preacher, demanded that dad study them, learn them, repeat them. Yet even as grandfather stood over my father glowering, threatening, demanding compliance or else, his very demeanour was so contrary to the extravagantly gracious God Jesus portrays that my father refused to consider a relationship with such a harsh deity and chose instead to walk his life path alone. I hear this story time and again. Consider Ella (pseudonym), who in her childhood was so damaged by the portrayal of a God of wrath who oozed disgust for sinful mankind, that it took me two years of friendship, earning her trust, before she would even allow me to say the word ‘God’ in the context of faith. The ungrace she knew means she prefers paganism to a relationship with God; Or Allan (pseudonym), a young man who walked into my rooms shoulders slumped, head bowed, unable to look me in the eyes who told me of his dread of waking each day because he was so afraid he would do something to cause God to be angry with him. He feared the punishment God might inflict on him although he believed he deserved to be punished. And then there is the elderly friend who constantly berates himself for past sins and failures, unable to move beyond the past and expecting God to punish him because He is so displeased with him, The veil of ungrace obscures the view of God each one of these people has.
My view of God too, was obscured by the veil of ungrace. As a child and into my teens I, like Philip Yancey (What’s So Amazing About Grace), imagined God as a ‘distant, thundering figure who prefers fear and respect to love.’ Yet Jesus tells instead of a father publicly humiliating himself by rushing out to embrace a son who squandered half the family fortune. There’s no berating, no lecture about how stupid the son was or that hopefully he had learned his lesson. Instead the father is overjoyed that his son ‘was dead and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’
It’s not God’s reticence that blocks forgiveness – but ours. We are the ones who turn away. After our girls died, I was the one who turned away and placed my hands over my ears. I allowed a veil of ungrace to obscure my view of God. Yet, when I turned back, God did not remonstrate with me, tell me how silly I had been, how I had wasted years of enjoying relationship with Him. My own earthly father was angry with me and told us we were to blame for the death of our girls because we took them ‘over there’. My graciously extravagant heavenly Father though, welcomed me back with open arms and told me ‘I was always with you.’ The veil of ungrace was torn away from me and I saw His amazing grace.
The story of the Prodigal Son, the lost coin and the lost sheep each underscore the loser’s sense of loss, tell of the thrill of rediscovery and end with a scene of jubilation. These stories give us a glimpse of what it must be like for the Maker of the Universe to get another member of the family back.
Grace is grace because it is freely given by God. We can’t earn it. Grace does not depend on what we have done for God but rather what God has done for us. We can never be good enough; God extends grace and calls us home. He has made the first move. Are you under that banner that flows from the cross on the hill? Then, make your move. What will you do? I urge you to take a step toward Him and see how quickly He closes the distance between you and Him; how He wraps you in His arms and rejoices with you as the veil of ungrace is lifted and you see God as He really is.
If you are struggling to understand God’s grace, His love for you and His longing to welcome you home, perhaps I can help. I look forward to hearing from you. Contact me through the website: www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

Down–and out? You choose…

2011-01-19T01:57:00.001-08:00

Resilience is a great word. When I hear it I think of a spring; one that is pushed down and bounces back, boing! boing! Can you hear it as you lift your hand off and the depressed spring ‘springs’ back to full height? Makes you smile doesn’t it? Well it does me, even as I write this.
I’m looking out my window at a silver birch, a resilient silver birch tree. Why is it resilient? The wind is howling around it, blowing fiercely from first one direction then another, barely giving the young tree time to regroup before it lashes it again. In the bush not too far away I hear branches crash to the ground as they are torn from the trunks of mighty gum trees yet this young birch bends and sways as the wind attempts to defeat it and not a twig falls from it despite it being bent almost double. It’s a resilient little tree because as soon as there is a respite it springs back to stand straight and tall.
A couple of years ago while working on a research Masters degree I read a lot of research papers. A number of the nursing and counselling ones talked about resilience; the resilience of people who had gone through very difficult times.
Why do some people not only survive but thrive? Why is it that one person will come out of a horribly abusive marriage bitter, angry and defeated yet another will be full of purpose and passion to help others going through the same thing? Why do some people diagnosed with a terminal illness quietly fade away, while others refuse to give in fighting, and sometimes winning, the battle with this enemy?
As I was thinking about this last week, Anna Bligh, Premier of Queensland was on television. She spoke of what Queenslanders could expect as the floods continued to rampage through the state, destroying everything in its path – and she used the word ‘resilient’. She painted a picture of what could be overwhelming, simply too much to bear, yet even as she did she paid tribute to the courage and strength, the ability of Queenslanders to adapt in the face of adversity, trauma and tragedy; she spoke of resilience. Many Queenslanders will adapt and adjust to the changes wrought by the horrific floods, but some won’t – why?
Being resilient is a choice; if you choose to become resilient you will find that you handle pressure differently and you’ll feel better in yourself, more empowered. You will have the attitudes and behaviours of resilient people: confidence, focused, organised, adaptable/flexible, proactive, energetic. Does that sound like you?
If you ask a resilient person what lies behind them being that way, you will probably hear them say ‘It’s all in the way you think’ or ‘It’s all in the mind’. And that’s true. You have probably heard the following:

If you think you are beaten, you are

If you think you dare not, you don’t

If you think you can, you can!

A key element then to building your resilience lies in your thinking! We need to think Power Thoughts! ‘Hmmm’ you say, perhaps with some scepticism, ‘And what might they be?’

When we think Power Thoughts we begin to think as God does. Wait! Don’t raise your eyebrows,and don’t stop reading. The Bible tells us that when we believe in Jesus, when we place our faith in Him, we receive the mind of Christ. It also tells us we are to renew our minds, constantly and to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ – to think as He does – Power Thoughts!

Everyone has a collection of core beliefs and values and the thoughts that come out of these: ‘as a man thinks in his heart so is he.’ These core beliefs can be both empowering and limiting.

Our empowering beliefs are the ones that tell us we can! The limiting beliefs,as you can imagine, are those that limit what we might be able to do. These beliefs are usually generalisations that we hold about ourselves, developed throughout our lives and formed through the input of many of the people we encounter; parents, teachers, work colleagues, friends, pastors/ministers and so on.

