Soaring above the clouds

Are you willing to defy your own doubt to follow your dreams?? Sometimes it's not the lack of confidence someone else has in you that stops you, sometimes it's your own doubt that puts a blockade up between you and self esteem. I would know, because I'm a pro at over thinking things all the time! Did you know that your doubt can become your belief? What an oxy moron!! Doubt becoming a belief?! But it's seriously true! Jesus says what you think in your heart so you are! Some people would say, "So, if I believe I can fly, will it happen?!" This is the point where I like to get obnoxious! I would say, "That depends on your definition of flight! Are you going to soar through life free of having to worry like Jesus said? Cause mountains to move because of soaring faith, heal the sick and see the lame walk?! That's my definition of soaring, being lifted up on the wings of eagles! Isaiah 40:31 says, "Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. (coughs, hope goes hand in hand with faith) They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and won't grow tired." If u ask me that's way better than just, ya know, flying! So how does doubt become our belief?? When we believe we can't do something so much more than we believe we can. That's when doubt becomes an automatic reaction to something that seems bigger than we can accomplish; which that's the opposite of faith. God always wants us to focus on faith, but not just any kind, faith in ourselves! The entire New Testament is focused on building yourself up in God, believing you can do ALL things, building a foundation on the word--with what? Faith! Unfortunately, we can have faith in our failures, our mistakes, and our doubt; meaning we believe that we will fail and have more mistakes than triumphs. We can doubt something or someone (including ourselves) so much that it becomes our main focus, so much so--that our faith actually works against us because we're directing it at the negative.

There was one time I had a sleep over, and my friend was getting ready for bed; she couldn't find her diary key. So she kept saying, "I can't find it, I don't know where it is, I don't know, I don't know, I don't now!" Finally I decided to try something, I said, "Hey, relax, say you can find it." She looked at me like I had grown two heads! And she asked, "Why?" "Just try it," I said. Two minutes later she found that diary key. I know this story doesn't seem big and elaborate, but sometimes it's the little things that count! And having faith in yourself and in other things doesn't always make things instantaneous like that, the point of faith is believing even when you can't see it for a little while. (which can sometimes be days, weeks, or years) A lot of times things take a little while to surface because God is working off of your faith and getting things set up in your life so they can happen. I can definitely say that faith has changed my world around!


Faith actually becomes a way of life for me, because after awhile I start feeling like I want to believe for more and more things! Not just in my life, but in other people's. And the more I have faith, the more I realize that the faith I have in God and in myself actually encourages the people around me to do the same. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 says, "But Timothy has just now come back to us from you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, as we want to see you. So brothers and sisters, your faith has encouraged us in all our distress and trouble. Now we can go on living as long as you keep your relationship with the Lord firm." Paul, one of God's main apostles was blessed AND encouraged by someone else's faith! But it wasn't just Paul, an entire church was too. That was just by faith people! Think about how much your everyday life affects others by just having faith in the God you love so much.
So, if you have faith in God and yourself you can affect other people's lives, but it can work the other way around too; If all your faith is directed towards your doubt, then you won't be just hindering yourself, you'll be tearing down other people in your life too. Notice, that love and faith played hand in hand together in encouraging those people! God is love, so when you're operating out of love you're letting his very presence flow through you to the world. And having faith that you can do anything through CHRIST who gives you strength, is one of the many pieces of evidence that his power is flowing through you.
Conclusion is THIS: Be a faith builder, not a doubt-believer.
~Wren

Jericho

So, what do we do when we have a dream and we just don't know how it's going to happen? We have our faith, we know what we want to do, but how the heck is going to get here?? UPS?! That's the point I'm at right now, how do I go about making it happen with a plan if there's no road in sight! Not even a dirt road. That's where people say that you should trust God, and see what happens. What am I supposed to do while I'm waiting? Put my life on hold and sit tight? No, I think not my friends! We do need to trust God with our life and dreams; but God also told us to pray. Some people think intercessing is getting on your knees and begging God to make your dreams happen; I happen to disagree. I believe all intercessing is praying over the things in your life or in someone else's. Jesus said to pray over what you want as if it was already yours; so if you're praying over it as if it was already yours, you wouldn't be asking for it, you'd be thanking him for it. Joshua didn't sit on his knees and beg God to bring down the walls of Jericho before they went marching around the walls; he just did what God told him to do in order to get to his dream of getting to the promise land. If we have a dream, all we need is Gods instruction on how to get to that dream. But Joshua didn't know that was going to be on obstacle before he got there, but God still took care of it. The walls came tumbling down through their yelling and blowing of trumpets; through their voices came the praises that allowed God to take the walls down, and lead them where they needed to go--they're dreams. Even though we don't know what's at the beginning of our road blocking us from our destination, until it's literally right up in our face; God still has a way of getting us there. All we have to do is,"Trust, pray our way with praise, and allow Gods power to run through our praises." Joshua knew those walls wouldn't come down unless he did what God told him to do; and he also knew God would do for him everything He said He would, if he only just believed and acted. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, "Truly I say to you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe, trust and be confident that it IS granted you, and you will get it." Hold onto your dreams, even if you can't see past Jericho yet!
-Wren

