God showed me how to give my burdens to Him . . . a simple little exercise, but oh so wonderful to experience. I'd like to share it with you.
You'll need about 30 minutes alone. Gather a few things together from home: an envelope, a piece of paper, a pen, a watch (preferably with a second hand), and a felt-tipped pen. Go buy a helium-filled balloon. Then immediately go somewhere where there are no obstacles, no trees or buildings--maybe a deserted football stadium or a park or a lake.
Take all your paraphernalia with you to the edge of the water or the center of the field. Write about your burden on the balloon with your felt-tipped pen, anything that will help you associate that balloon with your problem. Find a rock about the size of a half-brick, and hold it and the string to your balloon in your hand, lifting it with a straight arm at a 45-degree angle. Heavy, isn't it?
Begin talking to the Lord about your burden--all your thoughts, your fears, the pain, the destroyed dreams. As you are praying, your arm is going to get awfully tired. Keep right on praying. Tell Him everything. Any of the thoughts that you have had--vomit it all out--if there is bitterness, anger, depression--all of it.
By now you're crying, and you can't separate the emotional pain from the physical pain you're experiencing because your arm is hurting so badly. Then, when you cannot hold your arm up another single second, say something like this: "Lord, You have commanded me to give my burdens to You. I can't handle this. It's too much for me. I can't hold onto it any longer. You must take it." Drop the rock, release the string, and watch that burden float up into the heavens--into the open, waiting arms of God.
Thank Him for telling you to give Him your burden--and for taking it. Look at your watch and record the time and date on your piece of paper. Write this: On (date/time), I gave my burden to the Lord. And He took it. (Print that last line.)
Look up into the sky and find that tiny speck. It's His--it is no longer yours. It's not in your hand. He told you to give it to Him, and you did. Now fold your paper and put it in your envelope (where is the balloon? catch one last glimpse of it). Seal it, and on the outside write "GOD" and then the date.
When you get home, get an index card and cut it into strips. On each strip write just the date. Put a strip over the sink, one in your bathroom medicine cabinet by your toothbrush, one on the dash of your car--anyplace where you can glance at it--and thank Him for taking your burden. (Close your eyes and visualize that speck in the sky again.)
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22
Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Youversion.com
3.12.2012
3.07.2012
not a fan.
so I'm currently finishing a book by kyle idleman called "not a fan" it is an amazing read and i suggest anyone who wants to better understand their relationship with Christ and what is expected from a follower. it's hard to put this book down!!! one of the paragraphs from page 91 has just jumped out at me and completely engulfed my heart. it reads as follows....
"Sometimes I hear people talk about the different men and women of the Old Testament, and there is a hint of jealousy. They may say it, or just insinuate it, but here's what they communicate...
What would it have been like to hear God's voice and see him move in such powerful ways? I wish it was the same for us as it was for those whose stories we read about in Scripture. When I get to heaven I can't wait to ask David, Elijah, or Moses what it was like.
(((((here's the powerful paragraph that has my heart hostage)))))))))))
But I think it will be just the opposite in heaven. Before we can ask David what it was like to slay the giant, to win the battles, he'll say, Tell me what is was like on earth to have the Holy Spirit living inside of you giving you strength when you are weak. We might say to Elijah, what was it like to call down fire from heaven before the prophets of Baal and to raise that boy from the dead? And I think Elijah might say, Yeah, he actually ended up dying again. You tell me what it's like to have God living inside of you. What was it like to live life on earth with the Holy Spirit giving you joy when you're depressed or giving you the power to overcome that sin in your life? We might say to Moses, What was it like to follow the cloud by day and the fire by night? What was it like to meet with God on that mountain? And Moses might say, I had to climb that mountain to meet with God. You tell me what it was like to have Him dwell within you every day. What was it like to have the Holy Spirit giving you directions when you dind't know what to do or where to go?"
wow. does that just not make you think!?!?! God is living in us people!!! :) what an amazing feeling!
good night guys. hope it spoke to you like it did to me :)
"Sometimes I hear people talk about the different men and women of the Old Testament, and there is a hint of jealousy. They may say it, or just insinuate it, but here's what they communicate...
