Stripping Wallpaper

Stripping Wallpaper

Kim Dent

Have you ever had to tear off old, stuck, ugly wallpaper? It's NOT a fun job! I remember our first house was completely covered in wallpaper in every room...and not just one layer! It seemed we would finally steam, scrape and peel our way through one layer and another hideous pattern would be revealed!

Mark and I spent weeks steaming, scraping and sweating to restore the walls in our little house to their original state. Many times I just wanted to give up and slap some paint over the layers of paper and call it "good enough". My husband wouldn't allow it...he somehow always kept the vision of what it could be and he would encourage me to keep working with him...he never even entertained the thought of taking the easy way out...

We eventually got the walls scraped, sanded, primed and repainted. They were beautiful...probably even more so to us because of the great effort it took!

I wonder...has The Lord been after you to do a little re-wallpapering of the walls of your mind? Those old habits, hurts and hang-ups that have been occupying prime space in your thought life, like old ugly wallpaper, need to go! Be prepared, they won't go easily. Those old thoughts, lies and beliefs that are so deeply rooted in us will take honest, hard work to strip them off of our mind's walls. Like the old wallpaper in my house, these old thoughts often have a "Strong Hold" on your mind.

Thankfully, Our Lord knows the plans He has to restore the walls of our minds (Jer. 29:11) He keeps the vision and is continually encouraging you and I to "Keep working with Him" He will never let us slap the paint of religion over the old lies, beliefs and thoughts that keep us from the abundant life He has planned for us. He will do what seems impossible (Matt. 19:26) but we must work with Him! We must not just hear the Word but actively DO WHAT IT SAYS! (James 1:22)

So, are you ready for a fresh start? Jesus has all the tools (weapons) you will need to demolish the ugly, tacky strongholds papering your mind. (2 Cor. 10: 3-5) He is waiting for you to get serious about the business of re-wallpapering your mind, no more short-cuts. He will do all the heavy lifting but you and I must Work With Him! The end result will be a Beautiful Mind!

Re-Wallpapering

Tearing down my mind's wrong beliefs

Replacing with Truth!

(Haiku by Margaret Slabach)

Humility

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" Psalm 25:9

I recently got into a "discussion" with a dear friend. I had become concerned about behaviors that I had perceived to be a cry for help. I also had unknowingly taken up an offense and "in the name of the Lord" wanted to right the wrong and help my friend to see the error of her ways. (funny, I didn't even see the log in my eye at the time!) I lifted her up and asked for God's help as I set out on my own self imposed mission . Yet I didn't inquire nor wait on the Lord. I had made up my mind that I needed to "speak the truth in love" and I simply asked God to bless my own plans and didn't bother to listen for His input on my idea. (note to self...bad idea!)

Well, I spoke the truth but it wasnt received in love. In fact my words did little more than poke a lion in it's cage and unleased a barrage of anger and misunderstanding toward my well intentioned yet ill prepared mission. I cried out to God, later that night, feeling very misunderstood and unjustly attacked, I sensed Him remind me that even the best intentions will backfire and cause needless pain if we do not first submit our plans to the Lord and discern His timing and His will. He is our guide and He teaches us His ways...which are oh so much higher than ours!

Thankfully we both immediately sought the Lord and each other for forgiveness. God was gracious to bind up the wounds we each inflicted and open the way for reconcilliation. We have both emerged a little wiser and a whole lot more humble...although not without some battle scars.

Oh Lord please direct my path, my plans and my mouth today. Teach me Your ways and help me to always wait upon You!

eating humble pie...
Kim

Engraved

...I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Isaiah 49:15-16



Lord, I long to be engraved onto your hands. To be so close to you that I sense your breath, feel your emotions, hear your thoughts and delight in the things that bring you joy. Engrave your love upon my heart so that, when seasons of testing come, my prodigal heart may always find it's way home to you.

Engrave my mind with your truth, Father...that no lie may settle there. May your Word overcome every shadow of doubt that threatens like distant thunder. Engrave me. Let my soul be transformed as you enter into my darkness and flood my being with your marvelous light.


