That Was Then This is Now!

Today, my encouraging word was delivered from the book of Romans:

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:18, NLT, courtesy of K-Love's encouraging word)

Wow. was all I could think for a moment. Today, my emotional heart is still fragile. How I long to be beyond this pain yet we all know that we don't just fly out of heartache. There is always a healing process. For now I am concentrating on being healthy so that I am healthy in all ways when my blessing from above arrives.

I am thankful that I know that those words of encouragement hold so much truth in them. How many moments in my past would I place under the listing of 'suffering'. Truthfully a lot of them. For instance, I have once again found myself in the shoes of single and pregnant. The first time this happened I was in my 20's and engaged only to find myself pregnant and alone. I ended up giving that baby up for adoption. All of this story is in my book: Here is a tiny excerpt from that chapter in 'You are Worthy Too: The Proof is in the Pudding'

Bruce was supposed to be arranging us housing close to his campus. He only called me a couple times to update me on the progress and to see how the baby and I were getting along before I received the next to last phone call I ever received from Bruce. 

Before I had a chance to even ask how he was doing, he said, "Wendy, I need to say this without interruption so just listen. I love you. I will always love you. This is too much. I'm not ready. My mom has moved and she changed her number, the college has moved me to a new dorm and they have been informed that you are not to have my new information. Don't bother my friends they know not to tell you anything. Good Luck." and he hung up on me.

I was frozen. I think I dropped the phone. Instantly my Aunt knew something was wrong. Through my tears, I shared what Bruce had said.

As that chapter of my life unfolds into the next, you begin to see what life is like when you don't lean on God. I am so thankful that this round I know who I am in Christ. While I am just as shattered to discover that once again I am not loved enough by the man I am with, I also understand that I am loved mightily by my Father in Heaven. I certainly don't understand what His complete plan is for my life, I am trusting in Him this round. 

I know He did not call me forth to share my life in a book just to have it sit in the publishing house. He is my provider. In my sharing my story, He has provided me a way to support my family. All I need is for the word to get out. I believe the time is right for that and it is my prayer that all who are reading my blog today are moved to learn more about what God called me forth to share. In my book you will discover much about me and my walk. I have not always been faithful to God, but He has always been faithful to me. Should you decide to purchase my story today for a mere $13.00, you will be blessing me and in return, I know there are countless blessings for you and others you may share my book with. 

I feel like I'm standing on the side of the road with a sign up saying 'Anything Helps' which is so ironic because I just wrote a blog around that thought recently, but sincerely, anything does help. I don't want a hand out. I want to make it on the talents that God blessed me with. Please consider helping me with that goal by purchasing my book, 'You Are Worthy Too: The Proof is in the Pudding'

In hopes of garnering your attention enough to do that, here is another excerpt from the following chapter:

As often happens when I deliver, things are not in order and it gets pretty crazy. In no time flat I gave birth. The doctor held up my baby and announced, "We have a girl." She weighed in at 9lbs 6oz.

I was taken clear on the other side of the hospital because I had requested not to be in the maternity ward. Lena came with me. When my nurse came to check on me, I asked if it was okay if I walked around.

She said, “If you feel up to it but be careful.”

I said I would. When she left, I looked at Lena and said, "I can't stand it. You want to go see her?"

She said, “Yes!”

We walked out of my room, smiled at the girls at the desk, and went around the corner right into the elevator. We went down and then across to the maternity ward through a tunnel.

The nurse in the nursery was just getting ready to feed her and she asked if I would like to give my baby her bottle. I could not stop myself. I had to hold her. I fed her, I admired her, and I sang to her. I inhaled her newborn sent.

Every fiber of my being wanted to keep her in my arms. Right then I looked up and my personal nurse was looking at me through the glass. She motioned for me to come out. She greeted me with a wheel chair and said, "Child when I said you could walk around, I did not mean for you to take a mile hike. You could bleed to death you know. We need to check your vitals.

** I promise my story has a message of hope for the hopeless, a laugh for those in need of laughter and most likely a tear or two for those in need of that. I have come to learn that crying has healing properties just like laughter does. Please help this mom of many by purchasing my book. In doing so, you will help  not only yourself, for we all have walked similar paths in life, but you just may bless those you purchase my book for as there are countless blessings in my book for those who read it.

Click Here to purchase "You Are Worthy Too: The Proof is in the Pudding" today. 

Father, today I thank you for the faith I have. It is hard to believe I am in somewhat the same shoes I wore 20 years ago. I am so grateful to understand how much you love me today for I did not know that back then. I thank you for opening the door for me when I knocked, what a journey it has been. While I have had moments of suffering, I have also had those moments where I witnessed what you did with that and I thank you for holding true to all your promises. I pray that the next phase in my life brings me to the things we talked about when I was so much younger. Have I really been having babies for 30 years now!?! You weren't kidding when you said I would be a mother to many. I thank you for my many blessings and ask that through my story countless others are blessed. May I be one of the vehicles you use to reach the lost. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, Mom of Many, walks with God.

© Wendy Glidden, 2015

Slavery, What the New Testament Has to Say on the Subject!

Reading Response Paper #2: The Book of Philemon

Wendy Glidden

HUM-114A-ON15-SU15: New Testament- Block 1

Professor: Dr. Lee

Colorado Christian University: College of Adult and Graduate Studies

May 23, 2015

We are told in our reading of Gundry that “Philemon became a Christian through Paul” (Gundry, pg 454). As brothers in Christ, they must have enjoyed a close relationship. We are also told that there were no church buildings for the early Christians to meet in, so the church meetings were held in individual homes. Since we learn in our reading that Philemon actually had a house church where Paul taught, one can assume they were close brothers in Christ who respected one another and loved one another greatly due to these verses:

[1] Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, [2] and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: (Philemon 1:1-2, NASB)

[7] For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. (Philemon 1:7, NASB)

[9] yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, since I am such a person as Paul, the aged and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. (Philemon 1:9, NASB)

On one hand, Paul points out that he could order Philemon to do as he wishes and on the other hand he points out that he loves and respects Philemon as a brother in Christ and with that being said, instead of ordering, he appeals to his understanding of the message of grace alone. Paul makes it clear in his opening that Philemon is more than just a believer of Christ; he is listed also as a worker. These combined verses speak very highly of a mutually respectful friendship.

