I stand in a river
that flows with the sins of many men
Plenty of them are my own
As the water winds down below
these jagged rocks that cut my feet
I seek the peace and stillness that awaits me
at the end of this creek
I find a Man who stands to greet me
I feel unworthy of His hands
they're so clean
and mine are so tainted
as are my lips
But I find the courage to whisper this....
"Forgive me Father."
Take me into Your bliss
for in such a time as this.... I need You.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
The Gift of Affliction
It is hard, when it the midst of tumultuous circumstances that seem to be flooding down on us all at once, to view this affliction as a gift from God. But that's exactly what it can be if we choose to alter our view of what we're going through as an opportunity for God to refine us, humble us.... rather than looking at it all as just.... bad. I was reading in 2 Corinthians 12 and there is a passage from it that struck me as inspiring and encouraging. When reflecting on the "Thorn in his side" Paul says this:
"..... I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
"My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." (MSG Version)
How many times have you complained to God about your "Thorn", your problems, your troubles? Cried out to Him to just make it all stop? I'm definitely guilty of this. But today, when I awoke at 3 am with my tooth throbbing; these thoughts came to mind.... what if my pain served a greater purpose? What if my afflictions physically, are an opportunity for growth spiritually? What if I simply trusted that His grace is truly enough, and recognized that in my trials, through my weakness, God is making me strong and His strength is being made perfect also? What if my "Thorn" kept me in constant touch with God because it reminded me of my human limitations and that I need Him above all things?
So today..... I'm letting Christ take over like Paul did. I'm going to take my afflictions in a humble stride. I'm going to choose to focus on Jesus and not my pain; on His goodness rather than the bad that may be happening to me and all around me. He is sovereign and has good reason for EVERYTHING I endure in this life. Of this I haven't a single doubt.
- Brianna Carey ©
"..... I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
"My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." (MSG Version)
How many times have you complained to God about your "Thorn", your problems, your troubles? Cried out to Him to just make it all stop? I'm definitely guilty of this. But today, when I awoke at 3 am with my tooth throbbing; these thoughts came to mind.... what if my pain served a greater purpose? What if my afflictions physically, are an opportunity for growth spiritually? What if I simply trusted that His grace is truly enough, and recognized that in my trials, through my weakness, God is making me strong and His strength is being made perfect also? What if my "Thorn" kept me in constant touch with God because it reminded me of my human limitations and that I need Him above all things?
So today..... I'm letting Christ take over like Paul did. I'm going to take my afflictions in a humble stride. I'm going to choose to focus on Jesus and not my pain; on His goodness rather than the bad that may be happening to me and all around me. He is sovereign and has good reason for EVERYTHING I endure in this life. Of this I haven't a single doubt.
- Brianna Carey ©
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
FAITH WALKERS
We cannot let fear prevent us from stepping out in faith. Sometimes it takes blind faith and total trust in God to step out into the unknown.... to walk in through a door, not knowing what may be behind it. It doesn't matter what the temporal circumstances we're going through tell us in the natural, we have to tune into the eternal and listen to God's presence in the Supernatural, and then we have to choose to trust that and walk.
"For we walk by faith. Not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Although we may not know what is on the other side, we know the One who knows what is on the other side and we believe in Him and His unending promise that He will not forsake us.
- Brianna Carey ©
Saturday, August 20, 2016
DEATH IS A LIE
There is no time limit set to Grief.
It's been a number of years now since I first lost my Mother to a terminal illness. I say a number, because I haven't counted the years. I don't really know how long it's been in reality, but it feels as though it's been an eternity without her in my heart. I'm sure many of you who have experienced the devastation of losing someone you love very much, know all too well what I mean by saying that. One doesn't keep track of the days. There is just something.... off, in your life. Most of us can function very well and cope quite well with loss, which I believe is a testament to the Power of God's Grace. There can be no other explanation for how much the human heart can bare such pain and still be able to live a hope-filled life where we still have expectations and dreams. You would think an earth shattering event such as death would cause us to lose all hope in everything. But the fact that death does not have that affect on us is proof positive that within us is written the Truth that we do not truly die. Within our genetic code is the certainty that Jesus conquered death. Now whether we accept this Truth as our reality or not, regardless, somehow we know that death doesn't mean gone forever. Somehow.....we know that there is more. Even for non-Christians, they too....instinctively accept immortality as something quite plausible. Abraham Lincoln once said "Eternity is written on the hearts of man." What I believe he meant by that is that the hope for Immortality, the desire to live forever, was purposefully given to us by our Creator because He wanted us to know that we indeed will live forever.
