Encouragement

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Journaling for Perspective 

Sometimes I can get stuck in my head…

Trying to sort things out sends me in 10 different directions, each with their own feeling. 

Writing stuff down helps me capture what’s going on and shows me what areas need to be covered with prayer.

There are times when what I see is ugly. The truth is right there in its distorted, disfigured form. 

As I read through past entries, I notice the moments where my perspective turned out to be wrong, which means everything else–my attitude, feelings, and opinions–were wrong as well. 

The good news about perspective is that it can change! 

It’s easy for me to spot the shift because my angry scribbles and stratch outs give way to hope-filled words–even if my handwriting is still a jumbled scrawl!

Most of the time I end up finding the right words to express the things I couldn’t bring myself to say before. 

There might still be a hint of pain behind the words, but the joy is bigger than the pain. 

The idea of someone else reading my journal is a bit frightening to me. 

However, I believe that when the time is right it will all make sense to whoever ends up with my mountain of words. 

He or she will say, “Yes, this chick struggled, but the struggle always led her closer to God, to seeing things from His perspective.”

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Hodgepodge Monday

My mind’s been all over the place, which means piecing together a normal string of thoughts is next to impossible. 
Here are 3 things I’ve been chewing on:

  • The importance of my words. 

There were several times today that I really needed to shut up. I ended up saying a few things that would’ve been better left unsaid. 

On Sunday, Bob Goff talked about transferring $500 to any person he has a critical word for because words always cost us something. 

Obviously, I can’t transfer that kind of money but Bob’s right. Our words have a high cost. 

  • Learning to be more honest with myself. 

I am a recovering feelings stuffer. Not owning up to what’s happening in me and around me is what I’m naturally good at doing.

 This is not healthy, of course, which is why I have a network of trusted friends and family to help me. 

  • I can’t believe JoJo didn’t get the final rose on The Bachelor!

Yes, I watched The Bachelor this season and got sucked into the craziness of Bachelor Nation. 

And I just knew JoJo was the one…

Oh well! She’s the newest bachelorette, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens there. 

What are some things on your mind today?

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Share your story

I want to share a praise report with you…

A father and daughter were reunited because my dad shared our story with the father. 

The father is watching our video series to help him navigate this new relationship. 

And a couple of other men are now encouraged to reach out to their abandoned children, too. 

I am incredibly humbled by this news, especially since sharing this part of my life has been a stretch for me.  
Thank the Lord for allowing my dad and I to help others. God gets all of the glory because it’s only by His grace any of this happened. 

Abandonment is a big issue in our world. A growing percentage of children are being ditched by the people who are supposed to love them the most. 

Sadly, most of them see God as another bad parent and walk the other way. 

One of the biggest desires of my heart is to help these hurting children–child and adult alike–see the love of God for them. 

The revelation of God’s love will heal the wounds of broken hearts. 

The power of redemption is best expressed through the narratives of redeemed and restored lives. 

I encourage you to share your story and watch how God uses it to change lives. 

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Rhema Connections

I hung out with some new friends today.

 Arland and Barbara met my dad and stepmom several years ago when my dad officiated their vow renewal ceremony. 

They reached out to me after my dad saw they were here for Winter Bible on Facebook. (Thanks, Dad!)

We ate lunch together, along with one of Arland’s close friends who is also a fellow Rhema graduate. 

Talk about a great time!

After our time of fellowship, I was encouraged and excited. 

It’s always good to make new friends because friendship is designed for each person to add something to the other person’s life. 

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WBS 2: Understanding the Times

Pastor Hagin prayed for several international directors tonight. 

He spoke words of encouragement and change from the Lord. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for those regions!

This time of edification is necessary because of the times. Our world is not a tame, safe place to live. 

My friends, Jesus is coming back. 

This is not a hell, fire, and brimstone message. It’s simply the truth, but I want to point out something:

Hell is a real place and the punishment for not accepting the free gift of salvation is not just an embellished scare tactic used by Christians to “convert” you to Christianity. 

I put convert in quotations because Christianity is more about a relationship with God than anything else. 

Like I said before, Jesus is coming back! 

He’s waiting on his cue from Father God to take the church up to Heaven with Him. And Father God is waiting as long as possible because it’s His desire for all to be saved.

So, the reason the Rhema family is talking about taking a stand for the truth is simple:

Rhema’s mission is Jesus’ mission. We want to spread the gospel through all the world and see many come to know Christ. 

The gospel will be confirmed by signs, miracles, and wonders. The Holy Spirit’s power accompanies the message we carry! 

Jesus scolded the religious leaders of the day for not understanding the times. Therefore, I’d say the church needs to understand the times as well. 

As Ms. Lynette said this morning, “This is the season of declaration.”

Why do we need to declare?

