Better Together

Find Comfort this Christmas - Episode 1013

December 16, 2024 | S6:E1013

Are you looking for comfort this Christmas? Find it in our Creator, no matter what circumstances may arise. Choosing to rely on God as the ultimate Comforter brings supernatural peace and assurance, reminding us that His presence is all we need. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

#LaurieCrouch #Testimony #Faith #Hope #TrustGod #Purpose #Peace #Pain #Loneliness #Love #Prayer #Cancer #Humility #Jesus #PromisesofGod #Christmas #Preparation #Focus #Joy #WaitingonGod #Family #inActive #TalkShow #PresenceofGod #BetterTogether #Christian #SheilaWalsh #LisaBevere #Rest #JaniceGaines #DeeDeeFreeman #Loss #Divorce #Comfort #Foundation #Community #Grief #Transition #Illness #Emmanuel #John14:1 #ToniCollier #DonnaPisani #KathyHayes #FaithEuryCho

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Better Together | Find Comfort this Christmas - Episode 1013 | December 16, 2024

When christmas brings up difficult emotions, we
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Get to run into the arms of the prince of peace.
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Supernatural joy flows from knowing our
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Precious savior.
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Come on, let's talk about it.
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♪♪
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Christmastime really can be one of the hardest
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Seasons for a lot of people because they go
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Through so much and it's not necessarily death.
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Sometimes we think it's just about death, but
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Grief can come from all types of things where
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People of grief
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Have taken place in your life, a new norm for your
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Children or somebody relocating.
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All different types of things can happen.
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I know with me, i am the biggest christmas buff
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There is. i love christmas.
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I like you.
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I love trees.
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I love everything about christmas because when we
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Were younger, my parents always made christmas
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Such a big deal for us.
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And so when my children were growing up, i made
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It a big deal for them as well.
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Now mind you, it was the absence of christ
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Most of the time.
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I mean, really just to be totally transparent here,
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Because i always made it about gifts, presents
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Toys or whatever.
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But of course i transitioned thank god
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And taught my kids how to serve others.
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But because i spent a lot of time with my family,
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Especially during christmastime, i had one
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Of the toughest christmases-- oh, why do i
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Feel so emotional right now?
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Maybe a few years ago.
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And i mean god knows it's been happening a few
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Times, but i think the biggest first hit was
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When i decided that i wouldn't stay and be
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There with my children for christmas.
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I said, no, y'all need to go have christmas with
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Your in-laws.
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I remember. let you-- remember that this is hard.
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Let your children go see their other grandparents
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Because i know that they want to be with me.
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I always make christmas so big.
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We make the gingerbread houses, we paint
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Pictures, we buy stuff, we go and we serve
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In the community.
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We do a lot.
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And that year had to be the toughest.
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I told him, i said, you all go, i'm going to
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The bahamas.
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Now most people will say, oh, the bahamas
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Is amazing.
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I was grieving.
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It was such a hard time because i had created
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Them to be this moment for me not even realizing
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That they aren't about the moment.
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And god had to minister to me because first of
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All, i knew it was him who told me to allow them
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To go somewhere else.
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And you go and create new memories with you and
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Your husband.
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This is what it's about.
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And it was him.
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You wouldn't have done, i would not have done that
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On my own.
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I promised you that when my husband asked me, he
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Knew he was going to have a fight because of how i
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Am about my children and my grandchildren.
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That was a hard time for me.
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So i had to find out, okay, god, what am i
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Supposed to be learning in this moment?
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I was not okay.
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But when you realize that it's like it's
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All about emmanuel.
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It's about the god that is with us.
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It's about jesus who died and came back.
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It's about all of that, all of who he happened to
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Be, the birth of christ.
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We understand that, but what does that mean in
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This totality?
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And i had to begin to embrace that, realizing
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That, god, you are my hope.
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You are my comforter.
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You bring great comfort in whatever transition of
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Life that we are in because we all are going
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To go through transitions.
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And if we don't keep our focus on who he is in our
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Lives, then we are not to be able to sustain--
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That's so true.
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Whatever season we are in, and we've been
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Talking about christmas, but for me, keeping
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Christmas alive all year is important.
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It is.
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Yes, it is.
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I agree with you.
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I love this comfort word because especially within
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The context of your story, because it sounds
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Like you're saying that you found comfort in the
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Circumstance in your family, which is not a
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Bad thing.
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It's when it becomes more comfortable than you
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Being nestled in the arms of your father who has
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Good plans for you.
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And those plans sometimes look different.
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And i just wonder how you, okay, so you're two,
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Three years in the game now.
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How is christmas now?
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It's still rough because even this year i'm
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Leaving again.
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I'm leaving again, and it's another transition.
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Typically my parents would go with me.
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Yeah, my dad is 94.
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Wow.
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And my mom is 92.
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You're so blessed.
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Yeah, i know.
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I thank god for that.
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My dad has different health challenges and
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Typically we would take them to the bahamas.
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So it's a transition again.
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But because you were talking about these faith
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Episodes. once you have victory in one area, you
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Can look and say, okay, god.
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Well if you did it before, you would
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Do it again.
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And the same comfort, the same peace that i had to
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Pull on three years ago, four years ago, it is the
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Same comfort i have to live in now.
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God is a comforter, right?
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Sometimes that's a little difficult to embrace in
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The midst of a trout or in the midst of a
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Tribulation, but when we do, there is such
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Fulfillment in it.
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The bible says to let not your heart be troubled.
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When i tell you, when i got a revelation of that,
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It allowed me to embrace the comforter.
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God wants to feel every area of our life.
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And when we are going through things, if we
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Could just relinquish the pain of it, relinquish
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The weight of it, relinquish our whole
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Mindset or ideology of things are supposed to go
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This way instead of this way, then that's when we
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Will really experience the comfort of god.
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I think people think peace is the absence of
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Troubles and trials and tribulation, but peace isn't.
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Peace is having it
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In trouble.
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You don't need peace when there's nothing
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Going on.
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You don't need it when there's nothing going on.
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Right.
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And so for me to be able to withdraw the well
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That's in me is going to be so empowering.
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It's a transition in your mind.
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It's a perspective.
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It is a change of perspective because we
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Even have now kids that go to the other parents,
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Which i love.
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I love that get to be together.
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But it's different for us too, right?
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Yes.
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And we have all the different ages here.
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Your parents are gone.
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My mama's still here.
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Your mom and daddy's still here,
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But they're older.
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And so you get into that,
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Well, can't leave mom and dad.
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This might be the last year.
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And then you can live that for forever.
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So you can't do that.
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So it's just getting a perspective and enjoying
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Those moments,
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The moments of before christmas because the day
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Of, it's a day so we can celebrate it at
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Different times.
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But he is the great comforter.
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So if we didn't need his comfort, which we need--
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Probably everybody needs god's comfort this year
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In some way or another.
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And he said, i am the great comforter.
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The holy spirit comes alongside to help us to
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Live in us, to lead us, and to guide us and
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To be with us.
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That's who he is.
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He never leaves us.
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He never forsakes us.
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I'll never leave you lonely.
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So beautiful.
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I remember my first christmas during covid in
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2020. what christmas? that was gone.
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That was really hard.
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And i say our first christmas during that
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Time, because i mean in my area, i mean the
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Restrictions were pretty heavy and we could not gather.
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We could not be with people.
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And it's really hard.
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And i remember during that time, it just
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Reminded me to really ask myself kind of like what
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Your story was.
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It was like, where does my comfort come from?
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So much of the comfort came in being able to do
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So much, but just knowing that in that just to be
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Able to acknowledge jesus, to know him, it
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Allowed me to discover.
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I like that.
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To discover and rediscover a comfort that
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Was accessible to me that i was actually not
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Accessing because i had these other comforts
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Of distraction.
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You know what i'm saying?
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And so at first it was just so depressing
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Because it was like you want to do so much.
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And during that time, my family and i were also
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In transition.
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We were in the beginning stages of our church plant.
00:10:06.562 --> 00:10:09.865
So it's not like we were part of this huge church
00:10:09.865 --> 00:10:12.735
That had all these activities and go on zoom
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To do digital parties.
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We didn't do any of that.
00:10:16.372 --> 00:10:18.107
It was just us and our children and we couldn't
00:10:18.107 --> 00:10:22.211
Even commune with a few people that were a part
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Of the church plant at that time.
00:10:24.346 --> 00:10:26.015
But i remember during that time, although it
00:10:26.015 --> 00:10:28.684
Felt extremely lonely, sad, it allowed me to,
00:10:28.684 --> 00:10:34.356
Like i said, discover and rediscover what was
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Actually already accessible to me.
00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.195
I would've never discovered that.
00:10:39.195 --> 00:10:41.764
I would've never experienced that unless
00:10:41.764 --> 00:10:44.934
The circumstances were different.
00:10:44.934 --> 00:10:47.103
And i think sometimes we could really be in lament
00:10:47.103 --> 00:10:50.773
Because of the circumstances that our
00:10:50.773 --> 00:10:53.442
Christmas season looks like and almost as if
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We're failing christmas, we're failing christmas
00:10:55.778 --> 00:10:58.647
Because it doesn't look a certain way.
00:10:58.647 --> 00:11:00.516
I don't feel a certain way, but it's an
00:11:00.516 --> 00:11:03.219
Opportunity to discover and rediscover what you do.
00:11:03.219 --> 00:11:06.689
I mean, because that was me.
00:11:06.689 --> 00:11:09.291
I found comfort in being with my family and my
00:11:09.291 --> 00:11:12.428
Children, my grandchildren, and not
00:11:12.428 --> 00:11:14.563
Even pulling on the comforter.
