Healing the Wounded Heart

Psalm of Praise

2010-11-20T19:55:00.000-06:00

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD: let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving & extol him with music & song." Psalm 95:1-2

Prayer Needed

2010-11-13T11:55:00.001-06:00

I haven't been able to blog for a while due to a rotator cuff injury. Still too painful to type much. However, I would like to ask those of you who read this blog to please pray for a very special 17-year old, Michale Batts. I've been "Aunt Debbie" to Michael since he was 5 years old.

This past Sunday, Michael was T-boned by a truck, pulling a horse trailer. He remains unconscious and in critical condition. He has a broken pelvis (both sides), broken ribs, cracked pubic bone and tail bone. He also has tears in his brain...the same type of injury that occurs in Shaken Baby Syndrome.

He was taken off the ventilator on Thursday and is breathing on his own, with occasional help of a Bi-pap to make sure he is getting good, deep breaths to prevent pneumonia. He has shown intermittent signs of response to voices he recognizes as well as commands but nothing consistent as of yet.

Please pray for God to heal Michael's brain injury and that he will wake up. Also, please pray for his parent, Paula and Kerry Batts and younger brother, Nathan Batts.

Thank you!!

Longing for His Presence

2010-10-02T18:13:00.005-05:00

Draw me into your presence, Lord

I fix my eyes on You.

Draw me into your presence, Lord.

I fix my eyes on You.

I want to see your face

Draw close in your embrace

And rest beneath the shelter of your grace.

In your presence, is where I want to be.

^©Debbie Guinn 2008

Father, blogging is hard, writing is hard, thinking is hard...being real and vulnerable are hard.

I'm not myself these days Medication, MS and pain are affecting me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually...and I don't want others to know. I just want to hide and draw in to You...seek Your face...be in Your presence...it will all be better. I'm struggling to find You...hear You...see Your face, feel Your warm embrace. My mind is a maze of disconnected thoughts that can't seem to discern how to make sense of anything...not even Your Word...Your voice.

I know You are here...You've promised never to leave me and You have proved faithful more times than I can count. It's just another test of my faith...blind faith...to trust You even when I can't find You.

Draw me into Your presence, Father...I fix my blind eyes on You. And I sing with David...

"God, you are my God

I greatly long for you.

With all my heart I thirst for you

in this dry desert

where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sacred tent.

There I have seen your power and your glory.

Your love is better than life.

I will bring glory to you with my lips

I will praise you as long as I live.

I will lift up my hand when I pray to you.

I will be as satisfied as if I had eaten the best food there is.

I will sing praise to you with my mouth.

As I lie on my bed I remember you.

I think of you all night long.

Because you have helped me,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I hold on to you.

Your powerful right hand takes good care of me."

Psalm 63:1-8 (NIRV)

Resting in your powerful right hand...Amen.

The Gift of Rain

2010-09-25T11:52:00.002-05:00

Oh Father,

How thankful I am for your gift of rain today...such a pleasant sound to awaken me this morning. My mind so vividly pictured each raindrop washing away the pollen and drowning out the weeds that had wreaked havoc with my allergies the past two weeks. And I mustn't fail to mention the cool breezes I imagined, with the promise of cooler temperatures, this rain is to usher into North Texas.

I felt new energy rising within me as I considered the possibility of inhaling long, deep breaths of the outdoors, able to finally emerge from my home cocoon, after this long hot summer...ready for long walks, picnics in the park, and the community of neighbors.

Neighbors...that word quickly averts my mind to my neighbor, who has recently separated...then to my friend who made the heartbreaking decision to force her husband to leave, due to his repetitive abusive actions...and then another friend, trying to break a drug addiction and left her husband because he chose his own addiction over her. I think about others left homeless from last month's floods and wonder how they feel about today's rains...or another who is about to be forced out of her home due to family drama.

I think of those whose lives have been shattered by sin...some by their own choosing and some merely helpless victims.

And as I listen to the rain, my thoughts shift to thoughts of how You--Oh LORD, our Jehovah, the Almighty, self-existing One, I am that I am--can wash over all these needs...forgiving sins, healing wounded hearts. You are the healing rain who brings new, refreshing life to all which seems so broken, parched and desolate. You are the way for the lost, offering hope to the hopeless, providing strength to the weary.

"What joy for those whose strength comes from you LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem." Psalm 84:5-7 (NLB)

And so, once again, I cast my cares--for so many who are close and dear to me--at Your feet, knowing that You alone are God...You are faithful and You can be trusted.

He Loves Me Too Much

2010-09-23T14:48:00.005-05:00

She could barely contain the excitement, as she handed me the package to open...the gift her family had brought me from China Town. I could tell this was no ordinary token of thanks for caring for their dog while they were away. I eagerly peered inside to discover two ornately decorated worry balls.

"Now you don't have to worry so much, Aunt Debbie!" she squealed with delight.

She was only ten years old, yet even she was aware of the impact and control worry had on me. Countless days and endless nights I would roll those worry balls around in my hands, begging God for victory over my fears and worry. Both seemed to have a death grip on me...a grip I could not break.

Then, I began an in-depth study of my Father's love for me. The more I studied, the more confident I became in trusting Him. As I understood just how much He loved me--enough to physically separate Himself from His Son and send Him to earth; enough to watch His Son to endure suffering and persecution; enough to allow His Son to die a death on the cross; and enough to turn His back on His Son as He took my sin upon Himself--I realized that He can be trusted for absolutely everything.

During that study of understanding His love, a phrase kept running through my mind. "My Father loves me too much to allow anything in my life that isn't ultimately for my good and His glory." That phrase has stuck with me and has become my anti-worry motto, if you will. I know that God does love me so much that everything He allows in my life is for my good and His glory. I may not immediately see it or understand it. But, I know that the God who loved me enough to send His Son for me would not allow anything in my life that wasn't for my good and His glory. To do so would go against the nature of God.

Therefore, whenever something comes along that causes me to feel anxious or nervous, I remember how much God loves me, remind Him how much He loves me, and trust that it is somehow for my good and His glory.

As for my worry balls...they are simply a great reminder that I have replaced my worry with a deeper understanding of my Father's love.

I am linking up today with Faith Barista Jam as we share about Letting Go of Worry. Click on the link below to read more blogs on this subject.

Father...You know

2010-09-18T20:39:00.000-05:00

Father,

Today has been hard. I have struggled in many ways. Thank You for being who You are! Thank You that when my mind won't form the words to pray...You know.

I cast all my cares on You and rest in You.

Expecting the Unexpected at a Baby Shower

2010-09-16T08:06:00.003-05:00

It all started when I had that dream, several months ago...a dream in which my pastor preached a sermon entitled, "Expect the Unexpected from Unexpected People." Some may scoff, thinking a simple dream couldn't possibly revolutionize a person's life...but this particular dream certainly did mine.

"Expecting the unexpected" demands faith...not just saying, "I believe," but letting go of normal and routine to grasp the unknown and sometimes unacceptable. It means disappointment when you fall back into the rut of expecting the expected. Yet the results are amazing blessings...beyond anything one could ever imagine.

"Expecting the unexpected" has become the theme of my life, in conjunction with my desire to be a part of whatever it is God wants to do in and through me. My heart cry is to be an unexpected person in the lives of those I come into contact with, never missing an unexpected opportunity made possible by God. I've seen God open doors for me to minister to--and be ministered to--by people I would have never before expected. He has formed relationships in the most "unexpected" of circumstances, using the most "unexpected" resources.

One such unexpected experience came just a few weeks ago when I got an email from somebody who is very dear to my heart...almost like a daughter.

She had joined our family for dinner around Christmas but then had been busy for several months. So, we had communicated only online or by phone until June, when we celebrated her birthday. We met again in July and all seemed well as we laughed and talked over some delicious cheesecake.

So, yes, it was very unexpected, when on August 1st, I got an email from her, informing me that she had a three-month old daughter. Her heart was breaking...as was mine. We met a few days later and I learned that she had nothing for her precious baby girl...not even a crib. (She was sleeping in a borrowed car seat.) My heart was in prayer prior to and during our entire time together, longing to be so filled with Christ's love...a love that doesn't condemn but points her to Him so that she may go and sin no more.

I felt God leading me to have a baby shower for her and her precious daughter. This shower was about much more than meeting the material needs for her baby. The greater need was that she be showered with pure unconditional love. I knew she had few friends and that meant a huge step of faith for me...faith that God would provide her many needs...faith that people would respond.

I approached her with the idea of the shower and she melted with disbelief and gratefulness that I would do such a thing. With her permission, I would invited several of my friends to the shower.

I had never asked people to reach out to a total stranger, in this capacity, before. Yet, I knew God was calling me to do it. I truly believed this was one of those "expect the unexpected" events and only God knew who was to be there and who wasn't. So, I prayed about who to invite and sent out the invitations, trusting God to lead those He wanted involved to participate in whatever manner they could. The enemy tried to attack and thwart in so many ways--even a threat from the baby's father to cancel the shower--but I continued in prayer and stood firm...expecting the unexpected.

None of her friends made it to the shower. She was nearly in tears an hour beforehand, and was hesitant to come, when she found out the last of her friends wasn't going to make it. I persuaded her to come on, knowing a little of what what awaited her. She definitely got some unexpected--and much needed--encouragement that day.

I cannot begin to describe the joy that was evident in her face as she opened the many gifts people she didn't even know gave her and her baby. Every need she had was met...and then some...a swing, crib, glider (rocker), Bumbo, exersaucer, blankets, stroller, sling, toys, sheets, towels, and more clothes than she could have ever hoped for or imagined.

When God speaks to people and they obey, His work is accomplished. She was blessed beyond words! As we helped her set things up at her apartment, she could not stop thanking me, expressing how much it meant to her. She experienced love like she has never known.

I had no intention of gaining anything from this shower; the thought never even crossed my mind. This was all about God meeting her needs...it was about her feeling loved and encouraged...or so I thought. So, it was certainly unexpected when I found my own self relishing in an abundance of love and encouragement that night...and the days following.

My own heart was filled to the brim and overflowing with the love that my friends had poured out on some one so dear to me. For you see, when they loved her, they loved me. That must be how God feels when we love His children..."when you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me."

Pain...It's All Part of His Healing

2010-09-15T17:48:00.007-05:00

I don't remember when it started...seems it was always a part of my life. As far back as my memory takes me, I catch glimpses of me inflicting pain upon myself...the only means I knew to smother the vast array of emotions I was forbidden to express.

I do remember when it ended...that is quite clear. October 20, 2007...You sent Your Word and healed me and delivered me from all my destructions. You freed me from that destructive addiction of self-abuse.

Last month, You made it clear that I was to make the switch from Tysabri to Copaxone...and I had perfect peace. I had no clue, administering these daily injections would resemble the self-inflicted horrors of my past. I bring that needle to my skin and I tell myself it is for my good, not harm. I hesitate...my heart begging for a way out...refusing to abuse my body again. Then, I remind myself that even you subjected yourself to suffering to produce perfection. I push the button; the needle penetrates the skin; the tears swell as the sting of the medication spreads throughout my body...and I rest in the knowledge that your grace is enough for me, for when I am weak, You are strong.

You knew what You were doing when You guided my doctor and me to make the switch to these daily injections. You were completely aware of the memories that lay just under the surface of my mind...memories that would be rattled by this new form of treatment. And You are still the God who heals and has healed me; the God who delivers and has delivered me; the God whose plans for me are for good and not for harm.

And so, in a few hours, I will once again load that syringe and administer healing to my body...relying on Your strength...trusting that You are using even this as part of Your healing and deliverance...Your plan for me.

So Many Brokenhearted

2010-09-14T21:25:00.000-05:00

So many broken lives...so many wounded hearts.

You sent Your Word to heal them...yet they refuse to heed it and continue to suffer in pain.

You sent Your Son to bind up their broken hearts...yet they turn and walk away.

You are near to the brokenhearted...even then they don't acknowledge you.

Help me point them to You, Father...the One who is waiting to bind up their wounds and save those who are crushed in spirit. Help me point them to you.

O Lord, My Lord

2010-09-10T13:20:00.002-05:00

O Lord, our Lord, how Majestic is Your Name, in all the earth.

My own words are few this morning, Lord as I search for words to offer back to You for the many who are once again on my heart. I am so thankful to have Your Word...words of truth...words of life...words of hope...words of peace...when I have no words of my own.

Be near to the many brokenhearted, saving all those who are crushed in spirit. May those who are so downcast in spirit right now, put their hope in You...the Living God. May they pant for You, as a deer does for water. Direct them with Your love by day and sing over them with Your song at night.

I pray they seek You first for all their needs, knowing that You are El Shaddai--their all sufficient one--and You will supply all their needs...adding all things unto them. I pray they will wait upon and put their hope in You and as they do that You will renew their strength...proving that You indeed are strong when they are weak...that Your strength is made perfect in weakness. I pray they will run into You...their mighty strong tower.

I pray they will put on their armor daily, not forgetting any part...the shield of faith...breastplate of righteousness...feet shod with the gospel of peace...helmet of salvation...feasting on Your Word which is their sword....belt of truth to counteract those lies of the enemy...and above all to cover themselves in prayer. And I do pray that they will know the truth. So many are being deceived by lies. I pray they will know Your Word--the Truth--for in knowing the truth, they will be set free.

I pray they will learn to persevere through trials...knowing that You have allowed them to perfect them...so that they may be made complete, lacking in nothing.

Father, thank You for sending Your Word to heals us and for healing wounded hearts...every so tenderly...ever so beautifully. What a beautiful event when two young women recognized unconditional love--probably for the first time in their lives--this past weekend. Thank You for allowing me to witness that, firsthand.

Thank you for being who You are. O Lord, My Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

How Do I Respond?

2010-09-10T11:30:00.008-05:00

It was June 19th...a Saturday. I was preparing to go on a much anticipated trip to Colorado, where my body would surely come to life in the mountains and cooler air...away from the scorching heat of Texas. She stopped by the house to visit and during the course of the conversation, informed me that she and her boyfriend had made plans to move in together.

It was August 1st...a Sunday. I was relaxing at home after teaching a Sunday school class on our Father's love, followed by an hour of loving on God's precious little ones in the nursery. I opened my email and listened as she shared a very secret part of her life...now ready to share with me and various others that she has a nearly three-month old daughter.

It was September 9th...a Thursday. I called to ask a question about her daughter when she burst into tears, leaving me wondering what it was I said. A few hours later, as we sat in the privacy of my bedroom, she confided her torment of an eight-year emotionless marriage, a recent emotional affair and being abandoned by friends in the process.

Three women, in three months...all dear to my heart...all living a life of sin.

How should I as a Christian respond? How do I respond?

In each and every case, God immediately brought to mind the story of the woman caught in adultery (John Chapter 8). Three specifics phrases, spoken by Jesus, stood out to me.

1) "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."(Vs. 7 ESV)

I cannot judge or condemn...for I have sinned. Even one sin disqualifies me.

2) "Neither do I condemn you" (Vs. 8 ESV)

Loving like Jesus means offering grace and forgiveness rather than condemnation.

3) "...go, and from now on sin no more." (Vs. 8 ESV)

I am not Jesus; nor am I the Holy Spirit. Telling them to go and sin no more is not my place or responsibility. The Holy Spirit must convict them of their sin and bring them to a place of repentance. My place is to help my sisters, who are caught in sin, meet Jesus face to face. I do this by walking beside them; constantly pointing them to Him; teaching them to follow Him, so they will come to the place of sinning no more.

Father, may I love as Jesus loved...in a way that reflects His forgiveness and grace, without condemnation...willing to walk beside...always pointing to Jesus.

Tu Fidelidad

2010-09-03T09:35:00.001-05:00

(Turn off music player at bottom of page before playing.)

Tu fidelidad is grande. Tu fidelidad incomparable es. Nadie como tu bendito Dios. Grande es tu fidelidad.

Your faithfulness is great. Your faithfulness is incomparable. There is no one like You God. Great is Your faithfulness!

I praise You for who You are...that You are faithful and can be trusted. I thank You for showing us yet again this week just how great Your faithfulness is...in my precious niece and great niece's lives, in my daughters' lives, in my own life. How could I ever doubt You, Lord? Yet, so often I do.

My heart is rejoicing at the way You have answered so many of my prayers this week...sometimes exactly as I have asked, sometimes above and beyond anything I could have ever have asked for or imagined, sometimes in a way I would not have hoped, but always in a way that was absolutely perfect, in accordance with Your will for our lives. Yes, Your faithfulness is incomparable!

My heart is also heavy with burdens of so many friends who are hurting with various things right now. I think of S & R, sifting through the news that the cyst on his brain is once again filling up with fluid...the surgery they hoped was going to cure him didn't. I think of D, still in such excruciating pain, more than six weeks after her surgery. I think of my sister, having major surgery today, due to a second battle with cancer...a new form of cancer...after being cancer free for five years. I think of B, in the hospital, recovering from a brain injury caused by a head on collision by a drunk driver.