Because Jesus is coming soon and the world needs to hear the message. 

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Winter Bible, Day 1

The world is here at Rhema! 

Winter Bible Seminar Day 1 was a success. 

Pastor Hagin and Ms. Lynette preached on strongholds being broken and our authority as believers over every dominion of darkness. 

Wow!

Talk about a powerful word from God…

We came together today as a family to pray with and for each other as chains fell off. 

Fears are gone. 

Strongholds are broken!

We needed to be reminded of these powerful, yet fundamental messages on authority because our school and church is reaching the nations. 

Places where you have to stand strong and assured of your authority because the missionaries are literally carrying the light into darkness. 

I’m so thankful to be a part of a school that has such reach around the world and that brings the family back together to encourage each other. 

This is only Day 1, so I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store!

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A life with no strings

unityPeople know when you’re a phony.

I know that I can tell when someone’s treating me more like a project or a prospect. It’s the fastest way to shut me down.

And it’s also an area where I have to be careful…

One time, my friend Holly Beth called me out on my general distrust:

Not everyone is out to get you, Audra.

Her comment helped me see that I was approaching situations all wrong. I had allowed things from my past to warp my perception of others.

The change wasn’t overnight, but it got me going down the right path. In fact, my problem with perception was something I discussed with my counselor last year. Her suggestions helped me even more to change my view.

I used to only see the strings attached to what others were saying or asking of me. My counselor wanted me to identify every string that I saw in a conversation.

The assignment was to give a name to each string. Then I had to examine it and see if there was any truth to it.

I saw a lot of strings that week and many of them were only my perceptions. The other person’s motives were pure! It was me with the problem.

 No matter the filters you have to set up to protect against faulty judgments, sincerity is easy to pinpoint. Finding out you’re nothing but a project or prospect is the quickest way to lose what little influence you may have in someone’s life.

In a world of posers, you don’t get many do overs.

This is why it’s important to be yourself. Period. When you’re okay with you are, you won’t get caught playing pretend.

 

 

 

 

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Why giving matters

I have a friend who always has granola bars in her backpack. 

She’s generous, too. If you need a snack, just find her! 

I’m actually going to buy her a box of granola bars this weekend because she’s helped me–and many others–out this week. 

My friend’s genorisity got me thinking…

Shouldn’t all Christians be known for their generosity?

It’s in the Bible. You see passages about:

  • Hospitality
  • Giving
  • Prayer
  • Miracles
  • Healing

And all of it was done for the purposes of evangelism to the lost and edification for the body of Christ. 

Nothing was ever done for selfish ambition. 

Christians are not supposed to be stingy–in any area!

In my class on the gifts of the spirit, we’ve talked quite a bit about how none of God’s gifts are for us. 

This makes sense to me because in light of the bigger picture, it’s kind of comical to think anything is ours to begin with. 

It all belongs to Him!

Plus, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. He is our Redeemer and our pardon was purchased with His blood. 

How can we not give freely when He is our example?

Jesus has given us everything. 

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Soaring into the weekend

Teamwork is awesome. 

It is fun to see people working together, using their gifts and talents to help others. 

Winter Bible Seminar is next week. The world is coming home to Rhema! 

And with the world coming home, we’re going to see the power of family working together. 

I am excited!

There’s been so much prayer surrounding next week, too. 

The hearts of all the students, staff, and church members are anticipating all that God has in store. 

After prayer school this afternoon, I’m ready to soar! 

I know that the people who are coming–nationally and internationally–will receive all that the Lord has for them. 

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Gifted to Serve

Don’t forget who you are–ever!

The comparison trap is a snare that many of us step in. 

It’s so easy to look around at others and think, “There’s just no way for me…”

First off, that’s stinkin’ thinkin’ from the get go. 

Secondly, no one’s asked you or even expects you to be anyone but yourself. 

As Christians, we understand that there’s unity in diversity. 

Think about the list of ministry gifts and manifestation gifts. 

They’re all different! And everyone has a job to do within the body of Christ. 

The goal is the same: share the gospel and make disciples. But the means required to do so demands a diversity of methods. 

I know this topic is a bit elementary in nature. It’s just that I found myself forgetting these fundamental truths today. 

The biggest reason I run far away from the comparison trap is that there’s no room for encouraging others when you’re busy comparing yourself. 

Plus, you waste time and wreck relationships. 

Do you know what I did during my prayer time today?

I thanked God for who He made me to be.

 I thanked Him for opening doors of opportunity to minister to others by using the gifts He’s given me. 

And, no, it isn’t prideful arrogance to pray in this manner. If the goal was to puff yourself up it would be different. 

The goal is to thank Him for using you in His kingdom. 

The goal is to recognize that God made you to be a vessel that serves others.

Understanding your identity in Christ takes away the need to compare yourself to anyone else.