Knowing this.... does it make the sting of death go away entirely? No. Of course not; you had your world turned upside down and your heart broken into a million tiny pieces. Pieces that Jesus to this day is still mending together. More than likely, until we meet our loved one again in Heaven, we won't be completely whole. But what we can do, during our time of grief; is we can let God continue to heal us, and allow His grace to withstand what we cannot, when we can no longer bare to. We can continue to be patient with our grief. Make allowance for as many tears as need to be shed when we feel we need to. God understands.... He knows the effect that death has on the heart. Jesus wept over Lazarus' death....and this is Jesus, who is God, and the Word in flesh; He FULLY understood that Lazarus' wasn't going to die that day. And yet still....it hurt Him. It hurt Him to see the way it hurt us. I don't know about you but it blesses my soul to worship a God who knows what it feels to be human... Who understands every moment, however hard or painful. And it's an honor to lay my burdens down at the feet of One who has walked through dark times Himself, and overcome them. To know that I have a Father who completely and totally understands exactly what I am in enduring in every moment, makes my life, and all that I experience in it, whether good or bad, worth something. It gives me purpose. I may never know why my Mother had to go when she did and I will continue to miss her for the remainder of my life here but what I do know is that she is not gone forever.
That was the final gift Jesus gave us, among the many gifts He bestowed by His sacrifice..... He made death a lie, and for that I am forever grateful. If you're out there right now, and you're hurting immensely from a loss; I know that Heaven, as wonderful and amazing a Truth as it is, it may seem a small ray of hope during the darkest hours of your life at this time. But Heaven is indeed a Truth that will continue to provides us peace throughout our grief when we accept it. It doesn't mean you won't miss the one you loved, or that you'll never shed another tear, it just means that you understand that God is with you through it all. He'll never leave you nor forsake you. Not ever.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” - Jesus (John 14:1-4)
“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in Me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in Me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” - Jesus (John 11:25-26 MSG)
I pray this is of some comfort to you all during your loss, past or present, and my own still. His Grace is sufficient and will carry you when you cannot yourself. You are loved and not forgotten, God knows..... And if you didn't know it already; "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
- Brianna Carey ©
It's been a number of years now since I first lost my Mother to a terminal illness. I say a number, because I haven't counted the years. I don't really know how long it's been in reality, but it feels as though it's been an eternity without her in my heart. I'm sure many of you who have experienced the devastation of losing someone you love very much, know all too well what I mean by saying that. One doesn't keep track of the days. There is just something.... off, in your life. Most of us can function very well and cope quite well with loss, which I believe is a testament to the Power of God's Grace. There can be no other explanation for how much the human heart can bare such pain and still be able to live a hope-filled life where we still have expectations and dreams. You would think an earth shattering event such as death would cause us to lose all hope in everything. But the fact that death does not have that affect on us is proof positive that within us is written the Truth that we do not truly die. Within our genetic code is the certainty that Jesus conquered death. Now whether we accept this Truth as our reality or not, regardless, somehow we know that death doesn't mean gone forever. Somehow.....we know that there is more. Even for non-Christians, they too....instinctively accept immortality as something quite plausible. Abraham Lincoln once said "Eternity is written on the hearts of man." What I believe he meant by that is that the hope for Immortality, the desire to live forever, was purposefully given to us by our Creator because He wanted us to know that we indeed will live forever.
Knowing this.... does it make the sting of death go away entirely? No. Of course not; you had your world turned upside down and your heart broken into a million tiny pieces. Pieces that Jesus to this day is still mending together. More than likely, until we meet our loved one again in Heaven, we won't be completely whole. But what we can do, during our time of grief; is we can let God continue to heal us, and allow His grace to withstand what we cannot, when we can no longer bare to. We can continue to be patient with our grief. Make allowance for as many tears as need to be shed when we feel we need to. God understands.... He knows the effect that death has on the heart. Jesus wept over Lazarus' death....and this is Jesus, who is God, and the Word in flesh; He FULLY understood that Lazarus' wasn't going to die that day. And yet still....it hurt Him. It hurt Him to see the way it hurt us. I don't know about you but it blesses my soul to worship a God who knows what it feels to be human... Who understands every moment, however hard or painful. And it's an honor to lay my burdens down at the feet of One who has walked through dark times Himself, and overcome them. To know that I have a Father who completely and totally understands exactly what I am in enduring in every moment, makes my life, and all that I experience in it, whether good or bad, worth something. It gives me purpose. I may never know why my Mother had to go when she did and I will continue to miss her for the remainder of my life here but what I do know is that she is not gone forever.