My heart breaks for C, J, M, S all struggling with deep, painful relationship issues...all with wounds so deep they find it hard to move forward in community with other believers...wounds that threaten to destroy them and the ministries You have for each of them. Then there are D and J who lost two dear loved ones in their family this past week and the pain they are both experiencing right now. I think of far too many to name, who are struggling with the emotional pain of rejection, abuse, divorce, and more...deeply wounded hearts.

You tell me in Your Word that when I am weary and carrying a heavy burden that I can come to You. You tell me to cast all of my cares upon You. You tell me not to be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving to present my requests to You. You tell me to ask, seek, and knock. And so, that is what I am doing. I am once again, bringing my heavy load and laying it at Your feet, asking You to work on behalf of each of my dear friends and family members; seeking wisdom for any involvement You would have from me.

How reassuring it is to know that You never get tired of me asking, seeking and knocking. You are never bothered or perturbed when I come to You with the same request over and over again. When You bring them to mind, I simply lay them before You, as often as the burden is on my heart. But, I never need to pick them up and carry them again. For I am laying them at the feet of my God who is faithful...and can be trusted. I don't have to take these burdens up again because I know I can trust YOU with each and every one of them.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. (Psalm 36:5)

"Know therefore that the LORD Your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:9

I Am Has Sent Them

2010-08-30T20:19:00.000-05:00

Lord,

You are Jehovah, I am that I am, the self-existing one. We call upon Your name and You answer...again and again and again.

Less than a week ago, A's situation seemed so hopeless apart from You...and a powerful (not to mention expensive) attorney. We sought Your face for wisdom and You supplied it; we interceded for favor and You granted it; and we asked Your Holy Spirit to convict and He did. You showed up and did what only You could do, reuniting A with her precious baby...right where she belongs.

And You didn't stop there. You are stirring up the Christian community to answer the call to love on A and provide her many needs to make her apartment a home for B...responding beyond anything I could have ever hoped for or imagined. I can hardly wait for A and B to get here for the shower on Sunday. When she asks who sent the abundance of gifts, my reply will simply be, "I am that I am has sent them."

We Will Not be Shaken

2010-08-28T11:38:00.007-05:00

Father,

I have so much on my heart this morning...yet once again my thoughts are so scattered and jumbled. How thankful I am that You know all my thoughts--before I even think them--and Your Spirit intercedes on my behalf. I have set You always before me. Because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

The needs of those I love and care about are so great, Father. If not for You, things would seem so hopeless...overwhelming, at best. But, You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. I have set You always before me. Because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

I think of A and the custody battle she is facing...a battle in which she doesn't know where to turn for legal counsel...a battle she has no financial resources to fund...yet a battle she must fight or lose her precious B forever. My heart is breaking for her and I feel so inadequate to help her. Yet, I know You have called me to do so. You have placed her in my life and I will answer the call. Guide me, Father, giving me wisdom and discernment to her needs...needs that go far beyond loving her and that precious baby. Remind me not to lean on my own understanding but to trust in You and You will direct my paths...and more importantly A's.

Lead us to the attorney You have picked out for A...one that will have B's best interest at heart...one that will fight for truth and justice...one that will be compassionate toward A's situation...one that will work with her financial status. I pray too that You will place this in the district with a compassionate, understanding judge who will show favor to A. And I pray for the father, that his heart will be softened, that he will repent and turn back to You. I pray this whole situation can be settled quickly, in the best interest of B. I pray that A will keep her eyes fixed on You, that her peace will be great, and nothing will cause her to stumble. Remind her that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. May she set You always before her. Because You are at her right hand, she will not be shaken.

I think of C, going in for major surgery next Friday. We've never been close and I don't even know how to reach out to her. The enemy would like to take me places that I know are not of You. Help me to keep my focus on You and how You want me to minister to my sister. I pray that she will keep her eyes fixed on You and she will be in perfect peace...peace that surpasses all understanding. Remind C that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. May she set You always before her. Because You are at her right hand, she will not be shaken.

I also think of my dear friend, D. Father, her surgery has left her in so much physical pain these last six weeks...not to mention being so isolated from people. I am so thankful that she draws into You during times like these. Still I've sensed--and even heard in her voice, the few times we'ved talked--that she is struggling with discouragement and depression. I so long to be with her but can't, due to distance and my own financial resources.

So, I am asking You to meet her needs, Father, in ways that only You can do. Be all that she needs today, tomorrow, and everyday. Be her companionship--or send people to visit--encouraging her and lifting her spirits. Walk through the pain with her, giving her comfort and relief in the way and timing You know is best. Draw her even closer to You during this time of physical healing...using it as a time of Spiritual healing as well. I pray that D will continue to keep her eyes fixed--steadfast--on You and that You will keep her in perfect peace. Remind her that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. May she set You always before her. Because You are at her right hand, she will not be shaken.

I think next of several of my friends who are struggling with relationships. I shudder, my own struggles in that area still raw, as I think of how the enemy is at work trying to keep us from being effective for You by tearing apart viable relationships with each other. The phone call the other night made me realize how devastating some of these situations are...people withdrawing from ministry involvement because of them.

I pray for these gals--all such dear friends of mine--that they will seek You (and only You) for the healing they need...that they won't let the pain from these relationships allow them to build walls and wear masks that keep others out, preventing them from ministry and community with others, as You designed. Help them to forgive as You forgave and to love as You love. Remind them that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted...even when people can't. May they set You always before them. Because You are at their right hand, they will not be shaken.

Father, I admit I still struggle with some of the hurt from this summer. I thank You that You have spoken so clearly to my heart and shown me that I cannot withdraw...that I must keep following Your calling for me...teaching me to forgive as You forgave and to love as You love. So far, You've only led me to reach out in new areas...areas where I haven't had to deal with those who inflicted the wounds. Wednesday night is going to be a big night for me as I obey You and attend the get together with women who hurt me so deeply. Thank You that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. I have set You always before me. Because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

You tell us to cast our cares upon You because You care for us. I know this to be true. And so with a scattered brain, I haved poured out my petitions before You, with thanksgiving...for You are worthy of all thanks and praise. And I thank You that I can go forth in peace...a peace that goes far beyond anything I could ever comprehend, amidst all the concerns flooding my mind. What a release it always is to lay my requests at Your feet and to get up, full of such peace, reminded that You are faithful...You can be trusted...and I will not be shaken.

Divine Clarity and Absolute Peace

2010-08-17T08:48:00.005-05:00

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

God gave me this promise about six months after I had my first major exacerbation with MS. I had no clue then what was wrong with me and in fact would go almost six more years before being diagnosed with MS. Yet through the journey, I learned to trust in God's promise to me...learned what it meant to call upon Him, to go to Him, to pray and most importantly to seek Him with all my heart. As I sought Him with my whole heart, I did indeed find Him and in finding Him, learned that I can trust His plans for me...His plans to prosper and not harm me...His plans for a hope and a future.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:4-6

Trusting Him means I don't try to figure things out on my own but I go to Him for answers about everything. So, when things seem confusing--like what to do about my MS treatments--I know who has the answer.

"For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6

I asked Him to give me wisdom in what to do and He did! I also asked him to give me divine clarity that would override the effects of the double dose of Benadryl I had to take that morning and He did! He even provided a friend to drive me so that I had somebody with me who knew the decision I had come to before taking the Benadryl, knew all the questions I wanted to ask the doctor, take notes for me...all in case I was too out of it to think clearly. It was also a blessing to not have to take the train and wait around in the heat.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

I had been praying about this for months. My Sunday School class prayed with me on Sunday morning and by Sunday afternoon, I felt confident in what I needed to do. I talked with two of my daughters that evening and both agreed with my decision. I woke Monday morning with total peace about my decision, as I wrote it out for my friend. My oldest daughter called that morning and as I shared the decision with her, she also agreed that was what I should do. With all three girls in agreement with me, I was ready to go. I had an absolute peace. My heart was guarded by such powerful peace as I set off to make a very difficult decision that could impact my health. However, I knew, without a doubt, it was the right decision.

The meeting with the doctor went great. I was so alert and truly did have divine clarity of mind. I had some lightheadedness from the Benadryl and felt I could close my eyes and drift into a deep sleep, if I stopped for more than a few seconds. Yet, I also felt so alert and clear headed. I knew it was God honoring my prayer. When the subject of the therapy I was on was discussed, my doctor actually recommended the exact course of treatment I had felt God leading me to do...down to every detail!!! Talk about confirmation!!! It was simply more than I could have asked for or imagined.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Desperate for an Answer......BUT GOD!!

2010-08-15T14:22:00.003-05:00

Today's blog is different than I usually write. Today, I need to just share my heart...to nobody in particular...just ramble. Tomorrow is a big day...a day that could change the course of my life...and not necessarily for the good...physically speaking...humanly speaking.......BUT GOD!

I will try and explain things as I go along in case anybody stops by who doesn't know me. I have Multiple Sclerosis...have had it for at least nine years...probably more like 20 years. After almost seven years of one debilitating relapse after another, and losing a good part of my vision, God opened the door for me to get into the MS Center in Dallas where I was finally diagnosed and put on Tysabri. I've not had any major exacerbations since. I have days the MS affects me but not to the extent it was and I've not had any more attacks of Optic Neuritis which is what has caused my vision loss.

Tysabri carries with it a risk of getting a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is always fatal.   New research shows this risk increases in patients who have been on the drug for more than two years. Because of this new research, we are required to meet with our doctors after our 24th infusion to discuss future treatment plans.

I had my 24th infusion last month and tomorrow is decision day for me. Up to this point, I have felt the benefits of Tysabri have been greater than the risk. The risk is now at a level which I am not near as comfortable taking. However, the reason I was put on this particular MS therapy is because it is the only one known to target the area of the brain that affects the optic nerves.

The optic neuritis aspect of the MS had begun to enter the progressive stage and we were able to stop that through this therapy. To switch to another form of therapy would mean treating the MS as a whole, hoping--and certainly praying--it will keep the optic nerves under control......BUT GOD!!

In addition, I would have to go off the Tysabri for several months before I can start on any other form of therapy...hoping, praying and a great deal of trusting God that my body stays in remission without the aid of any drugs......BUT GOD!!

This Texas heat gets harder and harder on me every year. So, right now, the thought of going three to six months without any form of therapy feels like a death sentence in itself. Yet, I know that relapses with MS are not fatal and even losing my vision altogether would be better than death. Still, only God knows which is the greater risk. I cannot base my decision on fear...fear of death or fear of total blindness......BUT GOD!!

I know God knows the answer. He tells me to lean not on my own understanding; that He will direct my paths. He tells me that He gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He tells me to seek Him and He will be found. He tells me to cast my cares upon Him...to be anxious for nothing.

I am seeking Him and trusting Him for the right answer...I just would like Him to show me before I go tomorrow. See, I have an MRI before my appointment. Because I'm allergic to the MRI contrast, I have to be pre-medicated with Benadryl...which knocks me out. So, when I see my doctor a couple of hours later, I'm not going to be the most coherent person in the world. I'm sure my doctor will discuss the risks and options--which we've already gone over--and I don't want to make a decision based on something she says that may sound a little different due to my drugged state of thinking. I want to make a decision when I'm of a sound mind.......BUT GOD.

Yes, that is when I have to step back and say, "BUT GOD". I have to remember that if God can speak through a donkey, he can speak the words that need to be spoken through my Benadryl laced mind. I have to remember the days when the MS had so messed up my cognition that I couldn't put two words together, yet I delivered His truths to a group of women, changing lives so dramatically that they talk about it still today. Yes...BUT GOD!!!

He is still God and He will give me direction about what to do regarding my treatment. It will be the right decision; the right words will come to me when I need to know them; and He will make sure they come out of my mouth when it is time to tell my doctor. Ahhh...peace......ONLY GOD!!!

A Birthday Prayer

2010-08-13T08:39:00.001-05:00

Father,

It is August 13, 2010...the 19th anniversary of the day my precious Sarah--Your princess--surprised me by entering this world five weeks early.

I still remember, ever so vividly, those long hours of the doctors and nurses frantically trying to stop my labor...while it increased instead. You, oh God, knew what was going on during those critical hours and minutes of decision making by such a Godly doctor. For You are the one who created her inmost being, knitting her together even during those last seconds, inside my womb. You numbered her days and and wrote them in Your book before even one of them came to be. You knew her days were to begin on August 13th...not September 15th. Only You knew that I had contracted an infection that could have killed that precious baby girl...or in the least left her with brain damage.

I thank You that she was fearfully and wonderfully made to be exactly as she is; her frame was never hidden from You when You made her in the secret place. When every intricate detail of Sarah was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw each and every part of her unformed body.

Thank You for the peace I have, knowing that You know when Sarah sits and when she rises; You know her going out and her lying down. You are familiar with all her ways. You know all her thoughts without her even speaking them aloud; before she even speaks a word, You, Oh God know exactly what she is about to say.

Father, thank you for hemming Sarah in. You are both behind and before her at all times. You have laid Your almighty hand upon her. How reassuring, as a mother, to know there is nowhere she can go that will separate her from Your Spirit or Your presence. You always know where she is and what she is doing. If she goes up to the heavens, You are there; even if she makes her bed in the depths, You will be there as well. If she rises on the wings of the dawn, or settles on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide her; Your right hand will hold Sarah fast.

I know that when Sarah feels like the darkness is hiding her and the light becomes like night around her, even the darkness will not be dark to You. So, I pray the night will shine like the day for her, just as darkness is as light to You. (Psalm 139)

I pray that Sarah will continue to be taught by You, Father, (and only You) and in doing so, her peace will be great. (Isaiah 54:13)

I know she has received Your Son, Christ Jesus, as her Lord and Savior, as a young child. I pray she will always continue to live in Him; that she will be deeply rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith she has been taught, and constantly overflowing with thankfulness.

I pray no one leads her astray through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ. Oh Father, this is such a deep prayer because these teachings are running rampant in the universities...and even in the churches.

I pray that Sarah will always set her heart on things above where Christ is seated at Your right hand. I pray she will have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed and idolatry. I also pray she will get rid of all anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying. I pray her conversations will always be full of grace, seasoned with salt...irregardless of whom she is speaking.

I pray that Sarah's spirit will continuously be renewed in knowledge in the image of you, the Creator.

I pray that she will be full of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience; that she will bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances she may have against others. Teach her to forgive as You forgave her. Most importantly, I pray that she will be filled with love, which binds all together in perfect unity; that she will let the peace of Christ rule in her hearts, and be thankful.

Father, thank you for the precious demonstration of love I heard coming from Sarah this past week, as she ministered to a hurting child of yours. And thank you for the way she has reached out to her friend, Virginia...and many others who have been hurting. I love her precious heart. Please help her to learn how to demonstrate that same love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness where it is often most difficult...at home...towards her sister.

Oh how I pray that the Word of Christ will dwell in Sarah richly; and whatever she does, whether in word or deed, she would do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, always giving thanks to You, the Father through Him. I pray that she would be consistently devoted in prayer. (Colossians 1-4)

I thank You, Father God, that you chose me to be Sarah's Mother. Help me to walk in a manner worthy of that calling. (Ephesians 4:1)

Thank You for doing all that I have asked, according to Your will and in Your precious Son's name,

Amen!

Love in our Home

2010-08-11T14:06:00.001-05:00

The past two weeks I've been given the opportunity to love as Jesus would, to a young gal who, as many--Christians included--would say "messed up big time"...a precious girl who has never known unconditional love...a hurting child of God who needed somebody to say "let him who is without sin cast the first stone but that certainly isn't me so neither do I condemn you, now let me help you go and sin no more".

Oh what a rich experience it has been, loving on her out of the love that Christ has lavished on me. I am able to love only because He loved me first (1 John 4:19)

What has made it even more beautiful is to hear her tell me how my own children have also poured their unconditional love out on her...without my knowledge. Two of my girls don't even live at home anymore, yet, knowing of her situation have reached out in such priceless expressions of love...a text from my 22-year old daughter; an e-mail from my 19-year old; lots of hugs from my 17-year old and promises to help her out anytime she needs it.

Christ's love has been pouring out in abundance both within and beyond the physical walls of our home.

My Source of Strength

2010-08-07T19:42:00.005-05:00

Father,

This devotion speaks so deeply to my heart…in many ways. So many things are crying out for my attention…bills, paperwork, Rachel’s needs, other people’s needs, thank you notes, and so much more. I feel so overwhelmed, if not for you, Father. I don’t know where to start. The heat has gotten to me and my energy is just totally shot…not an ounce of it there to even begin any of these things. And my mind is mush to the point that I can’t focus or even put a sentence together to pray for those on my heart. The burdens are so great…yet nothing comes out when I try to pray because my mind is so fatigued. I’m so glad your Holy Spirit is there to intercede on my behalf…and on behalf of those for whom I long to intercede.

All day today, I have thought of Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I know I can do what you have called me to do—both ministry and personal responsibility—through the strength you give me…the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 2:9 which tells me that your power is made perfect in my weakness. And Isaiah 40:31 tells me, as I wait and lean upon you, you will renew my strength so that I will walk and not grow weary; I will run without fainting; I will even soar with eagle’s wings.

