Weekend Giveaway: Darkness & Light
Published February 4, 2011Do you know who you are?
More importantly, do you know whose you are?
I must admit, even though I first met Jesus in a very real way back in late high school, I haven’t always lived as though all that took place with that life-changing encounter were true.
What I mean is this: sometimes, there is a disconnect between my mind and my actions; between my brain and my body (or most often between my soul and my mouth!)
The good I know I should do….
I don’t always do.
The love I know I should display…
I don’t always display.
The kindness I’m convinced I should show….
Well…it stays hidden.
This disconnect both frustrates and aggravates me.
Until I remember that I am not alone.
Read preacher Paul’s words from Romans 7:18-20 in the Amplified Version of the Bible:
18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]
19For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.
20Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].
Sister….can you relate????
Now I know Christians aren’t perfect. We are just forgiven.
And I know I cannot always make the right choice…. in my own strength.
But for me I know where part of the problem lies.
I forget I am no longer in the dark, but in the light.
“….for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” Ephesians 5:8-9
Walk as children of the light.
Walking is an action. It takes effort on my part.
Good. I need to focus on what is good.
Right. I need to chose to perform that which is right.
True. I need to focus my brain on the things that are true.
For me…that last one is a doosey. You see, I let the enemy whisper all sorts of things to my soul that simply are not true.
You’ll never lose weight.
You are incapable of being a good wife.
Rotten mom. You sure blew it today with your kid.
Christian? Yeah, right. Some Christian you are having those thoughts you did just now.
Just give it up….ya failure!
At those times I have a crucial choice to make. Am I gonna give in to the dark or run to the light?
Am I going to listen to the lies or align my mind with the word of God?
Darkness or light? Its our choice.
Do you ever battle the same thing? (Oh please tell me that you do?!?)
Lets purpose to pray for each other during the heat of the battle for our minds. And, just cause I love you all, here is a little light & dark giveaway to go along with our little chat. It includes:
~ A cozy brown plush throw–for you to snuggle up in as you read the Bible, filling your mind with God’s truth about you.
~ Some dark chocolate Hershey’s kisses.
~ A tube of Dark Kiss Bath & Bodyworks lotion.
~ Three packets of Land O’ Lakes white hot cocoa.
~ Two white votive candles from Bath & Bodyworks–one vanilla coconut & one creamy nutmeg.
~ A candle snuffer from At Home America.
One person who comments this weekend will be chosen at random to win the above package. So please, tell me your thoughts on this topic. (Or if time is tight, just say “I’m in!”)
I’ll be praying for you this weekend. Will you do the same for me?
Into-the-light Blessings,
176 Responses to Weekend Giveaway: Darkness & Light
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
My Family
I think we all have those negative thoughts about ourselves. But when we remember Whose we are, we can start seeing ourselves as God sees us. Very hard for our tiny brains! lol
Thanks for offering such a great giveway!
Wow, that is so me lately! I have really been struggling with negative thoughts and the weight issue is in there as well. Thank you for being so honest, Karen. I appreciate your trancparency. I also need to run to the light and leave the darkness behind. Blessings to you this weekend.
Rebecca Ann
So true, so true. I’m in.
Those times when I begin to forget to walk in the light and dark thoughts rear their ugliness, I try to remember to “take every thought captive”- usually be remembering verses that apply to the situation. Or, if I can’t think of one off the top of my head that applies, I always go back to “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” or remind myself that He loves me. Praise songs help dispel darkness too!
I’m in!
Oh man… I can absolutely relate and needed to read this! I am home with our 4 kids and 1 on the way, homeschooling, laundry…you know the drill. Satan often wants me to get down and lose focus. Thanks for the encouraging reminder! Love your blog (and would LOVE this snuggly, sweet smelling and tasting giveaway)!
I’m in!
Great words! Thank you for sharing. That enemy does his best to make sure we don’t think on things that are true. Such a great give-a-way!
Light and dark all around me. Thank you for sharing Karen..
Of course I have light days and dark days.. When the clouds come rolling in, even though the sun is shining outside. Inside me those “thoughts” assail me taking me down and until I purpose to move beyond them and really let go and seek the Lord’s face, my poor family suffers.
For me music lifts my spirit, at times a song will be just how God works to erase the thoughts and get the light back on.
So many of today’s worship songs are scripture.. awesome.
Oh how I long to stay in the light, but get lured into the darkness. I am trying to plant God’s truth – His Word deep into my heart and mind to chase away the distractions of the enemy. I love what you said about “walking in the light” – it is an action. It is not easy and will require effort for sure! But so worth it in the end!
