Read Job 1
September is a month that will always be defined by 9/11. April has become a month that commemorates the tragedy at Virginia Tech. We have other days in U.S. history that recall our collective national tragedies – as well as the ones that are celebratory. December brings Christmas, November – Thanksgiving. The fourth of July is always a fun long weekend.
It’s fitting that during this particular month, those of us participating in the NorthStar Community (whether in person or via the web) are working on a fourth step – a step that will include a remembering of both tragedy and triumph.
The book of Job is the story of a family that suffered for no good reason. Although Job’s “friends” try their best to explain the horrid events that unfold in this drama by finding fault with Job and/or his family – God makes it clear in the first chapter that those “friends” are way off base. As the stories of slaughter from Virginia Tech assail us – if the media is any kind of barometer – we want answers. We want to know why one young, disturbed man massacred over 30 students and faculty members. We want someone to blame. He’s a likely target, but is he enough? Can we blame more people? Can we come up with some policies and procedures that will give us the illusion of safety in a world where suffering strikes in alarmingly random ways?
Job provides no easy answers – and that’s good news. In spite of our desire to distill life into easily memorized formulas and platitudes, Job reminds us that simple solutions rarely capture the complexity and mystery of the will of God.
Here’s the deal. It’s freaky. In chapter 1 of Job, Satan and God are reported to have had a conversation. Let’s listen in. Satan – “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
God – “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears god and stays away from evil.”
Satan – “Yes, but Job has a good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property….reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
What a story line! Think about what just happened. God painted a virtual target on the heart of Job, and pointed him out to Satan. Lest we forget, remember that Satan has only one purpose – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10 NLT
As we read through this book, this small exchange is going to haunt us.
Thought for today: Do you feel like someone put a target on your heart and begged Satan to take aim? If so, the book of Job is a must read.
Thought for tomorrow: The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT
April 17
Read Romans 15 and 16
One of the beautiful blessings tucked into the fabric of step four is hope. A thorough step four requires us to lean into our pain. Listing my resentments, disappointments, fears, sexual misbehaviors, etc. requires me to uncover my eyes and stare myself in the face. Step four wipes away my illusions and good intentions, my dreams and “if onlys.” An accurate inventory tells me what is not what I wish. This kind of brutal honesty is frightening, but – if I can do this - I will be developing spiritual muscles that will help prepare me for God’s grand epic adventure.
And that gives me hope. If I can embrace my current suffering and make friends with the truth about me, then I am one step closer to my true God-created identity. I realize after reading the book of Romans that God is calling each of us to live larger than any human is capable. If I want what God wants for me, I better be willing to get myself ready to receive my call. Paul ends this big book with several instructions: be strong and bear with the failings of the weak, Christ is our model – we aren’t created to live life trying to please ourselves, scripture was written to give us endurance and encouragement – so I assume we’re going to need it, accept others – even the annoying. Bottom line: as we grow up, we need to grow strong – God has big plans for us – and we’re in need of character. (Which is far different from acting like a character!)
Thought for today: Take time today and list your strengths. God has given each of us gifts. What are yours?
Thought for tomorrow: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
One of the beautiful blessings tucked into the fabric of step four is hope. A thorough step four requires us to lean into our pain. Listing my resentments, disappointments, fears, sexual misbehaviors, etc. requires me to uncover my eyes and stare myself in the face. Step four wipes away my illusions and good intentions, my dreams and “if onlys.” An accurate inventory tells me what is not what I wish. This kind of brutal honesty is frightening, but – if I can do this - I will be developing spiritual muscles that will help prepare me for God’s grand epic adventure.
And that gives me hope. If I can embrace my current suffering and make friends with the truth about me, then I am one step closer to my true God-created identity. I realize after reading the book of Romans that God is calling each of us to live larger than any human is capable. If I want what God wants for me, I better be willing to get myself ready to receive my call. Paul ends this big book with several instructions: be strong and bear with the failings of the weak, Christ is our model – we aren’t created to live life trying to please ourselves, scripture was written to give us endurance and encouragement – so I assume we’re going to need it, accept others – even the annoying. Bottom line: as we grow up, we need to grow strong – God has big plans for us – and we’re in need of character. (Which is far different from acting like a character!)
