Reflections In The Mirror

As this week began, I must admit that I had unequivocally taken quite a beating getting my mother settled into her new residence. Tending to her needs (one than another, for this reason or that) it left me feeling consumed with her. I began to SPIN out of control! Of course, there are other dynamics to regard as well… not just my mother…MANY OTHERS in fact, but I choose not to mention them. 

What is most important is my journey that I want to share. Moreover, this week’s journey brought me to entirely new levels of feelings I can only hope to convey in a way you all will have absolute understanding.

Last week I shared...”Therefore, my journey starts with a longing. No, a ravenous hunger to commune with my Lord Jesus Christ. I seek Him out... I desire privacy, intimacy with Him.”

“I RUN to Him to pray and commune with Him”! 

Still have some learning to do with this one! But I must admit that I am being prompted further to quiet myself even in the extremely unsatisfied, discouraged, unfulfilled, duties I waited on with my mother to be established in her new home. For example, one day I had arrived early to visit with my mother and attend to nursing care business. While I was in the meeting with the Nurse Supervisor, I was told one thing but that ONE thing DID NOT HAPPEN! It did not happen for three days! Now each day that I was with my mother, I was becoming impatient with the staff and more concerned for my mother’s health. Finally, the Lord showed me that my feelings and emotions were upsetting my mother so I laid down on her bed when she went to eat her lunch and I prayed for forgiveness.

I asked Him to come, comfort me, and believe me when I say He did… He did! I do not feel led to speak about it in this blog, but one day I will tell you of my fishing trip I had with the Lord Jesus Christ! I was so indwelled, so one with God that I didn’t hear my mom come back from lunch, and when I startled giggling out loud while fishing with the Lord, she laughed as well and drew me back to her.

Mom asked me what I was laughing about and I sat up on the edge of the bed feeling so restful and at peace, I shared with her my fishing story. It was the most beautiful moment mom and I have been able to share together in years!

I titled this, Reflection In The Mirror, because each day we get out of bed… and at some point look at ourselves in the mirror. Who do you see looking back at you? Do you see Christ? On the other hand, what is your image of Christ looking upon you?

Can we actually see Christ in us? On the other hand, can we see Christ in others? I believe we can.

As I continue on my journey I am being transformed into the “likeness of God:” Romans 12 1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. 3 For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. 4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, 5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].

Zondervan (2010-08-17). Amplified Bible (p. 1036). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Transformed…

Walking through my day, I am:

          Tender,

          Caring,

          Thoughtful,

          Purposeful,

          Intentional,

          Open,

          I am GRACE.. God is a God of grace. God will rebuild life within me. I am becoming my authentic self in Christ Jesus!

 

How is God coming alive in your soul today?

What reflection in the mirror do you want to see?

 

 

© Lorrie J Sims

Letting Go

LET ME GO!!! OH LORD TAKE ME TO YOUR THRONE!  

I see a beautiful woman of God, slipping into the abyss of many uncertainties. 

She grows weary of the fight. 

With each brutal assault, the aggression against her is growing more and more violent.  

The assignment against her; defile and ravage her inner most being.

She falls. She desperately seeks shelter but there is none to find. She cries, LET ME GO, OH LORD TAKE ME TO YOUR THRONE, but the ambush continues - escalating into THE PERFECT STORM..  

The enemy bombards her, raping her of her armor that could save her life.

She fears her cries and pain go unnoticed.

For weeks, she feels abandoned.  

Shaken to the core, unaware of the immense trauma she has just suffered, she is oblivious to the Ones who are holding her arms up preparing her for the healing that can only come from OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!!

Psalm 103:19-22

19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word. 21 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!

Zondervan (2010-08-17). Amplified Bible (p. 530). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

She had given away her power and now has to take it back again.

Ephesians 6:12

12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Zondervan (2010-08-17). Amplified Bible (p. 1086). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

Yes, This "Perfect Storm" is my story. But, just a part of my JOURNEY!  

This beautiful description in Psalm 18 is how our Heavenly Father will rescue us in our darkest hours.