God spoke mightily this morning …your words and a view of a pristine, white world beyond my window. Thanking Him for the beautiful reminder of how He sees me! And thank you, Karen, for your obedience to share His word and bring light to others.
I know as a mom of 3 young children… this is a constant battle for me..
Not always correcting them as I should or saying the right things and regretting it after.
As well as with my hubby.. sometimes I say something and then later I am like.. why did I say that…
I am always asking the Lord to give me grace with my family….
Its nice to have a day when I am not constantly asking them to forgive mom for what I did or said….
Its a journey with the Lord that I am so thankful for and have a long way to go on.
I have good intentions…I really do. When I’m thinking right, I will determine in my heart that the next time I’m up against the whispers of the evil one, I will combat with the truth of the Word. But then when the assaults come, I forget that the lies are just indeed that…lies…and I accept them as the truth that I’m telling myself. Before long I’m feeling down and defeated. I am SO ready to move from the darkness into the light.
Yes we all so can relate to your message above Karen with the negative thoughts that come across our way each day. Praise God for His words of Life and scripture to use when we are tempted to let the negative thoughts win.Keep your focus on the love of God….cause its just that awesome!!!
I know exactly how you feel!! I have really been learning a lot in these areas lately. It’s always good to know we are not alone in our struggles.
That scripture came to the front of my mind the other day when I was struggling with some choice I made.
I have always had negative thoughts and feelings about myself, even when I lost the weight was looking good from everyone else’s standpoint. Unfortunately, when I looked into the mirror, I still saw the chubby girl. I am working very hard to try not to do this to myself anymore, but to remind myself that I am His Princess and that He loves me for me, not for what I look like. He does want my obedience, but he loves me even if I fight it. I’m so thankful that I stumbled upon the Made to Crave book and Bible study, because I have begun to really change my outlook on things and realize that I can overcome, even when life is hard.
I’m in!!
Have a blessed day!
I have been struggling so much with Light & Darkness this past week, so often the enemy fills my mind with thoughts of worthlessness and that I’ll never be a good enough Christian. Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that God loves me for who I am, not for what I can do. Thanks so much for the reminder that we are not in this battle alone.
If this giveaway is also open to Canadians then please enter me as well, thanks!
Thank you for sharing this. I am forever amazed at how “not alone” I am. I wish I had known a LONG time ago that I have never been alone. The Lord was always there. And I can get through anything with Him.
I have to say you summed me up to the “T”! How sad that someone else can describe me from head to toe.What a bubble world I live in
I AM IN!
What do I do ?
Committing to focus on the truth this weekend. Sometimes we have listened to the lies for so long that we believe they are the truth. Gonna fight to listen to the truth.
Just the right words for a morning that has beat me up. Thanks for repositioning my brain to think those good thoughts and the fact that I CAN do it….Melissa and the MTC study if fantastic and Yes we have the power because God EMPOWERED us. Dark chocolate is a calming factor for life. Blessings for you and your family. Oh, I’m in !!!
If we could just always remember to let the “son” shine when we have those times of darkness~!!!
Yes! We have been talking as a family about taking our thoughts and actions “captive for Christ”. It is so hard to do moment to moment, but so important! Grace, Grace, God’s Grace!!!
I’m in.
I do know what is right and what is good for me but yet in those moments of darkness I mess up. I need and constantly yearn for God’s grace and mercy because if it was left up to me I would be in darkness but God who is merciful wants the light to shine on me, through me so He beckons me to come to Him for power.Count me in for the giveaway and Karen do say a prayer for me. God bless you precious heart.
Wow Karen! Between you and Lysa Terkeurst this morning you are really lifting my spirits! I can SO relate to both of your posts today! I am a pastor’s wife and sometimes the pressure and other people’s attitudes really get me down and I think I’m supposed to be this “Godly” role model for our congregation. It’s especially hard at work. I also work full-time as an accountant at an ethanol plant and some days it is very hard to maintain a christian attitude! What has helped me so much recently is subscribing to your blog and other P31 blogs. I also switched to only listening to K-Love radio at work and a Life 101.9 christian radio in the car. So I am constantly surrounded by the love of God through these messages and it has been making a HUGE difference! Thank you so much Karen for sharing your life in your blog and helping me feel “normal”!! God Bless!
Because I have a short memory I carry important stuff in my pocket on a little piece of paper and through out the day whenever I put my hand in my pocket it helps me remember. Today my paper will say WALK GOOD RIGHT & TRUE. thank you for your words of encouragement
I am sooo in!!!
