A song about Jesus

This song amazes me! Jesus is SO beautiful! As I remember Him this Passover week, I cannot help but to think on Him more, talk about Him more, listen to Him more, commune with Him more often.

When I think of all that He has done for us, I cannot help but to wonder how much we are giving Him back in terms of our committed hearts.

Our Jewish Jesus

Next week is Passover week…and I cannot help but to think about all that Christ Jesus/ Yeshua our Messiah has done for us.

It never ceases to amaze me how that our faith is deeply rooted in Jesus’ experience as a Jewish man while on earth.  As believers in Christ, we shouldn’t forget the roots of our faith, and that we were engrafted into the olive branch as Gentiles, but now as a very integral part of the tree itself.

It is my prayer that the following videos will help you to see, understand, and not forget that the Jesus we serve was a  Jew and that Israel is His land.  Everything we do, say, or think in this era is VERY important– the time has come upon us to begin making choices, as believers in Yeshua- Jesus Christ.  Decisions which will effect our friendships, our relationships, our neighbors, and our government.

It will not only affect the situations and people surrounding us – it will also effect others’ outlook and opinion of us — and for that, we must be ready.

Don’t forget our roots.

Don’t forget who Jesus is.

Don’t forget WHY you are following Him to begin with.

This Passover, let us remember how God allowed the plagues to pass over the Israelites .  God’s protection is over His people – and He doesn’t change.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

John 1: The Fully Human Jesus

Here is something I gleaned from John 1.

You know, up until the beginning of His ministry, Jesus was pretty much in the background. Until now.
I mean, the world did not know Him. No one knew who He was. With the exception of a few,no one recognized Him for His worth.
And they, in fact, scoffed at His background (Nazareth).

1.) How must it have felt to be the Master of the Universe, and very much UNKNOWN on little, itty, bitty Earth?

What a sacrifice to create all the people on the earth by His very word, and then have His own creation ignore Him, question His motives, scrutinize HIm, criticize Him, doubt Him.

2.) How must it have felt to stay on the back burner for 30 years, even after a virgin birth and His proven significant wisdom as a 12 year old teaching in the synagogues– to go back home as the son of a carpenter and reside on the “bad side of town” (Nazareth)- where there was-- no glory. Think about it.

3.) He must have witnessed much sin and evil- crime, violence, and more in Nazareth. We can only speculate, but Jesus must have endured some childhood mockery and rejection.

To be the Son of God with all wisdom and all power-- and to contain that power within a growing, slowly maturing, human, earthly body, in order that He may die a gruelsome death to save us all-- baffles me beyond belief.

Some thoughts on John 1 study

As I was reading chapter 1, v. 1-5 of John, I find these questions stand out for me:

Who is the Word?

Answer: Jesus. He was in existence before the world began. Life was in Him and was the light of all mankind. He is life and light. those in the dark do not understand God’s light sent to us: Jesus.

V. 6-9. John gave witness to Jesus, the true light. Even when others thought it was John, he made sure to give proper reference to the true light.
I also noticed that the word light is mentioned four times in reference to Jesus here (NKJV).

v. 10- Even though Jesus/God made them, the people in the world did not recognize or know Him. He was like a stranger to them.

v. 11-12. Although His own wouldn’t receive Him, He gave the right to be His children to those who WOULD receive Him. Those born of God (born again).

v. 15-16. “For He was before me…” Although John was born first, he realized Jesus existed before he did. Powerful.

v. 16- I am still trying to figure this one out – “grace for grace”. I kind of see it like this at the moment:

LAW–> came through Moses
GRACE–> came through Jesus Christ.

Jesus gives us new grace for (or in place of) the old grace, to make “grace for grace”? Is this is a correct translation for those of you studying detail on greek/hebrews or root meanings? I have not looked for a translation of this yet.

v. 29- John presents Jesus as the lamb of God. THe main purpose of John the Baptist to come baptizing with water was so that Jesus Christ would be revealed to Israel. This is beautiful.

Join our group discussion on John here.

Internet Safey 101- The 700 Club Speaks Out

It absolutely makes my heart ache to know how many children have been trapped in the snare of child pornography or have been abducted due to online affairs.

Internet safety has been a tremendous problem for our youth for the past decade– but things have progressively become worst, with more exposure to the web through cell phones, ipods, video game controllers, laptops, etc.  Younger and younger children are toting cell phones with internet accessibility and more children are being exposed to independent  computer usage (computers in their bedrooms, for example).

