Lesson Learned

I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw. –Proverbs 24:32

Not too long ago, I was having a rough morning. I knew the day would require caffeine. I decided to take a detour towards Starbucks on my way to work. As I turned into the parking lot, I recognized the driver behind me. I remembered her well.

This woman was responsible for some ‘old history’ that was the enemies playground with my emotions. I could feel myself becoming more irritated as my mind reminisced old memories.

And then Jesus spoke, “Buy her coffee.”

“What did you say? Buy her coffee?”

Again He said, “Buy her coffee.”

I didn’t want to. Her actions had caused hurt, pain and frustration which formed bitterness within me.

Then Jesus said, “Giving isn’t always for the recipient, it may be offered as a gift to the Giver of all.”

Usually being obedient to His call is a great lesson for you.

In that moment I understood that even though my anger and bitterness had not been reconciled that my feelings reside in my heart and He was inviting me to change my heart by forgiving.

He reminded me, “I came to restore ALL.”

I had to consider that not all lessons are for other people. I learned that Jesus’ timing is perfect and he prepares specific lessons just for me.

I needed to forgive and reconcile my heart by being obedient and accept His challenge before me.

So, yes, I bought the women her coffee with the new understanding in my heart.

A heart that gives regardless of pain’s grip, is a heart ready to reflect true freedom from the Giver of all.

Do you have a gift waiting to be received?

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for giving Your life in sacrificial love to ALL of us. Thank You for reminding me when I discover hidden bitterness in my heart, that I may choose to forgive and reflect You instead. Help me to be more full of You. 

In Jesus name, Amen.

~ Baring His Beauty,

    Tiffany Thomas

How To Be Perfect

per·fect

adjective

ˈpərfikt/

1. having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.

per·fec·tion·ism

pərˈfekSHəˌnizəm/

noun

noun: perfectionism

1. refusal to accept any standard short of perfection.

“Perfectionism, in psychology, is a personality trait characterized by a person’s striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards, accompanied by overly critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others’ evaluations.” – Wikipedia 


“For perfectionists, life is an endless report card on accomplishments or looks. It’s a fast track to unhappiness, and perfectionism is often accompanied by depression and eating disorders.” -Psychology Today 

Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. ~Matthew 5:48 NIV

I have to say when I read this verse I was a little discouraged and said- “What????? Oh, Lord I have a long way to go to even being close to perfect.”

But then I started to further unpack and understand what exactly God means by “Perfect“, And that God calls us to be perfect but He does not ever call us to perfectionism. 

There is a difference as we see above in the definitions. 

As the definition of Perfect states: 

having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. 

With Christ in us- We have all the required and desirable elements and qualities- so we just make sure to stay surrendered and yielded to the Holy Spirit and we will be perfect just as our Heavenly Father is perfect! 

Great! but what exactly does that look like? How can we walk this thing out? 

But then I saw a few other things ….
Here is that verse in the Amplified Translation to help better understand….

You, therefore, will be perfect {growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life,}as your heavenly Father is perfect. ~ Matthew 5:48 AMP

“growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life” 

 Ok – growing– got it! It’s a process to be perfect, so it takes me integrating and yielding and growing daily.  

And to really get a grasp of this verse on how to be perfect…. here is the Message Translation…..

 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matthew 5:48 MSG 

So see… It’s not so hard or scary after all when we know that how to be perfect is simply staying synced up with God, growing in maturity and living out our God-created identity by living generously and graciously towards others the way God is towards us.  

Pretty, pretty please, don’t you ever, ever feel

Like you’re less than; less than perfect

Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel

Like you’re nothing, you’re perfect to Me! 

         That is what God sings to us! 

Just like the famous Pink song-clean version of course….

And that my friends is how to be perfect! 

               ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Lay Our Secrets Down

“There is freedom found when we lay 

our secrets down at the cross, at the cross…..”

I recently heard this song and it really sums up what we believe at Restored Ministries.   

We are only as sick as our secrets! 

We do an event we call Release To Be Restored where we encourage others to release whatever secret, sin, or struggle to obtain real emotional deliverance. 
When we are delivered emotionally in our mind- then the body can follow and that is when we start to walk in dominion and wholeness- to fully live restored -Mind Body Soul! 
Enjoy this great song! ~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

If We’re Honest by FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI 

Lyrics:

Truth is harder than a lie

The dark seems safer than the light

And everyone has a heart that loves to hide

I’m a mess and so are you

We’ve built walls nobody can get through

Yeah, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do, ever do
[Chorus:]

Bring your brokenness, and I’ll bring mine

‘Cause love can heal what hurt divides

And mercy’s waiting on the other side

If we’re honest

If we’re honest
Don’t pretend to be something that you’re not

Living life afraid of getting caught

There is freedom found when we lay 

our secrets down at the cross, at the cross
[Chorus]
It would change our lives

It would set us free

It’s what we need to be
[Chorus]

Flood Waters

Murky and black, you can’t judge their depths. 

