More Milestones

Thursday, September 2, 2010

It Makes Me Cry

0 friends comment ~ Written from the heart of More Milestones - Posting at 5:53 AM

I can never get through this without crying.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Joyce Meyer

0 friends comment ~ Written from the heart of More Milestones - Posting at 4:49 AM

I started catching Joyce Meyer on TV - "Enjoying Everyday Life". Yup, one of those "preachy people". Still she isn't like one of those preachy people I had seen a bazillion years ago.

She is a great motivational speaker. She uses humor and sometimes brutal honesty to let you know you're acting like an ass - but you're not alone. She makes me really think about my life. Watching her show makes my heart feel so good and at peace.

I recommend this cd set by Joyce Meyer - "Mind, Mouth, Moods Attitudes". It is full of great, great, great advice.

As my relationship with God grew, I decided I really needed to go to church. I'd been to church before. When my parents were together, we went to church every Sunday. I sat, listened, believed but I did not have a relationship with God.

Satan was at it again:

I was sure to embarrass myself.
It was WAY to early to get up.
Could I even stay awake?
What if I did something wrong?
Everyone there would know it was my first time.
I would be so out of place.
All they wanted was money and I needed it more.
Organized religion is a scam.

Insecurity and all, off I went to church. Nope, I didn't know what I was doing and I'm sure people were staring at my awkwardness. But I didn't fall asleep and when I put money in that basket my heart felt so good.

I've learned many things. Including, no matter the level of your spirituality, you are no better or worse than anyone. Spiritual growth is exactly that - always growing. It doesn't make you perfect and it doesn't make you without sin and it does not give you all the answers.

Knowing God does bring you hope and peace when everything around you falls apart.

What brings you peace when everything in your life seems to be going wrong?

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Too Stupid To Get It

4 friends comment ~ Written from the heart of More Milestones - Posting at 3:29 AM

Here's yet another of my shameful and embarrassing confessions. It's really hard to admit just how oblivious I was. Just me in my own little world. I hope it helps someone out there who may be feeling or thinking the same way I did.

Reading that book ("Lord, I Want to Be Whole" by Stormie Omartian) got me thinking maybe it was time for me to read the Bible.

Satan lies and puts doubts in your mind though. He laid huge roadblocks before God's plan for me and I let him. He made me believe there was no point to reading the Bible - like God really wrote the Bible - come on. Anyway there would be time for that later - life was busy and I had a tightly packed schedule. Even if I did read it I was too stupid to understand the words, the message, the meaning. Did I really want to be one of those people?

I tried to push all doubts aside as I headed to Barnes & Noble. On the way, I asked God to lead me down the right path. I told Him (although He already knew) my fear of not wanting to read the Bible because I was afraid I wouldn't understand (let alone pronounce) what I was reading...would that make me evil?

I was so overwhelmed! Do you know how many Bibles there are?! It was a super huge section. As I walked down the rows of books (all the while asking God for guidance) a cover caught my eye. This was the one. I knew it.

Just reading the study information included taught me so much. I didn't know the Bible was made up of books. I didn't know the difference between the Old and New Testaments. I didn't know about asking Jesus into my heart. I learned I could talk to God continuously throughout the day without having to kneel, bow my head and close my eyes. I learned the first 4 books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are called the Gospels. (I always wondered what that meant)

Because I knew many stories from the Old Testament, I decided I would start at the New Testament. You know, I couldn't pronounce all the words and I didn't understand some of the meaning. Yet I didn't feel bad about it and I did not feel evil.

Reading the Gospels changed my life. Before reading I didn't know the difference between God and Jesus. They were kinda both the same for me. For the first time in my life, I felt close to Jesus. For the first time I felt how powerful and intense His sacrifice. I asked Jesus into my heart.

I also realized that reading the Bible isn't a one time thing. I didn't read the Bible and poof all my questions were answered. Every time I've read the Bible a new message reveals itself. I believe that's God's way. He's given me tons of advice and when I really need Him, he speaks to me through His word.

Reading the Bible didn't make my problems disappear always and forever. Satan still leaves doubts, lies and roadblocks. Only now I know how to fight back. I don't shut God out anymore. I try with all my might to keep a positive attitude. Now, I believe in His love and know He is always with those who ask.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Stormie Omartian

2 friends comment ~ Written from the heart of More Milestones - Posting at 2:44 AM

Shortly after that meeting with Bill, we were at Walmart when I decided to wonder through the book section. I wasn't really looking for anything specific.

As I scanned the books and titles, one book stood out: "Lord, I Want to Be Whole" by Stormie Omartian. If you know Stormie Omartian you know where this is heading. I did not know Stormie Omartian so it meant nothing to me.

The book laid around the house for 3 or 4 months until I even opened it. When I finally did start reading I was very disappointed - it was a religious book. I had read the title but I thought it was more like - Man, I want to be whole. I didn't think it was a religious book. How could read this stuff when I couldn't even tolerate

all those preachy people on TV?

Reluctantly I continued reading. I was so surprised when I couldn't put it down. I learned a lot about myself and realized there were so many things I was doing that were not good for my spiritual health. Things I never thought of as harmful or a big deal whatsoever.

This book was full of great advice that didn't seem preachy at all:

...forgiveness doesn't make the other person right; it makes you free.
... the state of your mind affects the state of your heart...
You will never find peace, restoration and wellness if you nurture a spirit of anger.

I then cleaned house. I also started listening to Christian music and giving those "preachy people" a try.

Little by little, step by step, God was bringing me closer to Him and I was finding peace.