Author: Jodie

Self-Care

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Matthew 23:1-4, 25-26

Amplified Bible

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law]; 3 so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.4 The scribes and Pharisees tie up [a]heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].

25 “Woe to you, [self–righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self–indulgence (unrestrained greed).26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate[examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.

Since the Good Shepherd told me to LAY DOWN last year, I’ve been letting go of a few old things to embrace what’s new. In the midst of this great exchange, I came to realize that His grace was no longer sustaining the weight of some of the baggage I was carrying. What I previously lifted with ease in a former season suddenly felt heavy in this one. And so, the Lord, in His loving kindness invited me further into the valley of the shadow of death to bury some dry bones. As I did what He required, His Spirit began breathing resurrection life into my body… and soul. At times, I’ll admit, the process was extremely painful. My flesh cried out on more than one occasion as my mind, will and emotions wrestled between what I wanted and what He wanted.

Before laying down, I had been stuck in the hustle and bustle of everyday life; consumed by what I was doing, while neglecting who I was being. As the Lord corrected Martha, reorienting her heart towards His, so He did with me. His Word cut between soul and spirit, reminding me that the inside of my cup was far more valuable to Him than the outside. His rebuke to the Pharisee’s was even more direct. What they were teaching people was RIGHT, but the motivation of their hearts was all WRONG.

If we aren’t careful, we too can get stuck faking the funk- working up a sweat in our scrubbing bubbles to make our cups look good on the outside, while neglecting the filth that’s piling up on the inside. Religious activity has a way of setting us up for that kind of hypocrisy. If we’re not careful, we can easily fall prey to the enemy’s trap: desiring to be praised by people. It feels really good to be accepted, affirmed and acknowledge for our giftedness, but God deserves all the praise for what we do since everything comes from Him and is for Him. Furthermore, seeking the approval of man will always leave us disappointed anyway. Instead, Jesus invites us to choose a different way. His way…which leads to eternal life: pleasing the Father.

If you, like me, struggle with people pleasing, I have good news for you! Take heart, my friend. There’s always HOPE! Seek the Lord. You will find Him. Ask Him to examine every area of your soul that is bowing to the fear of man. He will ever so gently illuminate the dark places with His marvelous light, releasing you from the enemy’s lies which hold you captive.

I’m so grateful for the freedom to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth in this season and for the saints who told me what I needed to hear. I’m even thankful for the sinners who told me what I needed to hear, because God uses all things for my good- but especially for HIS glory!

As I’ve submit to this process of cleansing, the Lord has taught me a few valuable lessons about self-care in this season:

  1. First and foremost, I must constantly care for my spirit. I literally cannot live without His bread and water sustaining me every day. The secret place is my happy place. Rising early every morning I worship Him in silence, reading/hearing scripture, praying in the spirit and being a scribe (journaling). That quiet time carries me the rest of the day as I continue meditating on His Word and praying, without ceasing.
  2. Second, my soul needs compassionate care. In His presence, as I pour out the complaints in my mind, will and emotions, He comforts, cares and corrects anything I believe which is contrary to what He says about Himself, myself and others.
  3. Third, my body needs continual care. After hiring a nutrition coach, I realized this temple needed some serious cleansing, ‘cuz what I was puttin’ in my mouth wasn’t holy! Our enemy has convinced us that fast, fake food will satisfy us. It’s a lie. God has already provided everything we need since the dawn of creation: what grows in the ground, what grazes on it, and what swims in the waters that separates the dry land. Spend the time and money required to eat healthy foods- and move your body!

Beloved, it’s time to clean the inside of our cups. Let’s not just be hearers of the Word, let’s do it! We need to practice what we preach. God is watching. And so is the world.

Help!

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Matthew 24:35 

Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Psalm 121

1 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

Isaiah 40:3-5

3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
    for our God!
4 Fill in the valleys,
    and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
    and smooth out the rough places.
5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
    The Lord has spoken!”

As the cover of my current journal declares, God is Faithful.

Yesterday, after drinking my daily smoothie that contained a new ingredient I’d never consumed before, I noticed that I felt kind of weird. I laid down for a bit to rest while watching Chip & Joanna Gaines do their thing. Grabbing my bottle, I continued guzzling water like I normally do with the heat and humidity of the good old Florida sunshine in summertime. Within a few minutes, swallowing became difficult. I sat up straight, quickly ascertaining that I must be suffering an allergic reaction! Breathing slowly, I calmed my nervous system down and began praying in the Spirit.

