Entry 4

Being newly married and having a baby on the way can do a lot to a person. :) On one hand, I have daily overwhelming joy at my blessings. Of having an amazing supportive and loving husband, and a healthy little girl on the way, but at the same time, during times of big change the flesh (the spiritually dead person we were before we were given Christ's life) loves to rear its ugly head. It loves to make you feel like all of the things in your life that are out of your control (medical bills, unpaid maternity leave, health problems, etc.) should be in your control, and you better figure it out fast! This is just my personal example on what is impacting my life currently, but we ALL, each and every one of us, deal with ebs and flows of this ever changing world every day. This is when we have the opportunity to decide how do deal with these situations. Our "default" and "old programming" loves to immediately resort to worry, anxiety, and the effort to control; while our Spirit is waiting patiently for us to acknowledge what is already there. The Spirit is there to remind us,

 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" Matthew 6:25-27

Because we have been stuck in these fleshly bodies since the day we were born into this world, initially, and for as long as we decide to, our default will be to resort to worldly and wrong thinking when it comes to issues of concern. But, if in those moments, we recognize what we are doing, and where this wrong thinking is coming from, we can acknowledge, "This is old programming. This is not who I am anymore, and this is not the Truth. It's time to switch to a relevant channel."

It's like how one of my favorite authors, Bob George states, our mind is like an AM/FM radio. Let's say AM is our old way of thinking, and FM is Christ's mind inside us (no offense to AM radio. It's just an example ;)). We may be initially accustomed to flipping to AM, since that is what we have been listening to for years, but once we start choosing to switch to FM when the opportunity arises, eventually, that will be the one we automatically turn to. It can take a while to develop this new habit (I'm a prime example of that. :)),  but I've seen it happen. My Grandma was a prime example. I know she had gone through some very tough circumstances in her life, but by the time I was blessed to know her, until she went to join our Savior, we always used to say she had "one foot in Heaven" all of the time. I think she had just gotten so used to referring to the Lord about everything that He became her mind most of the time. Of course, when people would compliment her on anything in regard to her faith, she would always say, "It isn't the bush, it's God in the bush, and any old bush will do." So true! :)

Renewing your mind with the Truth that is inside you is the answer. It's not something we have to "try" to do. It's already in there. We just have to refer to the Lord and He will take care of the programming, one day, one moment at a time. So, today, I am going to remember this myself. Any time a worried thought enters my mind, I will refer to my sweet Savior and trust in His love for me and my family. The Lord will provide. He has already provided and He is faithful.

Blessings and love to you all and I hope you have a wonderful day resting in Jesus' love for you and for me!

~Emily

"For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness(Which we've already been given through Jesus Christ), and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
 Matthew 6:32-34 (Parentheses added :))

 

Entry 3

Good Morning to you all!

Thankfully the sun is back out today and the rain has taken a break. I know April showers bring May flowers, but geez louise! :)

On this beautiful day, as I enjoy the freedom I have in Christ, I think back on a time when I didn't feel security in regard to my salvation or relationship with God. Even though I was never raised in an environment that taught that one could lose their salvation, I still had heard about this doctrine many times before. Because of the type of person I was/am (a 'thinker' and also a 'control freak' at times) I of course found myself completely paralyzed with fear. I would think, "If one can lose their salvation, I would definitely be the type that would, because the harder I try to be a good 'Christian' the harder I fall."

Thankfully, after some time, I was convinced of the overwhelming truth that our security is in Christ, not in our behavior, and it is HIS faithfulness that saves us and sustains us. And how can we lose something we didn't earn in the first place? Salvation is a gift given to us by the Father, and it is one that once it takes hold, it changes you forever, and there is never, ever, any going back (even if you convince yourself that there is.) His faithfulness is not dependent on ours. What freedom! Thank you Jesus!

