tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53661680261674689792024-03-12T23:26:47.664-04:00Living UnveiledBrenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-70512184632593344132013-12-15T18:54:00.002-05:002013-12-15T18:54:19.109-05:00Act Now! This Blog Has Moved.Hey, folks!<br />
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<!--End mc_embed_signup-->Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-78170033774293200272013-12-14T00:30:00.000-05:002013-12-14T20:48:25.626-05:00Learning to Walk in Freedom: Free Today Only for Kindle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a></i> is free today for Kindle!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnIFg_RoFz1I5x13da1kRHljpw7ZLdsqdA7SyIKBZs7CeZ31SllhdFKP2j1WN3IHFVXe5sbtOn85zgoqnNQXSIzWWI1kg1LTOjxHZPHAlsd1Lh-9z7Ab09cVLG4YETfnSahjV5qYSpLPK/s1600/LTWI+Freedom+front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnIFg_RoFz1I5x13da1kRHljpw7ZLdsqdA7SyIKBZs7CeZ31SllhdFKP2j1WN3IHFVXe5sbtOn85zgoqnNQXSIzWWI1kg1LTOjxHZPHAlsd1Lh-9z7Ab09cVLG4YETfnSahjV5qYSpLPK/s400/LTWI+Freedom+front+cover.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Cover<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's my and Roy's 11th wedding anniversary! So I'm celebrating by giving you the opportunity to download my book for Free!<br />
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcc6OU3okMbQ5_ExYXREDI8MKpnaCfCLup5GjoJmrWye2mZlbLEm32qmXUkWAzPoga2Hxocs0R9prcB88SpKR9SXnBXRlrF2nv59eUnJCh18A2DE17vjJR3TcIp4I7eZphL2oS1J4AiHG/s1600/LTWI+Freedom+back+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcc6OU3okMbQ5_ExYXREDI8MKpnaCfCLup5GjoJmrWye2mZlbLEm32qmXUkWAzPoga2Hxocs0R9prcB88SpKR9SXnBXRlrF2nv59eUnJCh18A2DE17vjJR3TcIp4I7eZphL2oS1J4AiHG/s400/LTWI+Freedom+back+cover.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Read some new reviews of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a>:<br />
<br />
"Brenna has written a wonderful gem and a terrific resource. In almost 15 years of college ministry, I have witnessed students' struggles with addiction, sexual brokenness, and controlling habits. This book provides an inspiring and holistic approach to helping us find freedom. She aptly encourages the reader towards intimacy with the Father, study of the Word, authenticity in community, and practical changes in behavior. I'm excited to use this as a resource with students on my campus." Joseph Gavin, <a href="http://chialphavt.com/" target="_blank">Chi Alpha Vermont</a><br />
<br />
"I am privileged to have known the author since her college days and have seen the growth and maturity that freedom in Christ has developed in Brenna. This is a story of inspiration, rescue, and hope, but not just for the author. Like the traveler in Pilgrim's Progress or Hinds Feet for High Places, Brenna leads the reader on a journey to meet the One who can help anyone learn to walk in freedom. Join her on the journey and find out for yourself." <br />
<a href="http://theolejarz.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">Mike Olejarz</a>, National Chi Alpha Training Team<br />
<br />
"This is a tremendous book, with so much depth and strength. It thrills the heart to read Brenna Kate's testimony in the back of the book. Her journey in five steps is an easy read. God is so good to His children. We just haven't truly let Him give us the freedom in our walk with Him, that He desires for us. This book will help the one seeking to walk in God's freedom. Thank you, Brenna Kate. I will reread the book and will be sharing thoughts from the book at a local support group. Thank you for your obedience in writing this for the rest of us. For those who have not yet read the book, you're in for a very special blessing. Again, THANKS."<br />
Nora S.
<br />
<br />
This excerpt is a continuation from <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/12/freedom-friday-get-learning-to-walk-in.html" target="_blank">yesterday</a>:<br />
<br />
Later that week, as I continued to cry out to God, He spoke clearly to me concerning some of my questions and struggles. Most of all, He called me to choose to trust Him, to rest in Him, and to allow Him to teach me. He beckoned me to go on a journey with Him, a journey to further whole- ness and freedom, choosing to believe He is who He says He is.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30) </blockquote>
Thus began this journey into my current understanding of true freedom. (You can read a full testimony in the back of this book.) I’m sure it’s not over. I invite you to join me where I am now.<br />
<br />
Wherever you are on this journey, there is something to be learned from Him. Even if you’re not generally a praying person, I encourage you to pause. Pray the following for yourself as inspired by the Scripture above and prepare to dive into a new level of freedom in your life:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>God, I come to You. I am weary, burdened, and I need Your rest. God, I lay down my heavy burden and take Your yoke upon my shoulders, whatever that means, because You say I can learn from You, in Your gentleness and humility of heart. Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. God, help me to receive that, and prepare me to really hear from You as I read this book. I surrender to all that You have for me as I learn to walk in freedom. Amen.
</i></blockquote>
Get your free copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a> today!<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cover and interior design done by <a href="http://rustyandingrid.com/" target="_blank">Rusty and Ingrid Creative</a></span></i></div>
Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-76368039511837221932013-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:002013-12-13T06:00:10.653-05:00Freedom Friday: Get Learning to Walk in Freedom for Free Tomorrow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a></i> is free tomorrow for Kindle!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnIFg_RoFz1I5x13da1kRHljpw7ZLdsqdA7SyIKBZs7CeZ31SllhdFKP2j1WN3IHFVXe5sbtOn85zgoqnNQXSIzWWI1kg1LTOjxHZPHAlsd1Lh-9z7Ab09cVLG4YETfnSahjV5qYSpLPK/s1600/LTWI+Freedom+front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnIFg_RoFz1I5x13da1kRHljpw7ZLdsqdA7SyIKBZs7CeZ31SllhdFKP2j1WN3IHFVXe5sbtOn85zgoqnNQXSIzWWI1kg1LTOjxHZPHAlsd1Lh-9z7Ab09cVLG4YETfnSahjV5qYSpLPK/s400/LTWI+Freedom+front+cover.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Cover<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It will be my and Roy's 11th wedding anniversary! So I'm celebrating by giving you the opportunity to download my book for Free!<br />
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcc6OU3okMbQ5_ExYXREDI8MKpnaCfCLup5GjoJmrWye2mZlbLEm32qmXUkWAzPoga2Hxocs0R9prcB88SpKR9SXnBXRlrF2nv59eUnJCh18A2DE17vjJR3TcIp4I7eZphL2oS1J4AiHG/s1600/LTWI+Freedom+back+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcc6OU3okMbQ5_ExYXREDI8MKpnaCfCLup5GjoJmrWye2mZlbLEm32qmXUkWAzPoga2Hxocs0R9prcB88SpKR9SXnBXRlrF2nv59eUnJCh18A2DE17vjJR3TcIp4I7eZphL2oS1J4AiHG/s400/LTWI+Freedom+back+cover.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll remind you again tomorrow! Help me spread the word :)<br />
<br />
Here's an excerpt from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a></i>:<br />
<br /></div>
Freedom is my anthem—it has been my life’s theme. The questions that come with the word freedom are questions I continually ponder. The answers did not come easily.<br />
<br />
I became a Christian at age 23. I came to Jesus with a lot of problems: an eating disorder, same-sex attraction, emotional dependency, self-injury, self-loathing, and chronic low self-esteem.