We know God has a plan and purpose for us and part of that plan is for us to be resilient. Are you aware of your limiting beliefs? Those that lead you to feeling hopeless and helpless at times, especially in the face of pressure and extreme stress? Resilience comes from knowing who I am and living according to the empowering beliefs about myself, according to how God sees me. Are you resilient? Are you living according to your empowering beliefs? Or your limiting beliefs?

I believe this year is a year for you to see your dreams become reality! Let’s look together at how you can advance on the path God has for you – start thinking Power Thoughts! We’ll talk some more about this in the next post. In the meantime, do you want some help? Perhaps with figuring out what your core beliefs are? Maybe just to chat about where you are and where you would like to be? Contact me. I’d love to hear from you.

Take the Leap (into a New Year)

2010-12-28T21:15:00.001-08:00

Bungee (Bungy) jumping is an extreme sport – and not one I’d like to try! It involves jumping from a tall (very tall) structure while connected to a large elastic cord. When the person jumps, the cord stretches and the jumper flies upwards again as the cord snaps back, and continues to oscillate up and down until all the energy is dissipated.
In my last post I talked about the importance of having a goal, a vision, of knowing what that is and moving towards it. But it’s not only not having a goal/vision or not knowing what it is that can stop us from moving forward. We can have one, a powerful one, but be a bit like the bungee jumper.
Moving forward means leaving something behind. In the Bible, in the first book, Genesis, a man named Abraham (Abram), was called by God to leave everything, all that he knew, to go to an unknown place. God had untold blessings for Abram, but there were things that would get in the way of those blessing coming to pass if Abram stayed where he was.
Often when we are called to move into something new, it means leaving the known, the comfortable, the familiar, behind; it means cutting the ‘soul’ ties – those things that bind us emotionally to the past. While those ties are in place we can only go so far before we snap back, like the bungee jumper, and we find ourselves ‘oscillating’, back and forth, back and forth….When we try to press on into the future without leaving the past behind it causes conflict within us. We cannot have peace. Let me give you an example from my own life.
God called me into Healing Place Ministries (HPM). For almost two years I knew I should leave where I was working to concentrate on HPM. I was called into an unknown future yet in the work I was doing I was respected, and acknowledged as an expert in certain areas; remuneration was good – and consistent – and I had studied and worked hard to get where I was. So, I tried to hang onto what I was doing, I went part-time, while trying to build my ministry, until one day God said, ‘Either you do what I have called you to do, or you stay where you are. You can’t do both.’
I was being ‘double-minded’, trying to serve two masters. To move into the future with God, to experience all He has for me, I have to cut the ‘soul’ ties, so I can move forward – if I don’t, it’s a bit like bungee jumping – you only go so far when you leap because the strong elastic ties pull you back.
So don’t be double-minded, let go of what lies behind you and press on to what is ahead. The Israelites were told by God through Isaiah to let go of the former things, not to remember them because He was doing a new thing. You can do that too.
If you are having trouble moving forward, pressing on towards your goal, into your vision, check and see if you are holding onto things of the past, and if you are, let go – don’t be afraid, because when God calls you, He gives you all you need to do what He calls you to – and, He is always with you in it. Embrace the good things God has for you.
If it’s a little hard to figure out what is holding you back, perhaps I can help you. Contact me through the HPM website: www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

I think I Can, I think I can…I know I can!

2010-12-11T12:59:00.001-08:00

I was about half way around the block on one of my morning walks, deep in thought, when I heard the low groaning of a truck engine attempting to ascend the hill. I heard it labouring, but it was a determined labouring just like the Little Red Engine That Could. I could almost hear the words, ‘I think I can, I think I can…’ and as it came up over the brow of the hill I could hear the change to ‘I knew I could…’.
More recently we walked into St Columba Falls, a 90m cascade of ebullient water that never ceases to flow sustaining those who live in the valley below.
The short rain forest walk threw us into a different world; one where the creatures of Lord of the Rings and other fantasies would be at home; one where trees of ancient times lived comfortably with newly birthed growth. I stood, almost in awe of the man ferns – surely a name more fitting would be the Nephilim – giants – more for their height than their overall bigness. Most of the ferns had a spreading canopy, but others, others found themselves in a hard place. The growth around them attempted to restrict and limit them, squeezing them into a tight space that could have caused them to remain underneath the rest of the canopy, stunted, never reaching their full potential. But they didn’t give up, they chose to pursue the light, not to allow anything else to dictate to them the way they should grow; they refused to remain stunted and restricted, rather they chose to push up through the tight space by drawing their fronds into themselves like a tightly wrapped umbrella. And they were pushing through despite the obstacles, to the light, absolutely refusing to be limited in their growth by their circumstances. They looked strong and vibrant in colour, and some I noticed, had pushed through far enough and were almost able to spread their fronds so that every one of them would be bathed in light. Just a little further…I think I can, I think I can…I knew I could!
Henry Ford said, ‘If you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right.’
Each one of us has a dream, a vision of how we see our life and what we want from it. Obstacles will get in the way of us achieving our vision – and sometimes that obstacle can be ourselves. This can be the most difficult obstacle to overcome, usually because we don’t recognise it, or refuse to acknowledge it. God showed me one time that I needed to ‘get over myself’ and I saw a picture of me on the path to the fulfilment of the dreams/visions God had given me, stopped from moving forward by an obstacle lying across the path. When I looked closely that obstacle was me – my lack of faith, my fears, my doubts. I didn’t like what I saw, but like the little Red Engine, and the ferns, I refuse to allow anything to stop me moving forward, pressing on towards the goal set before me and so, I made a choice – to persevere and not give up.
In the Bible there is a verse in a book called Habakkuk that tells us that having a vision for our life is important. It’s important to know what that is and seek it, move towards it. Too many people concentrate on what they can’t do. They focus on everything they do wrong and not on what they do right. They get so caught up in their mistakes and inabilities that they forget we have a great God for whom all things are possible.
Start looking at what you can do, become a person of purpose. Know what you are doing and why you are doing it and don’t lose sight of your goals. Perhaps you need to write your vision down. This can help make it clear to you. Then keep going, don’t give up. If you think you can, you will.
Sometimes we need a little help to start moving forward, or to keep moving forward. I’d like to help you if that’s the case for you. You can contact me through responding to this blog or through the website: www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

