Category Archives: Faith

You are Worthy!

Posted on by

One of the most prevalent issues I encounter in coaching is that many of God’s people are not thoroughly, 100% convinced that they are worthy of His blessings, favor, prosperity, provision…. whatever He has to offer!

I know you have read about it more than once, but I believe we need to be reminded over and over that because of what Jesus has done, WE ARE INDEED, WORTHY!

This little story illustrates one reason why we need to be convinced of this truth:

Have you ever heard of a little book, “Expectation Corners“?

It tells of a king who prepared a city for some of his poor subjects. Not far from them were large storehouses, where everything they could need was supplied if they sent in their requests.

But, on one condition–that they should be on the lookout for the answer, so that when the king’s messengers came with the answer to their petitions, they should always be found waiting and ready to receive them.

The sad story is told of one desponding person who never expected to get what he asked, because he was too unworthy. One day, he was taken to the king’s storehouses, and there, to his amazement, he saw, with his address on them, all the packages that had been made up for him and sent. There was the garment of praise and the oil of joy and the eye salve and so much more.

They had been to his door but found it closed; he was not on the lookout. From that time on, he learned the lesson Micah would teach us today. “I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7  (Andrew Murray, Wait Upon God)

If you often wonder if you are truly worthy of God’s best, may I encourage you to spend time with Him so He can validate you personally?  And then bask in the lovely, overflowing experience of who He is and who you are to Him.

Remember, God is all about you, so together, you and He can all about others.

Big blessings are yours!  Expect them!

Maryann

Savor the wait!

Posted on by


As I write this, it’s a cool 93 degrees.  Yes, cool…. later it will be 113!  Summer in Phoenix.  Just where you want to be.  Normally we visit in the winter or early spring.  Not summer.

So, why are we here now?

Because grandbaby #9 is due!  Actually he is overdue by more than a week!

It’s an interesting thing waiting for a baby to be born.  As we all wait, we and our grandkids have been having fun swimming together, playing games, talking, thoroughly enjoying each others’ presence.  And at the same time, part of the joy of being together is waiting together.

Each day we wonder… will it be today?  Each night we go to sleep wondering… will it be tonight?    We all know that he is in there.  We can see him moving.  We can feel him.  Our daughter-in-law is all too aware!  She is so ready.

And while he is her body, we are joined in the experience of waiting for a joyful gift from God.  It’s almost as if the waiting is making the gift that much more precious and sweet.  We all have been tempted to say, “Is he ever going to come out?!”

But it has struck me, that we can savor the waiting knowing what is to come, will come.

Today I ask you, is there a promise of God for which you are sure and for which you are waiting?
Maybe you can savor the richness of the waiting, enjoying life and your relations, as you do.

Just a thought.

Faith trumps worry!

Posted on by

Good day!  I hope you are finding the time today to celebrate and remember all the dedicated men and women who have sacrificed their lives, their time, their bodies, and their hearts for the purpose of maintaining our freedom.  I appreciate them!

One particular soldier I would like to mention is our first grandson, Josh, who is currently training for the Navy SEALS.  He’s only 19, but his passion to serve God and his country is strong.

Thus far, it has been a grueling experience, unimaginable to most, but it seems the worst of his training is behind him!

It’s interesting what is behind our decisions and choices in life.

Living in Brooklyn and walking back and forth to school, Josh was once robbed at knife-point.  The perpetrator wanted the laptop Josh was carrying home.  He was about 8 or 9.  Thankfully he was not hurt… at least not physically.

Around that same time, the twin towers were struck.  Josh’s church, pastored by his other grandfather, was in Manhattan and so, he witnessed the devastation weekly.

The effects and fear of terrorism was very real for this little guy.

A few years later his family moved to England where is father secured a pastorate position. By then, however, the sentiment toward Americans had turned negative and Josh experienced hardship far too often in school BECAUSE of it.

All these things affected Josh’s faith in God, too.  For a few years, he seemed unreachable.  We worried at times about where all this would lead for him.

We worried because we couldn’t see the future.  We worried because our faith that our God is faithful and loving was not as strong as our fear.  We worried because we were afraid Josh’s wounds would dictate his choices negatively, as it did for us in our younger years.