In our home, we limit computer usage for our 7 year old to education based software and sites that we deem safe.  There is no computer in her room and I or her father have to be present as she logs on and we type in the direct URL to the website or start up the software.  This is only the tip of the iceberg regarding safety…

I thought this segment of today’s 700 Club exposed many of the dangers that the web CAN bring to our kids – including two of the most dreaded:

• child abduction
• pornography

I am glad that more awareness is being made about the issues and that parents are becoming more aware of how to protect our kids online.

Thank GOD for organizations who are helping to inform parents about this!!!

A Purim Feast

Our family has been studying our Hebrew heritage lately –from a Messianic viewpoint.  I am enjoying this very much and have really gotten plugged in to Robin Sampson’s homeschool materials and her blog.  I also purchased her book on A Family’s Guide to Celebrating Biblical Feasts.

I wrote an entire blog post about how our family did just that this weekend.  We learned about Esther and Mordecai and Haman and how God’s people were saved from being destroyed…everything that the celebration of Purim is about.

Read about our journey as we joyfully discover learning more about biblical holidays.  Click here to read all  about our Purim Feast.

Becoming The Peacemaker

Here is an article written for Christian Ladies Connect Online Magazine—

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Written by Chere Williams

One of the most challenging aspects of being a single mom is maintaining a good relationship with the father of your children. When a relationship ends between two people there is a period of adjustment, which can be a difficult and painful transition for the whole family. Through the grace of God and prayer eventually both the parents and children will become comfortable with their newly structured family situation. Inevitably you will hit a snag. That snag can be mended or it can unravel and make everything fall apart. The choice is yours. When disagreements occur, I urge you to refer back to Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.

I hit one of those snags not long ago. What began as a typical conversation with my daughter’s father soon turned into an ugly argument. I found a comment he made offensive, my buttons were pushed and unfortunately, I reacted. Lo and behold the conversation took on a life of its’ own. We basically get along and I had decided long ago not to argue with him or say words that I would later regret. After all, we had wonderful memories and a beautiful daughter together. I am wise enough to know that arguments never lead to anything positive or productive, but that day my smallest member, my tongue took control and wisdom flew out the window. We both hung up feeling angry and misunderstood.
Our separation was painful and we were working hard to make our relationship one of mutual respect and love. After putting my daughter to bed, I realized I needed to call him and apologize, not a flimsy or half hearted sorry, but an honest, genuine apology. Before I made the call I prayed that God would give me the right words to say to him. When I finally called, we almost apologized simultaneously. The weight of the argument was lifted off both our shoulders, but more importantly I felt right with God.

If, you are a single mom, most likely you are going to have a relationship with the father of your children for the rest of your life. Even if you both remarry you will always be connected through your children. It is your responsibility to make the best of that relationship. Sure, it takes two, however, you are not responsible for their actions. In the eyes of God you are responsible for your own words and actions. Take the initiative and be the Peacemaker. Even if you are convinced that you are 100% correct, swallow your pride and be the peacemaker because God is watching your actions. Treat him like Jesus would. Aren’t we supposed to show love and compassion to those we don’t even know? Than surely the person that we created a child with also deserves that understanding. Don’t view him as an ex, he is not someone that you can just “x” out of your life.
t is not easy to turn the other cheek, but God will bless you for it. There are a multitude of emotions that occur in a relationship that is in transition. You will have differences of opinion, and feelings may get hurt, but you can either let that snag unravel your foundation or you can patch it up and make it stronger. You are a child of God, therefore it is your duty to be a peacemaker and not cause strife, or spew harsh criticisms. Scripture instructs us to love one another and do as Jesus did.

It is imperative that we set the best example we possibly can for our children. We are responsible for modeling godly behavior. Do you want them to see mom and dad at each other’s throat? Worse, would you want them to emulate that behavior in their own relationships in the future? Everything we do as parents affects our children. When we’re arguing and holding grudges we are not showing mercy. Mercy is exactly what God wants us to give to one another as stated in Luke 6:36 May my children always “be merciful, as their Father is merciful. Children need to observe their parents treating one another with kindness and compassion.

Although the family dynamics have changed, let your children know through your actions that they are still part of a unit that works together. We all want the best for our children regardless if we are single, divorced, or married parents. What better way to give them the best than by showing them through the virtues of patience, kindness, and compassion.