It is clear in Paul’s letter that he believes Onesimus’ conversion to Christ changes the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus as more than simply master and slave. He even suggests the possibility that the reason Onesimus left the service of Philemon was all a part of God’s greater plan. Now instead of Onesimus being nothing more than a slave to Philemon, he is returning as a beloved brother in Christ:

[15] For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, [16] no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. (Philemon 1:15-16, NASB)

Seeing how Philemon and Paul were close brother’s in Christ, there is little room for doubt concerning where Paul stood on the subject of masters and slaves; no matter what position one held in life, when you were committed to Christ, everything you did, how you worked, how you treated others, it all was in obedience to the Lord, not man.

A quick read of several verses makes it clear that those who were slaves prior to being called are in essence freedmen while now being Christ’s slave. It is also just as clear how masters were to treat their slaves. These are a few of the verses Paul wrote through various letters regarding the relationship between master and slaves in general:

For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. (1 Corinthians 7:22, NASB)

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. [23] Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:22-24, NASB)

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4;1, NASB)

[5] Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart as to Christ; [6] not by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. (Ephesians 6:5-6, NASB)

[9] And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

When it comes to slaves and masters that find themselves in the position to minister to others, Paul makes it adamantly clear that in order to not have both doctrine and God spoken against, we must be respectful of one another, regardless of social position. (1 Timothy 6:1-2)

Paul also writes about the way that bondslaves are to behave toward their masters in his short letter to Titus. When you consider the ultimate truth; that we are to love one another as we love ourselves, it makes it impossible to deny how we are to behave towards one another, earthly slave and master alike. Without demanding that Philemon forgive Onesimus, Paul insinuates as a follower of Christ this should be a given on the part of Philemon. To ensure that there are no hard feelings between the two, Paul himself offers to reimburse Philemon any debt he may feel he is owed by Onesimus while also reminding Philemon that due to Paul’s teaching, he himself has gained more than he could ever lose and in essence is truly owed nothing:

[18] But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; [19] I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self as well). (Philemon 1:18-19, NASB)

I truly think that Paul is quite a clever writer. He sends Onesimus back to Philemon with this letter knowing that as Philemon reads it, his heart will be softened in multiple ways. Not only will he have to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ, he is most likely going to put him to work helping Paul as requested. How could he deny the very one who has risked his own life to share the good news with Philemon and so many others?

This letter certainly does not uphold slavery as an institution and at the same time it doesn’t really point to its demise. I think it highlights the truth that in this world, some of us are slaves and some of us are masters; some of us are employees and some of us are the bosses. Some of us have financial and material blessings and some of us depend on the kindness of strangers, and a few of us have been blessed to have walked in several of these shoes. No matter what our earthly position turns out to be, our role in this life is truly the same. We are to treat each other with kindness, love and respect always knowing that in the end we truly serve the same Master in heaven. In that respect, one could say that we are bondservants to Christ, even if we are considered to be free in man’s eyes.

When it comes to how I will apply what I have learned in both my ministry and my social life regarding this particular session, things have not really changed. For longer than I can remember, I have had the mindset that I don’t work or serve men alone. While I do love praise from my boss or my teachers, in the long run, all I do in this life, I do for the LORD.

When it comes to how I intend to treat others in the world, both through my ministry which in all honesty flows over into my social life, I am drawn to this Scripture:

[31] “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; [33] and He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. [34] “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; [36] naked, and you clothed Me, I was sick, and you visited Me, I was in prison, and you came to Me’. [37] Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? [38] And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? [39] When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ [40] The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

The only thing missing from this Scripture is forgiveness of transgressions. Paul makes it clear that this is something we should be willing to do for our Father in heaven has done as much for us. Since we are children of God, we should behave as Him. My favorite Scripture regarding forgiveness is this one:

[21] Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22, NASB)

Christ is my LORD and Savior. He loves all of us. Much like Paul, I consider myself His bondservant. Therefore, I intend to serve Him all my days with all my heart, mind and soul, in all ways possible.

References

The MacArthur Study Bible, 2006, John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson Publishing

A Survey of the New Testament, 2012, Robert H. Gundry, Zondervan

Because You Love Me!

It's Tremendously Thankful Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursday! One thing I have learned about giving thanks is that when we are thankful for the littlest of things, we appreciate everything to a much greater extent. Life becomes both abundant and joyous for somehow your eyes are opened wider to the things of importance in life. Loving one another.

The other day, Jeffrey and I were out doing laundry. In the midst of it all, I asked him if he knew how cute he was. He smiled and said, "Yes." I then asked him how he knew and he said, "Because you love me so much you always say I'm super cute." I laughed both because he was right and in his confidence of how much I love him, he truly is super cute. This is how we should believe our Father views us. To him, we are "super cute". There is a part of me to my very core that believes that. I have heard the rumbling chuckle of a Father tickled to his very core as a child.

As I drove the children to school this morning, I heard this song on K-Love: "Remind Me Who I Am" by Jason Gray

"Remind Me Who I Am"

When I lose my way,
And I forget my name,
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see,
Is who I don't wanna be,
Remind me who I am.
In the loneliest places,
When I can't remember what grace is.

Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You.
To You.

When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home,
Remind me who I am.
When I can't receive Your love,
Afraid I'll never be enough,
Remind me who I am.
If I'm Your beloved,
Can You help me believe it.

Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You, whoa.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You.
That I belong to You.
To You.

I'm the one you love,
I'm the one you love,
That will be enough,
I'm the one you love.

Tell me once again who I am to You.
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You, oh.

Tell me once again who I am to You.
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You.
To You.

As I listened I thought about Jeffrey and his confidence that both God and I love him to pieces. I then realized there have been times in my life where my confidence in God's love for me is so great I have that same sureness about it all as Jeffrey does. However, we all have those days where we could really use a show of his hand in our lives. Evidence that He hears and sees us. We long for him to remind us how much he loves us just like Jeffrey eats it up when I tell him that God and I love him to smithereens. 

Today, if you find yourself connecting with the words to this song, I pray you feel the LORD God's love for you. I pray your eyes are opened to the blessings he provides for you. I pray you begin to seek the LORD God's will in your life and I pray that you are able to hear Him when He speaks to you. I pray that the veil the evil one places upon the children of God is demolished all around you. I pray you find comfort in the truth of God's Word and that you seek what He has to say about you daily. 

Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2015

* February 14, 2015 * You Are Worthy Too’s Weekly Weekend Newsletter*

Happy Supernaturally Silly Sing Song Sweethearts Day!

I shared a link on Facebook regarding the history of Valentine’s Day and said this, “Just another reason I’m not one of those girls that celebrate Valentine’s Day . . . puts a whole spin on it ~ right?!?”

My grandmother responded with, “I love Valentine’s Day . . . The world needs love in our lives!”

To which I stated, “God is love so I couldn’t agree more Grandma!”

God is love. In reading His Word, we come to understand that love is even more important than faith! We know that in the Old Testament, those who were found righteous were credited righteous due to their faith. We are also told in the New Testament that it is by grace through faith that we are saved. We are even advised to carry our shield of faith for protection against the devil’s schemes! All of this regarding faith makes it clear that we need faith to gain everlasting life! When you consider that LOVE is GREATER than Faith, one should take notice of such things!

With that, we have no choice but to come to the same conclusion as my grandmother. “The world needs love in our lives!”

What is love if love is God?

I truly believe all answers to life’s questions are found in the bible. You may be surprised to know that no where in the bible does it say to dedicate one day to the celebration of Love! Here are a few things we are told about love:

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease, if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with the childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

That is one heck of a list for what love is, but did you know that you can also see love in action in God’s Word?

And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise. And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” Luke 3:11-14

We find further depth to what love looks like in action here:

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. ~ Matthew 5 44-48 (NASB)

In the Old Testament, we are given the law. This was only given to us to show us that we alone cannot live the law out perfectly. The law was designed to draw us to God.

In the New Testament, we are told how best to live and we find this instruction in the midst of a conversation between Jesus and a scribe who presented Jesus with a question upon hearing Jesus and some Sadducees arguing!

One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” ~ Mark 12:28-31 (NASB)

This advice is first found in the Book of Deuteronomy:

“Hear, O’Israel ! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” ~ Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NASB)

That law is written on our hearts! What is the symbol for love on Valentine’s Day? Hearts! Love one another is on all of our hearts! So my grandmother is completely right when she says the world needs love. We are commanded to show each other love. Before that we are told to love God above everything else. While some may see that as a bit much for God to command, I pray they come to understand that God tells us to Love Him above all else because in doing so, we will find ourselves protected beyond our own comprehension. Nothing that takes place in this world will be able to steal, kill or destroy us because when we put nothing above God, He is our stronghold. Since God is everlasting, faithful and true, we couldn’t have a better stronghold in this world!

I’m all for showing one another love on what the world has claimed as ‘Valentine’s Day’; just remember, love is not material gifts and it is not meant to be given only on February 14! After all, Love is God! With that being said, here is this weeks song lyrics sung by King and Country “Proof of Your Love”

If I sing but don't have love, I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice, a hallow noise
If I speak with the silver tongue and convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say

(Chorus):
So let my life be the proof of Your love
So let my love look like You and what Your made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

If I give
To a needy soul but don't have love then who is poor?
It seems all the poverty is found in me

So let my life be the proof of Your love
So let my love look like You and what Your made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song
Only love remains
Only love remains

(Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
If I can speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy
But don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rust gate
If I speak God’s word with power, revealing all of His mysteries
And making everything as plain as day
And if I have faith to say to a mountain jump and it jumps
But I don’t love, I’m nothing
If I give all I earn to the poor
Or even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr
But I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere
So, no matter what I say, no matter what I believe, no matter what I do
I’m bankrupt without love

Let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/for-king-country/the-proof-of-your-love-lyrics/#obI14V4AKy5Eg3MD.99 and view / listen to this song on YouTube!

I truly do believe this world would be in much better shape if we heard and focused on what was written on our hearts! In celebration of February 14, 2015, I suggest we take the realization that this world could use a lot more love and begin to act accordingly daily, not just for the show of it once a year!

Father, today I pray that the strongholds that the evil one has placed in the world lose their power and fall uselessly away. I pray that you become the world’s stronghold; that in times of stress and duress, we cling to you and recognize we have nothing and no one to fear. I pray that you flank new believers with a hedge of protection and send angels to minister to them. I pray that those who cannot hear or see the truth are able to step out of the fog. I pray that the power of the veil that Satan has used to cause confusion is removed. I pray that at the same time, those once confused as to what the truth is turn to find you Father as I know you are always near! In Jesus name I pray!

Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2015

Every Time!

Too many You's to mention by name,

but to each one of you I say the same!
My reader's who encourage me along my way, 
fellow sisters and brothers I met throughout each day. 
To my family and my life-long friends: 

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God!

- Philippians 1:3 (NLT)

He called me out two years ago to share my story.

While scared to death, I wrote it for His glory.
Praying for direction and more territory

I want to spread the message He gave me for you

By reading my story you'll realize it is true:

"You ARE Worthy Too!"