“Help me, Lord!”

Peace rushed in.

At the same time, I was still very aware of what was happening inside my body. The swelling in my throat was increasing, so I decided it was time to ask someone for help. I walked into my man’s office, interrupting his work day. “Babe. Don’t panic. I think I’ve had an allergic reaction to something I drank. I’m having a hard time swallowing.” I sat down on the floor as he retrieved my water bottle and the Benadryl. I took two, immediately. I text a nurse practitioner friend, but there was no response. At that point, my throat felt like I’d swallowed a very hairy tennis ball! “Babe. I’m gonna need you to take me to the ER. But before we go, let’s pray.”

He did.

As I grabbed my things, he informed the kids what was going on. I saw the concern in their eyes as we rushed out the door. Fortunately for us, we live literally right down the street from our community hospital. Upon check in, once I told the admin what was happening, she promptly stopped the paperwork and called for a nurse. By the time I turned around, a woman was there with a wheelchair. She whisked me right into an available room, as the team rushed in. Within moments I was undressed, put into one of those fashionable hospital muumuus, an IV was started and my vital signs were being monitored. Asking how I was feeling, the head nurse agreed with my self diagnoses- also noting that my chest and back were covered with a rash. The nurse practitioner assigned to my care immediately ordered more anti-histamines and a steroid which were promptly administered through my IV.

Once the dust had settled, my man smiled at me as he sat there- holding all my belongings in his hands. I saw the care and concern in his beautiful blue eyes.

As the medication and fluids entered my system, the swelling stopped. In fact, the fuzzy tennis ball began shrinking! I was discharged within an hour or so. Armed with a prescription to continue taking meds at home, my man and our kids were now assigned to my care. They came rushing out to the garage before I even had a chance to open the car door! We spent the next few hours enjoying our abbreviated family fun night, eating dinner together and watching one of the gazillion Mission Impossible movies. The anti-histamines knocked me out before 9p.

Upon waking early this morning, I began processing yesterday’s events with the Lord in silence. Thanking Him for being with me; an ever-present help in times of trouble, my heart was filled with gratitude. As we walked through everything that happened, I remembered how He’d been with me in previous trials.

I heard Him validate who He is:

The Way,

the Truth,

the Life.

and I heard Him validate who I am in Him:

His beloved.

He also alerted me to what the enemy had spoken over me yesterday so that I could remain aware of his prowling around, acting like a lion. It confirmed the bible verse Holy Spirit woke me up with early this week.

In that moment, I realized He’d been sharpening my sword- which is the written and spoken Word of God. It’s the only weapon used to cut between soul and Spirit. Like those anti-histamine’s that block the histamine response in the body, only the Word can block the fiery arrows of the enemy.

Our battles belong to the Lord, but we have a part to play, my friend. We cannot fight lying down- being passive. Yesterday, when I realized the attack on my body, I sat up. Then I stood. And when He said “GO!” I went. Immediately. THIS is how we fight our battles. We hear and do the Word.

It isn’t enough to sit in the Lord’s presence during a worship service as the highs and lows of the songs sooth our soul. Man cannot live on corporate gatherings alone. Please understand me. We NEED to sit in His presence, alone and together. We NEED to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth as a covenant community and alone. Before we show up on a Sunday morning, or a Wednesday night, we NEED to be full of His bread and water. Like Jesus, we must get up while it’s still dark and go to a secret place to pray to the Father in heaven. Then we must train ourselves to be still and know Him.

Study the Word.

Pray.

Meditate on His Truth.

Once you’ve eaten the scroll for yourself, my friend: get up and do whatever the Father’s will is, in whatever way He says to do it!

Period.

End of sentence!

This blog post is the result of one of those holy moments. Usually prompted by a passage I’ve read, I simply write my response to the Lord in a journal each day. Journaling is just another way to communicate with the Lord. What I sometimes can’t get out of my heart through my mouth, my mind can easily translate through my hand as it scribbles my thoughts (conscience and sub-conscience) on paper. Most of the time what I scribe remains hidden from others. I love that God and I have secrets just between the two of us. But occasionally, He prompts me to transcribe His word and my words digitally, so that I can tell others the GOOD NEWS of the gospel! This is not my story. It’s His. His story transforms lives.

