A little bit of encouragement goes a long way. Am I right? Definitely.

Those of us who have ran in races know that this is true! Anyone who competes in any type of sport..knows this to be true. When you are feeling as though you can’t go any farther, and you hear cheers…your spirits lift and you know for a second that you can!

Our minds. our thoughts,  and the way that we talk to ourselves really play a huge part in our success or failure.

 If we believe that we can, then we will. If we tell ourselves that we will, then we can. It’s our inner voice that hold us back.

The Bible tells us that We CAN do ALL things through CHRIST who gives us STRENGTH!

It doesn’t say that we have to do anything on our own strength…

It doesn’t say that we can do SOME things through the strength that is given to us by Christ.

Paul says it best..when referring to his ability to make it through ANY situation:

Philippians 4:12,13 ~ I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

We are our own worst enemy at times. Why? Because of the way that we talk to ourselves. Who cares what others may say about your abilities! God made you…and HE loved you before HE even made the world. As believers and followers of God, we need to remember that our FATHER (GOD), doesn’t talk ugly to us or about us. HE loves us. HE is not capable of sinning. HE is LOVE. AND HE does NOT talk to us the way that we tend to talk to ourselves.

If you are a believer in Jesus, then this is YOU that HE is talking about:

Ephesians 1:4, 5 ~ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

See how much HE loves us!!!

While we are on the subject of talking nice to ourselves, it would do us well to remember that we should only speak words to others as well, that edify and build up.

Ephesians 4:29 ~ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

What does this have to do with talking in a  positive way to ourselves (our inner voice)?  Everything!  The reason being, what we repeatedly hear..we start to believe. If all we ever hear about ourselves is negative..then how easy it is to think that way about ourselves. Now, this doesn’t mean to go around giving out meaningless flattery all day. (That’s another blog for another day.) This simply means to be an encourager and think before you speak, because as Ephesians 4:29 says (and I am paraphrasing of course) : If it doesn’t help someone, and if it isn’t nice, and if it doesn’t build the other person up, then don’t say it. 

I love this little acronym :

THINK, is what I am saying, texting, or typing…

True

Helpful

Important

Necessary

Kind ?

Everybody can use some kind of encouragement… Talking kind to ourselves and others is something we all struggle with at times. Let’s build up instead of tear down.

            Until Next Time,

Do you ever have days where you are just in a “funk”?

Days when you question your decisions….

Days when you ponder your future choices…

Days when you are constantly battling that negative voice…

I do.

Those days are the hardest.

Those days are when I have to fight..fight..fight..the enemy. Fight myself even…

My GOD has already won. But..that doesn’t mean that the enemy won’t try to attack me..or you..

That is why putting on SPIRITUAL ARMOR is so important.

Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) ~ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Truth is…those days usually occur when I haven’t BEGAN my day with my normal and regular “quiet time”.

My QUIET TIME is part of my SPIRITUAL ARMOR. If and when I neglect to “put it on”... I am less prepared to fight the negativity that may pop up during the day.

Make sense?

IT IS MY FAULT, if and when I neglect my Jesus. HE never neglects me.

Do you have a daily quiet time? (being still, praying, and also studying the Bible)

Do you notice a difference in your day on days that you neglect that time with God?

Do you realize the importance of a DAILY time with Jesus?

If you don’t currently have a daily quiet time with Jesus, will you commit to at the very least…10 minutes a day..to begin with?

(If you have decided to commit to a daily quiet time, I’d love to hear back from you after 3 consecutive days, of how you have noticed a difference in your day.)

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

Like a lot of others, as this year comes to an end, I am reflecting.

Reflecting on the past year. The choices made. The changes that need to be made in the coming year.

There is always room to grow. Room for improvement. We have never “arrived”. We have to keep growing in our spiritual walk..and keep striving to be better than we were the day before. Not for ourselves, but so that our walk matches our talk.

I began making a list of “goals”. Not “New Year’s Resolutions”, but GOALS. Yes, I know that they are just about the same thing. But, not really. New Year’s resolutions are made and everybody has in the back of their head..“I’ll never fulfill this one.” Goals are more serious in my opinion. Goals are necessary.

My list looks something like this:

Budget/Household Goals:

~ Create a budget

~ Pray over the “budget”…for obedience and determination to stick to it.

~ Work towards buying mostly necessities. (truth is, a lot of money is wasted on “wants” )

~ Make a plan to take each room of our home, and eliminate clutter. 

 Physical Goals:

~ Eat healthier

~ Continue to work out 4-5 days a week

~ Try to cut down on sweets and breads, and eat cleaner.

