Every one of us will encounter words that have the power to linger.

Some are spoken in anger.
Some are offered carelessly.
Some are intended to wound.
Some become identity and labels we never asked to carry.

Words like..."You're not good enough." Or, "You'll never succeed." Your mind may whisper, "You're a failure," or accuse, "You're weak."

The truth is, we cannot control what others choose to say. And sometimes it's even hard to control what words replay in our own mind, those negative things we say to ourselves. While we can't silence every critic or erase every hurtful comment, we can choose what we allow to shape us. We have the power to speak better things over ourselves and our lives. Repeating a constant truth, a million times a day if necessary, until it drowns out the negative noise around us.

Imagine a compass.

No matter how many voices argue around it, the needle continues pointing north. It doesn't chase opinions. It isn't distracted by criticism. It remains fixed on what is true. Always pointing north.

Our lives need that same kind of anchor.

Healthy feedback is valuable. And sometimes difficult words reveal blind spots we need to address. Wisdom listens carefully before responding. Not every opinion deserves equal weight, and not every label deserves a place in our identity.

When we allow someone else's words to redefine who we are or redirect where we're going, we've handed them authority over our lives, power they were never meant to have.

Instead, learn to pause. Evaluate what you've heard honestly.

Keep what is true.

Release what isn't.

Then continue moving toward the purpose, values, and convictions that guide your life.  Your direction is too important to surrender to the opinions of others. Because in the end, your future is shaped far more by the choices you make than by the labels others want to place on you.

Your direction in life is your choice. Don't let their words change your course or victory.

I am exceedingly happy to report that Dave's side lump has completely disappeared as of this week. Honestly, I am so surprised by it's disappearance, and I know God must have done it.  That's the way our God works... sometimes a large obstacle seems to consume your life one moment.  Then as you surrender to the Lord, it slowly fades until one day you realize it is completely gone.  You're not sure exactly how it left, when it left, or even where it went, but at the same time, you don't really care.  It's enough to simply rest in the relief that the problem is gone.  Praying today that you are able to experience divine relief from a disheartening situation too.

I wrote about the events that happened Dave originally on September 17th.  Today I wanted to give you an update.   It's been a little more than a week now.  I can say that just by acknowledging my struggle aloud, I felt a release in my heart.  Then as I meditated and prayed about the situation, asking God to continue to heal my mistrust or lack of acceptance to His plans, I felt a peace grow inside my heart.  It took less than a day. 

Then, on the next day, my husband said, "Wow, Dave's lump has really gone down."  I'd shaved the area before trying to drain it the week before, so the lump had been extremely obvious against his bare skin.  Skeptical, I looked at Dave and sure enough, the lump had decreased in size by half overnight.  Dave's lump had been visible about four days before I tried to drain it initially, believing it was a growing abscess.  Many may not know, but for several years I was a veterinary technician at several clinics and studied as an undergrad preparing to attend Vet School.  Fixing minor issues like the draining or cleaning of wounds was nothing new to me.  My experience in this field is why I chose to try to initially drain the wound. 

As I examined Dave, I wondered how much his current situation was created to make me aware of my internal faith issue that God wanted to deal with for my healing.  Over the next couple of days, the lump has continued to decrease in size.  It is currently the size of a shooter marble.  I continue to pray for Dave's complete healing from this issue, whatever it may be.  And now I also have a peace that regardless of whatever comes in the future, that God has a good plan for me and Dave.  I am honestly a little surprised to feel this constant assurance where once my broken heart had only skepticism.  I know this is the power of the Living God working within me.  And I know, given the chance, He will do the same for you!

We cannot live in Christian community without transparency.  Yet, too many of us go to Sunday church or meet with other Christians with a mask on.  We come smiling, ready to put forth a positive face and attitude.  Unfortunately, entering a world of smiling faces may not be an honest reflection of our walk with Christ.