What would it have been like to hear God's voice and see him move in such powerful ways? I wish it was the same for us as it was for those whose stories we read about in Scripture. When I get to heaven I can't wait to ask David, Elijah, or Moses what it was like.
(((((here's the powerful paragraph that has my heart hostage)))))))))))
But I think it will be just the opposite in heaven. Before we can ask David what it was like to slay the giant, to win the battles, he'll say, Tell me what is was like on earth to have the Holy Spirit living inside of you giving you strength when you are weak. We might say to Elijah, what was it like to call down fire from heaven before the prophets of Baal and to raise that boy from the dead? And I think Elijah might say, Yeah, he actually ended up dying again. You tell me what it's like to have God living inside of you. What was it like to live life on earth with the Holy Spirit giving you joy when you're depressed or giving you the power to overcome that sin in your life? We might say to Moses, What was it like to follow the cloud by day and the fire by night? What was it like to meet with God on that mountain? And Moses might say, I had to climb that mountain to meet with God. You tell me what it was like to have Him dwell within you every day. What was it like to have the Holy Spirit giving you directions when you dind't know what to do or where to go?"
wow. does that just not make you think!?!?! God is living in us people!!! :) what an amazing feeling!
good night guys. hope it spoke to you like it did to me :)
what if
What if today was your last day to live?
Would you be content with the progress you have made within your lifespan?
What dreams have you accomplished/failed?
Who would you declare your love to?
How would you spend your last minutes?
Who would you spend the day with?
Would you regret any choices you’ve made these past days?
Who would you appreciate the most in that last moment before you are gone?
Most impotantly, where will you spend eternity?
These questions have been in my mind for the last couple of days. I wake up every day thinking these questions; sometimes I have no answer..
I feel like I’m lost.
Then I remember… not all who wander are lost. I’m going to live for those moments of clarity. I’m going to LIVE so that when my time comes, I don’t regret one single thing. I won’t just exist anymore, I’ll live to the fullest. I will live to please God, and God alone.
Would you be content with the progress you have made within your lifespan?
What dreams have you accomplished/failed?
Who would you declare your love to?
How would you spend your last minutes?
Who would you spend the day with?
Would you regret any choices you’ve made these past days?
Who would you appreciate the most in that last moment before you are gone?
Most impotantly, where will you spend eternity?
These questions have been in my mind for the last couple of days. I wake up every day thinking these questions; sometimes I have no answer..
I feel like I’m lost.
Then I remember… not all who wander are lost. I’m going to live for those moments of clarity. I’m going to LIVE so that when my time comes, I don’t regret one single thing. I won’t just exist anymore, I’ll live to the fullest. I will live to please God, and God alone.
3.05.2012
Challenge! March
"Your destiny may already be chosen for you by our Lord, but it's up to you to decide how to make the most of this gift of earthly life. Choose happiness. Choose joy. Choose love. That's all an earthly life is anyway, one big choice composed of several smaller choices." (me)
sounds like something a scholar wrote. not some 26 year old college student. ugh now if only i could abide by my own thoughts.
Today as I was thinking and reflecting I realized something. It may sound simple to you but it was quite the epiphany for myself. the opposite of happiness is unhappiness. not depression. now i'm not unhappy, nor am I depressed. However I could be happier and I think that if I simply acknowledged more of the good than the bad I could feel the happiest I ever have. I have so much to be grateful for and sometimes I take it for granted. It's quite tragic & unfortunate.