Oh Karen! How I completely understand what you’re talking about. I’ve even blogged a couple of times this week about this type of thing. Lots of times, it boils down to this…who am I allowing to determine my worth? If I’m allowing the world, or even worse, the enemy…then, these lies will continue. My bad behavior will continue. I might even “live up to” those lies that I hear replayed in my mind. However, if I allow my Creator to determine my worth – the only one capable of doing so anyway – then the lies have no place in my life. I can live up to the person God created me to be. Mess ups? Sure. But, being made in His image, having the same power living in me that conquered the grave – well, let’s just say the enemy ain’t gotta chance on me!
You had me reeled in at “Do you know whose you are?”. If I just remember to live each moment with that truth and confidence the other things seem easier.
After the week I’ve had that throw and the bag of chocolates look lovely. Count me in!
Thanks Karen, this is truly for me today. Somewhere along the lines I let the lies get into my heart and now I am working on replacing them with truth. It isn’t easy and it is sometimes a moment by moment struggle. I heard you on the Conference Call last night and you touched my heart. I’m filling my mind with His word and His music. I want to turn my pity into purpose for Him. Thanks again and God Bless You as you continue to encourage women.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Weekend Giveaway: Darkness & Light « Karen Ehman: Live Your Priorities. Love Your Life. -- Topsy.com
I’m in!!
I’m in!
It’s when we least expect it that the negative thoughts creep in…not listening to those thoughts can be very hard! Here’s to proclaiming that we are all children of God!!!
I’m in!
I totally relate!
Wow! I just brought this up in my Bible study on Thursday. I felt overwhelmed by the amount of sin passed and present. And I think this is a dangerous place to go in one’s head. It gives the enemy a strong foothold. I even felt paralyzed, and could understand why people turn away from Christ, even go a little nuts! Thanking God and the Lord’s prayer are my life jackets! And yes remembering to walk in the light. That we are forgiven and can do nothing to earn that Grace!!! Just in case, do not pick me for the prize – I am in CA where it is 70 degrees! Give it to someone who needs it this winter. Thanks for your blog!
I’m in!
Whenever my teens frustrate me and I feel I have no patience left I am trying to always remember to ask the God, “How do you want me to respond?” instead of reacting. Sometimes I think that by the time they are gone I will have it mastered. I want them to remember a mom who kept her cool.
You are so right about focusing on “good”…but it needs to be an action word as well…what do I listen to on the TV / radio…what do I read…what kind of people do I count a friends. I know we don’t always have a choice in these matters, but when we do we can choose “Good”
Awesome !!!!!!!!!! I’m so glad I found this today. Just what I needed !
Wow, powerful thoughts – enjoyed listening to you on the conference call last nite as well! I’m in
Praying for you this weekend Karen – great post.
Oh dear friend, this is sooo me! I am praying for wisdom, patience, and when times get tough, asking God how He wants me to respond!
You are such a blessing Karen!
Thank you for this wonderful message…..what a great one…..thank you for all you do Karen! Loved the conference call last night…..you are a blessing!
This post is right on the money. So many times I find myself fighting the mommy guilt over normal discipline or just the fact that the last words as I left were not kind with my children. We need to choose to focus on the good, right and true. Thanks for the reminder.
Karen,
Thank you so much…you are such an encouragement and blessing. Yes, I do struggle with those same issues, with one twist–I’m single so Satan whispers in my ear how I’m still single because of variety of lies. I needed this today, to keep me on the path of seeking His light! Love and blessings to you!
This Scripture has been coming up quite often in my life the last couple months. I think God is trying to tell me something. I can so relate. I so want to always do what’s right, but often find myself doing the exact opposite. Thank you for your post. It really spoke to me today. God bless and thank you for the giveaway.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
I am in! I struggle so much with what I can and can not eat, but God is diffentantly working on me.
Thanks for your help!
Karen,
This really touched me when I read it. I feel like you wrote it just for me. I battle the same issues and try to daily remind myself to be a Child of the Light. In fact, I’ve been working on writing my personal mission statement and one of my goals is to do just that. Thank you for your wonderful words.
Walking in the truth of God’s Word is what sheds light to my faulty negative thinking, sheds light to my path and gives me hope as I place my trust in the God of Hope.
The Ephesians passage is the same one my church just posted this morning, and one I need to focus on. This is definitely speaking to my heart today…thank you.
Thank you for speaking to me today! Yes, I will pray for you! Thanks for being an instrument of God’s teachings!!
