Wilderness seasons...

Well, it's been almost 2 years since I have written on this blog.  I've contemplated much on what I would say being this is mainly geared toward woman. I guess in many ways I felt somewhat out of touch.  I've been in a wilderness.
This wilderness seems to contain in it many trials especially when it comes to woman in general.  I've been learning lots about what makes me tick as a woman and what doesn't. 
I am also learning how to JUST be me (which I thought I did pretty well already) but needed to do it more freely!
I've been reading a book called "Soaring with your strengths" and it has proven to be one that has LOCATED areas of my life I do not soar so gracefully. Perhaps a confidence issue is the reason. It could be my faith on different level of things. Or maybe the not able to avoid Hormones...lol! And all the woman said amen!
At least those who are now in their 40's! CRAZY!! Yes, I know at times we blame much on hormones. But, it is true that our body is not the same and it requires more effort to try and gear our emotions and physical ailments in a positive direction instead of letting them be out of control!
Bottom line is I am on a journey in the wilderness...the sand is deep, the walk seems questionable (nonetheless I keep one foot in front of the other), my guide seems rather quiet...I'm sure for reasons I have yet to uncover! And my feet feel heavy, not the soaring affect I would like! Wings would be nice right now! But, maybe that is the whole point...I haven't earned, nor found them yet!
On average, I feel weak, tired and at times very frustrated. I make sure my steps are somewhat secure afraid they would step out and fall into an open whole or something! It's not the abundant life I have always wanted or pictured...and I'm thirsty all the time!
Maybe some of you can relate. Maybe you can't. Nonetheless one day you might. And if you there, not sure I can help other than say "keep walking, keep searching, and what ever you do, don't stop unless it's to rest and drink...move forward"...we are bound to find those wings and begin to soar!
I am sure this season will prove to have made some of my weaknesses fade and strengths to be more apparent. At least that is my goal.
"Claiming your strength path out of fantasy, into action...when the decision is made, you will go for your goal no matter what. You will often feel fear, but fear with an interesting quality to it. It's the moment when you've accepted the risks and push on in spite of them. It's the moment that fear, while still existing, is superseded by the excitement of your new commitment-when you strike a direction and "go for it". (notes: from the book "soar with your strengths).
So, these words are very powerful indeed! I may not feel like that "Warrior Chic" lately...I may have taken a detour into unknown territory but, I am still that woman. I am still walking. I am still moving. I am still hoping and believing that destiny and purpose are becoming more clear with each step I take.
I may be parched from lack of water (I seem to only get drips) but I'm still drinking! It may be that my guide is now in a "silent" mode, nonetheless I do still believe He's guiding me, I just can't see or hear him. In my understanding that is "true faith in action."
So, to those of you in a "wilderness", (that can be defined much different than my own) hang in there! Keep trusting, keep believing. Don't beat yourself up, instead GET up (if you've stopped) and start walking again!! Whatever is ahead for us...it's going to be worth it!! I truly believe that!

Shalom out for now!

Sonja Howell/Warrior Chic

This came in my email today and I felt it was appropriate to copy it to this blog. Though at times we do not understand the Journey we are on, at times the Lord will use some one to bring forth a word that confirms in your heart you are exactly where you need to be...doing what you are doing! He see's, He hear's, He guides and He provides! Seek FIRST His kingdom...be blessed today Warriors!!

Sonja

Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin

THE TRUMPET by Bill Burns -- May 17, 2010:

This is true -- I am indeed bringing you higher. I'm lifting you up to places where you have never been before. I am bringing you forth in the new season that I Myself have assigned. For I am the Lord that brings the revelation of that which I am doing. I bring this understanding to you so that you may ready yourselves and be a part of this activity, which will give glory to the Father and will greatly increase your knowledge of the working and the function of the kingdom of God. So get ready to learn and make the Holy Spirit your Teacher and align your spirit with Him so that He may teach you. For you have an unction from the Spirit to be led and guided and taught by that most Holy One. Embrace this work and be renewed in Spirit. Embrace this work that I am doing right now for I am preparing you to walk in the glory, which I am releasing at this time. Walk with Me; talk with Me and be one with Me, says the Lord Jesus Christ.

