DON’T LET PERFECTIONISM RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY (OR ANYDAY)

With the holidays almost here, just a little encouragement to keep you from the trappings of perfectionism.  The definition of perfectionism is ‘refusal to accept any standard short of perfection”.   It can drive you mad!!  It is actually your own perception that drives how you view perfect.  It may come from upbringing, teaching, or your own ideas.  If we look at it, what drives it is ,I believe,  from the root of pride.  Or wanting to please or be perceived as perfect. Sometimes we don’t even see it at work in our lives and inner thoughts.  It can simply be ingrained in us by the world. 

It is a sad way to live because it is often in imperfections that something is made unique and beautiful.  We were never made to be cookie cutter humans.  Just look at our finger prints.  God gave us each one that is like no other.  Or like snowflakes or the grain of wood.  You get all that, so I will make another point.

Personally, it was my upbringing that imprinted this deep into my psyche .  It was sad as I watched my mother try to live up to her own self imposed image.  Perhaps it came from her upbringing too.  At any rate I promised myself I would try to live an authentic life and I am probably more vulnerable and open than most.  But I still have those lingering subconscious pressures I have to fight against.  

I have to work at it.  Catch myself tensing up and even more if  someone begins pointing things out.  I have to look within and regain my peace and commitment to be kind to myself and realistic about my limitations  Personally my health doesn’t permit me to do “all things”, maybe for you it is your job, energy level, finances.  These things are real and I think God wants us to have true mercy for ourselves.  A perfectionistic spirit is not realistic. It is subtly tormenting.  We can choose to be realistic and give ourselves a break.   

As a believer and follower of Christ, I also know that the enemy of our souls (the devil)  is an accuser and loves to get us to condemn ourselves.

Fortunately my family is mostly used to my imperfections and limitations.  My family is small though, yours may not be and you may have some pretty big criticizers in your midst this holiday.  I encourage you and remind you that God the Father knew we could not reach perfection or righteousness on our own so He sent His Son who was strong enough to never sin and destroyed sin on the cross for us!!  What a gift.  We are covered as we accept what He did and we try to walk in His ways – imperfectly.

So give yourself a break, determine now to reject any petty criticisms about your home, cooking, anything at all.  Protect your soul.  No criticisms allowed.  And know that you are okay and that this is a day to focus on more cherished things like….love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience/long suffering , faithfulness…  let these things be in your mind and heart.

Enjoy the many things about the holidays that are special to you.

You are loved. You are beautiful.  If someone else can’t see that…..it is their issue.  Let it fall off.  Protect your soul and know quietly inside that you are are a blessing.  Period.  

Much love and have a great day!

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sometimes it’s easy to be going through life and forget that we, as Christ followers, have an enemy. And a crafty one at that. Look how he deceived Eve to commit the very first act of disobedience. But how beautiful that so quickly the Father came with a plan to “undo” what was done. He would send His only begotten Son (Jesus is the only human whose biological father (seed) was God) It was at a great cost that He fulfilled the legal price to purchase our freedom and entrance into the kingdom of God.

Anyway my point for the day is that Lucifer – who rebelled against God and desired to become God himself . Since he can’t overthrow God, he longs to cause God’s beloved creation (you and me) harm and pain. He goes before God and accuses us day and night. Check out this scripture….
Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
Yay! That day is coming and was foretold to the apostle John so we would know it is coming.

How does he accuse us? Many times in our thoughts and sometimes through others that won’t let go of our past, or hunt for any faults and failures in us.

You see when we mess up and ask God for forgiveness and do our best to change….. the Bible says that He throws our sins as far as the east is to the west. He remembers them no more.

^{Psalm 103: 12} As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

He is not ever the one “beating us up” in our thoughts about our past. That is coming from Satan …..our “accuser”. So if you are being tormented by accusations by people or from thoughts. Cast them down (thoughts/words) and resist accepting them if you have dealt with it before God. Satan and sometimes people want to hold you in prison to your past mistakes. Don’t let them.