Spiritual Goals:

~ Finish reading and studying the entire Bible..I am currently in Matthew 3. (Genesis to Revelations plan)

~ Begin to read the entire Bible again..using my new Chronological Bible.

~ Trust HIM more fully.

~ Be a better leader.

~ Establish a family devotional time and stick to it.

~ Be a better encourager to my husband.

These are just some of my “goals”. .

The most important goal is this:

John 3:30 (NLT) ~ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

That is what it all boils down to. God HAS to be first. HE has to be the center of everything. HIS will HAS to be of most importance in my life. I HAVE to get in the passenger seat. I MUST let HIM drive. TRUSTING HIM FULLY. Even when life isn’t what I planned. Even when times seem tough. TRUST HIM.

Until Next YEAR ,

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalms 34:18 NLT)

There are things in this world that happen, that I’ll never understand. I won’t claim to understand.

This I know, My Savior.. My Redeemer, is GOOD.

The truth is that this world that we live in is broken and sinful. So much so, that God sent His one and Only Son, Jesus… Immanuel.. To save us.

John 3:16,17 ~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Jesus means, The Lord Saves.

Immanuel means, God With Us.

When trials come.. And they will…

When circumstances are sometimes awful.. And that’s a guarantee…

When bad things happen to good and innocent people and children, we can rest in the fact that this is NOT our home. If you know Jesus, and most importantly, if HE knows you… This broken and sin-filled world is only temporary. Our real home is HEAVEN.

John 16:33 ~ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

While we are here though… Let’s live right. As my father in law shared at Granny Shiver’s funeral; When asked if she had any advice for us on living our lives.. She said : “Just Do Right..Do right.”

That’s pretty good advice if you ask me.

Just do right. Just forgive. Just live. Just let bygones be bygones. Hold the ones you love close. Tell them you love them.. Show them that you love them with actions. And.. JUST DO RIGHT.

Even when you don’t understand the why’s… Just Do Right.

And remember… We are just passing through. There’s two final destinations.. Heaven or Hell. Although those are great words of advice.. “Just Do Right” won’t get you to Heaven. Truly knowing and following HIM will. So, do you know HIM and as Granny witnessed.. Does HE know you?

See, when asked if she knew for sure about her place in eternity, she said “oh yeah, I know Jesus and HE knows me.“

Trust HIS promises that are found in The Word. Rest in HIM. “The Lord Saves” AND “God With Us”

Hebrews 13:6 ~ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

We don’t have to understand.. We just have to trust God.

Until Next Time,

Heather

by: Heather Dawkins
 (future home of CrossPointe)

We all make choices. Many choices in our lifetime. Every choice has a consequence. Every choice matters.

Thank goodness, our God is a God of second chances..and third chances….

I’ll be honest. My choices didn’t always bring my Jesus glory. I made that choice though.

I wasted precious time as a teen. Thinking that I had to fit in. Feeling like I never did. Making wrong choices just so that I would feel comfortable. All the while, professing to be a Christian.

Sometimes my life looked like it should. Sometimes it didn’t. That’s NOT okay.

I let my lack of confidence..rule me.

I let the world influence me. My focus was on me instead of on God…where it needed to be. Nobody is to blame, except ME.

Things  haven’t changed that much in 20 something years. (as far as feeling like you have to fit in goes)  I know that kids today still struggle with feeling like they just don’t fit in. Feeling UNCOMFORTABLE around the “crowd”. AND..making bad choices because of that.

TO YOU,  I SAY:  It is better to NOT fit in. It is BEST to STAND OUT and STAND FIRM in JESUS.

You may never get another chance. We aren’t guaranteed our next breath.

It was ONLY after I truly SURRENDERED to HIM, that I began to feel comfortable in MY SKIN.

So many times..people think that SURRENDER is a bad thing. As if  it takes away your FREEDOM.

When in fact, it is the OPPOSITE.

With SURRENDER, there is TRUE FREEDOM. A peace that surpasses ALL understanding.

We all have a choice. FOLLOW HIM or FOLLOW THEM.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV) ~ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself  and take up his cross and follow me.”

NOW, I love not fitting in with what the WORLD thinks that I should look like, be like, act like, or desire.

The BIBLE tells us that we are NOT to look like the WORLD. Authentic Christians CAN’T look like they did before. Authentic Christians will have a “before and after picture”.
James 4:4 (NIV) ~ You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 

I’m just so very thankful that my JESUS loved me even when I didn’t bring HIM glory. I’m so thankful that I took that step that made all the difference..when I said,   ”I surrender, God..I cannot do this on my own..I want to glorify YOU..and I am so sorry for the times when I failed you. I will follow you no matter the cost, because the relationship with YOU outweighs everything else.”

