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From Pieces to Peace 8 Lesson Bible Study on my journey from brokenness to complete restoration in Christ.
Home, You Belong Here Learning to be at home regardless of our circumstances.
In the Dirt Embracing the hurting and loving the broken, Jesus style.
From Broken to Breakthrough Asking God the hard questions and taking authority over our life
Living Upstream Leaving defeat behind and living victoriously
A Beautiful Mess Turning our failures into something beautiful
Game - Changer Remaining faithful while waiting for our breakthrough
Crock Pots & Lazarus Being real in the Family of God
Living With Intent Finding God's perfect calling
Rocks vs Roots Breaking free from legalism
From Riches to Rags... Personal testimony of overcoming loss and learning to start over
Please Pass the Cookie Dough Personal testimony of overcoming depression and brokenness
Home, You Belong Here Learning to be at home regardless of our circumstances.
In the Dirt Embracing the hurting and loving the broken, Jesus style.
From Broken to Breakthrough Asking God the hard questions and taking authority over our life
Living Upstream Leaving defeat behind and living victoriously
A Beautiful Mess Turning our failures into something beautiful
Game - Changer Remaining faithful while waiting for our breakthrough
Crock Pots & Lazarus Being real in the Family of God
Living With Intent Finding God's perfect calling
Rocks vs Roots Breaking free from legalism
From Riches to Rags... Personal testimony of overcoming loss and learning to start over
Please Pass the Cookie Dough Personal testimony of overcoming depression and brokenness
Need More?
A bible study written to fulfill a promise made from the depths of complete hopelessness. I told God that if He would help me, I would “sing His praises from the rooftops” (Yes, I am fully aware of how corny this is, but it is what I said. I’m blaming it on the brokenness.)
This is a detailed walk through my journey from debilitating depression and anxiety to healing and complete restoration. It includes a massive amount of Scripture, personal stories, and actual activities I did to assist in applying the Word to my everyday life. I can't even guess how many well - meaning Christians told me to "renew my mind." Yes - I knew that I needed to "renew my mind," (seriously, is there a Christian in all of North America that doesn't know they need to "renew their mind?") But... I didn't know how. This Bible study is my how. It is a hands on approach to applying Scriptural principles to everyday life. The study consists of 8 lessons which may be taught in a 4 - 6 part series or each chapter may be presented as a stand-alone message. All standalone messages include testimony of my healing. Each individual message focuses on the following concepts: Lesson 1 Oh, How God Loves Me It is absolutely essential to believe this basic foundational truth if we are to ever trust God. How can I trust God when I don't believe He loves me? Or believe He has a good plan for my life? How can I trust God when I've had so many broken dreams and disappointments in my life? If I do not trust Him, it is impossible to receive healing and restoration. Lesson 2 Pieces of Me Do you ever feel you are stretched so thin there's not enough of you to go around? On top of my personal emotional issues, I was busy doing so many good things that I did not have time or energy to do the right things God was calling me to do. This lesson helped me to achieve balance. A short disclaimer – this area of my life is still a work in progress. Lesson 3 God vs Satan’s View of Me One of the most powerful things that affect us in our day to day life is what we believe about ourselves. God has given us His Word, full of loving and empowering truths about who we are in Christ. But it is so much easier to believe the lies of the enemy. If five people tell me I look nice today, but one person says I look a little "under the weather," I have a choice. What am I going to believe? I may even start to agree with the latter. “Maybe I am sick? Do I feel a cough coming on?” This lesson deals with becoming aware of the lies of the enemy and starting to believe who we are in Christ. Lesson 4 Raising Praises and Expectations Jesus was very clear we will have troubles in this world. For me, one of the most powerful lies of the enemy is that I went through trials because God was angry with me. There is a false popular belief that when you become a Christian you enter a bubble of trouble free living. Not only does this directly go against what Jesus teaches, it also sets up new Christians for failure. God is very clear in His Word about how we should live in the midst of trials. And sadly, nowhere in Scripture have I found it to include drowning my pain in chocolate! 