Here are a few suggestions to try before a disagreement begins:
First and foremost look to God for guidance. If you have a contemptuous relationship and arguments begin with hello, pray first. Before you even speak with him, ask God to give you the right words to say.Choose your words carefullyBefore speaking, think about what you are saying, how you are saying it, and what you want to express. Remember the tongue is the littlest member, but can cause the most damage.

If an argument ensues, walk away. Heated discussions never resolve the issue. Once you have some distance from the situation you will have a better attitude. The initial anger will most likely dissolve and you are more likely to reach an agreement.

When you remember that he is created by our holy creator, your heart will soften which makes it difficult to be confrontational or angry.

Seek Counseling-Have the whole family participate in counseling with your church clergy, or a licensed family therapist.

I slept better that night knowing that I sincerely apologized and asked for God’s forgiveness. It is much easier to be a peacemaker than harbor anger and resentment. Let’s walk in the footsteps of Jesus, loving those around us, offering a kind word, and being compassionate.

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by Chere Williams

Meal Planning Made Easy- by Rachel Paxton

Here is an insightful article that has helped me out a good bit:

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It’s no fun trying to decide what to make for dinner every night. Planning your meals ahead of time often saves you time as well as money.

There are many different ways to plan your meals. How you plan yours depends on how much time you want to spend now to save yourself time later.

I plan my meals once a week. Because I have limited refrigerator/freezer space and a small family to feed (3), this plan seems to work best for me. I only go to the grocery store once a week. When I’m getting ready to go to the store, I sit down and starting planning my menu for the next week.

This is a good time to go through this week’s grocery ads to see what’s on sale this week. I also take this time to clean out my refrigerator to see what needs thrown away and what can be re-used as leftovers in the next couple of days. Cleaning out your refrigerator weekly is crucial in avoiding wasting food that could still be used to make a perfectly good meal.

So after I’ve cleaned out the refrigerator and scanned the grocery store ads, I start my shopping list. I try to plan around what I already have in the freezer. For example, if I know I have a pound of hamburger in the freezer and I know I have spaghetti noodles on hand, then I just need to put spaghetti sauce on my list in order to have spaghetti for dinner one night.

I’ve also found that often we don’t need as much meat in our meals as you might think. For our family of three, a pound of hamburger can be used for both spaghetti and tacos. If I cook the hamburger all at once, I can just put half of it in the refrigerator for the next meal (a big time savings!). If I already have taco shells on hand all I need is to make sure that the sour cream I have in the refrigerator is still good and put lettuce and tomatoes on my shopping list.

You should always stock up on meat when it’s on sale. If you do you’ll find that some weeks you’ll end up buying almost no meat at all, if any. I also stock up on items like jars of spaghetti sauce when they’re on sale. Then I’ll always have a quick dinner ready on a moment’s notice if I already have hamburger (also bought on sale) and spaghetti noodles on hand.

Some weeks I realize that I already have much of what I’m going to need for the week. Some of the staples I keep on hand: sour cream, cheese, taco shells, spaghetti noodles, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, onions, potatoes, garlic, tuna, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, black olives, canned clams, and rice. These ingredients make a lot of the meals we eat, like: hamburger and rice, beef stroganoff, tacos, spaghetti, clam chowder, and hamburger gravy and mashed potatoes.

I usually plan for only 5 meals a week. I know that sometime during the week we’ll be eating leftovers or fending for ourselves due to time constraints.

This system has worked really well for me and saved us lots of money. I plan once a week, shop once a week, and don’t give a thought to meal planning for the rest of the week. And I don’t hold myself to cooking a certain meal on a certain night. I usually decide that day what I’m going to cook for dinner to be a little flexible.

There are many other ways you can plan your meals. Some people cook once a month and freeze their meals for later use (requires a lot of freezer space). A couple of books on this subject are Frozen Assets by Deborah Taylor Hough and The Freezer Cooking Manual by Tara Wohlenhaus.

Meal planning doesn’t have to be hard. Modify your plan to suit your family’s needs. Just make sure you HAVE a plan. It will inevitably save you time as well as money.

Article by:

Orginally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the owner of www.organized-mom.com, featuring the Easy Organizer, loaded with tools to help you plan, schedule, remember events, keep in touch, get your family on an organized schedule, prioritize, and more.