For you are a new creation in Christ Jesus when you accept Him as Lord. Don’t let yourself be beaten up for something in your past. Remember God is for us and not against us! (Romans 8:31)

It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free. Have a great day – Shalom

Deep Waters – Poetry and Thoughts

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sometimes those who have suffered the most, have the most to give.  

2 Corinthians 1:3-5    “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

DEEP WATERS

Don’t be afraid of deep waters, my love

This journey’s been sent from heaven above

It is at Gethsemane you are purified

In ways you can’t see, so don’t try to hide

Lay it all bare, at the foot of the cross

Let His word cleanse you as you follow it’s path

Clinging to truth, let all else pass away

Let it burn up, it’s not meant to stay

Deep into the waters you go

Let Him enter in to the depths of your soul

Stirring up places where pain still remains

Let Him expose them and pour healing rain

copyright  2017  Jean Chamblee

HE THOUGHT YOU WERE WORTH IT

Slowly, with purpose
He walked through the streets
Each step He was taking
Your life He could see

Breathing in pain
Sores on His back
He suffered the shame
But His heart was intact

He knew that His mission
It must be fulfilled
There was no other way
Except Calvary’s hill

Looking at faces
His mind must have swirled
He kept the joy before Him
Of saving the world

Strong and determined
As His life blood poured out
He knew it was worth it
He ignored hell’s loud shout

As He hung on the cross
He gave out a cry
As He paid for our sins
Tears streamed from His eyes

Love kept Him there
We’ll never know
How bad was His suffering
The three days He was gone

Paying our penalty
As He hung on the cross
He knew what it took
To redeem all the lost

So now it’s our choice
To believe and receive
The beautiful gift
For which He did bleed

 

copyright 2013 Jean Chamblee

YOU ARE NOT A FAIR WEATHER FRIEND – Poetry

When all hope is lost
There You are
Shining on me like a beautiful star

Though I scream
With angers rage
Not understanding the current page

It doesn’t deter You
You can handle my pain
You never leave me, You remain the same

When my broken heart
Is bleeding mad
You stay with me, Lord, just like You said

You are not fickle
Don’t run away
Like so many others, yet You choose to stay

How can you love me
When there’s ugliness there
You look right past it, see my heart laid bare

You’d rather have an honest spit
Than a fakeness that comes
From lying lips

It’s with You Jesus
That I can get real
And not be afraid that You’ll leave me still

You’re promise is
That You will stay
And see me through another day

Your love so deep
We’ve never seen
Even when we’ve been so mean

You are not a fair weather friend
Your love so deep
That it never ends

Beyond the veil
We must go
And not be afraid our truth to show

Be it bad or be it good
You will still love us
That must be understood

Our problems seem great
But to You it’s not so
Because Your commitment is more than we know

In the morning You will be there
The price You have paid
Our sins to erase

copyright 2017 Jean Chamblee

Hebrews 13:5  “For Jesus has said, ‘I will NEVER leave you or forsake you.”

In His Eyes I’m Known – Poetry

I am poured out
Like water that flows
Hoping somehow
My life in Christ shows

Wanting to bless
Sometimes I fall short
But I get up and try again
His love to report

Mercies are new
Every morning they are
Satan tries hard
To remove mornings Star

Battle upon battle
In prayer I must go
Thanking our Father
For the Holy Spirits flow

Without Him I am nothing
Nor ever shall be
But in His arms safely
My soul shall be free

He made me uniquely
Like all of His own
It makes me smile sweetly
That in His eyes I’m known

copyright 2017 Jean Chamblee Thomas

A KIND WORD FOR ANYONE DEALING WITH SELF CONDEMNATION:

The devil is really good about bringing up our past and rubbing our noses in it and he is even better at spinning the lie that you can’t turn things around in your life. BUT God is good at helping us get back up on our feet and He delights to see us come through things and reach the other side. Check out these great scriptures:

Psalm 25:6,7 “Remember, O lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions, according to Your mercy remember me. For Your goodness sake, Oh Lord.”