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Lesson 5 The Fear of the Lord
There is a correct way to fear the Lord, and for the majority of my adult life I had the wrong kind of fear. This misconception of God was one of the great contributors to my depression. In learning to fear the Lord in the correct way, not only have I found direction for most of life’s decisions, I have also found peace, freedom and victory. Let me warn you, this did not come easy to me. But oh sister, once I got it, it changed everything. Lesson 6 Grow Up and Live a Life of Excellence God’s love is unconditional and He continues to love us regardless of what condition we are in. He begins to work on us internally, healing us from the inside out. However, at some point, there should be a noticeable change in our outward behavior to correspond with what is taking place inwardly. After my years of depression, I developed a lot of bad habits that God dealt with as my healing progressed. And honestly, these changes have been HARD! But it is doable, and in this lesson I share practical things I continue to do to establish habits for living a “life of excellence." Lesson 7 Into the Battle God calls us to stand strong in our faith instead of cowering in the corner. But I was so defeated in my life that the thought of fighting for anything totally overwhelmed me. We are Daughters of the King and called to live victoriously, and to do that we must be willing to follow God where He leads, including into battles. Lesson 8 Love Covers As Christians we should be known by our love. Loving isn't always easy, especially when wronged. However, this is also where we are set free from our past and live victoriously. It is not a easy message, but it is so very necessary for healing. 
Home
You Belong Here I had lost my home - my haven, security and center. Marble floors and crown moldings. Gone. And me, left in pieces. I fled to California, depression and cookie dough became my best friends. My new reality - I belonged nowhere. Broken, desiring wholeness and longing for home. After 12 years in exile, I returned. My second new reality: I could come back but I could not come home. Where is home? Is it possible to create home wherever I go? |
In the Dirt
As followers of Jesus, we are God's physical representation of His Love and His Compassion. We are surrounded by unbelievable hurt and brokenness: In the world around us, the people sitting in the pew next to us, and often times within us. How often do we arrive at church, put a smile on our face and hide our pain. Church should be the place where we bring our pain, not where we feel the need to hide it the most. And unfortunately, many believers have been hurt so deeply in church that they have walked away from the Body of Christ all together. This is not the heart of our loving God.
After all, how can we show an unbelieving world the genuineness of Christ if we do not know how to be real with one another.
As followers of Jesus, we are God's physical representation of His Love and His Compassion. We are surrounded by unbelievable hurt and brokenness: In the world around us, the people sitting in the pew next to us, and often times within us. How often do we arrive at church, put a smile on our face and hide our pain. Church should be the place where we bring our pain, not where we feel the need to hide it the most. And unfortunately, many believers have been hurt so deeply in church that they have walked away from the Body of Christ all together. This is not the heart of our loving God.
After all, how can we show an unbelieving world the genuineness of Christ if we do not know how to be real with one another.
From Broken to Breakthrough
Where were You God? If You love me, how could You have let this happen? Will I ever feel whole again? Painfully raw questions from a broken woman in a place of complete hopelessness. This is my story of facing devastating events which resulted in going to bed for over 2 years, being afraid to go out of the house by myself and living devoid of any hope for a good future. Truthfully, I cannot call it living. It was merely existing and believing death would be an end to my pain. Through real life examples, practical applications and humor, I share how I went from having a grave tending mentality to living a life complete in Christ, with purpose and all consuming passion. And once again, life is fun.
Where were You God? If You love me, how could You have let this happen? Will I ever feel whole again? Painfully raw questions from a broken woman in a place of complete hopelessness. This is my story of facing devastating events which resulted in going to bed for over 2 years, being afraid to go out of the house by myself and living devoid of any hope for a good future. Truthfully, I cannot call it living. It was merely existing and believing death would be an end to my pain. Through real life examples, practical applications and humor, I share how I went from having a grave tending mentality to living a life complete in Christ, with purpose and all consuming passion. And once again, life is fun.
Living Upstream
For a saved person with eternity to look forward to, I lived in misery, oblivious to God's design concerning the Christian's life. I floundered,defeated, angry, and bitter. Victory's in heaven, with my crown. Until then, survival mode. Wrong thinking! The Kingdom is central to Jesus' teachings, and I missed it. I'm also seated in Heavenly Realms, but abstractly, right? Like "I'll be home for Christmas, but only in my dreams". The magnitude of Christ's accomplishments on the Cross are unfathomable. Kingdom Living allows God to turn injured into exquisite. It's victory or defeat. You choose.