Ten Ways To Make Your House A Home

Here is a great article on making a home cozy:

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Our home is such an important part of our family’s life. Whether we work outside the home or are able to be at home, there are some basic things we can do to insure that our home is a place of refuge and security for our husband and children.

Here are ten tips to help accomplish this goal:

1. Keep it clean and tidy. That doesn’t mean we have to be immaculate housekeepers. If we do a daily tidy-up and a weekly housecleaning, our home life will be much more restful. Clutter is stressful. And keep the dishes caught up!

2. Nutritious food and family dinners. Fast food on the go is ok once in awhile, but not as a regular habit. Our children and husbands benefit from simple, nourishing meals and snacks. And having a regular, sit-down family dinner together has been shown to have many benefits.

3. Predictable routines. Our families thrive when things are on schedule. It gives a sense of stability. There should be regular times for eating, sleeping, chores, and homework. It also helps to build responsibility in children when they know they have to fulfill their responsibilities before they play.

4. Cozy and tastefully decorated. This does not in any way mean you house has to be magazine-beautiful. If our homes are inviting, cozy, comfortable, and decorated in a way that we and our families enjoy, that is sufficient. My living room doilies are from the 1940s and 1950s. Some were handmade. But they are pretty and I like them, so that is what I use.

5. Hospitality. Our kids, whether they are small or young adults, need to know that their friends are welcome. When my boys were grade-school age, they would have several friends come for sleep-overs. Many times, I would wake up in the morning and step over sleeping bags filled with boys on the floor. I would usually set the table with bowls and boxes of cereal for all of them to eat when they got up. I put myself out some, but it was worth it to make their friends feel welcome, and to get to know my sons’ friends.

6. Demonstrate love. Our children and husbands benefit greatly when we show our love for them in various ways. My husband might not have wonderfully romantic lines to say to me, but on snowy, icy mornings, he cleans off my car and scrapes the windshield before he leaves for work. So when I leave an hour later, I don’t have to do all of this. Love is a verb.

7. Mutual respect. Treat your husband and children with as much respect as you would guests. Good manners are contagious. Don’t discuss them in a negative way to other people, either. Be each other’s allies.

8. Words and tone of voice. This seems like a small thing, but it can make a huge difference. Have you ever been somewhere and overheard a mother insulting or degrading her children? Or a wife speaking to her husband with contempt? Or have you been in a store, and a woman yelled at her child so loudly and harshly that you jumped yourself?

We all have those days when we feel like acting like that. But if we think before we speak, following the Bible’s advice, our family relationships will be a lot more peaceful. Plus, we are setting a positive example for our children when it comes to dealing with others. Also, our voices sound much more feminine when they are soft and kind, not loud and harsh.

9. Positive attitudes toward family members. Smile often, use encouraging words, show your confidence in them. Listen when they talk, build them up, boost their confidence. When they have failed, assure them that they have succeeded in gaining wisdom and experience. Let them know you think highly of them.

10. Lastly, keep your sense of humor. Be able to laugh at yourself. Laughter can help everyone de-stress. Enjoy everyday moments with your family. They are your greatest treasure, your gift from God.
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Jessica Gerald has been an elementary school teacher for over thirty years, and is the publisher of the website http://www.oldfashionedhomemaking.com.

Interview with Marilyn Hontz- Shame Lifter

Shame. Unworthiness.  Abuse.

It isn’t talked about very often, but is such an essential topic to tackle. These issues should be brought out to the open so that we can begin to deal with the feelings that lie beneath the surface, and become healed of emotional wounds of the past.

Shame Lifter is a book …you won’t want to put down once you’ve begun.  From beginning to end, Marilyn holds the reader captive to the emotional ups and downs she endured along her life’s journey.

You’ll feel like laughing and crying all at the same time.  Some of you may relate to her story.

In the end, you’ll be happy, knowing what the author knows.

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Marilyn Hontz, author of Shame Lifter, about her experiences with the all-too-familiar topic for many women- including women of faith.

–Demetria Zinga,

Christian Ladies Connect Editor

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Marilyn Hontz, author of Shame Lifter

CLC Mag: In your book you talk a good bit about “critical self talk”.  Can you explain this term and how the issue affects so many people today?

