CHANGES THAT HEAL

Many of us struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. We know that God created us in his image, but how can we...CHANGES THAT HEAL

Many of us struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. We know that God created us in his image, but how can we be loving when we feel burned out? How can we be free when we struggle with addiction? Will we ever enjoy the complete healing God promises?

Changes that Heal is an exciting and life changing course that is based on the book by Dr. Henry Cloud. This is an 8-week course that will guide you through four basic ways to become joy-filled, mature followers of Christ:
• Connect more deeply with others
• Separate from others in healthy ways
• Understand the good and the bad in ourselves and others
• Grow into greater emotional and spiritual maturity

This course will begin Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Liberty Campfire Campus at 11:00 am and will be led by ICM graduate, Chris Lawrence. Show more

Emotional swing...

One day while I was out running errands I was listening to Christmas songs on the radio; one Christmas song after the , “Have...Emotional swing...

One day while I was out running errands I was listening to Christmas songs on the radio; one Christmas song after the , “Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, Mary, Did You Know”, “It’s Beginning to
Look a lot Like Christmas”,  “O Holy
Night”, “Silent Night”,  etc... I was
feeling the joy and excitement of the season. On and on the “Merry Christmas”
music played until the “news” came on.
Then everything shifted….what once was blaring
Christmas joy was now blaring one tragic event after the other. That particular
day and time this was the news---a woman was arrested for trying to kill her
own kids by scalding them, a man was mugged and shot by three females over
marijuana, another man killed his ex-girlfriend’s dog, shot her and then shot
another woman as he hi-jacked her car.
Instantly my emotions swung from feeling the joys of
Christmas to feeling the despair of the world. 
Then almost immediately The Lord quickened my spirit and asked me,
“Which one are you going to focus on, The Good News of the Savior or the tragic
“news” of the world.  In this life you
will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”.
As I thought about this I realized that I can do
NOTHING to change the tragedies of these people but I can pray and I can
determine to make a difference in the lives of those around me by sharing the
Good News of the gospel.
Tragedy, misfortune and heartbreak happen every
day!  But that should NOT be our
focus.  When we focus on the works of the
enemy it only leads to despair, depression and hopelessness.  When we focus on the Good News of Jesus and
His finished work on the cross, we are freed from the bondage of worry, stress,
despair, gloom and doom!
Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal and
destroy; but I have come that they may have life and life to the fullest!”  He came into this world not only to prepare
us for heaven but to empower us to live a blessed, full life this side of
heaven.
This Christmas season don’t allow the cares of this
world choke out the Joy of Jesus. Don’t get caught up in worrying, hurrying and
scurrying trying to find the perfect gifts. 
Focus on the Perfect Gift, Jesus, the real reason for the season and the
Giver of all good gifts!
To God be the glory… Show more

Take up you grudge…..

Sometimes life deals us difficult or challenging situations—maybe it’s on the job dealing with an employee, co-worker, or boss,...Take up you grudge…..

Sometimes life deals us difficult or challenging situations—maybe it’s on the job dealing with an employee, co-worker, or boss, or maybe a life-long friendship is being threatened over a misunderstanding…..or maybe the difficult circumstance is in the very house we live in. 

The Bible has the answer to any and all problems. Most of the time simply hearing the
Word will not heal, restore or rectify the issue.  BUT applying the Word, doing the WORD will make us whole!  James 1:22--“But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only; deceiving your own selves”.Jesus challenged the man with a withered hand… “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst….stretch forth thy hand”.  And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.   Luke 6:6-10

He also challenged a certain man at the Pool of Bethesda which had an infirmity thirty
and eight years.  Jesus said to him “arise, take up your bed and walk”.  And
immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.  John 5:1-9

In Luke 17 the Bible tells of 10 lepers whom Jesus met on the way to Jerusalem.  And when he saw them, he said unto them, “Go show yourselves unto the priests”. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (Notice—as they went—they were cleansed.)  One of the lepers turned back and with a loud voice glorified GOD.  Then Jesus answered, “Arise, go thy way; your faith has made you whole”.   Not just cleansed but WHOLE--

What is He CHALLENGING us to do today to be made whole?  “Arise, go to that person & seek forgiveness?”  “Arise, go tell him you’re sorry?” “Arise, take up your grudge and repent?”  Arise, take up your resentment…..take up your bitterness?  Take up your offense...Or maybe He is saying, “Arise from your pity party and help someone out”…..Maybe He is even saying “stretch forth your hand” in friendship to another person or in offering a sacrifice of praise.  Notice the leper glorified GOD with a loud voice which made Him whole—nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing fragmented. 

Maybe it’s time to give HIM a shout of praise and thanksgiving. 

Give HIM the glory due His name! Show more

Turning Disappointment to HIS Appointment

Many times in life I have been greatly disappointed, either by friends, family, God and
even more so in...Turning Disappointment to HIS Appointment

Many times in life I have been greatly disappointed, either by friends, family, God and
even more so in myself.  I used to ask God “WHY? Why am I always getting disappointed?”  Then one day after a major “letdown” I was asking God “WHY?”  and in just a moment of time my whole focus shifted as He said to me, “Lisa don’t ask “Why” ask What.  What can I learn from this?” 

As I pondered that statement I realized that we may not know “why” things happen the way they do but we can always learn something from the experience.  We can always turn our disappointment into HIS appointment as we turn to Him for a “Life Lesson”.   We can always turn our heart toward His instead of focusing on the issue.

Our Father is faithful to relieve our grief when we relinquish our heartache to Him.  It isn’t always easy nor is it “immediate”.   Isaiah 53:4 says speaking of Jesus, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;” Jesus paid it all…..not just so we can go to heaven but that we might THRIVE this side of heaven.  He has come so that we might have life to the fullest.       John 10:10

So when disappointments happen, don’t ask “why?” Ask the Father, “What can I learn from this?”  He will lead and guide you to a HIGHER way of thinking for His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.  Isaiah 55:11

Thank YOU, Father, that You won’t leave us in our disappointments but You open Your
appointment book just for us when we ask.    Show more