Tired of Walking in the Dark? Allow the Light to Enter You!!

Totally Tripping Tremendously Thankful Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursday! Thank God for everything. Yes, everything. Should you be blessed to turn back and see how things really went down you would without hesitation throw your arms around Him and give Him a gigantic hug. I know it sounds crazy, but I promise it is true. He is always there. We, as humans, want to blame others for all that is wrong in our life. The only thing you can blame on God is Your FREE WILL. He made you to live. He wants you to live abundantly but honestly he gives you the choice. He gave us this awesome book full of wisdom and insight. If we just read it a little every day, life becomes more abundant. The more you seek God, the more you will begin to recognize not only His work in your life but you truly begin to recognize the spiritual war you are in. Better to be fully awake for this battle then asleep. 

How does one wake up? Well, start by starting. If Jesus is the light of the world and you are in darkness as to how you got to where you are today, search out the light. You will find what you need in countless places. Even places such as my blog. Your transformation won't take place over night. I grow daily in countless ways. I pray that never stops. I want all the wisdom the Lord will bestow upon me. I want to have the heart of Christ. I read my bible daily. I listen to uplifting lessons. I read a devotional. I subscribe to K-Loves encouraging word. I surround myself with fellow believers. I know the closer I draw to Him the more I love who I am. I am redeemed. I am a Saint. This is who I am in Christ. When I allow the evil one to distract me from who I am in Christ, I fall flat on my face. It does not feel good. Thank God today I know the difference between allowing myself to be beat up by my sin and being convicted by the voice of righteousness. I don't need to beg God daily for forgiveness. I have been forgiven. Christ died on that cross one time for ALL SINS. End of story. He ROSE and Conquered Death. Therefore, what do I truly have to fear? Nothing but fear itself. The evil one cannot destroy me for my Savior saved me. I am His. I hear His voice. Last year He called me forth to tell my story. I will openly admit when I first realized what I was being called to do part of me wanted to run away. I mean, I have done a lot in my lifetime, even more than I wanted to face. I have barely shared my life with you and yet I have had countless women reach out to me and thank me and say I share part of your life, my mom shares another part and my grandma shares another part. It's like you are all of us together and I love it because I give them hope and in return they encourage me to share more for giving others hope is what God wanted me to do. I was created to shine my light. Those that read my posts and reach out to me, encourage me to burn a little brighter and share a little more because there is so much more. Years ago I thought I had so missed the boat when it came to life and living it, but through God's eyes, when I sit down and look back, I laugh and I cry. I tear up and I chuckle. I gasp hold my pillow tightly. What a roller coaster, daydream, nightmare life I have lived and through it all He kept me safe. That's the beauty of it. I am so thankful I became weak enough to get back on my knees and begged for God to have His way with me. I told Him, your will not mine and wham my world shifted. While the journey has stretched me, it has changed me into a new creation and I LOVE WHO I AM IN CHRIST!

Mike is reading my blog and claims he is enjoying it. That is a good thing because before he was not into me blogging. Well, if you have been reading you know that. He called it a hobby and suggested I find a new one shortly before this big break between us. I find it amazing what God is doing inside of Mike, but maybe even more so, I'm amazed at what God is doing inside of me. Turns out I had plenty of work to do to be a better partner. So easy to point that finger and make that line in the ground. Before we even realize it we have built an entire brick wall around our heart. Oh, I see so clearly where I laid that first brick in the wall around my heart that I had so freely given to Mike in the beginning. God gave me the title back in May to write on and I have left it in the closet on a hanger. I was not quite ready to pull it out and put it on. I think it's because I still felt a little unloved by Mike at the time. Through this separation, that has changed. It brought both of us to our knees and back to the beginning. Before the week ends, I will be writing out that chapter. The title God gave me was 'Landing on a Ledge' for the next chapter involving the story of Mike and I. If you have already read the posts titled, How I Fell in Love With Mike and Dissed, Disowned, Disgraced and Darn Near Destitute, this will be the continuation of that story. For those that have not read those posts, I will leave the links for them at the bottom of this post should you find yourself interested. 

With that being shared, I started out this post today by pasting in today's encouraging word by K-Love to get myself prepared to allow the spirit to lead me into what I was to share today. So, here is their encouraging word of the day:

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." ~ John 8:12, NLT

This is true my brothers and sisters. You truly will have the light that leads to life. An abundant life. One full of fruit. The Fruit of the Spirit is PRICELESS. Reminds me of a poem I wrote. Allow me to copy it again here. It actually has a post of it's own. I have a bit of a poet in me. God indeed loves music, poetry, and dance. 

The Fruit of The Spirit

Too much to do and not enough time

Chaos & Craziness filling my mind

I'll give the devil his due

He's an expert at tricking you

When something causes you worry

Slow down ~ what's your hurry?