Marilyn: Critical self-talk is a product of the negative tapes we continually play over and over in our thoughts. These are sayings like, “I’m not good enough.” “I’m worthless,” “I’m fat,” I’m so dumb.” We begin to believe these lies as truth and, sadly, those messages end up defining us. This kind of talk limits and paralyzes us. That’s why it is so important to know God’s truth and His thoughts about you. He views you through eyes of incredible love and extreme grace. Isn’t it interesting that while we wouldn’t think of telling our children or others that they were worthless, dumb, or fat, we often times have no problem telling ourselves those same messages. Just recently I read a verse from Psalm 119:29 (NLT) that caught my attention…”Keep me from lying to myself…” That verse concludes by saying, “give me the privilege of knowing your instruction.” Or in other words, know God’s truth!

CLC Mag: In general, how do feelings of shame affect moms and women?

Marilyn: Shame will affect the thoughts and actions of anyone, but I’ve talked to many women who believe they aren’t adequate as a mom, a wife, friend or person. Many live with lots of “if only” regrets. Shame bogs a person down and tells one, “You’re no good.” Often times a woman compares her weaknesses to other women’s strengths. Or she may feel that her children are not doing as well as other children and she ends up internalizing feelings of shame. One of the lies of shame is to believe that we are the only one dealing with a particular issue. As a result we may withdraw, or feel embarrassed, abnormal, or different from others. Shame makes us feel isolated – alone.

CLC Mag: What about parenting?  How does a person’s parental style play a role in the way she influences a child’s self-perception?

Marilyn: The parent is generally the first primary influence on a child’s sense of worth. In my case my dad’s and my mother’s parenting styles greatly influenced my self-perception. My mother was very loving and affirming. When she disciplined me it was for the purpose to teach – not to tear me down. She was kind and affirming. When I messed up she handled it with grace-filled words. I felt valued and loved by her. My dad’s style, however, was just the opposite. He could be aloof while at other times his style made me fearful. One day, for example, when I was four I was riding in the car and I started to cry about something. My dad got frustrated with me and finally stopped the car alongside the road and got out. He told me to get out of the car. He then set my small suitcase on the shoulder of the road and left me there while he drove off down the road. That experience made me very fearful, I wondered, as I stood on that deserted road if he would ever come back for me. For years I lived with the fear of being left or abandoned. Not only did his actions shape me, but his words did as well. He told me numerous times that I was “just a follower and not a leader.” I believed him and thought that meant I was not competent to be in charge of anything or to make wise decisions on my own. His way to parent me was more through punitive measures than edifying words. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue can bring death or life” Truly our words have the power of life and death.”

CLC Mag: It’s great to be able to point out the feelings once we recognize them.  What are some of the key indicators in determining if a person is wrestling with shame?

Marilyn:  If you had parents who were emotionally shut down you may not have been affirmed. That tends to give a child the message that they are not good enough. A person who has been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused will experience toxic shame. Or perhaps someone made fun of your body and to this day you can still hear their hurtful comments. Again, those kinds of experiences produce shame and unless dealt with, have a tendency to paralyze you. Here are a few other indicators that may reveal if a person deals with shame: he or she may tend to be people pleasers, yet they can easily put him or herself down. Generally they deal with daily self-rejection while, interestingly, at the same time, may tend to be a perfectionist. I believe one of the biggest indicators of shame, though, is a person’s negative internal thoughts. Recurring messages like: I’m worthless, unwanted, weak, dirty, inadequate, etc. If you know of someone who goes around saying those kinds of comments about him or herself, he or she is generally dealing with unhealthy shame and most likely have a shame-based perspective of life.

CLC Mag: In your book, you describe some very painful incidents with your father growing up which played a large role in your self-perception. Finally as an adult and after much prayer and reflecting you were able to deal with the results. How difficult was it to actually wade through the emotions of the past and start over again in your thought life (as well as forgive him)? How can others do the same?

