I smiled and uttered a prayer of thanksgiving for my mom. Once again, this loving woman had dropped everything in her life and had flown 6,000 miles to take care of me and my family in a time of need. Regardless of distance, time or cost, I know that as long as God gives her breath, I can always count on my mom.

My mind goes back in time and I remember our relationship as I grew up. As many women of her day, mom had to work five days a week and sometimes on the weekends to help the family budget; therefore she was not very involved in our day-to-day activities. During the teenage years, as my parents’ relationship became stormy, we were all victims in the consequences of a broken marriage. Hormones and anger made my young mind shut down to any common sense. The hurt of seeing my parents growing apart blinded any attempt to understand my mother and so our relationship became distant and shaky.

As we both struggled with our individual crisis, we hurt each other deeply. As in many other mother-daughter situations that I have known, there was pain, misunderstanding and incompatibility for far too many years.

Today, however, in spite of anything in the past, I can honestly say that Mom is a best friend. I long to see her and spend time with her. I love to hear her voice when I dial her number. And even though our personalities are pretty different and we don’t always agree, our love and longing to be together grows deeper with each passing year.

Our secret?

We set each other free.

We can’t help but grow old, but we have to choose to grow wiser.

We can’t help but grow old, but we have to choose to grow wiser. #TwelveInchesBibleStudy #FaithBridge #RechargeWednesday #linkup
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As a grown woman, I started to understand her longings, sorrows and disappointments. I often made myself put on her shoes to imagine her experiences.

When I became a Christian at 25, I realized for the first time that no one is worthy of forgiveness; however, that is exactly what Christ offers to anyone who will ask. I also came to realize that true love never withholds forgiveness and that we cannot expect to be forgiven if we don’t forgive others. This former Catholic schoolgirl knew all too well the words of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11: “And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

I know several mothers and daughters who are wasting time and missing out on an abundant life with each other because of unforgiveness. I know daughters who dread the thought of being around their mother and mothers whose daughter can never measure up to their expectations. I know mothers who compete with their daughters and daughters who will never agree with their moms, even when they are absolutely right. The same occurs in different relationships where trust and dreams are shattered. Without forgiveness, there is no factual restoration. Without restoration, our future is bound to defeat. Heaven shuts down.

Without forgiveness, there is no factual restoration. Without restoration, our future is bound to defeat. #TwelveInchesBibleStudy #FaithBridge
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As we stand in a position of self-righteousness, holding on to thirty-year-old grudges, we fail to realize that we are the ones held in bondage. Even if the person who wronged you has a hardened heart and continually hurts you, do yourself a favor: Set them free! Ask God to help you forgive them and pray for them. Extend the same forgiveness that you so long to receive from those you hurt.

As we stand in a position of self-righteousness, holding on to thirty-year-old grudges, we fail to realize that we are the ones held in bondage. #TwelveInchesBibleStudy #FaithBridge #rechargeWednesday #linkup
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I cannot remember exactly when it started, but somewhere along life’s way, I started to choose to love my mom for whom she is. I don’t try to change her and I don’t look back anymore. I look forward to the years we have ahead of us. No matter how many we have, I am choosing, one step at a time, to fully, abundantly enjoy each one.

Regardless of who hurt you, whether it was a parent, spouse or friend, forgiving is not easy. Actually, I believe it’s quite impossible without God. But with His help, you can.

Have you tried asking Him to help you overcome?

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Hello, friends! 

The post above is an excerpt from my new Bible Study Twelve Inches – Bridging the gap between what you know about God and how you feel. Registration for this free bible study is now open on our website (click here to be directed to the page). We have also opened registrations for many volunteer positions. Check this out: JOIN OUR TEAM. 

Below you will watch a short Promo video about the heart of this book and bible study. I hope you join us!

Blessings,

Patricia

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LINKUP PARTY is open! Today, I share an excerpt from my new free Bible Study about setting those who hurt us free. Join us, share your blog and sign up for the Bible Study! #TwelveInchesBibleStudy #FaithBridge #Linkup
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The post Twelve Inches Bible Study – A Bridge to Stronger Faith! {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord.  ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways      and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)

As he pulls a chair to sit beside me, his somber voice reflects the emotions clearly seen on his face. He received an answer for something we’ve been long waiting for. Something that affects our family’s plans and dreams. Something he and I have been praying for and patiently waiting.

A promise has not been kept.

I see the disappointment in his beautiful eyes. Disheartened, he pours out words that I have heard from myself many times before: “I know God has a purpose for this. I’m just upset right now.”

I prayerfully ask God for wisdom. His wisdom, not mine. And so, He whispers: “look down.” As I lower my eyes, I “see” God’s voice, underlined and highlighted on my open Bible on the table: “My ways are far beyond what you can imagine.”

Sigh.

How many times have you muttered under your breath: ‘I don’t understand it, Lord.’ How many times have you laid down at night, wondering – ‘what am I doing wrong?’ How often do you hear yourself saying: ‘why me, God?’