Climb Every Mountain

2010-11-15T17:08:00.001-08:00

In an alcove off the dining area in our house hangs a picture of Federation Peak in Tasmania’s rugged south west. It’s not just one peak – it’s a series of peaks.Some, while sharp and rugged are not very high; so while a challenge to climb, you can see that the top is attainable unlike others which are sharper, more rugged and high enough that the peak looks almost impossible to reach. Still others are rugged, but not so sharp; there’s a rolling smoothness about them so that in between the upward slopes they offer some rest on the way to meeting the challenge to get to the top.
Life can be like Federation Peak – a series of challenges (peaks to climb), some seeming almost impossible to overcome, others we know are only short term – we can see the pinnacle and know we’ll get there, although the climb won’t be an easy one. Still other challenges are those that seem to appear on and off throughout our life: they aren’t always the same but they are similar in nature. The rest in between these gives us time to regroup, to gain energy, so that the climb is not so daunting.
Some people would look at Federation Peak almost hungrily, taking on the challenge it offers enthusiastically, refusing to allow it to defeat them – even the sharpest, craggiest, most unfriendly parts of it. Others would refuse to consider an attempt on the mountain; they admit defeat without even trying.
It’s the same in life. No matter who we are, or where we are, there are challenges that come our way. What is it that makes some able to stand against any challenge, and dare it to try to defeat them? What is it that makes others shrink back in defeat without even trying?
There is a passage in the book of Timothy in the Bible where Paul encourages Timothy to keep himself spiritually fit; to undergo training and to continue to train because it is’ useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.’
How we look at challenges and hardships can play a big part in how we respond to them. A mountain climber will look at every mountain as an opportunity; an opportunity to train so that he becomes stronger and develops physically becoming fit enough to meet whatever climbing challenge comes.
How do you view challenges? Do you become depressed and defeated, or do you see every challenge as an opportunity to spiritually exercise, to learn and to develop into a stronger, more resilient person?
What is the single most difficult issue you are facing right now? What is the second most difficult challenge you are facing on a regular basis?
What thought processes do you need to change in order to receive great benefit from the hardships you face in life instead of being destroyed by them?
I’d like to hear from you. If you’d like me to climb some of the way with you, I’d be happy to. You can contact me through the Contacts page on my website:www.healingplaceministries.vpweb.com.au

Picking up Sticks

2010-10-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

For some reason I thoroughly enjoy collecting sticks - for the fire, not to keep! So, despite bemoaning the extra work having a wood fire creates, I am, in fact, thankful that we have a wood fire. If we didn't, I would have no real reason to collect sticks; no real reason to wander around the debris dropping gum trees looking for the perfect stick.What makes a perfect stick?

The perfect stick is a lot like a Spirit-filled believer in Jesus. The stick has a purpose in life. Its purpose is to burn fiercely and furiously so that the bigger pieces of wood catch fire, emitting warmth and comfort into the area all around it. For a stick to burn fiercely and furiously there can't be any moisture in it. It has to be completely emptied of anything that will hinder it catching fire. If there is moisture it doesn't burn well; rather it smokes and hisses and causes a lot of discomfort to those who are wanting warmth and comfort!

Christians can be like the stick. The Spirit-filled believer is open to the Spirit and allows Him to draw out everything that might hinder him/her burning brightly. When we allow Holy Spirit to do this, we can burn so brightly that we are like the fire that attracts people to it; they keep turning in front of the fire warming every part of themselves.

However, when we don't allow Holy Spirit to do this work in us, we are just like the wet stick. A wet stick hisses and spits and sends out noxious smoke that pushes people away, makes them want to escape,to run from the extremely unpleasant influence of all that smoke.

So now I am an even more ardent fan of collecting sticks. It's a good reminder of how I want to be. And you? Are you a wet stick or a dry one?

A Thankful Heart

2010-10-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning with thanks on my lips. It's been happening more and more so I think I'm starting to get it.
Thankfulness has been on my heart and in my thoughts for some months now, perhaps since earlier this year when I spent a weekend in Hobart caring for my grandchildren.
Saturday was a beautiful, typically Tasmania autumn day. Brilliant sunshine in a cloudless blue sky made it impossible to stay inside, so four year old Charli and I decided we would walk up the hill to the park.
The icy wind blowing off snow covered Mt Wellington quickly put paid to the illusion of summer warmth we'd had when inside. Still, we headed off. Charli was excited and chattered happily. Then, after just a few minutes she stopped and pulled on my hand, 'Grandma, my mummy always drives me to the park so my legs don't ache.' This continued for a while; the words changed but the sentiment was the same. Charli wasn't happy; the wind was chilly and she wanted to be at the park immediately! All this effort to get there was really no fun.
As we walked past a modern, fairly new home, Charli stopped again. 'Grandma, that's a really nice house and it's big. I wish we had a house like that, a nice house that's big with lots of room for me and mum and Sam.'
I could have agreed with Charli, not just about the house, but also about the cold and the walk to the park. We might have complained all the way making each other miserable, feeding discontent. And, perhaps I would have - once. Instead, the words 'be thankful' popped into my mind, so I suggested to Charli that we play the 'I'm thankful' game.
That day I watched with great joy as Charli responded enthusiastically once I explained what being thankful was! Charli came up with all sorts of things to be thankful for as we continued on our way, but it was while we were at the park that I really saw the power of a thankful heart at work. In the midst of a large group of people was a huge jumping castle. There was obviously a children's party taking place - most of them around Charli's age, and they were having a wow of a time. Laughter and shrieks filled the air, children chased balloons snatched from them by the the wind while many others bounced up and down impatiently waiting for the castle to be ready for them. I could feel Charli bouncing too. 'Grandma, I really, really want to go on the jumping castle. Can I go please Grandma?' Her little face dropped with disappointment when I explained why she couldn't but she seemed happy to settle for a push on the swing.
A little later, we were watching birds fly across the water of the dam, some of them landing on the top of what looked like a small house in the middle of the dam before taking off again to the other side. A little tug on my hand, 'You know what Grandma? I'm really thankful...'
'What are you thankful for Charli?'
'Well I'm thankful that God gave those kids the jumping castle and they're having fun even if I can't jump with them. And I'm thankful for the little house so the birds don't fall in the water and drown.'
I laughed and so did Charli. We hugged and she raced happily off to the swings, 'Come and push me Grandma.'
So, I've been practising thankfulness since then, and I think I'm getting the hang of it. I was even able to be thankful while cleaning the toilet the other day. After all, not everyone has a toilet, or the water that's necessary to flush a toilet. Once you start practising thankfulness you find there is just so much to be thankful for; it doesn't leave much room for complaining.
Being thankful makes it a lot easier to live the joyful life that God wants for us. We begin to see that in everything there is something to be thankful for; the more you do it the more you want to do it.
Are you experiencing disappointment today? I invite you to join me and Charli in practising thankfulness in the midst of that disappointment. See what happens. Write in and tell me about it, I'd love to hear.