00:11:14.563 --> 00:11:17.266
And so for me, i did have to rediscover what was
00:11:17.266 --> 00:11:22.438
Already available to me.
00:11:22.438 --> 00:11:25.407
David said, where can i go from the presence of
00:11:25.407 --> 00:11:28.310
The lord? if i fly to the uttermost parts of
00:11:28.310 --> 00:11:31.313
The earth,
00:11:31.313 --> 00:11:32.248
There you are.
00:11:32.248 --> 00:11:33.449
I make my bed in hell,
00:11:33.449 --> 00:11:34.717
There you are.
00:11:34.717 --> 00:11:36.185
And i want to remind you that no matter where you
00:11:36.185 --> 00:11:38.320
Are this christmas that you are not alone.
00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:42.091
God is with you.
00:11:42.091 --> 00:11:43.826
All we have to do is become more aware of his
00:11:43.826 --> 00:11:45.928
Presence and that's just leaning into who he is.
00:11:45.928 --> 00:11:49.698
That's just declaring who he is, just worshiping
00:11:49.698 --> 00:11:52.268
And praising god for who he is and asking him,
00:11:52.268 --> 00:11:55.871
God, let me touch you.
00:11:55.871 --> 00:11:58.607
Let me feel your presence.
00:11:58.607 --> 00:12:00.476
And i pray that god gives you his embrace, his
00:12:00.476 --> 00:12:04.513
Peace you've never felt before.
00:12:04.513 --> 00:12:06.849
You are never alone.
00:12:06.849 --> 00:12:10.419
Over this last year, god's comfort in the pain
00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:13.756
Has been greater than the pain itself.
00:12:13.756 --> 00:12:17.226
As crazy as it sounds
00:12:17.226 --> 00:12:19.094
I don't want to miss that.
00:12:19.094 --> 00:12:22.031
I know. i just, even this upcoming christmas, i
00:12:22.031 --> 00:12:25.100
Think i haven't even started to process it
00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:27.503
Because we've just been taking it bite by bite
00:12:27.503 --> 00:12:28.704
Over here.
00:12:28.704 --> 00:12:30.439
But if i really probably sat down and thought
00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.841
About it, i'm sure i have some fears of, oh my
00:12:31.841 --> 00:12:34.977
Goodness, another christmas with just me
00:12:34.977 --> 00:12:36.779
And my kids.
00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:37.980
What does that look like?
00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.315
I've already been begging my parents.
00:12:39.315 --> 00:12:40.950
I'm like, can y'all please come? just y'all,
00:12:40.950 --> 00:12:43.552
Please be the ones to be there.
00:12:43.552 --> 00:12:45.821
And i think what i just don't want to miss is
00:12:45.821 --> 00:12:50.326
Time with my family, joy, but maybe that's
00:12:50.326 --> 00:12:54.897
Just shallow.
00:12:54.897 --> 00:12:56.198
I think what i really don't want to miss is
00:12:56.198 --> 00:12:58.901
God's comfort and the pain for whatever that
00:12:58.901 --> 00:13:00.569
Looks like because-- where does your joy come from?
00:13:00.569 --> 00:13:02.571
That's what i'm saying.
00:13:02.571 --> 00:13:04.573
That's what i'm trying to say.
00:13:04.573 --> 00:13:05.774
I don't want my joy in this holiday season
00:13:05.774 --> 00:13:07.910
To be shallow.
00:13:07.910 --> 00:13:09.645
I know that's right and that's good and
00:13:09.645 --> 00:13:11.981
I appreciate that-- [laughter]
00:13:11.981 --> 00:13:13.949
I can tell by the cadence of your voice, i
00:13:13.949 --> 00:13:17.219
Appreciate, i appreciate that.
00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:20.289
But that could also sound so for lack of better way
00:13:20.289 --> 00:13:25.294
Of putting it, so religious, so like the
00:13:25.294 --> 00:13:26.829
Church thing, because you got people that are at
00:13:26.829 --> 00:13:29.365
Home right now, hurting people that are really
00:13:29.365 --> 00:13:32.201
Going through things.
00:13:32.201 --> 00:13:33.969
So walk us through a process.
00:13:33.969 --> 00:13:35.905
How do we handle this pain?
00:13:35.905 --> 00:13:37.373
Because at the end, i love that that's your
00:13:37.373 --> 00:13:41.844
Resolve and that's what you want to experience or
00:13:41.844 --> 00:13:43.012
That what you want to see.
00:13:43.012 --> 00:13:44.380
But how did you get to that place?
00:13:44.380 --> 00:13:46.749
Yeah, i think for me, if anyone's familiar with my
00:13:46.749 --> 00:13:49.518
Story, i went through a really hard public
00:13:49.518 --> 00:13:51.587
Divorce this past year.
00:13:51.587 --> 00:13:53.455
I had a marriage that was no longer god honoring.
00:13:53.455 --> 00:13:55.424
It just was very difficult.
00:13:55.424 --> 00:13:57.092
I've got two kids and so single mama trying to do
00:13:57.092 --> 00:14:00.729
Ministry really well and trying to love god.
00:14:00.729 --> 00:14:02.731
And i think at the very beginning i just wanted
00:14:02.731 --> 00:14:07.569
Everything to be the same.
00:14:07.569 --> 00:14:09.838
I just was like, let me do the best that i can to
00:14:09.838 --> 00:14:12.808
Make sure that no one else can feel the pain of
00:14:12.808 --> 00:14:15.511
What's happening in our lives.
00:14:15.511 --> 00:14:17.880
I don't want my kids to feel it.
00:14:17.880 --> 00:14:19.081
I don't want my sweet little nanny to feel it.
00:14:19.081 --> 00:14:20.816
She's been with me.
00:14:20.816 --> 00:14:21.617
She's from a different country.
00:14:21.617 --> 00:14:22.451
She's like, what just happened?
00:14:22.451 --> 00:14:24.019
I'm like, it's okay.
00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:26.055
And then things just started falling apart.
00:14:26.055 --> 00:14:29.925
And in my trying to fabricate comfort,
00:14:29.925 --> 00:14:34.029
Earthly comfort, comfort, i was failing my family
00:14:34.029 --> 00:14:36.832
Because the ceiling was me and i am a fallen,
00:14:36.832 --> 00:14:41.971
Broken, imperfect human being and i was trying to
00:14:41.971 --> 00:14:45.841
Provide a false comfort that it couldn't sustain.
00:14:45.841 --> 00:14:50.346
I was being crushed trying to keep
00:14:50.346 --> 00:14:52.047
Everything as is.
00:14:52.047 --> 00:14:53.949
And i think now i've gotten to a place where
00:14:53.949 --> 00:14:56.085
One, i had to start receiving god's comfort
00:14:56.085 --> 00:14:58.854
For myself because that's another little thing for me.
00:14:58.854 --> 00:15:01.790
I don't want god to pity me.
00:15:01.790 --> 00:15:03.726
I want to go to him with all my nice shiny things
00:15:03.726 --> 00:15:06.261
And say, look at me go.
00:15:06.261 --> 00:15:07.730
I'm doing ministry.
00:15:07.730 --> 00:15:08.364
I'm living my best life.
00:15:08.364 --> 00:15:09.331
I do not want to be sorrowful because it
00:15:09.331 --> 00:15:11.400
Feels really ungrateful.
00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:13.202
And i realized that that's something that i
00:15:13.202 --> 00:15:14.837
Had to fix.
00:15:14.837 --> 00:15:16.271
And so my first step was what does it look like
00:15:16.271 --> 00:15:20.409
For me to stop trying to pretend that everything's
00:15:20.409 --> 00:15:22.711
Okay and fully surrender to god?
00:15:22.711 --> 00:15:25.948
And when i did that, i accessed, come on, this
00:15:25.948 --> 00:15:30.919
Piece that i am still shocked about honestly,
00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:34.156
And i think that's why i'm like, i'm not a pain
00:15:34.156 --> 00:15:35.791
Junkie, but i've tasted and seen the goodness of
00:15:35.791 --> 00:15:39.128
God in the land of the living. absolutely.
00:15:39.128 --> 00:15:41.930
In the middle of what didn't even make sense to
00:15:41.930 --> 00:15:44.133
Experience pain.
00:15:44.133 --> 00:15:45.634
And so now i'm like, don't do that this year.
00:15:45.634 --> 00:15:48.871
I love that. because if you've tasted and seen
00:15:48.871 --> 00:15:50.406
The goodness of god in the land of the living,
00:15:50.406 --> 00:15:51.673
You got to let your family do it too.
00:15:51.673 --> 00:15:53.175
Do not stand in the way. amen, honey. if my
00:15:53.175 --> 00:15:56.011
Daughter's in pain this season, i need to let her
00:15:56.011 --> 00:15:58.747
Be in pain.
00:15:58.747 --> 00:15:59.848
I need to point to the cross because i want her
00:15:59.848 --> 00:16:02.084
And i want people watching to experience
00:16:02.084 --> 00:16:03.952
Whatever that is.
00:16:03.952 --> 00:16:05.187
I really still can't make sense of it.
00:16:05.187 --> 00:16:06.555
I'm like, this is so weird that i'm like--
00:16:06.555 --> 00:16:09.158
But i think
00:16:09.158 --> 00:16:10.159
It's because you allowed yourself to become
00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:12.995
Vulnerable and to it's like no pride.