Sure, I am STILL a work in progress. HE is not finished with me YET.

Philippians 1:6 ~ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Will you take that step? The step to TRUE FREEDOM? Stand firm and STAND OUT. It’s really the best feeling in the world.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) ~ Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.  

(Maybe you have already taken that step. That is WONDERFUL! Maybe this post will help you in helping someone else then.)

           Until Next Time,

So…lately, a certain word keeps popping up. Like all the time. In my quiet time. In my “digging deeper” study time in HIS Word. In life in general.

Have you ever had this happen? You probably have. Do you try to ignore it..just a little bit? I know that I do sometimes. Why? Because, that means I can put off making a change.

Well, I’m sure you are wondering what the “word” is.

Drum roll please: OBEDIENCE

This word is popping up everywhere. Making me question myself and search to see what I need to change so that I can be completely obedient to God.

Obedience doesn’t always come naturally. To be even more blatantly honest, it hardly ever comes natural. Who doesn’t want it “my way”.. ? Who wants to be obedient when it’s hard? Who wants to ruffle feathers (that’s a southern slang).. ?

I’ve been studying a lot in the Old Testament lately. It kills me when people say that the Old Testament is boring, etc.. Even though I once didn’t think it was really interesting. Then, I began really reading it. Really studying it. Really “getting” it. Folks, there ain’t (yes, I said “ain’t”) nothing boring about the OT!

In my studying, I’ve come across a ton of things that have to do with obedience and disobedience.
Point blank, OBEDIENCE to God leads to blessing and DISOBEDIENCE to God leads to desolation, despair, and turmoil. From Genesis to Jeremiah… (because that’s where I’m at with my “reading through the whole Bible” plan right now) there is true story after story of God’s grace and mercy and patience. AND story after story of the people just completely choosing sin and refusing to repent and turn to God.

I can’t help but think of the world we live in today in comparison to ancient times that were before Christ! I can’t help but think of myself..and the times that I have let HIM down. I can’t help but think of this one word: OBEDIENCE.

Verse after verse in HIS WORD is referring to being obedient to God. In everything. Not just the big things. Not just the things that seem do-able. But. In. Everything.

So, after putting off writing for a few weeks, I picked up my iPad and said “Here goes”. I know that this blog is not “mine”… It’s His. I must write.

So, after putting off the hard questions that I must ask myself… I began to look within. I asked myself.. What is it that I need to do or not do in order to be completely obedient to HIM? AND… Why is it so hard sometimes?

The answer to the second question is: It’s hard to be completely OBEDIENT if I am being selfish in ANY area of my life. Just being real with y’all. Obedience isn’t just about saying “Yes sir and Yes mam”.

Obedience is about being completely… COMPLETELY… willing. No matter the cost. No matter the sacrifice.

Don’t get me wrong, I have come a long way. I’ve got a long way to go still, though. How about you? If you have ever read one of my posts, you know that I will ask you questions and make you think. So, how about it? Maybe “obedience” isn’t your word. Maybe another word keeps popping up for you. But, let’s stick with my word. Is there any area in your life that could be better if you were more obedient to God?

God didn’t “play” when it came to disobedience back in the Old Testament times. God never changes. He is always the same. So what makes you (and me) think that He feels any different about obedience today?

In the book of Jeremiah, Jerusalem was destroyed because of sin. (see Jeremiah 39)

Take a look at 2 Chronicles 31:20,21… You’ll see why Hezekiah prospered.

Just look in the book of Isaiah…glance there and see… all of the times God warned the people.

Then.. Take a look at Deuteronomy. Especially chapter 28.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NIV)~ See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

What do you see in these books of the Bible? Do you see the truths that I see? Obedience is a must for those of us who profess to be authentic followers of Christ!

Striving to be obedient!

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

HEATHER

I have started several posts and even have 11 in the “draft” or unpublished phase. It’s just not their time to be posted yet. As I was sitting with my family..I felt the urge to write the poem below. I used to write poetry a lot, but it has been a long time.

My hope is that the poem below will make you really think. Really seek HIM. Really look within and ask yourself…

“I am living for HIM or for me?”

“Do my actions match up with my words?”

“Do I need to BE STILL and SEEK HIS FACE more?”

“Am I giving HIM my all?”

A beautiful sunset from God

WHAT IF?

What if…we smiled at a passing stranger and that one small act changed the course of their day?