I'll leave you with a very short video by one of my favorite authors, Ralph Harris, who wrote the book, "God's Astounding Opinion of You". He spends a few minutes touching on this specific topic, and it made me laugh out loud a few times! I still feel such joy and relief when I hear this truth proclaimed. Below is the link. Have a great day resting in the Father and His love and grace for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnOQ8m3tMzM

Blessings!

Emily

Entry 2

Hello and happy day to you all! :)

I so appreciate that I have a job where I can have lazy mornings of relaxation and reflection before starting my work day. :) It allows me to have the freedom of mind to do things such as this!

This morning I was reading in one of my favorite books titled, Classic Christianity Illustrated, by Bob George. I hold this book very dear because it was one of the tools the Lord used to help me through my depression years ago. The chapter I was reading this morning called, "At the End of My Rope" was particularly poignant to me at the time (and of course still today).

Though some of you may know, many of you are not aware, of the severe depression I struggled with from about 13 to 15 years of age. Though I'm sure some of its root causes were hormonal, most of it, I believe, was spiritual.  Looking back I am so thankful for the journey of self, and spiritual, discovery this time started me on. There were a lot of different "A ha!" moments during this time, and ever since, but the one I want to focus on today is "self-reliance vs. Christ-reliance".

This brings me back to the chapter I read today. For about two years straight, and for many moments before and after, I have been "at the end of my rope". This is something we all encounter many times throughout our lives, primarily during times when our circumstances leave us feeling scared, stuck, frustrated, or alone. Before and during the majority of my depression, I assumed when I had a problem, I was the one that needed to figure it out. God had given me a "toolbox" of supplies, and I needed to be the mechanic behind those tools to fix whatever problem may have arose. I seemed to try everything in my power to better the situation in my own strength. I would desperately pray, "Lord, please give me the strength to endure 'this' or conquer 'that'!" The more I would try, however, the more defeated I would become. This was simply exhausting. SO exhausting to the point that after a while, I found myself completely at the end of my rope, barely hanging on, and the brink of plummeting into the deep chasm of the unknown. "What a horrible and fearful place to be!" I thought. "What a failure of a Christian and person I am to have arrived at this point!" I would scream inside. Then, one day, in a moment of total desperation, I went outside and opened Classic Christianity Illustrated. I remember when I read the title, "At the End of My Rope" I thought, "That's me!". Then I began to read. I got the to part where Bob George wrote,

"I have heard this many times in counseling situations. I will talk to people who say, "I am almost at the end of my rope!" My response to someone who makes this statement is, "Put some grease on that thing so you can get to the end of it." This may not sound very sympathetic at first, but the truth is, that is exactly where God wants us to be. The only way we can experience His strength and sufficiency is when we stop trusting in our own."

"Bing!" A light went on in my head. Though much of my depression felt like I was behind a veil or a fog of confusion, this simple, but AWESOME, truth took hold. I realized I was doing it all wrong! I was completely backward in my approach of having victory over my depression! Instead of giving up and giving in to my desire to let go of my rope, instead of I was doing the exact opposite. I was hanging on for dear life because I was so fearful of what would happen if I released my grip. My grip of 'understanding' and 'control' and 'self-effort'. I thought, "Can it really be this easy? Can God really take this decrepit heart, soul, and body of mine, and heal it all by himself?" Up to that point, I thought my effort was helping God, when really, I was the only thing in His way.

Letting go is scary. We are taught not to give into fear. In this world we are told to battle fear and uncertainty with every thing we have. But why? The Bible says something different. "For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2nd Timothy 1:7

The victory is already won through Jesus Christ. We have the armor of God protecting us. Yes, the armor of GOD, not an armor we have constructed. He says, "My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2nd Corinthians 12:9 It is His strength, not our own, that is sufficient.