Take a moment to pray for what you need

With God on your side you're sure to succeed

When I feel life's pressures are becoming too demanding

I remember Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And lean NOT on your own understanding."

I call upon the Lord I do and I sing his praises

I bathe in his Glory oh the way he amazes

So I say to Satan, "You've got no hold on me!

My God came here so I could live abundantly!"

The fruit of the spirit ~ that's what I'm after

This life is mine and I'll fill it with laughter!

Today Father, I pray we begin to add more laughter into our days. May we seek out the Light. May we discover the abundant life you intended for all your children to live. May we love one another as we are meant to. May we listen to the voice of righteousness and snuff the voice of the liar. May the body of Christ begin to come together. May we win begin to shine like never before. May others who are sleepy eyed see the light and be drawn to it. May they fully awaken. May they thirst and hunger for your word Father. Please use me in all ways you see fit. Give me a voice and I will shout from the mountain tops to all the world your Glory. Father you saved me and have given me such beauty. I am so grateful and could never begin to give enough thanks. Your grace amazes me. The way you work, I shall never question what happens in my life I shall always give all glory to you and even in the midst of great pain I will turn to you Father in praise for I know who you are. Thank you for allowing me a glimpse of heaven. I look forward to coming home. Until then Father, I am yours, stretch me, give me more, expand my world Father. In Jesus name I Pray. Amen.

As promised here are the first two posts regarding Mike and I. I touch on us throughout other blogs like the one entitled Show Me a Sign and Down on My Knees as well as the one Saved By an Army of Angels. If you are in a relationship you are praying over may reading our story be a blessing to you. May You too find the answers you need. May you grow yourself <3. 

** http://youareworthytoo.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-i-fell-in-love-with-mike.html

**http://youareworthytoo.blogspot.com/2013/07/dissed-disowned-disgraced-and-darn-near.html

I leave you with this song. It is the one I found myself singing the loudest this morning!

Wendy, walks with God,

Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2013

It's a Good Morning!

Good Morning my sisters and brothers in Christ! I hope the day has found you smiling. On my way to work today, I was jamming to the radio. Mandisa's song "Good Morning!" immediately after Chris Tomlin singing "Whom Shall I Fear". Starting your day off with prayer, followed by singing does much good for one's outlook! I know one thing is for sure, it helps me smile and beam as I bask in the Glory of God. Talk about feeling toasty!

So on Tuesdays, I am responsible for providing a marketing tip in a Christian Marketing group I belong to. Today, this was my tip on Facebook:

Good morning everyone! My tip on this Terrific Testimonial Tell-All Tuesday is BE TRUE to Yourself! When it comes to marketing you will enjoy it more if you remain true to yourself. What does that mean you may ask? Well, everything. To begin you must take an account of your personal inventory. What kind of person are you? What are your strong points? Where does your weakness lie?

If you are a morning person, then use that time when you are most cheerful to complete your creative work like your marketing campaigns. Is there a day in the week that always seems to be a more joyous, energetic day? Use that day to step out of your comfort zone and make new contacts. Positive energy is contagious! When you have an up day take advantage of that! If you are having a day when you are out of sorts, before you do another thing, get on your knees and give it to God.

Also, try as hard as we may, remember, alone you are human. Your best asset is your relationship with God. Just like we are advised in Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

I will be blogging on verses 24 – 36 today as that is what was laid on my heart. Very exciting stuff! To check out my daily posts or to find the portal to my blog, simply click on my facebook page and like it when you stop by! https://www.facebook.com/YouAreWorthyToo

Have a blessed day everyone! 

Wendy

So honestly, I know I have to provide a marketing tip on Tuesdays. Monday night I pray for insight on what to share with my group for I am not a professional marketer. I was surprised I was even picked to provide a tip on Tuesday. All the other tipsters help others in a professional sense! Me, I rely on God to help me. So this morning I knew my message was going to include seeking God. What I did not know was that God was going to show me so much more than that! Once I realized that Matthew 6:33 actually started out with the word But, I knew what time it was! To fully understand the importance of 6:33 we must start at verse 24! With that being said, straight out of my MacArthur Study Bible, 

verse 24: No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

verse 25: For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

verse 26: Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

verse 27: And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

verse 28: And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

verse 29: yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

verse 30: But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

verse 31: Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

verse 32: For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

verse 33: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Verse 34: So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I love the entire message. I love the "You of little Faith!" I always hear it with such a Fatherly exasperated tone. It makes me laugh. I mean in all seriousness, all that goes on after we depart, all that has happened prior to our existence, we have nothing to do with how it transpires. How do we trick ourselves into thinking we have control over such things?

