Last week, I received an email from a writing platform announcing my 20th anniversary with them. I don’t remember the platform or what I was doing 20 years ago. My curiosity was piqued, so I tiptoed into cyberspace to see what I had written 20 years ago. I discovered four entries in a journaling format, dated 2005. For me, it was like finding secret treasure. My words gently carried me into remembering times, places, emotions, and people that left a sweet, lingering fragrance as I read. The entry below offers a glimpse into my Holy Spirit-led journey in 2005 and the spiritual journey I am still on today.

GROWING UP…..

I’m reading a Brennan Manning book, “A Stranger to Self-Hatred: A Glimpse of Jesus.” People pleasing and being performance-oriented are the twin demonic spirits that seduce me into believing my faith is all up to me. That there is “something” I can do to be more pleasing to God….idolatry of self. Yuck!

Here are quotes from the book that ministered freedom to me this a.m..

” How difficult it is to be honest to accept that I am unacceptable, to renounce self-justification, to give up my preposterous pretending that my paltry prayers, spiritual insights, knowledge of Scripture, and blustering successes in ministry have made me pleasing to God. I am lovable because He loves me. Period. The first step in liberation from self-hatred is to move from the darkness of self-delusion into the daylight of God’s truth.

“We must learn the art of weakness,” writes Simon Tugwell, “of non-achievement, of being able to cope with the knowledge of our own poverty and helplessness without trying to escape from it into something we can accept more easily.”

Thank heaven His mercies are new every morning! Lamentations 3:22-23. My mercy account never runs out.

Cafe friend, there is nothing of value that you or I can do that would make Father God love us more. He established our value once and for all by the death and resurrection of Jesus. I choose to rest in His determination of my value. I am who my Abba, Father, says I am in Jesus Christ. Do you know my Jesus? Does He know you? Do you know who Father God has declared you to be in His Word? I hope you take the time to read these verses of His love letter written for you. Until next time….Shalom.

God says you are….

Royalty – Ephesians 1:7

Fearfully and wonderfully made – Psalm 139:14

Created in His Image – Genesis 1:7

Loved unconditionally – Romans 8:38-39

Temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Forgiven – Ephesians 1:7

Redeemed – Colossians 1:13-14