My life was controlled by and revolved around my issues and trying to get rid of them.<br />
<br />
I felt like I was drowning.<br />
<br />
Why, if I had become a new creation in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), did my life not feel all that changed? Why was I still dealing with the same issues? I had a crowd of people continually praying for me. I fasted for long periods of time. I devoured the Word of God and prayed my heart out, including interceding for complete strangers whose prayer requests I found on the Internet! I went to church, led Bible studies, and sang on the worship team. I was writing songs for God and serving Him every way I knew how.<br />
<br />
And I was still drowning.<br />
<br />
I remember the moment vividly. It was May of 2004 at a campus ministry conference. I was one of the leaders, the teachers, the ones with the knowledge—the answers. Still, I was gasping for air.<br />
<br />
Drowning.<br />
<br />
<i>Is this it, God? </i><br />
<br />
I was walking around the old campus. There was a castle, and in the castle was a piano. I sat down at the piano to sing, to write, to think. (I sometimes think best while sitting at a piano.) I began to play, and this is what came out:<br />
<br />
<i>There must be more than this </i><br />
<br />
Over and over, I sang this to my Lord. Deep down in my soul, I expe- rienced God’s fingerprint. I knew He was real. And because I had already seen Him working in so many ways, I had to believe that there was more. I desperately needed to hear His voice tell me that all this striving, all this seeking wasn’t for nothing.Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-31029178409731946042013-12-10T10:09:00.000-05:002013-12-11T19:57:53.507-05:00My Book "Learning to Walk in Freedom" Available for Kindle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a></i> has been published!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnIFg_RoFz1I5x13da1kRHljpw7ZLdsqdA7SyIKBZs7CeZ31SllhdFKP2j1WN3IHFVXe5sbtOn85zgoqnNQXSIzWWI1kg1LTOjxHZPHAlsd1Lh-9z7Ab09cVLG4YETfnSahjV5qYSpLPK/s1600/LTWI+Freedom+front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnIFg_RoFz1I5x13da1kRHljpw7ZLdsqdA7SyIKBZs7CeZ31SllhdFKP2j1WN3IHFVXe5sbtOn85zgoqnNQXSIzWWI1kg1LTOjxHZPHAlsd1Lh-9z7Ab09cVLG4YETfnSahjV5qYSpLPK/s400/LTWI+Freedom+front+cover.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcc6OU3okMbQ5_ExYXREDI8MKpnaCfCLup5GjoJmrWye2mZlbLEm32qmXUkWAzPoga2Hxocs0R9prcB88SpKR9SXnBXRlrF2nv59eUnJCh18A2DE17vjJR3TcIp4I7eZphL2oS1J4AiHG/s1600/LTWI+Freedom+back+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcc6OU3okMbQ5_ExYXREDI8MKpnaCfCLup5GjoJmrWye2mZlbLEm32qmXUkWAzPoga2Hxocs0R9prcB88SpKR9SXnBXRlrF2nv59eUnJCh18A2DE17vjJR3TcIp4I7eZphL2oS1J4AiHG/s400/LTWI+Freedom+back+cover.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back cover</td></tr>
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<br />
The Kindle version is now available! The paperback will take another month, but yes! There will be a paperback for my Kindle-less friends. Read what people are saying about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a> (including the long versions of the reviews from the back cover):<br />
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“LEARNING TO WALK IN FREEDOM is just what is says—a guide to freedom. This booklet says more in its 80 pages than dozens of larger books I’ve read on the subject. It’s practical, field-tested, biblical and Spirit-taught. After working for over 20 years with sexually broken people I can heartily recommend this powerful little resource!”
Russell Willingham, Director of New Creation Ministries and author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830817913/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0830817913&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Breaking Free: Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Healing Power of Jesus</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830832513/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0830832513&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Relational Masks: Removing the Barriers that Keep Us Apart</a></i><br />
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“Jesus said in John 8:36, ‘So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.’ That verse always gets a great reaction because we all desire to truly walk in freedom! Through 24 years of ministry and 40 years as a Christian I have observed that most Christians struggle to walk in the true freedom that Christ has made possible for us. In this book, Brenna Kate Simonds lays out five insightful and powerful points that will help any Christian expe- rience and walk in true freedom. I wish I had read this book earlier in my Christian life. It would have saved me years of wondering if I would ever be able to please God. I strongly recommend this book for any believer at any stage in their spiritual journey.” Jeff Jacob, Senior Pastor, Word of Life International Church, Ashburn, Virginia<br />
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“Brenna Kate makes it easy and approachable. It makes sense that her writing would be like her personality. With clarity, and honesty Brenna Kate shares both experience and truth providing an easily understood, and easily followed path in the process of living in Freedom.”
Bob Hamp, LMFT, Author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004443YJC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004443YJC&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Think Differently, Live Differently</a></i> and Executive Pastor of Pastoral Care at Gateway Church, Southlake, TX<br />
<br />
"Learning to Walk in Freedom is a small book that packs a mighty punch! The author throws light on the shadow that often exists between what we know to be truth and the reality of living in that truth. To know about freedom is one thing, but to live from a place of freedom requires the courage to engage with others and expose those shameful core beliefs that keep us imprisoned in wrong thinking and behaviour. Using her own journey away from lesbianism, an eating disorder, and other damaging behaviours, Brenna Kate Simonds succeeds in offering the reader opportunity to access their own expedition through life and use some of the checks and pointers as they pursue that promised abundant life in Christ."
Jeanette Howard, Director of <a href="http://bethanylifeministries.org.uk/" target="_blank">Bethany Life Ministries</a> and author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0825460018/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0825460018&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Out of Egypt: One Woman's Journey Out of Lesbianism</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/082546076X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=082546076X&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Into the Promised Land: Beyond the Lesbian Struggle </a></i><br />
<br />
Get your copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7K6BZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7K6BZE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Learning to Walk in Freedom</a> today!<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cover and interior design done by <a href="http://rustyandingrid.com/" target="_blank">Rusty and Ingrid Creative</a></span></i>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-67653113231693156932013-12-06T07:00:00.000-05:002013-12-06T20:33:42.164-05:00Freedom Friday: What I Have, I Give<i>Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you."
Acts 3:6</i><br />
<br />
I've always loved the story of Peter, John, and the man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful. At a campus ministry training event in 2001, I chose it as my passage from which to lead a Bible study. This week, I needed to lead a class in a 5-minute devotional. Since the topic of the class is the book of Acts, this passage seemed a natural choice. <br />
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One thing I love about Scripture is how it can speak different things to you depending on where you are and what you need. I originally loved this passage because I loved the story of healing. Oh, how I wanted to see God work in that way in my life! I also love the change in Peter after receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. But what it spoke to me this week was very different.<br />
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"The grass is always greener" mentality infiltrates so many areas of my life. <i>I wish I had her house, his fame, her job, or his joy.</i> But I found lately that envy has taken root in a surprising area of my life.<br />
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Anyone who knows me for 10 minutes knows I'm a Christian. I love Jesus, and because of that, I talk about Him. He naturally comes up in conversation. And yet, I have never actually watched anyone become a Christian.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Whenever I take those spiritual gift tests, no matter what the variety, the gift of evangelist/evangelism never even makes the top 10. Teacher? Yes. Exhorter? Yes. Compassion, music, encouragement? Yes. Evangelism? Never.<br />
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Do I sometimes feel bad about this? Yes, to be honest. In fact, 2 weeks ago in class, I asked my pastor if he thought everyone has the gift of evangelism. The answer was a bit complicated, and not the point of this post. As I read Acts 3 again this week and reflected on that discussion, this came to mind:</div>
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<i>Thou shalt not cover thy neighbor's gifts.</i></div>
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I am reminded of the apostle Paul's writings concerning the body.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." 1 Corinthians 12:17-18</blockquote>
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<i>Just as He wanted them to be.</i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I cannot give what I do not have, but I still have a lot to give. </span></i>I may never be gifted at evangelism, and I'm OK with that. Instead of being envious of the skills of others, I will continue to declare as Peter declared, "What I do have, I give."<br />
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I wrote a song some years ago called "You." You can hear a rough recording <a href="http://brennakate.com/recentsongs/you.mp3">here</a>. Some lines from the song are particularly relevant.<br />
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<i>I know there are songs to be sung,</i><br />
<i>And there are wars to be won</i><br />
<i>And there are wrongs to be undone</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i>I know there are songs to be sung, </i></div>
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<i>And there are wars to be won </i></div>
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<i>And there are wrongs to be undone </i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>And I don’t have that much to give</i><br />
<i>But there’s no other way to live
</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i>*****</i></div>
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<i>God, I do not have that much to give - but I know that living a surrendered life is the only way to truly live for You. And so what I do have, I give.</i>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-30518599703958348012013-11-18T10:54:00.000-05:002013-11-18T13:42:15.675-05:00Monday Morning Meditation: GratitudeThis weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Choices conference in Hershey, PA with some ladies from my church.<br />