If you are alive and breathing, I know you have asked these questions before. You may have done so even today. So, although I don’t have the answers to all your questions, I want to share with you an interesting concept that God laid in my heart a while ago as I studied the book of Isaiah.

It’s a pretty amusing visual: God calls us grasshoppers. That’s right, grasshoppers. I didn’t say it – God did: Check it for yourself: Isaiah 40:22.

I’m a visualist, so please bear with me.

On Isaiah 40, one of my favorite passages in the Bible (and inspiration for this ministry’s name), the prophet reads Israel’s rebellious and doubtful hearts.  He promises once more victory to Zion.

In this prophetic passage, which depicts the coming of the Messiah with a mighty arm and victory, God’s messenger sees past the surface of our faith and into the depths of our hearts:

We doubt. We simply doubt the wisdom, power, strength and unfailing love of our God. We just do it. I do it. You do it. We see our dreams tumbling down at our feet and we lose heart. Someone wrongs us and we quickly wish to take matters into our own hands. We receive bad news and we despair.

All the while, God is “sitting above the circle of the earth”, where He sees everything, and watching us hop around.

Grasshoppers.

In the meanwhile, He “stretches the Heavens like a curtain”, “reduces rulers to nothing” (v.23), “calls each star by name…and does not miss a single one, naming all 10 sextillion (and counting) of them.

Our brains know that – for we read our Bibles. But our hearts deceive us… and we keep on hopping. Grasshoppers.

Finding Peace in the Midst of the Storm

Oh, that we may reach a place in our journey with Christ, where we are so enamored by His grace, so in tune with His plan, that our hopping around won’t last long when trials strike.

May we teach our hearts to remember Who He is… and that He is FOR us.
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In the meantime, let me suggest some anchoring truths, places where we can seek refuge – like the eye of a hurricane – where perfect stillness reigns in the midst of our storms. Allow me to call these “Isaiah’s Oasis” as they offer true rest in the desert and are all located in my favorite book of the Old Testament.

1) When someone comes against you – remember: He is your defender:

“I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction.  And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah 54:16-17

2) When your dreams are shattered – remember: He sees what you cannot see and His wisdom surpasses our earthly understanding:

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed Him?” Isaiah 40:12-13

3)     And when you are tired of waiting on your promise or on your trial to be over – remember – He never becomes weary and FOREVER works on your behalf.

Stretch your wings, by faith… and let Yahweh be the Wind beneath them
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“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

Grasshoppers. I bet you won’t forget that visual.

May we be challenged each day, as disappointments come and promises are yet to be filled... to teach our hearts to be still... and KNOW that He is (omnipotent, all loving and merciful) God (Psalm 46:10).
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(This post is an excerpt from Patricia’s book Twelve Inches – Bridging the Gap Between what You Know about God and How You Feel ) Read about it HERE.

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

LINKUP PARTY IS OPEN! Today, an excerpt from my book about how to anchor our restless hearts when disappointments strike, or while we wait on a promise. JOIN US?
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The post The Cure to a Restless Heart {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

I smiled and uttered a prayer of thanksgiving for my mom. Once again, this loving woman had dropped everything in her life and  had flown 6,000 miles to take care of me and my family in a time of need. Regardless of distance, time or cost, I know that as long as God gives her breath, I can always count on my mom.

My mind goes back in time and I remember our relationship as I grew up. As many women of her day, mom had to work five days a week and sometimes on the weekends to help the family budget; therefore she was not very involved in our day-to-day activities. During the teenage years, as my parents’ relationship became stormy, we were all victims in the consequences of a broken marriage. Hormones and anger made my young mind shut down to any common sense. The hurt of seeing my parents growing apart blinded any attempt to understand my mother and so our relationship became distant and shaky.

As we both struggled with our individual crisis, we hurt each other deeply. As in many other mother-daughter situations that I have known, there was pain, misunderstanding and incompatibility for far too many years.

Today, however, in spite of anything in the past, I can honestly say that Mom is a best friend. I long to see her and spend time with her. I love to hear her voice when I dial her number. And even though our personalities are pretty different and we don’t always agree, our love and longing to be together grows deeper with each passing year.

Our secret?

We set each other free.

We can’t help but grow old, but we have to choose to grow wiser.

As a grown woman, I started to understand her longings, sorrows and disappointments. I often made myself put on her shoes to imagine her experiences.

When I became a Christian at 25, I realized for the first time that no one is worthy of forgiveness; however that is exactly what Christ offers to anyone who will ask. I also came to realize that true love never withholds forgiveness and that we cannot expect to be forgiven if we don’t forgive others. This former Catholic school girl knew all too well the words of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11: “And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

I know several mothers and daughters who are wasting time and missing out an abundant life with each other because of unforgiveness. I know daughters who dread the thought of being around their mother and mothers whose daughter can never measure up to their expectations. I know mothers who compete with their daughters and daughters who will never agree with their moms, even when they are absolutely right. The same occurs in different relationships where trust and dreams are shattered . Without forgiveness there is no factual restoration. Without restoration, our future is bound to defeat. Heaven shuts down. Our Faith Bridge stays broken and therefore nonfunctional.

