Another great day so far! :)
I visited a new church this morning. It was good. I went to an Assembly of God that was pretty small but very personable. The pastor was just covered witht he glow of God's love it was great! :) They had Teen Challenge their as guest speakers. May I just say that their testimonies were WOW!. I discovered that Teen Challenge isnt just for teens too! The three ladies that were there had been through just about everything...including mental illness and were completely set free by God! Can we say WOW?!
They discussed how the depressions and mental illnesses that people experience are ultimately what lead to dependencies on unhealthy things. When they uncovered all the causes of their insecurities, depression, etc. and surrendered them all completely to God's hands letting go to God of all their pain etc...God reached down and healed them spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and set them free from addiction! Teen challenge has a 86% success rate for years after a person gets out of Teen Challenge. Why? Because God is the center focus, they help you get to the root of the problem so that you can tear it up and plant a new seed to grow a positive usable fruit from a healthy root. :)
Isn't it interesting that where we allow our roots (deepest part of who we are) grow determines how we will be. If we plant our seeds and take root in bad soil (depression, anger, bitterness and every other thing from the devil) we will be miserable and the thorns and weeds will kill all the life that we can mangage to grow. But, if we plant our seeds in good soil (God's truth, love, forgiveness etc..) We will grow so much that we begin to produce good fruit and a healthier life!
NOTE TO JOE: I couldn't help but think of you and Iola when Teen Challenge was there talking about what all they do at there and how so many people are totally set free from depression and mental illenesses. Part of me hopes that you read this...and the next time Iola is all depressed and wants to die, I hope that you will ask her to consider this place because it can help her to get better indefinately.
Pro 12:1-3
"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved."
Pro 12:12-16
"The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
Isa 5:18-24
"Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."
They discussed how the depressions and mental illnesses that people experience are ultimately what lead to dependencies on unhealthy things. When they uncovered all the causes of their insecurities, depression, etc. and surrendered them all completely to God's hands letting go to God of all their pain etc...God reached down and healed them spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and set them free from addiction! Teen challenge has a 86% success rate for years after a person gets out of Teen Challenge. Why? Because God is the center focus, they help you get to the root of the problem so that you can tear it up and plant a new seed to grow a positive usable fruit from a healthy root. :)
Isn't it interesting that where we allow our roots (deepest part of who we are) grow determines how we will be. If we plant our seeds and take root in bad soil (depression, anger, bitterness and every other thing from the devil) we will be miserable and the thorns and weeds will kill all the life that we can mangage to grow. But, if we plant our seeds in good soil (God's truth, love, forgiveness etc..) We will grow so much that we begin to produce good fruit and a healthier life!
NOTE TO JOE: I couldn't help but think of you and Iola when Teen Challenge was there talking about what all they do at there and how so many people are totally set free from depression and mental illenesses. Part of me hopes that you read this...and the next time Iola is all depressed and wants to die, I hope that you will ask her to consider this place because it can help her to get better indefinately.
Pro 12:1-3
"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved."
Pro 12:12-16
"The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
Isa 5:18-24
"Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."