1 I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. [Heb. 2:13.] 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. [Rev. 5:12.] 4 The cords or bands of death surrounded me, and the streams of ungodliness and the torrents of ruin terrified me. 5 The cords of Sheol (the place of the dead) surrounded me; the snares of death confronted and came upon me. 6 In my distress [when seemingly closed in] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place), and my cry came before Him, into His [very] ears. 7 Then the earth quaked and rocked, the foundations also of the mountains trembled; they moved and were shaken because He was indignant and angry. 8 There went up smoke from His nostrils; and lightning out of His mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also and came down; and thick darkness was under His feet. 10 And He rode upon a cherub [a storm] and flew [swiftly]; yes, He sped on with the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His secret hiding place; as His pavilion (His canopy) round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 Out of the brightness before Him there broke forth through His thick clouds hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The Lord also thundered from the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice, amid hailstones and coals of fire. 14 And He sent out His arrows and scattered them; and He flashed forth lightnings and put them to rout. 15 Then the beds of the sea appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare at Your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. 16 He reached from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy and from those who hated and abhorred me, for they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted and came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay and support. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; He was delivering me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me. 20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness (my conscious integrity and sincerity with Him); according to the cleanness of my hands has He recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His ordinances were before me, and I put not away His statutes from me. 23 I was upright before Him and blameless with Him, ever [on guard] to keep myself free from my sin and guilt. 24 Therefore has the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness (my uprightness and right standing with Him), according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. 25 With the kind and merciful You will show Yourself kind and merciful, with an upright man You will show Yourself upright, 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure, and with the perverse You will show Yourself contrary. 27 For You deliver an afflicted and humble people but will bring down those with haughty looks. 28 For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. 29 For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. 31 For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God, 32 The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect? 33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places. 34 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness and condescension have made me great. 36 You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38 I smote them so that they were not able to rise; they fell wounded under my feet. 39 For You have girded me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me and caused to bow down those who rose up against me. 40 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

Zondervan (2010-08-17). Amplified Bible (p. 484). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

 

Therefore, my journey starts with a longing. No, a ravenous hunger to commune with my Lord Jesus Christ. I seek Him out... I desire privacy, intimacy with Him. 

I RUN to Him to pray and commune with Him! He is God, He can answer us with words, pictures... you name it...

To "LET GO" means giving the power to God who already has the outcome written out.

         John 1:1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word ([1]Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [2]Himself. [Isa. 9:6.]

Zondervan (2010-08-17). Amplified Bible (p. 950). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

To "LET GO" means trusting in the Word.. Jesus is the Word - "Logos" 

"LETING GO" for me means, finding my AUTHENTIC SELF in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                                                  

©Lorrie J Sims

What picture do you see?

Loving deeply means hurting deeply.

Matthew 26:36-46 shares one of the most intimate experiences Jesus wants to share with us.
Yet then, only 3 were invited!


As you read the scripture above, picture yourself in Gethsemane, along with Jesus and His disciples.
Now, picture it playing out as a movie. Your watching it unfold right before your eyes... Jesus....




Jesus takes Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He is overwhelmed with sorrow and grief - asking His three disciples to "stay awake and keep watch with Me".  Jesus shared with them His (deeply intimate) soul saying; "I am almost dying of sorrow"! Jesus is deeply depressed.


Then Jesus went on a little further, threw Himself upon the ground - ON HIS FACE - and prayed
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but as You will and desire".


When Jesus returns to the three disciples, He finds them all sleeping. He says to Peter "What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour"?


Not once, or twice did Jesus instruct them to watch and pray...THREE TIMES.
And on that third time, Jesus woke them again saying "get up, let us be going! See, My betrayer is at hand".


WHAT PICTURE DO YOU SEE NOW?
What state of mind do you think Jesus was in?
Do you wonder what the disciples are thinking and feeling? Or what Jesus is thinking and feeling?
Are they wondering... WHAT BETRAYER?
Maybe their thinking why didn't I stay awake?!
How do you think they feel?
What questions do they have for Jesus?
What questions do you have for Jesus?


THE FIRST THING I THINK ABOUT is how terribly alone Jesus must have felt.
When He went to His disciples after his first visit with His Father- would He have stayed a little longer with His three close friends and shared more of His heart and soul with them?  If they had stayed awake and kept watch as He asked. 


Or did He grieve it all out with His Father?  I personally, don't think so.
He grieved as much as He could and was comforted by His Father. Jesus knew the journey he had to take. As a human man, he had to have been bothered by it at times. Just as the scripture above states, "I am almost dying of sorrow". That is truly sorrow that one has carried for many years.
But He knew His destiny..


WHAT PICTURE DO YOU SEE NOW?


Do you still see Jesus?
I see all the broken souls who need healing!


To touch a wounded soul and share the mighty work of God, blesses me.
To be a vessel and share my story - A GIFT. 
LIFE BREATHED INTO ME BY MY HEAVENLY FATHER


He gifted me with a beautiful picture of my birth!  I will cherish it always, as I cherish His rebirth


NOW HE IS REBORN - RISEN FROM THE DEAD


WHAT PICTURE DO YOU SEE NOW?

