The heart is deceitful and beyond cure, who can understand it?  Jeremiah 17:9

 

hey YAL (you are loved!)

I came to know Christ as my personal savior when I was eight years old.  When I was first in Sunday school the first verse we memorized was John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he sent his only son that whom so ever believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life.  I’m grateful that was something that I memorized very young.  I would watch my grandmother read her Bible every morning and she never wavered.  I remember having pretty deep conversations with her and understanding that I wanted what she had.  She knew she was provided for.  She held very staunch religious beliefs and followed a lot of rules and disciplines that probably didn’t leave much room for grace and love to individuals who did not believe like her, but I am certain that she would be a lot like me now if she were born at a different time.

I’ve thought a lot about my family history over the last few years.  Most of our mental health history is ‘undiagnosed’ because of the time.  But, due to my profession, I can certainly see the familial traits that I’m grateful to know that we have evidenced based treatment modalities and psychological advancements to help destigmatize the way our brain has chosen to help us survive.  Our behaviors that we tend to go back to over and over, even when we know they are wrong, maladaptive, unhelpful and sometimes criminal are our solutions.  Viewing behaviors as choices to our main problem which is ultimately “I will not survive”.

So what does all that have to do with your 31 days of prayer in July of 2021? Well, I noticed after all my warning lights simultaneously going off at once from the events of 2020 collectively and 2020 personally; that I responded in similar patterns as I always had in times of stress, but this particular time in 2021-2021 was intensified that I was broken down physically, spiritually, emotionally.  It would have been classified a “nervous breakdown” in earlier generations.

Through the process over the last few years of me dissecting, mulling over, wrestling, and finally giving up and saying “I’m not giving up until you bless me Lord!” (Genesis 22:26- you really should go and read some of these stories in the Old Testament that were placed in our Bible for encouragement- Peter tells us in his letter).  I feels that those lessons that I learned can be received by you in Jesus name.

So, Lesson one I learned was :

1. “when I think I’m right, be open to be wrong! If my mouth is saying negative, cursing, blaming, evil thoughts, or if my thoughts are bad/evil/wrong/sin – what ever word you use for the devil on your shoulder- whatever thought is persecuting you! remember you are not fighting flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12- yes I want you to go there!)  that if you can be deceived so easily as to start cursing, or think bad thoughts, or want to go back to doing a bad habit you dropped a long time ago,  than explore with open mind and a willing pliable heart to consider “I could be wrong here too”.  Let me explore my heart.

How to ‘explore your heart’

1. David the psalmist wrote ‘search me o Lord’- so go to the word.  you can start with the verses I just mentioned.  I ask that you don’t settle for what I’m telling you though! Dig, search.  Pray that you would hunger and thirst after righteousness and that you would love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and you would love your neighbor as yourself!

If you’re thinking “It can’t be that simple”.  try it/ allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and fill in some of those gaps.  Read the word!  it IS living and active, sharper than any two -edged sword, piercing to the division of t soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 says!

Blessings as you continue on this journey with me.  changing minds and hearts is hard work but the Holy Spirit will guide you every step of the way!  Isaiah 30:20 says.  We have the creator of the world living in us/ His spirit is there softening our hearts making it pliable and ready to harvest the seeds of love joy peace patience goodness, gentleness and self control- above these there are no law! Galatians 5:22 but don’t forget to read 18 so you know all the evidence of the flesh:)

see you soon! in person save the date February 24, 2024- at legacy barn.  watch my Facebook – Rita Tattersall or Legacy barn for details and to sign up

 

you can subscribe to this email list and get them straight to your inbox or pop on here every now and then to see what’s new.  I know I have some Live events that I have completed and will upload- if you can’t wait, you can go directly to my personal facebook account- Rita Tattersall.  we don’t even have to be friends, but my profile is open. Not sure for how long, but for now it is.

for any of your event planning needs and your in the Central Indiana area please don’t forget to consider www.legacybarn.com.  They do a great job hosting and have multiple packages available for your needs.  If you need that event videographer, livestreamed, recorded ect.  please consider www.elevatemediagroup.com.  Both of these companies are near and dear to my heart but I think they are great!