For a saved person with eternity to look forward to, I lived in misery, oblivious to God's design concerning the Christian's life. I floundered,defeated, angry, and bitter. Victory's in heaven, with my crown. Until then, survival mode. Wrong thinking! The Kingdom is central to Jesus' teachings, and I missed it. I'm also seated in Heavenly Realms, but abstractly, right? Like "I'll be home for Christmas, but only in my dreams". The magnitude of Christ's accomplishments on the Cross are unfathomable. Kingdom Living allows God to turn injured into exquisite. It's victory or defeat. You choose.
A Beautiful Mess
One of the most powerful tools the enemy used to keep me defeated was reminding me of past sins and mistakes. I didn't think God could use me. I believed I would grow old and die a mess. But what happens when we take those messy sins and lay them at the feet of Jesus?
One of the most powerful tools the enemy used to keep me defeated was reminding me of past sins and mistakes. I didn't think God could use me. I believed I would grow old and die a mess. But what happens when we take those messy sins and lay them at the feet of Jesus?
Game-Changer
In Ephesians, when in battle, Paul tells us that after we have done everything, to stand. Such a simple statement, but it's incredibly hard to do. There were many times I went into my quiet time with God, broken and defeated, that I literally lay on the floor, face planted in the carpet, and sobbed uncontrollably. God never failed me - He met me there and gave a word or promise from Scripture. Many times I received additional confirmation from a friend, a song on the radio or a message. What do we do when we have received the promise, but nothing in the natural has changed? While we are waiting for the manifestation of a promise, how do we stand strong in victory when we are still in the battle?
In Ephesians, when in battle, Paul tells us that after we have done everything, to stand. Such a simple statement, but it's incredibly hard to do. There were many times I went into my quiet time with God, broken and defeated, that I literally lay on the floor, face planted in the carpet, and sobbed uncontrollably. God never failed me - He met me there and gave a word or promise from Scripture. Many times I received additional confirmation from a friend, a song on the radio or a message. What do we do when we have received the promise, but nothing in the natural has changed? While we are waiting for the manifestation of a promise, how do we stand strong in victory when we are still in the battle?
Crock Pots and Lazarus
In the gospels, Jesus was a people magnet. Sinners sought Him out and ENJOYED being in His presence. Jesus was real with non-believers and they responded to His genuineness. Christians should be the most authentic people around, but I hid behind the pretense that everything was ok, even though I was dying on the inside. I thought I had to...because I was a Christian.
The Family of God isn't an empty title and church should not be where we hide our pain, but rather, where we bring our pain. Sisterhood in Christ should mean something wonderful. We are called to Do Life together, to encourage and uplift one another. We are to be known by our love for one another. With so many hurting people in the world, it is time for Church of Jesus Christ to shine.
In the gospels, Jesus was a people magnet. Sinners sought Him out and ENJOYED being in His presence. Jesus was real with non-believers and they responded to His genuineness. Christians should be the most authentic people around, but I hid behind the pretense that everything was ok, even though I was dying on the inside. I thought I had to...because I was a Christian.
The Family of God isn't an empty title and church should not be where we hide our pain, but rather, where we bring our pain. Sisterhood in Christ should mean something wonderful. We are called to Do Life together, to encourage and uplift one another. We are to be known by our love for one another. With so many hurting people in the world, it is time for Church of Jesus Christ to shine.
Living with Intent – LITT
Life is busy, like really crazy busy. How often do you feel you have just finished putting away the Christmas decorations and it's already time to baste the Thanksgiving turkey? We have so many opportunities to do good things that sometimes what God is calling us to do gets pushed aside and lost in the chaos. Living with Intent is taking control and living life with purpose; a life fulfilling the call God has placed on each of us - His specific, individual, personalized plan for our lives. We are designer originals, and until we enter into God’s custom-tailored plan for our lives there will always be an undercurrent of discontentment. It is equivalent to taking great care of a bird, but not allowing it to fly. Birds are meant to soar, as are Daughters of the King.
