Brain Freeze 3-Defrosted

Dear Friend:
I am continuing to tell about my Brain Freeze. I realize this week when I took a frozen turkey and put it in the refrigerator to defrost how that is similar of what happened to my brain. It took 3 days to defrost, the turkey and my brain.

So there I was with a frozen brain as you can read on my blog from this past week. I could only get out the words to God "Help me." Those words were enough for God to start the process to help me. He has trained me in the past to have an awareness. To be ready for answers to that heart cry. Relief came slowly, like the defrost of the turkey, as I took a bike ride. I was convicted that my devotions daily were not enough for what I needed now.  I talk to God all day every day. I put my worship music up loud for praise and thanksgiving. All have helped. I did things that stopped the process. Like rationalizing and reasoning myself out of reading longer passages of the bible. I can quote new testament stories in my head. My brain freeze says "I know that story and I don't need to read it." "Warning, Danger!" That rationalizing worked for a while. My brain freeze said "Once you start reading you won't have enough time for the rest of your schedule." "Red flag alert!" My hurry up and do something response is winning over spending time reading the word. When I dismissed all of the arguments and began to read John 15-17 my heart became "defrosted." People I can't explain the phenomenon of God's word. Simply put by God "Don't question it, it defrosts." It gave me renewed hunger for the word. The patience to wait for answer to prayers. I FELT LOVED BY GOD! The passion story and last words of Christ all gave me strength. John 17 grips me and causes me to pay attention. I don't understand why the memory of His word is not enough. It's reading His word that generates calmness and love.

I want you to experience and get this kind of joy I feel with God. I don't find problems easier or disappearing. I find a super natural energy to deal with things. It also created some fun ideas like calling friends and  having them over for dinner. That idea helped me defrost. I am delighting in this discovery and could not wait to share with you.

I can't make you read the word. I can only pray that the Spirit of God prompt you to do that. Does this peak your curiosity to want to experience more of God? Where do you begin? Start by reading the chapter of the verse from a devotions you are doing. Pray before you read. Wait till something resonates with you.

Funny! I am hearing in my head the song Hokey Pokey. You put your whole head in, you put your whole head out and you shake it all about you do the Hokey Pokey and turn yourself about. That's what it's all about!

"For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me" (John 17:8).


Reading the bible doing the Hokey Pokey. That's what it's all about!

LOVE FROM ABOVE

Dear Friend:

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life... nor height nor depth... shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

 

Kay Arthur says that when the devil tries to make us doubt God's love, we have some good answers for him: "Tell Satan that God loves you when you are nothing, accepts you just the way you are, and loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love that is in the process of transforming you into His image. Tell the devil that you are secure in God's love "because the love of God has been poured out within your heart through the Holy Spirit who was given to us," and "nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is Monday. I am choosing to start my week with this verse and I am putting my name in it and reciting it out loud. I am alone in my house of course. Hmmm! Hope the bad guy is disturbed because of this prayer. 

God filled me with joy and delight as I closed my eyes and read it like this "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life...nor height nor depth... shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Amen! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I drank this truth in.

Such knowledge is to wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain. I am receiving it with His help. I pray you do too!

Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord. 

BRAIN FREEZE 2

Dear Friend:

It is now Thursday and I wrote Brain Freeze on Monday. Some people asked me if I found my glove on my bike ride. Yes, indeed I did.

Most importantly, I found myself and got centered. To be centered is a modern day term and for me it means to be back in touch with God's perspective. Guys and gals, it is a simple cry with the word "Help." God will be there. I don't know how long it will take Him to show you what is going on, but I can assure you He will. He showed me that I had a list but it was stuck in my Brain and frozen. Making a list of what needed to be done worked. It gave me goals and allowed me to focus.It also confirmed that what I have been doing is His work and I am to continue. I stopped thinking things like "You are off track, you are never going to do anything, you might as well give up." Yuck! Major stinkin thinkin. I am defrosted!

Remember recently I told the story of Jesus walking up to the boat and the winds are strong. Peter cries "Help." Then Peter says "Jesus if you want me to come to you tell me." Jesus replies "Come."
I find sometimes we are running around without talking to God about our time management. Peter did not go until he had the go ahead from God.

A speaker once spoke on having true happiness. One of the many suggestions was to make goals for yourself. I think the best day is Sunday evening. Force yourself to make a list on paper or in your head of the things you can accomplish for the week. It helps your mind adjust from the casual/busy weekend to go back to the grind of daily living. For some that means going back to work or school. A place you may or may not like.

Pause! You can be anywhere. You don't have to go into a private room and get quiet, that could be very nice, but sometimes not realistic to what is going on in your day.
Help! In Jesus name. Amen. You can then go back to what you were doing. I guarantee God will begin to open up a new dimension and you will experience some perspective. Along with perspective comes PEACE.

BRAIN FREEZE

Dear Friend:

Just getting out of my neighborhood to the bike trail was a nightmare. I had to get over the railroad tracks to the path. Two freight trains stopped dead caused me to detour to the underpass. The sidewalk had wooden horses on it for repairs. There are so many obstacles I almost turned around to give up. 

I awoke this day with so much doubt about my days ahead. I just covered my head and did not even want to pray. I wanted to give up. Have I reached the end? Have I done all I can? Some days I lose my place and ask “Is God even with me?” I feel all alone. I looked up and mustered a small prayer “Help me.” That prayer turned to praying for my day and others. I think I have just enough energy for a bike ride. Knowing how important exercise is for the mind, I dressed and left.

On the reverse of my 8 mile trek I was getting warm so I shoved my gloves in my pocket. I had been listening to a sermon on “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18).

Through the years I have deeply sought the Lord for his vision for my life. I wanted clarity from Him. I was beginning to believe that the revelation I received in the past was gone. The sermon was energizing me. I don’t have to receive this brain freeze saying I’m washed up! With that in mind my speed increased. I grabbed for my gloves and discovered one to be gone. I stopped and knew that I had to turn back. It was a couple of miles since I shoved them in my pocket. Oh know I have to go back? I just went through the trail that I  hate and struggle with.

With determination I went back seeking that quality glove with all my might. In my head I heard God spoke “You’re going back for the glove, go back over my revelation I have given you, with the same determination. You don’t want to lose the glove. You should not lose me either. Sometimes you have to go back over the hard part of your life. Things are not always easy. You have to work for them. But on my path I bring you joy, strength in the midst. If you follow another plan you lose your joy and you feel as if you’re perishing. I found the glove and continued back over the rough patches.

Funny someone older than me kept passing me. I am not going to let them beat me. God commented on that. “You need not compare yourself with others. Some may look like they are doing better than you. That is not the point. I will give you the time, energy and sometimes you will be ahead. But let me be in control of that.” I laughed harder because a burst of more energy came over me and I actually was flying by that person and continued to be ahead for a while

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Do you seek God deeply enough that you get some revelation for your life? Glad I didn’t let the obstacles stop me from this ride. God is ready to meet you just about anywhere.

PRAYER:  Father in heaven I feel lack of passion and vision in my life. Help! I need to hear from You.