Sinners entering into such an atmosphere may feel rejected, like we cannot understand their pain and struggles.  If we fake joy or happiness to appear what we are not, we  build barriers between us and those needing Jesus.  Saints may also feel insecure about admitting their failures or struggles to other Christians.  This insecurity leads many to put on a mask to appear that Jesus has completely fixed their life.  Sometimes, all these masks look like everyone else has their act together and you're the only one failing.  As a result, you might fear judgement should the truth be known you don't feel much joy right now or you are struggling with a sin.  If we create an environment where everyone is allowed to wear masks, we undermine the power of the Gospel. 

The Gospel is for our darkest hours, our trials and temptations, and even our complete and utter failures.  Christians must be able to safely express the darker side of life with each other without fear and rejection.  In order to grow in our walk with God, we must be free to express the not-so-nice things of life without condemnation, in a safe environment where we are protected by love.  Fear of not wearing a mask prevents many from experiencing the freedom that comes in true Christian community.  Freedom where we can ask and receive help at any time, for any thing.

Every person has faults.  We who are spiritual should be in the process of edification and restoration for everyone around us, especially the household of God.  And we must be willing to work from a humble place of remembrance that our own sins have been forgiven.  Operating from love and humility, we will avoid the temptations of gossip and pride and fulfill the Love of Christ.  When we create a culture of love, humility, and acceptance each other's areas of strength and weakness, the family of God will pray for each other and experience unimagined victory together! 

 Masks may be comfortable, but the rewards of living mask free are SUPERIOR. 

A mask free life can:

• Demonstrate the power of the Cross
  
• Increase your witness for Jesus
  
• Edify your brothers and sisters in Christ
  
• Give you boldness to walk in truth
  
• Give you freedom from fake expectations
  
• Allow you to openly express your needs & receive edification from others
  
• Increase your joy in the Lord
  

Inspired by Ms. Cowman, I've been thinking about the Christian walk and how it relates to the Emmaus Road experience of those first two disciples and to me personally.  The result of my mediation is my own original poem entitled The Emmaus Road for obvious reasons.  I wrote it in a formal rhyming couplet pattern with a syllable 12-13-12-13 design.  I was originally thinking of the power of the numbers 12 and 13: 12 for the original disciples and 13 for the disciples plus Jesus.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

The Emmaus Road
by Sharon Aubrey © 2018

Lord, we walk in blindness on the Emmaus Road,
Emotionally wounded, our hearts a heavy load,
Confused we move forward, each step a precious ache;
Life’s journey moves us forward, for no one it will wait.
 
We walk towards a city, our destination clear,
But first we travel valleys with frustrations and fear.
Our path winds onward, up steep temptations and strife,
Then trudges slowly, the beaten tracks of daily life.
 
We see a rest stop, where we pause to be refreshed,
A glimpse of truth is given; we gain a second breath;
The road along the heights of victories we walk,
Exploring bits and pieces, of puzzles we do talk.
 
Drawing near to the house, we turn to ask you in
Humbly you entered, as one without burden.
The meal satisfied more than body by the bread,
For breaking it we saw you had risen from the dead.
 
Our hearts filled with great joy, we hurried to our feet
Returning to the former path, we walked down the street.
No more are hills and valleys, no more heavy loads,
For Christ was among us on the Emmaus Road.
 
Our path is now made strait, from a perspective change,
A shift into the Spirit, temporal things are strange.
A secret we will carry deep within our hearts,
Our Savior is alive; nothing can keep us apart.
 
His love an endless spring from which we draw supply,
His eternal Spirit now dwelling with us inside.
Our joy unspeakable, no worldly man can take,
Our mouths proclaim His glory, not even Hell can shake. 
 
Bold with every step, we walk the road unafraid
Looking for other sheep that have turn aside or strayed.
The Good News we proclaim to all who will but hear,
Jesus Christ the risen Lord calls all of us come near.
 
Come to Him for salvation, forgiveness of sin;
Don’t delay! The God of Love is welcoming you in.
Nothing you have ever done or could ever do
Is stronger than the precious blood of Christ shed for you!

