Pride, shame, guilt, fear, false expectations….using what I thought protected me, were the many tricks of the enemy to destroy me. At 30 years of age, I wore my true feelings inside and had a mask of “having it all together” outside.
Blog Post By Jessica White Davis Shame is a powerful emotion. It can drive even the strongest heart to its knees. It happened to me. I took the bait and swallowed the shame hook, line, and sinker. The enemy set me up as a little girl to make shame my constant companion. I knew nothing…
Blog by Heather Howell I’m not putting this here to brag because what was going on here wasn’t pretty at all. Frankly, I still find myself right here again more often than not. Personally, I’m getting comfortable with, “if this is what it takes”. #surrender This was October 2020 before the first of only two…
Blog Post by Jessica White Davis I feel a stirring in my spirit there are those who are growing weary in the waiting. They know what God said. They know He is able to fulfill His promise to them. But they’re tired. So tired of holding on to something they can’t see yet. Their eyes…
Why cope when freedom is available? We have the tools you need to move from coping to living the abundant life God has promised you. Crossing2Freedom has helped thousands maintain their freedom in Christ. You are invited to attend in person or by Zoom each week. #heartsmatter
There’s something this piece of driftwood and I have in common…Besides the fact that it looks like a piece of poo sometimes.But that it’s weathered and worn…It has been through some storms.It knows what it feels like to lose pieces of itself with every violent toss forced by a wave. It has submerged into some…
When the road is difficult and answers seem so far away….take another look there is always another way. {He who promised is faithful}. Take another look when life feels empty and without purpose…because your very existence is proof you are purposed. That breath you still breathe matters. {You are fearfully and wonderfully made}. Take another…
Blog Post by Jessica White Davis I forgave you today. You probably didn’t even notice. You had no idea how my heart has carried the weight of losing your friendship. How I’ve longed for another long talk. How I’ve missed laughing about nothing and talking about everything. You didn’t know my baby girl turned 10.…
“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for a hope and a future, not to bring your harm.” – Jeremiah 29:11 Recently, I was led to take a retreat from everything. The only things I had were a book, my journal and my IPAD for music, and the prayers of…
By Amy Weatherly (shared with permission) https://www.amyweatherly.com Friday was dark. Friday was death. Friday was mourning, and weeping, and pain. Sunday was light. Sunday was life. Sunday was rejoicing, and crying happy tears, and hope. But what about Saturday? What about the Sabbath? What about the middle day? What was going on? How were people feeling? …
Blog Post By Buffey Greene After lunch today, I was about to get up and leave and felt the nudge to hang out another couple of minutes. I wasn’t sure exactly why. Within a minute a mom wheeled her son in a side door and parked his wheelchair right next to me. I looked over…
During my study this morning in Jan Hicks book titled, “Crossing2Freedom”, I paused….
Have you ever wondered what makes you tick as a person? What makes the functions of this body feel the various emotions we have? And how does our inner voice speak to our actions both good and bad? God, it seems has once again in our creation done a most incredible thing by giving us a…
This weekend was the first time I ventured away from my house since the storm. Everywhere I went I saw evidence of the hurricane. Until I got to this spot.
While I wait for the baptisms to begin I grabbed my bible. Somewhere along the line, I noted on some sticky notes. It’s so worth sharing.
A few weeks ago, there was a small step forward with something in my life that I had been talking to my counselor about, but I did not see it.
Bird Poop??? Saw this on my orange tree the other day. Thought it was bird poop. Today I noticed it was still there but bigger.
Recently, I went through an experience that left me grasping for answers. I could not make sense of anything surrounding the situation in my natural mind.
“From that day on…” Those are the most powerful words to me in this verse. Because we know the hardships David would face before the throne
When the Lord said division I thought I didn’t hear Him correctly, but He quickly took me to Hebrews 4:12:
I don’t know of too many people who enjoy tests of any type, but sometimes they are necessary to make sure we are adequately prepared
So a couple months ago my precious friend and I had a lovely front porch visit. I admired her fruit trees
I have been in the most difficult season of my life for what seems like one season after another.
It’s raining today. I’m grateful for the rain. It has the ability to reach areas of dry, hard ground at my house.
During this COVID-19 virus we have all experienced many upheavals and changes to our daily lives and routines. It’s made maneuvering life a challenge
In an effort to keep our children entertained in the midst of the quarantine, my husband and I planned a fire pit
Tracy experienced a big victory in his big life recently. He may be 5 years old but his life speaks loudly! Here is his story:
When I told the Lord, “YES I’m yours. Use me, send me, I’ll do whatever you tell me to do” I knew it was not always going to be an easy road.