A secondary option for this message is to establish a closed group of women to pursue this mindset and implement it into day to day living. It is a twelve month commitment, meeting once a month to encourage, validate and ignite one other. The first three months will have a short video lesson, and the rest of the time is spent sharing where you are at and setting goals for where you want to be. Groups may be as small as two but should not be larger than ten.
Life is busy, like really crazy busy. How often do you feel you have just finished putting away the Christmas decorations and it's already time to baste the Thanksgiving turkey? We have so many opportunities to do good things that sometimes what God is calling us to do gets pushed aside and lost in the chaos. Living with Intent is taking control and living life with purpose; a life fulfilling the call God has placed on each of us - His specific, individual, personalized plan for our lives. We are designer originals, and until we enter into God’s custom-tailored plan for our lives there will always be an undercurrent of discontentment. It is equivalent to taking great care of a bird, but not allowing it to fly. Birds are meant to soar, as are Daughters of the King.
A secondary option for this message is to establish a closed group of women to pursue this mindset and implement it into day to day living. It is a twelve month commitment, meeting once a month to encourage, validate and ignite one other. The first three months will have a short video lesson, and the rest of the time is spent sharing where you are at and setting goals for where you want to be. Groups may be as small as two but should not be larger than ten.
Roots versus Rocks
Growing up in a pastor’s home, the church was a large part of life. In many ways, it was a good experience. However, grace was a foreign concept I was not familiar with, while accountability and legalism became a stronghold. I couldn't grasp the concept of grace, so I decided I probably did not need it. And then I broke. And Broke badly!
In order for God to heal me, He had to deal with the deep roots of legalism. Even now, every once in awhile, legalism rears its ugly head. The roots of legalism run deep, and unless we pull them out and replace them with truth, we will never walk in love and live victoriously - the way Christ calls us to live.
Growing up in a pastor’s home, the church was a large part of life. In many ways, it was a good experience. However, grace was a foreign concept I was not familiar with, while accountability and legalism became a stronghold. I couldn't grasp the concept of grace, so I decided I probably did not need it. And then I broke. And Broke badly!
In order for God to heal me, He had to deal with the deep roots of legalism. Even now, every once in awhile, legalism rears its ugly head. The roots of legalism run deep, and unless we pull them out and replace them with truth, we will never walk in love and live victoriously - the way Christ calls us to live.
From Riches to Rags…
Our personal story consists of great financial loss. In this message I share how that loss affected my faith, marriage and sanity. Initially, I minimized the loss by telling myself, "At least I still have my health, husband, kids, etc..." But this only buried my pain and forced me to live in denial. I merely existed. I didn't answer the phone, open mail or deal with our problems with the IRS. The rebuilding process has not been easy, but God is working in us mightily and I am learning more and more each day about His provision.
This message may also be presented with my husband Jeff for a couple’s event.
Our personal story consists of great financial loss. In this message I share how that loss affected my faith, marriage and sanity. Initially, I minimized the loss by telling myself, "At least I still have my health, husband, kids, etc..." But this only buried my pain and forced me to live in denial. I merely existed. I didn't answer the phone, open mail or deal with our problems with the IRS. The rebuilding process has not been easy, but God is working in us mightily and I am learning more and more each day about His provision.
This message may also be presented with my husband Jeff for a couple’s event.
Please Pass the Cookie Dough
Depression is a powerful force that consumes everything it encounters. It wove it's life sucking tentacles around every aspect of my being. My depression was borne out of overwhelming life circumstances and negative cycles of defeat. I went to bed for 2 ½ years and ate Chocolate Chip cookie dough. This is my story.
This message may also be presented with my adult daughter, Amber, who addresses the realities of growing up in the home of a depressed parent.
Depression is a powerful force that consumes everything it encounters. It wove it's life sucking tentacles around every aspect of my being. My depression was borne out of overwhelming life circumstances and negative cycles of defeat. I went to bed for 2 ½ years and ate Chocolate Chip cookie dough. This is my story.
This message may also be presented with my adult daughter, Amber, who addresses the realities of growing up in the home of a depressed parent.
If you do not see a topic that is suitable for your event, please let me know as messages may also be created for a requested theme or specific verse.
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