Thank you, Father, that I do find sweet rest and victory in your strength. Thank you for enabling me to do above and beyond anything I could ever do in my own strength. Thank you for your promise in Philippians 1:6 that you will finish the work you started in me. I'm so glad you are my Father...and in control. Yes, you are faithful and you will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

I love you!

Debbie

Teach me to Love as You Do

2010-07-31T19:00:00.001-05:00

I was thinking today how sometimes it hurts so much when your love for somebody is rejected. It makes me so sad to see people push my love away, not knowing how much I care about them...not understanding how deeply I care...rather somehow misinterpreting something I've said or done as anything but love.

Then, I thought how that must be for God sometimes...to love so deeply and yet be rejected when I don't understand His love and feel like He's hurting me, instead of loving me...thinking He's being cruel and unjust when He is really doing what He knows is best for me...when in reality, He is loving me with a love deeper than anything I have ever imagined.

I'm sure glad I'm not God. I'm pretty sure I'd have withdrawn and quit loving a long time ago. Teach me to love as you do, Father...even when rejected, even when misunderstood, even when it hurts.

Quito Trip Update

2010-07-27T15:53:00.001-05:00

Dear Praying Friends,

I arrived home late Saturday evening, July 17th, and immediately hit the ground running. My youngest daughter, Rachel, left on her own mission trip the following Saturday (and is currently serving in Mexico). I also had to prepare to teach our women’s Sunday School class this past Sunday. I feel like I am just now having a chance to catch my breath and process all that God did during my week in Quito.

It is hard to briefly summarize the trip, as any of you who have ever been on a mission trip can attest to, I’m sure. I will do my best, however. One thing that was an over-riding factor throughout the trip was seeing how God showed up and answered our prayers every time we called upon Him…and how quickly our team did call upon Him for our every need.

Johanna, our team member from Columbia flew through customs without even being asked to show her documentation…all while we were praying. (For more on that story, read the first day’s entry on our team blog—quitoteam2010.blogspot.com.) We arrived at the school to do VBS, on the first day, and were told we couldn’t do it. We prayed and within five minutes were setting up for VBS…also described in more detail on the blog. One of our team members got very sick and we thought might have to go to the hospital. We prayed and the next morning was up before any of us and ready to go work in the garden. Another team member couldn’t find her passport, the night before we were to return back to Texas. We prayed and within a few minutes the passport was found. These are just a few of the many times we turned to Him and saw Him answer, as only He can do.

I was so excited when we attended the Dios el Fiel church on Sunday because in preparing the music for VBS, I had learned enough Spanish to understand a lot of what the pastor was saying. He spoke about the fact that no problem is too big for God. He is grande (great), fuerte (strong), poderoso (powerful) and magnifico (magnificent). He is Lord of all and there is nothing He cannot do. We need to keep our focus on Him. This seemed to be a theme for me throughout the week.

God specifically touched my heart through the children and women to whom we ministered, as well as through the beauty of His creation in Ecuador. We ministered to children at a school—Amor y Esparanza—as well as children along the streets of Quito.

Many people make a living selling goods along the streets. While doing so, their children sit (or play) right along the curbs and medians or these busy streets. We even saw children as young as five or six selling goods too. It is a heartbreaking sight to see. One of our missions was to distribute sack lunches—consisting of a sandwich, milk, and tract—to these children and to tell them “Jesus te ama” (Jesus loves you). It was very likely that was the only meal they got that day.

Amor y Esparanza is in the most poverty stricken area of Quito. It is a private, Christian school for children whose parents could not otherwise afford a good education for their children. Some come from Christian families, but most are there simply to get a good education. These children were a true example of loving unconditionally. They sure knew how to love and also how to receive love. They are so needy and craving for love. They soaked in every ounce of love we had to offer them…both ours and the love of Jesus.

Wow! Did they know how to worship! I was not prepared for children who sang and worshipped like they did. I was in charge of the music and expected to teach them. Instead, they taught me. These precious children—girls and boys of all ages—would wrap their arms around each other, raise their hands, or bow their heads in prayer, without any cue or instruction from us, as they sang their hearts out to the Lord in praise and worship. It was one of the most touching moments, as I fought back the tears every single day.

On the day we presented the message of salvation, this little girl, Genesis, shared with her group leader that she had heard about Jesus dying on the cross ever since she was a little girl. However, she finally understood what it meant for her…for the first time. Genesis is now a child of God. Her mother was weeping as she was thanking me on the last day…great, uncontrollable, tears of joy.

I had the opportunity to work with the moms one day. Johanna, who speaks fluent Spanish (being from Columbia), shared her testimony and then we helped them make tote bags. Though, I could communicate very little with words, the women really connected through smiles, touch and love…just as their children had. Again, I feel I was blessed far more than I blessed them when they were leaving and began thanking me…not only for helping them but for working with their children.

This woman was a mom and also on staff at the school. God prompted my heart to really reach out to her everyday, letting her know how much we appreciated being able to serve at the school. She was always smiling, yet was heavy on my heart everyday. She wept on the last day as I thanked her (through a translator) for allowing us to come and then thanked me for all we had done. I found out later that day—back at the dorms—that on our first day, she had received a phone call and had asked one of our team members to pray for restoration of her family. Please continue to pray for her. I don’t know her name…God does.

I mentioned near the beginning of this letter that God touched my heart through His creation. Many of you know how much I love the mountains of Colorado and am always ready to return there as soon as I get back to Texas. I fell in love with the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, much the same. And yes, I am ready to go back!

One of our final days in Quito, I went to the roof of the dorms for my quiet time. As I watched the sun rising, with the majestic mountains towering over the city, God really spoke to me and I wrote the following prayer.

Father,

How refreshing it is to start my morning outdoors, relishing in the beauty you have created. Even in the midst of this city, filled with barking dogs, honking horns, all too close airplanes landing and departing, and the never-ending sirens, your majestic mountains rise amidst the low clouds and beaming sun. What a great reminder that you ARE grande, fuerte, poderoso and magnifico! You are greater than the poverty, more powerful than the corruption; stronger than the crime. You are magnificent and Lord of ALL! You are the creator of the universe-of these mountains and of every man, woman and child living here…and you love them dearly.

Whether I am in Quito, Ecuador or Fort Worth, TX, God is still God. He is still grande, fuerte, poderoso, and magnifico. He is still fiel (faithful). And He is still God in each of your lives as well. I pray you will join me in expecting the unexpected in your own life, as you pursue the mission God has for you…wherever you are.

Thank you for all your prayers and your support. I could not have gone on this incredible journey without each of you. You were a vital part.

Debbie Guinn

PS Yes, that was me, hanging upside down from a zip line, over the cloud forest…and yes, it was intentional.

Oh How Natural It Is

2010-07-25T14:05:00.006-05:00

This is an article I wrote in January 2009 that is the basis for the class I taught this morning. It is Part 3 of a three part series, entitled Understanding the Father's Love. Click on the links, within the article, to read Parts 1 and 2.

Our Response

Oh How Natural It Is

^©By Debbie Guinn
"We love because He first loved us.”

1 John 4:19

Last January—January 6, 2008, to be exact—our pastor preached a sermon that has continued to make an impact on my life, even today. This sermon, titled “Resolutions to Remember” was not your ordinary new year’s resolution pep talk. It was taken from Matthew 22:34-40 and he challenged us with two resolutions that we not only should make but also showed us how those were resolutions that we could keep all year long…and longer.

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus tells the Pharisees that the greatest commandment in the law is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Our number one resolution should be to love God with all of who we are…with every single fiber of our being. Our pastor explained how we often try to put God as our top priority, placing family, friends, careers, etc. in a priority list under Him. However, that doesn’t work because we often end up separating God out from those other things. He explained that loving God should be our defining priority—like the center of a wheel—with all of the other things in our lives stemming out from Him (like spokes). When loving Him is our defining priority, it will influence every other relationship and commitment we have in our life.

Jesus goes on in Matthew 22:39 to say that the second greatest commandment is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Many people have used this verse to say that Jesus is telling us we need to love ourselves before we can love others. However, that isn’t what Jesus is saying. He was talking to the Pharisees who had no problem loving themselves; they thought quite highly of themselves already. Jesus is saying that we are to love others in the exact same way that we love ourselves…to elevate others to the same level we value ourselves.

Notice that verse 40 says “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Think about that for a minute. If I steal, bear false witness (lie), commit adultery, dishonor my parents, covet, etc., my attitude is in a place that says I am of more value than you. Do you see how all these commandments are summed up under this one? The Pharisees had created hundreds of laws but all of the God given laws go back to these two commandments right here.

I am constantly amazed at God’s perfect timing. I have longed to finish the series I started back in June on Understanding the Father’s Love. Month after month, I have sat down and tried to write this third segment but God has redirected me to another topic. Today, however, I see how perfect His timing is as I remember just how much He taught me in this very area one year ago today when He convicted and challenged me in my own heart to respond to His love for me by loving in return.

Understanding my Father’s love has been a step by step process for me…one where each step has built on the other. Since it has been so long since I’ve written on this subject, I do want to do just a brief review of what I’ve talked about already. The first step for me was to fully understand that father/child relationship with my Father…to see myself as a Daddy’s girl. To read more about this, check out the June article, Daddy’s Girl. Once, I clearly established that relationship, I began to understand more of the width and length, height and depth of Christ’s love. As I did, I found that I was able to trust God more and more with my life…finding that His love for me was perfect and perfect love does indeed cast out all fear. My July article, Freedom from Fear, talked about the incredible freedom from fear that I have found as I have learned to trust His perfect love for me.

That brings us to this article. As I began experiencing freedom from fear, that freedom went far beyond the basic fears of something terrible happening to one of my children, financial ruin, etc. I also found myself free from other fears such as the fear to love. I opened my heart to God’s love, trusting in His perfect love, and discovered I was no longer afraid to love…to love not only God but others as well. So, how could understanding my Father’s love for me enable me to love others without fear?

I didn’t exactly jump from understanding God’s love for me to being able to love others. It began with loving Him, first and foremost. Loving God actually came somewhat easily once I understood just how much He loved me. It really isn’t hard to love those we know truly love us; it just seems to come naturally once that trust is developed. When we know we are loved by a parent, spouse, or friend, our natural response is to love them in return. It is the same with God. The more I comprehended just how deeply God loved me, the more in love with Him I became.

Last January 6^th, I made a commitment to God to make loving Him my defining priority. That sermon made so much sense to me. I had tried for years to make Him my top priority and always failed because I never knew how to find time for all the other important things in life without setting Him aside. When I heard that simple concept of making Him the defining priority, rather than the top priority, it all made sense. My constant prayer this year has been that loving Him would be at the center, influencing every single thing that I do.

As I began to really focus on loving God, I noticed a connection between loving Him and being loved by Him. I so wanted to love Him with every ounce of my being, not because I was commanded to but because the more I understood how much He loved me, the more I wanted to love Him in return. It was just this natural sense of wanting—a yearning with all that was within me—to love Him in return. I didn’t need a command to make me love Him…I longed to love Him. 1 John 4:19—“ We love because he loved us first.”—took on new meaning for me.

I am able to love, not only God but others as well, because He loved me first. It is His love for me that enables me to love. 1 John 4:7-8 begins with a command to love one another. However, it explains that love comes from God. I must first know God and be born of Him in order to love; I cannot love, if I do not know God because God IS love. As I learn to accept, receive and trust His love then I am free to love in return…and oh how wonderful that freedom is!

It doesn’t end there, though. 1 John 4:11-12 says “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”. The word we get “complete” from in the Greek means "to bring to an end by completing or perfecting; to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full.” It is in loving others that God’s love comes full circle so to speak. All emptiness and longing to be loved is made full—is perfected and made complete—when I love others out of His love for me.

I am able to love because He loved me first. The more I understand God’s unfathomable love for me, the more I find it impossible to keep that love to myself. I am free to love and long to love God with all of my heart, soul and mind and to love others as myself. As I do so, the deep longing that I’ve always had to be loved is being filled to overflowing with the most perfect love imaginable…the love of my Father.

I challenge you to make loving the Lord your God with all or who you are your defining priority this year…your Number One Resolution. My second challenge is that loving your neighbor as yourself—placing the same value on others as you do yourself—will be your Number Two Resolution. If you can’t do those two things, then I pray that you will ask the Father to help you understand his love for you. (My two previous articles on Understanding the Father’s Love—Daddy’s Girl and Freedom from Fear—might help.)

May you Press in to Him in 2009!

Healing my Wounded Heart

2010-07-25T13:11:00.001-05:00

God is ever faithful and He is at work, healing my own wounded heart. I was to teach in my Sunday School class today...teach about our Response to our Father's love. What should our response be to His amazing love? Quite simply loving in return...loving Him and loving others.

I didn't want to teach. I didn't feel what I knew was in that lesson...how understanding His love sets us free to love because we can trust our Father to only allow people in our lives who are ultimately for our good and His glory. But I prepared my lesson, out of obedience to my Father, who does love me, and is faithful to only allow what is good for me. It may not always feel good at the moment but it is good and He knows that.

As I prepared and as I taught, a little part of me began healing as my precious Father taught me those powerful truths once again. Thank you Father for the process you are taking me through of healing my wounded heart. I know this is all part of a much bigger work you are doing in me...much deeper things you want to teach me...much greater plans you have for my life.

Seeking Him for Unanswered Questions

2010-07-19T12:23:00.003-05:00

This past month has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Four weeks ago today, I was getting on a plane for Colorado, where I spent eight wonderful days in the Rocky Mountains with my daughter, Rachel, and some wonderful friends. After ten furious days filled with unpacking, laundry, repacking, doctor appointments, team meetings, teaching my women's Sunday School class, and celebrating my daughter's birthday, I boarded the plane once again...this time, heading for the mountains and mission field of Quito Ecuador, for eight days.

I feel like I should be writing a prayer update to my supporters--or at the least, updating my Facebook--letting people know how the mission trip went. Instead, I sit here, unable to do much more than cry out to my Father, God...searching for answers as to what it is that He is wanting to do in my heart.

The trip was amazing in many ways. I fell in love with so many of the children we worked with at Amor y Exparanza...

as well as the majestic mountains which surround the city...a reminder that God is still God over this city full of poverty, crime and devastation.

I was in charge of the music for VBS and I have never experienced children worship like I did in Quito. I wanted to weep every single day as I watched those children embrace each other, lifting their hands, bowing to their knees in prayer, as they sang "Tu Fidelidad" (You are Faithful).

We saw God work in so many ways, answering on our behalf, as soon as we turned to Him in prayer. (You can read more about the many answered prayers on our Quito 2010 blog.)

At the same time, my heart was struggling in ways I could not express...ways I had not anticipated. A theme God had given me several months prior to this mission trip was "expect the unexpected from unexpected people." I had shortened that to "expect the unexpected." I must say I saw many unexpected things happen during this trip...much of it coming from unexpected people. For example, I never expected those children to bless me like they did through their worship. Oh, I expected to be blessed by them...just not to the extent I was through the way they worshiped in song.

However, when God gave me that phrase, I thought it meant only good things. I never dreamed He was preparing me to face pain in areas where I least expected it and from people whom I least expected it....and I certainly never expected it to happen on a mission trip. You see, as I headed to Quito, I was--in reality--expecting the expected from expected people. I was expecting good from good people...whether it be those I came into contact with as I ministered at the school, did our work project, at the airport, or other places we went. I was not expecting heartache and pain...other than that of seeing the suffering in Ecuador. So, when it hit, I was not prepared; I was not expecting it...and certainly not from the sources from which it came.

I realize, however, that it is only a continuation of something God has been trying to teach me for the past several months...something I am desperately trying to learn...yet something I am still clueless as to what it is. I feel there is a battle raging within me...one where a part of me wants to withdraw from the world and never write or speak again. In fact, I never want to open my mouth and utter a single word. I'd rather retreat into my shell as the quiet, withdrawn person I used to be because I feel that is what others perfer. Yet, I know God wants to teach me through everything that has gone on--not only this past week, but the past several months. I know that He loves me too much to allow anything into my life that isn't ultimately for my good and His glory. Therefore, all of what has taken place is somehow a part of His plan and I will seek His face until He reveals it to me...however long it takes.

And so, I am pressing hard in to Him today...thankful that very few people ever read this blog...that it is a safe place where I can share my heart, along with what little I can right now about my trip. I need time to process things and then i will share more with others when I am able..

The Gift of a Handicap

2010-04-21T12:13:00.001-05:00

The Gift of a Handicap^©

I walked out of my local grocery store, shifting my three bags of groceries, to distribute the weight evenly. As I began my trek across the parking lot to the bus stop where I would catch the city bus, I suddenly felt the urge to walk to a different stop, further down the road. I had plenty of time; the weather was beautiful; and I would much rather walk than sit and wait.

Upon nearing the lot of a fast food restaurant, I noticed three rough-looking young men, with their pants hanging around their knees, standing around a car. Normally, I would have cut through that lot but felt uneasy about doing so, due to the presence of these hoodlums. I changed my course and took the sidewalk instead. I was still in quite close proximity, as I passed them. However, a hedge of bushes separated us, giving me a sense of security. I picked up my pace, trying to pass as quickly as possible, and was startled when one of them asked me if I had a dollar. “No,” I answered, without missing a beat to my stride.