As I was mopping today, I began to meditate on a scripture. I only intended to hit the high spots and then realized it would be a good time for a deep clean while Millie is at the vet.
This morning in my quiet time, I read of the most beautiful place. It’s called Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico. It’s a body of water that literally glows. Scientifically,
This incredible piece of art pierced my heart this morning. I feel “strong” in Jesus in this hard season, but I have very tired moments. And, in all honesty, I’m recognizing that the hardest part about surrendering control and “
“I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way
Some may feel it is a little early to be talking about 2020, but truthfully it’s coming whether we are ready or not. As a ministry we are super excited to be entering this new year with greater
With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, we want to take a moment to say that we are grateful for each of you who are on this life journey with us at Christians United Ministries. Lives are being impacted
I sit here listening to a wonderful worship song of God’s love. I lean back in my chair with my face looking up, soaking in the words being spoken when I see the tiniest, finest web
So many things in this life that I don’t understand. So much heartbreak and loss all around us. So many tragedies that I struggle to reconcile with the loving God that I know you are.
I read this sign on a recent trip to an aquarium with my children. It immediately struck me. This nurse shark hurt those she had peacefully shared a tank with prior to that moment.
I’m so grateful for another year to grow, learn and be more of who God created me to be. I’m so grateful that the same Creator that made a sunset, made a beach and a mountain, made great humans like Moses and Billy Graham, looked at all He had created and thought this world needed a ME! WOW!
If you know me well, you know that one of my favorite things in my life are the women that I call friends. It’s not a large group, but each woman is uniquely a large piece of my puzzle called life.
As a mom, I recognize that there is one HUGE area that I seem to continuously fall short in. If you’re like me, you may be thinking “she can narrow it down to just one major area? I feel like I could come up with a list of 20 just off the cuff.”…
“I thought my healing would look different. I think most of us have a preconceived notion of what it looks like to be free and healed
When I hear the word restoration it reminds me of an old chest getting another chance to shine and be what it was once meant to be.
So often we quote this verse and verses like them, without really experiencing them. Are you living a life that looks free indeed?
Is it really a blessed life?
Your personal best life?
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned through this ministry and the CROSSING2FREEDOM classes is this: when my immediate response to a situation or personality is big and quick, there’s a deeper root issue causing the anger or pain.
Too Big! Too far gone! Too messy! Too much pain! Too many broken pieces! When you look around you or even AT yourself or your situation, what is the “too” you see?
Ever have one of those days or even seasons that it seems like everything you have believed you were to be about or your purpose is coming into question, seemingly hijacked?
No one craves brokenness…but perhaps we should. The literal translation of verse 9 is that when we are weak, God comes and pitches a tent over us and dwells with us until we are strong. I’m learning to be ok with waiting in my brokenness as long as He stays with me.
Fear has been the greatest tool of the enemy in my life for as long as I can remember, specifically the “what if” fears which invite worry. As a little girl, I remember being very fearful of getting lost or left somewhere. I tried to control this fear by staying close to my parents at all times, even in our house. As a teenager, I had a deeply rooted fear of being disrespected or dishonored publicly. I tried to control this through aggression & defensiveness. As a young woman, that fear of rejection showed up in my life in the form of using people & rejecting others before they could reject me. I tried to control this by hardening my heart.
Last week, I listened to a choir rendition of “The Lion & The Lamb”. As the final chorus reached the crescendo, it moved me to tears. Yes, Jesus is both The Lamb of God and The Lion of Judah.
A friend of mine tearfully shared yesterday their unworthiness to receive Gods love & healing. What God started in my heart as a response has been on my mind ever since, expanding to overflow & growing my gratitude. So, this is my take on it! People were separated from God because of sin. The only way to the Father was through sacrifices & rule following, so many rules in fact that it seemed the odds were stacked against them.
Sitting with my tree this morning & thinking about last night’s group & these words from a book we are reading (the author speaking of women) describes us as:
Tears on the floor. When people ask me exactly what it is I do, I always begin with explaining our prayer methods and how much freedom we gain in our lives when we purpose and choose to forgive and break the bonds of the enemy on our lives. The short answer is that I facilitate Holy Spirit as He heals the brokenhearted.