Thought for today: Take time today and list your strengths. God has given each of us gifts. What are yours?
Thought for tomorrow: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
April 16
Read Romans 14
Monday, April 16, 2007.
Another day that will be seared into the memories of every student at Virginia Tech, their parents, the faculty, visitors, alumni – and the world. More than 24 hours have passed since the “massacre at Virginia Tech” – and we still are uncertain of the body count. Inexplicably to most of us, a young man kills two people in a dorm and then more than 30 in classrooms on the Virginia Tech campus.
It’s so horrible, so baffling – most of us are still in shock. But not the news media. Many of them are clear on their response to this tragedy – judge. Desperate to get word on my son’s safety and the safety of his fellow Hokies – I watched the television coverage of this unfolding nightmare with rapt attention. What did I hear? A lot of arm chair quarterbacking, criticism, and judging all authority figures currently working on the Tech campus.
Eventually I simply couldn’t take any more and had to hope that emails and cell phones would give me what I wanted – the sound of my son’s voice or word of his status. Hearing my child’s voice was a relief, but it could not ameliorate the rage I felt at the reporters’ interviews of other people’s children. They badgered them with questions – “Do you think you should have been told earlier about the first shooting? Aren’t you upset that classes weren’t cancelled? Why wasn’t your campus closed off?”
And then I went to scripture. “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother?” (Romans 14:10)
Ouch. Reporters judged officials, I judged reporters. I was mad as only a scared mother can be – and those lame questioners made a nice, safe, anonymous target for my rage. I still believe that no one was served by this rush to judgment that we witnessed on all the networks covering this story. But that gave me absolutely no right to join in the fray.
According to Juanita Ryan, (you can hear her take on this – her audio class is on our web site), sometimes we become judgmental of ourselves and others when we’re suffering. Sometimes working up a good head of steam seems easier to deal with than our own howling pain. Thanks to Dr. Ryan’s wise words, I paused to prepare. I dug deep and found my compassionate self. I’ve decided to spend the rest of this week practicing the fine art of compassion – I’m going to let go of my judgments of others – since I’m the only person I have the power to change.
Thought for today: So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 NIV
Thought for tomorrow: List your resentments. Code words for resentment may include: feeling injured, violated, left out, low sense of worth, angry, bitter, desirous of retaliation.
Example: I resent ____ because ______. This affects _____. This activates _____. This makes me feel _______.
Monday, April 16, 2007.
Another day that will be seared into the memories of every student at Virginia Tech, their parents, the faculty, visitors, alumni – and the world. More than 24 hours have passed since the “massacre at Virginia Tech” – and we still are uncertain of the body count. Inexplicably to most of us, a young man kills two people in a dorm and then more than 30 in classrooms on the Virginia Tech campus.
It’s so horrible, so baffling – most of us are still in shock. But not the news media. Many of them are clear on their response to this tragedy – judge. Desperate to get word on my son’s safety and the safety of his fellow Hokies – I watched the television coverage of this unfolding nightmare with rapt attention. What did I hear? A lot of arm chair quarterbacking, criticism, and judging all authority figures currently working on the Tech campus.
Eventually I simply couldn’t take any more and had to hope that emails and cell phones would give me what I wanted – the sound of my son’s voice or word of his status. Hearing my child’s voice was a relief, but it could not ameliorate the rage I felt at the reporters’ interviews of other people’s children. They badgered them with questions – “Do you think you should have been told earlier about the first shooting? Aren’t you upset that classes weren’t cancelled? Why wasn’t your campus closed off?”
And then I went to scripture. “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother?” (Romans 14:10)
Ouch. Reporters judged officials, I judged reporters. I was mad as only a scared mother can be – and those lame questioners made a nice, safe, anonymous target for my rage. I still believe that no one was served by this rush to judgment that we witnessed on all the networks covering this story. But that gave me absolutely no right to join in the fray.