When I finally decided to let go, to actually give into the fear, to drop into the unknown, with no plan of escape, what did I find? Nothing. There was no substance to it! Nothing behind the ugly door! Fear is nothing but a smoke screen. It is the only feeble tool the Devil has to try to control us and keep us in bondage. But when we simply realize that all we have to do is stop trying, stop leaning on our own strength and efficiency, stop running, that's when Jesus can step in and we can watch Him claim the victory He has already won inside of us. We are complete in Christ. Because of Him, and because we are in Him, and He is in us, we lack NOTHING. He is our hope, He is our strength, He is our peace, our comfort, and our protector. WE, are simply recipients to His gifts and all we have to do is sit back, enjoy, and watch the Lord change our hearts and minds to reflect the truth of who we are in Him.

This was the crucial step, the amazing realization, that started my path to healing. I encourage you, whether you are in the depths of depression, simply going through a tough patch in your life, or even just dealing with a momentary circumstance that is troubling you, the answer is the same. I leave you with these three verses I cherish that remind us of that answer.

"Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."
~1 Peter 5:7

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."
~Proverbs 3: 5-6

"For we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
~2nd Corinthians 4:7

Let go and He will catch you!


Blessings!

Emily

Heartfelt Musings~ Entry 1

Heartfelt Musings

Entry 1~ April 13, 2013

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for a while now. A place for me to ponder, so to speak. To ponder and appreciate each day as it comes, and to share the grace that is in my heart to those who would like to hear. To share the beautiful simplicities in the moments of the day that reflect Christ and His blessings, my frustrations when I have trouble seeing those blessings, and my Spiritual journey along the way.

I just want to start this blog and throw it out into the ether to whoever is meant to find it. The reason I haven’t begun before now is because I don’t like it when people try to force Christ onto, and “into” others. Christ is the Son of God, God is the creator of the universe, so, in my opinion, He is powerful enough, and wise enough, and His message is miraculous enough, that He will be heard when He wants and how He wants. I, Emily Hernandez, am just along for the ride. J The human soul needs to be in a place where it is ready to receive Grace, to receive Truth, and I think that I just cause individuals to “put up their arms” and build up their walls when I forcefully try to enter their hearts. Of course, I used to think it was my spiritual “duty” to do just that, but after awhile, I realized that wasn’t really working for me, or anyone else for that matter. J

So anyway, up until now, I have made an effort on forums such as Facebook, and even every day life and conversations, to be graceful in the way I share my faith and my principals. To not hide my love for Jesus and His grace, but also not to impose on others in a way that I fear might push them away or close their ears. Like I said before, this is just my personal approach, and we each should have our own “personal approach” when it comes to sharing what’s inside us with others. That’s why we call it a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, because He guides and directs us from each of our own hearts.

But now, here I am. I have decided on a forum where I will not hold back or restrain what I feel inside, and if you don’t want to hear it, you have the freedom not to! J You’ll know what you are getting yourself into from the start, and this way, no one will be mislead. Haha!

Mainly, I just want this to be a place where people can come and be encouraged and edified. A place for people to come and be refreshed, and a place for people to feel they can relate; relate to someone who is not afraid to be bare bones about their heart, soul, Spirit, and mind when it comes to spiritual matters.

I’ve just noticed that SO many people and venues in “Christendom” have a “sheen” to them of sorts. A “plastic” exterior of smiles and stability and fleshly “perfection” that makes others, both Christians and non-Christians, feel like they don’t have a chance. This, for me, has always been so disgusting. I remember being surrounded by a sea of people at different churches, and yet feeling completely alone, drowning in a sea of guilt and fear, and thinking I must be the only Christian that ever feels this way. I would wonder, “What am I missing?” and feeling too scared and embarrassed to reach out. So, to sum it up, this will NOT be a place for such things. J

Well, as you have already seen, I can get carried away, and be very long winded sometimes. Which is why I say, feel free to tune out anytime you would like! J Read to your hearts content, and then skedaddle! Which is what I’m going to do right now as a matter of fact. J I’ll just leave you with a few of my favorite verses to start the day. Blessings to you all!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

~Ephesians 2: 8-9

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

~Proverbs 3:5-6

 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30