Would You Step Out?

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. - John 15:13 (NLT)

This was my encouraging word of the day.

It is true that Christ Jesus laid down his life for all of us in the most monumental way possible for one 'friend' to do for another. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same.

Love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself. It is often referred to as “The Great Commandment”.

When the Pharisees heard that the Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. (Matthew 22:34)

One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him “Teacher which is the great commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:35-36)

And He said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND'. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' (Matthew 22:37-40, NASB)

We live in a world today that is full of those who are ‘in it for themselves’. Selfishness abounds to the extent that many claim they are not selfish! As a whole, I find so many inconsiderate and justifiably so. I often wonder how so many can be so unaware. How did we become ‘a nation of self-absorbed better thans’? I believe the answer is simply the truth that a major portion of us turned away from the LORD. With each passing generation, darkness spreads.

So the big question is:

Do you care what He thinks?

Do you ponder upon His ways?

Have you forgotten Him or would you say you have never known Him?

Scripture states that if you seek God, you will find Him.

Can you say you have truly ever sought with all your heart?

Back in my day, we were taught the ‘golden rule’ (Do unto others . . . treat others as you believe you deserve to be treated.) That school of thought ~ ‘be considerate’ in other words is not discussed today as it was in the past.

As a nation, as a people, we need to turn back to the LORD. We need to seek His ways. We need to read His word. As we turn to Him, He will turn to us. Your turn must be genuine, not ritualistic. The state of your heart matters.

Today I am joyous that I know the LORD. I am thankful I know that I am loved by Him despite my imperfection. I am blessed to have Him in my corner. He always knows what I need before I even fully disclose it. His ways amaze me and leave me in awe daily.

Recently I uttered one of my infamous cry prayers. I was at a point where I had no more strength. I have been entrenched in battles daily, attacked from the powers of darkness. Granted, God has kept me standing through it all, but I was depleted. Sometimes, we need an encouraging word from fellow believers who too have walked in our shoes. A cause for hope that your life is valuable to the kingdom of God. I once talked to God for hours each day. I had big dreams and big plans. I share all of this in my book. However, in the end, I am just a girl and often I am secluded and overwhelmed and unable to mingle with others. There is something about sharing your story, your confident hope that renews your strength. So, here I was crying out to God and low and behold, my phone rings. I answered it and found myself in an hour long conversation with a fellow believer. God was using me to strengthen and encourage her just as much as He was using her for me!

In the end, we set a time to talk again this Tuesday. I found myself elated due to our conversation, but within hours, one of my biggest opponents was on the prowl again. Due to a barrage of verbal attacks, I again cried out to God and this time He had another believer reach out to me via an email over an ad I had placed.

After her initial comments, I gifted this girl a chapter out of my book and upon hearing that she would love to read the entire book, I gifted it to her. She had written me saying she loved the chapter, was amazed at how God had moved in my life at that time and she inquired how she could get the entire book.

I wrote back gifting her my Kindle copy. I was so elated to hear that she was inspired by a mere chapter and by the grace of God, my adversary was removed from me for the entire day. I ended up excelling at my studies and accomplished all I needed to ahead of time. As I was getting ready to close down my computer that evening, my email notification flagged me. This is what I read:

Wendy,

I just want you to know... I'm only in Chapter 4 of your book, but I am incredibly grateful to you for writing it! I grew up in the church since I was a toddler, and have had my own ups and downs in my faith, and in my relationship with God. I, like you, had a list of things that I would never do. But most were done, even while knowing I shouldn't have. There have been things I've done that at times have me believe I'm not worthy of God's love and grace, and I've had a hard time forgiving myself for my decisions and mistakes. I know God has forgiven me, but it's hard to forgive myself. In the middle of reading with tears in my eyes, I had to stop and pray... I honestly believe I was meant to stumble upon that random RV ad on craigslist. I just wanted you to know... if nothing comes of the RV for my family, me replying to that ad was worth it! My relationship with God is continuing to grow as I write this email... and I have you to thank for another spark in my heart to grow it even more. I'm looking forward to reading more of your story... again, thank you so very much!!! Yours in Christ!!✝️

~ Connie

Have you read my story? If not, consider clicking here to purchase your own print copy or here to purchase your own digital copy. Be blessed!

Father, thank you for my journey, for always being my emergency buddy even when I did not deserve one. Remind me that I too was once blind so that I have compassion for those whose eyes have not been opened. Remind me that they are hurting and it is why they strike out. They don't know better because they have refused to listen to you. Please help open their ears so that they not only hear, but that they listen. We need more warriors LORD and we need them to be encouraged. Help us strengthen one another through prayer, help us stay networked so that none of us are secluded. I want to be a mighty warrior in your army. I want to be one who points the way to You. Please cause my story to be used by those who are wearing the shoes that I once wore. Please use my story in many ways. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

© Wendy Glidden 2017

When Trouble Comes!

Even though it shouldn't catch me by surprise, I find myself often in awe of just what a little bit of pondering upon God, His ways, His words, can do for your mindset and in the end, your level of energy, optimism and outlook upon your life.