No sooner had that word left my mouth than I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart, “You have a debit card. Go see what that young man needs.”

I am not one to argue with God but did need to make sure I was hearing from Him. So, in my polite inner voice, I asked if He was sure He wanted me to go back and admit to those three roughnecks—who looked like murderers or drug dealers—that I had a debit card in my possession and ask them what they needed. God reassured me saying, “Yes…trust me.”

I paused to glance back at the men and noticed the one who had spoken to me was crossing the street with a gas can. Perfect! I felt much better dealing with only one of them. I raced quickly across the street—praying the entire time—then marched right up to him, asking him if he needed gas. He nodded, hesitantly. I told him I didn’t have a dollar but did carry plastic and would be happy to buy him some gasoline. I inserted my card then had him fill his gas can. I shared how people have blessed me, in the past, and it was my turn to bless him.

I wished him a good day and we went our separate ways. I felt like skipping the entire two miles home…and probably would have, had I not been weighed down with three bags of groceries. Instead, I simply smiled, thanking God, once again, for MS. For you see, I am legally blind—and unable to drive—due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I would never have been walking to the bus stop, if not for MS. Buying gas for that young man is just one of many opportunities I have had to share the love of Jesus through acts of kindness or proclaiming my testimony, when riding the city bus or commuter train.

None of us are exempt from “disabilities”…weaknesses, hardships, trials, and other limitations that the world—and the enemy—use to handicap us, making us ineffective for Christ. God wants to transform those disabilities into HIS abilities that shine a light in a dark world, offer hope where all hope is lost, or even fill a gas can for one of God’s dearly beloved. I spent several years floundering in the gutter, captive to the lies that I was helpless and had nothing to offer. Then one day, the Lord so tenderly spoke to me through a passage written by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (MSG)

“Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

Yes, I thank God for MS…for blindness…for the gift of a handicap.

By Debbie Guinn

^©April 15, 2010

Winner Announced...Now What?

2010-04-21T10:23:00.000-05:00

I woke early this morning with the needs of so many on my mind...the friend who is taking her BIG test today...the friend who needs a place to stay for ten days while going through radiation therapy, the friend who is on day eleven of no smoking, the friend who is writing a book on shame, the friend who is raising a niece and nephew while her sister and brother in-law are in prison, the friend of a friend who gave birth to a still-born baby boy last week...and Nancy, the woman I would like to call friend who I met at the Asian market last Saturday.

I thought of Nancy and decided to check my email to see if I had heard back from her. What I found instead was an email from Michelle, of the Proverbs 31 editing team, informing me that I did not win the scholarship giveaway for the She Speaks Conference. I am okay with that. I was never sure if my submission into the contest was about winning and attending the conference or not. I just knew God was telling me to write the article and submit it...so, I obeyed.

However, I admit I expected something to come from it...some clue as to what direction I am to go next. Yet, the contest has come and gone, the winner has been announced, and I cannot see where I gained any direction from that experience...not yet, anyway. No doubt, God will show me what that exercise was all about...eventually. For, now, though, I feel like I am at the same spot I was a week ago--before I learned of the contest--asking the question "Now what?"...and all the other questions that go with it.

And so I wait.

She Speaks Conference Scholarship and other Thoughts

2010-04-15T13:27:00.022-05:00

I've been praying about what God has in store for me next. I've been writing for HeartBeat for about two and a half years. My very first article has turned into a Bible study that has been edited. But now what? That has been my question to God. My editor thinks it is something women really need. The women who sat under the teaching of it have told me the same thing.

But now what? What is my next step, Lord? What do I do with this study you told me to write? How do I get it to the people? Do I self-publish or pitch it to a publisher? I don't even know how to do either of those? My editor said I need to build a platform? How do I do that? Do I travel around teaching it? Do I mail out copies to people? Where does the money come from for all these things? The questions flood my mind...all coming back to What now, Lord?

It's been two months since I finished teaching the study in my home church and I've been praying...trying not to become restless. Oh how hard it is to sit and wait to hear his voice. But, every step of the way, God has led me and shown me not to rush ahead of Him. And so I wait.

Today, as I was catching up on some emails I receive (of blogs I follow), I ran across one that mentioned a scholarship for the She Speaks Conference. Something inside of me stirred when I heard about it. I've wanted to go to a writers/speakers conference before but it never seemed to be the right timing. Could this be it, Lord? Could this be my next step? I could never afford to go but maybe winning the scholarship would help.

I don't know the answer to that or the many other questions...yet. One thing I do know is I felt God leading me to enter the contest. No guarantees of winning...no guarantees of attending...simple obedience of writing an article and entering. And so, I will obey...and write.

If you are reading this and are interested in knowing more about the She Speaks Conference or the scholarship giveaway, click here. Deadline for scholarship submissions is tonight at midnight.

Take Up Your Bed...And WALK

2010-03-01T08:39:00.005-06:00

Take Up Your Bed…And WALK^©

By Debbie Guinn

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”

John 5:8 (NKJV)

About three weeks ago, I developed an ear infection that brought my life to a screeching halt. Not only was I in excruciating pain, I was also experiencing a great deal of vertigo, balance issues and severe hearing loss. After two weeks and two different antibiotics, I returned to my physician thinking I had not responded to either of the antibiotics because I felt no better. The doctor looked in my ear and informed me that the infection was gone but I had a lot of fluid built up in the middle ear. My sinuses were blocked, not allowing the fluid to drain properly. Fluid was causing all the current pain, hearing loss, and vertigo…not infection.

I see such a parallel in this illustration and the way many of us—myself included—often responds to God’s healing in our lives. We pray for healing in certain areas and He is faithful to heal. Yet, we do not recognize the healing when it comes. We continue to live as broken, wounded victims, unable to experience the healing we have received because of fear, doubt, unforgiveness, and more.

In John Chapter 5, Jesus meets a man, at the pool called Bethesda, who has been sick for 38 years. This man has been lying on a mat by the pool, hoping to be the first one in the pool when the angel stirs the waters, so that he might be made well. However, he is so weak and feeble; somebody always beats him into the water. Jesus, knowing how long he has been sick, asks him if he wants to be made well. I find his response quite interesting. He never answers Jesus question. Instead, he gives the reason for why he cannot receive the healing offered in the pool. In verse 8, Jesus says to the man, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Verse 9 goes on to tell us, “And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked….”

Let’s break this story down just a little and see how it applies to our own lives. The first point I want to make is that Jesus not only knew the man was sick, He even knew how long he had been sick. He knows all about our wounds: what or who caused them, how deep they are, and how long they have been there. Just like with this man, nothing is too severe for God to heal. It does not matter if it is a one-week old, a 38-year old, or even a 98-year old wound. God sent Jesus to heal us (Psalm 107:20, Luke 4:18) and He did not put limitations on that healing.

Another thing I find in this story comes from verses 6 and 7 when Jesus asks the man if he wants to be made well and the man’s response is not a “Yes” or “No” but rather excuses for why he is not yet healed. During Jesus’ time on earth, we often heard Him say, “Your faith has made you well.” He didn’t say that to this man; this man did not have faith. However, God healed him despite his lack of faith. God does not base His healing on our faith. He heals because He desires to see His children whole. Sometimes, He wants to test our faith in the situation. Other times, He simply wants to lavish His love on us, His children. In this case, this man had all but lost hope and faith in ever getting well. God chose to show His power and in doing so caused the man to have faith in Him, as we will see next.

This man had suffered from his ailment for 38 years. He was so weak that he could not even get himself into the pool before others. Yet, when Jesus told him to rise, verse 9 tells us he was immediately made well. The Greek word for “rise” is “egeirō”. According to Thayer’s Lexicon, “egeirō” means to cause one down with disease—lying sick—to recover. When Jesus told this man to arise, He was pronouncing healing on him. This healing was instantaneous, leaving no room for doubt and this man suddenly had hope again…and faith.

How do I know he now had faith? Jesus did more than tell this man to arise. He also told him to take up his bed and walk. Verse 9 says the man was immediately made well, then goes on to say he took up his bed and walked. It would take a great deal of faith to pick up his mat and walk, after all those years of lying around too sick to even crawl a few feet to get into the pool.

That brings us to my main point…this man took up his bed and walked. After Jesus healed him, he could have stayed there on his pallet where he had grown comfortable in life. After all, he had no responsibilities, no demands, and no stressors. Oh my, he would have to take care of himself if others heard of his healing. People would not feel sorry for him anymore. Where would he live? What kind of trade would he be able to learn at his age? What if he tried to stand up and fell on his face? Everybody would laugh. What if he got sick again and lost his prime spot by the pool? It really would be safer to stay right where he was. He didn’t need to pick up his bed and take off on a hike to who knows where. He could just enjoy his healing from there. In fact, he could be a witness for Jesus, telling other sick people about how He healed him…from right there beside the pool.

That sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Yet how many of us do the exact same thing? God heals us of the wounds from our past but we are afraid to take up our beds and walk. We ask God to heal us from bitterness and unforgiveness…and He does. However, we continue with our vow never to trust anybody…too afraid of being hurt again. We have become comfortable living as a victim—enjoying the sympathy of others—and allow fear, insecurity, doubt, and more to keep us living as if we are still that victim, long after God has healed us of abuse. God heals us of addictions or unhealthy lifestyles. Yet the fear of failing keeps us from taking responsibility in our lives. Therefore, we become stagnant…never moving forward.

The Greek word for “walked” is “peripateō”. Thayer’s Lexicon defines “peripateō”, “to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities.” I just love that! When the man in John Chapter 5 took up his bed and walked, he was making his way, making progress, making use of opportunities…new opportunities presented to him because of the healing he had received. When God heals us, He presents us with new opportunities…opportunities to make progress…opportunities to walk in His healing. It is up to us whether we are going to stay by the pool or take up our bed and walk.

Jesus said in John 10:10 (MSG) “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” Do not let the enemy steal the full, abundant life that Christ came to bring you by trapping “fluid in your ears”, long after your Father has healed the infection. Take up your bed and walk.

Freedom From Fear

2010-02-05T08:48:00.004-06:00

Freedom From Fear

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear….

1 John 4:18a (NKJV)

In my previous entry, I talked about how I came to see and believe that I was a “Daddy’s Girl.” That realization was the beginning of a journey in understanding my Heavenly Father’s love for me. One day, a year or so ago, I was studying Ephesians and ran across the following passage.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV)

I had heard that passage many times in my life but honestly never thought it possible for me to know that kind of love. In fact, I found it puzzling that anybody could grasp or know something that surpasses knowledge. How can you comprehend what is beyond comprehension? As I meditated on it, however, I found myself longing to know that kind of love…longing to be filled to the fullness of God. So, I said a very simple prayer that day, asking God to help me to know—really-know—Christ’s love in all dimensions. For I knew that the level to which I understood Christ’s love would also be the degree to which I would know my Father’s love for me. (John 14)

I have discovered that when I ask God for something that is laid out in His Word, He always gives me what I ask for. This request was no exception. God began to open the eyes and ears of my heart to see and hear things from His Word in a brand new way. I began to grasp the greatness of Christ’s love demonstrated in His laying down His own life for mine. (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16).

As I thought of Christ hanging on the cross, His outstretched arms represented the width of His love…arms spread to reach out as an invitation for every person from every corner of the earth to receive His love gift of eternal life. (John 3:16; Romans 1:16; Romans 3:29).

I began to understand the length of His love by realizing that His love is forever and ever. His time here on earth had a beginning and an end but His love never ends. His death may have been a one-time event, but the benefits of His death (salvation from sin and abundant life) are for eternity. His death wasn’t simply for those living in the days that He walked the earth…it was for everybody who will ever live and will receive His love gift. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Hebrews 2:9)

I meditated on the depth of His love in that He willingly left His Father in heaven and came to earth to suffer for sinful man. During His 33 years on earth, He suffered ridicule, rejection, humiliation, abuse…He suffered every form of suffering possible so that He could identify with us—and we with Him—in our sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10,18; 5:8; 13:12) More than that, this man, who was God—perfect and without sin—took upon Himself my sin (and the sin of every person ever to live), and then He descended to the depths of the earth. (Ephesians 4:8-10; Matthew 12:40)

The exciting thing is that Christ’s love doesn’t stop with His death on the cross; it doesn’t end with Him going to the deepest of deeps for me. Christ rose from the depths of hell and the grave and then He ascended to the highest of highs to prepare a place in heaven for me. (John 14:23) The height of Christ’s love is demonstrated in the fact that all of us have the opportunity to join Him in heaven one day.

I spent months reflecting on Christ’s love for me and discovered that it truly is impossible to separate Christ’s love from the love of our Father. After all, Jesus tells us in John 10:30 that He and His Father are one. Furthermore, it was because of God’s love for us that Christ came to earth, suffered, died and rose again. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:4-5). “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9). “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)

As I thought about the far-reaching, never-ending, deep love of God demonstrated in sending His son for me, one thing began to really pierce my heart. When Christ took the sins of the world upon Himself—becoming sin itself—He was, at that moment in time, separated from His Father. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 27:46) God—because He is God and cannot look upon sin—had to turn His back on His own Son, whom He deeply loved. (Habakkuk 1:13) I love my children immensely and cannot fathom turning my back on any of them for any reason, especially not for other wretched, sinful people. That God would do that very thing is, to me, the greatest demonstration of love. Even as I write this, I am filled with such emotion, knowing that God loves me that much.

You may be thinking “okay, this is great but what does it have to do with freedom from fear?” Well, we’re getting there.

As I began to grasp just how much God loves me—enough that he would send His son AND turn His back on Him while He took my sins upon Himself—I began to realize that I had no reason to fear anything. A God whose love for me is that long, wide, high and deep is not going to allow anything to happen to me that is not for my good. His plans for me are for good and not harm…they are plans for hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11).

If I find myself in the midst of the fire or flood, I have no reason to fear (Isaiah 43:1-2) because I know that God is always with me; (Isaiah 41:10; 43:2); He will indeed work everything out for my good (Romans 8:28); and I can overcome anything through His love (Romans 8:37). I know, without a doubt, that nothing—not even life, death, angels, demons, my current circumstances, or things to come in the future—absolutely nothing will ever separate me from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39). Even when God chastises me, I do not fear because I know that God’s discipline comes from a heart of a Father who dearly loves me, His child. (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19; Deuteronomy 8:5.

I had lived in fear for most of my life. However, as I began to grasp the full dimensions of God’s love for me, all of my fear disappeared. His perfect love truly cast out all the fear that was inside me (1 John 4:18). It is hard to put into words the freedom I have now…a freedom that goes far beyond anything I could ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21)

When fear tries to work its way back into my heart, I immediately remind myself of just how much God loves me and the fear dissipates and is replaced with total peace. The following are just a few Scriptures (along with those I’ve referenced throughout this blog) that I use to remind me of God’s unfathomable, perfect, matchless love. I like to say (out loud, when possible) and meditate on these verses—personalizing them—as a constant reminder of God’s love for me…especially during those times when fear tries to creep into my heart.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

The LORD my God is with me, he is mighty to save. He takes great delight in me, he quiets me with his love, he rejoices over me with singing."

Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, He will not forget me! See, He has engraved me on the palms of His hands; my walls are ever before Him.

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on me, that I should be called a child of God! And that is what I am! The reason the world does not know me is that it did not know him.

1 John 4:16 (NIV)

And so I know and rely on the love God has for me. God is love. Because I live in love, I live in God, and God in me.

Ephesians 5:2 (MSG)

Mostly what God does is love me. When I keep company with Him, I learn a life of love. I observe how Christ loved me. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from me but to give everything of himself to me. I desire to love like that.

Exodus 15:13 (NIV)

"In your unfailing love you will lead me, one of your people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide me to your holy dwelling.

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

I know, therefore, that you, Oh Lord my God are God; you are faithful, God, to keep your covenant and steadfast love with me; I love you and keep your commandments, to a thousand generations,

Psalms 36:7 NIV

How priceless is your unfailing love! I find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Jeremiah 31:3

…You have loved me with an everlasting love; you have drawn me with loving-kindness.

Daddy's Girl

2010-02-01T14:34:00.009-06:00

Daddy's Girl^©

"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are!" 1 John 3:1 (MSG)

Most little girls long to be a “Daddy’s girl.” I know I did. I can't tell you how deep that longing was or how desperately hard I tried to be just that. I would have done anything to gain my dad's love and acceptance. I would have literally jumped off the roof or gone and played in the traffic if I had thought it would help. However, nothing I did was ever good enough.

I felt like God had failed me. He gave me the need to be loved by a daddy, yet He didn’t give me a daddy who filled that need. So, I determined I would fill that need my own way. I watched other girls’ daddies love and dote on them and I imagined they were my daddy. I found fatherly qualities in teachers or youth leaders and turned to them as if they were my father. I had an extremely close relationship with my grandfather and found tenderness and compassion from him. However, the longing was still there and so the search continued. I tried to fill that longing with any man I met who showed any kind of love and acceptance of me for who I was…pastors and other father figures within the church…even bosses.