So now for the challenge! I challenge you, and myself, every night to tweet, facebook, journal, comment, whatever you fancy... about something you are grateful/thankful for! I will be doing the same. It is very important to write down so that you can later look back at it, reflect on it and see how much you have grown through this one simple challege. This is all coming in conjunction with a new book I am about to read, (1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp) I'm sure I'll post about it as soon as I start it. I'm giving this challenge 2 months to kickstart being as if this is a very new blog and will take time to launch. In May, I will have a new challenge juxtaposed to this one. I look forward to seeing how many accept this challenge & follow through with it!
sounds like something a scholar wrote. not some 26 year old college student. ugh now if only i could abide by my own thoughts.
Today as I was thinking and reflecting I realized something. It may sound simple to you but it was quite the epiphany for myself. the opposite of happiness is unhappiness. not depression. now i'm not unhappy, nor am I depressed. However I could be happier and I think that if I simply acknowledged more of the good than the bad I could feel the happiest I ever have. I have so much to be grateful for and sometimes I take it for granted. It's quite tragic & unfortunate.
So now for the challenge! I challenge you, and myself, every night to tweet, facebook, journal, comment, whatever you fancy... about something you are grateful/thankful for! I will be doing the same. It is very important to write down so that you can later look back at it, reflect on it and see how much you have grown through this one simple challege. This is all coming in conjunction with a new book I am about to read, (1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp) I'm sure I'll post about it as soon as I start it. I'm giving this challenge 2 months to kickstart being as if this is a very new blog and will take time to launch. In May, I will have a new challenge juxtaposed to this one. I look forward to seeing how many accept this challenge & follow through with it!
a little less talk and a lot more action
It requires a constant vigilance not to become like the world in its ways and attitudes. It is unacceptable that we shun our attention from all we hear about violence. We must aggressively come against the evil because it is progressive and if we do not it will continue to increase. Satan has a plan for the world. He wants us to have a hard-hearted viewpoint, not really caring about people or thir needs.
As Christians we should pray for those who are hurting and vow to fight against the apathetic ways of our worlds' attitudes. There are still so many more good things going on than the bad... now if that could catch the worlds' attention, I honestly think it would help change the overall attitude of the world. We should not dwell on what we see most of (all the bad) or confrom to this world's viewpoint. We just need to listen to what God says about current events in our lives and pray as He leads us to intercede for others who are affected by them.
-Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path don't get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil.
Proverbs 4:24-27
-Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers.
Proverbs 4:14
-Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.
Psalm 12:2-3
As Christians we should pray for those who are hurting and vow to fight against the apathetic ways of our worlds' attitudes. There are still so many more good things going on than the bad... now if that could catch the worlds' attention, I honestly think it would help change the overall attitude of the world. We should not dwell on what we see most of (all the bad) or confrom to this world's viewpoint. We just need to listen to what God says about current events in our lives and pray as He leads us to intercede for others who are affected by them.
-Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path don't get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil.
Proverbs 4:24-27
-Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers.
Proverbs 4:14
-Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.
Psalm 12:2-3
attitude affects altitude.
Adversity can be prosperity to a person with a good attitude because he or she can turn around the circumstances by facing them in a positive way. A person’s attitude will either lift them above their circumstances or bury them in the situation. Many people believe attitude starts in the mind, that it is all mental. I believe otherwise because in the bible, Proverbs 23:7, it states "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
The only way a person can learn to truly rise above the events in their lives is by first awakening to, and then realizing the actual nature of his or her relationship with these events. All of the events in one’s life are created to serve them. These events are not intended to dominate or otherwise diminish an individual, as so many of them seem to have the power to do. Many people have been laid low by certain events. After repeated run-ins with these mountain-like moments, it is revealed to one that the real problem was not the event itself, but the way in which he or she perceived it. Once a person is shaken loose from their hardened ideas about why the moment was to be avoided at all costs; then he or she usually finds themselves flying high above the very condition that they had feared would drag them down. The point is that one’s new altitude in life is a direct effect of a change in his or her attitude towards the event. Seen or not, a person’s attitude determines their altitude in life. The low parts of life come by default. Gravity guarantees we will reach the bottom.
Philippians 3:13 states "I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things ahead." That attitude is forward and upward. Hope is a word for that kind of thinking. Hope is a nose up attitude; an attitude that makes for positive conduct, confidence, and satisfaction. So many people put a lid on their potential at the first sight of problems. An individual can overcome nearly all the difficulties by a winning attitude. Think back to the story of David and Goliath. The Israelites saw Goliath as too big to kill, whereas David saw Goliath as too big to miss; same giant, different attitudes.
What is one key difference between someone whom one considers to be very successful and someone who is average or mediocre? Well, believe it or not, the difference is not skill, intelligence, talent, age, or luck. This is because every person has the same available potential that will allow us to achieve incredible success. One may ask "How come everyone doesn’t achieve the same results?" One primary reason is people do not have the same attitude. A person’s attitude makes all the difference in the world. When it comes to reaching goals, successful people approach challenges expecting to be successful. Along the way, as they carefully plan and work hard to achieve their goals, they visualize in their mind’s eye achieving their goals and create a visionary picture of their ultimate success.
Every person has the ability to change their circumstances. Sadly, somehow, some people do not realize the world reflects and returns back to them what they put out. In other words, if they keep on complaining and blaming external circumstances, and focusing on what they do not want, then they will end up getting more of what they do not want. This is one of the universal laws that never fail. There is an effect for every cause, and the only way to change the effect, change the results you get, is to change the cause. As human beings, people have created the conditions of their lives: positive or negative, healthy or unhealthy, rich or poor. The first step to improving and changing an individual’s current situation is to change their attitude.
The only way a person can learn to truly rise above the events in their lives is by first awakening to, and then realizing the actual nature of his or her relationship with these events. All of the events in one’s life are created to serve them. These events are not intended to dominate or otherwise diminish an individual, as so many of them seem to have the power to do. Many people have been laid low by certain events. After repeated run-ins with these mountain-like moments, it is revealed to one that the real problem was not the event itself, but the way in which he or she perceived it. Once a person is shaken loose from their hardened ideas about why the moment was to be avoided at all costs; then he or she usually finds themselves flying high above the very condition that they had feared would drag them down. The point is that one’s new altitude in life is a direct effect of a change in his or her attitude towards the event. Seen or not, a person’s attitude determines their altitude in life. The low parts of life come by default. Gravity guarantees we will reach the bottom.
Philippians 3:13 states "I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things ahead." That attitude is forward and upward. Hope is a word for that kind of thinking. Hope is a nose up attitude; an attitude that makes for positive conduct, confidence, and satisfaction. So many people put a lid on their potential at the first sight of problems. An individual can overcome nearly all the difficulties by a winning attitude. Think back to the story of David and Goliath. The Israelites saw Goliath as too big to kill, whereas David saw Goliath as too big to miss; same giant, different attitudes.
What is one key difference between someone whom one considers to be very successful and someone who is average or mediocre? Well, believe it or not, the difference is not skill, intelligence, talent, age, or luck. This is because every person has the same available potential that will allow us to achieve incredible success. One may ask "How come everyone doesn’t achieve the same results?" One primary reason is people do not have the same attitude. A person’s attitude makes all the difference in the world. When it comes to reaching goals, successful people approach challenges expecting to be successful. Along the way, as they carefully plan and work hard to achieve their goals, they visualize in their mind’s eye achieving their goals and create a visionary picture of their ultimate success.
Every person has the ability to change their circumstances. Sadly, somehow, some people do not realize the world reflects and returns back to them what they put out. In other words, if they keep on complaining and blaming external circumstances, and focusing on what they do not want, then they will end up getting more of what they do not want. This is one of the universal laws that never fail. There is an effect for every cause, and the only way to change the effect, change the results you get, is to change the cause. As human beings, people have created the conditions of their lives: positive or negative, healthy or unhealthy, rich or poor. The first step to improving and changing an individual’s current situation is to change their attitude.
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