Listen Now!

Dear Reader,

First I want to take this opportunity to thank you for
purchasing my book! This is the beginning of my story. The first full sixteen
years of them are in this volume. I have also included two bonus chapters from
upcoming titles!

All my life I dreamt of being a writer. I wanted my
books to fill people with hope. As I grew up, I continued to write off and on
but I had long given up on ever publishing anything to encourage others or
brighten their days.

As I approached my 40s, I began questioning life and
relationships. Then a life event of my own caused me to fall to my knees. I had
finally come to the end of my own strength and determination. It was in giving
everything to God, He gave me the desires of my heart.

I truly hope you enjoy this first book full of true
chapters from my life.

When God convicted me, He showed me how He had been
there all along. You get some insights as you are shown things through the
rear-view mirror!

There is much the Lord is leading me to share. I hope
you stick around as I continue to share my life story as well as other titles.
Look for all the details on You Are Worthy Too Website! The link to take you
there is on my connect with me page at the end of the book.

Had someone asked me a year ago if I thought my life
was worthy of publishing I would have laughed and quickly said, “No”.

God thought otherwise. He called me out to share my
story over a year ago. While full of fear, I stepped out in Faith.

I pray my story leaves you inspired, encouraged and
full of faith. I am humbled by your purchase. Be blessed and be a blessing!

Love, Wendy Glidden

© Wendy Glidden 2014 

No Giggling Allowed!

Today is Totally Terrific Testimonial Tell All Tuesday. My tell all would be this:

I have an issue with the basket being passed at church. I do. I might not have ever found it as weird of an event today as I do had I not belonged to a church that did not pass the basket each Sunday or any Sunday for that matter. As a matter of fact I cannot find one reference to Jesus passing a basket when he taught the multitudes. I do believe in sharing the wealth as led by the Holy Spirit. I just have a problem with the pomp and circumstance of the basket ceremony during worship.

This past Sunday, I tried out another church here in Reno. I won't mention the name because I don't feel it is my place to badmouth a church by name, but I will say this; I will not be going back to this one nor will I personally recommend them. As Mike suggested after we left, I dusted off my sandals and that is that. I will however share my experience as that is what I do.

We arrived 30 minutes early and as we were sitting on a bench outside where others were mingling, we noticed a sign on one of the doors that said, "Sunday School" and there were children already in the room. We sent our children in and discovered that this particular room was for third graders only. The teacher's assistant was kind enough to point us in the right direction for our youngest and she personally offered to escort Delilah to her class.

When I knocked on the door of the preschoolers, I received a somewhat chilling welcome being slightly scolded for being so late. I explained to the woman that we did not realize that Sunday School took place prior to Sunday Service as a whole and she allowed Jeffrey to attend the last 20 minutes of class. He went in happily so I decided to ignore my own feelings at the moment.

When the students were let out, our doors were opened and the family as a whole was permitted to enter the church. It started out great. A prayer, a word of encouragement and a couple of songs. The first one was "Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord" and the children were up and grooving to the tune quite joyfully as was I. The next song was one I had not heard before. One of its lines said, "Holy Spirit please come." and me being me, I know that the Holy Spirit walked in with me because the Holy Spirit is in me so I changed the words to reflect that. I was enjoying myself and did not notice that the very lady that had informed me how late I was in delivering Jeffrey to her classroom was now glaring at me. I only discovered this when Mike shared it with me on our way back home.

After the songs, they gave a little word and called the ushers forward. Bear in mind, my children have never been present at the passing of the basket so this was new to them. When the usher arrived at our row, he promptly handed the basket to Michael whose face lit up at the sight of all the money. I could just see the wheels turning in his head and I quickly said one word out loud, "NO!" To which he looked at me and I motioned for him to give the plate like metal basket back to the usher. Sitting right behind Michael was a row that was void of any adults. Only six year old Delilah and her nine year old sister Marissa were occupying that row and yet the usher handed Delightful Delilah the plate full of money. In comparison to Michael's face, Delilah's lit up like the fourth of July. I quickly told her to give the plate back to the man to which Delilah began giggling nervously. As I was shaking my head at her mouthing for her to please stop, I was tapped on the shoulder by someone. When I turned to see who wanted me, I realized it was Jeffrey's teacher. She whispered, "Is this your first time in church?" to which I answered, "This is our first time here but not our first time to church."

She then looked at me and said, "Well, here we expect the children to sit still and be quiet."

Before I even knew I was going to do it, I stood up and said, "Everyone, it is time to go." She seemed genuinely surprised by my reaction and said in a rush, "Oh my God! You don't have to leave!" to which I replied, "Oh yes, yes I do!" and then I stated a little louder to my group, "Get up. We are leaving now!"

There is little question to when I am serious and when I mean move it and move it out of there my family did. I watched this busy body rush to another member in the church and begin gossiping. I felt sorry for her. How happy I am that I don't just 'show up' on Sunday. This lady showed no love in any interaction I had with her and this is the chilling thought; she is teaching the youngest children about God!

One day I pray that I can have my own church like the one that helped me grow spiritually by leaps and bounds without shoving a basket in my face week after week reminding me that it is my duty to donate to them for such teachings. I want my members to recognize the tug at their heart to give as they are directed to by the Holy Spirit. I don't ever want anyone to give out of guilt for that is not how we are meant to do things. I think many people are turned off by the basket and the guilt teachings that go along with the ceremony. Perhaps I am alone in this thinking but I somehow think I might not be. I am still searching for a home church and I will continue to search until I start my own!

