When God using Dog training to speak to your heart.
This week we began a new training system for my 7-month-old golden stinker, I mean retriever. The first day, I was truly humbled as the trainer walked me through how to communicate with my dog. Just moments in, I realized how little confidence I display to him, and the world around me. In one weeks time, I am watching my dog's behavior rapidly change for the better, LOTS to work on yet, but better. I also realize my own behavior is changing. I have much less freak out moments, on the dog, and on my kids. I am quickly putting two and two together. My own view of myself reflects down on those I love. I don't think my pooch realizes the impact he has had on me in one weeks time. I am so thankful that I made the call to Bark Busters, because this has been a catalyst, for self-improvement, spiritual renewal, and redefining how I view myself, and the world around me as well as training for my dog. Train the owner, train the dog= Mind blown.
I did something this past week I have never done before, but I will do again. I took me, myself and I out for a date night. I went to a restaurant I would normally take my husband too, and I took my Bible, journal and a book I am reading called Uninvited by Lisa Terkurst. I sat there and prayed, I asked God to give me the topic to be researching, and I wrote at the top of my journal Page.
3.)To Trust Him- Why Is Trust so important? I feel it is the Foundation of Faith, that we stand on. He longs to have a genuine relationship with us, that requires us to realize the Grace that has been poured out on us. To take grasp of the Holy deity and expand our knowledge of His love, through action because we desire to do so. By Trusting Him, we allow His Love which He Is, and live it out in our lives. So often we get caught by the legalisms of the Church body, and we destroy each other over them. But God wants us to Trust Him, His Spirit, and His love. When we do that our lives can be transformed into something so powerful, awesome, for the Glory of the kingdom of God. By Definition Trust is.
I did something this past week I have never done before, but I will do again. I took me, myself and I out for a date night. I went to a restaurant I would normally take my husband too, and I took my Bible, journal and a book I am reading called Uninvited by Lisa Terkurst. I sat there and prayed, I asked God to give me the topic to be researching, and I wrote at the top of my journal Page.
WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE FROM ME?
These are the 4 things, that came to my heart and mind as I sat and ate my dinner on that awkwardly amazing evening to myself. It was a breath of fresh air, and a huge step in the right direction to regain my confidence in myself, and my faith walk.
1.) To be Genuine- uniquely His, one of a kind. To be true to my identity in Him, His grace needs to define me.
2 Corinthians( The Message)-5:14-15: Our Firm decision is to work from this focused center: One Man died for Everyone.
NIV VERSION: 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
According to Stephen McALPIN author of an article at www.relevantmagazine.com here I quote a small part, but please check out the article it is a short read, but I think he does a great job, and setting in motion idea's for being genuine Christians https://relevantmagazine.com/god/god-our-generation/being-authentic-more-just-being-honest
"WHAT IS AUTHENTICITY?
A lot of things can be mistaken for authenticity: relativism (“whatever seems right to me has to be OK with everyone else”), social elitism (“only people with a dark past and tattoos belong”), and dedication to causes (“meet my cat, he’s a rescue”) are just a few examples. However, I think when we search the Scriptures for definition, we discover authenticity is much more than all that. One passage that sums it up well is Ephesians 4:22-24, in which believers are called, “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
2.) To Freely Love- Romans 12:9-10( The Message) Love from the Center of who you are, Don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil, hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; Keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians, be inventive in Hospitality.
I love the first line. "Love from the Center of who you are, and don't fake it". I love the picture of being genuine, and how we are to love. From our very core, from the deepest of the deep, if I think about how motherhood has changed that level of love. How different life could be if I applied that love, to my enemies to those who have hurt me, and those that are in need of His love?
3.)To Trust Him- Why Is Trust so important? I feel it is the Foundation of Faith, that we stand on. He longs to have a genuine relationship with us, that requires us to realize the Grace that has been poured out on us. To take grasp of the Holy deity and expand our knowledge of His love, through action because we desire to do so. By Trusting Him, we allow His Love which He Is, and live it out in our lives. So often we get caught by the legalisms of the Church body, and we destroy each other over them. But God wants us to Trust Him, His Spirit, and His love. When we do that our lives can be transformed into something so powerful, awesome, for the Glory of the kingdom of God. By Definition Trust is.
Trust (noun)
- 1.
firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
"relations have to be built on trust"synonyms: confidence, belief, faith, certainty, assurance, conviction, credence;
reliance"good relationships are built on trust"
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
On a psychological level, and our need in relationships with others around us, we need to have Trust. According to the Strategic Psychology Website:
"It is trust that allows us to navigate the uncertain and complex world we live in today. With the rise of the internet, mobile phones, email, chat and social media, it is so much easier for people to connect or spend more time with co-workers than with family or significant others. Trust is integral to happy and fulfilling relationships in both our personal and professional lives. We require trust to develop over time to build successful and meaningful partnerships."
We need Trust. We have to have the ability to Trust to be in meaningful, and genuine relationships, otherwise, we walk and live in this life, guarded and self-reliant. That is not what God wants from us. He wants and longs for us to rely on Him.
4.) Faith- "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11: 1. Faith is the connecting power into the spiritual realm, which links us with God and makes Him become a tangible reality to the sense perceptions of a person. Faith is the basic ingredient to begin a relationship with God".
My relationship with Jesus requires faith because He is not seen in the physical form. We read the scriptures and with may have seen miracles or know His healing power, but we can not tangibly touch Jesus (yet). His Spirit and His angels dwell among us, and we are often unaware of their presence and power in our lives. When we have faith, in the unseen, God's power in our lives is limitless. By our Faith to be followers of Christ we long to be put into action for Him, and the Coming Kingdom. These actions will NOT save us. Our Faith in Jesus as the Saviour, believing that He paid the price for our sins alone saves us. Making that choice, allows our soul to meet Him in Spirit, and He is Love, He is the Alpha Omega, the Beginning and the End, our soul is completely compelled to know more, to be as Christ was to the world. According to www.hopefaithprayer.com,
F"aith must be followed with actions that are consistent with what is believed. Faith is the noun form and believe is the verb form of the same Greek word. Faith is the ability to believe, but that ability must be used and acted upon for faith to come alive and work. Believing is the action side of faith – believing is ‘acting in faith.’ Just having faith is not enough. Having the ability to believe is not enough. One must act on that ability by acting consistent with what is believed. James tells us that faith without corresponding actions is lifeless and dead"
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by (corresponding) action, is dead. James 2:17 NIV
We have a new Identity in Christ, that moment we choose to believe. That is amazing to me. I found a quote today, that I wanted to share with you.
I AM STRONG because I know my weaknesses
I AM BEAUTIFUL because I am aware of my Flaws
I AM FEARLESS because I learned to recognize illusion from real
I AM WISE because I learn from my mistakes
I AM A LOVER because I have felt hate
and...
I CAN LAUGH because I have known sadness
I know that God is far from being finished with me, and I am excited to see what my future has in store. The road to being who I am designed to be is marked by temptations and hardships, but He will remain steadfast with me.
One day, and dog walk at a time. ;)
May God Richly Bless you!!
Deeds K.
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