00:16:12.995 --> 00:16:17.599
It's like when you really humble before the
00:16:17.599 --> 00:16:20.035
Presence of god. it's like, god, you're the
00:16:20.035 --> 00:16:22.838
Only one that can fix this.
00:16:22.838 --> 00:16:24.339
There just hasn't been anything as good.
00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:26.241
Yeah, i want to be honest.
00:16:26.241 --> 00:16:28.410
I haven't found it yet and i promise you,
00:16:28.410 --> 00:16:29.745
It's nothing. it's not coming.
00:16:29.745 --> 00:16:31.547
It is never coming.
00:16:31.547 --> 00:16:33.148
If we keep looking for it in other places,
00:16:33.148 --> 00:16:35.851
We will never have it.
00:16:35.851 --> 00:16:37.753
But i do love your vulnerability, your
00:16:37.753 --> 00:16:40.923
Openness and your willingness to just share
00:16:40.923 --> 00:16:43.292
Because so many people go through things and the
00:16:43.292 --> 00:16:46.628
Church world. they don't talk.
00:16:46.628 --> 00:16:48.530
But because we tell the story from this side, we
00:16:48.530 --> 00:16:52.901
Don't always say-- while you're
00:16:52.901 --> 00:16:54.570
Going through it.
00:16:54.570 --> 00:16:55.604
While we are going through it, it it's like,
00:16:55.604 --> 00:16:57.439
Show me a picture.
00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.474
Give me a picture of how to go through this.
00:16:58.474 --> 00:17:02.678
I think part of the reason why it's so
00:17:02.678 --> 00:17:04.446
Difficult for us to feel the freedom to be
00:17:04.446 --> 00:17:07.316
Vulnerable and sad is because we believe that
00:17:07.316 --> 00:17:09.952
People will leave the room.
00:17:09.952 --> 00:17:11.987
I think it's important for us to really
00:17:11.987 --> 00:17:15.057
Understand that god never leaves.
00:17:15.057 --> 00:17:19.528
I mean there's a reason why he was coined our
00:17:19.528 --> 00:17:21.763
Emmanuel, the god that's with us because he's not
00:17:21.763 --> 00:17:25.701
Just with us in the good times.
00:17:25.701 --> 00:17:28.003
He is so deeply with us when things are really
00:17:28.003 --> 00:17:30.839
Hard, and so i think it's important for us to get
00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:34.276
Used to being sad and sorrowful with god so
00:17:34.276 --> 00:17:37.146
That he can prove to us over time that he's not
00:17:37.146 --> 00:17:40.482
Leaving even when we're sad.
00:17:40.482 --> 00:17:43.385
And once we test god at his word, that he is
00:17:43.385 --> 00:17:46.688
Close to the broken hearted and revives those
00:17:46.688 --> 00:17:48.357
That are crushed in spirit,
00:17:48.357 --> 00:17:49.458
Once he proves that to you, the next time
00:17:49.458 --> 00:17:52.027
Something painful happens, you'll know
00:17:52.027 --> 00:17:54.496
Where to run and you'll know who will be there.
00:17:54.496 --> 00:17:57.733
Our god.
00:17:57.733 --> 00:18:00.969
Okay, so our next question is from our
00:18:01.770 --> 00:18:03.472
Viewer dominique, and she asked us this question
00:18:03.472 --> 00:18:05.941
On instagram.
00:18:05.941 --> 00:18:07.075
This is my first christmas living far away
00:18:07.075 --> 00:18:08.977
From my family and friends.
00:18:08.977 --> 00:18:10.579
I don't want to feel sorry for myself, but the
00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.447
Loneliness and sadness are overwhelming.
00:18:12.447 --> 00:18:14.650
What should i do?
00:18:14.650 --> 00:18:16.385
That's a good question.
00:18:16.385 --> 00:18:17.352
That is a good question.
00:18:17.352 --> 00:18:18.654
I have questions like, tell me your name again.
00:18:18.654 --> 00:18:21.190
Dominique.
00:18:21.190 --> 00:18:23.926
I have questions like dominique, are you in
00:18:22.057 --> 00:18:25.360
A community?
00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.395
Do you have friends in this new place yet?
00:18:26.395 --> 00:18:27.529
My instinct says that there's somebody else who
00:18:27.529 --> 00:18:30.299
Feels like you that maybe, and it doesn't
00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:33.268
Have to have anything to do with the exact date,
00:18:33.268 --> 00:18:37.339
Christmas 25.
00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.840
December 25, right.
00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.209
It could be in that season.
00:18:40.209 --> 00:18:42.110
Just making sure that you're also seeing people
00:18:42.110 --> 00:18:44.913
Who might feel unseen in this season and something
00:18:44.913 --> 00:18:47.616
About serving and seeing the unseen when you feel
00:18:47.616 --> 00:18:51.787
Unseen yourself really, really fills your cup.
00:18:51.787 --> 00:18:55.490
And so i would say maybe look around and see if
00:18:55.490 --> 00:18:57.993
Anybody else is feeling like you're feeling and
00:18:57.993 --> 00:19:00.162
See if you can do, i know they have things like
00:19:00.162 --> 00:19:02.431
Friendsgiving for thanksgiving where you
00:19:02.431 --> 00:19:04.233
Get together with your friends and maybe you
00:19:04.233 --> 00:19:07.035
Have a bit of an altered menu so that it's not the
00:19:07.035 --> 00:19:11.807
Traditional menu, but you just get together and
00:19:11.807 --> 00:19:14.209
Decide, i'm thankful for these people.
00:19:14.209 --> 00:19:16.612
Or if it's at christmas that maybe you start a
00:19:16.612 --> 00:19:20.115
Small advent study at home for the four weeks
00:19:20.115 --> 00:19:24.019
Leading up to it where you and a couple of other
00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:26.655
People who aren't going to be able to be with
00:19:26.655 --> 00:19:29.091
Your families are focusing on the true
00:19:29.091 --> 00:19:30.492
Meaning of christmas together.
00:19:30.492 --> 00:19:32.427
So it's my first thought that you're probably not
00:19:32.427 --> 00:19:34.496
The only one.
00:19:34.496 --> 00:19:35.564
Yeah, yeah, i agree.
00:19:35.564 --> 00:19:37.899
God created us to be in community and we want you
00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:40.369
To join ours.
00:19:40.369 --> 00:19:42.137
Follow us on social media and join
00:19:42.137 --> 00:19:44.706
Our conversation.
00:19:44.706 --> 00:19:46.675
Let's keep the conversation going.
00:19:47.442 --> 00:19:49.011
You can find the better together podcast on your
00:19:49.011 --> 00:19:51.346
Favorite listening platform.
00:19:51.346 --> 00:19:53.248
Subscribe today.
00:19:53.248 --> 00:19:54.950
♪♪
00:19:54.950 --> 00:19:56.010
♪♪
00:19:56.010 --> 00:20:01.101
We are called to bear fruit in every season.
00:20:01.101 --> 00:20:05.372
That's every season.
00:20:05.372 --> 00:20:06.640
And so you take an orange and you take the orange
00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.609
And you press it against a hard surface and
00:20:08.609 --> 00:20:12.713
You roll it around and almost knead it, and then the
00:20:12.713 --> 00:20:17.818
Flesh comes off of the fruit easier.
00:20:17.818 --> 00:20:21.989
Yes, it does.
00:20:21.989 --> 00:20:23.490
When it goes through that pressure and that--
00:20:23.490 --> 00:20:25.125
That's a good analogy.
00:20:25.125 --> 00:20:27.161
I know.
00:20:26.293 --> 00:20:28.162
That's what is kind of happening to us
00:20:28.162 --> 00:20:29.863
At this moment,
00:20:29.863 --> 00:20:31.498
That it's just peeling away, getting bare before
00:20:31.498 --> 00:20:35.502
The lord so that you can bear much fruit.
00:20:35.502 --> 00:20:38.105
That's right.
00:20:38.105 --> 00:20:39.106
That's good, laurie.
00:20:39.106 --> 00:20:40.474
So if we understand that the hard places,
00:20:40.474 --> 00:20:44.678
The places of grief, the places of barrenness, the
00:20:44.678 --> 00:20:49.750
Places of hard stuff struggle, whatever you
00:20:49.750 --> 00:20:55.656
Think it is is to bear fruit and god wants to
00:20:55.656 --> 00:21:00.294
Bear fruit inside of us.
00:21:00.294 --> 00:21:03.263
I actually love this conversation.
00:21:03.263 --> 00:21:05.532
I know because that's bearing fruit, because
00:21:05.532 --> 00:21:08.235
Even what you're describing there, we are
00:21:08.235 --> 00:21:10.904
Dealing with trying to connect our theology
00:21:10.904 --> 00:21:15.008
That's in our mind with what's going on in our
00:21:15.008 --> 00:21:17.845
Hearts, which is even you sharing the reality of
00:21:17.845 --> 00:21:21.548
Your story, it just shows that we could easily,
00:21:21.548 --> 00:21:24.184
Even as christians try to as to your words, conjure
00:21:24.184 --> 00:21:27.621
Up our own comfort.
00:21:27.621 --> 00:21:29.289
Fabricate our own comfort because that theology in
00:21:29.289 --> 00:21:32.259
Our mind that says, oh god is good, give us
00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:35.229
Sacrifice of praise and he's enough and this is
00:21:35.229 --> 00:21:38.365
What they say.
00:21:38.365 --> 00:21:39.700
He's a wonderful counselor, but in a way
00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:42.736
It keeps us from bearing that fruit when we're not
00:21:42.736 --> 00:21:46.140
Allowing ourselves to be real with our hearts, but
00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:51.245
Yet acknowledge the presence of god at the
00:21:51.245 --> 00:21:52.880
Same time. in the midst of it.