According to Juanita Ryan, (you can hear her take on this – her audio class is on our web site), sometimes we become judgmental of ourselves and others when we’re suffering. Sometimes working up a good head of steam seems easier to deal with than our own howling pain. Thanks to Dr. Ryan’s wise words, I paused to prepare. I dug deep and found my compassionate self. I’ve decided to spend the rest of this week practicing the fine art of compassion – I’m going to let go of my judgments of others – since I’m the only person I have the power to change.
Thought for today: So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 NIV
Thought for tomorrow: List your resentments. Code words for resentment may include: feeling injured, violated, left out, low sense of worth, angry, bitter, desirous of retaliation.
Example: I resent ____ because ______. This affects _____. This activates _____. This makes me feel _______.
April 15
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
April 15
Read Romans 13
“You are not the boss of me.” Each of my children has expressed this sentiment at one time or another. Each time, Pete and I responded in unison.
“As a matter of fact, we are the boss of you.” Perhaps you know that I like being the boss. But if you know that fact, you also realize that Pete is a happy third born and is just as content when he is not the boss as when he wears the mantle of responsibility of man in charge. So our unified response is not all about wanting to be bossy. It’s more about understanding Romans 13.
Right off the bat Paul issues a firm statement: submit to authority. He doesn’t qualify this with sayings like, “If you like your authority” or “If you think your authority is worthy of your allegiance” – he says simply, “Submit.”
The McBean children aren’t the only people who don’t like people being the boss of them. Most of us dream of being our own bosses and getting our own big scoop of authority. And maybe some day we’ll get some of that authority. But for today, let’s wrestle with our own limitations – how are each of us doing at submitting to our earthly authorities?
Thought for Today: List all the people in roles of authority that you resent and/or fear. Code words: comparing self to others, taking things too personally, fearing rejection, noting an arrogant attitude, feeling inadequate, reacting rather than acting.
I fear ____ because ____. This affects ____. This activates ____. This makes me feel ____.
Thought for tomorrow: I wonder if you are one of those people created to lead others. If so, I suspect you will make a much more effective authority if you know how to live well with your own authority figures. Maybe you never aspire to rule. Whether you want to lead or to follow, it is always appropriate to learn how to live well with authority.
April 15
Teresa McBean
April 15
Read Romans 13
“You are not the boss of me.” Each of my children has expressed this sentiment at one time or another. Each time, Pete and I responded in unison.
“As a matter of fact, we are the boss of you.” Perhaps you know that I like being the boss. But if you know that fact, you also realize that Pete is a happy third born and is just as content when he is not the boss as when he wears the mantle of responsibility of man in charge. So our unified response is not all about wanting to be bossy. It’s more about understanding Romans 13.
Right off the bat Paul issues a firm statement: submit to authority. He doesn’t qualify this with sayings like, “If you like your authority” or “If you think your authority is worthy of your allegiance” – he says simply, “Submit.”
The McBean children aren’t the only people who don’t like people being the boss of them. Most of us dream of being our own bosses and getting our own big scoop of authority. And maybe some day we’ll get some of that authority. But for today, let’s wrestle with our own limitations – how are each of us doing at submitting to our earthly authorities?
Thought for Today: List all the people in roles of authority that you resent and/or fear. Code words: comparing self to others, taking things too personally, fearing rejection, noting an arrogant attitude, feeling inadequate, reacting rather than acting.
I fear ____ because ____. This affects ____. This activates ____. This makes me feel ____.
Thought for tomorrow: I wonder if you are one of those people created to lead others. If so, I suspect you will make a much more effective authority if you know how to live well with your own authority figures. Maybe you never aspire to rule. Whether you want to lead or to follow, it is always appropriate to learn how to live well with authority.
April 15
Teresa McBean
April 14
April 14
Read Romans 12
One of my favorite verses is found in this chapter of Romans. It used to be my most hated verse. Every time I ran across it in my reading, I eyed it with a beady eye of suspicion. How in the world does one offer their body as a living sacrifice? And is that even appropriate?