These different father figures did provide me with a sense of love and acceptance. However, the longing to be loved by my real daddy was still there. See all of these other men seemed to fade in and out, never becoming a permanent part of my life. Plus, they offered only bits and pieces for what I truly longed. None of them could love me enough to fill the deep well within my heart.

In April 2006, I attended a women’s retreat at our church. The first night of the retreat, the guest speaker, Debbie Dittrich, spoke about being a Daddy’s girl. She told us that God put the longing to be a Daddy's girl in all of us for a reason. He put it there so that we would yearn for Him. It is a longing that goes so deep that only God can fill it -- He did that on purpose so that we would want and need Him. Even if I had the most wonderful Daddy in the world, he could never fill up that deep, deep well because God designed it so that only He could fill it. All I had to do to be a Daddy’s girl was to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior.

I had accepted Christ many years ago, as a child. That meant……. I sat there that evening, fighting back tears, realizing for the first time in my life that I had a Daddy who loved me more than anybody else ever could. He desired for me to be a girl—His girl—when I was born. He desired me to be exactly who I am and He loves everything about me. He will never use me, abuse me or abandon me. He will love me with a love so deep—the only love deep enough to fill that longing inside of me.

I admit, it was hard for me to grasp at first. It was hard for me to comprehend much less accept that anybody—God included—could and would love me that much. See, I had developed the assumption that if nothing I did was good enough to gain my earthly father’s love and acceptance, then certainly it wasn’t enough to gain my heavenly Father’s love either. After all, He was perfect and surely expected nothing sort of perfection from me. That night, however, I chose to believe---regardless of how I felt—that I was truly a Daddy's girl.

If you are reading this and have never experienced the love of our Father God, then I encourage you to simply open up your heart and receive the love that He longs to pour out on you. Crawl up into His lap and let His love fill that deep, deep void that only He can fill. Maybe you have never trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior, and therefore, you cannot experience this type of Father-child relationship. If so, I invite you to receive His love, through His Son Jesus Christ, today.

John 3:16 says that God loved you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you so that you could live forever with Him. In 1 John 3:1 we read that God’s love for us is so great that He calls us His children. He wants to be your Daddy. He gave up His own Son so that He could be. Won’t you let Him come and fill your heart with His love?

To read more divine love stories, visit (In)Courage.

A Christmas Blessing for All

2009-12-26T12:05:00.001-06:00

A Christmas Blessing for All©
by Debbie Guinn

“Dear children, don't just talk about love. Put your love into action. Then it will truly be love.” 1 John 3:18 (NIRV)

Being the single mother of three teenage girls is difficult and being on disability—due to blindness resulting from Multiple Sclerosis—makes not only paying bills difficult, but made buying Christmas presents impossible, last year. My girls took it well when I told them we would not have enough money for presents and we all agreed—and were content—to shift our focus from presents to the true meaning of Christmas…the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Little did I know that across town the Martins were teaching their four children about the importance of giving to those less fortunate than themselves. Having saved one third of the money they earned by doing chores the previous year, the children had decided to give it to someone in need at Christmas.

A local radio station had a Christmas Wish contest to help those in need and unbeknownst to me, Suzanne, a dear sixteen-year-old friend, had entered my family and me into the contest. Although we did not win the contest, the Martin family had gone to the radio station to look through the contestants for a family to bless with the money they had saved. As they looked through the entries, the middle son felt a tug on his heart when he read our entry, submitted by Suzanne. The Martins agreed to choose our family to bless with the money they had saved.

On December 23rd, I received a phone call from an elated Suzanne, revealing her secret Christmas Wish and the Martin’s desire to help us. I was speechless! To know that this precious sixteen-year old would want to help make our Christmas special, was so touching to my heart. Then, to learn that a family chose us, out of the hundreds—even thousands—of wishes submitted, overflowed my heart with joy and gratitude, beyond anything words could express, at the moment.

The Martin family came to our house on Christmas Eve, bringing the money that they had saved. It wasn’t in a check; it wasn’t even a rounded off amount. It was every wrinkled, crumpled dollar that they had saved taken straight from their piggy banks…given from the unselfish hearts of children who wanted to bless us for Christmas.

This experience wasn’t about the money we received. We soon forgot how much was in that pile of money they brought us. The real gifts—the real blessings—were those that came from obedient hearts that desired to give as Christ did. God impressed my sweet friend to nominate me...and she did. God impressed that little boy to choose me...and his family did. In return, God blessed my girls and me beyond words. I guarantee He blessed the Martins and Suzanne too…and Christmas took on new meaning for everyone.

This year, as we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget the true reason for the season. Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Christ came to earth, offering hope and bringing the promise of salvation, we also ought to share that hope and salvation with others each and everyday. I pray that none of us—myself included—get so caught up in the Christmas festivities that we neglect the Holy Spirit’s nudges on our hearts, prodding us to give the most important gifts of all.

It may be the gift of submitting a Christmas Wish for a family who won’t have any presents under the tree this year. Maybe you are the one who is to fulfill such a wish. It could be you have a hurting friend who needs an encouraging word or a listening ear…or needs you to stop and pray with them, instead of saying you will pray for them. God may want to use you to bring somebody into His family this year by sharing why Jesus came to earth…to die for our sins so that we can live forever with Him in Heaven some day.

The greatest Christmas gifts are not those that are bought with money, wrapped in pretty paper with great big bows, and placed under the tree. They are acts of love, performed out of unselfish hearts…and they usually bless the giver as much, if not more than, the receiver. I had the privilege of giving such a gift this week. The precious five-year old who was on the receiving end said, “Miss Debbie, you must be really happy because your whole face is smiling!” I was indeed happy and you will be happy, as well, when you give a love gift from your heart. Your whole face will be smiling too!

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” I John 4:9 (NIV)

Second Printing of Joy in the Furnace Bible Study

2009-12-06T15:53:00.003-06:00

I must say the response to this Bible study has been beyond anything I could have ever hoped for or imagined...although I should not be surprised because it has been so clear that God has been in this every step of the way. I am teaching the study to a group of women at our church and the evidence of God's work in these women's lives is everything I have prayed for...and so much more. Women are finding true, lasting joy in their furnace through the life-changing truths of God's Word.

The requests for more books continues to flow in on a daily basis...something I was, in all honestly, not prepared to happen...especially not this soon. I have not advertised anywhere--other than talking about it to friends on Facebook and face to face. Yet, I received 119 orders in 12 days. I ordered 130 books and sold them all within two weeks.

I continue to receive requests for orders--some wanting them to give as Christmas gifts. So, I am going to print some more books the end of this week...to be picked up the first of next week and shipped out Priority mail so that you can have them in time for Christmas. Whoo-hoo!! Incidentally, all books will be autographed.

If you would like to order, I need your order no later than, 6:00 AM, Saturday, December 12, 2009. That is in SIX days!!! ALL ORDERS NEED TO BE MADE THROUGH THE WEBSITE!!! Please do not leave comments or send me messages here, telling me you want to order. I really need all orders completed on the website, so that I don't miss any when I go to place the order for printing.You can order online at www.joyinthefurnace.com You can order using PayPal or you can click the "Go to Checkout" tab for an option to pay by check.

All orders will be shipped Priority mail. Due to the flat rate shipping with Priority mail, you can order many quantities at the same S&H rate as others. For example, the S&H for 3 books is the same as it is for 14 books. So, if you are ordering now but are considering ordering additional books, in the future, you might check out the S&H to see if it will save you money to order now rather than waiting until the next time. (I'm not trying to make a sales pitch here...just trying to save you money. Believe me, I wish I could just give them all away.)

Feel free to copy this note to your blog (I always get asked that question.) and share with anybody you think might be interested in this study. I am not out to sell books. I am simply here to share the truths from God's Word that you CAN have joy in the furnace...no matter how hot it it.

Debbie

Give Thanks for That?

2009-11-09T06:31:00.002-06:00

Give Thanks for That? ©

by Debbie Guinn

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you .

~1 Thessalonians. 5:18 (KJV)

Every year around Thanksgiving, I find myself sitting with a group of friends or family answering the question “What are you thankful for this year?” As we go around the table or room, eyes well up with tears as loved ones thank God for family, health, wealth, friends, or other blessings the Lord has given throughout the year. There is something about that time of reflection and joint thanksgiving that causes us to recall just how good our Father is toward us, His children.

I wonder, though, how our Father feels when we fail to thank Him for the tough times…the seemingly bad things that happen in our lives. Oh, we may thank Him for bringing us through those times. How often, though, do we thank Him for those times, especially when we are still in the midst of them?

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that we are to give thanks in everything. He doesn't say to give thanks for the good things or when you see the bad things work out for good. This verse does not give us the option to decide those things for which we want to be thankful. In Ephesians 5:20 Paul says we should be “ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .” (NIV) Not only are we to give thanks for everything but we are to be doing it at all times…not just when we feel like it.

A common therapy for individuals suffering from depression is to make a daily list of ten (or more) things for which they are thankful. Research has shown that finding things for which one is thankful can heal their depression. Actually, Solomon told us that several thousand years ago in Proverbs 17:22 where he said, “ A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones .” A thankful list might consist of things such as air, water, food, clothing, shelter, ability to walk, ability to breathe, ability to eat, ability to move an arm or leg. They might include children, spouse, and friends. Suffering from severe depression at times in my life, I know how hard it can be to come up with even one thing at times. As the depressed person progresses, they begin to find more and more things for which they are thankful.

I wonder what would happen if we were to make a daily list of ten things for which we are thankful, including five good things and five of the seemingly bad things in our life…the areas where we don't feel like giving thanks but choose to anyway. My list from yesterday would look like this:

Thank you, Father, for loving me.
Thank you, Father, for giving me friends who love and pray for me.
Thank you, Father, for my beautiful daughters.
Thank you, Father, for helping me accomplish some things today that I needed to do.
Thank you, Father, for your peace and comfort
Thank you, Father, for the side effects of the medication that are still wreaking havoc on me.
Thank you, Father, for the lack of sleep the last two nights.
Thank you, Father, for my dear friend's death last night.
Thank you, Father, for not allowing me to see my friend again before she died.
Thank you, Father, that I still cannot think clearly enough to get my article written.

Now that I have written that list, I must ask myself “Am I truly thankful for everything on that list?” Oh, I know I am thankful for the first five. What about the last five? Yesterday proved to be a tough day for me. I have been going through residual side effects from some medication that caused me to go into a deep depression, combined with high levels of anxiety and irritability. This has been unlike any depression I have had before in that there were no issues I could deal with to resolve my depression. Even after speaking with my counselor, it was clear that I simply had to wait it out, while the medication worked its way out of my system. On top of that, I found out yesterday morning that a very dear friend of mine, who has battled brain cancer for six and a half years, went to be with her precious Jesus the night before.

God had put this article on my heart earlier in the week, before the effects of the medication took over. As I struggled yesterday, I thought of the article frequently…partly because of the pressure to get it written but also because the Lord was speaking the very topic to my heart. His quiet whisper to me throughout the day was “Are you going to thank me for everything I have allowed in your life today?”

How do I—how do we—get to the place where we can thank God for the tough stuff in life? How do we thank God for sickness and disease? How do we thank God for taking a precious loved one from us? How do we thank God for lost jobs and financial ruin? How do we thank God for wayward children?

I believe it comes from understanding just how much our Father loves us. We must go back to the basics of realizing that He loved us so much that even when we were filthy, wretched sinners He sent His only Son to die for us. (Romans 5:8, John 3:16) A God who loves you and me that much is not going to allow anything in our lives that isn't ultimately for our good. It may not seem good at the time and often times won't feel good. That is where trust comes into play. We have to trust God's love for us, rather than our feelings.

Jesus says in Matthew 10:28 “ Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will .” He goes on inverse 31 to say, “… you are of more value than many sparrows .” God loves you; He cares deeply about you…about me. Everything He allows in our lives comes out of His heart of love. I don't understand that all the time. I just know that He loves me…and He loves you too.

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in everything because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus . God desires for us to thank Him for everything because He knows this is where we will find peace and contentment. Philippians 4:6 says, “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God .” (NKJV) Paul says, rather than being anxious, submit your request to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. I don't think Paul meant for us to thank God for blessings and then petition God for other areas that are weighing us down, causing us to feel anxious. I believe he is saying to be thankful for those same areas that we are presenting to God…the same ones that are causing us anxiety.

It is God's will that we give thanks in everything, because He loves us and always has our best at heart. He knows that when we give thanks for the struggles we face, we will have peace and be free from all anxiety. As we learn to give thanks in everything—the good, bad and totally incomprehensible—we will be able to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials. ( James 1:2)

In what areas do you find it hard to give thanks? I challenge you to choose at least one of those areas and begin thanking God for allowing that circumstance, person, or situation in your life. Make this Thanksgiving the year that you learn what it means to give thanks in everything.

Joy in the Furnace Bible Study...Exciting Announcement

2009-11-05T11:02:00.002-06:00

The time has finally come when I will be placing an order for my "Joy in the Furnace" Bible study books!!! I am SO excited to be able to share these truths with others!!

I have had a WONDERFUL professional editor working with me and she has put the book into a format where it is ready to present to a publisher. Actually, she is feverishly working to finish it by the deadline. This printing will be a pre-published book. In other words, it is not officially published yet...but ready to be either self-published or presented to a publishing company, whichever I choose. However, it is very professional in format. The only difference is I won't have an ISBN and can't sell it in stores. I am waiting on God's leading and timing as to what direction to go on the publishing. Those who have edited and "field tested" the study have all encouraged me to publish it...that it is a much needed message.

Many of you have asked about ordering books from me. So, I wanted to let you know that you now have an opportunity to do so. Some of you may want to hold off for the published version and that is fine. Although, I have no clue when that will be. I just want to let you know it is available, if you are interested.

I am only ordering a limited number of the books right now. You MUST pre-order one if you would like one. The cost of the books will probably be around $15 depending on the number of books we order. I don't anticipate it being more than that--based on what we paid for the first set we purchased--but it could be less, if I get a lot of orders. For those of you who don't live in Fort Worth, there would also be shipping charges.

If you would like to order books, please let me know no later than Wednesday, November 11th.. You do not have to pay now. I just need a count to know how many to order. Once I know the exact price, I will contact you and start collecting money and mailing out books.

If you have any questions, you can email me at debbie@joyinthefurnace.com

Thank you! I hope that this study ministers to all who read it and that all of you find joy in the furnace!!

Debbie

Front cover

Consider it all joy? How am I supposed to consider it all joy when my life is coming apart at the seams and my world is crumbling around me? You must be kidding!

Join Debbie in this exciting six-week journey through the fiery furnace of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, where you will discover that it is possible to find joy—even greatly rejoice—right in the middle of the deepest darkest furnace you can imagine. Debbie uses her own personal story and powerful truths from God's Word to share six key principles for finding joy in the furnace. You will discover that:
• The furnace is inevitable
• God is with you in the furnace
• God sets you free in the furnace
• God heals you in the furnace
• God perfects you through the furnace
• God receives glory through the furnace

This study can be done on an individual basis or in groups. Group discussion questions are provided at the back of the book.

Joy in the Furnace - Part 2

2009-07-12T17:49:00.005-05:00

Joy in the Furnace Part 2
By Debbie Guinn ©

James 1:2-4 -- Consider it ALL joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be PERFECT and COMPLETE, lacking in NOTHING .”

In Part 1, we looked at the principles I will have trials and God is always with me in the furnace (trials). We are going to continue our study in Daniel Chapter 3 and see what we can learn from the time that Shadrach , Meshach , and Abednego spent in the furnace. I hope you will see that God has a plan for each of the furnaces in our lives and He is at work in them.

The third principle is one that REALLY excites me!! I am set free in the furnace! Daniel 3:21 says, “So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. Verse 23 says, and these three men, firmly tied , fell into the blazing furnace.” However, in verse 25 it says, “I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound ….” The soldiers had bound the men before throwing them into the furnace and now they are FREE -- walking around unbound.

Not only is God IN the fire with us but He will also “unbound” us -- set us free of those things that keep us in bondage -- during those times of trial. As I study Scripture, I cannot think of any place in the Bible where God delivered somebody from something when they were just going along enjoying life. He always sets people free while they are going through the trials and hardships in their lives. He sets us free in the fire!! Now that is something that I can get excited about! Yes, it makes the trials worth it, knowing that He is setting me free during those times.

The fourth principle I found in this story is I will NOT suffer harm while in the furnace. Daniel 3:25 goes on to tell us that the king saw the men “walking around in the fire… unharmed …." Verse 27 adds, “They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”

God does not lead us into the fire to bring harm to us or to destroy us. He wants to give us life, not bring us harm. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you….” . Satan is the one who is out to bring us harm. John 10:10 says, “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” Satan is the thief – the one who tries to harm us – not Jesus . Jesus comes to give us life – real, full life – a life better than we ever dreamed or imagined.

