Breaking down the walls of my heart

Yesterday, I went to an amazing Christian women's conference with the speaker Marty Sholar.  She touched on 3 big aspects of Christianity: Joy, Grace, and Faith.  While I've been a Christian my whole life, and had my true "conversion" moment in college--when I realized that Christ was in my heart and my savior--the last several years have been lacking.

A week ago, I was in my car, listening to children's worship music with the kids and praying for clarity when my mother-in-law called to invite me to hear Marty speak.  Could there have been a more obvious sign?

I don't want to go into great detail about the conference, but I do want to share what became abundantly clear (I asked for clarity, didn't I?) throughout the day: I have a huge wall wrapped around my heart--I knew the wall was there with regards to the people around me, I just wasn't aware that it was blocking out God.  Life is tough at times.  Over the last several years, I have built up a wall of protection while dealing with the lemons life sometimes throws at you.  The problem is that while it may have seemed to help prevent pain, what it mostly did is prevent healing.  The reason I sometimes felt alone and helpless was because I was closed, I didn't trust God.  I had faith in His existence, but I was not trusting in his Goodness.  I was afraid to be open because honestly, I was disappointed in God because of things that happened outside of my control.  I realized that spiritually, I have been in an even more messed up place than I originally thought, but Marty provided a formula for healing our spiritual needs and I've already begun that process.  I also remembered that I have the book Disappointment with God because someone recognized what was happening to me YEARS ago and gave it to me.  I am reading one of Marty's books, Rejoicing in the Morning, right now, but once I'm done, I'm going to read it.

I am a control-freak.  I've always known that about myself and used to be much better about trusting in God to take control.  I see so many things that I've tried to "fix" and while I've certainly prayed about them, I have not relinquished control until today.  

Here's the formula for healing, in case anyone else needs it right now:

1. Define the need (Value, forgiveness, acceptance, belonging, safety, understanding, nurture) 

2. Go to the scripture and read every verse you can about the need (including synonyms for the need)

3. Ask God to show you your _(fill in the need)___ in his eyes.

While it's been an emotional 24 hours, I feel so much more peace and energy than I did.  I have actually been more emotional for the past month and I see now that it was because God has been tugging at my heart.  He's been breaking through that wall, I just had to pick up my own hammer and do my part willingly.

Here are some passages that have resonated with me in the last 24 hours:

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well. Psalm 139:14

Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:13-14

XOXO,

When you're right, you're right

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:10

Today I am proud to say I stood firm in my faith and was persecuted on behalf of the Lord.  Today I had the opportunity to accept and be silent or voice what I truly believe God would want, and despite fear, I did it and I'm proud even after all the ramifications and being truly hurt by close friends who did not defend my character because they did not agree with my opinion. (Though my best friends sure did when I needed them most).

Basically, I expressed my belief that it is inappropriate to allow a non-Christian to be the leader of a strongly-Christian affiliated organization.  I don't care if the person is a good, moral person.  If they are not a Christian, they should not lead a Christian organization.  This is not discrimination.  This is common sense.  I am sure a Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, etc group would not have a Christian leader if it were strongly religion-based.  Because of this opinion, I was basically called a bigot and treated like a pariah, by other Christians, including my friends.  I still do not understand their problem.  I was completely disrespected and attacked by "Christians" which was very hard being that I am someone who values respect very much.  I am glad to say that I maintained my integrity and demonstrated respect throughout.

People put words in my mouth and created their own stories in their heads about what I truly meant when suggesting that only a Christian should lead a Christian organization. They suggested I didn't think non-Christians should be allowed to join said group.  Never said that.  I think all faiths should be allowed to join a Christian organization. If you know me AT ALL, I'm about the most inclusive person in the world and avoid exclusion at all costs.  As Christians we should demonstrate Christ's love to everyone.  As the quote says, "You can preach a better sermon with your life than your lips."  I just think leadership should not be open to non-Christians in a CHRISTIAN GROUP.  I don't think this is such an outrageous idea.  

I mean, let's be honest... Jesus would want a Christian leading other Christians in Christianity.  That's not discrimination, that's the truth.

XOXO,