March 10, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/Healing Wounds Through Worship and Prayer

Healing Wounds through worship and prayer I have a manuscript that I have not looked at since 2016. It is called “In the Eye of Prayer.” It is my journey as a child in the darkest moment I should not have survived, but in the miraculous arms of Jesus I did. It is part of my testimony that I rarely share as it conjures up many wounds: Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. I was looking over my manuscript and I read one chapter where I can draw on the miraculous. My early elementary years blur in my mind and I am not good with chronological order. Parts have been wiped from my memory, but I think that is God’s grace. But here is a snap shot from this chapter. We were on the run again, no shoes or coats in the dead of winter. Stickers and thorns pierced my feet as me, my mom, and baby brother were escaping the abuse, isolation in one more desperate attempt to find freedom. More than once, we stood or lay silent on barren ground hoping not to be seen by the man in a drunken stupor screamed for us through the darkness. 1st miracle, my brother never once woke, cried, or made any noise as I held my breath praying, we would not be discovered. Then into the cold swampy waters fearful of snakes and gators, but not as much fear as turning back from which we had escaped. There was nowhere to dry off or any place that would take the shivering from my body. So we walked to a park and slumped on a bench. My mom was in tears, and I was just weak and numb. Then miracle 2: A prayer left my mom’s lips and in that moment the sliver of a moon that had been our only light source grew to the size of an umbrella. It was so warm my shivers were gone, and my hair dried along with my pajamas and socks. The snow around us melted. Dry browned grass seemed so inviting so with My brother still asleep my mom laid him down on the dry spot and we lay there looking up at this moon with the light that didn’t hurt our eyes. So, we slept. Miracle 3-The next day for next time. Identifying our wounds matters because it is how you deal with each or a combination of open that path to true peaceful healing. Let’s look at them together: Physical wounds: Abuse-related trauma can develop after a person has been hurt and/or neglected, usually in childhood-sexually or physically abused. It can continue into adult relationships. “God, we plead on his behalf. We pray, God that you would heal his body that you would miraculously move. God, we’re asking for that. (Psalm 119: 8). Mental wounds: psychological traumas are the result of extremely stressful events that leave us feeling unsafe and disconnected from everyone around us. They leave us feeling helpless, powerless, and overwhelmed. Many people also experience painful feelings and memories as well as anxiety that won't go away. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24). Emotional wounds: there are five large categories of negative emotions such as betrayal, abandonment, rejection, humiliation, and injustice. “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. (Psalm 71: 20). Spiritual wounds: A form of suffering in which we are disconnected from our spiritual core. Spiritual wounds can manifest as feelings of isolation, hopelessness, guilt, or shame. The spiritually wounded often feel a diminished sense of self-worth and a detachment from their life’s purpose. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in the spirit. (Psalm 34:18). Society wounds: Our land is hurting and in deep need of God's divine healing. Appropriately, this admonition from God addresses the critical fact that the sin and wickedness in our life as a nation has direct — and disastrous — effects on our health as a nation and as a global community. Jeremiah warns the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem: “Look! I am preparing a disaster and devising a plan against you. So, turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions” (Jeremiah 18:11). “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Prayers to those in need of healing. May God’s grace and peace wash over you. May forgiveness bring you freedom. The shackles holding you down be removed. May your heart soar with joy. You are not alone so know you matter and you are important to Jesus who died on a cross for you and waiting for you to come to him with all your needs. God Bless you all, dreamsdontfade.com The words “I pour out my heart” in this song, You Know My Name, by Tasha Cobbs. What a heart of worship! You walk with me You talk with me How you tell me That I am your own

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7owFiihXgg

March 3, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/ roots, fault lines, & the church

Sometimes, I wish the words I say would match the words that I find myself writing down. My written word sounds much more clear and intelligent. I did my podcast and am soooo much an amateur. Ever find it difficult to find your point or that north star you are trying to reach? I lose myself in all I want to say that I go in circles. Irritating myself. Then I sulk just a bit. Here are the ties I should have said:

I wrote about our spiritual root system and how we need to protect and provide nutrients to strengthen so that what sprouts is what others see is like a mighty tree that will not falter in the midst of a heavy storm. Then I thought about how that connected to a previous writing about fault lines. As you stand with depth and strength for others to see. The slow slight ripple underneath sifting and shifting into fault lines uncovering fissures and fractures reaching up ready to disrupt in unfair troublesome ways.

For example: you would think that when a child is exposed to spousal abuse that the child would not pick to be in an emotional abusive relationship as an adult. Took me 17 years as an adult to admit that my co-dependency and addictions were my own so I stopped blaming others for the situation I made for myself. Once I took responsibility for my own decisions, I found my freedom in recovery on so many levels.

When we experience the spiritual equivalent to an earthquake, we need to go beneath the surface of our lives to identify our spiritual fault lines. We need to take personal responsibility for our own sins. We need to heal the fault lines before they result in “lifequakes” resulting in irreparable damage. The splits and rifts that resurface can be brought to the foot of the cross who is the true vine.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15: 5-8).


The book, Letter to the American Church, by Eric Metaxas talks about how the church should be involved when they see fault lines in the culture of our society as the government encroaches into the freedoms of its citizens. The fault lines are warnings of danger so when the church removes itself from the public square. The church should not tolerate(be silent), accept, celebrate, or engage in participating in what it knows to be evil perversion that twists the Holy Word of God. There is no room for rationalizations or political talking points that remove the church within all leadership of our country and into the whole world.

Psalm 50:16–19 speaks to people who pervert the Word of God for their own sinful ends:
"But to the wicked God says,
What right have you to recount My statutes
And to take My covenant in your mouth?
For you hate discipline,
And you cast My words behind you.
When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
And you associate with adulterers.
You let your mouth loose in evil
And you harness your tongue for deceit.”

I made a very long list(not all) of where I want to know where the church stands. I added to the blog on my dreamsdontfade.com site. Check it out and ask yourself where you stand?


Prayers for clarity and truth in your life. Healing of those fault lines. Know you are loved in all your imperfections.

Bless each of you,

dreamsdontfade.com

Perfectly Loved by Rachael Lampa. The lyrics speak volumes to my heart and soul:

So many little words, so many little lies
That have followed you all of your life
Looking for the truth, look into your eyes
And you'll see it's been there the whole time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfUkEgG5rEk

List:

Racial Battle fatigue

gendered-racial microaggressions

black bereavement leave

cross-sex medical interventions

reparations

bilingual, disabled, neurodivergent queer black latina

belief in freedom of religion but, Christians in the school district makes me feel unsafe

when the sexuality of board members matters more than the true purpose of the school board

women's sports

January 6th 

trans woman face of international women’s day

male brain in female body

March 10 Detransition awareness day

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/detransition-awareness-day-expected-to-draw-record-turnout-next-week-at-california-capitol/

inflation reduction act

intersectional climate justice policies-what's happening to the whales

marriage equality act

respect for marriage act

Fair Transportation Act-equitable funding

restorative justice

American Rescue Plan

Social Justice

Economic Justice

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Open Border Act 

Real Education for Healthy Youth Act of 2019

Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2021