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns --

May 17, 2010:

I am calling My warriors forth to be strong and to rise up and do battle. Many of you, My people, were once valiant and brave, but you have not engaged in war for a long time. This is because you didn't understand that you cannot fight without your full armor, and the enemy retaliated. I am rallying My troops, don your armor, and I will send you forth in righteousness, says the Lord. Ephesians 6:12-17 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Walking by faith in the NEW...

Wow...it's been a while since I've posted anything here. So, I've been a little distracted and well exploring new areas of life. I finally started a new blog for my little son Jonah called "Footprints of a Tender Warrior's Journey" and I am excited about getting it going. Check it out if you would like at http://tenderwarriorsjourney@blogspot.com.

Lately this Warrior mom has been challenging my work outs!! I have been excited to finally be seeing some results of my hard work! It is something I know I enjoy doing and is obviously good for me. After having Jonah I gained more weight than I cared to (some of you know what I mean) and it's been a challenged getting it off and getting my body strong again. With consistency and encouragement from Wil, I have been doing a great job of it!

Many changes have taken place this year for me and it's been a little difficult to walk out. In January Wil and I took a big step to move from our previous church to link up with a new one. The old church is where I began my walk with the Lord, where I met Wil and got to know some really awesome friends. It is where I learned about being a Warrior really!! I plunged into a call of intercession that took my spiritual walk to new levels. I met challenges, faced battles I never thought possible but because of the POWER of prayer I became an over comer!

In 2003, I gave birth to a long awaited son! Wil and I had prayed, stood and proclaimed his life into existence for 11 years!! We both thank the Lord now for all His goodness to us. Though challenging, I cannot imagine my life without Jonah!

Today, my walk with the Lord is on a different level. He seems a little quiet though I know He is there. I know I am on a journey that is not moved by emotions but great FAITH. I know He is causing me to stretch my talents, my physical body and many areas of my life to be MY BEST.

So, today is just a small recap...introduction into what's new and different these days. Since I now have 4 blogs, I will need to determine which ones the Lord would have me update on a daily basis!!

So this Warrior woman is saying...pray for me. Pray that I will be sensitive to the Lord's leading...be focused on what HE would have me focus on and to be used by HIM to be a voice! I really am walking out this life by Faith! Pray that I will not become weary, that I will continue to move forward on this NEW path that in some way seems just a little lonely...though my husband and Jonah man are still in it with me! I miss my dances with the Lord, in the way we use to dance! Not sure why that has been so difficult to get back, but again, I have to trust it is Him molding my vessel to TRUST!!

So today, if you just need prayer...let me know. I want this blog to be yours as much as it is mine and we are all facing some kind of battles at times! Know that you will make it, that the Lord is on your side...just cry out to Him and He will answer you! Be encouraged today Warrior Chics!

Sonja

"The Lord himself will goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

"Seasons"

Day 165 COMFORTER

And I will pray the Father,and he shall give you another Comforter,that he may abide with you for ever.John 14:16 kjv

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART My child, I know when your heart is breaking, when you've said good-bye to the last dreams of your heart. I'm here for you, and I will hold you as long as you need to rest in My arms. My Spirit is ever present as the Comforter to speak peace to your heart and soul. In every sorrow, and for every tomorrow, I will be there. No one else can make that promise to you.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE Lord, I never need to look farther than the comfort of Your arms. There You wait for me with expectant heart, longing for my fellowship. How many times I've felt Your strong arms and quiet whispers to my aching heart! Where else could I turn? Lord, You are my Comforter.
SIMPLE TRUTH

Just when we think all hope is gone, Jesus fills our hearts with song.

For more from Rebecca, please visit www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com

This is good. I am in a season where dreams that have been in my heart are on hold. I don't like that...only because during this waiting doubt tends to creep in and whisper "your dreams will never come to pass" to which I finally scream NO!!! What a lie!!!! Then I get with the Lord, and though it does not happen over night...peace comes. The longings in my heart are still there. Many things I want to see happen, many things I want to experience, many places I would love to travel, accomplish etc...but right now...they seem on hold.