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Wow.<br />
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I was most excited to go to this because <a href="http://saragroves.com/" target="_blank">Sara Groves</a> was going to be there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnA3ceC9-Riy8N2usLf9pztXSdh2vGEPoAzCnP0ky4C7WAgZDFCupuvfjqKF5WVjd0v6Fc2luy7aiGfHExkJpJGJmpyzE_anl7FE_ZeKDjVj6LUVpow4gpDx0j6-CmdnaDEsLAnrpeLYMf/s1600/sara-groves-blog-entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnA3ceC9-Riy8N2usLf9pztXSdh2vGEPoAzCnP0ky4C7WAgZDFCupuvfjqKF5WVjd0v6Fc2luy7aiGfHExkJpJGJmpyzE_anl7FE_ZeKDjVj6LUVpow4gpDx0j6-CmdnaDEsLAnrpeLYMf/s320/sara-groves-blog-entry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">From http://www.campforestsprings.org/blog/sara-groves-in-concert</span></i></td></tr>
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She led worship at each session, and then she'd sing a couple of her songs after. It's a surreal feeling to sit and listen to songs that you have memorized from listening to them in your room, in your car, on a run. Songs that have carried you through trials and victories, through post-partum depression and questions about whether God is really who He says He is. Songs that have walked with you through major marriage struggles, loved ones dying, songs that have run with you as you trample on child sex trafficking for 26.2 miles and all the training before.<br />
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Songs that have brought much healing to your life.<br />
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I sat through those songs at that conference, just grateful. My life with Jesus flashed before my tear-filled eyes, and I was once again amazed at all that He is and all that He has done.<br />
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Are you grateful today?<br />
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<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/search?q=gratitude" target="_blank">I've written a lot about gratitude here.</a> If this is something you struggle with, now is a good time to read some of those posts.<br />
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<i>Lord, help us. Help us in the midst of grief and celebration to cultivate gratitude. Your Word implores us to rejoice always, and so help us to choose joy, to choose thankfulness. Keep our eyes open to all the things God has done and will continue to do. In the words of Sara Groves, "He's always been faithful - He will be again." Thank You, Jesus.</i>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-8492607274044661262013-11-15T07:30:00.000-05:002013-11-15T07:30:04.879-05:00Freedom Friday: The War for Your IdentityI've been thinking a lot about spiritual warfare.<br />
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Part of the reason for this is I've had several opportunities to share Freedom Step 4 from my book <i>Learning to Walk in Freedom</i> lately with groups of people. Freedom Step 4 is <i>Think Like a Free Person</i>. Freedom Step 4 states that most spiritual warfare takes place in our minds.<br />
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As humans, we walk through different types of spiritual wars. There is a war for our souls. There is the first battlefront. Jesus said "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36). Satan tries to convince us that there is no God, and even if there is, we don't need Him. We can be successful in life through accomplishments, strong relationships and power or wealth.<br />
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Once we come to believe in Jesus, there is a second battlefront. This battle concerns the obstacles we face, and our struggle with sin patterns in our lives. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full," said Jesus, as recorded in John 10:10. Jesus didn't want us to know Him simply so we can go to heaven when we die. He desires that we live life to the full, throwing off the "sin that so easily entangles" as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1-3.<br />
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And yet there is another battle, one that is far more insidious than the others.<br />
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It is the battle for our identity.<br />
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Even after I laid down my sexuality at the cross and chose to walk in obedience in that area, even after I stopped starving myself and began to be more at peace with food (a much longer and more painful process), even when the urge to self-injure had mostly subsided, I was still left with - well - me.<br />
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I still experienced quite a bit of self-loathing, insecurity, worthlessness, depression and deep core beliefs that maybe God really wasn’t who He says He is. I was still left with all the ways my thoughts and perceptions and speculations affected me.<br />
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God led me through a process of learning to recognize the lies I believed and how they impacted me. <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2011/02/freedom-fridays-think-like-free-person_18.html" target="_blank">He taught me how to go to war against my false beliefs and make them obedient to Christ.</a><br />
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Yet the battle continues.<br />
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I no longer struggle with self-loathing and worthlessness to the degree I did in the past. Now, I struggle with self-limiting thoughts.<br />
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Those self-limiting thoughts that say things like,<i> What have I gotten myself into? I thought this dream was from God, but nothing is turning out the way I planned. I should be safe and keep my hopes reined in. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">But here's the thing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> You're not really limiting yourself; you're limiting God.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Years ago, I set part of Isaiah 49 to music with an intro I added. I sang this today as I went to war in worship and praise </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">for some friends who need Jesus to show up in a mighty way.</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> This is sung from God's perspective.</span></i><br />
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<i>I gave it all up for you </i><br />
<i>So I wouldn’t have to live without you </i><br />
<i>(repeat) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Zion says, “The Lord has forgotten me.” </i><br />
<i>Oh, they say, “The Lord has forsaken me.” </i><br />
<i>(repeat) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Can a mother forget the child </i><br />
<i>who is nursing at her breast? </i><br />
<i>Will she have no compassion </i><br />
<i>on the baby that she has given birth to? </i><br />
<i>(repeat) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Though they may forget you, </i><br />
<i>I will never forget you! </i><br />
<i>(repeat) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Look; you are written on the palm of my hand! </i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Father God and His Son Jesus gave up everything for you. And yet we tell ourselves we will never be able to walk out the dreams God has put on our hearts. We tell ourselves we are too weak, too insubstantial. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Those are lies from the pit of hell.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />Where do we find our identity? Where do we find our worth? We find it as declared in the cross and nowhere else. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> Jesus fought the battle for us so that we could walk in the fullness of all He created us to be.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Where do we find our potential? In the God who is able to raise from the dead.</span></i><br />
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Peter, when addressing the crowds on the day of Pentecost, stated, "But God raised him [Jesus] from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, <b>because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him</b>" (Acts 2:24).<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">That is what God is capable of doing. In your life.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">"We deem ourselves too inconsiderable to be used even by a God capable of miracles with no more than mud and spit. And thus our false humility shackles an otherwise omnipotent God." William J. O'Malley, SJ</span></i></span></i>
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We need to stop limiting God by believing the lies the enemy has told us. We need to go to war for our identity.</b>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-47450410832464722982013-11-08T00:01:00.000-05:002013-11-08T00:01:00.553-05:00Freedom Friday: I Saw You in Whole Foods Today<i>If you have struggled with an eating disorder, this post might be triggering to you. Please pause and pray before you read this if that is a concern.</i><br />
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<b>I saw you at Whole Foods today.</b></div>
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I noticed you pretty quickly. The clothing you wore, the way you held yourself, the frenzy in which you ate.</div>
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I wondered if you had an eating disorder. </div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I watched you out of the corner of my eye as I reviewed some work on my laptop. I lost sight of you as I packed my things, stopping at the restroom as I left.</div>
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There, I saw you. With your drink. Going into the handicapped stall.</div>
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Then I heard you vomit.</div>
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This is clearly a skill you have mastered. You were quiet. But I knew.</div>
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I knew because I've been there.</div>
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I had an eating disorder for 14 years. Borderline anorexia with an addiction to laxatives (ED-NOS did not exist then). I know the tricks of the trade, even for the behaviors I never engaged in.</div>
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<b>I saw you. And I knew.</b></div>
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I spoke to you in the dining area minutes later, after I fumbled with my wallet to find my card. I told you I had an eating disorder for 14 years. You replied that you had yours for 11 years, and you loved it.</div>
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As if it were a pet or possession. Or a lifestyle choice.</div>
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You took my card and turned to leave, and I followed, searching for words. I asked if I could say one more thing. You paused and I told you that Jesus loves you and wants a different life for you. You thanked me and left.</div>
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I have a different life now. And I remember vividly the moment when everything changed.</div>