Prophets: Patriots

Patriots not only possess the combination of vision and understanding of man and God,

but also a passion for patriotism.

Theirs was a patriotic fervor for the sake of the nation which they wanted to be in right relationship to God.

They could foresee the inevitable consequences of rebellion against God's will for the nation of which

they were part, and loyally warned their native land.

To them, religion and nationalism were inseparable!

Robert Browning wrote of the land under whose blue skies his happiest years were spent: "Open my heart and you will see Graved inside it - Italy".

If we could have opened the hearts of those noble prophets of Israel, 

we could have found graven in them - Canaan.

Their conviction was that Israel was especially chosen by God for a great destiny, with the land of Canaan as their divinely chosen habitation.

If we could fully appreciate their prophecies, we must in some measure see

the romance and riches of Canaan through their eyes.

Prophets: Seer, or See-er

A seer was one who saw divine visions, divine truths, and spoke of what he had seen from God.

Seer: From the verb meaning "to see".

Seers of old entered into the "counsel" of God, the "secret" of God, the "plan" of God, the "ways" of God, and the "thoughts" of God.

The prophet was also known as:

A man of God: (1st Sam. 2:27; 9:6; 1st Kings 17:18)

A servant of God, or Jehovah: ( 1st Kings 18:36; 1st Chron. 6:49; Isa. 20:3)

A messenger of Jehovah: (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13)

A watchman: (Jer. 6:17; Ezek. 3:17)

All the terms used imply a close relationship of the Prophet to God.

Each term expressing some aspect of such a relationship, or of the the prophet's mission, or of the way he achieved his religious insight.
The central idea contained in them all, however, was that the prophet was a mediator
by SPEECH between MAN AND GOD. With minds and mouths controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Every word of God is pure!  (Pure=Sanctified, Refined 7 times, Tried and True) Proverbs 30:5

Review: Never Ending Spring

Out of Darkness was the first book that Darrell Case had so graciously allowed me to review.

I have received and now finished his new novel, Never Ending Spring. I must say that Never Ending Spring touched me deeply. The characters were very well developed; it felt as though I was living right beside every character!

You are introduced to the first murder starting on page one. I was taken in immediately!

The mystery and suspense grows higher and higher with each page that is turned. I loved this novel so much; I cannot say enough good things about it!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this novel to all who love a well-woven story full of surprises and God’s love and redemptions.

I thank Darrell Case for sending me this book so I may give an honest review.

On a personal note, Darrell Case has become one of my MOST favorite authors and cannot wait for more!

Rev. Lorrie J. Sims

Book Review: in broken places by Michele Phoenix

As I finished the last couple of pages of “In Broken Places,” I wanted to cry. Not tears of sorrow, tears of joy! The book is a brilliant gift that brings its readers an understanding of how the Lord is in the heart of all His people. He meets us in our “woundedness, our brokenness, our daughterness, our betrayedness and our uncertain hopefulness.”
Michele Phoenix has an astonishing gift that truly is from the Lord! She speaks of being a Survivor, and it is evident in her characters. She brings them to life, and holds nothing back as the characters evolve in the story line.
Shelby and brother Trey grow up in an abusive home. Their father is a tyrant, yet their mother allows his behavior to continue until one day he takes it just too far. She throws him out and begins to mend the broken family. Only Shelby and Trey do not trust anymore, having developed their own coping skills, none of which is healthy!
Scarred and broken Shelby and Trey begin to figure life out as adults. In addition, just when Shelby feels she has reached some semblance of balance, wham…she receives the shock of her life. Her father has pasted and she is declared sole legal guardian of her father’s youngest child. Her past wounds from abuse fracture and expose her fragile “inner child” hence she struggles with the likelihood that she may not be a good mother figure.
Trey finds peace after a heartbreaking event, by means of trying to commit suicide. His recovery finds him longing to live the life he feels he finally deserves, hence opens a small French café.
Trey and Shelby bond even further as the story unfolds and begin to rely on one another like never before! Shelby has decided to choose a path that includes her half-sister, Shayla, moves to Germany to teach English at Black Forest Academy thus setting into motion a quest. She must learn to not only be a caring guardian, but also conquer the hurdles of a new country.
Can Shelby’s “inner child” be mended on this new quest? Will she discover that she is deserving of a life full of hopes and dreams? You will have to read this wonderful story to find out!!
Thank you Michele for allowing me to review your masterpiece... so I could write an honest review, this book was given to me by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Rev. Lorrie J. Sims