© 2018, Sharon Aubrey

Today I visited my friend with stage 4 cancer who is struggling immensely with chronic pain, the poverty associated with a catastrophic illness, and the overwhelming discouragement of life where everything seems to fight against you.  She's has battled clinical depression and suicidal thoughts for over 30 years; now facing death she deeply longs to continue living.  To be perfectly honest, I myself have been battling depression lately as my daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor within the past month.  Wondering about whether she might live or die in her last year high school year was beyond discouraging.  Not having any solid answers from the doctors makes it worse.  While we trudge through the minefield of life with one explosion after another wounding us, it is often easy to lose sight of our eternal hope because we are overcome by the darkness of depression.  My beautiful friend reminded me how being in the refining fire like gold is preparing us for better things and to keep hope alive in my heart.  Seriously, I said to her, "I don't care about being pure gold, or having pure faith... I don't mind being partly corrupted or tainted, just so long as this fire stops now."  She laughed and said, "Sharon, but we must go through it.  God has a better plan; you will see."  Intrinsically I know I can't stop the fire or the trial, but neither do I truly want to continue through it either.  The pain is too intense at times.  Yep, this is the crappy part of life, where we have to remind ourselves and each other that thanks to Jesus, this is as close to hell as we will ever experience.  Heaven is waiting when we are through finished.  The glory prepared for us will be eternal, and this shall pass away, no longer to be remembered.  I admit, it's not easy to say some days, and at times it's even hard to remember, but any present evil in your life will stop.  It will not last into eternity.  You and I will be free of the pain, the sorrow, and the burdens of this life because Jesus lives and made a way for us to enter in to His Kingdom.

For I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

When you are secure in your salvation and know how deeply you are loved,
then you are fearless to love others.

My prayers go out to all the family and friends involved in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting today in Florida.  God knows every tear.  He is not indifferent to your pain and suffering.  May He comfort you in this dark hour.

When you find yourself under spiritual attack, here's what I have learned:
Focus on the Shepherd!
We need not focus on the wolves. 
As sheep our job is to focus solely on the Shepherd. 
He will take care of His sheep and protect them from the wolves. 

When Jesus was in the wilderness under spiritual attack, He did not rail against the enemy.  He did not hold long prayer sessions to break the bonds or strongholds of the enemy.  Jesus did not loose angels to surround Him to protect Him from the enemy, nor did He focus His energy and thoughts on Satan.  Instead, Jesus focused solely on the Word of God... "It is written," He said. 

Jesus focused on God's Word only, not satan. 

We should do the same.

Last week, I had the privilege to visit my friend and sister in Christ.  She is struggling with a very rare cancer, for which there has never been a healing to date, and is in late stage 4.  As I visited with her, she began to mourn the many heartaches she felt, and I found my own heart breaking with hers. 

I think the saddest lament she had was for the lack of visitation by her church.  She said she felt abandoned and rejected by her "church family."  By this wording, she meant the "organized church" she and I had once attended together.  My family departed a year earlier due to several terrible issues, the last one irreconcilable because my faith in Christ would not compromised to accept a lie for the sake of "unity."  Although I had left that church, I still maintained many friendships I had built, like the one with this dear sister.  My friend had been diagnosed with cancer in March 2017 and hadn't been able to attend in person often as a result of surgeries and lack of energy.  While last year, a couple from leadership had visited her in the hospital and checked on her once or twice after that, my friend shared no one in leadership had been in contact with her since early spring 2017.  She'd received no encouragement, no comfort, no prayer time with those in leadership for many months now.  What could I say to the broken heart of a forgotten sheep?  All I could offer was my love, which may not be enough to replace the love she felt she lost.  So, I just stood there holding her, hugging her, and praying over her. 

My heart ached for my dying friend, and to be perfectly honest... I was also really pissed off at the church's neglect of her.  Sadly today, this is all too common among churches.  The friendliness you feel when attending on Sunday falls away quickly after you stop attending on a regular basis, even if that lack of attendance is related to an illness that makes you bedridden or other circumstances beyond your control.  A fact,  I learned caring from my mother-in-law.  I was often unable to attend church, and I cannot recall a single person in leadership ever calling my house or visiting to check up on my family.  Worse, most in leadership never even know you've stopped coming to church until several months go by, and even then there are few who will reach out.  Only those in the "Inner Circle" of the church are truly noticed.  The ones who are in the "Inner Click" matter; the rest of us are simply fringe on the edges it seems at times.   Our presence doesn't truly matter, because our absence doesn't matter.