It’s time to sit up, stand up and sharpen your sword, my friend. God is preparing you to be an overcomer. You must be alert and aware at all times. The enemy is prowling around you and your family. Do not be defeated by his lies. God is with you and He is for YOU!

Revelation 12:11

11 And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.

(Thank you to those who prayed and reached out, when our eldest sent text messages.

And to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the hospital who cared for me.

Grace and peace to all of you!)

Trauma

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Triggered by past trauma?


“Come to me…”
is an invitation
for transformation. ❤️‍🩹

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28

Inspiration AND Perspiration

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Galatians 5:25

New Living Translation

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

New Living Translation

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

In a previous season, a brother in Christ sat down with his wife, my man, and me @ our Jesus table for a chat one afternoon. (The Jesus table is a 9 foot, 100+ year old oak table another brother found in a tobacco barn on his plantation, which he restored and sold to us while living in North Carolina.) He confirmed a call on my life to preach and prophesy through the written word – specifically referring to the devotional type blog you are now reading. He was a gifted entrepreneur who wanted to help monetize my website. I heard him out, but at the end of the discussion I just “knew” it wasn’t the time or season or intention of my heart to make money from my writing.  He understood, saying, “I get it. You simply want to write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. You don’t want to write because your followers demand it.” “Yes. Exactly!” I replied.

Fast forward a few years… my soul – and my writing entered into a wilderness experience. As I walked through that valley of the shadow, I was no longer inspired to pick up my pen and put it to paper. My heart and my voice remained silent for a long, long, time. Blog posts became less and less frequent, to the point that I wondered, “is the writing stream all dried up?”

Fast forward a few more years… into The Promised Land. Another brother affirmed the call seemingly out of nowhere one Sunday morning after a worship service. I was taken aback, shocked that anyone was still reading the random posts I shared on social media! His words encouraged my soul and I tucked those seeds into the soil of my heart.

Today, as I was worshipping as I worked (doing chores with headphones on!) the Holy Spirit whispered a revelation: in a previous season, I wrote when I was inspired…but in this season, He was requiring me to write with inspiration AND perspiration.

Lemme explain.

I don’t always feel like writing. Although my feelings are valid, they aren’t always submitted to Truth. Therefore, I must train myself to listen and obey the Word, whether I feel like it, or not. Just like an athlete, I discipline myself to do what He says, knowing He has given me the grace and gift to write. His INSPIRATION AND my PERSPIRATION are required to please the Father. This is how we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. This is how we prove that we love Him. This is how we produce good fruit that partners with good gifts to make disciples throughout the world.

What is the Lord INSPIRING you to do, my friend? Its time to start running. It’s time to start PERSPIRING – cuz there’s people along your path that need what you’ve been called to carry.

A Prayer (fighting the good fight)

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1 Timothy 6:11-14

11 … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

God, YOU said that when we fight the good fight of faith, it’s not by our strength or our power, but by YOUR Spirit. That means: we have to SEEK first YOUR Kingdom. Then all the things, all the plans for how to resist the devil will be given to us. Only then will we be able to go – and possess the land YOU promised. When we humble ourselves, seek YOUR face and turn from our wicked ways, no power or principality of darkness will harm us. No weapon formed against us will prosper. When we submit to YOU, as children, in childlike faith, we prove that YOU are our Father. A chosen few are doing that. But many that are called are running around like orphans with poopy diapers, swinging swords they aren’t strong enough to handle. Oh, that we would grow up and become spiritually mature sons and daughters!

How many times have YOU forgiven us our trespasses against YOU? In our ignorance we’ve believed we’re grown- just because we’re gifted! Heaven, help us. Many of us are doing good works; using spiritual gifts with gusto as explosive diarrhea overflows our sagging diapers. Our sacrifices have been detestable to YOU. They stink like week old dirty diapers! YOU are not interested in our Simon the Sorcerer routine; performing miracles, signs and wonders for the crowd….without knowing YOU. Without loving YOU! It’s obvious: we love ourselves and others more. The proof is evidence against us: we refuse to obey YOU. We’ve been content performing for love instead of from love.