This morning I awoke grateful for another day, but a bit sad and disoriented, thinking I was late for something. Ever have one of those times that it takes a minute for you to wake up enough to realize you really are in your home and not somewhere else? My disorientation was due to me just arriving from Guatemala.
Have you ever wondered or asked yourself the question, “Love me…Love me not?” and where it originated from? I know I have. Let me share with you a vulnerable time in my life and the healing journey to hope and freedom I have that set me free.
Have you ever observed a preschooler trying to place blocks into the same cut-out shape? Yep. The round peg fits the round hole and the square peg fits the square hole. It is amusing to watch the drama played out. Some will try and try again until they succeed. Others will throw the blocks in disgust while a few will just walk away, thinking it is impossible.
For Christmas, my neighbor gave me a Poinsettia with beautiful red leaves. By Easter, all the leaves had dried and fallen off. I started to trash it but noticed some small green leaves. So, I kept it, not knowing what to do with it. Even though I fertilized and watered it, the leaves are still small, and some fell off. Just as I was thinking of tossing it, I heard the words, “Rootbound”.
Have you ever heard something said that sparked a quick trip down memory lane? That recently happened to me when my husband said something to me. It made me think of the old TV shows, I’ve Got a Secret, To Tell the Truth, and Truth or Consequences….
The flowers are wilted, the chocolates gone, and the cards tossed into a drawer. St Valentine’s day was celebrated this year by Americans, costing us $18 billion; but in 269 AD it cost St. Valentine his life! WHY? He dared to secretly perform Christian marriages, violating the Roman Emperor’s edit.
Here I am on a flight somewhere between Alabama and Texas…thinking about my ex from 39 years ago. Am I being unfaithful to my husband? NO. Those are not the thoughts that have been brought to my mind often since Sept. 19, 2017, the day a well check from the police in Jacksonville, FL discovered that Mike had died.
Although we were quite busy, what a great adventure Brenda Stuart, La and I had these last 2 weeks as we ministered in Tennessee. The worship at every event ushered the presence of God into the atmosphere.
Influence – What does this word mean to you? Is influence about DNA or family heritage, or does environment play a greater part in shaping us through influence? Maybe we’re a culmination of all of these.
When you think of the significant, positive experiences you’ve had in your faith walk, what do you think of? Who do you think of and why did they leave a mark on your heart? I love to hear people’s responses to these questions.
Are you valuable? What if I said you are NOT one in a million….but instead you are one in 500 Million! Wow, that’s right.
Since I have started going through “Crossing2Freedom” and my one-on-one sessions with Jan Hicks at Christians United Ministries, Inc. (CUMI), I have noticed a tremendous difference in my life.
“The body cannot tell the difference between the actual events, and the re-telling of those events…”
Register for one of our upcoming Crossing2Freedom weekends! Visit http://janhicks.org/freedom-weekend to learn more and register.
We’ve all seen those Hidden Image pictures right? You know, the ones that appear to be one thing, but there is actually another image inside the picture. My husband is one of those people who can see the hidden image rather quickly. While I, on the other hand, could squint and cross my eyes a hundred different times and still never see the hidden picture…
by Brandy Edenfield As y’all may have noticed from my last couple blog entries, I am a HUGE lover of words. I love the power of words, the way one word can create a picture in our minds. The way it can stir up strong emotions and move us to action. I like digging into…
by Brandy Edenfield Talking with a young lady last week, I had the opportunity to share with her one of the most profound “nuggets” of truth God has ever dropped into my heart. I’ve gone back to it time and time again over the last several years and I’ve shared it with others many…
“For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.” Psalm 72:12 NIV Seasons of change in life can be so exciting. But if you’re like me, change can often bring with it a real spirit of fear & even insecurity. I thought I had crucified these two…
A little girl was flying a kite on the beach today. She would run and keep her eyes on it. As she ran, it would fly higher and higher. She would yell in excitement because she got the kite so high. As soon as she would look away from the kite, it would fall to…
Asking God what He wanted me to share in this second blog and feeling a whole lot of uncertainty for about a week now as nothing came. Oh, how I could write an entire book on God’s “quiet” seasons in my life. The times when I struggle with patience because His voice is silent and…
How many times in my life have I enthusiastically started something only to quit before I’ve finished it? A new book, new class, new exercise routine/eating plan, new form of discipline with my kids or communication style with my husband. My determination and commitment are always so strong in the beginning, yet it dwindles through…
Have you made a decision to surrender your life to Christ? if not, please read the following and make that choice today…
We have hundreds of testimonies from around the world of God’s healing power from those…