Isaiah 54:8
“With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”
Says the Lord, your Redeemer.”

There is always a fresh start with Jesus…His mercies are new every morning. Never buy into the lie that you have gone too far or that God could not forgive you, or that you have gone too far into darkness to be set free. That’s a lie. God is not that way. But don’t wait…..call on Him while He may be found. Let Him nourish your broken heart back into sweet fellowship with Him. “He is near to the broken hearted” Stop being so hard on yourself too. Forgiving yourself can be really hard…..but God wants you to do just that and remember that He casts our sins away as far as the east is to the west. I pray that you will allow Him to love you…..allow Him back in to that tender place with you and let Him heal your wounds, because that is exactly what He wants to do. Rom. 8:31 “If God is FOR US, who can be against us?”  Take what He is offering! Forgiveness!!

Your are greatly loved by Him!!

He Thought You Were Worth It – Poetry

Slowly, with purpose
He walked through the streets
Each step He was taking
Your life He could see

Breathing in pain
Sores on His back
He suffered the shame
But His heart was intact

He knew that His mission
It must be fulfilled
There was no other way
Except Calvary’s hill

Looking at faces
His mind must have swirled
He kept the joy before Him
Of saving the world

Strong and determined
As His life blood poured out
He knew it was worth it
He ignored hell’s loud shout

As He hung on the cross
He gave out a cry
As He paid for our sins
Tears streamed from His eyes

Love kept Him there
We’ll never know
How bad was His suffering
The three days He was gone

Paying our penalty
As He hung on the cross
He knew what it took
To redeem all the lost

So now it’s our choice
To believe and receive
The beautiful gift
For which He did bleed

copyright 2013 Jean Chamblee

Eyes That See Things Differently – Poetry

The wonder of a sweet, sweet heart
Is there for God to see
You think you’ve got it all messed up
But I’ve got news for thee

All the little things you do
The ways that your heart cares
Does not go without a nod from God
Please know that He’s aware

We focus on the screw-ups
And think that’s all there is
God does not see us that way
Especially when we are His

He sees us as His children
His love will not depart
As long as we stay close to Him
He will reveal His heart

God sees things so differently
Than we see things ourselves
He looks with love upon us
We’re never on the shelf

He actively awaits us
To turn our thoughts to Him
To come into His presence
So He can help us win

He takes such joy in watching
Our journey on the earth
I guarantee that you are more
Than what you think you’re worth

It’s times we focus on Him
And try to do His will
That shines like light before Him
We can continue still

So if you’ve royally blown it
Like I’ve done time and again
Don’t let that keep you from Him
Just start your walk again

Come into His presence
As you lie upon your bed
Start the conversation
Read the words He’s said

Know that God, He loves you
Like you’ve never been loved before
Let your sins be washed away
He’s waiting at the door

How simple is  “I’m sorry”
To come between your lips
Then you can start the dance again
Your past it will eclipse

You are loved more than I can say
Dare to make amends
Dare to believe what I have said
Come to Him again

copyright  Jean Chamblee  2010

THE CANDLE OF MY LIFE

In a dark and lonely room
With a fire in my heart
I close my eyes and think of You

With unquenchable hunger
I call out to You
You are the union I crave

One taste of Your love
One drink of Your soul
My quest will last forever

Though clouded by flesh
Surrounded by worldliness
Like a flower buried beneath the snow

The enemy rages to rip us apart
Moments are stolen, some slip away
But light always returns
And melts away the baracade that tries to keep us apart

And that thing deep inside
First contact never dies
It twists and turns and cries out to survive

With conquering force
Breaks down all the lies
And sets free the heart , the love and the cries

The candle inside -the Love of my life
So much more than a Savior
His essence abides

Jesus, Jesus
Love of my life
May Your heart know how I hunger for You tonight

copyright 2009 Jean Chamblee