Having offered my thoughts, feelings, and choices to the altar of people pleasing on many occasions – inappropriately – I asked myself – is this an egomaniacal God I am being called to serve? Does God need me to “worship and serve” Him so that he can feel worthy? If so, how does that make him any different from a mere mortal – some of whom require loyalty and unwavering allegiance in order to feel in control? Is God a control freak?
But even when I was reading scripture through the lens of codependency run amok, I was intrigued as I read on…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will…” I can know the will of God? Wow! I want that!
I’m not sure I ever returned to my questions in paragraph two. Because in all this questioning a thought occurred to me: If I can know the will of God, then I assume God will provide a way for me to do the will of God. Doing the will of God has got to be a better proposition than trying to keep all the people I know happy all the time. I decided to rethink my people pleasing ways…
Thought for today: If you’re tired of disappointing people, and you want to find a more peaceful way to live , try this: List the ways you seek the approval of others. Our constant seeking of the approval of others keeps us in a constant state of impression management. Code words: caring more about what others think about me than what is true of me, feeling unworthy, fearing criticism, lacking confidence, fearing failure, ignoring our own needs.
Example: I seek approval when ____ because ____. This affects ____. This activates ____.
Here’s one way I might answer that: I seek approval when I care more about what a person thinks about me than I care about doing the next right thing. I seek approval of others because sometimes immediate gratification of another’s approval feels good. This affects me in a million ways because people can be pretty demanding, and I can’t make everyone happy all the time – it is too exhausting! This activates feelings of guilt and shame – and I feel like I’m losing pieces of myself in my efforts to make all people happy all the time…
Thought for tomorrow: …Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Romans 12:3 NiV. It is arrogant to think that I can do for others what only God can do. Seeking approval from other humans is folly. Sometimes they’re going to be right in their disappointments, sometimes wrong. I think I’m better off entrusting myself into the hands of Him who judges justly than counting on other people.
April 14
Teresa McBean
Read Romans 12
One of my favorite verses is found in this chapter of Romans. It used to be my most hated verse. Every time I ran across it in my reading, I eyed it with a beady eye of suspicion. How in the world does one offer their body as a living sacrifice? And is that even appropriate?
Having offered my thoughts, feelings, and choices to the altar of people pleasing on many occasions – inappropriately – I asked myself – is this an egomaniacal God I am being called to serve? Does God need me to “worship and serve” Him so that he can feel worthy? If so, how does that make him any different from a mere mortal – some of whom require loyalty and unwavering allegiance in order to feel in control? Is God a control freak?
But even when I was reading scripture through the lens of codependency run amok, I was intrigued as I read on…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will…” I can know the will of God? Wow! I want that!
I’m not sure I ever returned to my questions in paragraph two. Because in all this questioning a thought occurred to me: If I can know the will of God, then I assume God will provide a way for me to do the will of God. Doing the will of God has got to be a better proposition than trying to keep all the people I know happy all the time. I decided to rethink my people pleasing ways…
Thought for today: If you’re tired of disappointing people, and you want to find a more peaceful way to live , try this: List the ways you seek the approval of others. Our constant seeking of the approval of others keeps us in a constant state of impression management. Code words: caring more about what others think about me than what is true of me, feeling unworthy, fearing criticism, lacking confidence, fearing failure, ignoring our own needs.
Example: I seek approval when ____ because ____. This affects ____. This activates ____.
Here’s one way I might answer that: I seek approval when I care more about what a person thinks about me than I care about doing the next right thing. I seek approval of others because sometimes immediate gratification of another’s approval feels good. This affects me in a million ways because people can be pretty demanding, and I can’t make everyone happy all the time – it is too exhausting! This activates feelings of guilt and shame – and I feel like I’m losing pieces of myself in my efforts to make all people happy all the time…
Thought for tomorrow: …Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Romans 12:3 NiV. It is arrogant to think that I can do for others what only God can do. Seeking approval from other humans is folly. Sometimes they’re going to be right in their disappointments, sometimes wrong. I think I’m better off entrusting myself into the hands of Him who judges justly than counting on other people.