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I was in LA. I had been "in recovery" for over 4 years, continuing to starve and abuse laxatives while receiving treatment. I thought in that moment, <i>I could live the rest of my life like this.</i></div>
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Suddenly, I keeled over in pain and weakness, as my muscles cramped and stomach revolted. And in that moment, I had clarity for the first time.</div>
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Something inside me quietly said, <i>You will die if you keep doing this to yourself.</i></div>
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My treatment team and my friends had been telling me this for years.<b> I finally believed it. </b></div>
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After several more years or treatment and its ups and downs, I finally began to make choices to move toward recovery. I wanted a different life for myself, no matter the cost, and I was willing to do the work needed to have that life.</div>
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I also came to know Jesus as friend and Savior a week after that moment in LA. With the strength that He provides, I have been symptom-free from starvation and laxative use for over 11 years.</div>
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And I wouldn't trade any of it for a number on the scale.</div>
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11 years ago, as you took your first steps toward your eating disorder, I took my first true steps away. I chose life, and continue to choose it every day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbJkMbPiP9RrpUADA7uIKAIi4EfC-BxaX5XFkueZk9QiOnRIQTO5kbPIzak1aViZdoiOji6LVQVL_vIxgm0ETvW9-YUp5AVeqwdPSdcam7cChJXAgdqktkeZCljVj6_t-YntOx2cURU0/s1600/WeddingAge27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbJkMbPiP9RrpUADA7uIKAIi4EfC-BxaX5XFkueZk9QiOnRIQTO5kbPIzak1aViZdoiOji6LVQVL_vIxgm0ETvW9-YUp5AVeqwdPSdcam7cChJXAgdqktkeZCljVj6_t-YntOx2cURU0/s320/WeddingAge27.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>My wedding in December, 2002</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcAXWdYSlDcxMf-H5TutUiP9MB0PAo9OH4Agz4bdoYyD81TBmeevBXQ_rCkVRGDkyYZkWIBFtdIj2DYbBlAxUY8ky-KeFuv-Z-37sQUwW7fm2MSBYTCUNwgb94JTD6JsnTXXCfgLHSus/s1600/IMG_6675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcAXWdYSlDcxMf-H5TutUiP9MB0PAo9OH4Agz4bdoYyD81TBmeevBXQ_rCkVRGDkyYZkWIBFtdIj2DYbBlAxUY8ky-KeFuv-Z-37sQUwW7fm2MSBYTCUNwgb94JTD6JsnTXXCfgLHSus/s320/IMG_6675.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>My 2 boys at the start of school this year</i></td></tr>
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What I don't know if you can see is that you don't <i>have</i> an eating disorder - your eating disorder <i>has</i> you. It controls you. It is not a lifestyle choice; it's a choice to die. It's a choice to never fully live.</div>
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<b>Today, I saw you. </b>I saw your pain, hidden under your baggy clothes and bloodshot eyes. I saw your pale skin and yellow, worn out teeth. But more importantly, <b>God sees you</b>; that is one of His names (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+16:13&version=NIV" target="_blank">Genesis 16:13</a>). He sees you as you are and as He created you to be - and He loves you. He loves you so deeply and passionately that He allowed His Son to die for you, so that you could live a different life.</div>
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I don't know if you will ever use my card to find this blog. If you do, know I'm praying for you. I'm praying you have a moment, as I did, where you realize the truth about your eating disorder. And when you face that truth for what it is, I want you to know that there is a friend who can be there with every tear cried, through every painful step toward health. There is a hope offered for a new life, a fresh start. You don't have to hide behind your eating disorder anymore. </div>
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<b>It's OK to be seen.</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Related posts:</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-sold-my-birthright-for-plate-of-food.html" target="_blank">I sold my birthright for a plate of food</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.boundless.org/faith/2008/disordered-eating" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Disordered Eating</span></a></div>
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Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-76922940381643386222013-10-20T18:25:00.000-04:002013-10-20T18:25:54.760-04:00Pregnant with a DreamA year ago yesterday, we started our lives in northern VA.<br />
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3 weeks later, my father passed away, and 2 weeks after that, we moved into a rented townhouse.<br />
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We still don't have complete clarity as to why God brought us here, nor do we have steady employment. Despite that, I am still 100% convinced God is up to something amazing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWWT8EU502lb1PBShCKwkscxfFLBEVXTBFK4zYjGqd4JRxHJhUHVbR6XkXlMXJ9E7GNBPL9lHyRtNMSU8h2yjrqUD-svFN-yN6dgVVJRxQvjXyMgbc4RLCAkkv_54B28dPYkUDIEmEHTf/s1600/IMG_6948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWWT8EU502lb1PBShCKwkscxfFLBEVXTBFK4zYjGqd4JRxHJhUHVbR6XkXlMXJ9E7GNBPL9lHyRtNMSU8h2yjrqUD-svFN-yN6dgVVJRxQvjXyMgbc4RLCAkkv_54B28dPYkUDIEmEHTf/s320/IMG_6948.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Sunset behind our home 2 days ago</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">How can I be so convinced?</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">Because I am pregnant. Not in the typical sense, though.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">I am pregnant with a dream.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">God has stirred something up in me, and I'm even more excited to see what our 2nd year here holds.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">Above all else, I deeply trust Him. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">I asked my 6 year-old son what he learned about in church today. He learned about the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the Promise Land. I asked him if they talked about the Jordan River being at flood stage, and what that meant for the Israelites - how scary that would be.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">I blogged two and a half years ago about <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2011/04/freedom-friday-stepping-into-your.html">stepping into your Jordan</a>. A year ago, we stepped into ours, trusting that the Promised Land was on the other side. We are still in the throes of labor, the flood stage, birthing this dream God has given us.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">We are still waiting, still trusting. It's been quite painful at times, but full of anticipation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg">Thank You, Lord, for this adventure that is life with You! </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="userContentSecondary"><span class="fcg"><b><i>What Jordan do you need to step into today? What frightening step do you need to take?</i></b></span></span></span></div>
Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-32958020496192369262013-10-04T14:25:00.002-04:002013-10-04T14:25:39.825-04:00The Edits on my Book are Done!Are you ready for <i>Learning to Walk in Freedom</i>?<br />
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This book that has been a word in my heart will soon be a reality.<br />
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From the first draft back in June, 2012:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_WHNOeDryavfxmDgLh_jBsmDRetuR88lZ5u001XAsoVN43NaeQykjiFPphVq1UJgMB8zfV8E_o-XISbLegE2MdsOYytFdDa_fMPdJHsGjXgKY1d0B2FZfHyLBTFIL0MDNAuAVB6tY3rq/s1600/600278_10150911909021298_1189134997_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_WHNOeDryavfxmDgLh_jBsmDRetuR88lZ5u001XAsoVN43NaeQykjiFPphVq1UJgMB8zfV8E_o-XISbLegE2MdsOYytFdDa_fMPdJHsGjXgKY1d0B2FZfHyLBTFIL0MDNAuAVB6tY3rq/s320/600278_10150911909021298_1189134997_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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To a finely tuned booklet with a beautifully illustrated cover by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rustyandingridcreativecompany">Rusty & Ingrid Creative</a> (which I'll share soon enough). </div>
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We have refined and tweaked this thing for the past 15+ months. And now we're declaring it done.</div>
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In just a few weeks, the eBook will be ready for purchase through your favorite retailer. A print book will follow within a couple of months. We will also be doing some giveaways here on the blog and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenna-Kate-Simonds-Living-Unveiled/264390130298424">my Facebook page</a>. And my blog will be moving to permanent hosting by the end of the year.</div>
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You do not want to miss out! </div>
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A couple things you can do to prepare for all this excitement:</div>
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<b>1. Subscribe to the email list.</b> That way, I can more easily send you blog posts and book updates. I will not spam you :) IMPORTANT: If you already receive blog posts in your inbox, you will still need to sign up for the email list. Your current updates come directly from Blogger (my current host), not from me. Thus, when we move the blog to permanent hosting, you will no longer receive blog posts in your inbox. So right now, go to http://www.livingunveiled.com and on the top right where it says "Get Living Unveiled updates via e-mail," put in your email address. This is through MailChimp, a service used by most bloggers. In fact, you probably get other blog posts through them.</div>
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<b>2. Follow my Facebook page.</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenna-Kate-Simonds-Living-Unveiled/264390130298424">I have a page on Facebook</a> where I post updates on a regular basis, including my (almost) daily Bible-reading haikus. I will be posting my main book updates there.</div>
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<b>3. Follow me on Twitter.</b> I have a <a href="https://twitter.com/livingunveiled">Twitter profile</a> where I (can you guess what I do there?) tweet. Shocking, I know!</div>
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Why should you do any of the above things? Because for each one that you do, you will get an entry into each of my giveaways! So if you do all 3, you get 3 entries! Party!</div>
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Friends, I do believe this book has the potential to radically impact your life. Pray with me that it will be a blessing to many.</div>
Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-74643710736629455632013-09-20T07:57:00.000-04:002013-09-20T07:57:24.707-04:00Freedom Friday, Tools for the Journey: Fitting Concentrated Study into a Busy LifeI have an occasional series in my blog entitled "<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/search/label/tools%20for%20the%20journey" target="_blank">Tools for the Journey</a>." Today, we're talking about concentrated study.<br />
