Listen to Suzie shares her story and why forgiveness is so important, not just to us but to those we love.
The Unburdened Heart study: Week #6 – Forgiveness unlocks my prison doors
April 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. ~Lewis B. Smedes
In our last week of this study, I wrestled with which chapter to end it with, and as I reread Stephanie’s story and Chapter Seven, the word krateõ seemed the most fitting.
Krateõ means to accomplish, to take hold, to attain.
On Wednesday, you’ll meet beautiful Stephanie Shotts, whose story is featured this chapter. She was born of rape, sexually abused, and no one every said they were sorry.
No only were they not asking for her forgiveness, but their acts sent Stephanie down a road that later left her desiring forgiveness for her own choices. [Read more...]
Unburdened Heart Study Week #4: I release unforgiveness so God can fill me up
March 18, 2013 by 14 Comments
In Chapter 3 of The Unburdened Heart, Carlie discovers her husband’s secret. He was having an affair and it devastated her family, and her.
Some of you may be tempted to tune out this week, saying, “My marriage isn’t in trouble. My husband is faithful.”
But unfaithfulness takes many forms. As I’ve read your comments the past three weeks, many of you have shared your struggle to forgive an unfaithful friend, or coworker, or a church family that hurt you with their actions.
Unfaithfulness can cause physical pain, emotional heartbreak, confusion, and with a new conviction that people can’t be trusted. It may even turn inward, as we ask, “What’s wrong with me?” [Read more...]
Unburdened Heart study Week #3: Leave one place to find another
March 11, 2013 by 10 Comments
If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! In it I shared how God sings over us on those days we struggle with cranky pants. Today you have landed right in the middle of our ongoing study of my new book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness. I’m so glad you are here!
Welcome to Week #3 of The Unburdened Heart study.
We leave one place to find another.
That’s our theme for this week.
I don’t know what that “one place” is for you. For me, it was leaving this place: seeing myself through the eyes of the past. That showed up in insecurity. It showed up in taking care of myself, and not letting others help. It showed up in a fierce desire to be a good mom, but with no clue of how to get there from here.
And where was God leading?
To a place where I saw myself as His girl. To a place where I, still a shy girl, could stand in front of a crowd to share the message that my Savior is a Healer. To a place where I held my beautiful grandbaby in my arms two years ago, and realized that she had a grace-covered and whole family tree, as far back as she could see.
I don’t have time or the space to share how that bumpy, wonderful journey has transpired, but step by step, day by day, year by year I keep walking covered by His grace and love, toward forgiveness.
It’s a lifetime journey.
Let’s talk about apheimi forgiveness.
Unburdened Heart Study Week #2: Surrendering means we are no longer stuck
March 4, 2013 by 32 Comments
Don’t have your book yet? No worries.
Download the Introduction and Chapter One here free while you wait for your book to arrive.
Today, we are in Week #2, Chapter One of The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
There are many meanings to the word forgive that we’ll explore over the next few weeks. But let’s begin with one word today that helps us take the first step.
That word is surrender.
We surrender our feelings, our thoughts, our past, so that we are no longer stuck. This is our thought for this week):
Surrendering to God means we are no longer stuck.
The paralyzed man’s friends may have felt that Jesus was missing the point when He addressed the “whole man”, rather than just his legs. Today I want to assure you that Jesus sees us from the inside out. He sees the whole person. [Read more...]
Unburdened Heart Study Week #1: not what was, but what can be
February 25, 2013 by 38 Comments
Welcome to week one of The Unburdened Heart study.
You may not have the book yet, but no worries. It’s in stock at Proverbs 31 if you want to order it today! And Amazon has it in the warehouse, and Kindle will soon be live, so you can preorder it and it will soon be on the way.
Here’s a free gift for you while you wait: Introduction and Chapter One of The Unburdened Heart.
Today’s Study
Read the Introduction of The Unburdened Heart.
Answer these questions.
- “There will be risks, but there’s an opportunity for growth.” What does this statement mean to you as you begin this study?
- I described ziplining as a means to overcoming my fear of heights. What is one thing you prayerfully desire to overcome?
- As you read the introduction, what is one thought or comment that you have?
Each week I want to leave one thought with you.
Here’s this week’s thought:
It’s not what was, but what can be
As you begin this study, there will be moments that you’re not sure if it’s the right time, or perhaps you’ll hit a brick wall of emotions. Prayerfully remind yourself of this phrase. Write it on the mirror. Put it on the dashboard of your car, or on a sticky note on the computer screen.