Sadness meets Joy and Peace

2010-10-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

The day gave no indication that deep sadness walked the streets, haunted many homes. Brilliant sunshine warmed everything it touched, no clouds marred the endless blue sky, a light breeze playfully rustled leaves and all seemed well with the world.

The place where a final celebration of life was to take place was almost full, only a few seats remained near the front, people lined the walls and the chairs set up outside under a marquee were too few for the numbers wanting to celebrate the life taken so suddenly and much too soon.

Sadness wove its way through the crowd, staying longer with some than others, bringing tears and an overwhelming sense of loss. Sometimes anger joined sadness wanting to shout at the unfairness of it all.

Yet despite the presence of sadness and anger and even despair, joy and peace and trust were there, touching an arm here, a shoulder there; sitting quietly beside many, standing shoulder to shoulder with those around the walls.

And on that warm, sunny day, even then, Trust asked the hard questions:

I want to remain with you as you persevere through your pain. Will you allow it?
Will you accept this pain as part of your life and allow me to walk with you in the pain even when you don't understand?
Will you believe God will lift you up, just as He promises?

The coming days, though bright and sunny may be seen through pain-filled eyes. Be encouraged. Joy and peace will continue to walk with you on those days even if sometimes they walk hand in hand with sadness.

Where Does My Help Come From

2010-09-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

There I was trudging off to language school for another day of language learning. Head down, one foot in front of the other, down the street, across the park, up another sidewalk and in through the gates I went, thinking about class for the day, about what was needed for our girls' school project, about how I could fit it all in.

San Jose, Costa Rica is a beautiful city surrounded by hills. Later that morning, in chapel, I was still bogged down in my thoughts of all there was to do when, like a ray of sunshine, a bible verse popped into my mind. Before I knew it, I was speaking it out for all to hear.

"I lift my eyes to the hills
Where does my help come from?

And quickly following as though in response to a question I had asked:

"My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth." (Ps 121:1,2)

Shell, Ecuador, a town on the edge of the Amazon jungle, is surrounded by hills, just as San Jose is. When I heard that my mother, across the other side of the world, was in a coma after collapsing while doing housework, I walked, initially trudged, the paths around the town, head down, worrying, feeling I should be there... Not far from the hospital where we worked, a lady I barely knew spoke to me:

"Alzare mis ojos a los montes;
De donde vendra mi Socorro?
Mi Socorro viene de Jehova,
Que hizo los cielos y la tierra." (Ps.121: 1,2)

This morning I was unpacking the dishwasher, thinking about all there is to do and how little time there is to do it - head down again. When I looked up, out our kitchen window towards the hills called the Western Tiers - I smiled. Into my mind popped - you guessed it:

"I lift my eyes to the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth." (Ps 121: 1,2)

Ah Lord! What a great God you are. You tell us time and again in Your Word that we aren't to fret/worry, yet we do. Thank You for the reminder that we don't have to worry; for the reminder that You are always with us and You are our help, no matter what is happening, no matter the size of what is concerning us.

Today, even as you read this, lift your eyes and remember where your help comes from.

Excuses, excuses, excuses!!

2010-09-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

Everyday it's all there
eXtra stuff that keeps getting in the way
Calling me to it
Unrelenting
Seems so necessary
Even when I know it's not
So why don't I call its bluff?

Recently I read a book about excellence and in one of the chapters, the author, Andre Olivier, talks about the need to reject excuses if we are to be excellent. Excuses have a way of planting themselves right in the middle of the path we walk with God, or, if you don't know God, right in the middle of the path you know you should be walking. When we try to go around excuse, we find he is very good at dancing and keeps up with all our moves so that inevitably we end up stuck with him - stuck so we just can't seem to go anywhere. Sometimes, rather than stand right in front of us, excuse sneaks up behind and grabs us by the shoulders, determinedly preventing us from moving forward. He's very hard to shake off.

Excuses are very much a part of the fabric of our society these days. You're told something you are ordering will be ready in two weeks. Two weeks pass and you're told, "We're still waiting for it to come in", or,"We're having trouble getting it in that colour" or, "They don't make that model anymore". I've been to restaurants a couple of times and after ordering something on the menu have been told that it's no longer available; once it was because someone forgot to order the olives and fetta so that meant the Greek Salad was off the menu, another time it was because there was a new chef and he didn't make that particular dish! When asked why it was still on the menu the reply was that noone had had time to change the menus yet! Excuses, excuses. Would you go back to those restaurants? The things just mentioned are not so important but they are an indication of what is happening in may areas of life. When I was working at a local hospital a few years ago, a colleague and I coined a phrase "pockets of excellence in a sea of mediocrity". We saw some people always aiming for excellence although the majority settled for mediocre lives: underpinning those mediocre lives were excuses.

What happens when we make excuses in our spiritual life? That becomes mediocre too. But the worst thing is that we miss out on God's best for us. And when we choose to let excuses get in the way of God's best for us we miss out on His blessing. In fact, we find ourselves in a bit of a wasteland because if we are always making excuses we can't enter fully into Kingdom living - joy, peace and righteousness in the Holy Spirit.