This week I am beginning another college course. For the next five weeks I am taking a deep dive into understanding the Psalms and I am truly excited about it! This weeks discussion was on
Psalm 1: 1-3:

PSALM 1:1-3 (NASB)

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

We were asked to share our thoughts regarding what we thought the psalmist was trying to say, as well as to how we thought the psalm applied to today's time. We were urged to think about something that might need clarified as well as asked if there was anything that stood out to us. This was my response to the reading:

To me the psalmist is sharing how blessed one is when they meditate on the Law of the Lord day and night, constantly feeding their mind with God's truth and wisdom. God's word is a VITAL part of our armor. I believe when a person constantly renews their minds with God's Word, they are able to see through the 'unwise counsel of the wicked'. This is why he who delights in the Lord and his law is strengthened and able to stand firmly like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit. 

The world is full of worldly things as well as worldly people. It is easy to get caught up in the glamour of it all and be pulled into the wake of sinners or to be lulled in by the scoffers of the world. This is why we are advised to put on the full armor of the Lord. Never once are we told it is going to be easy but we are reminded of the treasure we will gain in being devoted to giving God the best part of us each morning and going to Him throughout the day as well as never forgetting to close each day out with a final conversation. In doing so we will prosper because we will always know day by day and minute by minute who we are in Christ and our eyes will always be open to the schemes of the devil.

How does this apply to today? Today is no different than any day since the beginning. Satan is in this world. He wants to keep you out of a relationship with the Lord and he certainly does not want you to discover who you are in Christ. I walked with the Lord as a child but I knew nothing about reading His word. You could easily say I was without a vital part of my armor and I was easily swayed. We all need to study the Word of God; those of us in days gone by, those of us in the world today and those of us yet to come. 

Does something need clarified or refined? Maybe if the Psalmist had switched up the order of His Psalm beginning with He who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His Word morning and night, will find himself strengthened and He will be able to stand firmly yielding the fruit of the Spirit despite being surrounded by the doubters and lost of the world. Through it all, he will prosper no matter what the world throws in his direction. 

The phrase that stands out to me is "But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night." This is due to a couple of reasons:

(1) We read in God's Word that the Lord delights in us so it only makes sense that we should delight in Him.

(2) Without beginning and ending your day with God's Word (The Law) one is left open to the fiery arrows that the evil one constantly launches.

Wendy

Today I am thankful that I know who I am in Christ. I am thankful I know that the Holy Spirit is in me and I am thankful that my children think it is okay to giggle in God's house. Had they been laughing during prayer or when someone was talking, I could have understood this woman's reaction. However, they were giggling at each other and the fact that they had thought that they were being given money when that was not the case. I am thankful that I am confident in God's love and don't have to rely on 'playing church'. 

Father today I pray that you continue to teach me your truth. I pray I am successful enough in my studies to one day be an ordained minister. I pray that I always teach the truth and share the Love of God in all I do. In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many.

© Wendy Glidden 2014

The God of Angel Armies

It is Super Silly Sing Song Saturday according to my faith calendar I created for myself. This morning Mike found K-Love on the radio for me. The first full song I heard was "Whom Shall I fear" by Chris Tomlin. It is truly something when you realize the God we serve is indeed the God of angel armies.

When we dive into the Holy Bible, we are told about angels and messages they brought to various people including Mary and Joseph. I too have seen an Angel. I even had an army of angels help me defeat a three alarm fire in my last true home that I lived in for seven years. When I hear a song like Chris Tomlin's, it almost brings me to tears at the same time that it brings me to total awe. God loves us so much it is at times overwhelming for me. How can one cry and laugh at the exact same moment? It is my belief it is out of pure appreciation and awe at the depth of the love the Lord holds for his creation.

I often wonder, "Who am I to have been so blessed?" I know the answer, I am a child of God. It is my belief that knowing that truth, that I am a child of God, is what has kept hope alive inside of me through all of my rough bumps in the road.

I heard another song this morning but I don't know who sang it or the title. All I caught was the gist of the song itself. Basically the singer was saying something like, 'You may look at your life and wonder what went wrong, how you got to where you are today, but you are not at the end of your story. You are only in the middle.'

I don't know how many of you reading this have read my first book, "In the Beginning", but those that have know that my life did not turn out the way I thought it would. Certainly in the middle I felt just like that. Somehow what I had planned had spiraled into nothing that I had planned! Those that have continued to read my story from 'In the Beginning' to 'Marriage, Motherhood, and My Moral Meltdown' know that is the absolute truth! I would have to say all the awful things I have done and lived through have been a blessing in a weird way. You see, we are not born to judge. I certainly have no leg to stand on when it comes to being self righteous. I consider myself among the lowest of the low so it amazes me that God sees me through a different lens. This is the same lens we are to see each other with.

Today as you go about your day, I encourage you to see yourself as God sees you. When I look in the mirror, I see a plain girl who is still carrying too much weight on her bones. This is my flesh view. I know the majority of us look in the mirror and criticize various aspects of ourselves. I urge you to not look at the outer shell but to go deeper and look at the light inside. We are children of God. Fashioned in His image. It is a trick of the mind that makes us doubt our beauty. It is the world that mandates what is pretty or handsome and what is not. We are not of this world so why should we care what the world says of us? We should not. Instead we should do as we are advised in Philippians 4:8, as quoted from my NIV Study Bible:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

I know many in the world have a misconception of just what is in the Holy Bible. The Word of God is twisted and used to manipulate people. We are even warned that this will happen. We are warned to stay close to the truth and to not be tricked by false witnesses and teachers. Their is power in knowing Christ, but you should not seek to know Christ to gain power. You seek to know Him because you desire freedom, not control of others. When you get the message of Grace you realize how twisted religion can be. How cruel it can be. It is just like the Pharisees and Sadducees ruling over the people. Burdening them with ridiculous laws that were never God's design. They plotted to kill Jesus because he was teaching the truth and that truth was going to remove their power. They simply could not have that. Gaining power is not what we are born to do. We were born to bring Glory to God and to love one another. Now that sounds like heaven to me!