We may feel incredible pain and it may seem like we are suffering greatly when we are in the fire. However, in God's eternal scheme of things, we will not be harmed. In fact, once we emerge from the fire, we won't even smell of fire. In other words, the work that God does in our lives as we go through trials is SO great and powerful, that once we come out of that trial, we will radiate with joy, peace, healing – to the point that we carry on us only the fragrance and aroma of Christ and His work in our life. We will “smell” of that abundant life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 speaks of this. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”

The fifth principle that I find in this story is that My trials “promote” me in my pursuit for God's perfection in my life. In Daniel 3:30 we find that the king promoted Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego . They had already been in a place of high rank before this, but here they were promoted to an even higher status. It is the same for us. Going back to James 1:2-4, we see that our trials are meant to make us “perfect, complete, lacking in nothing.” A couple of other verses that address this are: 1 Peter 5:10, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” and 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Each trial we go through brings us one step closer to complete perfection in Christ that will be revealed when we go to spend eternity with Him.

Jesus , Himself, was made perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10 says, “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.” Hebrews 5:8-9 adds, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” What an honor to be made perfect in the same way that Jesus Christ , the Son of God was also brought to perfection!

The sixth, and final, principle is what I believe to be the ULTIMATE purpose behind ALL of our trials. It is that God will receive glory and honor through my trials!!! In Daniel 3:28, we find that the king had a total change of heart. "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego , who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in Him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.'” In verse 29, he issued a decree that “the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." In the end of this entire fiery ordeal, GOD WAS GLORIFIED!!! These three men had been such a strong witness, standing up for God even in the face of death. God rewarded their obedience and the king saw God's power and gave Him the glory and honor that He was due.

I believe that one of the reasons God allows us to go through trials is so that we too can give Him glory. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In this you greatly rejoice , though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed .” I love that!! My suffering will ultimately result in praise, honor and glory when Christ is revealed!

You see that is how I can “consider it all joy”…that is how I can “greatly rejoice” when I go through trials. I begin by accepting that I WILL have trials. I KNOW that God is ALWAYS with me through every single one. I get excited knowing that I will be set free during these trials, that I will NOT be harmed by them, and that they are bringing me one step closer to perfection in Christ where I will not lack in ANYTHING. The thing that causes me to rejoice the most is knowing that my trials are bringing glory and honor to the one who suffered far more than I ever have or will in order to give me eternal life with Him. Knowing HE will receive glory and honor makes any trial worth whatever suffering it brings.

My challenge to you today is to do just what James 1:2 says…”Consider it ALL joy…when you encounter various trials.” Thank God for your trials and for the work that he has done and will continue to do in your life, in and through each and every one of them. I pray that each of you will learn to find true JOY in the furnace.

Keep pressing in to HIM!!

Debbie

BIO

Debbie Guinn was born in Phoenix, AZ, graduated from Southwest Baptist University and has lived in Texas since 1994. She is the single mother of three daughters and lives in Ft. Worth Texas . Debbie resigned from her job as an Administrative Assistant in 2001 when the effects of Multiple Sclerosis began to take her sight. She is a speaker, an editor, as well as an author who regularly contributes to Heartbeat the Magazine and is currently working on two books. Debbie 's transparency and firm grasp of God's truth challenges women of every age and stage to trust in the life-giving power of God's Word for every aspect of their lives.

Joy in the Furnace - Part 1

2009-07-12T17:42:00.009-05:00

Joy in the Furnace – Part 1

I don’t know about you, but finding joy in any trial – even the “little” ones –was never an easy task for me. I knew that as a Christian, I “should” look at things that way, but it just seemed to be one of those things that I would never accomplish during my life here on earth.

That all began to change last winter, when I found myself dealing with a debilitating illness. For four months, I was unable to do much of anything from a physical standpoint. However, God used that time to do a work in my spiritual life…mainly teaching me how to find joy in my trials. It was more than simply choosing to be happy IN SPITE OF my trials. It was a time of truly learning to thank God FOR the trials. It was a process of discovering that it IS possible to rejoice in – yes, get excited about – even the toughest, most painful trials.

One day, I was telling God how tired I was of being sick. I was completely overwhelmed with my circumstances. I had so many things that needed done; I couldn’t do anything because of my health; I had nobody to help me with things; I was afraid; I was lonely; I wanted it all to end…. Honestly, I was just having a good pity party that day. I had put on a CD to listen to, hoping to lift my spirits.

A song started playing and two lines from that song really got my attention. It says, “If you lead us to the fire, you will not withdraw your hand; We’ll gaze into the flames and look for you.” God just stopped me in my tracks right there and said, “Debbie, I am IN the flames but you never look for me there.”

He was so right – but then again, He always is. I tend to do one of two things when I am going through trials in my life. Either I look at the “stuff” (situations, circumstances, people) going on in my life – or I decide to ignore all that “stuff” and focus instead on all the good things that God has done/is doing in my life. There is nothing wrong with looking at the good. In fact, God’s Word tells us that we ARE to think on good things. It says in Phil. 4:8, ”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”^(KJV)

It IS good to think on the good – we need to have our thoughts on those things. However, I believe God was telling me that I needed to look to HIM wherever HE is. He doesn’t want me to forget or ignore the good things He has done, but He wants me to follow Him and see Him IN the trials too. If I am looking at the “stuff” – even the good “stuff” -- I can’t focus on HIM and see what He longs to do in and through the trial.

I began to think of trials as being in the fire, comparing the “stuff” to the flames. I was drawn to the story in Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – the three men who were thrown into the fiery furnace. I began an in-depth study of that story and God showed me SO much about what He does during the trials of our lives. I discovered six key principles in this story that have totally changed my outlook on trials. These principles have given me reason to rejoice in the trials and suffering that God brings or allows in my life.

For sake of time and space, I am not going to cite the entire story, but I highly encourage you to read the first three chapters of Daniel. The first two chapters give a little background as to who these three men were, where they came from, and their roles in Babylon. They were of the royal family of Judah – worthy of high honor; they were “perfect” from a physical standpoint, handsome, highly intelligent, and “qualified to serve in the king’s palace”. (Daniel 1:3-4). They were highly respected by the king, so much that he appointed them administrators over the province of Babylon. (Daniel 1:19-20; 2:49)

More importantly, though, is the fact that they were men who loved and served God – and ONLY God. When commanded to bow down and worship the king’s golden image, they refused. Even when threatened with death, they stood firm in their convictions, certain that one way or another God would deliver them. (Daniel 3:17-18)

The first principle from this story is that I WILL have trials in my life. It is easy to think that trials only affect certain people – those from a certain social or economic class, race, etc. Many times, we think that trials only come to people who “deserve” them due to sin or “poor choices” in life. Therefore, if I am going through a trial, I must have done something wrong to deserve it. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had everything going for them – or so we tend to think. They were high class, smart, had found favor with the king, AND lived their lives committed to God. Yet, they were still thrown into the furnace.

The truth of the matter is that EVERYBODY has trials. NOBODY is exempt from them. It does not matter how wealthy we are; how high up on the socio-economic ladder we are; how good or bad we are. It doesn’t even matter how little or great our faith in God is. Jesus says, “In this world you WILL have trouble.” (John 16:33)² He is talking to His disciples here – those who have given up everything to follow Him. This tells me that even if I am totally, 100% sold out to Jesus, I will still have trials in my life. They are simply part of life for EVERYONE.

The second thing we can learn here is that God is with me in the furnace (trials). Daniel 3:25 says, “He (Nebuchadnezzar) said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire…and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."² God was with those three men -- and He is with us as well. It is so easy to feel God has deserted us when we are in the fire but the truth is that He hasn’t and He won’t. HE is ALWAYS with us, no matter where we go or what we do. Psalm 139:7-12 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”²

The Bible contains MANY passages where God promises that He will ALWAYS be with us and that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. One of my favorites is Isaiah 43:2-3 “When you pass through the waters, I WILL be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”^(ESV) Here are some other passages where this promise is evident: Genesis 21:22; 26:24: 28:15; 31:3; Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 20:4; 31:6-8,23; Joshua 1:5,9; 1 Chronicles 28:20; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Psalm 9:10; 16:8-10; 23:4; 37:25,28; Isaiah 41:17; 42:16; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 4:9; 13:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:5.

I think there are two parts to God being with me in the furnace. The first is the more obvious factor, simply that I am NEVER alone. He is ALWAYS with me through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The second part – the part I often forget – is that there is NOTHING I go through that Christ hasn’t already gone through. In other words, part of God being WITH me is the fact that He can relate to and empathize with whatever trial I am enduring because He has already endured it. Hebrews 2:18 says, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”² Hebrews 4:15 goes on to say, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”²(Note: The Greek for “tempted” in both of these verses is “peirazō” which means “to try, make trial of, test; to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith.”)

Next time we will look at what God does during the trials in our lives. Until then, “do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (I Peter 4:12). Remember, you will have trials BUT you are never alone. Your Father who loves you is with you, wanting to do a mighty work in and through that very trial.

BIO

Debbie Guinn was born in Phoenix, AZ, graduated from Southwest Baptist University and has lived in Texas since 1994. She is the single mother of three daughters and lives in Ft. Worth Texas. Debbie resigned from her job as an Administrative Assistant in 2001 when the effects of Multiple Sclerosis began to take her sight. She is a speaker, an editor, as well as an author who regularly contributes to Heartbeat the Magazine and is currently working on two books. Debbie's transparency and firm grasp of God's truth challenges women of every age and stage to trust in the life-giving power of God's Word for every aspect of their lives.

Question for Writers/Authors

2008-07-03T16:36:00.001-05:00

Wow! Life got a little busy--let's try busier--these last few months. I am doing well--recovered from my hospital stay--although this Texas heat does get the best of me. I got my daughter graduated from high school; took a trip to visit a friend in Colorado; and am now moving. We found out yesterday that we were moving...in TWO WEEKS!!! So, yes, I should be packing, but needed a break. Plus, I have had something on my heart and thought I'd throw it out here to see what some of my writer friends think.

Let me give you a little introduction first, if I may. I am legally blind and I have a computer that reads things out loud to me. I have done some volunteer work for people I know doing what I've termed "audio editing". In fact I am the official "audio editor" for an online magazine--www.heartbeatthemagazine.com. It is amazing how many mistakes I catch by listening to articles--even though they've already been proofed by the writers and the magazine editor before they are sent to me. It's usually simple things where the eyes that proofed it read what they expected it to say, but the software doesn't know what it's supposed to say and so it reads what is written.

A couple of examples are: Once, on the cooking page, the recipe said to mix the ingredients together in a bowel...gross. Don't think I'd want to eat anything mixed in a bowel. Ha! Another example was a sentence that read "Now, I know what grandmother mean when she said..." Grandmother wasn't mean...she just "meant" what she said. Many times, it is something as simple as mixing up it, is, it, if; no and on; one and on; not and note; an vs. and. I think you get the picture. I cannot catch punctuation and capitalization errors; nor can I catch mixing up words like to, too, two or there and their. A regular proofreader is still necessary for that type of thing. But, I can catch when sentences don't make sense because a word(s) is missing; a wrong word is used; or a word used in the incorrect tense, etc.

Everybody that I've done this for has been so grateful to me, telling me how invaluable my service is to them. I've frequently caught errors in work that is already published and those writers have said they wished they had me around before they published their books.

So, my question is "would this service--audio editing--be something that writers/authors would be interested in, for a reasonable fee?" I've been praying for a way to supplement my SSDI to help pay bills and just wonder if this is something worth pursuing. Would writers/authors be willing to pay for something like that? If so, what would you consider a reasonable fee?

I would love to have some feedback on this from those of you who have published or are preparing published works.

Better get back to the packing.

Thank you all so much!!

Debbie

God is Faithful...

2008-02-29T15:16:00.006-06:00

...So Why Do I Find it Hard to Trust and Obey?

Recently, a friend of mine asked the question "If you could name just ONE song that touches your heart in a special way, what would that song be?"

That was a hard question for me to answer because there are SO many songs which have touched my heart over the years. (I have a playlist full of just a handful of such songs at the bottom of this blog.) Some songs will be meaningful during a certain situation...or for a particular "season" in my life. But, I think the one song that has ministered to me over and over -- in the hard times as well as the good -- is "Great is Thy Faithfulness" by Thomas O. Chisholm.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is NO shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest NOT, Thy compassions, they fail NOT:
As thou hast been Thou FOREVER wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth.
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
ALL I have needed Thy hand hath provided
GREAT is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Just think about it. God is faithful! Yes, we may go through times where we don't understand what He's doing or what He's allowing. There may be times when we can't see His faithfulness when we're in the midst of trials. But in the end, we can look back and then we do see that it was His faithfulness that brought us through even the darkest of times.

So often, though, I take my eyes off of Him -- and HIS faithfulness -- and look at my circumstances. I've discovered that it is hard to trust Him when I'm looking at my circumstances and trying to find a way for ME to get me through them. See, I can't get through ANYTHING in my own strength. It is only when I am looking to Him -- fully dependent on Him -- that I can trust Him...no matter the circumstances. It is in knowing and fully grasping just how much God loves me -- enough to send His ONLY Son to die for me (John 3:16) -- that I am able to fully and completely trust Him. Understanding God's perfect love truly does cast out all fear (1 John 4:18).

Another old hymn that I love -- and have been thinking about a lot lately is "Trust and Obey". I love the phrase that says "Never fear, ONLY trust and obey." When I remember how much God loves me, the trusting part is pretty easy. It seems to be the obeying part I can't seem to get down. I often find myself asking the question, "If I truly trust Him, like I say I do, then why am I not obeying Him?" It seems to me that when I don't obey God's leading in my life, I am really saying that I don't trust Him...I am living out of fear rather than living in God's perfect love for me. Trusting and obeying just seem to go hand in hand...and both seem to stem from knowing just how much God loves me. If I truly grasp His love for me, there really will be no room for fear...trusting Him will be easy and that trust should, in turn, be acted upon with obedience. After all, it would make sense that if I can trust Him -- based on His love for me -- then I can surely obey Him because of that same love -- a love that is always centered around His perfect plan for my life.

However, that is not always the case for me. I can know that He loves me enough to trust Him, yet still refuse to follow Him in complete and total obedience. I am learning that there is another love issue here...my love (or lack thereof) for God. My unwillingness to obey, even after realizing how much God loves me, is evidence that I don't really love God in the way that He commands. Jesus says in John 14:15 that if I love Him, I WILL obey Him. Jesus is not telling me to go around trying to obey Him in order to prove my love to Him. It is the other way around. My obedience is evidence of my love for Him. When I truly love God with ALL my heart, soul, and mind, obedience will be a natural outflow of my love.

God IS faithful. As I begin to understand the width, length, height, and depth of His love (Eph. 3:18) -- a love that allowed His son to take MY sins on the cross (Romans 5:8) -- and truly love Him with ALL of who I am, then I will walk in complete and total trust and obedience.

Pressing in to my faithful Father!!!

Debbie

The Valentine Box

2008-02-21T11:50:00.007-06:00

This is more than a Valentine's Day story. It is a story of hope...of truth...of healing of a wounded heart.

The Valentine Box

by Debbie Guinn

Julia was so excited! Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day and she was going to her very first Valentine party. She had been looking forward to this party for weeks and had long ago picked out her favorite pink dress to wear for this very special occasion. Julia sat at the table, diligently working on her Valentine Box, carefully cutting and placing each heart and paper doily in just the right spot. She knew that all the other little girls at the party would be far prettier than she would, but hoped that nobody would come close to having as beautiful of a Valentine Box. She would be certain to win not only the prize for the best decorated box, but the admiration of all the other children as they dropped their Valentine cards into her prized box.

As she was changing into her pajamas that evening, Julia noticed that she felt achy and it hurt to swallow. She knew what that meant, for she had been through many bouts of the dreaded strep throat in her life. Not wanting to miss the party the next day, Julia didn’t dare let her parents know how she was feeling. She knelt beside her bed, and silently said her prayers, pleading with God to make her sore throat go away by morning.

However, the next morning Julia felt even worse than the night before. Determined to go to the party, she put on her pretty pink dress, grabbed her Valentine Box and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. She tried hard not to talk because she knew that would be a dead give away. Her mother could always tell when Julia had strep throat by the way she talked. Then it happened…Julia’s mother asked her a question and before she realized it, she had spoken. Her secret was out. After feeling her forehead and examining her throat, Julia was sent back to bed.

She hung her pink dress back on its hanger, the tears burning in her eyes, as she realized that there would be no party, no prize for the best decorated Valentine Box, and the only sweets she would get that day would be the grape juice her mother was sure to force down her. Julia could not remember ever feeling so crushed and disappointed. She crawled into bed, clutching her empty Valentine Box…desperately longing to go to the party and fill her box with cards and lollipops from all her friends.

Julia thought the day could not get any worse…she was wrong. Later that day, something happened…something that would change Julia’s life forever…something so horrible, causing Julia such fear and shame, that she felt she could never, ever tell anybody about it. So, Julia took the shattered pieces of her heart and placed them into her Valentine Box. It would be her secret forever. After all, who would ever look in a stupid Valentine Box.