Equally Amazing!

"Light, space, zest-that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, I'm afraid of nothing and no one."~Ps 27
Hmm, with God on our side? So! I'd say as God's kids, he's always on our side. He's always working for us NOT against us! Ro 828.

Why should we fear anything or anyone when it comes to things? For me it's my dreams. I'm always paranoid that if I say out loud what I want to do with my life, someone else will say I can't do it or I'm not good enough. God's got huge dreams, and dreams always begin like this: #1 you get an idea. #2 you start dreaming about that idea. #3 You make that dream a plan.

That's what God did with salvation, he had a brilliant idea on how to get us out of the mess we got ourselves into with sin, and then he started dreaming about it, he gave prophecies to prophets YEARS before it came to pass. And every time, God spoke out the same dream about his son coming down from Heaven to save us from certain death. Then, he put it into action when the time was just right, because he had it all planned out. God has plans for our lives too! But as I've said before many times, he is not an evil dictator..."You will do what I told you to because I SAID SO!" U'm, no, that's not who our Daddy is in the slightest. God's plans almost always fit in with the dreams we have in our hearts. Take a look at this, this is Ps 63:5-8 "I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
      I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
   If I'm sleepless at midnight,
      I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
   Because you've always stood up for me,
      I'm free to run and play.
   I hold on to you for dear life,
      and you hold me steady as a post." This is the reflection of a man who has had all the amazing riches of God given to him, because God loved him! God always stood up for him, the same way God will always stand up for your dreams and make them happen. As I've said before, there are times we have dreams as kids that change when we get older, but there's nothing wrong with that. It's the dreams that are in your heart, that you know that you won't feel fully complete until you do them--that is your real dreams; you would feel incomplete because you wouldn't be doing what God put in your heart to do.

If you don't have dreams, and you have no idea what it is you're supposed to do, I'd tell you right here right now, don't fret about it. Start thinking about the things you love to do, things you like to do, and the things you always wanted to do and never got the chance.
You don't have to be worship leader, preacher, pastor, evangelist to make a difference in God's Kingdom. Jesus said that he Kingdom of God dwells within you. Everything you do everyday you're doing for the Kingdom; you could be bagging someone's groceries at the grocery store and that could make a difference in someone's life. You don't have to do things that anyone sees or knows about for to do something for God; God counts it all.

Do you guys remember the parable that Jesus told about the workers? How a couple of workers started working in a field for  some money, and then that afternoon some more workers came to the master of the field and asked for work, and they were going to be paid just as much as those who'd been working since dawn.
Then in the evening, another set of workers were hired on.
When the day had finally ended, the master paid each and every man the exact same wage; when the dawn workers had heard about the others being paid the same wage, they wanted to be paid more and complained. The master told them that everyone worked equally as hard, and that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

Everything you do is important! Everyone works in the ways they were made to, the ways they love doing.
 And there are times we get stuck with a job we HATE, and we look at God and say, "Hey man, what exactly are you trying to pull up there???" And God's like, "You'll see!" A lot of times there's a specific person we can touch in that place that God brought specifically to us to bless. Or other times he's training us for the upcoming stuff we would much rather be doing, a time of preparing.

So, if you're in a place you hate right now, don't worry! The storm WILL pass. God will you give the desires of your heart.

~Wren

Don't Panic!

Have you ever run into someone you knew from FOREVER ago, and then all of the sudden, you feel like you don't know them outside of the memories you shared? Then you bring ye olde times up, and they look at you with this blank eyed look that says, "Haha, yeah, you're living in the past!"
I hate living with my head in the past, but sometimes aside from all the grief that history holds, I always seem to find one good memory that I would love to go back to and relive.

There's a girl I know pretty well who comes asking why she feels like the person she is today, is a thousand miles away from the person she was last year?