That was the final gift Jesus gave us, among the many gifts He bestowed by His sacrifice..... He made death a lie, and for that I am forever grateful. If you're out there right now, and you're hurting immensely from a loss; I know that Heaven, as wonderful and amazing a Truth as it is, it may seem a small ray of hope during the darkest hours of your life at this time. But Heaven is indeed a Truth that will continue to provides us peace throughout our grief when we accept it. It doesn't mean you won't miss the one you loved, or that you'll never shed another tear, it just means that you understand that God is with you through it all. He'll never leave you nor forsake you. Not ever.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” - Jesus (John 14:1-4)
“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in Me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in Me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” - Jesus (John 11:25-26 MSG)
I pray this is of some comfort to you all during your loss, past or present, and my own still. His Grace is sufficient and will carry you when you cannot yourself. You are loved and not forgotten, God knows..... And if you didn't know it already; "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
- Brianna Carey ©
Friday, August 19, 2016
HARBORING HURTS
I was watching an online Bible study clip my sister sent me tonight and it had me in tears within the first few moments. It spoke on the topic of rejection.... Yikes. No one likes the "R" word; yet it forced me to examine that I had allowed unresolved feelings and deep rooted emotions which arose from rejections, both past and present, to go unaddressed within my heart. I would cast aside the brief, albeit sharp, twinge of pain, tuck it away somewhere and well.... more or less pretended like it didn't affect me. I pretended as if I was altogether immune from being rejected. But who can be? None of us. I realized that we have a deep desire as human beings to belong. It is why we choose companionship for life, because we don't want to be by ourselves. This is a natural and healthy desire for the most part until someone comes along and all but dismisses your existence and makes you feel as if you've never mattered. To say the least, people can be at times cruel. I doubt that most people are intentionally trying to bring us down. Some? Maybe, but the majority, probably not. It could be that they simply don't know of that painful occurrence that happened to you as a child or that one hurtful thing that someone said to you as a teenager which to this day stings. The people who reject us don't necessarily know about the residual effects of our past experiences which still linger. Keep in mind when faced with someone you'd regard as cruel, that they too, are more than likely hurting themselves and so you must do your best to forgive them rather than harbor any resentment towards them because that only delays the healing process further.
I believe that Honesty is the best method for healing. Being honest with ourselves that these moments of rejection we've experienced are painful. That father or mother that once called you a disappointment still echoes in your ear. That position you got passed over for which you were more qualified than the other candidate that you still can't seem to get over. That best friend who out of nowhere decided they'd outgrown you and told you they no longer want to be in your life. The scenarios are endless..... The point is, it hurts when people don't love us. I believe God designed us this way so that we don't look to the world for what only The Father can provide. He is Love incarnate. And in The Father, when we express our hurts openly and expose our scars to Him that we attempt to hide from the world, He is more than able to not only heal us but to also provide us with the Love and acceptance our human hearts so desperately seek from other human beings.
Is there anything at all you may be harboring inside that is blocking you from receiving all of the Love God has to offer? Have you told Him everything that is on your heart? If you have not.... take a moment today to do that. Be fully and completely honest with Him, after all, he already knows what is in your heart, and has Loved you despite it this entire time. So how much more then, could you feel the loving embrace of His truth, that you are fully and completely accepted by Him than if you were to humble yourself enough to say to Him...."Abba, it still hurts"? It is more than okay to cry out to a Heavenly Father who understands you better than you ever will yourself. And not to mention: Rejection is something quite familiar to Jesus if you recall;
God answered Samuel, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected me as their King." - 1 Samuel 8:7 and "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." - John 15:18 and lastly, "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects Him who sent me." - Luke 10:16
So, you are in good company. Although the world may sometimes reject you, Jesus will be there with open arms, every time, to accept you.
- Brianna Carey ©
I believe that Honesty is the best method for healing. Being honest with ourselves that these moments of rejection we've experienced are painful. That father or mother that once called you a disappointment still echoes in your ear. That position you got passed over for which you were more qualified than the other candidate that you still can't seem to get over. That best friend who out of nowhere decided they'd outgrown you and told you they no longer want to be in your life. The scenarios are endless..... The point is, it hurts when people don't love us. I believe God designed us this way so that we don't look to the world for what only The Father can provide. He is Love incarnate. And in The Father, when we express our hurts openly and expose our scars to Him that we attempt to hide from the world, He is more than able to not only heal us but to also provide us with the Love and acceptance our human hearts so desperately seek from other human beings.
Is there anything at all you may be harboring inside that is blocking you from receiving all of the Love God has to offer? Have you told Him everything that is on your heart? If you have not.... take a moment today to do that. Be fully and completely honest with Him, after all, he already knows what is in your heart, and has Loved you despite it this entire time. So how much more then, could you feel the loving embrace of His truth, that you are fully and completely accepted by Him than if you were to humble yourself enough to say to Him...."Abba, it still hurts"? It is more than okay to cry out to a Heavenly Father who understands you better than you ever will yourself. And not to mention: Rejection is something quite familiar to Jesus if you recall;
God answered Samuel, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected me as their King." - 1 Samuel 8:7 and "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." - John 15:18 and lastly, "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects Him who sent me." - Luke 10:16
So, you are in good company. Although the world may sometimes reject you, Jesus will be there with open arms, every time, to accept you.
- Brianna Carey ©
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