Somewhere along the line, though, God quieted our hearts as we sought Him.  We didn’t know how all this was going to turn out … only that Josh had God’s favor, as did we, and thus we could count on the outcome to be a favorable one.

No one would have guessed that Josh would desire to try out for the SEALS.  When Josh announced his decision, the opportunity to shriek, “NO!!” rose large.  But we saw how determined he was, and even before enlisting, he trained hard.

When he was accepted into the program, straight from civilian life, we knew he would not need our worrying.  He would need our faith.

That’s what all our men and women need.

Thankfully we are persuaded that faith is a much greater force than worry.

And in what do we have faith? 

In our God who loves us, redeems us, and restores us from all brokenness, and even more, grants us the freedom for which we all long.

Remember the soldiers, today, and remember your God.

Holding God and you in brilliant remembrance!
Maryann

Contrary to Popular Belief, You Deserve It!

Posted on by
Lately my husband and I have been visiting churches and enjoying meeting so many new people in our area.

One church we visited recently had the friendliest group, stirring worship, and an invigorating guest speaker.  Almost every church we go to has something favorable to recommend, and this church was no exception.

As I listened intently to the speaker, agreeing and nodding with his encouragement to us all, my heart and mind came to a screeching halt.

There it was again… every time I hear it, it’s literally like nails on the chalkboard.  I can’t even remember what was said before or after… all I heard was those blaring words we often hear in many churches… “Though we don’t deserve it … ” followed by some benefit bestowed upon us.

Ok, it’s true.  I get a little riled up about this.

Maybe it’s because through 25 years of counseling and coaching people, I have seen how this subtly deceptive belief of being undeserving lies at the heart of so many problems. It undermines confidence like few things can.  It anchors our feet to the ground when we are supposed to be soaring.

I also get riled up because God has done so much to make us worthy and deserving, but we continue to buy and spread the lie.

To feel we don’t deserve God’s blessings and abundance does not make us humble, it makes us impotent. And when we are impotent, we are not empowered or at peace.

And if we are not empowered or at peace, then we are child’s play for the enemy who wants to wipe our faces on the floor.

Now, I don’t know if this is an issue for you, but if it is, may I be a strong encouragement to you?
You are worthy and you do deserve the blessings of God.

Maybe an argument can be made that you did not deserve salvation and forgiveness and redemption before you received Him.

But if He died for you so you could have eternal life and kingdom living, then don’t you deserve it?

To deserve something is to be entitled to it, to have it coming. Jesus said He came so that we would have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows. (Jn 10:10 AMP)

If He came to give this to you, are you not to claim ownership of it? Are you not to expect it to come to you?  Was this a cruel joke?

Yes, I understand.  To say we are not worthy or we don’t deserve it often means, “I did not earn this great thing myself, therefore I don’t deserve it.”

Well folks, that is worldly thinking.  It is the world, not God, that says we only deserve what we earn ourselves.

Set your minds and keep them set on what is above, not the things that are on the earth.  (Col 3:2)

Think about it … Adam and Eve deserved to be in the Garden – because God put them there. They did not build it, pay for it, or work for it.  The fact that God GAVE it to them was all that was necessary for them to be entitled to it.

One final question:  for those of you who have little children, do you want them feeling like they don’t deserve a meal when you offer it to them? Or would rather they just come to the table happy and accepting and leave grateful and satisfied?

In Mt 18:2-6 we are encouraged to be as little children.  Receive in freedom and gratitude all that God has for you.

Please say with me today, and every day… “I deserve all that God has given to me.  I deserve all that He has won and all that He has done.”

Believe me it will give our Lord great pleasure and also open the door to even more of what He wants for you.

Please, please, please… purpose in your hearts to be done with this debilitating notion.  It is not of God.  Agree with Him.  He has made you worthy and you deserve His best.

Shout it from the rooftops!

In your corner,
Maryann

Your Perception of God Controls Your Life

Posted on by

The more people I mentor, the more I am convinced that how a person perceives God controls every aspect of their life, especially how they view themselves.

The interesting thing is – despite this critically pivotal state of mind and heart,  most people have little awareness of how they see God.

And so, one of the first things I listen for is my client’s mindset about who God is to them.  This is often revealed in subtle ways, in the words they casually speak, when they they talk of their past experiences, or what their current struggles are.