I know that God says he knows us inside and out, he's counted every hair on our head; God also knows the number of the stars. And yet, stars change, sometimes they get warmer, sometimes they get WAY warmer, and other times...they just explode.
Haha, that's what life feels like! We start to change further into the person God has made us every year, but we don't change from who we are, just like the star is the same star as it was before it exploded! ;)
I a lot of times feel like my life is exploding from change--of all kinds.

 I think so many times Christains use the phrase, "God made you special," without REALLY believing it for themselves. They'll gladly say that to someone else on the street, but to accept it themselves is a lot harder of a challenge.
How can we say something like that to someone else, and not truly believe it about ourselves? If we don't then we're sending a mixed message! Also, you're putting yourself down. When I say that to someone without believing it for myself, I feel like I'm saying, "You're more special to God than I am, you're more equipped and talented than I am..."
Yeah, I know, it's a pretty pathetic story! But that's what happens to me all the time; but only because I need to start learning that I'm just as special, and God loves me just as much as anyone else.

Just because you're moving further into YOUR character doesn't mean the person you were doesn't exist anymore, it simply means that you're growing further into the person God made you to be!
I'm who I am right now, and tomorrow I'll will be even more of who I am without trying because tomorrow is a step in the future; but think of it like this: Every day, you're a day older than you were yesterday, it doesn't make you old, it simply makes you one step into the future that you weren't in yesterday! That's how moving into your character works!

SO! My epic conclusion is this...don't panic if you're star explodes, life truly does get better--life isn't always a black hole!
My advice to all the readers who have or is going through this, don't be afraid to let yourself shine, stand out and be who you are, because...(dare I say it)...you're SPECIAL!
I love you guys!
And remember, don't panic.
~Wren
If you have any questions or comments I'd love to help/reply.

So you think you're not good enough?

Have you guys ever felt like your life is constantly changing?
One moment you feel great, and in one instant, your mood changes; and stays that way for the entire week?

I often feel that way when it comes to my life, my dreams, my personality, even the people I know change on me.
Have you ever felt bothered that your life has taken such drastic measures from what it was a week ago? Or even a month ago? Maybe even a year ago?

These questions only continue to recycle in my head.
I'll get my confidence back up for two second before something or someone says something, and! dun dun dun...POOF! It's gone.
The first few thoughts that go through my head are especially with the "people situation" is the ordeal of--what did I do wrong? Did I say something or do something weird? And, can I fix what I did?

I'd say seven times out of ten would be the fact that it isn't me at all. Those seven times are usually me questioning or the better word would be,critisizing myself until I end up on a character bill board; Ya know, this part of my personality goes on the blue sticky note, this side goes on orange; oh and the green one is the part of the story where I screw up again.

The times I'd say that the three out of ten is directed towards ourselves are things that every human being deals with; whether it's bad communication, lack of respect, lack of attention, etc. What I'm slowly discovering is how to see if I'm doing the three or the seven out of that ten.

I seek God, and search my heart. I like to think of it as an X-ray or a Cat-scan; where you just analize yourself to see what you're doing "wrong," ONLY so you can fix it. NOT beat yourself up about it.

In the end, it's not a problem with my dreams, personality or my life; what it's really about is how you choose to use your dreams, personality and life. And if life continues to change on me, that's okay; because the only way it'll get better is if I let it get better instead of dwell on the past.

And when your dreams are questioned by people, go back to the Father and ask him again.

If they say things that go against what God has told you to do, the problem isn't you. The problem is that they don't see what God has shown YOU, and what he shows you is what is important. However, do not throw out wise counsil about your life if someone comes to you in a respectful manner, and tells you what they think God has shown them; try it. See if it #1 If they're behavior and what they are saying lines up with God's word. #2 If it lines up with something God has already shown you. #3 If they say something to you that doesn't contradict what God has shown you, and it isn't contradicting his word, then go to him and ask Him about it; because maybe it's another part of your life he's revealing to you through another person. Always go the Father FIRST though. 

My personality is challenged a lot of times by people; some think I'm way to happy and hyperactive, others think I'm loud and obnoxious. Then, on the flip side to that coin, I have people tell me that I'm sweet and bring joy to others. Is my voice loud? Yes! But not obnoxious. Which one do I believe?
First of all, I know what my God believes about me because of his word, and what he's told me personally. If I've accidently been obnoxious at times, that doesn't mean I'm just, "That way," it means I made a mistake and I'm going to work on being a little less loud around other people. But in the end, the problem still isn't "me," because the word "mistake," is not my identity or any one of my bro's and sis's in Christ Jesus are either. Neither is Cancer, Lupus, Migraines, Tumors, etc.