April 14
Teresa McBean
April 13
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
April 13
Read Romans 10 – 11
I am reminded repeatedly why children often lead us. Here are some encounters I’ve had with kids lately.
Last week a kid pitched a total fit in front of me in the grocery check-out line. It was nap time and this kid knew it – well, he knew he was miserable. Perhaps he didn’t know quite yet that a nap was what would restore him. But he knew he needed something. His crying and stomping and sniffling and head banging were all very effective attempts to get his mother to set aside her agenda and take him home.
A recent visit with my nieces and nephews found me in my happy place – surrounded by three loving kids who just knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that their Aunt wanted to hear every single detail of their lives. I heard about mucking out a horse stall, a detailed account of a week long field trip, the latest school gossip, and my third grade nephew’s decision to alter “career paths” (yes, he said that).
A four year old walked up to me at the beginning of our celebration time in church and told me how really mad he was that his daddy called him stupid. He may have only been four, but even he knew that was totally uncool – and wrong.
Kids get it. They get that they are special and worthy of an attentive ear and a compassionate response. They have no doubt that being the center of attention is their due. Of course, if one gets too carried away with the center of attention notion, that can be a problem. But I think a larger problem is when we begin to believe that it is never ok to tell the truth about how we’re feeling or when we come to believe that we don’t deserve the opportunity to be heard by an attentive and compassionate ear.
So what about you? Do you know when you’re too tired, too hungry, or too stressed? Do you know what you need when that happens, and do you take appropriate action? Part of an effective step four involves learning to see ourselves more clearly. Start looking!
Thought for today: Take a few minutes to list times when you have an inaccurate sense of self. Feeling inadequate, “less than,” “better than,” etc. are all indicators that we’re not seeing ourselves through God-vision goggles. Code words: isolating from others, being either too aggressive or non-assertive, fearing failure, appearing inadequate, or denying any wrong doing, negative self-image or inflated self-image.
I don’t see myself as God does when ____________ because ___________. This affects _______________________________________________________. This activates _________________. This makes me feel ________________.
Thought for tomorrow:
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 NIV
April 13
Teresa McBean
April 13
Read Romans 10 – 11
I am reminded repeatedly why children often lead us. Here are some encounters I’ve had with kids lately.
Last week a kid pitched a total fit in front of me in the grocery check-out line. It was nap time and this kid knew it – well, he knew he was miserable. Perhaps he didn’t know quite yet that a nap was what would restore him. But he knew he needed something. His crying and stomping and sniffling and head banging were all very effective attempts to get his mother to set aside her agenda and take him home.
A recent visit with my nieces and nephews found me in my happy place – surrounded by three loving kids who just knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that their Aunt wanted to hear every single detail of their lives. I heard about mucking out a horse stall, a detailed account of a week long field trip, the latest school gossip, and my third grade nephew’s decision to alter “career paths” (yes, he said that).
A four year old walked up to me at the beginning of our celebration time in church and told me how really mad he was that his daddy called him stupid. He may have only been four, but even he knew that was totally uncool – and wrong.
Kids get it. They get that they are special and worthy of an attentive ear and a compassionate response. They have no doubt that being the center of attention is their due. Of course, if one gets too carried away with the center of attention notion, that can be a problem. But I think a larger problem is when we begin to believe that it is never ok to tell the truth about how we’re feeling or when we come to believe that we don’t deserve the opportunity to be heard by an attentive and compassionate ear.
So what about you? Do you know when you’re too tired, too hungry, or too stressed? Do you know what you need when that happens, and do you take appropriate action? Part of an effective step four involves learning to see ourselves more clearly. Start looking!
Thought for today: Take a few minutes to list times when you have an inaccurate sense of self. Feeling inadequate, “less than,” “better than,” etc. are all indicators that we’re not seeing ourselves through God-vision goggles. Code words: isolating from others, being either too aggressive or non-assertive, fearing failure, appearing inadequate, or denying any wrong doing, negative self-image or inflated self-image.
