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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Let me start with an apology for not being consistent with my writing. Seems like I'm a living example of that insurance commercial where it says "Life Comes At You Fast." Honestly, if I were to share with you all that has transpired in the last 3 weeks of my life, I doubt you'd believe me. It's complicated on so many levels. So when you add to my last post about "anxiety" all the things that have happened, I'm in a place of being very "afraid."
I know God's word tells me not to fear.
"Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Matthew ( Click for more )
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he makes it very clear that we should not be anxious about anything. Instead we should pray and petition God, be thankful and share our needs with God. The result is peace.
Right now I am desperate for peace. I’d give just about anything to have peace. ( Click for more )
On Wednesday I had the honor and privilege of singing in the chapel where I work. The men in attendance have embarked upon a seven-month journey as they are participating in a life-recovery program. I’m so proud of them and the commitment they have to getting their lives on track.
I have been so busy this last I’ve lost track of time and am running on adrenaline. On this particular morning, I was very much in a hurry and had to leave early. I put in my practice CD with the songs I was going to be singing that morning and was on my way. As I was driving through my neighborhood, ( Click for more )
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
When I was growing up, my dad used to always tell me, “young lady, you better learn to think before you speak, otherwise that mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”
My daddy was one of the smartest men I knew. I wish I’d listened to him more. I wish I’d paid more attention to the wisdom he offered. My daddy passed away almost 2 years ago. It was sudden and swift and left us reeling. But his legacy lives on and ( Click for more )
When you hear the word “surrender” what comes to mind?
Webster’s Dictionary defines it as: “to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand; to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another; to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner; or to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence).
In many cases, to “surrender” implies giving something up. As a follower of Christ, I’ve often heard the phrase to “surrender my will” to God. Some ( Click for more )
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8b NIV
It is Satan’s desire to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to do whatever he can to dash our hopes, shatter our dreams and devour us. He doesn’t want us to rely on God.
Satan has several tools in his arsenal that he uses against believers. I’ve often heard these referred to as Satan’s 5Ds
Doubt—We doubt ourselves. We doubt his existence. We doubt family and friends. But the biggest doubt of all…doubting God, His word, ( Click for more )
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:1-5
If asked how to define faith, most Christians ( Click for more )
"Hold on, help is on the way." "Please hold." "Holding on by a thread." The phrase "hold on" has a variety of meanings like: to hold firmly, to stop and wait as if waiting for further instructions, to hold a phone line open, and to retain possession of. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 HSCB Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. ( Click for more )
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' Zechariah 13:9 NIV I am proud to call myself a child of God. I am not ashamed of who I am or whose I am. He is my King and I will boldly proclaim Him. His name is Jesus. The LORD is MY God! I love Him so much and I know He loves me too. He is refining me. Why? Because He loves me. How does He refine me? By allowing me to be tested. Tests ( Click for more )
...rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:4 NKJV
I just recently celebrated my 6 month wedding anniversary. Maybe celebrate isn't the right word... survived, endured, accomplished - those words might be more fitting than celebrated.
Don't get me wrong, I love my husband. But getting married at the age of 37 hasn't been as easy as I initially thought it would. Although I was married once before, I've been "single again" for a long ( Click for more )
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2 NIV
Have you ever felt like God was far away from you?
I have.
Sometimes I wonder how can God know me, and you, and you, and you, etc.? It's hard to imagine someone so BIG, so OMNIPOTENT. It's beyond my comprehension and sometimes I just want to understand - I want to know how that is possible. If I can't figure it out, solve it or understand it, then I just don't want to deal with it.
I have trouble with relating to someone ( Click for more )
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NIV
I've been giving the devil too much credit lately.
I've faced a number of challenges recently... mostly health related - but those have also led to financial challenges too.
With each new blow, I've focused on what the enemy has been trying to do to me.
I am giving him too much credit.
I have forgotten who I am.
I made a decision this past weekend - the enemy had stolen too much from me and I finally said "enough!"
There are so many promises God ( Click for more )
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NKJV
I just had a birthday. When I was a child, birthdays were a pretty big deal. There was usually a party. There was cake, ice cream, and presents. I can remember counting down the days and being so excited the night before, that I could hardly sleep.
I can remember landmark birthdays, too. When I turned ( Click for more )
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