None of that stuff could be any one of you. Some may think, well, I'm not very gifted in who I am or what I can do; so I'm going to use my sickness as a ministry; because God obviously wants me to have it.  
I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, but you can minister to someone through the example of how you handle your condition, but you know how you can really show who God is? It's by being who you are instead of hiding behind an insecurity of disease; which only sets an example of you being more capable of ministering to others compared to if you didn't have a disease. A lot of people let those things become they're identity.

You don't think you're good enough because of what someone else has told you. You don't need to be what anyone has ever told you that you are, or do what someone else has told you to do unless you know for a fact that is what God wants you to do; sickness is not something he allows or gives to you.

How do I handle my life? Huh, well, I don't! I leave it in God's hands, at least I try my best too. He's a great God and I know that he'll take care of everything that I need.
And when hard times come up, I face it just like I'd be facing any other kind of spiritual warefare.

I want this message to reach out to all those who struggle with the same things as I do; and I want you to know that you are not alone. There are others who have problems trying to find out who they are and who they're God is; the one thing I do know, is that God cares about you and loves you just the way you are!


I hope this encourages you guys! If you have any questions or comments I'd be more than happy to be a listener.
Love,
Wren.

Hearing the voice inside of you

Hey People!
So, I've talked a lot about listening to the directions that God is giving you, mainly, your dreams.
How do I know that God is the one who put the dream in my heart? Well, okay, here we go.
You know if God put the dream in your heart if He told you so. Yeah, that's right, I said if HE told you so.You can know that he told you so, in several different ways.
Not to mention, if you have a deep, deep, deep desire in your heart, and it follows you around wherever you go, whether it is to be a singer, dancer, minister, pastor, preacher, teacher, etc. You're not going to feel like you're doing what you're supposed to do unless you do what you've been called to do; and you only feel 'fulfilled' by doing it, if God is in it. One, if you're doing it for Him. Two, doing it with him; aka, with love, respect, wisdom, humility and a lot of other good stuff. You might say, why in heaven's name, would the God of Heaven and Earth want to talk to me? I'm just a normal, every day ordinary person. I'm not anyone important. WRONG! You're not a 'normal people.' you're God's people! So, if you're not normal, then obviously....you're a freak! A Jesus freak! (didja guys get it?) I love being a freak for Jesus. Why wouldn't God want to speak to his people? You don't have to be a pastor, preacher, teacher to hear straight from God; those people are just the same as you. They started out listening, and God led them to where they are now. God will do the same with you! Listening to his voice isn't hard. You simply block out any distractions, and go somewhere quiet and peaceful, for starters. Then just start worshiping him. When you've entered into a special place that you've opened up for Him (you basically just made room for God, out of all the stuff you're typically distracted with) Then you ask God questions, sit, and wait for the answer. Sometimes it will sound just like your own thoughts. Other times it will be in pictures, or in literal words you see spelled out when you close your eyes. God talks in a thousand different ways, each time. And you don't 'have' to enter into worship to hear his voice; that is not what I am saying in the slightest. What I'm saying is that I personally find it easier because when I do that, I shut down all other distractions, so I can easily 'hear' his voice better. Those who have ears to hear, listen. And those who have eyes to see, see. Meaning, if you truly want to, do it! The more in you get into His word, the more time you spend thanking God and focusing on positive things, the more time you just spend listening, and not always talking; the more and the clearer you will hear his voice. Now, I'm not saying you just go and believe every voice you hear in your head. Okay? Test the spirits. If the thoughts that come into your head, do not agree with the word of God, throw it out. God's word says for us to focus on things that are true, good, lovely, kindness, encouraging and of good report. There are times God gives us warnings, insights into situations, and revelations about things to come. And those aren't always looking 'positive,' but he shows us those things to both be ready and prepared for them; to pray over them in advance. (so they do have a more positive outcome) We have an enemy that will also try to say thoughts into our head, but he can NEVER be positive. Let me say that again, he can NEVER be positive. John 10:10 The enemy ONLY comes to steal, kill and destroy. If you've ever had thoughts about your dreams that said, "I can't do that. I'm not strong enough. I can't sing on key. I can't, I can't, I can't. What if I can't do this? What if, what if, what if....? Don't listen to it. God told you that you could do ALL things. Any thought that comes in and says what if I can't, or I just can't," don't listen to it! There are also times God will say, "We're not going to do this particular dream RIGHT NOW because you're still preparing," or, "Wait a little longer and you will be fully equipped." God is not going to send his soldiers out into the field without being fully and entirely equipped. Why? Because he loves you and he cares!So, throw trash out, invite God into a place of worship, and sometimes you start the conversation, other times you need to just shut up and listen. (Princess Diaries quote for all those who caught that) The thief comes to both steal your dreams, by saying, "What if," and kill them by saying, "I can't," and by saying I can't, that totally destroys it. He wants to move you off the path of positivity and God-given dreams, because he only wants one thing in your life...Hell.
A wise thing to do, before you start your time with God; is to just tell the enemy to shut-up and go away. Then focus on God. Worship really helps you to opening your mind and heart to him. Then tell your flesh and soul to shut-up, rebuke any words or thoughts that are not of his. And the more you do it, the clearer you'll be able to hear His voice. A still small voice.
This is all I'm going to say on this topic for now, I'm going to write another article here soon talking to you about a very special Gift of the Holy Spirit called, The Prophetic gifting. Once you learn about this, it will help you both hear and listen and speak God's words with more clarity and confidence. But, rest in knowing that GOD DOES and WILL talk to you!'
Love you guys!
Wren.

