Shawn McDonald: Have You Ever

it's tough being...in the tight fist of fear

The command most often given by God and his messengers throughout the Word is "Do not be afraid." What is it that we really fear? We have double-almost ironic-fears: the fear of being too much and the fear of not being enough; the fear of being alone and the fear of being known; the fear of living in lack and the fear of living in the abundance God has called us to.

Most of us have put on this fear and have been walking it out for far too long. So long, in fact, that we're not quite sure what living without fear actually looks like--or if we want to. How this must break the heart of God!! His Word says that his perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)!! When we are living in fear--of either the good or the bad--we are not living in the perfect, complete, unadulterated and unconditional love of our Father.

What then shall we do? We have to decide that we really want what God has for us. And not just a Sunday school Christian existence. We have to decide that God really is all that he says he is and we can always trust him. Period. We do not have a circumstantial trust in God.

It is time to start walking in freedom from fear. Be released from that tight fist of insecurity! Self doubt is God doubt. It's time to start living the life he's called us to. (thoughts inspired through Beth Moore's study on Esther: It's tough being a woman)

Third Day - Revelation

ah....yes.

Finding aNew Purpose

Into this powerless, bruised, and hurting world, God not only sent a Savior; he raised up the church to be a constant source of the Savior's presence. You are that church! The church stewards the grace and love of God on earth. That is the glory of God. God lives in us. Weak as we are, he has chosen to dwell in us. We are where the glory of God is found. Not primarily in great conferences and well-run programs and institutions of the church, but in the ordinary men and women who make up the church.

from You See Bones I See An Army by Floyd McClung p77

Something to think about...

A Strong Woman vs. A Woman Of Strength


A strong woman works out every day,
Pride in her appearance she portrays,
But a woman of strength kneels to pray,
Keeping her soul in shape, God leading the way.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything,
Looking forward to challenges each day will bring,
Women of strength show courage in the midst of fear,
Knowing triumph through faith because the Lord is near.

Strong women won't let anyone get the best of them,
So skilled in defense even if they have to pretend,
Yet a woman of strength gives her best to everyone,
Being anointed with divine blood from the only begotten Son.

A strong woman relies on the physical attributes making her tough,
In her search for power and money she will never have enough,
A woman of strength understands that it’s not about material stuff,
Knowing that before becoming a diamond first she’ll be in the rough.

A strong woman sometimes disguises her feelings shadowed by clouds,
Unhinged when challenged on her policy becoming boisterous and loud,
A woman of strength concerns herself not with judgment from others,
And will not let business interfere with commitments as a wife and mother.

A strong woman is easily impatient back and forth she will begin to pace,
Counting on her holier than thou attitude instead of depending on faith,
A woman of strength is assured trust in God will always carry her through,
And at the Creator’s appointed time she’ll receive all that is justly due.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same for tomorrow,
Refusing to take time looking back with reverence and Godly sorrow,
The woman of strength realizes life's mistakes no matter how slim,
While thanking God for the blessings as she capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks head first with no doubt in her mind,
Again, no matter what, she’ll not make this mistake a second time,
But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls,
So when a situation arises again, she’s not afraid to answer the call.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face,
Always doing whatever it takes to finish, seeking only first place,
The woman of strength competes with an emotional sense of grace,
Understanding it’s more important to run a Holy Spirit filled race.

A strong woman has faith that for the journey she’ll have enough,
No matter how uneven the terrain or roads being rocky and rough,
A woman of strength knows it’s in the journey she will become strong,
And the love of God is forever with her, no matter how difficult or long.

A strong woman when uninformed thinks that she is being mistreated,
In the end her physical attributes fail causing doubt to become seeded,
A woman of strength will compromise as a little give and take is needed,
Why? Because a lesson not learned the first time is soon to be repeated.


God, break me and make me a woman of strength!!