As we stand in a position of self-righteousness, holding on to thirty year-old grudges, we fail to realize that we are the ones held in bondage. Even if the person who wronged you has a hardened heart and continually hurts you, do yourself a favor: Set them free! Ask God to help you forgive them and pray for them. Extend the same forgiveness that you so long to receive from those you hurt.

I cannot remember exactly when it started, but somewhere along life’s way, I started to choose to love my mom for whom she is. I don’t try to change her and I don’t look back anymore. I look forward to the years we have ahead of us. No matter how many we have, I am choosing, one step at a time, to fully, abundantly enjoy each one.

Regardless of who hurt you, whether it was a parent, spouse or friend, forgiving is not easy. Actually, I believe it’s quite impossible without God. But with His help, you can.

Have you tried asking Him to help you overcome?

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

This devotional is an excerpt from Patricia’s newly released book Twelve Inches – Bridging the Gap between what you know about God and how your feel.” Today we’re giving away a copy to one of our readers. Leave a comment to enter, or if you are in a hurry, simply say “I’m bridging the gap!” in the comments section. For more information on the book and to read some of the endorsements, click HERE

The post Book Give Away! And Excerpt: “Setting People FREE” appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

A Great Way to Celebrate

I had been waiting for this day for a while. And isn’t it just like God that it actually happened two days before the official release  of the paperback version of my first book Twelve Inches on retailers! I didn’t plan it that way at all. God is just that GOOD!

I have spoken at conferences with over 500 women in attendance before. I’ve spoken at live television shows. Yes, it never gets old and I always tremble. Yesterday, as I stood before the man who was used by God to impact my spiritual life forever, it wasn’t any different. My hands shook in humble excitement as I showed him the acknowledgements page in my book, where I wrote, in a few words, of my eternal gratitude.

This was not the first time I talked to my pastor, but it was undoubtedly the most special one.  You see, when my husband and I joined First Baptist Atlanta in 2000, I was a young Christian. I had been saved for only 5 years and, in all honesty, I was still a baby in Christ. It was Dr. Stanley‘s teaching that instilled in my heart the desire to know Jesus in a more intimate way. It was his deep, serene voice that helped bring conviction, peace and healing to my soul through the years. It was through his teaching that I was inspired and challenged to “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him“, which is one of his most quoted Life Principles.

And because I obeyed… because I said YES when my heart shouted “NO WAY!”, today I hold my published book Twelve Inches.

I wonder what would happen if every Christian followed that principle. Can you imagine the multitudes that would impact the world for Christ with their gifts and talents?

Obeying God is at times a scary thing, I admit. Because He does challenge us to blindly trust Him. And that’s the greatest test of our faith. But the consequences, oh! The consequences are priceless: Deeper faith… peace… and even some pretty awesome dream-come-true moments. Like having your name on the cover of a book that someone else believed enough to invest in.

Truth be told, I never imagined that I would be a writer one day.

When God told me to start this ministry, all I did was say yes, however inadequate I felt.

Then He said, “Step here” (so out of my comfort zone). And I did… and left the results in His hands.

“Talk to this person,” He whispered. And I did… and watched as He opened the doors.

“Give this up,” He commanded… and as I obeyed, He blessed me with something much better.

That still small voice spoke… and all I did was listen and put one foot after the other in the direction He showed.

True, I’ve lost my way before, caught up in the busyness of life… caught up in the doing, rather than in the being still (and knowing He is still God). But oh, am I ever grateful that the Holy Spirit is always there to call me back to the center of His Perfect will! Am I ever thankful that Grace never ceases to shout: “Come back!“, when I start to get my eyes off of His.

My heart may have said “NO WAY” a thousand times before. But I’ve learned to press on and silence it with what I know about my God. Oh! and by the way, that’s the core message of Twelve Inches: Tell your heart who your God is. Calm it down with the power of His Word. Trust and obey Him… and get ready to be amazed! 

“Obey God… and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for these inspired words that changed my life forever.

Thank you, Pastor, for instilling in my heart the desire to be all God has designed me to be. I know it’s not about you. You’re the first one to say so. And I so get it. But I thank you for being obedient to the call through the years… Through the storms… and in spite of.

When I grow up, I want to be like you.

In His love,

Patricia

PS: Hey, would you like to learn a bit more about Twelve Inches and celebrate this day with us? Watch this 13-minute TV Interview at Atlanta Live and learn what this book is about and about my upcoming book tour with my friend and singer Sandra Onal. God bless!

The post Dr. Charles Stanley receives a copy of Twelve Inches appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.