"In good time"...I hear the faded words behind me! Ok, Lord but help me in the meantime to be content, to be settled! I am sure some of the unsettled feelings can be written off to hormones! You know I am in my 40's now!!! LoL! You ladies that are there know what I am talking about!

So, this entry has been good. And often it pays to wait. I have been there before, I can do it again. If it builds my faith, than it accomplish what it was meant to do. I know my Father gives good gifts and disciplines us for Good and not harm. So I place my trust in the Good Father I have come to know and love.

Hope this has help you a little if you are there too! Comment if you wish! I would love to hear how it did minister and any input you can give too. Just make them positive ones please!!!

Waiting...

Sonja

Free yourself!!!!!

Ok...the Lord is speaking loud and clear to me. I will share a little so that you too can HEAR the message of the Lord.

Isaiah 51:1-2
Awake, Awake, O Zion,
clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your garments of splendor,
O Jerusalem, the holy city,
The uncircumcised and defiled will
not enter you again!
Shake off your dust;
RISE up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem
FREE yourself from the chains on your neck,
O Captive Daughter of Zion (the church of Christ)

Wow...when I read this so much spoke to my spirit! In a world where offenses are ramped and saying what ever pleases you seems well, out there, we are challenged daily NOT to be offended.

When the expectations you put on others or others put on you are not met, we are disappointed and even allow bitterness to grow deep in our hearts. It's no wonder we wake up daily with yoke's of bondage on our necks.

Then, there is the husband or wife that didn't do the right thing, say the right thing IN the right way...and on and on the yoke of bondage goes!!!! Is there any relief? Is there any freedom to just mess up?

Why are we even so hard on ourselves? On others? Who are we that we think other people owe us this or that? Who are we when we beat ourselves up when things go wrong?

We have yet to learn the unconditional LOVE of the Lord for sure. I know I have not and every day I am seeing the need to be selfless so that Christ can fill my heart with His love.

Only until I am emptied can He then fill just a little more!
But He say's in His word to SHAKE it off...to shake the dust off. To Rise Up! To free yourself! Why? Because bitterness, having an unforgiving heart, walking in Love etc...are all choices!

The Lord has provided the freedom when He died on the cross. The choice is now ours. Do we TRUST Him at His word? Do we choose to forgive and therefore FREE ourselves from the chains?

Obviously we now have our part! Christ did His...

What will we choose? Freedom? or the curse of bondage!
It has been well time for us to GROW up and let go of little offenses! It is time we open lines of communication, talk out that which binds up our hearts and minds, and then choose to SHAKE the dust off for the sake of the greater Glory! His kingdom come!

Let this soak in a little and allow the Lord to reveal His truth to you. And whatever you do...if there is an offense your way, either choose to ignore it or go to that person and make peace! Don't allow the offense to fester in your heart and then expect that person to know it is there!

Either shake it off and free yourself...or go ahead and let it rob you one more day of Peace! It is your choice my friend!!

This is what the Lord has placed on my heart to write. This is what He alone has been ministering to me about and I believe He is doing this corporately too!

May He alone get the glory, for it is not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit!

1. Awake
2. Clothe yourself with strength
3. Put on your garments of slendor
4. Shake off the dust
5. Sit enthroned (take your position)
6. Rise Up (in the Spirit of Love and Life against the Spirit of hate and death)
7. Free Yourself (embrace the Power of the cross...You choose!)

What a challenge by His Spirit to walk this out!

Sonja

God is speaking...let us heed His voice.

I keep seeking the Lord to give me some thing to write but He keeps using other resources so I just obey...this is a good word and obviously the Lord is speaking...so let us heed His voice and obey the warnings.

Sonja

March 5, 2009 King David's Demise Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV).

Friend to Friend Several of my devotions lately have been on guarding your heart. I'd like to end the series with a look at King David.