Turning on the Power

You know something that I've been thinking about today? I've been thinking about why it is so easy to doubt instead of believe. How is it that we'd rather believe the negative things about ourselves, the things the enemy tries to plant in our heads; INSTEAD OF believing what God said about us? The very one who created us? That would be a pretty stupid thing to say to God, "Hey, God, you were wrong about me. I'm not who you said I was, I'm not brave, I'm not smart, I can't do anything right...etc." Those are all blasted things Satan tries to tell us, so we accept them, and then result in being them. Why would we want to settle for less?? Another lie of the enemy is that we're not good enough to be all the things we've dreamed; the things that we've longed for.  Because who are we to be more than dirt? Who are we to want to be more than a sinner who deserves nothing but hell? I'll tell you who you are; who you really are! You are the sons and daughters of the most high God. The very same God who sent his son to set you free from sin and death, so that you could be truly free! If you are a believer, you are not damned to hell anymore. If God set you free, then why would you only expect to receive the very same crap that comes from hell?? Not being good enough. I don't deserve to be healed because I'm a sucky person who can't do anything right. Well you know what? You are what you believe. Why put yourself back into the very same shackles that the King set you free from? He stole the keys from the enemy, and unlocked your shackles; so walk away. You CAN do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens us. (Phil 4:13) Guess what? Christ lives in you. Because he lives in you, that means you're plugged into him whether you like it or not. When you plug in a computer, you have to turn it on to use it. This is the same thing. You're plugged into the power source, now are you going to turn on your belief systems, so you can do all things? It is a matter of knowing and believing you can; because of HE who is in you. He has won the victory for you, now turn on your power and surf that web! See all the things you can do through that power source. When you are online there are thousands of different websites, and you can access them all if you know their name. Same with Christ, when you're plugged into him you can do anything, now starting naming off every possible thing you wish to do, and do it. It's all a matter of typing it in, and  hitting one little button called, "Enter." Enter into God. His word will show you all that you can do. Heal the sick, raise the dead, live life to its fullest. When you hit enter, you go wherever you wanted. Enter into the presence of God and you will get to know the beautiful heart of the King. Turn on who you are, don't hide it because you fear what you can do; because if you're scared, all you're feelings is the enemy's fear of you're getting ready to take down the darkness. Are you afraid that the person you pray for will actually be healed? Or are you afraid that they won't be? It is the very thought of the enemy coming into your head saying, "You can't do that! Who are you to think you can heal someone? Did God really tell you to heal the sick? Ha, he meant the people who are older then you. There are people who are better than you." Tell Satan where his butt belongs! In Hell, that's where. Hell was created for Satan and his demons, it was never intended for people. You are not the creatures of hell, and you are not the people of Earth. You are the children of the most High God who has empowered you to do all that you set your mind too.
You're plugged in, now turn on your power, go to the web pages you've been wanting to see forever! (aka, your dreams/goals) And hit-Enter. Live it up, people! You're God's kids, he set you free, so go be free! And don't be afraid, because God is your firewall. He's got your back, and he loves you just the way you are! He is your security, know who you are in him, to truly know who you are in this world. In Christ alone; he is the way the truth and the life. Just to make my point, I'm turning on my computer. So, I'm turning on D-delivered, E-excepted, L-loved, L-liberated. DELL, is my computer type ;)
Love you guys!
~Wren
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give. Matt 10:8 Amplified Bible.