WOW!!!! I was just this morning before I ever got out of bed….this very thought…that I really really DESIRE to lose weight, to eat right, to be loving and kind and light in this world. But I was thinking that it required not only my desire, but ACTION…. I was remembering the guy at the Healing water pool and how he had been there for what 40 years and was waiting for someone to put him in.. how like him I was…I have been overweight for years and years and I desired to lose weight…I bought every book on how to do it, joined every weight loss organization around that promised me success….however, I was still waiting for my DESIRE to happen…but Jesus in his awesome wisdom told the man….to pick up his mat and walk….ACTION….so he also told me that while it was great that I DESIRED to lose weight it wasn’t enough…it required action….sacrifice….commitment….faith…..that He would be with me…but first I had to take the first step….walk the walk….not just talk the talk…buy the books…join the club….but to Do….Thank you so much for this post…what a confirmation….Please pray for me as I step out in faith to be obedient…
Hi – I’m in – I struggle in focusing on what is good in my life. I have been given so much yet I concentrate on the negative. I am one of God’s chosen and I am so very, very thankful. I just don’t want to tell people about Jesus but I want to show Him in my actions every day. Thank you for reminding me of God’s Word through Paul.
The light is where I long to dwell, but with all life’s stresses and downfalls, at times the light seems so far away. It’s as if the darkness wants to take hold and it times it seems to be so much easier to let the darkness prevail, but I know that is not the way to overcome. Many days my choices and intentions are to fight the good fight of faith and dwell in the light and then “life happens”. For me it is a day to day struggle, but I know if I rely on God and his Grace and Mercy and seek His will, I will overcome. Thank You for allowing us to share and thank you for being so honest in your sharing.
and, I just thought it was me…………you make me feel so much better. Thanks so much for being YOU
Karen, I have to tell you what an inspiration you were last night on the conference call! You spoke to me and encouraged me to keep pressing on with my weight challenges. I love that my identity is in Christ and not numbers on the scale. As His representative I need to take care of my body and be as healthy in my food choices as I can be.
Thanks for going on this journey with me!
Becki
I can relate so very much I sit her listening to Cast and Crowns Voice of Truth as I write this. The devil is always there in my ear telling me the very same things. I f I mess up the devil tells me that I have falied again that all I ever do is fail. He tells me the Lord can’t use me. I will pray for you and ask if you will do the same for me.Thank You for sharing.
I’m in! And I will pray for you this weekend, Karen. Thanks for your prayers for me!
Very, very busy today. I’m in!
I’m in! What a journey we all are on!!
This is a daily struggle of mine — a place Satan knows exactly where to attack. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Oh yes, Karen! You have described my struggle exactly! I have been succumbing to the temptation of listening to Satan’s lies way too much these past few weeks and just this morning I noticed that I have been allowing him to distort the truth in my mind and drive a wedge deeper and deeper between God and me. I need to stand for the Truth in my life and be a shining example to those around me. Even Job in the midst of his pain and suffering was able to praise the Lord, I can, too!
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Karen, thank you so much for your timely reminder this morning. Even though I have been doing what I have been desiring not to do… I know God loves me and forgives me and that I can make a new start beginning right now!
That was Job 1:20,21
Yes to enemy whispers…yes to focusing on Jesus…yes to His Word: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things.” Philippians 4:8, (emphasis on ‘think’ is mine)…Keep reading on to verse 9 AND read before to verse 7 abt God’s peace guarding our minds in Christ Jesus! Thank you, Father God, for Your Word.
Thank you, Karen, for sharing.
I can empathize completely!!!
Satan knows just what to whisper in our ears to render us totally ineffective. Thanks for the encouragment to tell him to buzz off…
I am so in!!!!
If I walk as a child of light than I am a child of light. Another truth to hang on to as I journey through getting closer to the Lord and crave Him more.
Yes! I’m in and I try to stay in the light. It’s a constant battle but I’m getting better at it. IT takes practice
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
My name isn’t Martha by accident. I so want to live up to everyone’s expectations, and in many ways I actually do…. but at what cost, and I never live up to my own expectations, and I know that I leave an emotional mess in my wake many times. I get so focused on the little things, I forget the main thing…. and I forget that what I am really here for is my relationship with God. Then I listen to all of those inner lies the enemy tells us. I am so glad I can cry out to God and He gives me the strength to go on and help me be more focused. I have made great strides from where I used to be, but I still have a VERY long way to go.
Thank you for this message today – I’ll be praying for you. And Satan keeps finding ways to twist the truth, making me wonder if I am doing enough for the ministry or I am doing the right things. I must ignore his expectations that are intended to distract me from my purpose as a child of God and listen to the Voice of Truth.
I’m in; and I feel your pain. I’ve had all of these thoughts
I SO completely identify with what you wrote today…thank you. Sometimes it is just nice to hear we are not the only ones going through this. I will be praying for you and thank you for praying for me!