Today I pray that more and more and more people are drawn to the truth. I pray that my books and blogs that God encouraged me to share with the world are read and are shared. I pray the encourage countless to discover the truth for themselves and in turn share it with others. I pray the light inside of us shines so brightly we drown out the darkness. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

Here is an audio clip / video reading the back cover and a snippet out of chapter one. If you love the Beginning, purchase the book! Available in both print and e-book / kindle formats.

Wendy Glidden, walks with God, mom of many

© Wendy Glidden 2014

Unending Love, the Theme of the Bible

Jesus is the theme of the bible and through him, God not
only created all we know, He reveals his unending love and purpose for us.

John 1:1-5: In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things
came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that
has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in
that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than having been
justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him.

From the very beginning, God revealed his pleasure in
hanging out with Adam.

Genesis 2:19: Out of the ground the LORD God formed every
beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to
see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature,
that was its name.

As a parent, I have experienced the pleasure in my own
children learning the names of things. I can only imagine the joy the LORD
experienced as he brought each creation before Adam to decide upon its name.

As we continue to read the story of Adam, we are introduced
to Eve, the perfect helper and companion God created for Adam out of Adam.

Genesis 2: 22-23: The LORD God fashioned into a woman the
rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh’ She shall be called
Woman, Because she was taken out of man.”

God continues to show us how much he loves us and enjoys
hanging out with us by sharing the truth of how we came to live in a fallen
world. As a child, I can honestly say I walked and talked with God on a daily
basis. I have even felt him chuckle at the way in which I thought I would be of
great use to him. This foundation is what helped me through the toughest and roughest
years of my life. In the story of man’s creation, we are not told how long Adam
and Eve enjoyed their face to face relationship with the LORD, but we know it
existed!

Genesis 3: 8-10: They heard the sound of the LORD God
walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid
themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said,
“I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked,
so I hid myself.

How many times have we tried to hide from the LORD God only
to discover at some point, He has pursued us as well?

While the LORD God could have ended the human race right
then and there, he instead chose a way to reconcile us to Him once again.

Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between you and the
woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And
you shall bruise him on the heel.”

As the story unfolds, we are next introduced to Cain and
Abel. Once again, it is revealed that God speaks to his people.

Genesis 4:6-7: Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you
angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your
countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the
door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.

As we know, Cain chose not to listen to God and instead
opened the door to sin and murdered his brother. One might think after this the
LORD would give up on the human race, but he doesn’t. Adam and Eve are
appointed another offspring that they name Seth. Through Seth’s descendants, we
are introduced to Noah.

In the days of Noah we read that the LORD grieved over his
creation.

Genesis 6:6: The LORD was sorry that He had made man on
earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

We are told he was so grieved, he said he would wipe out
even the animals, the creeping things and the birds. Just as one might think it
was over for mankind, we read about Noah and discover that he found favor in
the eyes of the LORD.

We are shown that Noah enjoyed a close relationship with the
LORD. I say that due to the faith Noah showed in building an arc as the LORD
God commanded. When the flood was over, God established a covenant with Noah
and his descendents. He blessed Noah and his sons telling them to be fruitful
and multiply, and fill the earth.

We are shown that without faith it is impossible to please
God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him earnestly. It was by faith that that Noah built the
arc in the middle of dry land. It was also by faith that Abraham went out to a
place to receive an inheritance without knowing where he was going.

In God’s eyes, the greatest heroes of the faith are not
those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life, but those who
treat this life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully, expecting their
promised reward in eternity. (Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven Life,
Rick Warren, 2004 by the Zondervan Corp, p37)

We are also shown that opening yourself up to God is the way
to obtain a closer relationship with the Lord as we read the story of Job. As
it comes to a close, we are once again shown that God communicates directly with
His people. We see he values the relationships he has with those that depend on
him and he does indeed reward them for their faith.

Job 42:10: The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he
prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. 

All through the Old Testament books we are shown example
after example that God is more than involved, we are shown that He is fond of
us. Even when Moses threw a temper tantrum of sorts, God revealed he would do
as Moses had requested. We are told that Moses found favor in the LORD’s Sight.
He even tells us that God knew Moses by name! Calling someone by their name
confirms that you know them.

Exodus 34:17: The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this
thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have
known you by name.”

Again and again we read about God and the relationships he
has enjoyed with those who seek him and come to him with thankfulness in their
hearts; fully knowing, believing that He is the Most High God deserving of our
worship.

In reading the Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven
Life, we are shown that we were created for God’s pleasure. We are also shown
that we were formed specifically for God’s family. It is with that knowledge
that we begin to understand that we were created to become like Christ and we
were shaped to serve God.

God loves us so much, He sent his son to save us. I don’t
know how much more proof man needs to be able to see the depth of God’s love
for mankind than that! However God takes it one step further and lets us know
that he did not come to judge but to save thus putting sinners minds and hearts
at ease.

John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but that the world might be saved through Him.

As we read in our text book, we discover the message in the
Book of Acts is this: Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
(Knowing the Bible 101 A Guide to God’s Word in Plain Language, Bruce Bickel
& Stan Jantz, 1998 Harvest House)

In closing, I would like to share a reading from my favorite
devotional:

Seek my face, and you will find fulfillment of your deepest
longings. My world is filled with beautiful things; they are meant to be
pointers to Me, reminders of My abiding Presence. The earth still declares My
Glory to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear.

You had a darkened mind before you sought me wholeheartedly.
I chose to pour My Light into you so that you can be a beacon to others. There
is no room for pride in this position. Your part is to reflect My Glory. I am
the Lord! (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, 2004 Thomas Nelson, page 165)

For all of these reasons and more, I know that God loves me
and my purpose is to serve Him by revealing His Glory through my testimony.