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Before I dive into this tool, I must mention how much God loves you. The God who spoke the universe into being loves you so much that He sent His Son down to earth as a man - to live as we live, to experience life as we have, and to even face the same temptations we face. That's how important it was for this God to connect with you.<br />
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When I talk about studying or reading the Bible, often what we hear through our filter is, "I need to read the Bible to be a good Christian." I hope today what you will hear instead is, "God loves me so much that He desires to connect with me all day, every day. One way I can connect with God is through His Word. There, I learn about His character, His promises and His heart for me."<br />
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So, that said.....<br />
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I was recently listening to some teaching by <a href="http://iangreen.org/" target="_blank">Ian Green</a> (he did some leadership training for Chi Alpha campus missionaries back around 2004, and then more recently at my church). He mentioned how, when he was younger, he took one night a week to spend concentrated time with God. He would read the Bible for 30 minutes, pray for 30 minutes, read a Christian book for 30 minutes, and then repeat.<br />
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I used to do something similar when I first became a Christian and wondered if I could somehow find a way to do this again. On a smaller scale :)<br />
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So for the last 2 weeks, I have been doing this in 10-minute increments. I read the Bible for 10 minutes, pray for 10 minutes, read a book for 10 minutes, and then repeat (if I have time). I set a timer on my phone for each increment, and keep my journal close by to jot down any thoughts. I use the prayer time to mostly pray for the needs of others. Sometimes, I send them a note of encouragement based on my prayers if I feel led to do so. This type of rotating study has been a welcome relief from the type of reading I normally do, which is much more academic.<br />
<br />
You could also do this on a smaller scale. If you only have 10 minutes, you could do each segment for 3 minutes each. For your book reading, grab a devotional like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=my%20utmost%20for%20his%20highest&linkCode=ur2&tag=oceanskater-20&url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank"><i>My Utmost for His Highest</i></a>, Spurgeon's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=spurgeons%20morning%20and%20evening&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aspurgeons%20morning%20and%20evening&sprefix=spurgeons%20morning%20%2Caps%2C143&tag=oceanskater-20&url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank">Morning and Evening</a> </i>(a favorite of mine, and only 99 cents for Kindle), or another I've been using lately, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007V93LMW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007V93LMW&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20"><i>John Maxwell Daily Reader</i></a> (a book my mentor Mike Olejarz gave me on the topic of personal and leadership development).<br />
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One of the warnings Ian Green gave is that when he began to set aside time for this purpose, all of a sudden, everyone wanted to visit him on that night. The phone would ring, and lots of things would cry out for his attention. He was living with his parents at the time, and simply told them to not interrupt him, no matter what.<br />
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It is easy to put our time with God as a secondary priority. There are other priorities that seem more immediate, more pressing (like little kids, dirty kitchens, incomplete work assignments). As we begin to be more purposeful about study and spending time with God, we need to guard that time. Block it off on your calendar. Ask for His grace and favor in getting that other stuff done as well. You will find the investment of time to be well worth it.<br />
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<b><i>What methods do you use to make sure you get in your study time? </i></b>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-37599602784507343282013-09-16T07:53:00.002-04:002013-09-16T07:53:54.982-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: How Do You Start Your Day?Good morning, Living Unveiled readers! I have a very important question for you.<br />
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How did you start your Monday?<br />
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Did it start it quietly soaking in God's truth in prayer and Bible-reading?<br />
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Or did it begin with frantically grabbing something to eat as you ran out or pushed your kids out the door?<br />
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How your day begins sets the tone for hours to come.<br />
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I posted something on my Facebook page last week (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenna-Kate-Simonds-Living-Unveiled/264390130298424" target="_blank">have you "liked" my Facebook page yet</a>?). I have been in the habit of almost-daily Bible reading for about a year now. This consistency is new for me. Recently, I thought I missed a few days due to work, etc. and had felt "off" as a result. I sat down to read that night, only to realize I had missed just one day. My heart is now so accustomed to the daily bread that every day missed impacts me.<br />
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I used to read the Bible regularly because that's what good Christians do. I now recognize a difference in myself when I read the Bible, process it and pray through it, even if it's only for 5 minutes.<br />
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<i><b>Have you consumed your daily bread today? </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
Start your week with true humility. Dive into the Word and find out what your loving Father says about you. Read about all that Jesus died to give you. Soak in the Spirit's presence. Ask God to fill you again.<br />
<br />
For Freedom Friday this week, I'll be sharing an exciting method I've been using to structure some of my study time. See you then!Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-34701057120213917592013-09-13T07:21:00.001-04:002013-09-13T07:21:56.491-04:00Freedom Friday: Are You Being Honest?We have a serious problem in the church today.<br />
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<b>We lie to each other.</b><br />
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We lie every time that we feel deeply broken and in pain, and yet we say we're fine.<br />
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We lie every time we skip church because we don't want to face the question, "How are you?"<br />
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We lie every time someone opens up about a struggle and, because of pride and fear, we pat them on the back, saying, "I'll pray for you, friend!" rather than sharing how we've faced a similar struggle.<br />
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We lie to each other.<br />
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In Russell Willingham's amazing book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830832513/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0830832513&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Relational Masks</a></i>, he addresses the <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/search?q=core+beliefs" target="_blank">core beliefs</a> that make us feel as if we must put on our smiles and act as if everything is OK.<br />
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One major core belief is this: <i><b>If I am honest, I will be abandoned. </b></i><br />
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Shame runs deep. It began in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve tried to cover up the truth for their all-knowing Creator. If Adam and Eve struggled with honesty in their relationship with God, how much more so do we need to fight against this tendency in our lives.<br />
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Russell Willingham stated this in a teaching I once heard: we demonstrate the above core belief by always putting our best foot forward and never letting anyone see our weaknesses. <b>We have this secret fear that if we’re honest about how deep the brokenness goes, we’ll be thrown out on our ears.</b><br />
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A lot of these core beliefs are based on experiences we’ve actually lived through. Some of our families would shut down our honesty. We've shared our struggles and experienced rejection. Thus, we don’t risk with people. We’re always respectable. We act like we have it all together.<br />
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Paul address in the church in Ephesus. “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25). You can read the context of the passage <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%204:17-32&version=NIV" target="_blank">here</a>. Paul was giving the believers instructions on new ways of living and interacting.<br />
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<b>Paul was basically telling Christians to stop lying to each other. </b><br />
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Because that’s our tendency. Our tendency, since the Garden, is to hide. Hide our sin, hide our brokenness, hide our shame. Act as if we've got it all together and we don't need help.<br />
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Russell Willingham states that we need a commitment to truth-telling in our lives.<br />
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<i><b>What have you gained, spiritually, by being dishonest?</b></i><br />
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With God?<br />
With your friends?<br />
With those around you who can help you?<br />
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Why do we put on our smiling faces and go to church when we are totally broken inside? Or worse yet, skip church all together during those tough weeks?<br />
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I know from my own life and years of ministry, we have a desperate need to be seen. That is the imprint of God within our hearts. He did not create us for isolation. He created us for love, acceptance and support in the safety of authentic, healthy community. He deposited in us a need for affirmation, for honesty, for the freedom that is found when we bring our struggles to the light.<br />
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Here's the thing: not everyone can handle honesty. And not everyone has earned a place of trust in our lives that we should tell them our struggles. Remember Jesus' example of <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2010/10/is-having-best-friend-biblical.html" target="_blank">3 intimate friends</a> and 9 other good friends. So you may have to go to a number of people before you find a safe place to share your heart. But it's worth the risk. You were created for relationship. God designed freedom, healing and growth to happen <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2010/11/freedom-fridays-spend-time-with-freedom.html" target="_blank">in the context of community</a>.<br />