00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:54.882
One of my favorite passages, psalm 73,
00:21:54.882 --> 00:21:57.317
Starting from verse 21 where it says...
00:21:57.317 --> 00:22:18.672
It's just that yet i am with you, and from i am
00:22:18.672 --> 00:22:23.177
Always with you,
00:22:23.177 --> 00:22:24.545
He does the holding of my right hand.
00:22:24.545 --> 00:22:26.747
He guides me.
00:22:26.747 --> 00:22:27.981
He will take me up in glory.
00:22:27.981 --> 00:22:30.250
It's just that yet i am always with you.
00:22:30.250 --> 00:22:33.754
That's good.
00:22:33.754 --> 00:22:35.255
Even when i'm angry, even when i'm sad, even when i
00:22:35.255 --> 00:22:38.292
Don't think he's going to show up, even when i have
00:22:38.292 --> 00:22:41.161
These doubts that i'm not quite proud of, even in
00:22:41.161 --> 00:22:44.498
The midst of those things, it's that yet
00:22:44.498 --> 00:22:48.135
You're still with me.
00:22:48.135 --> 00:22:49.436
I'm always with you.
00:22:49.436 --> 00:22:50.904
Even when i don't feel you, you are
00:22:50.904 --> 00:22:52.739
Right here.
00:22:52.739 --> 00:22:53.874
That power of acknowledgement, that power of
00:22:53.874 --> 00:22:55.709
Acknowledgement, acknowledging his
00:22:55.709 --> 00:22:58.045
Presence, what we choose to be influenced and
00:22:58.045 --> 00:23:01.615
Formed by is determined by what we acknowledge.
00:23:01.615 --> 00:23:03.917
And if we are constantly ignoring his nearness and
00:23:03.917 --> 00:23:07.855
Only acknowledging our problems, we'll be formed
00:23:07.855 --> 00:23:11.425
By our problems.
00:23:11.425 --> 00:23:12.359
Right?
00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.193
That's right.
00:23:13.193 --> 00:23:14.394
But when-- very good. in the midst of our pain, as you
00:23:14.394 --> 00:23:16.230
Were saying, when we're just acknowledging his
00:23:16.230 --> 00:23:18.298
Nearness, we are just like god, what, how, and
00:23:18.298 --> 00:23:21.368
Why and where, but just that acknowledgement, he
00:23:21.368 --> 00:23:25.906
Gives us access to be able to be formed by the
00:23:25.906 --> 00:23:28.876
Holy spirit and not by bad news.
00:23:28.876 --> 00:23:33.313
Acknowledging god's nearness can help us walk
00:23:33.313 --> 00:23:36.183
Through our seasons of grief because the comfort
00:23:36.183 --> 00:23:38.919
Of god is yours, but in order to really access
00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:42.356
It, we must be aware of his nearness and how we
00:23:42.356 --> 00:23:45.592
Grow in awareness of his nearness is by
00:23:45.592 --> 00:23:48.428
Acknowledging him.
00:23:48.428 --> 00:23:49.963
As you acknowledge him in every step of your life,
00:23:49.963 --> 00:23:54.134
You will grow in that awareness of just how
00:23:54.134 --> 00:23:56.737
Good he is.
00:23:56.737 --> 00:23:57.871
You'll grow in awareness of his peace.
00:23:57.871 --> 00:24:01.408
You'll grow in awareness of his truth, and so
00:24:01.408 --> 00:24:03.477
Acknowledging him as you wash the dishes, drive to
00:24:03.477 --> 00:24:05.212
Work is such a great practice.
00:24:05.212 --> 00:24:09.082
I love that
00:24:09.082 --> 00:24:10.017
The writer, it's interesting how he wrote
00:24:10.017 --> 00:24:11.852
It because he said...
00:24:11.852 --> 00:24:18.692
Oftentimes the scripture highlights, but god is
00:24:18.692 --> 00:24:21.695
Always with us, with us, and he is emmanuel with
00:24:21.695 --> 00:24:24.831
Us and we have the free choice to be with him, to
00:24:24.831 --> 00:24:28.468
Be with him.
00:24:28.468 --> 00:24:29.770
In psalm 27 for the writer, there is like
00:24:29.770 --> 00:24:33.006
Wars rage around me, my enemies and foes, they
00:24:33.006 --> 00:24:35.809
All fallen all over the place.
00:24:35.809 --> 00:24:36.977
There's only one thing that i ask of the lord
00:24:36.977 --> 00:24:39.313
And it wasn't a machete.
00:24:39.313 --> 00:24:40.447
Hello, somebody.
00:24:40.447 --> 00:24:41.515
Okay, so i can take these enemies out so i can
00:24:41.515 --> 00:24:42.950
Go to war.
00:24:42.950 --> 00:24:44.051
You want 'em though, but you want it would've been
00:24:44.051 --> 00:24:46.053
Great, but really the one thing that i seek is to
00:24:46.053 --> 00:24:49.122
Dwell in the house of the lord and gaze upon
00:24:49.122 --> 00:24:50.524
His beauty.
00:24:50.524 --> 00:24:52.693
Because there is a god--
00:24:52.693 --> 00:24:54.494
It's a choice.
00:24:54.494 --> 00:24:55.295
It's a choice, it's a choice.
00:24:55.295 --> 00:24:57.664
And we get to be with god because he's always
00:24:57.664 --> 00:25:00.100
With us and he's available
00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.935
And we get to dwell on his beauty because he's
00:25:01.935 --> 00:25:04.104
Dwelling right back at us.
00:25:04.104 --> 00:25:05.639
I love it. and i just love that.
00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:07.541
I don't know.
00:25:07.541 --> 00:25:08.375
I just never realized that.
00:25:08.375 --> 00:25:09.810
I was like, i am always with you, it's like what are
00:25:09.810 --> 00:25:12.479
We saying to god?
00:25:12.479 --> 00:25:14.381
I am with you, too.
00:25:14.381 --> 00:25:17.517
Ain't nobody going nowhere.
00:25:17.517 --> 00:25:19.486
You're going to have to claw me out of your presence.
00:25:19.486 --> 00:25:21.555
That's right.
00:25:21.555 --> 00:25:22.956
You going to have to claw me out of your presence.
00:25:22.956 --> 00:25:24.558
I think it's time we have to say to god--
00:25:24.558 --> 00:25:27.594
I am with you too. i'm with you too.
00:25:27.594 --> 00:25:29.696
I like that! i say it too.
00:25:29.696 --> 00:25:32.065
The hardest thing for me after i lost my sister
00:25:32.065 --> 00:25:34.735
Was to stand in service, everybody looking at me
00:25:34.735 --> 00:25:39.706
Wondering how is katie?
00:25:39.706 --> 00:25:41.575
Well, i'm looking at them, how are you because
00:25:41.575 --> 00:25:43.677
My sister led the choir.
00:25:43.677 --> 00:25:46.880
She was like, everybody's love, loved my sister.
00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:50.550
I'm just looking on this thing like
00:25:50.550 --> 00:25:52.886
God, why is my grief so public?
00:25:52.886 --> 00:25:57.157
And he said, your joys are multiplied and public
00:25:57.157 --> 00:26:02.462
Too. and so i said, we're in this together,
00:26:02.462 --> 00:26:05.499
Aren't we, god? by being vocal,
00:26:05.499 --> 00:26:08.869
Cry if you need to cry, shout if you need to
00:26:08.869 --> 00:26:12.139
Shout, be angry if you need to be angry,
00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:14.708
Because that's what releases the anointing.
00:26:14.708 --> 00:26:19.713
If you just shut up and act like you're okay and
00:26:19.713 --> 00:26:22.783
You're not-- you might lose somebody.
00:26:22.783 --> 00:26:24.785
There's no flow.
00:26:24.785 --> 00:26:27.287
God has to-- did you know the whole first half of psalms,
00:26:27.287 --> 00:26:33.960
He's griping, complaining.
00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:37.564
Soaking my bed with tears, blood on the couch.
00:26:37.564 --> 00:26:40.500
The second half, he learned and he gave god
00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:44.738
The glory constantly.
00:26:44.738 --> 00:26:46.306
So in 2020, i thought i'd lose my son.
00:26:46.306 --> 00:26:50.544
I thought i would lose my daughter.
00:26:50.544 --> 00:26:52.813
Second time round of cancer for my daughter
00:26:52.813 --> 00:26:55.449
And it was horrible.
00:26:55.449 --> 00:26:57.317
The diagnosis was horrible from the normal
00:26:57.317 --> 00:27:00.987
Person nurse. god sent the right person.
00:27:00.987 --> 00:27:08.361
Powerful nurse, little irish woman,
00:27:08.361 --> 00:27:10.864
About five foot tall.
00:27:10.864 --> 00:27:12.499
She walked in that room, i saw an angel
00:27:12.499 --> 00:27:16.269
And that lady had faith.
00:27:16.269 --> 00:27:19.239
She said, i said, i know people who have had
00:27:19.239 --> 00:27:22.709
What my daughter has and lived 20 years.
00:27:22.709 --> 00:27:25.011
Oh, i've got lots of 'em.
00:27:25.011 --> 00:27:28.715
Ain't nobody going nowhere.
00:27:28.715 --> 00:27:32.085
Mamie mccullough said, she's a speaker writer
00:27:32.085 --> 00:27:35.388
And she followed zig ziglar.
00:27:35.388 --> 00:27:37.491
He taught her a lot, but she was raised so poor.