As the years went on, Julia would go through many horrific events, similar to the one she went through that awful Valentine’s Day. Each time, she would quietly tuck the additional broken pieces of her heart into her Valentine Box, always too afraid and much too ashamed to tell anybody what had happened…not even God.

Julia believed in God. She had given her heart to Him as a child. She knew that He loved her, and Oh, how she loved Him. She longed to climb up in His lap and let Him cradle her in His arms and wipe away all her tears. However, Julia had been told many lies that caused her to believe that she could never let Him see the secrets tucked away in her Valentine Box. Hence, every time Julia would think about climbing up into her Father God’s outstretched arms, she was hindered by her box. She didn’t dare set it down, lest somebody come by and open it, discovering all her shameful secrets. She couldn’t keep it with her for fear God would ask her what was in it. She certainly didn’t hand it to God to hold, out of fear the lid might fall off.

Day after day, year after year, Julia would walk up to her Father’s chair, look up at Him, and sadly walk away, clutching her box ever so tightly. One day, Julia walked up to her Abba Father, looked up at Him, and with tears streaming down her face, she handed Him her box. Her loving Father took the box with one hand and with the other hand, He reached down and scooped up His precious child and cuddled her in His loving arms.

After what seemed like hours of just resting in the comfort and safety of His arms, she bravely took the lid off of the box and one by one showed Him each of the filthy, ugly, tattered “valentines” that she had placed in her box over the years. One by one, Julia told Him every detail – where she got it, who gave it to her, and how it had nearly destroyed her. Then she placed it in her Father’s hands.

Each time Julia handed her Father one of her “valentines”, He took it, folded it, then set it aside. When the box was empty, the Father picked up all the pieces that had just minutes before been so ugly and torn. Julia watched in amazement as He pieced them together and handed her the most beautiful white rose she had ever seen. In amazement, Julia took the rose and, upon closer examination, discovered that each of the pure white petals had something written on them.

“I have redeemed YOU, I have called YOU by name, Julia, YOU are MINE.”

“YOU are my bride, blameless and pure.”

“I love YOU with an everlasting love.”

“I loved YOU enough to send my son to die for YOU.”

“My love for YOU is wider, longer, higher, deeper than anything you could ever imagine.”

“Even if the mountains shake and the hills disappear, my unfailing love for YOU will never be shaken and I will never break my promise of peace to YOU.”

“Nothing can ever separate you from my love for YOU”

“I have never abandoned YOU and I never will.”

“I turned my back on my Son, so that I would never have to turn my back on YOU.”

“Love ME, Julia, as I have loved YOU.”

Julia looked down and discovered that the well-worn sweats and stained t-shirt she had been wearing, just moments earlier, were gone, replaced with a freshly pressed, spotless, white gown. She took her Rose of Truth and placed it in her Valentine Box. Then she curled up in her Daddy’s lap and drifted off into the most peaceful sleep she had ever known.

Friend of a Wounded Heart

2008-02-17T09:12:00.002-06:00

Friend of a Wounded Heart
by Wayne Watson

Smile, make them think you're happy
Lie, and say that things are fine.
And hide that empty longing that you feel
Don't ever show it, just keep your heart concealed.

Why are the days so lonely?
I wonder where, where can a heart go free?
And who will dry the tears that no one sees?
There must be someone to share your silent dreams.

Caught like a leaf in the wind
Looking for a friend, where can you turn?
Whisper the words of a prayer
And you'll find Him there, arms open wide, love in His eyes.

CHORUS
Jesus, He meets you where you are.
Oh, Jesus, He heals your secret scars
All the love you're longing for is Jesus
The friend of a wounded heart.

Joy, comes like the the morning
Hope, deepens as you grow
and peace, beyond the reaches of your soul,
Comes blowing through you, for love has made you whole.

Once like a leaf in the wind
Looking for a friend, where could you turn?
You spoke the words of a prayer
And you found Him there, arms open wide, love in His eyes.

CHORUS
Jesus, He meets you where you are.
Oh, Jesus, He heals your secret scars
All the love you're longing for is Jesus
The friend of a wounded heart.

A Victim No More

2008-02-04T11:53:00.000-06:00

“ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us .” Romans 8:37

WordNet® 3.0 defines a victim as “an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance.” I think that definition pretty much defines all of us. I know it does me. In fact, based on that definition, I have been a “victim” many, many times throughout my life. In fact, just this week, I fell victim to a heater that decided not to work, leaving me very c-c-c-cold.

Fortunately, I did not stay a “victim” for very long, in this situation. I checked to make sure the heat was on, checked the breaker box, and then called the property management company to report the problem. Later that day, a man was here to fix my heater and we were blessed with heat before nightfall. (We were also blessed with above normal temperatures that day and plenty of sunshine to warm up the house until the repairman arrived.)

However, I have not always handled being a victim as well as I did this time. Many times, more than I would like to admit, I have allowed adverse circumstances to defeat me, plunging me into self-pity, hopelessness, and despair. “Past experience” convinced me that I was a weak and powerless victim who could not do anything about my circumstances and I simply had to lie down and take it. While there is truth to the fact that I had been a true victim at times, I was holding on to those past events, allowing them to dictate who I was and how I reacted to new situations. I had become stuck in “victim mode” – living as a victim, long after the situation had passed when I was, in reality, no longer a victim.

Victim mode is a dangerous place to live. It makes me vulnerable to continued victimization because I accept and even expect to be victimized. I am an easily recognized target by would be victimizers. I might as well wear a big sign around my neck that says “KICK ME!”

When I see myself as a victim, and continue living as a victim, I will soon develop a victim mentality. Victim mentality is when a person blames everything “bad” on somebody else. It's always somebody else's fault and, therefore, I have no power to do anything about it or change my circumstances – even my life as a whole. That results in my thinking, “life will always be bad and there is absolutely nothing I can do to make it better.” Victim mentality is worse than the occasional pity party. It is a non-stop, never ending state of self-pity that offers no hope of a bright future.

It is a very hopeless state because I remain stuck in my past, unable to move forward. It is a place of bondage with no hope of ever finding the freedom that Christ offers ( Luke 4:18 , Galatians 5:1 ). I cannot grasp or receive His love ( Psalm 103 , Ephesians 3:17-19 , 1 John 3:1 , 1 John 4:9 ), nor can I experience the abundant life He came to give me ( John 10:10).

So, why would I, or any Christian, who knows that God's plans for us are for prosperity and not harm, for a hope and a future ( Jeremiah 29:11 ), continue to live in the hopeless state of victim mentality? I knew that Christ came to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free ( Isaiah 61:1-3 ). I knew He came to give me an abundant life ( John 10:10 ) and that He wants me to walk in freedom ( Galatians 5:1 ). I knew that those old things were past and ALL things were made new because of my relationship in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). So, why did I continue to live as a victim for so many years?

I have identified three things that kept me locked in that victim mode. The main thing is what I talked about in my article last month. I had a faulty belief system and was believing lies from the enemy as opposed to the truth of God. You see, I “knew” – intellectually – that God's plans were for prosperity; that He offered me hope for a wonderful future. I knew – intellectually – that He wanted me to have an abundant life and to walk in the freedom and victory of my new life in Christ . However, I didn't really BELIEVE those things. I couldn't because my mind was so full of the lies that I believed that there was no room for the truth. I believed that I was worthless, unloved and unlovable. I believed that my purpose in life was to be used and abused by others. I believed that I was a victim and always would be.

The second thing that kept me living as a victim was fear. Fear really goes along with believing lies from the enemy. Fear is NOT from God ( 2 Timothy 1:7 ), so therefore, it must come from the enemy, who is the father of lies ( John 8:44 ). Satan kept me living as a victim, through fear, by believing lies such as “It's safer being a victim. If I try to step up and stop people from victimizing me, I'll just get hurt even worse. It's just better to let happen what's going to happen. Besides, I know what to expect as a victim. In addition, people feel sorry for me as a victim. If I'm no longer a victim, they won't have any reason to love me anymore.”

That kind of thinking may sound silly. In fact, it sounds somewhat ridiculous to me, now that I have learned and BELIEVE the truth. However, when a person is trapped in victim mode, with a faulty belief system, we believe those lies that tell us we are better off as a victim and that creates a HUGE level of fear of leaving the victim mode behind and living as a victor.

The third thing that kept me living as a victim was unforgiveness. Quite simply, as long as I harbored unforgiveness towards those I viewed as responsible for my victimization, I was unable to move out of that victim mode. Unforgiveness leads to resentment and resentment leads to blame. Blame and resentment ALWAYS leave a person feeling like a victim.

In his In Touch Daily Devotionals (3/17/05) , Charles Stanley says, “When we refuse to release our unforgiveness, we can expect to go through a series of painful steps. First, we will have difficulty dealing with the wrong done to us. If we choose to forgive at this point, we can skip many of the remaining steps. But if we cling to resentment, bitterness will take root, and we'll begin to experience defeat in relationships, emotions, attitudes, and even in our physical body.”

This was so true for me. I felt defeated in every area of my life. One day, I got tired of being a victim. More than that, I was tired of living as a victim. I decided that I wanted to discover and live the free, full, abundant and hopeFUL life that God promised and Christ came to give me. In Romans 8:35 , Paul asks, “ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" He gives us such a clear answer to that question in verse 37 , when he says, “ Yet in ALL these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”. I realized that I did NOT have to live as a victim. I was MORE than a conqueror through Christ !!!

It wasn't easy to break out of that victim mode – I had lived there for many, many years. It took a lot of prayer and perseverance for me to get out and stay out of that victim mode. I didn't just suddenly start living as the “conqueror” that Paul said I was – just because I decided that's how I wanted to live. I had to make some changes in my life. I had to work through those things that had kept me locked in that state for so long.

The first thing I did was…well I “did” something about it. I took action. I started standing up for myself, saying “no” and refusing to be walked over. I quit blaming others for all of my problems and started taking responsibility not only for my actions, but more importantly my REACTIONS to things that happened to me. That was really hard for me – mainly because I still believed so many lies. So, I fell back into victim mode many, many times along the way.

The real victory came when I started replacing those lies with the truth. It was impossible for me to accept and believe the truth when my mind was full of lies. I could not fully accept and believe the truth that God offers until I identified, disputed and exposed those lies as LIES, and then replaced them with the truth from God's Word. This meant digging into God's Word and seeing what HE had to say about me, about others, and about Himself. Once I firmly believed the truth, I was able to see myself the way God sees me – as a victor and not a victim. I saw firsthand what Jesus meant when he said “ You will know the truth and the truth will set you free .” ( John 8:32 )

The second thing that I did was deal with my unforgiveness towards those who I had resented for “ruining my life”. I realized that I was hurting not only myself, with my unforgiveness, but also those (such as my children, friends, and co-workers) who had to put up with my victim mentality that stemmed from my unforgiveness. More than that, it was affecting my relationship with God. Forgiveness was critical! Not only did I need to forgive as part of getting out of the victim mode, but I also needed to forgive in order to restore fellowship with Christ and others. Most of us are familiar with Matthew 6:9-13 where Christ gives us a model on how to pray. We love that passage and many of us can quote it by memory. However, how many of us know what the next two verses say? In verse 12, Christ tells us we need to forgive. Forgiveness is so important – and NOT an option – that He goes on in verses 14-15 to tell us “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. BUT if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

I'm sure many of you would like to stop reading about now…we don't like to talk about forgiveness and simply do not want to believe that God would honestly deny us His forgiveness, if we refuse to forgive others. However, that IS what Jesus says….isn't it?

I would like to share some things that I have learned about forgiveness that may help you work through this area. Forgiveness is something that takes place in your heart – for your own healing. Forgiveness sets YOU free from the chains that you have put around YOURSELF by harboring bitterness, anger, malice towards the person(s) who hurt you. Often times, we think we are making the other person pay when we refuse to forgive them. The truth is that we are usually the only one who suffers.

I think it is important to look at what forgiveness is NOT. It is not an act or statement acknowledging the other person's innocence or letting them off the hook. If I wasn't wronged, then I wouldn't have any reason to forgive. If there is need to forgive, then it means I WAS wronged. I love what John and Stasi Eldridge say about forgiveness in their book Captivating . “If your forgiveness does not visit the emotional core of your life, it will be incomplete. We acknowledge that it hurt, that it mattered, and we choose to extend forgiveness to…all those who hurt us. This is not saying it didn't really matter. It is not saying I probably deserved part of it anyway. Forgiveness says “It WAS wrong, VERY wrong. It mattered, it hurt me deeply, and I release you. I give you to God.”

WOW!! Did you catch all of that? Understanding what forgiveness is and is NOT – and then choosing to forgive – was a powerful step for me to move from victim to victor.

Once I replaced the lies with truth and forgave those who had “victimized” me, the next thing I did was to begin to look at ALL those past circumstances and events – as well as my present ones – as opportunities for God to mold me into the person He purposed me to be ( 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 ; James 1:2-4,12 ; 1 Peter 5:10 ) AND to bring glory and honor to Christ ( Romans 8:17-18 ; 1 Peter 1:6-7 , 4:12-13 ). That has not always been an easy thing for me to do. For years, I resented God for allowing me to be a victim. But, as I opened my heart up to see His hand in everything – truly believing that He loves me and wants ONLY what is best for me – I was able to let go of that resentment and trust that God will use (and IS using) ALL of the trials and suffering that I have gone through (and will go through in the future) for His glory. While not everything I go through in life SEEMS good in MY eyes, I have learned that I can trust God to “ cause all things to work together for good” ( Romans 8:28 ).

Joseph , son of Jacob , is a good example of a “victim” turned “victor”. Genesis 37 tells the story of how Joseph 's brothers sold him into slavery. I'd say that definitely qualifies Joseph as a victim. Genesis 39 tells how Joseph was thrown into prison after refusing the seduction of Potiphar's wife. Once again, we see Joseph being victimized. However, never do we read that Joseph hung on to thoughts of being worthless or powerless. Never do we see Joseph living in defeat or feeling sorry for himself. Instead, we see Joseph continue to trust in God, using the gift of interpreting dreams – the very gift that was the final straw that led to his brothers getting rid of him. Joseph found favor not only with God, but also with those in charge, excelling both as a slave and again as a prisoner.

We see evidence of Joseph 's forgiveness towards his brothers in Genesis 45:5 when he tells them not to be distressed or angry with themselves, and again in verse 15 of the same chapter when he kisses and weeps over them. After Jacob died, Joseph 's brothers were concerned that Joseph would turn against them. However, Joseph relieves their fears in Genesis 50:19, 21 . “But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?…So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

Throughout chapters 37 through 50 (of Genesis), we also see God's hand on Joseph , protecting him and also, using the very situations where he was victimized to preserve the Jewish nations and bring glory to God. I love what Joseph says to his brothers in Genesis 50:20. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Where are you today? Are you living as a victim or a victor? If you are living as a victim, I pray that you will take the steps necessary to move from victim to victor.

I encourage you to go back to last month's article “Out With the Old…In With the Truth” and work through that exercise of replacing the lies with the truth. It is a powerful process that will give you such victory as you discover that the truth really does set you free.

I also encourage you to ask God to show you if you are harboring any unforgiveness and resentment towards those who have hurt you. If so, ask Him to help you to forgive those people. You cannot live in victory, and will continue to live as a victim, as long as you have unforgiveness in your heart.

Finally, I encourage you to ask God to help you see all of the painful experiences of your past, present, and future as part of His work in your life, bringing glory and honor to Him. I have written in more detail, some truths that God has taught me about this subject, in “Joy in the Furnace” in the November issue of this magazine.

In closing, I'd like to share one final thought that God has been teaching me the last several months. If we never had battles (trials, suffering, etc.), we'd never experience victory. In other words, the only way to experience the “thrill of victory” is to fight in the battle. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 , that we WILL have trials in this world….BUT (He goes on to say) that HE has overcome the world. We should expect, therefore, to have trials, resulting in battles to fight. However, we cannot fight alone and unprotected. We must do as Paul tells us, in Ephesians 6:13-18 , and take up our armors, DAILY. Only when we are protected by His salvation, HIS truth, HIS righteousness; place our faith in HIM and ONLY Him; apply HIS Word; and spend time with Him (in prayer), will we be able to stand in victory and go forth in peace.

We are His children. Therefore, we don't have to live as victims. We are more than conquerors in Him…we are victors!

Pressing in to Him,

Debbie

Originally printed in HeartBeat the Magazine, Healing the Wounded Heart, February 2008.

Being Changed Into HIS Likeness

2008-02-01T19:57:00.000-06:00

As the new year began, I found myself longing to make this year really count for God. I wasn't really sure what that meant, until one of our pastors challenged us to make two resolutions this year that are important enough to keep. Those resolutions are Christ's commands in Matthew 22:36-40 -- to Love God with ALL of who we are and to love our neighbors in the same way we love ourselves. He preached on this passage in a way different from anything I've ever heard, bringing those verses to life in a way like never before. (Click here, to hear this sermon.)

I have been asking God to teach me what it really means to love Him with ALL of my heart, soul and mind and to love and value myself as He does, so that I can in turn love and value others as He does. One thing God has been showing me is that my focus in life shouldn't be about the things the world says we need -- like being financially well off, being healthy...or skinny, or even having a good self-image. It's about walking with Him...following Him and living in HIS will and plan for me every single second of every minute of every hour of every day. As I do that, I will be changed into HIS likeness -- or as my friend would say I will have a "God-image" rather than a "self-image."