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<b><i>Will you take a risk today? Would you risk being honest, and, in the process, risk finding the freedom you long for?</i></b></div>
Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-57211244251921638442013-09-09T07:53:00.001-04:002013-09-09T07:53:29.842-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: Undistracted DevotionThis weekend at church we sang:<br />
<br />
<i>I don't wanna talk about You like You're not in the room</i><br />
<i>I wanna look right at You, I wanna sing right to You</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
We sang these lines as part of the song, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015ZT8RU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015ZT8RU&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">You Won't Relent</a>." When I looked up the lyrics, I realized the lines are actually part of another song entitled "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015ZPA90/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015ZPA90&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Dove's Eyes</a>." It's quite mellow and introspective compared to the passion (and volume!) of the other song, but there's another line in the song that grabs my heart.<br />
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<i>Give me undistracted devotion to only You</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Oh, how easily I am distracted from my devotion to God! Every worry that comes my way, everything that's not part of my plan, every stumbling block and obstacles <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/06/monday-morning-meditation-off-snare-and.html" target="_blank">takes my eyes off my Lord and on to my troubles</a>.<br />
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It's Monday. I hope you gathered with other believers this weekend. I pray you dove into the Word of God and soaked in His Spirit this morning. <br />
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Many things will cry out for my attention this week. The cry of my heart is to have undistracted devotion to my Lord, that my response to all else will be tempered by my love for Jesus and my passion to know and serve Him.<br />
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<b><i>Will you pray for undistracted devotion to God today?</i></b>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-21392438179672845042013-09-06T06:15:00.000-04:002013-09-06T06:15:00.552-04:00Freedom Friday: The Battle for Your Gifts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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There is a battle raging.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s a battle for your gifts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s a battle for the unique things you have to offer the
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We hosted a guest worship team at church a few months ago. The worship
leader shared something that I’ve been thinking about since then:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“The enemy wants to destroy the call on our lives.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, friends, how I’ve felt this intimately over the past few
months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was certain 2012 would be “the year of the book.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, I was positive that it would be done by my 2013 birthday (almost 4 months ago now).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have lots of excuses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>As I try to grieve the loss of my father in the midst of
life carrying on…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>As I fill out death-related paperwork that I’ve put off
until the last minute…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>As I once again try and stuff my emotions with food
(something I’m quite good at, apparently)…</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And God is His faithfulness keeps poking me, every month or
so.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You know, my love, I
still want you to finish that book.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes He’s not so gentle. In fact, He told me in December (yes, almost 9 months ago) to get over myself because
the book isn’t really about me anyway. It’s about Him. It’s not about how
awesome I am (because Lord literally knows that apart from Him – yeah, not much
to impress anything); it’s about how awesome He is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, the book is at the copy editor, and all I have left to do is write the back cover.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been a battle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God has given you something unique, something particular that He wants you to offer to the world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>What is stopping you? </i></b>The enemy? The negative self-talk? All the excuses about why we'll do it later?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's the thing about your gifts: they're not for you anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn7GYjJs8OQI16p6IXIynRh33cYMiWw9nhVKtICMMHzeDpAOm6UZQrRE8ltfu-w_qnO_dSzWoM_rqYUUFQjb_9fHiaz9WkMO0QhY4DhKQ2zOhRXn7AWqDFdHAKnZymX9jZ8RqpYJuV70U/s1600/iStock_000000982384XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn7GYjJs8OQI16p6IXIynRh33cYMiWw9nhVKtICMMHzeDpAOm6UZQrRE8ltfu-w_qnO_dSzWoM_rqYUUFQjb_9fHiaz9WkMO0QhY4DhKQ2zOhRXn7AWqDFdHAKnZymX9jZ8RqpYJuV70U/s320/iStock_000000982384XSmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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You may not think you have much to offer. Well, that's a lie. That is where the battle rages because that's exactly the position Satan wants you to stay in. Satan easily convinces us that we can't make an impact and thus paralyzes us from doing the little (or lot) that we can do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/08/freedom-friday-time-for-war.html" target="_blank">It's time to declare war on the lies you believe.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>What is standing in the way of using your gifts today? What can you do today as a step of obedience toward God and what He might be calling you to do?</i></b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-16019587157503653432013-09-02T06:00:00.000-04:002013-11-18T10:39:13.315-05:00Monday Morning Meditation: Is God Writing Your Story?<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Saint" target="_blank">Steve Saint</a> is the son of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Saint" target="_blank">Nate Saint</a>, a man who was killed in Ecuador alongside Jim Elliot and 3 other missionaries by the Huaorani Indians in 1956. I learned of Steve and his father Nate through the film, <a href="http://endofthespear.com/" target="_blank">End of the Spear</a>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ozTvH8Q2VpY1ZTw0q8oC0bbvNnV0ybvywX8TRTCeD-2zjyVq-UZXBp1ZNFXQIQ_kdF92kaBMqar_R-xN20o7lK5bkGPSJ7mFmbygDVl9vVCvk6lChcX5xKD8KZyW-UZY-TtfdpQd4TTV/s1600/stevesaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ozTvH8Q2VpY1ZTw0q8oC0bbvNnV0ybvywX8TRTCeD-2zjyVq-UZXBp1ZNFXQIQ_kdF92kaBMqar_R-xN20o7lK5bkGPSJ7mFmbygDVl9vVCvk6lChcX5xKD8KZyW-UZY-TtfdpQd4TTV/s320/stevesaint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In many ways, Steve has continued the work of his father through his organization <a href="http://www.itecusa.org/" target="_blank">I-TEC</a>. The organization's focus is "opening doors to the gospel by meeting needs with innovative tools." In the testing of one of these tools in June of 2012, Steve was seriously injured by a falling piece of equipment. He was partially paralyzed from the neck down. He has made some progress since then, though he is still quite limited in many ways. I-TEC recently posted this challenging video with a one year update. Grab a tissue - it's worth watching all 7 minutes.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aIlL6xfHHOU" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Here are a few excerpts of what impacted me.<br />
<br />
"None of us knows what our life is gonna be like. I wouldn't mind dying, but I'm gonna stay here longer. I want it to count. And I want my grandchildren to see that life isn't good when everything is fitting together right. Life is good because we know that we have a hope when this life is done."<br />
<br />
"My theme has been 'Let God write your story.' He doesn't promise all easy chapters, but He does promise that if we let Him write our story, that in the last chapter if not before, He will make sense of all the other chapters and then He will take us to live with Him in paradise."<br />
<br />
<b>"I want God to still write my story."</b><br />
<br />
Are you allowing God to write your story? As a song line I love states so clearly*, are you opening your eyes to let Him rewrite even tragedy?<br />
<br />
As your week progresses, as you find yourself confused or frustrated about how God is allowing things to play out, shift your perspective. Surrender to God, the all-knowing author and perfecter of your faith. Believe He has what is best for you.<br />
<br />
<b>Let God write your story.</b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*Sara Groves "Rewrite this Tragedy"</span>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-21737993662076240942013-08-31T21:35:00.000-04:002013-08-31T21:35:04.839-04:00Bible HaikusMy friend <a href="http://www.constantforwardmotion.org/" target="_blank">Pastor Craig Burns</a> posts haikus based on his Bible reading. I've adopted the idea myself. Here are a few recent haikus:<br />
<br />
<b>Joel 1 </b><br />
4 kinds of locusts.<br />
Food and water disappear.<br />
Joel cries, Lord, help us!<br />
<br />
<b>Nehemiah 10</b><br />
Lots of tricky names<br />
Trying to say them out loud<br />
Kids laugh at Bunni<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Philippians 3 </b><br />
Everything but Christ<br />
Discard it all like garbage<br />
Become one with Him<br />
<br />
<b>1 Timothy 1 </b><br />
Christ Jesus our hope<br />
Jesus came to save sinners<br />
Cling tightly to faith<br />
<br />
<b>1 Timothy 6</b><br />
Run from all evil<br />
Follow what is right and good<br />
Obey His commandsBrenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-67071833386216719172013-08-23T08:14:00.000-04:002013-08-23T08:14:17.423-04:00Freedom Friday: A Time For War<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)</blockquote>
Everyone walks through different seasons in life. Even the weather goes through seasons (in most places, at least!). Here in northern Virginia, the last few weeks have been unseasonably cool. There was one day when I headed to a group run at 5:45 AM, and I had to turn on the heat in my car. Now we seem to be back to the hot, humid weather of late summer. But the nights are getting longer. It was still not fully light when I got out of my exercise class this morning (around 6:25). Soon, the leaves will change, and autumn will be upon us.<br />
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<br />
If you continue reading in Ecclesiastes, you find there are many types of seasons. There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to plant and a time to harvest. There is a time to tear down and a time to build up.