What if…we took the time to just listen more?

Would we hear something more than before?

What if…we took more time to spend with God and pray? 

Would we make more of a difference with our day?

What if…we gave more of ourselves..to the sick and the poor?

What if…we heeded HIS call to help and to serve, when HE called…not after we went the wrong way?

Would we be able to pass them by anymore?

Would we realize the blessings we had missed along the way?

What if we trusted HIM like never before?

Would we step out into the unknown and feel safe?

What if we gave all we had…like HE gave for us?

Would we be able to show more grace? 

What if… we loved like HE loves…with a merciful heart?

Would we be making our  world be a better place?

What if…we forgave those who once held a place in our hearts?

Would we feel joy and peace in its place?

What if we learned to BE STILL and SEEK HIS FACE first?

Would we keep living our lives “our way” ?

Written by:

Heather Dawkins

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) ~ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Psalm 105:4 ~ Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

The time to seek HIM is now.

Until Next Time,

There’s just something about sharing the deepest parts of yourself with others. The ugly parts that God has turned into something beautiful. It’s a vulnerable place to be in. An out of your comfort zone place. Yet, it’s a place that God is glorified in.

I am reminded in Acts 22…when Paul asks to speak to the crowd that was accusing him and beating him, of how he used those moments to be honest and vulnerable and give his testimony. He didn’t get up and say, “I am perfect and that’s why you shouldn’t throw me in jail.” NO…Paul told of who he was before he knew Christ as his personal Savior and then he told of his transformation after coming to know God. He was transparent. He was vulnerable. He was unashamed.

How willing are we…as followers of Jesus…to be transparent?

Why is it so hard to just “be real” ?

We are called to “BE REAL” friends. We are called to LOVE. We are called to forgive. AND….we are called to be transparent…honest…to bring God glory.

Matthew 6:15 (NIV) ~ But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 17:4 (NIV) ~ If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,’ forgive him.”

John 13:34 (NIV) ~ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

1 John 1:8 (NIV) ~ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Why is it so scary to be “transparent” ? Well, one reason, is the fear of being judged by others. Let’s be real…we all fear that at some point or another.

If our transparency brings healing and hope to just ONE person, then it is worth it. When we let God use the mess that we made of things and turn it into HIS message, then who cares what others may think! That, my friends, is being obedient and transparent.

I’ll be completely honest with you. I don’t always WANT to be transparent. It is a lot easier to put a “smile” on my face and pretend things away. That doesn’t bring God glory though. I have to be willing to be obedient in sharing my testimony…when HE wants me to. Same goes for each of you.

Truth is, everybody has garbage. Everybody has made mistakes. It is what we choose to do with the mess or garbage that makes the difference.

So, I leave you with these questions.

Is there something that God has asked you to share with someone…and you haven’t yet because of fear of being judged?

Do you believe that God can turn your MESS into HIS Message?

First, I would advise you to pray diligently over it. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Be sure that your testimony points to God. That it only brings glory to God. Then, write it out. It is always changing…as it should be. Finally, pray some more and if you feel that nudge from God..GO FOR IT! Let Him be glorified!

I will be sharing portions of my testimony as I feel led, in the days to come. Why? Because, I know God wants me to. Because, I have been feeling the nudge to be even “more real” than I already am with you all.

Share more with you soon! Very soon..

Here is a link to listen to Mandisa’s song..What If We Were Real?

ENJOY!

02_what_if_we_were_real___

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

Well, it has taken me a bit longer to process these thoughts and truths that have been jumping around in my head. I know that I have shared before, that I take this “writing” or “blogging” thing very serious. AND…Sometimes…that means just waiting and being still. Waiting for God. I have learned patience through this almost year that I have been sharing here on “Simple Truths”. I’ve learned that I am on HIS timeline…not mine.

I have learned that I am at peace when I am patient for HIS time.

I don’t want to mess this up. I don’t ever want these posts to be about ME. Oh no..not at all..I only want to shine for HIM. When I say I want to shine…I mean that HE IS LIGHT and I want to reflect HIM and HIM alone.

It has been a week ago today that I left to go on a retreat for women. We went away for two nights and oh how God touched me at the core of my soul. HIS presence was known. HIS words were spoken through many women (message, prayer, song, testimonies, sharing, etc..)  because of their obedience to HIM. It’s not always easy being truly obedient…because it really does take you out of your comfort zone. This I know. From experience. BUT…..oh at the blessings and complete joy that is felt when you are obedient. Blessings…not just for the other people…but for you as well.