References

Knowing the Bible 101 A Guide to God’s Word in Plain
Language, Bruce Bickel & Stan Jantz, 1998 Harvest House, p. 239

Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, 2004 Thomas Nelson,
page 165

Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven Life,
Rick Warren, 2004 by the Zondervan Corp, p37

The MacArthur Study Bible, John MacArthur, New American
Standard Bible, Updated Edition, 2006, Thomas Nelson Publishing

Are You a Doubter?

Wild Wacky Wonderful Wednesday! Yea, from 70 degrees yesterday to snow today! Now that would be wacky if you didn't live in Indiana! For us its something we have seen before. That is why Hoosiers are so hardy lol. We roll with the punches as well as any group!!

 

As I read todays encouraging word, I smiled thinking how wild this event, the resurrection of Jesus, must have been at the time. I know it sounds wild in the reading of it.

 

I love the bible and all of its crazy happenings and recounts. I have crazy stories myself so it is easy for me to believe that such things could have taken place!

 

I am so excited to get this next book out. I was so busy worrying about my front and back matter that I was paralyzed in place once again. Then the day before, as I was working out of all times, God gave me what I needed for my Dear Reader letter. Then one of my bonus chapters came together for me while working on the house. When you chat it up with God, He often speaks when you least expect it! Just another way you know it is Him. I love His ways.

 

Here is the encouraging word I was given courtesy of K-Love this morning:

 

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" ~ John 20:27, NLT

Thomas is known as doubting Thomas. However the others would have most likely been the doubters had they not seen Jesus for themselves.

 

We are asked to have faith without sight but in all honesty as you draw closer to God your eyes begin to see things that have no explanation other than God had a hand in it. Often we call these miracles.

 

Faith is simply believing that God has you no matter what seems to be going on. It's in trusting that He will work out all things for your good. It can be scary at first until you personally witness events for yourself. Sometimes faith can be born from hearing a story from someone else and the seed of curiosity is planted and you begin seeking. This is all it takes. When you come to the Father, like in the story of the two sons, the Father is joyous and welcomes you home with open arms.

 

Keep seeking and He will continually show up in countless ways. Trust in Him, pray to Him, talk to Him, share your heart, your fears, your dreams. He loves to have a relationship with His children. All relationships take a little work. Building your relationship with your Heavenly Father will actually improve all of your relationships! Well worth the effort!

 

I have much to get finished today so that I can work on my next book. I consider myself very blessed to have so many stories to share with the world. We are meant to share our stories for it strengthens not only our faith but others as well. I love when Paul says in one of his letters that he looks forward to encouraging others when he sees them again but also looks forward to being encouraged by them. 

 

Satan is always on the prowl. He longs to destroy your Faith. When we come together and share our stories and encourage one another, we in a way protect ourselves from the enemy. This is always a good thing. While at times it may be scary to share your story and the truth of who you once were, we are actually encouraged to share for it is in the sharing of our testimony that others will be saved. 

 

Be blessed and Be a blessing!

 

Father I come to you today with joy in my heart. I am so grateful for my story. I pray it brings many to you. As you know I have always wanted to be a part in saving lives. While as a child I did not fully understand what, why or how, I love what you have done through me. I am so blessed by messages I receive from others. I could not imagine a better life. Thank you. I pray also for strength and time and peace and protection so that I may finally sit down and finish this third book you placed on my heart to write. I pray that it causes countless sleeping children to wake up and clear the sleep from their eyes. May the too hear the calling Father. May they become bold and willing to share their own stories. Use me to my fullest potential Father and thank you for giving me large signs as I pray for them. Thank you for loving me just as I am and thank you for all your many daily blessings. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

Wendy Glidden, walks with God

Mom of Many

 

© Wendy Glidden 2014

God Is Faithful, Good and True

I have so much to be joyous about.
It makes me laugh and sing and shout!
Life is abundant, I am free
Curious as to how I came to be?

I am not here to brag or boast
It's good news I love to share the most.
God called me out over a year ago
It's in sharing our story others will come to know

God is FAITHFUL, good and true
He sent His son to save me and you!

The Good News is the Best News you will ever hear
If you're not deaf, you'll give a mighty cheer 
If you are blind, you will sadly only sneer
But those that are able to see will be free from fear!

So if today you have found yourself at the end of yourself
I am here to share a story of hope and faith I pray helps
The roads I have traveled have been at times dark and long
But throughout my chapters I reveal how I remained strong

I've been told by others that they have walked a similar street
The most amazing part of my life today would be the others I meet
I am here show you God's mercy, grace and glory
They are intertwined throughout my life story.

I hope through sharing my life with you,
Seeking the Lord becomes something you naturally do
For when you seek, you will discover an abuandance that never ends
P.S. I'm always looking for fellow sisters and brothers for friends 

This is actually a post I began on facebook as a status update on my business page. I had only planned to type an intro and share the encouraging word from K-Love, yet as often happens when I am relaxed, it seems my fingers have something else in mind! Here is today's encouraging word from K-Love:

He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:6, NLT

I ask, "Who's longing to LIVE this life and live it abundantly?"

I have seriously been blogging and sharing true life events for over a year now! Before the month ends, I am hoping to publish the first 16 years of my life. Had someone asked me if I thought my first 16 years of life were worthy of publishing, I would have told them no. God thought otherwise.  be blessed and be a blessing 


Wendy Glidden, walks with God
Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2014

Do You See What I See?

Today is fantastically fabulous fun filled friends and family Friday!! The first one of 2014 as a matter of fact! With Christmas and New Years falling mid week, I have to keep reminding myself it really is Friday and not Tuesday. With the added days off from work, courtesy of the days I was gifted off from my boss, my routine has been thrown off a bit. However, I have loved the extra time off to spend with my family. Trust me when I say I am not complaining about feeling like I should be doing Tuesday office duties rather than Friday's!