I have found stepping out in absolute Faith is EXTREMELY FREEING. I KNOW MY GOD HAS THIS! I don't have to do anything but be still and KNOW He is God. This is so much easier to accomplish when I am seeking Him. I renew my mind with His wisdom daily and it fills me with a joyous confidence words cannot define. 

I used to view the bible as something I could not grasp myself. I mean in all honesty how many people do you see hanging out on a park bench reading it? Sadly not many. The most read book in the world and we tuck it away and read it out of the sight of others! This must change! 

Today I resolve to be more bold about my relationship with God. He is my Father, my Teacher, my Friend. I love Him. I love singing His praises and reading His word. I love the nuggets of wisdom He has shared with us via those who were willing to listen and in turn share with us as directed. We are so blessed by His grace. It is a message that needs to be heard and understood. No matter where you are today. No matter what you think would keep you separated from your Heavenly Father, as He is Faithful, should you seek, you shall find and the more you seek, the more you will find. The bible has endless wisdom in it. What ever troubles you today, you will find comfort within these pages. Today I encourage you to seek Him with all your heart!

Father, today I come before you and ask that you shine your light into the dark recesses of the world. Radiate it for all to see and feel. I pray my testimony is received and encourages those who feel unworthy of your love. I pray what you give me to share helps them realize the indeed are worthy too. I pray they grasp the concept of Grace and recognize the beauty in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I pray countless lift their heads and look to you to heal their broken hearts and renew their minds. I pray those who are asleep, awaken and begin their journey back home to Faith, Hope and Love. In Jesus name I pray! Amen!!

Wendy, Mom of Many.

© Wendy Glidden 2013

In Defense of My Step-Mother

Throughout my story I don't want people to get the wrong idea about how I feel towards All my parents. I LOVE Them. Yes throughout my life you will see mistakes they made in both judgement and discipline. Who among us can say any different? Chris pushed me like the military pushes it's soldiers. I thank her for her training. She gave me so many tools. I honestly don't think I'd be as rounded had she not been in my life.

If you have read my story from the beginning you know that Chris is the one that got me to say my first prayer. How can you be angry at someone who helps you get closer to God? The short and simple answer is, "You Can't". A relationship with Our Father should be your number one goal.

As it says in Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice (some versions say righteousness but I think people associate that word with hypocrites now a days) and all these things shall be added onto you.

So to me Chris was a great teacher who provided me with many Life Skills. Some highlights

1. The importance of a budget
2. How to get the most value out of a dollar
3. How to see "Long Term"
4. How to cook
5. How to clean
6. How to bite my tongue
7. How to turn off my own ears
8. How to love a baby
9. She gave me my knowledge of why it is important to breast feed your children
10. If I didn't know it before the importance of self education
11. She is the one who got me hooked on books
12. Salesmanship and customer service

I know there are more but that is quite an impressive list! Chris no doubt pushed me. She drove me. She was so worried I might fail and she didn't want that to happen on her watch. She wanted to be able to say she had succeeded where my mother had failed. In my eyes we all fail at some point in our lives. Some of us more than others. It is our perseverance through our failures that I find the most impressive. Who has never felt like curling up in a ball and dieing?

The best way I could describe how Chris felt about me when I was growing up was this, "She loves to hate me and hates to love me."

Now my only wish for my step-mother is the same wish my grandma made for me on my 25th birthday. "May you learn how to LIVE before you die" took me forever to figure that one out!

I know that will not happen without helping her find God. She helped me with this as a child. I have to return the favor. Her life depends on it!

I know that was short and sweet and by far the easiest chapter I have written! If you are lacking in your Faith like my step-mother is my prayer for you is the same. I leave you with this one simple question, "If there is no creator, if there is no Almighty Father, why does every child on earth seek the approval of their own earthly father?" I know there are other moms out there reading this who have men in their lives they have fathered children with. Even if those fathers seem to be rotten at their fatherly duties, their children love them and seek their approval regardless. Why? It is my belief that somewhere deep inside all of us is a desire to please Our Heavenly Father. With that being said, I ask you, "How can you deny God exists?"

The best line I heard about believing in God was last night on my way home from work. I was listening to moody radio and a man was discussing his own sons struggle with Faith as he hit the year 19. While at dinner with his parents he was asking them how they could believe in a God who allowed young children to die in horrific ways. Without missing a beat his mom said, "Honey don't worry about that. It's natural selection."

You cannot have it both ways. If you feel your heart being torn when you witness the pain of others you are closer to God than you realize. Without God, you would have no heart!

Today, I pray you learn to listen with your heart. I pray you open yourself up to the possibility of God if you are a non-believer.

That is all I have for now. May your day be full of blessings, may you bless a complete stranger,


Wendy, Mom of Many