00:27:37.491 --> 00:27:40.660
She said, we weren't poor. we were poor.
00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:44.698
She said, there was a bunch of kids in the family.
00:27:44.698 --> 00:27:48.201
The daddy died.
00:27:48.201 --> 00:27:50.003
The mama's sitting there with the children around
00:27:50.003 --> 00:27:52.372
The table and all the family is circled around.
00:27:52.372 --> 00:27:55.175
Everybody's thinking, we got to take one of the kids
00:27:55.175 --> 00:27:58.979
And mama gets up.
00:27:58.979 --> 00:28:00.347
She said, i'll never forget that what she said.
00:28:00.347 --> 00:28:03.583
She put her little hands on that table and she
00:28:03.583 --> 00:28:05.986
Stood up and she said, ain't nobody going nowhere.
00:28:05.986 --> 00:28:12.559
Well, in her greatest depth of grief,
00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:18.431
Wondering where's my next meal coming from?
00:28:18.431 --> 00:28:22.435
That woman got ahold of something very profound
00:28:22.435 --> 00:28:26.373
Because she not just said it for her sake,
00:28:26.373 --> 00:28:30.310
But for every-- whatever your opinion was...
00:28:30.310 --> 00:28:34.781
Didn't matter.
00:28:34.781 --> 00:28:37.784
...ain't nobody going nowhere, and that's how
00:28:37.784 --> 00:28:40.353
Your children need to know.
00:28:40.353 --> 00:28:42.022
My mother was the same way.
00:28:42.022 --> 00:28:43.623
She made declarations all the time,
00:28:43.623 --> 00:28:46.993
And that's why god lifted us up out of the
00:28:46.993 --> 00:28:50.564
Negativity and set us on high.
00:28:50.564 --> 00:28:53.567
Say, nobody goes through these kinds
00:28:53.567 --> 00:28:56.169
Of things by accident.
00:28:56.169 --> 00:28:58.939
That's good news. not this family.
00:28:58.939 --> 00:29:01.041
We pray. we live for god.
00:29:01.041 --> 00:29:03.844
When you have faced negative things in the
00:29:04.744 --> 00:29:06.847
Holidays previously, and you know the holidays are
00:29:06.847 --> 00:29:11.117
Coming up and all those kind of things,
00:29:11.117 --> 00:29:14.521
Memories come up. you know what?
00:29:14.521 --> 00:29:16.356
I started memorializing my hardest times at a
00:29:16.356 --> 00:29:21.595
Candlelight service.
00:29:21.595 --> 00:29:24.197
I have lit a candle for those i've lost
00:29:24.197 --> 00:29:29.002
And i wish were here.
00:29:29.002 --> 00:29:31.271
I have spoken about them, told stories, memories,
00:29:31.271 --> 00:29:36.276
Sang songs that they sang,
00:29:36.276 --> 00:29:39.412
Just all kinds of ways to make it better.
00:29:39.412 --> 00:29:43.116
Celebrate, look for ways to celebrate.
00:29:43.116 --> 00:29:47.454
Don't be afraid to bring up a loved one that maybe
00:29:47.454 --> 00:29:52.626
You lost or a terrible negative thing that happened
00:29:52.626 --> 00:29:56.263
To you, but god turned it for good. telling it,
00:29:56.263 --> 00:29:59.065
Testimonies are good, they're healthy.
00:29:59.065 --> 00:30:02.235
It's good for you to focus on what god did
00:30:02.235 --> 00:30:06.139
Through the situation.
00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:09.175
That's the beauty in this though.
00:30:09.175 --> 00:30:11.578
When we go through, it's like you redirect your
00:30:11.578 --> 00:30:14.948
Focus and attention on the comforter,
00:30:14.948 --> 00:30:18.151
On the strength giver, on your faith.
00:30:18.151 --> 00:30:21.621
It's like my testimony is not predicated on
00:30:21.621 --> 00:30:25.458
Somebody else's testimony.
00:30:25.458 --> 00:30:27.327
They didn't make it.
00:30:27.327 --> 00:30:28.628
They didn't survive after a divorce or after death
00:30:28.628 --> 00:30:32.132
Or whatever has happened in the public,
00:30:32.132 --> 00:30:36.903
But that does not have to mean that's our story
00:30:36.903 --> 00:30:39.806
Because we got a revelation of this word
00:30:39.806 --> 00:30:42.108
That we say that we live by and just hearing all
00:30:42.108 --> 00:30:46.446
Of this and talking, it's like i believe if
00:30:46.446 --> 00:30:50.483
Everyone would become more intimate with the
00:30:50.483 --> 00:30:53.053
Word, the father, because we try to build during
00:30:53.053 --> 00:30:57.590
The storm opposed to building before the storm happens.
00:30:57.590 --> 00:31:00.860
You're living on the offense, not the defense.
00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:02.729
Absolutely.
00:31:02.729 --> 00:31:03.930
And you're not prepared over here.
00:31:03.930 --> 00:31:06.232
You got to prepare over here,
00:31:06.232 --> 00:31:07.968
When we realize that trouble comes.
00:31:07.968 --> 00:31:10.403
The tough times happen that death or traumatic
00:31:10.403 --> 00:31:14.641
Experiences come if we know that ahead of
00:31:14.641 --> 00:31:18.244
Time then we could prepare over here
00:31:18.244 --> 00:31:21.448
And have a revelation of who god is.
00:31:21.448 --> 00:31:25.352
What did jesus die for?
00:31:25.352 --> 00:31:28.621
Why was jesus ever sent to the earth?
00:31:28.621 --> 00:31:32.158
Your faith is everything.
00:31:32.158 --> 00:31:34.995
It's everything.
00:31:34.995 --> 00:31:36.196
My faith is everything to me.
00:31:36.196 --> 00:31:39.599
Absolutely.
00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.101
It's like no matter what, i have my faith.
00:31:41.101 --> 00:31:45.839
And that faith is what sustains you.
00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:49.843
The faith is what gets you through. the faith
00:31:49.843 --> 00:31:52.879
Is what gets you through christmas,
00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:55.115
Gets you through any time in your life that any
00:31:55.115 --> 00:31:59.386
Season of your life, it is my faith that is
00:31:59.386 --> 00:32:02.022
A firm foundation.
00:32:02.022 --> 00:32:04.224
It's not wavy, it's not shaky.
00:32:04.224 --> 00:32:06.426
It's like no matter, no matter what.
00:32:06.426 --> 00:32:10.363
God is going, his kingdom come, his will be done.
00:32:10.363 --> 00:32:14.067
But people don't understand faith.
00:32:14.067 --> 00:32:15.869
It says the just shall live by faith,
00:32:15.869 --> 00:32:18.872
But yet we pick faith up like it's a spare tire.
00:32:18.872 --> 00:32:23.576
We pick it up when we need it. and you know
00:32:23.576 --> 00:32:26.646
When people are not in faith because they're
00:32:26.646 --> 00:32:28.715
Saying, oh, i had to step out in faith. for me,
00:32:28.715 --> 00:32:31.451
I'll ask you, where were you all the time?
00:32:31.451 --> 00:32:34.754
I'm in the pool back stroking all the time.
00:32:34.754 --> 00:32:39.759
All the time chilling in it because i don't
00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:41.694
Want to have to try to grab for something and
00:32:41.694 --> 00:32:44.464
Not know if it's going to be there for me.
00:32:44.464 --> 00:32:47.100
I want my whole life, every aspect of my life
00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:50.837
To be lived out through faith.
00:32:50.837 --> 00:32:52.972
We can talk about those great steps of faith
00:32:52.972 --> 00:32:54.841
That you have to take.
00:32:54.841 --> 00:32:56.376
Everybody has their steps of faith that we're going to.
00:32:56.376 --> 00:32:59.579
We've got to keep moving. we've got to keep going.
00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:01.681
We've got to, and-- there's no stepping back.
00:33:01.681 --> 00:33:03.817
If something happens to us, that interruption,
00:33:03.817 --> 00:33:06.686
That unexpected thing,
00:33:06.686 --> 00:33:09.522
And then that's when faith really like
00:33:09.522 --> 00:33:13.626
When the rubber meets the road.
00:33:13.626 --> 00:33:16.930
I think we grow a strong foundation of faith by
00:33:16.930 --> 00:33:22.368
Being challenged, by working our faith.
00:33:22.368 --> 00:33:25.605
That's how you grow strong in the lord.
00:33:25.605 --> 00:33:27.440
It's by challenges.
00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.775
You may call 'em they're attacks, whatever you want
00:33:28.775 --> 00:33:31.377
To call it, i believe they are opportunities.
00:33:31.377 --> 00:33:34.481
God is calling on your faith and it's all
00:33:34.481 --> 00:33:37.550
Good for you.
00:33:37.550 --> 00:33:39.853
You know what's interesting as a pastor,
00:33:39.853 --> 00:33:41.521
The question that i get asked the most often is,
00:33:41.521 --> 00:33:45.792
What if i don't feel it?
00:33:45.792 --> 00:33:47.694
What if i don't feel it? and it happens a lot.
00:33:47.694 --> 00:33:51.164
What if i don't feel god? what do i do?
00:33:51.164 --> 00:33:55.235
And i think the premise of that is you are
00:33:55.235 --> 00:33:58.938
Looking for a formula, like a breakthrough
00:33:58.938 --> 00:34:01.407
Formula of how do i get myself to feel it?