I am yours My King, engraved upon your beautiful scarred hands. Your extravagant love has forever marked my heart, my mind and my soul. I am forever engraved...forever yours.




KD 3/2010

So Long Insecurity!

"Insecurity among women is epidemic, but it is not incurable. Don't expect it to go away quietly, howerver. We're going to have to let truth scream louder to our souls than the lies that have infected us." Beth Moore from her new book, So Long Insecurity.

Hey Girls,
Grab a sister, friend, mom, mother in law, daughter, co-worker or aunt (or all of them!) and join us at Beth Moore's upcoming simulcast; "So Long Insecurity"

When: April 24th
Where: Deuber United Methodist Church
645 Deuber Rd Canton, OH
phone: 456-8357
Time: 9-4
Cost: 15.00 includes lunch!

Contact Deuber church to reserve your tickets now!

Let's give Insecurity the boot!

"And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32

Divinely Designed for Connection!

I had the incredible blessing of sharing with some wonderful women from Church of the Lakes last week. Christy and Nancy pulled out all the stops and made the women feel loved on and special with pretty table settings, wonderful food and a warm welcome. Several members from the Church's contemporary worship team were there and opened up the morning with joyful praise to our God! It was fantastic!

While preparing my talk, "Divinely Designed for Connection!" the Lord reminded me of playing the game "Red Rover" as a little girl. Courage, boldness and unity (we called it "girlpower" back in the day!) was never so evident as when my 5 freckle faced, pig-tailed girlfriends and I linked arms on the playground and dared the "enemy" to break through our ranks.

We have come a long way from the days of Red Rover on the playground, but we still battle an enemy. Satan tries to break through our ranks with insecurity, lies and deception. Yet God calls and equips us to connect with the wise women He has placed within our reach. The Lord calls us to "link arms" through our Faith, our prayers, our encouragement and our love for Him which is our super glue! Colossians 2:2 in the Message advises that we be "woven together in a tapestry of love"

The enemy would love nothing more than to disconnect you and I from each other and from God...Isolation is his favorite trick. Don't fall for it! Ask The Lord to show you the girlfriends He has placed in your life and then "link arms" and feel the power of unity, connection and security in Christ! Now that's some SUPERNATURAL Girl Power!

Ecclesiastes 4...Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Romans 8:35 says; "Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? NO. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!"

Red Rover anyone?

Blessings!

Kim Dent

Baby it's COLD outside!

It just dawned on me that perhaps God gives us snowdays so that we will be forced to...
slow down,
breathe,
appreciate shelter,
appreciate warmth,
and appreciate neighbors...especially those who own snow blowers!

May your joy in the Lord and your grateful heart be a blessing to those who feel cold inside. Warm a cold heart today with a random act of kindness!

Go ahead...It'll make God smile.

Blessings!
Kim

He promises to hold our hand...

      God guides us...He leads us step by step, from event to event.  Only afterwards, as we look back over the way we have come...do we experience the feeling of having been led without knowing it, the feeling that God mysteriously guided us.              -Paul Tournier        

Dear Friends,

      As we move into a new year,  take a moment to look back over 2009 and notice the hand of God all over it.  Offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for His leading thus far and realize the miraculous fact that He is lovingly watching over us and guiding us as we venture into a brand new year. Take a moment and consider the dreams within you.  Is there something you long to do but fear has kept you from acting on the dream?  Do you long for more adventure and to see more of God's miracles and supernatural power played out in your day to day life?  Me too!

        I pray that 2010 will be the year that we dare to take off our fluffy slippers of faith, pull on our hiking boots and Believe God!  May we step off the safe, familiar paths and allow Him to lead us into a brand new adventure with Him...Go ahead! Take a step! Your promised land is waiting......

... Still a little afraid?  Don't worry, He promises to hold your hand.

      "I will lead the blind in ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths, I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do;  I will not forsake them."

                                                                                                                Isaiah 42:16

Blessings and abundant adventure to you!

Love,  Kim