An excuse has been defined as the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. Have you ever had a conversation with someone who makes excuses? It goes something like this: "I'd love to but (I have to go to my grandmother's funeral, I have to attend a parent/teacher meeting, I'm really not well)..." OR "I'm so pleased you asked me but..." OR "I'm going to get to that tomorrow. I'll just do x, y, z, then I'll have time." OR "I really can't say, no, who will do it if I do?" OR "I don't have time for a break, there's just too much work to do." OR "It's just too hard." There are lots more and I'm sure you are familiar with them. Excuses, excuses, excuses!

Why do we make excuses? I'm thinking of a situation I've been in (perhaps still am), in which I have been making excuses for a while now. A few years ago God spoke to me about writing my story. I talked to Ross, my husband, and to some close friends who confirmed that this was something I should do. And so, I agreed, that yes, I'd get to it. Yet, if you ask me now where it is, I'd have to say that there is no story. I think I might be the queen of excuses! Here are some of them: 'I don't have time...', 'There's always something else demanding my attention. I'll get to it...', 'I feel guilty writing when you (my husband) are working around the property.' 'I'll do it when x, y, z, are all finished.' And so it goes on. Last year as I was on one of my usual morning walks around the block Holy Spirit spoke to me saying, 'This is the last time I will speak to you about your story...write your story.' Hmmm...that was a bit of a wakeup call. But, can you believe it, I still haven't done anything. Similarly, I have made excuses about things related to Healing Place Ministries and for a while now I have been wandering in a wasteland. Uncertainty has dogged me, a lack of direction, a feeling of being alone, unsupported. None of this is necessary. Why have I made excuses and chosen to walk alone rather than follow what God is calling me to do? Why am I almost deliberately putting myself in such a hard place? In fact, I've been a real Eeyore for those who are familiar with A.A. Milnes' character in Winnie the Pooh.

I've thought about this a lot and imagine my surprise and frustration when Holy Spirit named fear as the culprit. 'I thought I'd dealt with fear,' I cried throwing my hands in the air in almost disbelief. Then God showed me that fear comes in many forms and, in fact, fear never stops trying to turn us away from the plans and purposes God has for us. Fear is behind the excuses I have been making: fear of failing, fear of what might be revealed as I start writing. In a way it is easier to allow fear to block this way and turn to another, easier way. If I do start to write my story, pain is going to be a part of it, as will facing some of the hard things that have happened over the years. Fear speaks to me telling me I am presumptuous and proud to even consider writing my story, after all why would anyone be interested in what I have to say. It tells me I am of no value and I am better off going back to work to earn some money rather than living off my husband and trying to do something I will never be able to achieve. Fear comes in many forms but it is always fear. And remember, fear can masquerade as your best (and always well-meaning) friend or as an older and wiser person; it's rarely obvious or it wouldn't be successful.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a conference - well the name is changed now and so is the way the event is presented- it was an Edge Church event designed to mentor pastors and leaders through excellent biblically based teaching and through the opportunity to network and build relationships with others in similar situations. At this event, Holy Spirit spoke to me challenging the excuses I have been making, challenging the unrealistic way I have been approaching Healing Place Ministries, challenging much of what I have been thinking and doing.

When God told me to set up HPM as a business I was a bit put out. What do I know of business? AllI wanted to do back then was run some workshops. Since 2007 God has grown the vision but I have hesitated to move with Him. I have been making excuses because I have been afraid of failing.

During conference week I was challenged to change. No more excuses. I learned the difference between mediocrity and excellence is EFFORT. I have been reminded that when God calls He will supply - supernaturally. I am taking Him at His word and with the memory of His call into partnership with Him to set up HPM, I am moving forward, putting in the effort needed, making HPM known to those who will benefit from what God has gifted me with so that I can help them.

I am stomping on fear - again! I will not bow down to it! I will trust God and refuse to remain locked into making excuses, a victim of my own self-imposed responsibilities, limitations and expectations.I will not hold back or settle for mediocrity because that is not what God wants - He wants excellence. I am out of the wasteland and will no longer be numbered among those who make excuses as to why they cannot do what God has called them to do. Will you join me? Are you struggling with this same thing? Are you making excuses? I'd love to hear from you, and perhaps I can help you come out of the wasteland too and get back on the path God has for you - without the blocks to you moving forward on it!! Contact me through the Healing Place Ministries website. I look forward to hearing from you.

All About Trust

2010-08-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Tearing out
Roots of past
Upsets and horrors, hurts and betrayals
Staying firmly focused not
Tempted to give
In when things are
Not
Going as I would plan them

Totally committed
wRapped
Up in His love
Standing firmly on His Word
Truth

Trust Me!

2010-08-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

How often do we hear someone say 'trust me' ? I don't know about you, but I find that those who say that are the very ones I have great difficulty trusting! I've been thinking alot about trust for a few months now. Not sure why. I know that I had serious trust issues with God after our daughters died while we were missionaries in South America. For a long time, years in fact, my relationship with God was a very one-sided one - I made sure it was on my terms because if it wasn't, then that meant God was in control, and as far as I was concerned He really blew it when Ileana and Sarah died, so I wasn't about to put myself completely in His hands again. I kept my back to God and my hands over my ears, yet despite this, I know God was still there because I did hear Him - when my guard was down - perhaps when my arms were tired! Verses 10 &11 of Isaiah chapter 50 reflect who I was during those troubled years:

Who is among you who reverently fears the Lord
who obeys the voice of His Servant
yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble in his hearrt?
Let him rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord,
and let him lean on and be supported by His God.

Verse 11 goes on to speak of the one who tries to do everything in his own strength, to work out his own plans for salvation and try to walk by the light of a fire they have kindled themselves. It won't work- it doesn't work! God says the result of trying to do things on our own, striving to make things happen will only end up with us in grief and torment.