Last night when I got home, Michael was putting the finishing touches on dinner. I helped dish it out to the children and once dinner was completed, I offered to do the dishes. Mike laughed and said, "Nice. You work all day and then get stuck doing dishes after dinner."

I laughed and replied, "I like doing dishes. There is something about having my hands in hot water that helps me gel my rambling thoughts." It is true. I don't know why doing dishes has that calming almost grounding affect on me, but it does. Even though I have a dishwasher in our new place, I still hand wash the dishes. I have found the dishwasher is the perfect place to put everything to dry. We truly only have enough plates, bowls and cups to serve everyone once. Doing things this way saves me time and energy as well as space. I don't have to put everything away in a cabinet. What would be the point? We will be dragging the dishes out again in a few short hours!

As I was washing dishes, I began unfolding the events and conversations with others I had had over the last couple of days. I was reflecting on how a persons viewpoint changes what they actually see. When that epiphany hit me, I had what I refer to as flashes of insight. I quickly went to my bedroom, pulled out a notepad from my nightstand, and wrote the word viewpoint down before it faded from my brain and then went back to washing dishes.

Usually when I have flashes of insight, if I'm on my game, I find myself writing a blog about all I see. As I continued washing the dishes, I reflected on viewpoints and how sometimes our own viewpoint can actually blind us to certain truths. Suddenly, my mind longed to see things from God's viewpoint. What a view that must truly be!

Many times, when my brain has flashes of insight, I ponder on them. I was appreciating the fact that no two people see something in the exact same way. This point can be made by reading eye witness accounts from a vehicle accident or a crime scene. I have always found this truth fascinating. It was while reflecting upon these things, that the above title for this blog came to me. The night was winding down and honestly I was exhausted and in much need of what I refer to as veg time. I quickly jotted down the title and threw my notepad into my carry case knowing I would blog upon it today.

Do you see what I see? I can remember playing this game as a child. Who knew it would take on such a grander meaning in adulthood? I mean in all honesty, sometimes I look at something and a certain part of it stands out bigger than the rest, yet when I go back to share it with someone, I am almost blind to the thing that originally jumped out at me. This happens the most often when it comes to reading something and then later attempting to share what I read with someone else. I have told myself again and again that I should keep a highlighter on hand for such times! Then it would be easy to re-spot and share down the road. However, I am a mom of many. Things like highlighters are harder to keep hidden away from little ones than treats! Just being able to have a pen or pencil in a given moment can often be a challenge. I cannot tell you how many times I have jotted a note down with a crayon!

We all have our own viewpoints. Everyone has their own set of biases that they base their beliefs upon. Trying to help someone see things from your vantage point is not always easy. If they are closed minded the task becomes that much more difficult. As we grow and mature often our viewpoints shift and even change completely. This mere fact alone may be why some are afraid to open their minds enough to listen to what someone else has to share.

Recently, I came under attack from another person online. They accused me of harming others by sharing my faith. They called me lazy, stupid, slow, and ignorant among other names.

It never ceases to amaze me how some people, while in the process of trying to convince you that your belief system is built on a faulty foundation, find the need to be so abusive. Often, when you point out the truth that there is no reason to be so cruel to get one's opinion across, they truly seem to be blind to their own verbal abuse.

I truly thank God that I am who I am and that I am discovering who I am in Christ for I can honestly say I like myself. This alone helps me rise above such situations to the point that I find myself being led by the spirit to pray for those that attempt to insult me or cause me harm. I see that they are lacking truth and light in their life and I know full well how living outside of either of those feels.

There is definitely something to be said for walking in the spirit. It helps you rise above such situations. I think one might often find themselves in a petty exchange of words in the midst of such assaults were they not wearing the recommended daily armor required for such attacks. This is not to claim that I myself never stumble. It just does not feel good when those moments take place and very quickly the spirit of rightousness convicts me.

I know for me, my heart physically ached for this particular person. I have never met them face to face, and most likely never will. I found it interesting that I went to bed feeling sorry for them and awoke to find myself being led by the spirit to pray for them.

This, among other things, was what I was reflecting upon when the whole viewpoint and do you see what I see notion came to me.

I pray that no matter where you are at in life that you are open enough to try to see things from another person's viewpoint. If you are not willing to truly hear what they are saying, how do you ever hope to be able to have an impact upon their viewpoint. You must know where a person is before you can see how you might best be able to make a point or even better plant a seed. This does not mean you will have a positive effect on every person you attempt to lift. Sadly, when you read your bible, you know clearly some will not be moved.

It is not our place to judge others. We cannot change who they are. Only them being open to the spirit can do that. I try to remind myself to toss seeds regardless of my own shallow thoughts. As the parable about the seeds being thrown onto the ground suggests, some will take root and some will not. It is not my place to judge the ground which I throw them on. I am to throw them regardless of what I am able to see and trust that the spirit will do the rest.

I have found my own truest protection lies in my walking in the spirit as well as continually renewing my mind with God's word. I believe I encourage others and perhaps help them with the strengthening of their faith by sharing my life story. I also believe when we are able to love others in spite of how they treat us, we shine a light into the darkest corners of the world.

Today I pray for the blind and for those who believe that God and religion go hand in hand. Nothing in life makes me sadder than a person without hope or faith. I see them as a dieing flower that is in much need of nourishment. I am so thankful that even in the pit of hell I never doubted you were my creator Father. How blessed I have been all my life to know you truly exist. I pray for all who believe in you but have fallen for the lie that we are not good enough to be loved by you. Thank you for lifting me so high that I was able to see and grasp this truth. It was a real game changer. I can never thank you enough for that game change. I pray for more strength and more wisdom for myself. I only long to be the brightest light I can be. I thank you Father for all the blessings you bestow upon me and my family in a given day. I truly see myself as blessed. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy Glidden, walks with God
Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden