Renewed Life Mentoring

12/28/2022

As we end another Christmas season and trying hard to remember and keep our focus on the reason for the season. Many of us are faced head on with the ghosts of Christmas past.

No matter how much work we have done on our own healing, forgiveness, releasing our past afflictions, wrong doings, hurts, pains, and offenses here they are staring us in the face one more time. You know, that part of you that reminds you over and over again of the past you have been delivered from and the reasons way you need to return to those counterfeit behaviors. The past that tells you, for you to stay safe you must return to the way things used to be.

I know it is hard not to give in to those voices, whether it is a part of you reminding you of your past and your “role” in it or an external voice like a family member, reminding you of the way things used to be.

So, how’d you do?

I’m sure we all fell short in one way or another. But honestly, no matter how you did, I would like to ask you to prayerfully take stock, not to throw daggers at your weak parts, just evaluate how you did.

If it is helpful make two lists: first list all your successes over this Christmas season, every time you can recall your mood, attitude, or reaction change, from the way you might have in the past. The second list is looking at the times and situations when those old defensive or counterfeit behaviors showed up begging you to return to the way things used to be. Again, this isn’t to beat yourself up or show you where you have failed, not judging, just taking stock.

I’m guessing it was easier to recall your shortcoming then your successes. So, before we move on, I would invite you to ask God to show you, shine light, on your victories and write down any new victories that God might have shown you. I know that you did see changed reactions and even attitudes, which is proof you’re moving in the right direction.

And how about ALL the times that you reverted to the old you?

There is grace for that, with the Christmas season we just celebrated, we marked a world changing event, the birth of the Christ when everything changed!

God sent His Son to us to delivery the message of the depth of His mercy and grace to each of us, personally. Our God is here in every victory and in the times we fall short. Our God is here when we soar and when you fall in a huddled mess, crying out in the darkness. Our God reminds us that He wants us to bring ALL those times to Him, to receive His grace, and His healing power. He stands at the door of those parts of you that are hanging on to the past and asking you to open that door, to tear down those walls, to accept His healing in all areas of your mind and soul.

He asks, do you want to be healed?
What will you answer be?

It is also possible that we will still battle all the days of our lives, which is why the Bible reminds us that we must die daily to our sinful nature, continually putting the old man to death. This is the part of us that learned how to survive without God being the Lord of your life. The Bible also tells us that we must continue to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, keeping in His word, daily.

For me today, I thank God for showing me the hidden places I still need to release to Him, the parts of myself that still need to be tore down and allow God to be Lord over my life, every thought, every action.

Lord, lead me in your path of loving kindness, help me to act and respond through Your eyes, not the eyes of my past. Allow me to walk in the freedom that Your Son brought us through His birth as a mortal man and His death and resurrection. Bringing all of me to you, tearing down the walls of defensiveness, and every wall I have built to protect myself. Lord, help me to stand open before you without any walls, weapons or defense, depending solely and completely on You to shield me. Lord help me to find joy in all things, for from you all thing come.
Praise be to the one that has power over all things, seen and unseen, in Jesus’ might name. Amen

12/09/2022

We all know Psalm 23. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I'd like to encourage you to read it over, and ask God what does that look like to be that surrendered to Him.

For me it means lying down my own counterfeit behaviors and allow Him to bring peace to my dysregulated nervous system.

For me it means tearing down my defenses and allow God to be the protector of my soul and spirit.

For me it means allowing God to bring peace to my past and all the words and actions against me, that built these walls of protection.

He causes us to be able to feast on His love in the midst of my enemies. Only God can take that pain and hurt, but I must surrender those things to Him.

Only then can that goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. And give peace to my tormented soul.

Only then can I know what it is like to enjoy those green pastures and allow the still waters of Christ love to restore my soul.

11/29/2022

Why wait?

A lot of us know there are things about ourselves that we need to release to God.

Why do we hang on to the things to bring us death, to mind and spirit?

When Teresa of Avila wrote of the Interior Castle, she was spot on. So many of us have built such strong defense, ways to cope with life and what is going on around them, that they have lost there way.

The great news is that Christ has set us free, His death has tore the veil, His blood has opened the door and defeated our own enemies.

But we must allow ourselves to be present, face the fear of pain and disapproval from those around.

We must die to flesh, not of our cravings and fleshly desires, but to the anguish of our soul crying out into the darkness that keeps us turning back to the sins of the flesh to comfort us.

God is our shelter, our defender, our joy. We as a people have forgot how to allow God to be these things for us.

Let God and the blood of Christ be the banner, when we lift Him up we have victory. Keep God raised high, His mercy endures forever and His strength never fails.

If you need help, we are here for you. Heidi has some great tools for overcoming the mindsets that keep us captive.

11/18/2022

God sent Moses to free the people from Egypt, what is your Egypt, what holds you in bo***ge?
We are slaves to this flesh, it’s wants needs and desires, but you are God chosen, He has called you from slavery to live in the freedom that Christ’s blood has given you.

What will it take for your Pharaoh to release you, so you can serve the Lord.

Who is your Pharaoh?

It is you! Your mindsets and behaviors that keep you from whole heartedly following Christ and submitting to His leading.

If you’re here I would think you have had a burning bush encounter of God. The type of event that God spoke to you in such a strong way that you know it was a time for a change, a time to confront your Pharaoh and say it is time you release me so I may serve the Lord.

This event doesn’t have to so dramatic as a burning bush, it could be a loss of a job, for me it was the loss of the business I had for 18 years, or the loss of a marriage, or maybe it was something even more settle, a new acquaintance inviting to Bible study. Regardless of the situation or how God invited you, He is asking you to face your own adversary and to demand, Let me go so I my worship the Lord.

11/16/2022

Moses was leading his flock and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in the midst of a bush.

This is how Exodus 3 sets up God’s interaction with Moses that led to the people of Israel exodus from Egypt.

How did Moses respond to this miraculous invitation?

Without going into too much detail, Moses came up with several points that pointed to his lack of confidence in himself.

!. Who am I?
2. Who should I say sent me?
3. Why would they listen to me?
4. I can’t talk well

What do you think about these excuses?

I know I have used one or all of them in the past. But when God has called you, He has also equipped you. God sent Moses’ brother to help him, to give him the courage to do what, God had sent him to do. And isn’t it true in life, we need people around us to encourage us, lift us up and in some cases be our mouthpiece to help us get moving in the right direction.

God meets us where we are, and if we are willing God will make a way to help you to fulfill His purpose in your life. God created us to be around other people, to be in community, to be able to lean on and encourage each other and in some cases stand in for someone who is needs a little self-confidence boost in the right direction.

It took Moses a few questions to get to his why, and God brought someone along side him to help him find that confidence to step out and be that mouth piece of God.

What is your why?

Ask God to help you with this why and see who God brings along side you to help you to overcome the image you have of yourself and to become the purpose God created you to be.

07/02/2021

Can you identify with this scenario?

You plan well--You've cleared your schedule for 30 – 60 minutes, even half a morning. You gather your “quiet time” goodies. Your Bible is open, your pen poised and you wait...

But distractions bombard your mind again and again.

You bring yourself back and focus...and before you know it, there you go again. After 20 minutes of this, you give up expecting to hear from God. You can’t quiet your mind long enough to do any such thing!

Is there a way you can tune out these runaway thoughts so you can just hear from him? Other people do it. Why can’t you, you wonder?

Now, you have to get started on your day.. Is there no hope as long as you have a wandering mind? Or are there strategies that you can use “on-the-fly” to welcome God into your workday, difficult conversation, or traffic jam on the freeway?

Join me and 30 other Christ-centered influencers in the Satisfaction for the Hungry Heart Masterclass Series. This is a free, 14-day event that will inspire and equip you to deepen your intimacy with God in ways you never dreamed.

We have a seat waiting just for you, but you need to grab it right here.

2-week free online summit to inspire, equip, and ignite deeper intimacy with God.

12/04/2020