King David was a man in the Bible who was called a "man after God's own heart." However, there was a point in his life when he let his guard down around that God fearing heart of his and he ended up committing adultery and conspiring murder.

David had gone from a mere shepherd boy to becoming the mightiest king in Israel's history. One day, while all his men were off at war, he decided to stay back at the castle and lolly gag around. While strolling on the roof to get a breath of fresh air, he noticed his neighbor's wife, Bathsheba, taking a bath on the roof of her home (a very common occurrence during those days). She was very beautiful.

David had grown accustomed to getting what he wanted and he wanted Bathsheba. One of his servants brought her to him for a forbidden night of passion. A few months later, she reported that she was pregnant with his child. In a panic to cover his sin, David ordered Bathsheba's husband to the front line of battle and then ordered the other men to withdraw. As planned, Uriah was killed and David took Bathsheba to be his wife. The story is much more convoluted and complicated, than I have just described, but I have just hit the high points...or should I say the low points.

From that time on, David's life took a downward spiral.
What can we learn from David's lack of control in guarding his heart?
He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. The story begins..."In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war." David was supposed to be off at war, but instead he stayed behind and shirked his duties. In order to guard our hearts, we must make sure we are not putting ourselves in a situation to be tempted. Have you ever found yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time - not by accident, but by choice?

He was lonely and vulnerable. I've often heard the phrase, "It's lonely at the top." But I can assure you it can be even lonelier at the bottom and everywhere in-between. If you are lonely, seek out the company of a female friend. Just as God sent Mary to Elizabeth and Ruth to Naomi, He continues to use women to encourage women. Seeking companionship with a man is treading on dangerous ground.

He knew what was right and ignored his better judgment. After David had sinned with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan came to him and told him about a wealthy man who had many sheep, but had stolen a poor man's one and only sheep. David said, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!" The prophet responded, "You are the man." David knew what he was doing was wrong, but he proceeded anyway.

God will always provide a way of escape. There were many steps to the process of David's sin. At any point, he could have stopped, but he didn't. God will always provide a way of escape for any temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). The sooner we heed His warning, the easier it will be to turn and go in the opposite direction. The longer we toy with the idea, the harder it will be to stop. As soon as a tempting thought enters our mind, we need to press the mental ''delete'' and guard our hearts.

No one is above temptation. David was a very godly man. He wrote psalms and truly loved the Lord. And yet, he still committed adultery and murder. I wonder when he was praising God during his coronation if he ever imagined in his wildest dreams that he would fall in such a way. We should never think that we are above any sin, but guard our hearts furiously.

The Holy Spirit will convict us. David's downfall took place over at least a year's time. How many times do you think the Holy Spirit warned him of his sin? Nothing should frighten us more than to know that we have the choice to tune out God's warning and the Holy Spirit's convicting. The Holy Spirit will convict us, but we must heed the warning. It is our responsibility. The devil never makes us do anything.

Honestly, I wish the story of David's sin was not in the Bible. I'd much rather remember him as the giant slayer who loved God more than life itself. But God wants us to know that no one is immune to temptation. David's fall is a picture of what can happen to anyone who does not guard his or her heart. David's story, like so many others in the Bible, is recorded so that we can learn by example (I Corinthians 10:11). "So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall" (I Corinthians 12:12).

We can pray as David once prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23, 24).

Let's Pray Dear LORD, I know that no one is above temptation. Help me to be at the right places at the right times, to seek godly girlfriends to hold me accountable, and listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit quickly.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn We all know someone who has fallen in similar ways to David. But today, I don't want you to think about that person or persons. I want us to keep the focus on ourselves. Let's go back to the main points.

Have you ever allowed yourself to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? What was the outcome?
Have you ever sought the friendship of a man when you knew it was not a good idea?
Have you ever let loneliness cloud your thinking and decision making?
Have you ever ignored your better judgment and the conviction of the Holy Spirit and entered into a relationship that wasn't God's best? What was the result?