00:34:01.407 --> 00:34:06.112
But i think really the heart behind that
00:34:06.112 --> 00:34:08.915
Question is basically trying to figure out how
00:34:08.915 --> 00:34:12.719
To avoid and bypass the process of faith. when you
00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:16.990
Are looking to figure out how to feel it as opposed
00:34:16.990 --> 00:34:21.661
To just choosing to believe, right?
00:34:21.661 --> 00:34:25.165
We do so much to try to avoid the discomfort
00:34:25.165 --> 00:34:30.136
Of faith sometimes.
00:34:30.136 --> 00:34:32.539
Earlier this year in full transparency.
00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:36.009
Let's go for it. i started off this year--
00:34:36.009 --> 00:34:38.545
You always say full transparency,
00:34:38.545 --> 00:34:40.947
But you don't really give us the nitty grit.
00:34:40.947 --> 00:34:43.483
I want to hear it all.
00:34:43.483 --> 00:34:45.185
Well, i'll tell you, i'll tell you, i'll tell you.
00:34:45.185 --> 00:34:46.953
I started this year with a bang as in i went to
00:34:46.953 --> 00:34:52.825
This prayer meeting and i encountered god in a way
00:34:52.825 --> 00:34:56.262
That, i mean, i felt like he was giving me answers
00:34:56.262 --> 00:34:59.799
That i've been looking for for years.
00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:01.935
He gave me clarity like, this is what you're
00:35:01.935 --> 00:35:04.470
Going to do this year.
00:35:04.470 --> 00:35:05.705
This is what you're going to do for the next
00:35:05.705 --> 00:35:07.473
Season of your life.
00:35:07.473 --> 00:35:08.775
And i saw movements, revival, ministry,
00:35:08.775 --> 00:35:11.477
Blah, blah, blah. i was like, yes, god! right?
00:35:11.477 --> 00:35:14.781
I am thinking, i mean i am under the anointing.
00:35:14.781 --> 00:35:17.684
I am, i am, i'm a prophet of this generation.
00:35:17.684 --> 00:35:21.654
I am feeling it, right.
00:35:21.654 --> 00:35:24.057
And a month later i get immediately hit with
00:35:24.057 --> 00:35:28.461
Illness and i'm still dealing with it today
00:35:28.461 --> 00:35:32.599
Where it started off with just checking certain
00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:35.101
Symptoms and then, i mean,
00:35:35.101 --> 00:35:38.471
You know how it is ladies,
00:35:38.471 --> 00:35:39.839
When you go in and you try to check one thing
00:35:39.839 --> 00:35:41.708
And that leads to another thing,
00:35:41.708 --> 00:35:43.476
And then you hit the right blood panel and
00:35:43.476 --> 00:35:45.712
Then you just realize, wow,
00:35:45.712 --> 00:35:47.780
Things are wrong with organs,
00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:49.115
Things are wrong with your blood, things are wrong
00:35:49.115 --> 00:35:50.883
With your uterus, all of it, right?
00:35:50.883 --> 00:35:53.920
And ultimately we realize it's an infectious
00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:57.590
Disease and not spreadable,
00:35:57.590 --> 00:36:00.093
But it is just in you that my body is fighting.
00:36:00.093 --> 00:36:03.930
Let me tell you the amount of medication that
00:36:03.930 --> 00:36:06.232
I've been on since spring that will just throw your
00:36:06.232 --> 00:36:11.237
Hormones around like crazy where i'm just
00:36:11.237 --> 00:36:14.974
Thinking, okay, god, i know your presence is
00:36:14.974 --> 00:36:17.844
Here and i know what my faith tells me.
00:36:17.844 --> 00:36:22.915
But man, when the right amount of dopamine is
00:36:22.915 --> 00:36:26.219
Not surging through your body,
00:36:26.219 --> 00:36:28.354
You're just like, your perspective on life,
00:36:28.354 --> 00:36:32.959
Especially with women.
00:36:32.959 --> 00:36:34.427
When you get to a certain period in your life and
00:36:34.427 --> 00:36:37.463
When things start to change and you're like,
00:36:37.463 --> 00:36:39.365
Okay, what is happiness?
00:36:39.365 --> 00:36:41.567
What is hope? what is faith?
00:36:41.567 --> 00:36:44.504
If you just can't feel it,
00:36:44.504 --> 00:36:46.105
You really can't even trick yourself to feeling it.
00:36:46.105 --> 00:36:49.475
So this year was one of the most challenging
00:36:49.475 --> 00:36:52.145
Years for me to really know what faith is in
00:36:52.145 --> 00:36:57.350
Experience. i mean, even in some of my darkest times,
00:36:57.350 --> 00:37:02.388
I mean 2020 when we were trying to church plant
00:37:02.388 --> 00:37:04.357
During a pandemic, having an autoimmune disease
00:37:04.357 --> 00:37:07.927
That was super mysterious,
00:37:07.927 --> 00:37:09.195
That i was thrown around between hospitals for
00:37:09.195 --> 00:37:11.798
Months when i was 19. i mean you name it.
00:37:11.798 --> 00:37:14.901
During those god times where it was dark and all
00:37:14.901 --> 00:37:20.573
The doors were closed, i was still able to
00:37:20.573 --> 00:37:22.775
Activate my faith.
00:37:22.775 --> 00:37:26.646
But when your body's not following you,
00:37:26.646 --> 00:37:30.116
It's just i'm like, i don't even know if
00:37:30.116 --> 00:37:32.685
This moment counts, god.
00:37:32.685 --> 00:37:34.654
I don't even know-- am i giving a sacrifice
00:37:34.654 --> 00:37:37.657
Of praise? i don't know.
00:37:37.657 --> 00:37:39.292
I don't know if this counts because i don't
00:37:39.292 --> 00:37:41.728
Know if i'm fully in it because my body's
00:37:41.728 --> 00:37:44.230
Not following me.
00:37:44.230 --> 00:37:46.366
But even then, even then i had to really ask myself,
00:37:46.366 --> 00:37:51.304
But what do you believe?
00:37:51.304 --> 00:37:53.139
Yeah, that's good.
00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:54.307
But what do i actually believe?
00:37:54.307 --> 00:37:55.708
I believe the lord is with me.
00:37:55.708 --> 00:37:57.543
I believe that he is my comforter.
00:37:57.543 --> 00:38:00.279
Even when i don't feel comforted.
00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:03.850
The hope for jesus christ can be such a comfort to
00:38:03.850 --> 00:38:06.419
Us all in the holiday season.
00:38:06.419 --> 00:38:08.454
Because what it reminds us is that there's
00:38:08.454 --> 00:38:10.356
More than this.
00:38:10.356 --> 00:38:11.824
I know that when you are looking at your home,
00:38:11.824 --> 00:38:14.494
Looking at your bank account,
00:38:14.494 --> 00:38:15.862
Looking at your family's situation,
00:38:15.862 --> 00:38:17.697
When you're looking at your life,
00:38:17.697 --> 00:38:18.831
It could be easy to despair because you may
00:38:18.831 --> 00:38:21.200
Feel as though you are not where you want to be
00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:23.870
And this is not the christmas that you wanted.
00:38:23.870 --> 00:38:26.239
But the hope of jesus is knowing that at the end
00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:29.041
Of the day, it actually does not matter because
00:38:29.041 --> 00:38:32.145
What he has for us beyond is so much more glorious
00:38:32.145 --> 00:38:36.382
And every moment of faith is going to be so worth it.
00:38:36.382 --> 00:38:39.685
And so it's great news because we know that
00:38:39.685 --> 00:38:42.622
There is so much more than this.
00:38:42.622 --> 00:38:45.625
There's so much more than your current situation
00:38:45.625 --> 00:38:48.694
And that more is in jesus.
00:38:48.694 --> 00:38:52.865
Hi, i am dr. deedee freeman,
00:38:53.466 --> 00:38:55.301
And if you did not know, this is laurie crouch,
00:38:55.301 --> 00:38:59.105
And we are answering viewer questions today
00:38:59.105 --> 00:39:02.008
Here on better together.
00:39:02.008 --> 00:39:04.043
That's right. and since she's the doctor,
00:39:04.043 --> 00:39:05.745
She gets to answer the questions.
00:39:05.745 --> 00:39:07.413
I have a question.
00:39:07.413 --> 00:39:08.448
This comes from gwen, and she said,
00:39:08.448 --> 00:39:11.284
Both of my children are grown and now they have
00:39:11.284 --> 00:39:14.821
Families of their own.
00:39:14.821 --> 00:39:17.056
And i love seeing my grandchildren enjoy the
00:39:17.056 --> 00:39:19.692
Holidays, but sometimes i find myself missing
00:39:19.692 --> 00:39:23.196
How christmas used to be.
00:39:23.196 --> 00:39:25.798
Is that wrong and how can i move past this feeling?
00:39:25.798 --> 00:39:29.302
No, i get it.
00:39:29.302 --> 00:39:30.703
I understand because i too have three adult
00:39:30.703 --> 00:39:34.740
Children and i have 12 grand babies and i love
00:39:34.740 --> 00:39:38.478
Seeing my grandkids have an amazing time with
00:39:38.478 --> 00:39:42.248
Their parents, but i too miss that what used to be.
00:39:42.248 --> 00:39:47.587
But at the same time, i embrace what is now, right?
00:39:47.587 --> 00:39:52.892
So i take my focus off of what i feel like i'm
00:39:52.892 --> 00:39:56.762
Missing out on, and i look at what my kids are
00:39:56.762 --> 00:40:00.666
Providing for their kids.
00:40:00.666 --> 00:40:02.835
And so don't allow your heart to be heavy.