 In our lives we aren’t always aware of the murky hidden and black things of our hearts.

 

Non-moving water always becomes stagnant.   

Nothing changes without change.  

The butterfly must break free from its safe cocoon in order to fly. The healing did not take place until the waters were stirred. The muscle doesn’t develop without resistance and movement. Endurance is only built by continuously enduring.

 

Water out of its banks destroys and erodes leaving behind a path of destruction and debris.  

When we are out of balance in an area we can spill over our banks and not be aware that our banks are being destroyed and eroded or what kind of debris we are carrying along with us.

 

Stirring clears the water to view into the depths to reveal hidden things. Downpours can be cleansing and aids in the stirring of the water. 

Stirring of the waters brings about healings and clears our view to see clearer into the depths of the deep waters of our lives.  

A stirring in our soul causes us to draw closer towards God for greater clarity and direction.

 

The flooding and overflow that has washed and eroded away our previous borders and banks (the things and priorities) of our lives are reestablishing new borders and banks.

  Those new banks and borders can actually help us to reorient more towards Christ and to what He has awaiting us. 

 

              ~XXOO Mchelle Bollom 

 

Write It Down

Several years ago I was struggling with NOT receiving an answer to a prayer that I had been diligently praying for years and years. When I was cleaning out the drawers next to my bed last week I came across the verse that I had written down on a notecard. I had forgotten all about it. I had originally written it out and set it next to a picture of my daughter. I would be reminded each morning when I woke up that God’s promises are true. I must have put the notecard in the drawer next to my bed when I was dusting. I forgot all about the Bible verse. Isn’t that like us to forget? Sometimes it doesn’t feel like our requests are being heard or that God is even moving on our behalf. We forget the promises that are directly deposited to us by God. 

Our circumstances don’t change and can even get worse at times. This verse was downloaded to me straight from heaven. It was at a time when nothing I was trying was working to bring about healing to my oldest daughter. I had tossed and turned all night after what seemed like a never ending tale of unanswered prayers and disappointing treatments that didn’t bring relief or answers. I remember it like it was yesterday. God gave me the address of Habakkuk 2:3 in my mind.  

It was a soft whisper but clearly heard.  

I knew it was from Him because I didn’t know where Habakkuk was in the Bible and most certainly did not have any verses memorized from that book. I looked up the verse and the ones preceding and following it. It was like an arrow shot straight to my heart!! He reminded me that the appointed time was not forgotten and that I must wait for it. I thought He might need the reminder, so I wrote it down. Plus, He did say to make it plain and write it down. The revelation was simple. 

 “The good work God had started in my daughter He Would complete until the day of Christ.” 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 

The circumstances didn’t change over night. The complications were still there and continue to be to this day. However what I have seen is that in spite of those hindrances she is able to be independent and live out her dreams and passions. God must have known that I once again would NEED that reminder this week. He so graciously made me aware that He did speak to me back then and still does bank on that promise. He is making all things possible in Christ for my daughter. He is healing her and one day she will no longer struggle with this annoying “issue”. 

We all need reminders that His promises are relevant for us today and He delights in us standing on them with Him in faith. I’m here to remind you though it linger wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Make an appointment today and write it down. 

Write on, 
Kelley Allison 
http://www.bowlofsplendor.com

Habakkuk 2:2-5
The Lord’s Answer

2 Then the Lord replied:

“Write down the revelation

    and make it plain on tablets

    so that a herald[a] may run with it.

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

    it speaks of the end

    and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it;

    it[b] will certainly come

    and will not delay.

Hamburger Helper Grows Up

I remember as a child in the 70’s we loved some Hamburger Helper. It was so good! 
Just Not so good for you….

Every once in awhile I will want to get the potato stroganoff one and I then I read the ingredients list and shudder and my conscience makes me leave it on the shelf. 

I have made my kids a homemade version of it before but it just takes way too many ingredients and time.  

Lately my kiddos have been wanting the cheesy greasy goodness of Hamburger Helper. Well, actually my adapted version since we stopped eating HH almost 10 years ago. 

So my version normally is all from scratch but sometimes I do opt for the box Mac N Cheese. When I go the “simple and quick” route with the box, I just don’t read the ingredients.  

I had some leftover ground sirloin that I sautéed with onions and threw in some more sautéed purple onions from the garden and a big chunk of Elephant Garlic with olive oil.  