Their mindset about who God is to them is formed from a variety of sources from growing up, to what they were told in school, to  what they see in the media, or while they’re out and about in the world.   Even what they are taught in church.   (Yes, I understand, people get nervous when I say those kinds of things.)  Slowly over time conclusions about God and a person’s relationship to Him get solidified to the point that they are never questioned, let alone challenged.

Over my many years of being a Christian, I have hit plenty of walls of frustration and fear. But in each instance, God had given me the opportunity to question and challenge my perception of Him, how He related to me, what He had in store for me, what His promises to me were — yes, you probably noticed a theme… ME.

But contrary to the saying, ‘it NOT about YOU,'”  I believe there are times when it has to be about me… and my mindset about God, which gives me my perception of Him, which will control how I experience what I am going through, and what choices I will make as a result.

Often the Lord has shown me that something definitely needed to be tweaked in my mind… I need the spirit of my mind to be renewed, rejuvenated, and often changed.  And He is faithful to do it.  The more I can see Him as Good, and Good to and for ME, the more I experience His goodness toward me.  This leads to greater peace, clarity, and confidence.  I am able to soar and rise above the difficulties, armed with new spiritual and practical tools and weaponry, all in the safe context of a loving God.

If you are feeling like things are not going so well with you, maybe it’s time to challenge your existing mindset. Ask God to show you what may not be working in your thought life, even in your subconscious.  Tell Him through writing or speaking… not just thinking, that you are ready to hear and see.  He is all about your success, freedom, and fulfillment.

God bless you, my friends.

Be Encouraged as You Approach This New Year

Posted on by
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

What is your approach to this new year?  Gleeful anticipation?  Armed with new resolutions? Ho-hum apathy? Down and out discouragement?

Whatever it is, I would like to pass on to you a passage our pastor encouraged us with yesterday.

1 Cor 2:9 “… as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.”

He then asked us the question, which I now ask you…

“Do you love God?”

“If so, then God has prepared things for you that you have neither seen, nor heard!”

What do you think of that?  Take a moment and breathe that reality in.

Now you may ask — but are they good things?

Years ago, there seemed to be a rash of teachings that promoted the mentality that if it’s something I don’t like or want to do, it must be God.


There was this thinking that God’s desires and our desires were at such odds with each other that surely, if it was pleasurable, fun, or easy…  it couldn’t be God.

Because of that many have turned away from Him, either within themselves, or in full out rejection.

God is a good God!  And this verse suggests good things are in store for those who love Him. (Notice it is not saying that bad things are in store for those who don’t.  We don’t want to go there!)

Here’s another verse that I’ve been meditating on recently, also mentioned in yesterday’s message.  (Don’t you love when that happens?)

Eph 3:19

Now to Him that is able to do EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask, or think, according to the power that works in us…

God has prepared good things for you… exceeding abundantly above all you could even think!


And how will those things come to pass?  Through His power that is at work within you.

Meditate on this truth as you think about the new year.  Ask God to deepen it within you.

This is partly how we build a mindset of favor.

In a world filled with negativity and for many of us, a history of shame, guilt, and disappointment, establishing a new mindset of favor is essential to moving forward positively, effectively and in power.

God bless you!!
Maryann

Before You Make That New Years Resolution

Posted on by
I don’t know about you, but this is a very pensive time of year for me. Christmas makes me reflect a little differently about our Lord and New Years brings a sense of increased hope and energy for what’s to come.Before I actually think too much about next year and what it will bring, I naturally think about this year and how did it mesh with my expectations.

In years past, I have to admit, I would experience a bit of disappointment.  I looked forward to the coming year because I really needed a change, a different attitude, perspective, or circumstances.

Being a bit of a high achiever, I usually wasn’t satisfied with what I had accomplished and typically felt quite frustrated with myself.

I would lose sight of how much God had done in me, through me, and for me.But this year, it’s different.

I began to notice a shift in my mindset last year, but this year, it’s been a whole new world. As I’ve sat daily in the presence of the Lord, He has taught me the art of gratitude and becoming exquisitely aware of His goodness and favor.

Anxieties and fears have literally melted away, and having savored that, I refuse to ever be imprisoned or hindered by them again.