Have you considered what type of season you might be in?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%203:1-8&version=NLT" target="_blank">Read the first 8 verses of the chapter now</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2011/05/freedom-friday-gods-specific-plan.html" target="_blank">I shared before</a> about a season I walked through in 2004. I was desperate to know God's plan for me, to know what the future would hold. God did confirm that He had an amazing plan in store for me, but that I wasn't ready to walk out that plan.<br />
<br />
Instead, God called me to a season of quiet (v. 7). He called me to rest in Him, to soak up His heart and His Word and all the amazing things He thinks about me as His adopted child. So rest, I did. It was also a time to tear down some faulty ideas I had about God and about my identity in Him, and a time to build up the foundation of His truth that I needed in my life in order to maintain a healthier relationship with Him.<br />
<br />
In the past few years, there have been deep seasons of grief. First, my grandmother and my aunt. Then, the baby I miscarried, <a href="http://www.boundless.org/adulthood/2009/bye-bye-pebble-baby" target="_blank">Bunny Boo</a> (who was due in August of 2009 and would have been 4 this week). Several uncles, my grandfather, and most recently my dad. It has been a time to grieve and cry, as well as laugh, remembering all the amazing moments I shared with these people.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Yet with all the transitions of the past several years, I am tired. I am in a season where everything seems hard. I just want to return to that season in 2004 and beyond, take time to rest in God and let Him tell me all the things He loves about me :) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But He spoke to me specifically a few weeks ago as I lamented about how tired I am. He said, "Brenna, this is not a time for rest; this is a time for war." It's time to go to war against all those not-God-honoring thoughts that have crept in during this time of uncertainty. It's time to take those self-limiting and God-limiting thoughts and make them obedient to Christ. It's time to <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2011/02/freedom-fridays-think-like-free-person_18.html" target="_blank">think like a free person</a> once again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i>What type of season are you in? Is it a season of rest? Or do you need to declare war on some habits and thought patterns that have slowly worked their way into your life?</i></b></span>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-11770040231065514932013-08-16T18:40:00.002-04:002013-08-16T18:40:50.451-04:00An UpdateHello, Living Unveiled friends,<br />
<br />
I've been missing from this blog for a while. Between grad school, traveling and the finishing touches on the book, my focus has been elsewhere.<br />
<br />
The book is now at the copyeditor.<br />
<br />
This book has been a labor of love. Especially for such a short book. If you buy it, I pray that it's a blessing to you.<br />
<br />
Jesus has been and will be faithful.<br />
<br />
Something else that occupied my time for the past few weeks was preparing to preach at my home church. You can watch the video <a href="http://wolashburn.org/video_messages" target="_blank">here</a>. I spoke on the power of the mind.<br />
<br />
Will you all pray for this book? That it be used according to God's will? I am praying my heart remain pure as it is released and that would be my deepest desire.<br />
<br />
Thank you :)<br />
<br />
Another the thing I did this summer was travel to Yakima, WA to participate in the Relay For Life to honor my <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/11/freedom-friday-will-i-choose-to-love.html" target="_blank">father</a>. This is me, walking in the rain (in his sweatshirt):<br />
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<br />Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-75513974759808484702013-07-15T06:14:00.000-04:002013-07-15T11:10:24.645-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: Positioned to ReceiveImagine you are watching the Superbowl.<br />
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The ball is about to be kicked for the first time. Everyone is all set to go. The kicker's foot makes contact with the ball, and all eyes move in the direction of the offense - only to watch them all walk off the field. The ball hits the ground and bounces several times before rolling to a stop.<br />
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No one was positioned to receive the ball.<br />
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You've likely never seen this happen in a football game. You've probably seen people not quite be in the exact spot they needed to be in order to catch the ball, but the majority of the time, the players are on the field, ready, waiting with expectation for an opportunity to receive the ball from the kicker and take off, running.<br />
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I was listening to a <a href="http://www.dblportion.org/DPM__Home.html" target="_blank">speaker</a> at church several weeks ago talk about our inheritance in Christ, and he asked us a pointed question: "Are you positioned to receive?"<br />
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I've been thinking about it ever since.<br />
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What does it mean to be positioned to receive from God?<br />
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<b>Being positioned to receive begins on our knees.</b> This is our starting position, our kick-off stance. It begins in prayer, creating the time and space to have a conversation with Him. Too often we come to prayer simply to download our list of needs and wants to Him. We also need to come to prayer to listen, to hear, and to learn.<br />
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<b>Being positioned to receive happens in the Word.</b> A football player cannot play the game without some knowledge of the playbook. Being positioned to receive in Christ begins with knowing who God is and who He says we are throughout the Bible. In our reading, we ask the Holy Spirit to help us be ready to respond, to guide us into all truth, to illuminate the Word for us, and to change us through our reading.<br />
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<b>Being positioned to receive continues with an open heart.</b> A football player must be open to whatever might happen on the field and be prepared to respond immediately. A truly open heart waits with expectation, doing what God has said to do with a readiness to respond to whatever new thing He might desire from us.<br />
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<b>Are you positioned to receive today? Have you started the day in prayer and in the Word, with an open heart, ready to follow where God may lead?</b>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-17685297465935113002013-07-08T06:49:00.000-04:002013-07-08T07:24:03.401-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: God's Character (end of Psalm 25 series)Here is today's passage in the <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/search/label/psalm%2025%20series" target="_blank">Psalm 25 series</a> (v. 19-22):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
See how my enemies have increased<br />
and how fiercely they hate me!<br />
Guard my life and rescue me;<br />
let me not be put to shame,<br />
for I take refuge in you.<br />
May integrity and uprightness protect me,<br />
because my hope is in you.<br />
Redeem Israel, O God,<br />
from all their troubles!</blockquote>
I decided to group all these verses together rather than split them up, so this will be the final installment of the Psalm 25 series.<br />
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What have been some of the themes of the Psalm so far? Let's take a look at the blog post titles.<br />
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<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/01/monday-morning-meditation-safe-with.html" target="_blank">Safe with the Lord</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/02/monday-morning-meditation-dealing-with.html" target="_blank">Dealing with Shame</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/02/monday-morning-meditation-all-day-long.html" target="_blank">All Day Long </a>(HOPE!)<br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/03/monday-morning-meditation-how-does-god.html" target="_blank">How Does God See Me?</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/04/monday-morning-meditation-need-help-ask.html" target="_blank">Need Help? Ask For It</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/04/monday-morning-meditation-need-help-ask.html" target="_blank">Embrace Grace Again</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/06/monday-morning-meditation-friendship.html" target="_blank">Friendship with God</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/06/monday-morning-meditation-off-snare-and.html" target="_blank">Off the Snare and On the Lord</a> (your eyes)<br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/06/monday-morning-meditation-turn-to-me.html" target="_blank">Turn to Me</a><br />
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God's character is revealed throughout this psalm, as well as the promises that are available to us because of who He is.<br />
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Safety. Help. Hope. Protection. Friendship. Grace. Hope. Focus. Perspective. Unashamed. Help. More hope.<br />
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In today's passage, we find David surrounded by enemies. He continues to put his hope in the Lord, trusting in God's character as well as his friendship with the Lord and his own obedience.<br />
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Yesterday in church, we sang "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGTRBHE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BGTRBHE&linkCode=as2&tag=oceanskater-20" target="_blank">Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies).</a>" So many of the themes of this Psalm are highlighted in the lyrics, but I will simply highlight the chorus.<br />
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<i>I know Who goes before me</i><br />
<i>I know Who stands behind</i><br />
<i>The God of angel armies</i><br />
<i>Is always by my side</i><br />
<i>The One who reigns forever</i><br />
<i>He is a Friend of mine</i><br />
<i>The God of angel armies</i><br />
<i>Is always by my side</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Enemies will rise up. We will grow weak at times from battle. As the song says, "though troubles linger still," God was won the battle. He is a friend who is also <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/03/freedom-friday-god-who-protects_30.html" target="_blank">Protector</a> and Savior.<br />
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Hope in Him - all day long.Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-89453369286112527782013-07-07T10:07:00.000-04:002013-07-08T10:09:46.448-04:00Brenna Kate Simonds on the Pure Passion TV ShowIn April of 2012, I had the opportunity to share my story of same-sex
attraction with the crew of the TV show, <a href="http://www.purepassion.us/" target="_blank">Pure Passion</a>. It aired this past Saturday, July
6th, and you can watch it here*:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/64570799" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/64570799">Brenna Simonds - Choosing Christ Over Homosexual Confusion</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/purepassion">Pure Passion</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Perhaps you found my site through watching this show. If so, welcome!<br />
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I mention in the interview a book entitled <i>Learning to Walk in Freedom</i> that we studied at Alive in Christ. This book will be available by the end of summer. Check back for updates!<br />