These are tough questions. No matter what you have gone through or what poor decisions that you have made, you can know this: God will forgive you! Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins and God's mercies are new every morning. This devotion is not to condemn you in any way! It is to help us against future attacks. God wants us to be prepared! "We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!" Amen? Amen!

This article was sent to me today and I felt it VERY worthy of reading!
As woman...we need to know our boundaries, especially being married. Mentorship and accountability are was to prevent this from happening in your own life...and if you are already entagled...then confess! It will set you free.
The word of the Lord say's in Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does NOT prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy!"


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February 26, 2009

An Emotional Affair
Lysa TerKeurst

"Flee from sexual immorality."
1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

Devotion:
A few years ago, I watched a friend get tangled up in an emotional affair. She was a strong Christian woman who loved her family but the attraction to this other man seemed unavoidable. She tried to talk herself out of it but her heart played tricks on her mind, and the justifications for letting things continue down this path soon led her to a very dangerous place. She was becoming emotionally attached to this other man.

In a moment of desperation and fear, she confided in me what was going on. As she described how she got pulled into this place, I found myself being challenged by the realization of how subtly this had happened. She hadn't planned on being emotionally attracted to this other man. As a matter of fact, she'd always prided herself on being a woman of strong conviction and had scoffed at the idea of ever being tempted to have an affair.

It starts off simple enough - his comment that you mull over one too many times, a conversation in which you find a surprising connection, a glance that lingers just a second too long, or one of a thousand other interactions that seem innocent yet aren't. These are the dangerous seeds that can easily sprout into an emotional affair.

Some think it is a safe way to enjoy the lure of being attracted to someone other than your spouse without crossing any lines. But God boldly and plainly says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality." God doesn't say walk away from sexual immorality. No, He says to flee as if your very life is at stake! The time to prevent an emotional affair is before it ever starts. For me to rest on my spiritual laurels and think that it could never happen to me, made me a prideful, open target for Satan.

Jesus warned his disciples in Matthew 26:41,"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." The Life Application NIV Bible commentary says, "Jesus used Peter's drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties, spiritually equipped to fight it."

Watching:
I now realize that I need to be aware that I am just as prone to this temptation as anyone. One of the best ways to be watchful is to be praying with and for my husband. We need to be open and honest about meeting each other's needs and investing wisely in our marriage. If we get into a rough place, we need to be willing to get help. I love the quote, "If you are busy rowing the boat, you won't have time to rock it." The more my husband and I are taking care of each other, the less attractive temptations will seem.

Sensitive to the Subtleties:
I will have to be honest with myself that temptations do exist. When another man says or does something I wish my husband would say or do and doesn't, it can make me lessen my husband in my heart and build up this other man. This is a seed of poison. If watered and fed, this seed will sprout and spread and devastate. Seeds seem so small until you realize that within them they contain the potential to become huge. So, I will be steadfast to keep the fertile ground of my heart pure.

Spiritually Equipped:
Philippians 4:8 reminds us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (NIV). I must park my mind with the truth and the truth is I am married to an amazing man. He is not perfect and sometimes our marriage can be hard, but I made a commitment to Him in a covenant before God and there are no Biblical reasons in our marriage why we should ever part. Therefore, I've made the decision not to part - in big ways or small.

My friend did the wisest but hardest thing she could have done in telling me about her emotional affair. Not only did it help her to see she needed to flee and have someone else hold her accountable, but it also made me aware and alert to the dangers lurking in any kind of unhealthy emotional connection with another man.

Dear Lord, may I forever treasure my marriage and see it worthy to be protected. Help me to be a courageous woman who absolutely flees from any and every situation where there is even a hint of danger.. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Visit Lysa's blog

"Come hear Lysa speak in Dallas, Texas at the National Christian Book Expo. For more information, click here."

Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz

The Man You Always Wanted is the One You Already Have by Paula Friedrichsen


Application Steps:
What are some practical ways I can be:
Watching:
Sensitive to the Subtleties:
Spiritually Equipped:

Reflections:
Are there any proactive steps I need to take to guard my heart and protect my marriage today?

Is there any person or any situation I need to flee from?

Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)


© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

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