00:40:02.835 --> 00:40:06.205
Just embrace that you've raised some amazing children.
00:40:06.205 --> 00:40:10.776
So they are now amazing parents.
00:40:10.776 --> 00:40:13.613
Beautiful.
00:40:13.613 --> 00:40:15.848
Join the conversation on our better together
00:40:15.848 --> 00:40:17.817
Youtube channel.
00:40:17.817 --> 00:40:19.418
Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
00:40:19.418 --> 00:40:24.013
My prayer for you this christmas season is
00:40:24.458 --> 00:40:27.294
That you feel god coming near to you.
00:40:27.294 --> 00:40:30.797
I pray you feel his embrace like never before.
00:40:30.797 --> 00:40:34.234
I pray that you don't feel lonely,
00:40:34.234 --> 00:40:36.270
That you feel his presence with you.
00:40:36.270 --> 00:40:39.339
God is for you. god is with you.
00:40:39.339 --> 00:40:42.476
God is there for everything that you need.
00:40:42.476 --> 00:40:45.445
Just lean into him today, and i pray that you and
00:40:45.445 --> 00:40:48.115
Your family, those around you have the most blessed
00:40:48.115 --> 00:40:50.951
Christmas that you've ever experienced this year.
00:40:50.951 --> 00:40:54.087
My prayer for you this christmas season is
00:40:54.087 --> 00:40:56.423
That you would know the peace that comes
00:40:56.423 --> 00:40:58.225
From knowing christ.
00:40:58.225 --> 00:40:59.993
We live in crazy times, things going on all
00:40:59.993 --> 00:41:02.462
Around the world with different parts,
00:41:02.462 --> 00:41:04.364
Maybe even closer to home in your own family,
00:41:04.364 --> 00:41:07.401
And it just seems as if nothing is ever quite the
00:41:07.401 --> 00:41:09.703
Way it's supposed to be.
00:41:09.703 --> 00:41:10.971
Have you noticed there's a little something wrong
00:41:10.971 --> 00:41:12.873
With everything. but from our family here
00:41:12.873 --> 00:41:15.108
At better together, our prayer for you,
00:41:15.108 --> 00:41:16.910
And my prayer for you is that you would know the
00:41:16.910 --> 00:41:18.912
Peace that comes from knowing the peace giver.
00:41:18.912 --> 00:41:22.316
Joy to the world,
00:41:22.316 --> 00:41:23.717
The lord has come.
00:41:23.717 --> 00:41:31.625
Going through sickness,
00:41:32.125 --> 00:41:34.561
I've had a cough. i've never said this.
00:41:34.561 --> 00:41:37.998
I've had a cough for almost five years.
00:41:37.998 --> 00:41:41.201
Every time i'm just coughing up a lung,
00:41:41.201 --> 00:41:43.937
I am declaring god, the truth of your word is
00:41:43.937 --> 00:41:50.010
More truth than what i'm going through.
00:41:50.010 --> 00:41:51.912
And it's just that. if i'm the temple of the holy spirit,
00:41:51.912 --> 00:41:55.315
There is no sickness where the holy spirit resides.
00:41:55.315 --> 00:41:59.686
So i just declare that over my body,
00:41:59.686 --> 00:42:02.656
Whether i see it or not, because it is the truth
00:42:02.656 --> 00:42:07.194
Of god's word that's more powerful than anything
00:42:07.194 --> 00:42:10.530
In our lives.
00:42:10.530 --> 00:42:12.766
Don't you know whatever you focus on will expand.
00:42:12.766 --> 00:42:16.036
So if you change your focus from everything
00:42:16.036 --> 00:42:19.506
That you are going through and everything
00:42:19.506 --> 00:42:23.076
That you are experiencing onto the promises of god,
00:42:23.076 --> 00:42:26.847
That's what's going to grow.
00:42:26.847 --> 00:42:29.516
You want your attention to be focused on
00:42:29.516 --> 00:42:32.486
What did god promise you?
00:42:32.486 --> 00:42:35.822
That is the only thing that's going to shift
00:42:35.822 --> 00:42:38.158
Your attention and shift your life from despair
00:42:38.158 --> 00:42:42.362
To fulfillment, from despair to joy,
00:42:42.362 --> 00:42:46.066
From despair, to hope.
00:42:46.066 --> 00:42:48.769
So today, i encourage you to shift your focus on
00:42:48.769 --> 00:42:53.006
The things of god.
00:42:53.006 --> 00:42:54.808
What did god promise you?
00:42:54.808 --> 00:42:58.612
You remember years ago you told me something
00:42:58.612 --> 00:43:01.314
That you were going through physically.
00:43:01.314 --> 00:43:03.050
We were in london and i began to pray.
00:43:03.050 --> 00:43:06.119
You know god would not let me quit.
00:43:06.119 --> 00:43:08.021
Yeah, good. would not.
00:43:08.021 --> 00:43:09.990
He'd put me, put her before me all the time
00:43:09.990 --> 00:43:12.793
To pray, pray, pray.
00:43:12.793 --> 00:43:13.960
Prayer is kind of my thing.
00:43:13.960 --> 00:43:15.262
So anyway, god just, that's what he's done.
00:43:15.262 --> 00:43:18.865
So i would say to the lord, when i commit
00:43:18.865 --> 00:43:20.801
To pray for somebody,
00:43:20.801 --> 00:43:22.235
I tell the lord, look,
00:43:22.235 --> 00:43:25.839
You have a responsibility to remind me.
00:43:25.839 --> 00:43:28.875
That's all.
00:43:28.875 --> 00:43:29.976
Holy spirit loves to remind you.
00:43:29.976 --> 00:43:32.245
He kept putting you before me all the time.
00:43:32.245 --> 00:43:35.549
I said, well, she needs it right now.
00:43:35.549 --> 00:43:36.883
She needs it right now.
00:43:36.883 --> 00:43:37.851
Then all of a sudden it stopped.
00:43:37.851 --> 00:43:39.286
I didn't hear anymore. are you okay or not?
00:43:39.286 --> 00:43:42.489
I know she's okay because she trusts me enough to
00:43:42.489 --> 00:43:45.158
Tell me the truth about what she's going through.
00:43:45.158 --> 00:43:48.428
I know that it's not easy sometimes, all of us go
00:43:48.428 --> 00:43:51.898
Through that, to be that vulnerable because of
00:43:51.898 --> 00:43:55.836
What we do, and we try to stay strong.
00:43:55.836 --> 00:43:58.371
But you know what?
00:43:58.371 --> 00:44:00.273
God will bring that person to pray for you.
00:44:00.273 --> 00:44:03.910
And it may be instant, it may be in time,
00:44:03.910 --> 00:44:08.048
But i believe god's going to give you an answer.
00:44:08.048 --> 00:44:11.485
He's not only going to heal you
00:44:11.485 --> 00:44:13.553
But he's going to give you an answer,
00:44:13.553 --> 00:44:15.455
Which to me that's huge because
00:44:15.455 --> 00:44:17.157
It may be for hundreds of people.
00:44:17.157 --> 00:44:19.292
Absolutely.
00:44:19.292 --> 00:44:21.628
Praying for others is such a powerful reminder
00:44:21.628 --> 00:44:24.197
For us because it makes us understand that god
00:44:24.197 --> 00:44:28.235
Has included us in his great commission to
00:44:28.235 --> 00:44:30.537
Spread his gospel to the ends of the earth,
00:44:30.537 --> 00:44:32.939
That we are humanity, we are his plan a,
00:44:32.939 --> 00:44:36.376
That we get to co-labor and co-lead and co-serve
00:44:36.376 --> 00:44:40.147
With god in this beautiful journey of
00:44:40.147 --> 00:44:43.550
Bringing full redemption to humanity.
00:44:43.550 --> 00:44:46.153
So i would just encourage you to pray for people.
00:44:46.153 --> 00:44:48.955
Let them know we're on the winning team.
00:44:48.955 --> 00:44:51.358
We get to be a part of bringing god's goodness
00:44:51.358 --> 00:44:53.794
On the earth. my friend ann voskamp says,
00:44:53.794 --> 00:44:56.196
We get to be jesus with skin on,
00:44:56.196 --> 00:44:58.965
And that gives me so much confidence and honestly
00:44:58.965 --> 00:45:01.368
Peace that god would be willing to use me
00:45:01.368 --> 00:45:04.037
To spread his gospel.
00:45:04.037 --> 00:45:06.406
I love how we can depend on a word and we can
00:45:06.406 --> 00:45:09.309
Trust god with whatever we are going through,
00:45:09.309 --> 00:45:11.478
And we can depend on community to pray for us.
00:45:11.478 --> 00:45:14.948
To have a sister like you to believe god with me
00:45:14.948 --> 00:45:18.285
Is just so amazing.
00:45:18.285 --> 00:45:20.453
Absolutely.
00:45:20.453 --> 00:45:21.555
But the scripture over there in john 14 and one,
00:45:21.555 --> 00:45:23.490
It says to let not your heart be troubled.
00:45:23.490 --> 00:45:27.394
No, that is so empowering to me because that means
00:45:27.394 --> 00:45:32.766
That i have the ability to control how
00:45:32.766 --> 00:45:36.236
My heart will feel.
00:45:36.236 --> 00:45:38.071
So whatever people are experiencing during this
00:45:38.071 --> 00:45:40.307
Time or whatever they are going through,
00:45:40.307 --> 00:45:42.475
Let the comforter in, allow the comforter
00:45:42.475 --> 00:45:46.513
To be there in your support system.
00:45:46.513 --> 00:45:49.349
Yes, he is there.