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<b>Here are some other articles that might be helpful to you:</b><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/03/freedom-friday-do-i-still-struggle-with.html" target="_blank">Do I Still Struggle With Same-Sex Attraction? </a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/03/freedom-friday-living-healthily.html" target="_blank">Living a Healthily Transparent Life </a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/06/feelings-dictator-or-indicator.html" target="_blank">Feelings: Dictator or Indicator? </a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2010/11/talitha-koum-expelling-laughers_03.html" target="_blank">“Talitha koum!" Expelling the Laughers </a><br />
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And my most popular blog post of all time:<br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/03/freedom-friday-you-have-not-because-you.html" target="_blank">You Have Not Because You Ask Not</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*I just discovered the network aired the wrong episode Saturday. Well, welcome anyway! People are finding it somehow :)</span>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-67248785096826778902013-06-24T06:00:00.000-04:002013-06-24T09:26:50.818-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: Turn to Me (Psalm 25 Series)Here is today's passage in the <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/search/label/psalm%2025%20series" target="_blank">Psalm 25 series</a> (v. 16-18):<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Turn to me and be gracious to me,<br />
for I am lonely and afflicted.<br />
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;<br />
free me from my anguish.<br />
Look upon my affliction and my distress<br />
and take away all my sins.</blockquote>
Do you ever feel as if the troubles of your heart have multiplied? Like you already had enough troubles, and suddenly, you find yourself with exponentially more?<br />
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<i>Turn to me, O God.</i><br />
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Have you ever found yourself lonely and afflicted (the NLT says "deep distress")? Drowning in anguish?<br />
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As I write this, I have just completed the <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=50870&pg=personal&px=31091869" target="_blank">Yakima (WA) Relay for Life</a>. I chose this location to support my friend Eva. I chose this event to honor my <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/11/freedom-friday-will-i-choose-to-love.html" target="_blank">father</a>, who I lost to cancer 7 months ago.<br />
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It was a beautiful and emotional time. I am now facing flying home with 2 sick kids. It's a long plane ride and a 2 1/2 hour drive to get to the airport.<br />
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"Drowning in anguish" is a bit extreme for how I feel, but distressed is sufficient.<br />
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<i>Turn to me, O God.</i><br />
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I am reminded that God is near. One of the themes of this psalm is hope. "No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame."<br />
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I rest in that promise. God is able.<br />
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Feeling overwhelmed? Pray with David (and me):<br />
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<i>Turn to me, O God.</i><br />
<br />Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-80614728753968449182013-06-17T06:00:00.000-04:002013-06-17T12:27:15.759-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: It's Okay to Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On September 22nd, I ran the Zooma Cape Cod Half Marathon.</div>
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It was an amazing race. Still brings tears to my eyes.</div>
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Redemption. Read about it <a href="http://oceanskater.blogspot.com/2012/09/zooma-cape-cod-half-marathon-redemption.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Amazing.</div>
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We had recently found out my dad didn't have long to live.</div>
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I run because I can. I ran that race for him and so many others who cannot run.</div>
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On race weekend, we stayed at a little resort where my husband Roy stayed growing up. I found this postcard in the gift shop:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bE3sU4QObL3s0ruKcgewJQt6T5iwQJNtOmtbC1JGrf4vJLUGJXfGSI36u1AfBp2LnETZ8SWv_NbP0HS0DqbgPr0BAZ5toG6qcl3Ukion77purSFOEuvATjNaY2BZIRTdadh8Mc1oZXC5/s1600/IMG_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bE3sU4QObL3s0ruKcgewJQt6T5iwQJNtOmtbC1JGrf4vJLUGJXfGSI36u1AfBp2LnETZ8SWv_NbP0HS0DqbgPr0BAZ5toG6qcl3Ukion77purSFOEuvATjNaY2BZIRTdadh8Mc1oZXC5/s320/IMG_5646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHHwLpF55D3HOG2zw2cPgGZGgcD5OXjI31J2qjnv1QGdbUCQ6Cj8LSVSGoPI5-d9ft3Vt_XFry9euhd4S2_HOfHQe2iVM2dmE8ZyfdioVzjHAx2juX7Euph9Xz31H0vyglioHXeeJsi1O/s1600/IMG_5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHHwLpF55D3HOG2zw2cPgGZGgcD5OXjI31J2qjnv1QGdbUCQ6Cj8LSVSGoPI5-d9ft3Vt_XFry9euhd4S2_HOfHQe2iVM2dmE8ZyfdioVzjHAx2juX7Euph9Xz31H0vyglioHXeeJsi1O/s320/IMG_5647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My father loves JFK, so I bought this with the intention of promptly sending it to him.</div>
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There was one last possibility for saving my father's life (besides divine intervention): a new chemo. Within a couple of weeks, it became clear that the chemo was making him too sick to continue. When I found this out, this postcard showed up a day or two later, stuffed in a book. I filled it out, shared some psalms, and encouraged him: <i>It's okay to dream.</i></div>
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And dream he did. When I arrived a few days at the <a href="http://oceanskater.blogspot.com/2012/10/ing-hartford-marathon-race-recap.html" target="_blank">marathon</a>, as they had given him a few weeks to live, you could see it in his eyes. His eyes would slowly drift up, with a faraway gaze.</div>
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He dreamt of heaven. </div>
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I recently had the privilege of speaking to women of our church. As I prayed the morning of the event, I flipped through my Bible to read various psalms and came across Psalm 126:1 (NIV1984):</div>
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<i>When the LORD brought back the captives </i><i>to Zion,</i><i>we were like men who dreamed.</i></blockquote>
Are you allowing yourself to dream? Have your recent struggles and trials made dreaming seem unrealistic, or even painful?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDoJiyuWY_XBqHy7Ds6T-NPMNS46RxjAuH-3M7Mzhnxvt8BPlmB7psR40wZVsS-_ayAmaqC3HndjGI_2aFlU3KDGMvg-1fY7Ngv_xIvWLI5_loc-1uLpWjD-ymZPElK3VqBMreNIIizsP/s1600/failureasahuman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDoJiyuWY_XBqHy7Ds6T-NPMNS46RxjAuH-3M7Mzhnxvt8BPlmB7psR40wZVsS-_ayAmaqC3HndjGI_2aFlU3KDGMvg-1fY7Ngv_xIvWLI5_loc-1uLpWjD-ymZPElK3VqBMreNIIizsP/s320/failureasahuman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">My oldest son Bear, Me, and my dad, March 2012</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yesterday, I ran the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge, a 4-mile race on Father's Day, in honor of my dad. He taught me to aim high, and open my heart to what life might bring me.<br />
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He taught me: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">It's okay to dream.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>
It's time to <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/01/freedom-friday-are-your-dreams-asleep.html" target="_blank">dream your own dreams</a> again.<br />
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"You know a dream is from God when you can let go of it,
but it won't let go of you." Darlene Zschech, <i>Kiss of Heaven</i>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366168026167468979.post-82419457945840261572013-06-10T05:57:00.000-04:002013-06-10T05:57:01.059-04:00Monday Morning Meditation: Off the Snare and On the Lord (Psalm 25 Series)Here is today's passage in the <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/search/label/psalm%2025%20series" target="_blank">Psalm 25 series</a> (v. 15):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My eyes are ever on the Lord,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
for only he will release my feet from the snare.</div>
</blockquote>
In times of trials or problems, what do you tend to look at? On what do you focus?<br />
<br />
This is easy for me to answer. I tend to focus on my problems. In the past, this was my typical pattern:<br />
<br />
First, I would stare at the trap or potential trap.<br />
<br />
Second, I would try to think up a solution I could do myself.<br />
<br />
Third, I may begin to think about how the God of the impossible could probably help me out with this situation.<br />
<br />
Fourth, I generally end up talking myself out of God being able to really do anything because isn't this problem just too big for God?<br />
<br />
When I say it out loud, it sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?<br />
<br />
<b>But this is what we do all the time.</b><br />
<br />
Today at church, my pastor said, "What is impossible for God?"<br />
<br />
And all of us good Christians answered, "Nothing."<br />
<br />
If only we acted as if we truly believed this.<br />
<br />
We say it, but we don't live and act as if we believe it.<br />
<br />
We limit God.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLtlKfEnGQhIRJBOay0tUw1OXFhRqU2aVX8DplY_RRRWcBYeB0g3hSalpiuoTGRhaTnp7Pi9EUMA7Am99ajB1n-Xu8EuE5TE-qsb7fqcsW_n71hdgRYz1ip503hgcQI9Wcf7tTeFNE_Yu/s1600/iStock_000013394475XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLtlKfEnGQhIRJBOay0tUw1OXFhRqU2aVX8DplY_RRRWcBYeB0g3hSalpiuoTGRhaTnp7Pi9EUMA7Am99ajB1n-Xu8EuE5TE-qsb7fqcsW_n71hdgRYz1ip503hgcQI9Wcf7tTeFNE_Yu/s320/iStock_000013394475XSmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As I read this passage a few months ago, I realized how often I fix my eyes on the snare. I analyze it. I imagine all possible outcomes and how I can avoid it or fix it. I lament at the difficulty of the situation.<br />
<br />
And often I end up expending so much emotional energy evaluating the snare that I practically fall into it.<br />
<br />
"My eyes are ever on the Lord...."<br />
<br />
What would happen if we instead fixed our eyes on the One who is able to release us from the snare?<br />
<br />
God does not tell us to evaluate the snare. God calls us to look on Him. I've included some past blog posts at the end to encourage you in looking to God.<br />
<br />
Pray this with me:<br />
<i>Lord God, forgive me for trying to fix things all the time, as if that is within my power. <a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/06/monday-morning-meditation-friendship.html" target="_blank">You call me friend</a>, and yet I am slow to ask for help. Your Word says, "<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/03/freedom-friday-you-have-not-because-you.html" target="_blank">You have not because you ask not</a>," and so, I ask. Help, Lord. May my eyes ever be on You, the Rescuer, and not on the snare. I pray this in the mighty, powerful name of Jesus. Amen.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Several blog posts that might be helpful:</b><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2011/04/freedom-friday-seeing-with-gods-eyes.html" target="_blank">Seeing with God's Eyes</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2012/07/monday-morning-meditation-look-beyond.html" target="_blank">Look Beyond Your Mountains</a><br />
<a href="http://livingwithunveiledfaces.blogspot.com/2013/04/freedom-friday-watch-for-god.html" target="_blank">Watch for God</a>Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744233892317009210noreply@blogger.com0