Marilyn: To be candid, wading through the lies I believed, the emotions of my past and dealing with forgiveness was a long and difficult journey, but I knew it was a journey that needed to be taken. (It ended up being very worth it in the end!) I had to start with small memories. For example, my dad told me to make sure I didn’t stay too long at friend’s houses because they would get tired of me. The message I received from him was, “I am a burden.” Later on I had to distinguish what was truth in those messages and what were lies. By the way, I’ve found it so helpful to share the lies you believe about yourself with safe people – a “grace group.” I cited earlier about the emotions I went through when my dad left me on the side of the road. Years later as I thought more about that memory, the Lord enabled me to see that memory through a different lens for a deeper healing. At first when I looked at that memory I only saw a little girl standing along side the road with her small suitcase beside her. Finally, I was able to look at that memory and not only see a little child and her suitcase along the side of the road, but I also saw my Savior, Jesus standing next to me. He was crying with me. So often we get God and life mixed up. I was to learn that God did not leave me along side the road, my dad did. Jesus, however, was with me all of the time. He never abandoned me. That was a powerful image for me. Total forgiveness for my dad did take time, but thankfully the Lord eventually helped me to replace the bitterness and unforgiveness with genuine compassion and love for him. I saw the word, “give” right in the middle of the word forgiveness. Forgiveness is costly. You have to give. But then I think of Jesus and what it cost Him to forgive us and the “give” for Him was His life. If you are struggling to forgive someone, but aren’t there yet, I suggest a visual that author Chuck Lynch wrote about – The “Jesus Jail.” Mentally picture a jail cell and then picture putting the person who has hurt or abused you in that jail. This is a temporary holding place. You are saying to the Lord, “I know I need to forgive him or her, but I need your help. I am placing him or her in your Jesus Jail for you to deal with that person the way You want to. I am relinquishing this person to you with my hands off. I will not take revenge – I leave them with you.” Every time you start to have hard feelings toward that person, you say, “No, I don’t have to fret about this person…God is in charge of them right now.” It is so freeing when you, one day, get to the place where you open the cell door and release the person from the Jesus Jail. Actually, what you’ve done is freed yourself. Oh what sweet peace God gently rains down upon you as you allow Him to help you forgive a person who has wounded you.

CLC Mag: How did you cope spiritually and practically when your mother passed away? How can others who have experienced the loss of a loved one they depended on emotionally cope through their time of grief?

Marilyn: Spiritually, I found myself at a crossroad when my mom died. I had a decision to make. I could either blame God and move away from Him or chose to move toward Him. I decided to give God a chance. I had to transfer my dependence from my mother to the Lord. In turn, I became desperate for God. I’m so glad I did. He was there for me. Coping practically after a death of a loved one is different for every person. Some may find journaling therapeutic or talking with others may be helpful. You may want to join a grief recovery support group. Don’t ignore your feelings! Grieving is a process, yet the way people go through it can vary. I believe most people want to talk about their loss. I did. I wanted people to share a meaningful memory of my mom with me. If you know someone who has recently lost a loved one, be there for him or her. Listen. Send them encouraging cards once a month. (By the way, sometimes the second year is even harder because not so many people take the time to see how you are doing.) Email or make some phone calls. If possible, send them a card on the anniversary date of the death of their loved one to let them know you remembered. Finally, for me, the Bible was and continues to be a great comfort. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor and Comforter. He has used the following verse numerous times to help fill my grieving heart with hope: “Lord when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer” Psalm 94:19 Living Bible Version.

CLC Mag: When a person is rejected by someone very close to them, what are some practical steps he/she can take in order to move past the rejection into acceptance of themselves?

Marilyn: Rejection, no matter whom or where it comes from is extremely hard to receive. It’s so deeply personal. When someone has rejected me I try to remember that many times that person was hurt or wounded in some way. The saying is true, “hurt people, hurt people.” I’ve learned that I cannot fix or change that person. I can, however, ask the Lord to work on me as I go through that crushing experience of rejection. Here are some practical steps that may help if someone has rejected you: Is there a safe person you could share your feelings of rejection with? Or perhaps you could find a godly professional counselor you could confide in who would help you distinguish between the truth and lies that swirl around in your thoughts from the rejection. Sometimes writing a letter (NOT to send) to the person that has rejected you may help. It gives you an opportunity to actually see your thoughts on paper. Journaling about the rejection through a letter to God can also be therapeutic. And it could be that after all you’ve tried, you may have to set some boundaries or place some distance between you and the other person. Always remember, though, that there is One who truly understands what it’s like to be rejected – it is the Lord Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:4 NLT says, “…He was rejected by people…” How wonderful to know that whatever is going on in your life today Jesus understands and says to you, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5) You are His beloved child – you are royalty!

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To order Shame Lifter or to find out more about Marilyn Hontz, please visit the Tyndale publishing site.

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