Thankfully my kiddos like garlic and onions because we have lots of onions from my Mother In Laws garden right now and I always put enough to convince myself that it’s actually another serving of vegetables.  

Today  I wanted to save time and ingredients so I bought the store made Mac N Cheese box.

 I just didn’t read the ingredients list so my conscience stayed clear-but opted for this version since it promotes no artificial flavors or dyes etc. 

I boiled the noodles and threw all the ground sirloin, onions, garlic, herbs in with the cheese sauce and added a little steamed asparagus so they got another vegetable of course! 

So there you go- Dinner is done! 

Our Hamburger Helper Grows Up….
Just like my kiddos are in the blink of an eye.  

Makes for a happy and almost healthy dinner. 

What are you Cookin today? 
~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Unfailing Love Fill Me

I Do Declare!

de·clare

diˈkler/

verb

1. Say something in a solemn and emphatic manner.

* reveal one’s intentions or identity.


dec·la·ra·tion

ˌdekləˈrāSH(ə)n/

noun

plural noun: declarations

1. The act of declaring. 

*a positive, explicit, or formal statement; proclamation

Let those who have been redeemed by the LORD declare it— those whom he redeemed from the power of the enemy. ~Psalm 107:2 ISV

We have a new category Declarations.

 

This category is designed just for declarations and they will be in image format so you can reshare or print them out for everyone who needs to be encouraged.  

Thank you – Kim Weingart for kicking it off! 

Be sure to check out Declarations on our blog so you can see Kim’s amazing declaration.
            ~ XXOO Michelle Bollom  

Setting Boundaries

Do you feel like you are drowning? 

Barely keeping your head above water? 

Is your calendar too full?

Getting pulled and pushed in every direction?

Feeling out of sync? rushed? stressed? or too busy? 

Are you unable to find your “Best Yes” and say “No”? 

It simply could be that you need to set some healthy boundaries.

“Boundaries” sometimes sounds so negative or scary. It really is just a protection that helps us live our best life. God wants us to be setting boundaries!  

Boundaries are healthy, normal, and necessary. 
We have to set boundaries with people, with ourselves, with commitments, even with Church obligations or serving others.   

If we aren’t setting them well, we leave ourselves depleted and constantly spinning our wheels. 

God reminded me today that even He set boundaries. He set them between the Earth and Sea to stop the flooding.

So today, let this be the life preserver of hope and encouragement you need. Let me give you the ticket to more peace..
Start Setting BOUNDARIES! 

Examine your life and start setting some boundaries where you need to so the earth won’t be flooding all around you anymore.     

Share your thoughts with us on some healthy ways and boundaries you have set.  

               ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 

O my soul, bless God!God, my God, how great you are!beautifully, gloriously robed,Dressed up in sunshine,and all heaven stretched out for your tent.You built your palace on the ocean deeps,made a chariot out of clouds and took off on wind-wings.You commandeered winds as messengers,appointed fire and flame as ambassadors.You set earth on a firm foundation so that nothing can shake it, ever.You blanketed earth with ocean,covered the mountains with deep waters;Then you roared and the water ran away—your thunder crash put it to flight.Mountains pushed up, valleys spread out in the places you assigned them.You set boundaries between earth and sea;never again will earth be flooded.You started the springs and rivers,sent them flowing among the hills.All the wild animals now drink their fill,wild donkeys quench their thirst.Along the riverbanks the birds build nests,ravens make their voices heard.You water the mountains from your heavenly cisterns;earth is supplied with plenty of water.You make grass grow for the livestock,hay for the animals that plow the ground. ~Psalm 104:1-14 MSG 

Need some more encouragement- check out How To Say No Without Feeling Guilty Here

Enemies

WORTHY THOUGHT: Do you ever pray for those people who bug you? What about your enemies who persecute you?

“In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but passing it over, he is superior.” – Francis Bacon 

Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. -Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) 

When someone has wronged us, our first response would be to get even or plan on vengeance. 

Jesus is saying, instead we should do good to those who wronged us, to love, forgive, pray, and pronounce blessing on them.  

Example; ” The Lord bless you.” “The Lord make His face shine upon you and give you peace.” 

Jesus is saying, this is the right response in dealing with our injuries and enemies. This is not a natural thing it is a -supernatural. 

Only God can give us the strength to love them as He does. By doing this we would truly show that Jesus is Lord of our life. 

As we are praying for our enemies everyday things slowly begin to happen. We start to change and they change only by God who can deliver people from their natural selfishness. 

We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us and we will experience power and peace in our life.
                  ~Angela Lipe-Patengill