TRUSTING IN GOD
The Bible speaks often of trusting in God rather than man; so what does it mean, to trust? The dictionary defines trust as "a firm belief in the reliability, honesty, veracity, justice and strength of a person or thing." Trust is confidence that what we believe about a person is true. Trust is more than a spiritual quality - it really is essential for everyone to trust otherwise how could we get through even a day? All government, all marriages, all relationships between people, are fundamentally governed by trust. We cannot relate well to God or others unless the capacity for trust is present within us. Since turning back to God and learning to trust in His character, who He is as demonstrated in the Bible, not the image I built up in my mind, I have come into a place of peace. I don't walk in darkness with a troubled heart anymore beause I know He is an everlasting Rock and I can trust Him to take care of all my todays and tomorrows. And, He can take care of all that has happened in the past as well. As hard as I tried I couldn't set myself free from things that were like chains holding me captive; those things that caused distress and anxiety, fear and hopelessness.
As we place our trust in Him, lean on Him and hope confidently in Him, He will guard and keep us in perfect and constant peace. Peace of mind precedes peace in all other areas of our lives. When we allow our minds to wander, thinking too much about everything we do; worrying about tomorrow, our future responsibilities, asking 'what if ?' we become overwhelmed. This kind of thinking is called anxiety, and many, many people suffer from anxiety. But, when we keep our mind on God, on who He is, when we discipline out minds, we will be at peace.
Live each day as it comes. Don't try to live tomorrow today. Jesus tells us not to be anxious and worried about tomorrow - it will take care of itself. God wants us to trust - trust that He will provide all our needs. Lean on Him, be confident that what the Bible says about Him is true. When things are going well - trust. When things are not going so well - trust. God never changes, and no matter what He is always with us.
It's not always easy to move into a place of trust in God on our own. Sometimes it's good to have someone there to help us, to walk with us as we journey through hard places to the place of peace in God. I'd like to help you do this if you'll let me. What is stopping you from trusting God? Do you feel you are walking in darkness with a troubled heart? I'd like to hear from you. Contact me through the Healing Place Ministries website contact page.

I'm Not Supposed to Feel Like This

2010-07-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

I read and hear a lot about being real and taking off the mask. What does that really mean? 'Being real' - about what? About who I am? About what is happening to me? About how I feel? And 'taking off the mask'...there's an advertisement on television at the moment about a guy who has a problem with gambling. When he gambles he wears a mask so nobody will recognise him because he is ashamed of what he is doing; he knows that what he is doing is not good for him, not good for his family and not good for relationships generally. He can't help it though, so he wears a mask and hopes noone will find out who he really is - the gambler, the man with a life destroying addiction, a man who needs help but is too fearful and ashamed to ask for it.

The title of this blog is also the title of a book I have just recently purchased and partially read. It's sub-title is 'A Christian self-help approach to depression and anxiety' and that, for some would immediately turn them away from even exploring the book. After all, Christians are not supposed to feel like this . The authors, in the introduction, note that in the USA studies show that 60 per cent of people with depression blame themselves and see sin as a contributing cause. Many Christians and church workers mistakenly believe that we should not get depressed and if we do it's the result of a poor or damaged relationship with God.

I've worked with people who feel like this and because they do, they are suffering even more than is necessary because they are afraid to reveal to anyone that they have a mental illness, afraid of being condemned and judged as a failure because they don't have enough faith, or being told that they must have sin in their life and this is God's judgement.

I like this book because it is a practical, down to earth book that encourages readers to find out for themselves about the causes and treatment of their own depression and anxiety and I particularly like the way the authors use examples from the Bible and real life to illustrate common difficulties people face. The approach used in the book is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) an approach I find effective also. It is scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety and is fully compatible with the Christian faith - after all we are told to '... lead every thought away captive into the obedience of Christ.'(AMP). Together with CBT the authors suggest learning from the Bible and see prayer as having an important role together with other practical approaches that can be useful in the way we feel.

Recently I struggled with what seemed to me a depression. I was in a dark place and could find little joy in anything. In fact, I at times, just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. I am blessed with a group of faithful, loving friends who listened when I shared, who did not try to come up with reasons for the way I felt, but who immediately reached out to me in love and circled me around physically and prayerfully. As they prayed last week I saw a picture of me beneath a very dark cloud and as the prayer continued, all of a sudden my head popped up through the cloud and into a very bright place.

In Psalm 40, King David speaks of 'the pit'. "He drew me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,steadying my steps and establishing my goings." (AMP). When we are depressed or extremely anxious we feel as though we are in a pit and when we are there, we have a tendency to judge things in extreme and unhelpful ways that distort how we see ourselves, God, people we know and the events that occur around us. These extreme ways of seeing things are often learned very early in life and such unhelpful thinking tends to worsen when we feel anxious or depressed. Unhelpful thinking often becomes worse when we face difficult situations, relationship or practical problems, particularly when we think we are trapped and overwhelmed.

I am very aware of the dangers of looking at the world and myself through this negative and unhelpful filter and I want to look at myself through God's eyes. I want to see things as God sees them and that's where I do, with God's help, spend most of my time. We can all learn to live this way, to not give in to the anxiety and depression. It is possible to live life as God wants us to live it, to spend our lives on the rock living a stable life with God at the centre rather than spending it in the pit with the miry clay dragging us down.

What a person thinks affects how they feel physically and emotionally and alters what they do. It's not necessarily the events themselves that cause distress, but the interpretation, or our perception of the event. In anxiety and depression, we tend to develop more extreme, negative and unhelpful thinking styles. These thoughts can build up out of all proportion, and unhelpfully, affect how we feel and what we do.

We need each other, we need God, we need to know who we are in Jesus and we need to know the power of His Spirit at work in us. Don't allow fear and guilt to stop you from sharing when you are feeling low - 'be real' and don't wear a 'mask'. Remember when you reach out to Jesus, He is always there to take a hold of your hand and to draw you out of a horrible pit.

Are you struggling? Do you feel alone? Is it too hard to cope with those feelings and emotions but you don't know what to do? You're not alone. I'd like to help you if you'll let me. You dont' have to stay in the pit. Contact me. You can do so through this page or through my website, Healing Place Ministries, contact page.

Back to the Well Lit Path

2010-06-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

UNCERTAINTY nibbles away eroding the ground gained through deliberately choosing to live and act on the Word of God. Tentacles of fear move out from a thick body, sneaking slowly past the gatekeeper, wrapping themselves tightly around any available object - not easy to unravel, holding tight, calling to anxiety to join the fight, to strengthen his hold.
No good, no use trying, I can't dislodge it. Fear, anxiety and uncertainty become so firmly attached they are no longer interlopers but part of the being. Life is no longer free, joyful, peaceful, but a constant battle in a place so dark it's impossible to see the enemy. Who is it? Who can it be? A glimmer of understanding is soon extinguished by doubt, a subtle enemy, who rarely attacks in an obvious way. No! Doubt dresses well and looks just like my best friend - at times. Sometimes she looks like the person closest to me, the one I trust most. Yes, a subtle enemy. No wonder it's so hard to fight when this subtle but powerful foe, like a chameleon, can take on even the appearance of an angel of light.
"Don't talk about this' intimidation hisses. 'What sort of a witness will it be? What will they say about you? Be careful. Best to just live with it."
'Why bother?' queries hopelessness with a shrug of her drooping shoulders. 'After all, who will even care?'
Condemnation and guilt won't be left out. 'It was stupid to think you could make it work. You should have stayed where you were. At least you were pulling your weight. Look at you now...You're doing nothing worthwhile.'
Persuasion smiles, a cold smile that doesn't reach his black eyes. 'There's nothing wrong with admitting to making a mistake. Stop now before it goes any further. Just think, no more worrying about what's happening - or not (smirk) - you'll be back helping, not placing more demands on anyone. Life will be much easier, much simpler.'
'Wouldn't it be nice to simply fall asleep - forever - and not have to think about it all?' whispers despair.

It's easy to fall in to the trap of thinking it is all too hard. Sometimes that's just how it seems! And it is dark then. And hard to find the way. Just a few days ago I wrote about wandering off the path, the path God has placed me on. When that happens, when we step off the path, we step out of the Light that guides us. God's Word is a light to our path and a lamp to our feet as we walk that path. When we step off, usually we find the enemy waiting, lurking in the bushes along the edge of the path. He's not always easily recognisable, doesn't always appear as a roaring lion; nor does he always attack immediately in an obvious way. If he did we'd quickly leap back on to the path. No, the enemy is subtle and he knows our weaknesses because he has watched us for so long. He knows our movements, our comings and goings and, at just the right time, he drops the bait that lures us off the well-lit path. 'Just a step to see what it is', we say. But it doesn't end there. He doesn't work alone and before long we are surrounded - and a long way from the well-lit path.
It's never too late though, and we're never so far that Jesus won't hear us if we call. No matter what despair says there is hope.
'Jesus, come and get me, I'm lost.' Call out and keep on calling. The more you call, the quicker you'll see the enemy retreat because even they know they are defeated when they hear the sound of an approaching horse, the clink of chain mail; when they see the Light penetrating the darkness as Jesus rides through the murky blackness.
Don't hesitate when He reaches down asking wordlessly that you place your hand in His. Take it and rejoice as He pulls you into the safety of His arms. Shout with joy as he carries you back to where you belong - the well - lit path.
Don't ever believe that the enemy can hold you, that he has won - he can only win if you let him. Jesus defeated him once and for all. So live. Live in the Light, don't take the bait of Satan - no matter how enticing it seems.

Pressure and What's Happening

2010-06-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life just gets too busy. Too many demands, too much to think about, trying to keep up with everyone's expectations. I was feeling a bit that way last week and when I do feel a bit pressured and can't find time to free write, I sometimes use an Acrostic to get my thoughts and feelings out. Once they are out I can do something with them.Below are two Acrostics and the next post is some free writing I did. I'd like to know what you think.

Push, push
Rush, rush
Empty this
Sort that
So much to do
Under it all, not on top
Run, run
End it all...

World in a spin
Hate this uncertainty
And
That's not all
Silence

Held back words
And no attempt to
Pray and
Purposefully
Expell the
eNemy who
Instigates the
Niggling Doubts
Growing like mushrooms in a tortured mind.

The Bible and Healing

2010-04-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

This is part of an article I wrote for the Tasmanian Baptist newspaper early last year.

HEALING PLACE MINISTRIES – One year on
The theme of healing runs from Genesis through Revelation in Scripture. God is interested in healing and wholeness, and as a Father who wants this for all His children, He paid the highest possible price to make it available to every one of us; He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ death on the Cross we have been given new lives and by His wounds we are healed (1 Peter 2:24).
God has called us to be instruments of His peace, and as His redeemed children He also calls us to a ministry of healing. Through the Holy Spirit at work within us, we ‘preach good news to the poor; proclaim freedom for the prisoners; recovery of sight for the blind, and release of the oppressed (Luke 4:18).
Healing Place Ministries is just one avenue God is using to being healing and wholeness. Through the Writing for Healing workshops, Holy Spirit touches lives in a deep and liberating way, gently bringing hidden pains and hurts to the surface so that they are able to be dealt with because they are no longer hidden away.
Writing has been a popular therapeutic technique for many years. Over recent years the benefits of expressive writing have been researched with the results clearly demonstrating positive outcomes. For the Christian writing can be a powerful tool to help people move to a place of wholeness as they invite the Holy Spirit to work with them through the process.
God has blessed the ministry, with many participants providing positive feedback about changes that have begun at the workshops. Those who benefit most are those who allow themselves to write expressively, that is, they are willing to be completely honest and open with themselves and with God.
Because out lives are a web of connections, when changes begin to take place in us as we write, there is the potential for this to affect others, especially our closest relationships. This can only be positive, if we are allowing God to guide us. Prayer ministry is offered for those who recognise a need in this area.

SOME COMMENTS FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS:
“The workshop started me on a journey I was always hesitant to take, but now I can’t stop writing, and as I write it’s like a wound healing bit by bit.”

“When I got home form the workshop I realised that those things that had caused me such pain and anguish, no longer had any power over me. Thank you.”

“I learned how to read my writing closely to understand my feelings about ‘stuff’. “

“I liked the simplicity of the presentation and that I felt safe.”

In 2008, Healing Place Ministries offered a number of workshops, with most being held in Tasmania and one taking place on the mainland. Groups have varied from six – 16, with some groups consisting of only Christians while others were a mixture of believers and non believers. One group consisted of both male and female participants.
Karen Mace who facilitates the Writing for Healing workshops is a Registered Nurse, Educator and Counsellor. Karen and her husband Ross were missionaries for a number of years with HCJB Global, in Ecuador, South America. During their second term of service, two of their daughters died as a result of an accident.