Today I face a lot. I have a 31 day old baby at home who I am breastfeeding, meaning a lot of my day is devoted to sitting and feeding him. Along with him, there are 5 more children under my roof all of whom are home schooled. Granted there day is planned out by the virtual charter school they are enrolled in, but there is a lot of stuff I have to help out with as well. On top of this, as all housemom's know, I am in charge of meals, cleaning, refereeing, and so much more!

With that being said, those who are my friends on social media know that recently, I was contacted by child services in regards to a call they received. It seems some concerned citizen found an issue with a couple of my children taking off their shoes while playing outside. To make matters worse, they were also seen looking through the items that had been removed from 6 vacant homes in our division. As delightful Delilah explained when I questioned her, "We were looking through treasure!" The caller felt that this activity put their lives in danger even though this 'dump' area looks like a disorganized garage sale! Another reason for this report was this concerned citizen was worried that my children were not in school as they had seen them playing outside prior to the school bus dropping off the other children in the neighborhood.

While all of these charges may seem ridiculous to my generation, unless you have experienced the government contacting you with a charge of neglect, you cannot fathom what this does to one's heart. Even though I knew in truth, I am not a neglectful parent; my children always come first in my home, I was still freaked out by the call. I had to schedule a home visit and each child was to have a personal interview with the caseworker. In the end, I reacted to this attack as I do all attacks; I requested all believers to pray for social justice over my case. I tried not to worry as I reminded myself that God had me covered.

This is part of why diving into the word of God on a regular basis is so beneficial to your outlook. One of the passages I read, included this:

For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. (Psalm 27:5, NLT) 

As parents, we live in scary times. Almost anything can be viewed as neglect. My own parents would have been thrown in jail for such charges. My brother and I were pretty adventurous in our days! While I didn't really need to be hidden per say, I did feel the need to be protected from the evils in this world. After all, a caseworker is a human being. They have the final say in whether or not to charge you with neglect or as in my case, to close your case finding no fault. 

Today, I encourage you to stay in the word each and every day. Not only will it energize you, it will keep your mind from worry. God is great and He loves us. Grasp that and you will be doing well!

Father, I have so much to thank you for. My cup truly does runneth over. I am blessed in knowing I am blessed. How cool is that! Thank you for everything. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray.

Wendy, mom of many, walks with God

© Wendy Glidden 2017

The Stress Free Zone

Just where and how can one find themselves firmly planted in the stress free zone? There is only one road that will take you there: finding faith in the truth of Christ Jesus.

Over the course of my life, I have had people refer to me in ways suggesting that I am strong. At my best, I was weak before I learned who I am in Christ. My life has never been truly easy, granted many of the hardships I faced were of my own causing. Today, my life is not easy on a good day, but it is abundant.

When chaos strikes I find my strength comes from the LORD in greater ways. I guess in a way, the chaos itself is a blessing for it always increases my faith in the truth that God indeed is there for me in amazing ways. Just KNOWING that is comforting.

I don't deny that there are moments that I find myself overwhelmed because I do. What saves me is my relationship with the LORD. I am constantly reminded of truths found in His word.

1. I am a child of God
2. He loves me
3. He hears me when I pray
4. He knows my name
5. No weapon formed against me will prevail
6. I live in a fallen world
7. The enemy came to steal, kill and destroy
8. I need not fear the enemy because my God is a conqueror
9. God has never forsaken me

A crazy thing happens when you begin to share your love for Christ, the enemy attacks in greater ways and on a more constant basis. While he does this in order to destroy me, God uses the battles to assure me that He is my God, I am His people and He dwells with me. He is there for me, it is His promise, a covenant that I can rest in.

I can't help but reflect upon how deeply some hated Christ. They hated him so much they sought his death. If they hated Him to that degree, it is easier to understand why some in the world today hate me. Their hate and desire to destroy me has nothing to do with me in all reality, it has to do with my love for Christ. The world has a saying, "misery loves company". We have a name for those kind of people, "Player Haters". While I am no player, I do count myself blessed. God loves me. I don't say that to boast for He loves all of his children. I know this for fact for even while I spited Him in my past, He loved me. He protected me. He provided for me. He taught me and patiently waited for me to 'get it'. All of this is revealed in the story He called me forth to share. You can read all about it here.

You see, today I am seeking my Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies while raising a family of 6. The oldest under my roof are 12 year old twin girls and the youngest is a 21 day old baby boy. 31 years ago, I was a high school dropout raising my first baby. In the middle, I gave birth to 9 other babies, one of whom I gave up for adoption . . . my story is long and much of it is not pretty but what God did in the midst of it is quite amazing. You should read my life story. I guarantee there is a message from God for you in the mix of it all!

I share all of this to not only encourage you in the midst of hard times, but to also remind myself just how Great our God is. After all, we all need to be encouraged and reminded it is why we are encouraged to both seek God with all our hearts as well as to have fellowship with other believers. This world is not our home and there are more that are blind and deaf to the truth than there are those who are awake. We must remember to pray for one another daily, to ask for protection and provision as well as wisdom and knowledge. May you find yourself blessed in multiple ways today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, walks with God, mom of many

© Wendy Glidden 2017