Psalm 37: 4-5 says:
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him), trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

I’m sure for many of you, this verse is an old favorite, too.  But have you ever wondered what it really means and how it really works? I have.  Sometimes I have been in so much anxiety or pain that I doubted that it meant anything at all.

Well, if that’s you, maybe I can shed some light.

The first thing we have to notice is the word “delight.”

King David, the author of this Psalm, didn’t say,:
  • “work like a dog”, or
  • “sacrifice your first born,” or
  • “go to church religiously”
  • and THEN God will give you the desires of your heart.
No, David said,  “DELIGHT.”

You know, sometimes the English translation doesn’t do the Hebrew justice.  Here, look:

Delight (‘anag)

Strong’s concordance says, “to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious.”

Another Hebrew dictionary says, ” to be soft, be delicate, be dainty”
a. (Pual) to be delicate
b. (Hithpael)
1. to be of dainty habit, be pampered
2. to be happy about, take exquisite delight
3. to make merry over, make sport of

Hmmm…. interesting word!  This isn’t just about being happy with and about the Lord, but to be like putty in His hands, to be pampered and luxurious!

This may be carrying the image a bit too far, but have you ever been treated to a luxurious massage at a spa resort? When you get on that table, you’re pretty darn vulnerable, aren’t you!

Basically, you have given the masseus permission to do whatever she wants to you, and you are there because you KNOW it’s going to feel so relaxing, and yet so rejuvenating… and you’re going to walk out of there, slowly, with a content grin on your face, with the mental attitude… yeah… whatever… it’s all good.

I love being pampered in that way, no doubt, but I have to say, delighting in the Lord, and He delighting in me… daily, has had a profound, I’ll-never-be-the same impact on my life.  It supercedes even the most luxurious spa treatment!

Through delighting in Him, I have learned of and become established in one of the most pleasurable and effective truths He has given us … we HAVE His favor, and we ARE highly favored. This favor has opened my heart and mind to receive the desires of my heart, and not block them from coming to me.  God wants to give to us excessively!

As I’ve said many times before, we can actually hinder or even, block the blessings of God by feeling disqualified, unworthy, guilty about everything, or undeserving.
The desires of my heart have been to be in constant partnership with the Lord, receiving His love and goodness freely, and being a vibrant, free flowing expression of that love and goodness to those He has put in my path (including you!!).

As I reflect on this year, I see He has honored those desires abundantly through writing, speaking, and coaching.  This fits me.

As I reflect on 2010, there isn’t a hint of disappointment or frustration.  Yay, God!  I am grateful and excited for 2011.
I love being putty in the Hands of Someone so trustworthy, so powerful, and so FOR me.

If you would like that too, here is my suggestions for a New Year’s resolve.Make it your goal to DELIGHT yourself in the Lord.  Spend time with Him and seek His favor.  Ask Him to deepen your awareness of this gift He has freely given to you.  Let Him pamper you with this truth.  He came to give it for a reason.

Then, with a heart of favor, trusting in His goodness, commit your way to Him.  He promises to give you the desires of your heart and bring it to pass.  Whatever way it comes, you will love it and it will delight Him to do so.

Developing a Mindset of Favor

Posted on by
Recently I proposed to you that much of our frustration can be resolved, and dare I say, even eliminated once we have a mindset of FAVOR. (Click here for that post.)

Because the Lord has so thoroughly convinced me of this, it has become my mission to share the power of this transcendent gift.

Getting rooted and established in His favor has caused a huge shift in how I see myself, the world, and why I am even here.

Also, in all my years of counseling and coaching, I have never seen breakthrough in my clients’ lives like I am these days. It’s quite astounding!

Maybe it’s because one very specific reason Jesus came was to restore us all to a favorable relationship with Him!

Look at this verse.  This was not just some doctrinal statement… this is personal, to be taken personally.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

18But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

19It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

20So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

A mindset of favor is to trump all other competing mindsets.
Verbally thanking Him will increase your faith!

So today, thank God for His favor.  Thank Him that He favors you!
Thank Him for coming into this world FOR YOU, to cancel out ALL your sin… past, present, and future.
Thank Him that not only do you HAVE His favor, but you ARE highly favored.  Ask Him to grow this seed of truth within you, change your mind as to how you see yourself, and then, expect Him to do it!!

I love you all!