00:45:49.349 --> 00:45:51.618
He will never leave you nor forsake you, right?
00:45:51.618 --> 00:45:54.621
Never! never! never!
00:45:54.621 --> 00:45:56.489
Yes, never. and i love his presence.
00:45:56.489 --> 00:45:59.059
So let us pray.
00:45:59.059 --> 00:46:01.161
So father, in the name of jesus,
00:46:01.161 --> 00:46:02.696
We thank you for this conversation.
00:46:02.696 --> 00:46:04.831
We thank you for the awesome people that are
00:46:04.831 --> 00:46:07.367
Viewing today.
00:46:07.367 --> 00:46:09.202
I pray that you will continue to comfort their
00:46:09.202 --> 00:46:11.705
Heart, allow them to trust in you.
00:46:11.705 --> 00:46:14.574
Let them know that you are a present help in the
00:46:14.574 --> 00:46:17.577
Time of trouble.
00:46:17.577 --> 00:46:19.346
And so, god, i thank you now that their joy and
00:46:19.346 --> 00:46:22.148
Their happiness is being stimulated on the inside.
00:46:22.148 --> 00:46:25.919
Father, allow them to know that you will always
00:46:25.919 --> 00:46:29.155
Be there, that you are greater on the inside of
00:46:29.155 --> 00:46:33.159
Them than any circumstance that they
00:46:33.159 --> 00:46:35.095
Are experiencing right now. father,
00:46:35.095 --> 00:46:37.530
I call their circumstances to align
00:46:37.530 --> 00:46:41.001
With who you are and what you have ordained
00:46:41.001 --> 00:46:43.837
For their life.
00:46:43.837 --> 00:46:45.138
And i praise you for it, in the name of jesus.
00:46:45.138 --> 00:46:48.308
Amen. amen.
00:46:48.308 --> 00:46:51.111
Connect with us on social media and let us know
00:46:52.145 --> 00:46:54.247
How our team can pray for you.
00:46:54.247 --> 00:47:00.654
If you are walking through a challenging
00:47:01.521 --> 00:47:02.956
Season this christmas, you are not alone.
00:47:02.956 --> 00:47:05.292
I am walking through a challenging season this
00:47:05.292 --> 00:47:08.094
Christmas, and one of the ways that i've been able
00:47:08.094 --> 00:47:11.298
To keep walking through it because i'm not running,
00:47:11.298 --> 00:47:13.900
I'm just walking,
00:47:13.900 --> 00:47:15.769
Is to just realize that god's walking with me.
00:47:15.769 --> 00:47:18.305
That he is not somehow ahead of me.
00:47:18.305 --> 00:47:20.640
He is not behind me, but he's with me.
00:47:20.640 --> 00:47:23.243
And i think if you can remember that the god of
00:47:23.243 --> 00:47:24.911
The universe is not just in the cool,
00:47:24.911 --> 00:47:27.814
Amazing mountaintop moments,
00:47:27.814 --> 00:47:29.549
But he's a god of the valleys.
00:47:29.549 --> 00:47:31.551
Maybe you can find comfort in knowing that
00:47:31.551 --> 00:47:33.787
In this season he's closer than you would
00:47:33.787 --> 00:47:35.722
Ever think or imagine.
00:47:35.722 --> 00:47:38.458
And i think that'll get us through.
00:47:38.458 --> 00:47:41.061
For somebody that may feel as though their
00:47:41.061 --> 00:47:42.996
Christmas is lackluster this year and may feel
00:47:42.996 --> 00:47:46.399
Different from everyone else's christmases,
00:47:46.399 --> 00:47:49.569
Lemme just tell you, as long as it is holding on
00:47:49.569 --> 00:47:52.739
To the truth of the christmas message,
00:47:52.739 --> 00:47:56.009
Which is that jesus is emmanuel god with us,
00:47:56.009 --> 00:47:59.446
Then you have just as much of an authentic
00:47:59.446 --> 00:48:02.816
Christmas as anybody else. in the bible,
00:48:02.816 --> 00:48:06.586
You never heard about christmas lights.
00:48:06.586 --> 00:48:09.356
There weren't presents by a tree.
00:48:09.356 --> 00:48:11.391
So if you are in a position where you can't
00:48:11.391 --> 00:48:13.326
Afford some things, you don't have certain people
00:48:13.326 --> 00:48:16.663
Around you, as long as you are celebrating
00:48:16.663 --> 00:48:20.266
Jesus christ and him being with us,
00:48:20.266 --> 00:48:23.136
Then you are truly celebrating christmas.
00:48:23.136 --> 00:48:28.141
Hey everyone, i'm sheila here with lisa,
00:48:28.975 --> 00:48:31.177
And we're going to answer some of your questions
00:48:31.177 --> 00:48:32.879
From behind the scenes at this special time of year.
00:48:32.879 --> 00:48:35.448
First question we've got from our viewer kari,
00:48:35.448 --> 00:48:37.917
Asked us the question on instagram.
00:48:37.917 --> 00:48:40.387
Christmas is a stressful time for me because my
00:48:40.387 --> 00:48:44.090
Family struggles to get along.
00:48:44.090 --> 00:48:45.959
There is a lot of drama and arguing.
00:48:45.959 --> 00:48:48.928
What can i do to protect my peace,
00:48:48.928 --> 00:48:51.431
But also be a good witness?
00:48:51.431 --> 00:48:53.066
I'll let you start and then throw it to me
00:48:53.066 --> 00:48:54.667
Because i've got to weigh in on this one too.
00:48:54.667 --> 00:48:56.736
Well, you know what, i think we all understand that
00:48:56.736 --> 00:48:58.772
Depending on who we're with. it wasn't so much--
00:48:58.772 --> 00:49:01.074
Like for me this year, it'll be a quieter christmas.
00:49:01.074 --> 00:49:02.976
It'll be barry and me and our son,
00:49:02.976 --> 00:49:05.311
And at one point in the day his girlfriend who's
00:49:05.311 --> 00:49:07.280
Adorable, and i'm looking forward to that.
00:49:07.280 --> 00:49:10.050
But i remember times when we were with my husband's
00:49:10.050 --> 00:49:12.352
Family and he had four aunts, and they
00:49:12.352 --> 00:49:16.489
Never all liked each other at the same time.
00:49:16.489 --> 00:49:18.658
There were always one that was on the out,
00:49:18.658 --> 00:49:20.627
And they would argue with each other and
00:49:20.627 --> 00:49:21.961
Yell at each other.
00:49:21.961 --> 00:49:23.196
I would always have a little time by myself in
00:49:23.196 --> 00:49:24.898
The morning before they came to remind myself
00:49:24.898 --> 00:49:26.666
What this is all about.
00:49:26.666 --> 00:49:28.168
This is not about great food or bad food.
00:49:28.168 --> 00:49:30.637
It's not about skits or things you think,
00:49:30.637 --> 00:49:32.405
Why did you think i needed a wooly hat
00:49:32.405 --> 00:49:34.107
When i live in florida?
00:49:34.107 --> 00:49:35.675
It's not about any of that stuff.
00:49:35.675 --> 00:49:36.943
It's about remembering the greatest gift
00:49:36.943 --> 00:49:38.378
That was ever given.
00:49:38.378 --> 00:49:39.512
So first of all, you can set some parameters
00:49:39.512 --> 00:49:42.882
And you are empowered to do that.
00:49:42.882 --> 00:49:44.384
My family christmas was ridiculous.
00:49:44.384 --> 00:49:47.320
One person in our family didn't get the
00:49:47.320 --> 00:49:49.255
One thing they wanted.
00:49:49.255 --> 00:49:50.757
They took everybody emotional hostage.
00:49:50.757 --> 00:49:52.692
And so we had to say, we're not doing this anymore.
00:49:52.692 --> 00:49:56.296
We want you to come, but we want you to celebrate.
00:49:56.296 --> 00:50:00.867
And so john and i had to kind of take back
00:50:00.867 --> 00:50:03.203
The atmosphere in our home and say,
00:50:03.203 --> 00:50:05.738
This is what christmas is.
00:50:05.738 --> 00:50:06.973
And we don't want that modeled for our children.
00:50:06.973 --> 00:50:10.076
So we want to model something else.
00:50:10.076 --> 00:50:11.511
We're starting a new tradition as a family.
00:50:11.511 --> 00:50:14.681
And so your new tradition can be no drama,
00:50:14.681 --> 00:50:17.450
Your new tradition--
00:50:17.450 --> 00:50:19.419
And i think you can sit back and say,
00:50:19.419 --> 00:50:20.820
What is the triggers? because sometimes when
00:50:20.820 --> 00:50:23.323
People get together, they just go weird.
00:50:23.323 --> 00:50:25.425
They go weird.
00:50:25.425 --> 00:50:26.459
They go back to a five-year-old like,
00:50:26.459 --> 00:50:27.827
What is going on?
00:50:27.827 --> 00:50:29.295
And we're going to stay away from those things
00:50:29.295 --> 00:50:31.431
That actually cause the tension,
00:50:31.431 --> 00:50:33.333
And we're going to celebrate the things that
00:50:33.333 --> 00:50:35.301
Don't cause tension.
00:50:35.301 --> 00:50:37.570
Join our conversations anytime, anywhere.
00:50:38.471 --> 00:50:40.507
Download tbn plus to stream
00:50:40.507 --> 00:50:42.742
Your favorite episodes.
00:50:42.742 --> 00:50:42.742

Find Comfort this Christmas - Episode 1013

December 16, 2024 | S6:E1013

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