I can never achieve a perfect self-image. I will ALWAYS find things in me that still need "fixed" and will live in defeat, knowing that no matter what I do and no matter how hard I try, I am still not good enough. However, if I am living every second for Christ, I will learn to see myself as HE sees me and accept the value that HE places on me...a value that says I was worth Jesus' death on the cross.

The same is true in every area of my life. I can never really achieve financial bliss or perfect health. The more money and material possessions I have, the more I want. My body is decaying...that is part of life. No matter what I do to take care of my body and improve my health, there will still be areas that aren't perfect. But, Jesus tells me to seek HIM first and THEN everything I need will be given to me. (Matthew 6:25-33) God knows my financial/monetary needs. He also knows my health needs as well as my emotional needs. It is GOD who meets ALL of OUR needs (Philippians 4:19) and it is through CHRIST that we are able to do ALL things. (Philippians 4:13).

I went to bed last night with these thoughts on my heart...and a renewed prayer that I WOULD love God with ALL of me...seeking HIM and not the things the world says I should seek. It was really no surprise that I awoke this morning and the "verse of the day" on BibleGateway,com was Deuteronomy 6:4-5 -- which is where God commands the people of Israel to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. Then I went to the other website that I use for my Bible Study (ChristianityToday.com Bible Study Tools). The "verse of the day" on that site was Romans 8:32 which says, "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all -- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Do any of you see a pattern here? It all goes back to the fact that God loves me and places such HIGH value on me, that not only did He send His son to die for me, but He GRACIOUSLY gives me EVERYTHING I need.

Well, I guess God is really trying to drive home a message in my heart today because the next thing I did was to look at the "devotion of the day" on that same website. WOW!! Did it fit in!! Rather than try and summarize it, I have copied (below) the part of it that really struck home with me.

Being Changed Into HIS Likeness
by Max Lucado

The reward of Christianity is Christ.

Do you journey to the Grand Canyon for the souvenir T-shirt or the snow globe with the snowflakes that fall when you shake it? No. The reward of the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon. The wide-eyed realization that you are part of something ancient, splendid, powerful, and greater than you.

The cache of Christianity is Christ. Not money in the bank or a car in the garage or a healthy body or a better self-image. Secondary and tertiary fruits perhaps. But the Fort Knox of faith is Christ. Fellowship with him. Walking with him. Pondering him. Exploring him. The heart-stopping realization that in him you are part of something ancient, endless, unstoppable, and unfathomable. And that he, who can dig the Grand Canyon with his pinkie, thinks you’re worth his death on Roman timber. Christ is the reward of Christianity. Why else would Paul make him his supreme desire? “I want to know Christ” (Phil. 3:10).

Do you desire the same? My idea is simple. Let’s look at some places he went and some people he touched. Join me on a quest for his “God-manness.” You may be amazed.

More important, you may be changed. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

As we behold him, we become like him.

Click here to read the rest of this devotional.

I challenge you today to truly fix your eyes on Jesus. He is not only the author of your faith -- the one who wooed you to Him when you first received His gift of salvation -- He is also the finisher (perfector) of your faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Determine to love and seek HIM with your WHOLE heart, as you allow Him to perfect your faith, mold you into His image...His likeness. Don't settle for souvenir t-shirts and snow globes when God offers you the Grand Canyon!

Pressing in to HIM!!

Debbie Guinn

2008-01-08T12:23:00.000-06:00

“I don't understand what I do. I don't do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate to do.” Romans 7:15 (NIRV)

Every year, on January 1st , many people make New Year's resolutions. My guess is that you have made such resolutions yourselves at least once in your lifetime. New Year's resolutions are usually the result of our desire to better ourselves by putting an end to detrimental or unhealthy habits and to establish constructive, healthy ones. For some, New Year's resolutions are nothing more than a casual statement, made without much thought or care as to whether or not the goal is ever reached. For others, however, these resolutions are made carefully and sincerely with firm determination to accomplish the goal set forth. These people really do want to make any and all changes necessary and begin the year with a seemingly unwavering resolve to succeed.

While there are those who make their resolutions and do stick with them, statistics say that 70% of us have lost our resolve by February 1st. We find ourselves discouraged and defeated, asking, “What happened? What went wrong?” We, like Paul in the verse above, cannot understand why we don't do the things we want – and even know we need – to do, but instead do those things we despise. It seems no matter how hard we try, how determined we are to stick with our plan for change, we end up doing things the very same way as before.

I think there are several reasons why this happens – whether it is a New Year's resolution we fail to keep or any other change we desire and attempt to make in our lives. Today, I am going to address just one of those reasons. For me, this was by far the biggest hindrance to me ever being able to make ANY kind of lasting change – physically, spiritually, and emotionally – in my life. It has also been the key to every aspect of healing that God has done in my heart. It is what I call the “Faulty Beliefs Syndrome.”

I grew up believing many derogatory things about myself. I was worthless; I didn't matter; I was a burden; I was a hopeless case; I was unlovable. (I could go on, but think you get the idea.) I truly believed those things…in the very core of my being. Any time I would try to make a positive change in my life, those beliefs were inside of me sabotaging any attempt I made at change. Why try to lose weight? I was unlovable, so what difference did it make if I was fat or skinny? Why try to make friends? I would just become a burden to another person. What difference would it make if I spent more time reading the Bible? My life didn't matter and there was no hope for me anyway.

I did have some wonderful, Godly friends who continually tried to convince me those things were lies. They would even point me to Scripture to show me the truth. I would try, desperately, to cling to the truth and change my thinking as well as my actions. I wanted to believe it, once and for all, but I would eventually revert to believing the lies. I could not seem to shake the beliefs that had a death grip on my thinking.

This past summer, I was in the Minirth Faith-Based Program for two weeks. One of the things they spent a great deal of time talking about was false belief systems. Through the things they taught us and an exercise they gave us, I discovered that the reason I could not cling to the truth was because I did not comprehend the true depth of my faulty belief system. I had recognized those lies that were on the “surface” of my thinking. What I didn't realize, however, was that I had other “root” beliefs hidden deep inside my heart that were faulty. My attempts to replace those “surface” lies with the truth were as futile as trying to get rid of dandelions by pulling off the tops. They would disappear for a while, but eventually return in full bloom. Before I could fully accept and actively believe the truth, I first had to acknowledge the deeper lies that were controlling my belief system.

I worked through the exercise they gave us and for the first time in my life, I was able to clearly identify the false beliefs and recognize them as the lies that they were, and to replace them with the unshakable truth of God's Word. I cannot even explain to you how drastically that changed my entire thought process…a change that has not wavered since that day. John 8:31-32 says, “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. THEN you will know the truth, and the TRUTH will set you free.” (NIV)

This Scripture has become a reality, over the past several months, as I have truly experienced freedom in a way I could have never imagined, as the result of wholeheartedly believing and clinging to the truth of Christ 's teaching. His truth HAS set me free!

As with all of the healing God has done in my life, it is my desire to pass on what I've learned to help others receive healing in their own lives. I long to see others, bound by the lies of the “Faulty Beliefs Syndrome”, find the freedom that is readily available in Christ…so that they will know the truth and the truth will INDEED set them free. Recently, I had the privilege of sharing this principle (and exercise) with with a dear friend of mine. It has been an INCREDIBLE joy to witness the victory and freedom she now has as well.

If you would like to know more about this process as well as an outline of the exercise, click on the following link (HeartBeat the Magazine -- Healing the Wounded Heart) where you can find this article, in its entirety.

I pray that finding freedom from false beliefs will be your number one resolution this year.

Pressing in to Him!!

Debbie

Originally published in HeartBeat the Magazine, January 2008

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T10:07:00.000-06:00

I got this in an email and thought it was really good. So, decided to share it today for Christmas.

Once again it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to wish all of you a blessed Christmas. May the peace and light of Christ shine upon and through your hearts as you celebrate God's coming to earth as a man to save us.

Christmas is an extremely hard and painful time for many and if that is true of you I pray that the true message of Christmas will bring you the comfort that only God can give in our darkest of days.

One does not have to look far to see that the world is pretty messed up these days - a messing up that drips down into and impacts everyone's life often to horrific and sorrowful degrees. The message of the Angels that first Christmas, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." is needed today just as much as it was the night Jesus was born.

That angelic proclamation begs a question though - on whom does God's favor rest and what is the evidence of that favor? The answer to both of those questions can be found in Psalm 2. That psalm references the nations of the world warring against God in their desire to have their own way instead of His. Their efforts, of course, are pitifully comical in the light of God's sovereign power and He sends King Jesus anyway. The psalmist then gives this moving exhortation: "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."

On whom does God favor's rest? It is clearly upon those who embrace Jesus, God's Son. Bob Dylan is right - "Everybody's got to serve somebody" so it only makes sense to serve the One God made King - Jesus

And what is the evidence of God's favor in the life of one who embraces Jesus? It is plain, simply, and wonderfully refuge. It is nice that today and tomorrow many people are enjoying storybook and idyllic Christmases, but hot turkey, wrapped presents, laughing friends, and loving families are not the evidence of God's favor. Others are enjoy a bountiful season of life, but health, wealth, and prosperity are not evidence of God's favor either. Refuge, refuge, refuge - refuge through Jesus is the evidence of God's favor.

To a world racked with the consequences of sin - war, financial hardship, addictions, broken and stressed relationships, oppressive poverty, sickness and death - God shows His favor to those who turn to Jesus by giving them refuge within because the soul that trust's in Jesus is safe no matter what calamity storms and threatens in life. And let us not forget that that refuge extends beyond this life. Jesus was born so He could live and then pay the penalty of our sins by dying for us on the cross of Calvary - a sacrifice that guarantees refuge from the condemning judgment of God at the end of time.

Jesus was born. Embrace Him. Let your soul refuge in Him.

2007-12-19T18:12:00.000-06:00

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son….” John 3:16a

This time of year, we talk a lot about giving gifts to others. We take great care in finding that “perfect gift” for those we love. We have our lists and we're checking them twice, making sure we get just the right size, the right color, the right model, etc. to bring a smile to the face of someone special. Today, I want to talk about gifts we can give that bring more than just a smile to a face or even squeals of delight…gifts that touch deep within the heart, especially a wounded heart… gifts of compassion, hope, encouragement, value, love…gifts that show others the love of Jesus.

This past summer, I was the recipient of just such gifts and it made a HUGE impact on the healing that God was doing and getting ready to do in my own heart. In August, a friend of mine (also named Debbie ) helped me to make one of the toughest decisions of my life -- to check myself into a mental hospital. (See “ Discovering my True Purpose ” for more on that.) While sitting in the waiting room at the hospital, my cell phone rang and it was Debbie , calling to check on me and to tell me that she loved me and was praying for me. Then she told me about a prayer her husband had prayed for me just prior to her calling me. What she told me just caused my heart to melt into a huge puddle right there in that waiting room.

I had never met Debbie 's husband, never even really talked to him. In fact, I avoided calling her if I thought he might be at home. The few times he did happen to be there and answered the phone, I would freeze and couldn't talk…I even hung up on him a couple of times. Now, I'm sure he is a great guy – Debbie talks highly of him. However, he was a man and like every other man in this world, I was afraid of him. Not only was I afraid of him, but I never dreamed that he might care even the slightest bit about me. After all, he was a man and well…caring about me did not go with the label I had placed on men.

So, to find out that a MAN had prayed for me was special in and of itself. This man, whom I had never met, cared about me! It also touched me that upon hearing what was going on with me, he immediately stopped everything (he was at work at the time) and prayed for me. He placed enough value and worth on me to put my well-being above his business. Debbie told me what he had prayed and two things really pierced my heart. In his prayer, he called me “precious” and he asked God to protect and heal my “fragile heart.” I can't even begin to tell you what hearing those simple words did to me. I didn't even realize until several weeks later the full impact they had in bringing healing to what was indeed a VERY fragile heart.

My friend's husband did more than pray for me that night. He gave me some gifts that touched my heart in a very deep way. He gave me compassion, hope, encouragement, value, love and so much more as he exemplified the love of Jesus in his words and actions. It would take pages to fully explain the extent to which God used that in my life. I will summarize it by simply saying that it opened my heart to be able to receive love and healing from everybody, especially the men that God placed in my life those next two weeks, while in the hospital.

We all know people who are hurting…people who need far more than new clothes, toys, electronics, even new cars this Christmas…people who need to know how much God loves and values them. Even Christians often fail to recognize just how deep God's love is for us…just how much value He places on each and every one of us. Stop and think, for a minute, what 1 John 4:9 means when it says, “ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ” Really meditate on John 3:16 which tells us that God loved every single person in the world SO much that He sent His one and only son to die for us so that we would not die, forever separated from God, but that we could live with Him forever.

Now THAT is love!!! That is what Jesus was referring to in John 15:13 when He said, “ Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ” This type of love is what people need to heal their wounded and fragile hearts. Showing people the love of Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever give them – not just at Christmas, but all year long. If we back up to John 15:12 , we hear Jesus command us to “ Love each other as I have loved you. ” Loving as Jesus loved means giving – sacrificing – whatever is necessary to meet the needs of others. 1 John 3:16-18 says “ This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love.”

My daughter is involved in a local musical theater group, Kids Who Care . They have a song they sing, that goes along with this idea.

Lyrics by Deborah Jung, Music by Jay Adkins

The young boy was watching As the woman was walking

Her arms brimming full At the end of the day.

The bus stop was waiting Her energy fading

With care and concern She was moving that way.

Her baby was singing Some goo-ga-lee music

She smiled as he nuzzled His head in her cheek

Her steps growing weary The boy could see clearly

Her load was too much And her arms were too weak

So the boy took a step And he smiled as he offered

To carry her bags The last little way

And the woman's eyes sparkled As she thanked the young hero

And he smiled to himself As he went on his way.

CHORUS:

The heroes are there Some are standing in shadows

They don't make the headlines When their wings brush your sleeve.

But these angels of hope Far outnumber the heartaches

And the goodness they give us Remains when they leave.

The young boy was watching As the newsman was talking

The airwaves were full At the end of the day.

The radio blaring The public is staring

As stories of terror Keep coming their way.

So they lock up their doors And their shops and their houses

Soon they lock up their hearts And they can't find the key.

In a world growing smaller With walls growing taller

A young boy is searching For you and for me.

His hand reaches out To those who are weary

His smile leaves a trace Of hope deep inside.

And you know that he's in you And you can do something

For someone who needs you To stand by their side.

CHORUS:

The heroes are there Some are standing in shadows

They don't make the headlines When their wings brush your sleeve.

But these angels of hope Far outnumber the heartaches

And the goodness they give us Remains when they leave.

We give Jesus to others by seeing their needs, reaching out a hand to offer gifts of hope, healing, peace, compassion…most of all love. It is my prayer that this Christmas, you will look beyond the fancy packages, and “wish lists” and look into the hearts of those around you and give them the gifts they need most…give the gift of Jesus .

“ So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity .” ( Colossians 3:12,14 )

Originally published in HeartBeat the Magazine, December 2007

Healing the Wounded Heart

Psalm of Praise

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD: let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving & extol him with music & song." Psalm 95:1-2

Prayer Needed

Longing for His Presence

The Gift of Rain

He Loves Me Too Much

Father...You know

Expecting the Unexpected at a Baby Shower

Pain...It's All Part of His Healing

So Many Brokenhearted

O Lord, My Lord

How Do I Respond?

Father, may I love as Jesus loved...in a way that reflects His forgiveness and grace, without condemnation...willing to walk beside...always pointing to Jesus.

Tu Fidelidad

I Am Has Sent Them

We Will Not be Shaken

Divine Clarity and Absolute Peace

Desperate for an Answer......BUT GOD!!

A Birthday Prayer

Love in our Home

My Source of Strength

Teach me to Love as You Do

Quito Trip Update

Oh How Natural It Is

Healing my Wounded Heart

Seeking Him for Unanswered Questions

The Gift of a Handicap

Winner Announced...Now What?

She Speaks Conference Scholarship and other Thoughts

Take Up Your Bed...And WALK

Freedom From Fear

Daddy's Girl

A Christmas Blessing for All

Second Printing of Joy in the Furnace Bible Study

Give Thanks for That?

Joy in the Furnace Bible Study...Exciting Announcement

Joy in the Furnace - Part 2

Joy in the Furnace Part 2 By Debbie Guinn ©

Joy in the Furnace - Part 1

Question for Writers/Authors

God is Faithful...

The Valentine Box

Friend of a Wounded Heart

A Victim No More

A Victim No More © by Debbie Guinn

Being Changed Into HIS Likeness

Out With the Old…In With the Truth©

Merry Christmas!

Gifts that Heal By Debbie Guinn © 2007

Angel of Hope ©

Joy in the Furnace Part 2
By Debbie Guinn ©

A Victim No More ©
by Debbie Guinn

Gifts that Heal
By Debbie Guinn © 2007