When will we STOP?

When will we BE STILL?

When will we LAY DOWN and let our parents (the spiritually mature believers YOU have placed in our lives) help change us?

When we confess that we’ve rejected YOU as Father. When we repent for resisting YOUR authority. When we realize we’ve been deceived, doubted and followed the advice of the father of lies. “Don’t tell me what to do!” is the mantra of his children. They’ve declared their declaration of independence in their hearts. They’ve chosen to remain orphans; independent, impetuous and impatient… willing to survive alone, as individuals.

Lord, forgive us. We do not know what we are doing! We need a spanking. We need a time out. We need to be grounded. We need our toy swords to be taken away for a season to rest, recover and be restored to YOU: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We need to become HOLY as YOU are holy! Then we need to be reconciled to our fathers and mothers & brothers and sisters in Christ.

We confess all our crap to you, Lord! We repent for acting like orphans. We repent for being rebellious children. We declare a new declaration of DEPENDANCE on YOU, our good Father. We ask for YOUR helper- YOUR Spirit to lead us into all Truth. Change our hearts as YOU change our diapers! Train us in the way we should go. Potty train us. Teach us to grow up! We wanna become spiritually mature. We want to develop into healthy & holy kids, teenagers and adults. And when we are able, we ask that YOU show us how to parent the young ones as YOU have parented us; teaching us to obey all YOU have commanded.

Amen.

Well Being

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Philippians 4:6-9

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [d]untroubled, undisturbed well–being) will be with you.

There’s a sign in my psychologist’s office that says “Well Being.” Beneath those words is a list of action items that contribute to us being made well:

Serving

Faith

Social

Relaxation

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

Fun

Time in Nature

Nine seemingly insignificant words. Simple, small things packed with Spirit & Truth. I’ve read and pondered that list for more than two years. I even took a picture and keep it on my phone as a reminder. And you know what!? Those seeds that have been sown into the soil of my heart are beginning to spring up! They are finally producing good fruit:

I’m serving.

I’m full of faith.

I’m social.

I’m relaxed.

I’m getting fit.

I’m sleeping.

I’m having more fun!

I’m spending time in nature.

And, now….

I’m consuming good nutrition!

Well Being

This month I began a new thing: I hired a nutrition coach. Why, you ask? I needed help. I couldn’t do it on my own. I tried. Repeatedly. And failed.  I’ve been overweight and under active for years. One of my goals in moving to the Sunshine State was eating better and being more active again. Ever since I was a kid, I loved being in the great outdoors, spending time in nature. But somewhere in the middle, I forgot about being well. Amidst the hustle and bustle, the hurry and worry of life, I stopped caring for myself. I stopped loving myself as God loves me: body, soul and spirit.

There are many reasons the Lord called us to Florida. I’m convinced that one of them is this: I needed to get well. And now, there’s no excuse for me not getting my rear end outside (well, except the part where it feels like we’re living on the surface of the sun in the summertime!) The infrastructure in this state is conducive to an active lifestyle in nature that is preserved for its wildlife- and its people.

Last year my man and I started walking daily on the Ft. Fraser Trail near our house to prepare for our trip to Paris. We were so proud of ourselves for keeping up with our friends adventuring through France that we didn’t stop walking when we got home! Moving is not only good for our bodies, it’s good for our hearts as well. We walk and talk to each other and to God every morning.

By partnering personal fitness with the wisdom of a nutrition expert, I’m also learning what my body needs to thrive from the inside out. Honestly, I’ve been embarrassed by my ignorance in regards to food. God’s Word is true – we do perish for a lack of knowledge! But thank the Lord for those in the body of Christ who are helping me in my weakness. I’m eternally grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from so many in our covenant community. By practicing what I’ve learned, my spiritual, mental and nutritional/fitness health is producing good fruit. The peace of God is now ruling and reigning in my life. I am untroubled. I am undisturbed.

This is well being.

My friend, I want to encourage you today in the Lord. Are you sick – and tired? Physically, emotionally or spiritually? His strength is sufficient! Ask Him for help to get well, and be well, beloved. Begin by worshipping Him right now, in Spirit and Truth:

PRAY (v 6)

PRAISE Him! (v 6)

Receive His PEACE (v 6)

PRACTICE what is preached (v 9)