I’m in!! So needed this today. I feel like my life has become a country western song in the past 3 weeks…whole family sick, dog died, fridge on the blink and all the food went bad, collectors calling because my health insurance won’t pay the doctor what they should and to top it off my 13 year old is making some really, really dumb choices. All I want to do is sit and eat to calm myself down. Add in the lies above, and I have a recipe for disaster! I need to renew my mind with the TRUTH!!
I posted already but I have a few more minutes so i just wanted to add, thanks for this reminder today! I too struggle so much with what is “true,” what is in my mind. My husband points that out to me often. as a mom of a 1 and 3 year old I feel overwhelmed daily with just getting through. but this morning was a good day and I was able to actually clean a little (the children helped some and played by themselves for once!), and it reminds me that I can do what I need to with God’s help, not by myself, and that is what is true!
I’m in! I struggle with these thoughts myself and I fear my son struggles as well. We need to dwell on God’s Word, so that when the enemy whispers these words to us, we can be prepared to do battle!
I struggle with this and in 2 of my bible studies i am doing we just talked about discernment and wisdom… Both help with making decisions!! So hooefully you will have wisdom and discernment when picking a winner!!
. HAve a blessed weekend!!!
I love this! Thank you so much for your words on the conference call!
Can’t wait to listen to it again!
Karen,
Your words spoke to my soul today. Yesterday was one of those days where I felt a spiritual warfare in my soul! I can see it now for what it was, and I know that God is in control. I’m ready to focus on Him! and seek HIS light!
You are such a blessing! thank you!
LOVE THIS!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Thank you so much for speaking to me today Karen. I am struggling so much with the lies-they seem so much easier to believe than the truth. Feeling like a failure as a mom, a wife and a christian-feeling like God could never love me-it is just too easy sometimes. Thanks for reminding me to focus on the truth-on the word of God!!!
Karen,
Thank you for posting this. Today, of all days, I needed to hear it!
I’ll be praying for you this weekend1
Blessings,
Edwina
Karen – thank you for sharing. I am a new christian and the dark took me over just a few nights ago and I have been hurting over it since then. I am sorry you struggle with it still but it is good to know that I am not the only one.
I’m in! Running myself crazy these days, and in the early stages of pregnancy at that! I know I cannot make it through the day without the Truth that will set me free!
I’m in. I struggle with this in my home life, especially with my 2 teenage children. Sometimes it is so easy to let harsh words slip out and you just can’t take them back. Thanks for the reminder.
Wow.. my first time reading your blog and I have to say.. it was exactly what I needed to hear/read.
Life is never slow around here so only have time to say “I’m In”
Oh and I’ll be back to read more of your blogs..
Thank you for your heart to reach women and encourage others.
-Amanda
When Satan tells me I won’t be able to do something, I just picture myself putting on the full armor of God, one piece at a time, staring him down!
Thanks for the encouragement. It is needed.
I’m in today….
Life is sure a journey and I am so glad He extends His GRACE to us daily!!!
Thank you So much for sharing! I to have had these thoughts. Which hurt and I know thats NOT what our Lord wants. I pray each time and ask God for His comfort and peace. I know, know matter what I face each day that God will see me thorugh all things. He is my ROCK and STRENGTH! I will be praying for you also. May God bless you in all you do. With Love and Prayers, Shawnia. Phil.4:13
I’m in. LORD knows I need help on being the woman He wants> I’m thankful sanctification.. I’m a work in process.. and God don’t give up?
I think I have been living in darkness but trying to act like I am in the light! I just had a complete hysterectomy Dec. 9th and my hormones are out of control which is not helping to focus on the light. Thanks for the reminder to look for the light! It is nice to know also that sisters in Christ do have these moments in life where it is harder than other times to stay focused and wonderful people like you to re-focus our hearts & minds towards all the God has for us, only to be found in the LIGHT!
I struggle with this more than I should. At some points is has devasted my life. I’m too young to live with darkness. So today I choose to the light I go!
I look so forward to reading your blogs Karen. You truly are an inspiration and help keep me FOCUSED.
I want you to know that I’m In ~ I will be praying for you, please pray for me to. Trying to find balance in my life in all areas – Mind, Physical, Soul/Spirit and Emotional. I am learning to Trust God and let him take the reigns in be in control. I’ve asked him to help me focus where I need Him the most. I’ve had some weight loss, but I think he’s working more on Spiritual Growth with me. I am making time and looking forward to Bible Studies/Groups and reading your blogs and some other inspirational emails I receive. Thanks for being there for all of us! May God continue to bless you and your gifts.