This seems to be the way of even the most well-meaning churches.  I'm sure most don't even realize it.  Sadly, when it's brought to the leadership's attention, denial and defensiveness reign supreme and excuses abound.  Don't get me wrong, I understand everyone is busy.  Life is busy and complicated for almost everyone.  But when it comes to organized church leadership, THE Church is missing something the early Church never did.  The first Church never had the organized structure we have today; instead they realized how important each member of the Body was to the wholeness of the Body of Christ.  They took time to visit each other's homes, built personal relationships, and the strong reached out to those who were weaker. Do you remember when Tabitha died?  The disciples in the next town over sought help from Peter who was traveling nearby... and Peter came immediately because of the request.  Peter did not go because Tabitha was more special than any other Christian, though her deeds of generosity were many.   Peter went simply because she was one of the sheep, a part of Body of Christ. 

Today, our organized "church" structure is turned upside down.  We've forgotten that we are all equals before Christ, all students and all witnesses with lessons to share.   Now, the church is designed to rely on a few people to do everything, which is why there is that Inner Click at church.  It's also why that Inner Click is distanced from the fringe and doesn't truly have strong relationships with most of the people of the pews.  Many in leadership are being overworked and over relied upon.  Of course, they put themselves in those designated positions and most of the congregation are happy to keep them there.  But this was never to be the design of God's Church.

As I hugged my beautiful friend, I told her the truth... Jesus' Church had come to her and was with her even now.  Of course, it was not necessarily her "organized church" or her "church leadership," but Jesus had sent His body to her.  He had sent His finest leaders, those serving her in her hour of need.  She was not abandoned nor forgotten.  She had been in the company of many Saints who encouraged, supported, helped, and even prayed with her.  We loved on her.  THE Church had come!

The longer I am involved in "church," the more I truly believe the organized church is one of Satan's greatest lies.  It isn't structured according to truth or the Lord's will despite the twists of scripture used to justify its existence.  It has religious demands for all.  Most congregations have bought into the lie and that's why the laborers are so few.  Jesus said there would be no rulers over us but Him.  He said we would be equals, serving together (Matthew 20:25-28).  Many organized churches say they believe this philosophy, but honestly they don't live it.  When push comes to shove, you'll hear it said, "not in MY church."  Well, Thank God we do not belong to their church!

We belong to God's one, true Church: the Church of Jesus Christ which is neither divided on this side of Heaven or the other side.  It spans denominations and local church bodies.  It is universal and world-wide, yet is is united and singular in it's design and mission.  There is only 1 body, and the Lord's body is not divided.  We may not all agree all the time as we are limited by the knowledge we have gained in our walk and our faith, but we should all be moving in the same direction under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Everyone was brought into THE Church to serve others, to help bare other's burdens, to encourage and edify the whole Body of Christ.  If you aren't serving at some point each day to spiritually, physically, or emotionally edify others, than you have missed the entire point of BEING the Church.

It's not too late.  Don't be afraid to step up into the position God has called you.  Let no person limit your expression of God's love in this life.  You were never meant to sit in a pew, sing a few songs, and be lectured for an hour on Sunday and walk away believing that you went to church.

                                      Church isn't something you do! 
                                It's WHO you are and WHOSE you are!

Christians cannot wait for organized church leadership to do everything, nor should we ever give anyone that much power over our walk with Christ.  We must step up to comfort those in need.  We must start recognizing the Truth.  We are THE Church and our walk in Christ Jesus is 24/7/365.  It is our appointment as the Church to serve others, just as Jesus served us. 

                     We are literally Jesus' hands and feet on this earth,
              We represent billions of physical opportunities to show God's love. 

 We are THE Church!