I don’t see myself as God does when ____________ because ___________. This affects _______________________________________________________. This activates _________________. This makes me feel ________________.
Thought for tomorrow:
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 NIV
April 13
Teresa McBean
April 12
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
April 12
Scripture reading: Romans 9
This week I ran into an old friend. It had been a long time since we had connected, but thanks to the magic of email and prayer lines, I knew she was in a world of hurt. I won’t spill her guts on you, but things were bad. So I said, “Hey, I’m praying for you.”
To which she said, “Well, goodness. Thanks, but we’re all FINE. God is in control, no worries here!” And off she marched with her bloodshot eyes, droopy shoulders, and extra wrinkles – in her face and clothes. Suffering wears on us. It shows, even when we try to deny it.
I understand my friend’s point. She’s afraid if she acknowledges her suffering, the rest of us fellow believers are going to give her a speech about bucking up and God’s provision. Perhaps she thinks only spiritual sissies cry in their corn flakes or lose sleep over wayward children and unpaid bills. Since my job title includes the word “minister” I suspect she has some preconceived notions about what I think strong faith looks like (and if so, I hope she’s wrong about me).
I’m still going to pray for my friend. I’m praying she stumbles across Romans nine. Listen to Paul in verse two – “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul got his letters printed in the Bible. I think he qualifies as a spiritual giant. And when faced with the messiness of life – he admitted it – “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”
Maybe you believe that spiritual giants have short lists and anemic emotions on their step four inventories. I hope you rethink that. It’s ok for “real” men and women of faith (those who’ve marched through the first three steps) to tell the truth.
So what about you? What’s on your list that includes great sorrow and unceasing anguish in your heart?
Thought for today: The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.” Psalm 25:17 NIV
Thought for tomorrow: There’s a verse tucked away somewhere in the scriptures that tells us that we can’t heal what we don’t acknowledge. Wait. Maybe that’s Dr. Phil. Maybe he got it from the scriptures! Either way, it’s true. If you want to get to the good stuff – the big dreams, the peace that passes all understanding, the fruit of the spirit, etc….you gotta be willing to tell the truth about where you’re currently camped.
April 12
Teresa McBean
April 12
Scripture reading: Romans 9
This week I ran into an old friend. It had been a long time since we had connected, but thanks to the magic of email and prayer lines, I knew she was in a world of hurt. I won’t spill her guts on you, but things were bad. So I said, “Hey, I’m praying for you.”
To which she said, “Well, goodness. Thanks, but we’re all FINE. God is in control, no worries here!” And off she marched with her bloodshot eyes, droopy shoulders, and extra wrinkles – in her face and clothes. Suffering wears on us. It shows, even when we try to deny it.
I understand my friend’s point. She’s afraid if she acknowledges her suffering, the rest of us fellow believers are going to give her a speech about bucking up and God’s provision. Perhaps she thinks only spiritual sissies cry in their corn flakes or lose sleep over wayward children and unpaid bills. Since my job title includes the word “minister” I suspect she has some preconceived notions about what I think strong faith looks like (and if so, I hope she’s wrong about me).
I’m still going to pray for my friend. I’m praying she stumbles across Romans nine. Listen to Paul in verse two – “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul got his letters printed in the Bible. I think he qualifies as a spiritual giant. And when faced with the messiness of life – he admitted it – “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”
Maybe you believe that spiritual giants have short lists and anemic emotions on their step four inventories. I hope you rethink that. It’s ok for “real” men and women of faith (those who’ve marched through the first three steps) to tell the truth.
So what about you? What’s on your list that includes great sorrow and unceasing anguish in your heart?
Thought for today: The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.” Psalm 25:17 NIV
Thought for tomorrow: There’s a verse tucked away somewhere in the scriptures that tells us that we can’t heal what we don’t acknowledge. Wait. Maybe that’s Dr. Phil. Maybe he got it from the scriptures! Either way, it’s true. If you want to get to the good stuff – the big dreams, the peace that passes all understanding, the fruit of the spirit, etc….you gotta be willing to tell the truth about where you’re currently camped.
April 12
Teresa McBean
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