Moving On

2009-12-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

This year is drawing to a close - very quickly. Where has it gone and what have you done with it? can you even remember?

Socrates said 'the unexamined life is not worth living,' and another saying that I seem to be verbalising frequently these days is that without reflection there is no learning. I am a firm believer in this; not just because it was something I taught for a number of years while in my Professional Development role as a nurse, but because I have see the reality of it.

Reflection is more than thinking fleetingly about something, and it's more than talking things over with a friend or having a 'debrief' time. To be reflective is to have a heightened awareness during and after experiences and to be eager to learn from them. Reflective people try to be aware of the uniqueness of any situation they find themselves in - aware of the people and of any interpersonal dynamics of the encounter.

If we are to be reflective we need to be self-aware. Self-awareness allows us to see ourselves in a particular situation and honestly observe how we have affected the situation and how the situation has affected us. It allows us to analyse our feelings, beliefs and values - essential for reflection to occur. Self-awareness not only forms a basis for reflection but it is also essential for developing good interpersonal skills and building strong, healthy relationships with others. Self-awareness must be honest though if it is to be of value. Honesty about oneself requires courage, confidence and a certain degree of maturity - and the support of others.

Sometimes this process can be exhausting, and while it is important to acknowledge the value of releasing one's feelings - both positive and negative, that it is indeed better for a person to do that - it is also important to recognise that too much negative introspection and analysis can have an adverse effect, and, that sometimes it is more appropriate to take time and rest. When you are ready, take the time to reflect through writing.

As you write, if you do so honestly, you will find a release, and a new awareness of the inner you will surface.

Look back on the experience and ask yourself these questions?

What actually happened? Replay the experience in your mind's eye. Notice exactly what occurred and your reactions to it in all its elements. Be descriptive. If you can, write it so that anyone reading it could place themselves right there in that situation. Don't make judgements, don't even stop to think about grammar or structure, just write. Don't censor your thoughts either, write it as it comes to you. This is called Free Writing. As you write you will find that details will begin to emerge that weren't evident before, or were only noted in passing; you will realise what you were feeling and what responses prompted you to act as you did.
What are the feelings that were present in that situation? As mentioned, it is important to note any feelings evoked by the experience. Sometimes when we revisit a difficult place our emotions and feelings can be overwhelming and we are tempted to stop; to turn our back on what is happening because it is too painful. I encourage you not to do that. Even if you find yourself crying as you write, keep going, write through the tears util you come out the other side. Don't let the emotion throw you - if you do, this barrier that is thrown up can disable you because your thoughts and emotions become repressed or distorted and can be, potentially, mentally debilitating. Write through to the truth.

When you reflect in the way mentioned above, you will learn more of yourself, and you may find that more questions are raised. If they are, don't stop - keep writing and explore those questions. If you find you are exhausted, stop, but come back to your writing when you are refreshed and ready to do some more work. You will find, if you are honet, that this way of writing can be hugely helpful and freeing for you. I wish you well.

Therapeutic Writing

2009-07-11T18:50:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when I talk to people about the writing workshops I do they ask "Can you tell me more? What do you mean by therapeutic writing?"
Let's look at the origin of the word "therapeutic", it will help us to understand a little better what it means when we talk about writing as being therapeutic.
The word comes from - originally - the Greek word therapeutikos, from therapeutes "one ministering", from therapeutein "to cure or treat,"of unknown origin, related to therapon, "attendant."
It has come to mean the following:
1. of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods.
2. having or exhibiting healing powers.

Writing offers a powerful avenue towards finding out what one thinks, feels, knows, understands, remembers.It can enable fruitful and open exploration of potential thoughts and ideas.

In Chapter One of her book 'Writing as a way of Healing, Louise DeSalvo says:

"...how often have others-acquaintances, friends, students, published writers-told me that writing has helped them heal from loss, grief, or personal tragedy, that writing gave them unimaginably plentiful spiritual and emotional advantages? That writing has changed them, has helped them come to terms with something difficult, that writing has saved their lives? Often.'

Writing can be a "fixer" if we allow it to be. It can help us get a "fix" on our life, to see where we are, where we've been and where we are going. It can also be a "fixer" in a healing sense , fixing things and making them better, helping us to heal ourselves or to allow the Holy Spirit to work His healing through the medium of writing.

More research is being done on the healing power of writing but even now there is significant evidence to prove its worth as a therapy.

Michelle Weldon says that writing has the potential to heal anyone and everyone who commits to the process.

Introduction to Writing Therapy (Writing for Healing)

2009-06-21T02:41:00.001-07:00

July 17th (2009)is the day! I am planning an Introduction to Writing Therapy workshop for those who would like to learn more about using writing to work through life difficulties. I use guided exercises in these workshops to give people a chance to go deep within and to look out with fresh vision.

Writing Therapy is a powerful way of discovering previously hidden emotions, lost memories and trapped voices. The introduction will show you how to do this; you can then choose, if you like, to take part in a program over four weeks where you will be further guided through to a place where you are able to do this alone.

You don't need to know how to write - there is no censor or critic - you write as and what you want and no one need know unless you want to share. You might write one word; or two or three; you might write pages; you might decide you want to write your life story for publication; or you may decide you want to journal on a regular basis. However you want to do this is up to you.

Learn through writing to live life with courage and determination; to control your emotions and will rather than letting these control you.

So come along and join in on the 17th. Contact me through this blog or through facebook. I look forward to hearing from you.

New Beginnings

2008-09-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

I have been planning and thinking about a website for Healing Place Ministries for a long time. Finally, today, a friend sent me her blog address and I thought "Why not?" This way I can keep you up to date and it won't cost me an arm and a leg. I just need to get used to using this and learn to make it look good so that you want to visit.
Today we had a follow on writing session - following on from the July 17th workshop. There were only four of us but we had a great morning and enjoyed the discussion as well as the writing. It is exciting to hear how the writing is impacting people (for good); how people are confronting hard and painful memories and feelings and winning through to a place of freedom as they allow the writing to help them.
So, this is the beginning. I will work on the appearance over the next little while and see what I can come up with.