I saw chains loosed last weekend…and chains are still being loosed because of the TRUTH that was spoken to us. GOD”S WORD is TRUTH dear friends. It IS HEALING for the soul.

Most importantly though…GOD’S WORD reflects HIS LOVE for US!! Friends…hear me when I say this…God LOVES YOU! He loves every single one of us!

We have got to start reflecting that LOVE. That TRUTH.

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) ~ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

 Deeply…it says. Not surface. Not fake. BUT….DEEPLY.

God’s LOVE….the love of Savior Jesus….covers our sins.

If you ARE a true follower/believer, you are CALLED to LOVE. DEEPLY.

I am called to love deeply. Do I always? No… Sometimes…the love that I show and you too (if you are being honest), is love that may be dependent on my emotions at the moment.

I am called to love deeply….not just when I feel like it. Not just when everything is “hunky-dory” (pardon the “old” phrase).

I am SO VERY THANKFUL that God loves me ALL the time. In fact, it still blows my mind sometimes that HIS love NEVER CHANGES. Seriously, you should do a search on your Bible app or in the dictionary and concordance in your actual Bible on the phrase “His love”. It’s awesome!

John 15:12~ My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

We don’t love in this way out of our own ability to do so. NO…that isn’t even possible. IF and WHEN we LOVE in the way God commands us to love, it’s because God is loving the other person through us. IT’S HIM.

1 John 4:19~ We love because he first loved us.

   I am so thankful for all the LOVE that was shown this past weekend at the retreat. Women sometimes have a hard time letting down our walls..and letting ourselves be loved. It has to STOP. We have to stop comparing ourselves and thinking that everybody else must be thinking something “bad” about “me”. It’s a trap. A trap that the enemy wants us to be in. BECAUSE..we can’t possibly love each other if we don’t even love ourselves. GOD LOVES YOU.

I LOVE THESE WOMEN!!!

It’s okay to recognize areas that you have fault…but give those faults and bad habits…bondage..to  GOD (repent and change). THEN and only THEN can you move on. When I say move on..I mean, STOP letting your past mistakes define you. Allow God to love you and in turn reflect that same love to everyone you meet.

1 John 4:8~ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

It is ALL about LOVE. Isn’t that what we all want anyways?

I’ve got lots more on my mind and heart that I plan on sharing in regards to how my heart was touched during this time away. So, I’ll share again with you soon.

Until Next Time,

Time goes by so fast. It seems like just yesterday that I was a little girl living at home with my Momma and Daddy. I think about how it seems like yesterday that I was a high school graduate.It seems like yesterday that I was getting engaged and married. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding my daughters in my arms…talking baby talk with them..and watching them learn to crawl and then walk. Seems like yesterday that my husband and I were on our trip in the New England States. Time sure does fly.

There are those days that you wish would fly.. the ones when your kids or students or whoever.. are trying your patience. The days when you can’t seem to do anything right. The days when your kids, etc.. are not listening and obeying. Oh yes…there are those days that we wish away.

Then there are the days that seem like a dream. The days when everything is going smooth. Everyone is getting along nicely, no fussing..no problems. The days when you are on vacation or simply doing what you enjoy.  There are the days when everything seems perfect and we want those days to last and last. We don’t dare wish those days away.

What if today was your last day? What if it wasn’t a perfect day though..but it might still be your last? Would you wish it away..or would you persevere and endure..choosing to find something good in it..what would you do?

I ask myself the same questions.. There are plenty of moments in my day when things (fussing children..bills to pay..unexpected inconveniences, etc..) can try to trip me up. Those are the times when I have to take a step back and breathe and choose to persevere and to count to 10 or 100 if necessary.

Life is not a “bed of roses” all of the time. Our friends..our family..our co-workers..our kids..etc.. are not perfect…none of us are perfect. That’s why we needed a Savior to die for our sins. God is perfect and Holy.

Time flies…and before we know it..it is gone. We can’t get back the moments that have passed. Anyone who has lost a loved one..family member or friend, knows the feeling of wishing for just one more moment here on this earth. Make each moment count..you just never know when it could be the last moment you have.

Here is the good news, you are guaranteed an eternity together… as long as you believe in Jesus and have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. That is the only way…

So, I leave you  with two questions. Are you going to make your moments count? AND Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Ok, maybe I have one or two more to ask. Do you know that you know that you know that you are going to Heaven? What are you doing to bring God glory? Are your moments counting for Jesus?

Mark 13:32-33 ~ No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

1 Samuel 12:24 ~ But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things  he has done for you.

Romans 10:10 ~ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!