Race car drivers are trained to turn their eyes away from the wall that their car may be heading for if they want to avoid a collision with it.  Most often, if they keep looking at the wall, they will hit it.  However, if they turn their eyes back out to the track, the outcome will frequently be different.  This is because our motor skills are connected to what our eyes see on a very intuitive and primary level.  There are other examples of this connection, but this one speaks about something that we can all learn from. 

In the September edition of Charisma magazine Ron Luce (president and founder of Teen Mania Ministries, a Christian organization reaching millions of young people) made a statement which caught my attention.  He stated “Though it may come as a surprise to some of us, our kids have gradually transferred ownership of their hearts
from us, their parents to their friends or the culture.  Kids care more about pleasing their peers than pleasing Mom and Dad.  This type of thinking begins gradually, but every little step is a sign that their hearts are being lured away.”  

Ephesians 4:14

REAL Women - Issue 5 - Volume 11

Articles:   

Maturation:  It's a Process
Leadership Encouragement:  Rules Verses Tools
Building Across Generations: Who Owns Your Child' Heart?

This summer we had the joy of stopping by our dear friends home, Jim and Jean Stephens.  They have been married 45 years, and have almost the same number of years in ministry service to the Kingdom.   They are well established and experienced in the things of God. So when Jim shared a book with us called “Contrarian’s guide to

I have lived in Vermont all of my life and have served the Lord for 33 years. Almost everything accomplished has seemed hard, arduous, and depleting. Darryl said that we are war torn. The discernment regarding the yoke of oppression describes what ministry in the NE Kingdom has been like. I am seeking a break in this thing for longer than moments, days or seasons. I can't (we can't) fulfill our destiny without it. (Diana)

A few weeks ago Darryl and I were privileged to attend a production of “Snapshots” at Lighthouse Christian Center.  This production is made up of individuals sharing “snapshot” personal stories of God’s involvement in their lives.  Our daughter Elizabeth performed one of these snapshots based on a childhood experience.

 Philippians 4:2-4
2 I entreat and advise Euodia and I entreat and advise Syntyche to agree and to work in harmony in the Lord.

Standing in a Sunday service, the communion table set before us, the worship team wonderfully leading us into His Presence with beautiful words and music, friends all around—when my mind and spirit were assaulted by this overwhelming sense of failure, worthlessness and torment. Tormenting thoughts of why aren’t you doing more for the Kingdom began to swirl around in my mind, making me feel so bad that I wanted to run from the service. I began to fight these thoughts by praying in the Spirit, deliberately focusing my mind on Him and rebuking Satan.

A powerful declaration that God is on His throne, moving powerfully and increasingly in the lives of those who are learning not to trust in their own strengths or limitations, but in the Word of His promise and power of the Holy Spirit