Maryann

How to Seek God

Posted on by

Writing a book opens all kinds of doors.  And I love that.  More coaching clients, invitations to speak, seminars to present, and book signings to do. Opportunities to witness the move of God in the hearts and minds of so many new, as well as old friends.

I get so excited when the opportunity gets presented… and then, a few days, or the night before the event… a dread falls upon me.  I want to run away, disappear, and go into hiding.

At first, I thought something was wrong, or maybe I’m not supposed to do this, or…. and then, doubt about who I am takes over, and I even lose sight of why I’m doing this.  Quite frankly, it almost overwhelms me!

Has this ever happened to you, or is it just me?

And what is this dread about?

For me, imagined fears of being a failure, or being alone, of feeling like I’m ineffective, inadequate, and non-essential.  Old yukky thoughts still wanting to block and stop me from carrying out the mission God has placed within me.

But…ha-ha!   God is making me savvy.  I see the wiley ways of the enemy who stands to accuse and oppose me.

God is making me smart.  He exposes the plot, and reminds me who I am, and why I do what I do.


He shows me the thoughts that create the feeling of dread are not the thoughts of a highly favored woman of God, co-heir of the King, esteemed and deeply loved child of a Father who has said He would do “whatsoever” I ask.

He uses these times to train me, mentor me, and power me up.  I am then led to speak my agreement with Him.


“Yes, Lord, You are mighty and I am highly favored.  I am blessed to be a blessing.  In You, I am not a failure.  In You, I am not ineffective.  You have chosen me for such a time as this!  When I enter that arena, I will be full of Your love, wisdom, and anything else I need because You are faithful. You are already there, and at the same time, I bring You with me. Flow through me, and touch whoever needs Your touch.  I am grateful and excited to showcase Your love, Your favor, and Your energy.  Thank you for choosing me.”

Well, I am happy to report, the seminar I conducted after my last tangle with dread was sheer delight.  The Lord showed up in a marvelous way as He gave me the courage to transparently tell my embarrassing stories.   All the pieces of the study fell into place, and the ladies responded as baby birds, mouths wide open, hungry for what God was revealing.  It was apparent to all that He was there, at work, inspiring, motivating, and encouraging.  As a friend quoted from Veggie Tales, “I laughed. I cried.  It really touched me, Bob.”  Cute.

Consciously flowing in the favor of God could not happen if I did not “seek” Him.  Not some religious ritual, perfunctorily performed and then checked off, seeking Him is as simple as sharing our secrets with an intimate friend, or relaxing over coffee with a deeply interested relative.


And yet, there is a profundity to seeking Him, where He shares with us the inner workings of His heart and mind.  How secure He makes me feel knowing that every need I have, He has the answer and solution.

Where I once had difficulty carving out time to sit with Him because of all I had to get done, I now am so addicted to it, that everything else gets ordered around this part of my day.   Oh, how much easier, more productive, and satisfying life is!! For those of you who know what I’m talking about… let us rejoice together!

For the rest, oh, how I want that for you!

And so, I asked the Lord to speak to you today, and here is what He said,


“Come to Me as you are.  I know the details of your life intimately.   And I care about it all.  You don’t have to know anything other than I desire you and you desire me.  Sit with Me, and let Me show you My love.  Close your eyes, and look into Mine.  Do you see My delight for you?  You are My heartthrob.  You are My joy.  I know everything in your mind, your heart, your circumstances.. I know it all. I see the good in you, and all are trying to accomplish.  I see your fears, too. Come, let Me show you that I am on your side.

I desire to work with and through you, to give you ideas and what you need to accomplish them.  (I see the Lord lift up your face, and a radiant glow illuminates it, as He says…) I have things worked out for you.  Sit and rest awhile, and then follow my lead and I will show you the path.”

At that point the Lord held you close, until you were almost totally absorbed into Him.  Oh, the sweet satisfaction in His eyes as He held you!

How do we seek God?  Just show up, be ready to receive, and have a conversation.  He is waiting with eagerness and joy.


Have an amazing week!

You’re Beautiful… believe it and soar!

Posted on by

So many people I counsel or coach are stuck because of how they perceive themselves, mostly in their subconscious mind.  Rooting out false beliefs must be done to move forward… here is a song to help!


Do you know, really know, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL??  I think you  are… but if God thinks you are, shouldn’t you?