Tag: christian life

Posted in Moments and Musings

Everything is New

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Cor 5:17

Can I make a confession? This is a verse I have often discarded as “well, that’s great but I’ve been born again for a while now so…..this only applies to new Christians”.

However, today I was looking for verses that deal with starting a new season and this popped up in my search. I was about to swipe left on it when the Spirit stopped me and said, “wait! This IS for you. I’m doing something new in you right now. And five minutes from now, I’ll still be doing something new. And tomorrow, I’ll still be doing something new.”

Isn’t that just THE BEST news ever?

Lately, I feel like everything wrong with me has been highlighted, underlines and bolded in my brain. It’s a cruel voice circling around and around saying:

You’re not good enough.

You’re not pretty enough.

You’re too old.

You’re too dumb.

You’re not like everyone else.

You’re too fat.

You’re a failure.

This is quickly followed up by another voice, full of condemnation that says, “and what’s worse, you know better but you don’t read the Word enough, don’t pray enough and so God isn’t/can’t use you.” . And before long, if you listen enough to these voices, you stop believe the encouragement being spoken into your life every day by people who love you and know better.

It’s no secret that the devil lies. It’s no secret he wants you to feel isolated, depressed and lonely. It’s no secret that he uses comparison to accomplish all of this. HOWEVER, it’s also no secret that God has overcome evil. It’s no secret that our Heavenly Father knows when we’re feeling low and unloved and worthless. It’s no secret that He’s a very present help in a time of need and He uses His people to remind us who we are in Him.

I’ve spent a lifetime battling being a perfectionist and a lifetime failing at being perfect. (Imagine that!) Very recently, during a walk with my dog, God shouted to me to stop being so hard on myself. He already died for me. He already approves of me. He already loves me and nothing can stop that. Furthermore, He’s not done with me. And until Jesus comes, He never will be. And all I need to do is accept and receive. Easier said than done somedays but, like billions of other people on this planet, I’m a work in progress.

So why write this blog? And why does this verse suddenly mean so much?

Because Jesus. Plain and simple. The old is gone and the new is here because of Jesus. I used to look at this verse in a very linear way – as a one and done type of thing. You’re born again and BOOM, you’re new….end scene. Figure it out. Read your Bible. Pray….lather, rinse, repeat.

In Revelations 21:5. Jesus said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” The word behold means “to see or observe especially something remarkable” (Oxford Dictionary). The word making is “the process of producing something” but more importantly, it’s an action word in the verse.

So let’s answer my above questions –

Why write this blog? Because I know I’m not the only one experiencing this. I know there are others, like me, who are wanting something new so desperately we can taste it but our perfectionist, process-driven brains are frustrated because there is no such thing as a one-size fits all perfect process and it haunts us. Jesus died once for all but we are not a one size fits all species. Thankfully, God is not a one size fits all God.

Why this verse? Because it’s critical for us to know the old things are gone and the new things are here. It’s a process that happens over and over again. God is the King of removing the old and making the new. We need help daily to remove the old and refill with something new.

Jesus is the new. He’s here. Now. And He is enough.

Photo by Aaron Burden via Unsplash

Posted in Moments and Musings

My Compass

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Today is my mama’s 83rd birthday. While we celebrate here on Earth, she’s celebrating in Heaven. 

We lost her 4 years ago. It seems strange to say “we lost her” when truly, she was never lost. We were at times, and like any great mother would do, she always managed to bring us home to her. 

In her home, there was so much! So much love. So much support. So much patience (Lord knows, we put that to the test time and time again). So much of everything we needed…at the right time…in the right amounts. 

She wasn’t always perfect. She made mistakes. With each one of us. It was ok. She learned. Then we learned. 

From her. 

I had this life before “we lost her” which was full of so many things – like her hugs which were always waiting for me after a difficult day. She didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t need to. She would just envelope us in her arms, dry our tears and then point us to the one who did have all the answers. 

Jesus. 

My mom was a Catholic. She defined and personified fierce faith. She didn’t pray to Mary or the saints. She didn’t have to. She knew the One who held her in His arms. She knew Who had all the answers. She knew where her help came from. And she relied on that like it was her very breath. He was her breath. And her heart. And her song. Her comfort and her wisdom. 

When didn’t know the way, she’d go to Him. Then she would wait. That was hard because she was a survivor, a fighter, a fixer and our mainstay. She was our port in any storm. 

We didn’t “lose” her. She transitioned. I know. I was there. I watched and I held her hand as she took leave of her earthly body. I’ve dreamt about it. I’ve mourned it. We all have. 

She left behind a legacy. A quintet of fighters and survivors. We’ve each had our struggles but we’ve found our way. Some of us are still looking and that’s ok because we’re on a forward path and in a forward motion. We won’t give up. Because she’s part of us and she never gave up. 

Neither will we. Because we are hers. And ultimately, we are His. Bought with His blood. 

I’m so selfish. I wish she was here. I wish she could not just see all I’ve accomplished but share in it. I would love to hear her opinion on `the little things’ like my job, how I’m thisclose to being financially independent, the home I’ve built for my girls and I, and so much more. I want to show her all of it. Then I want to sit on my couch and have a long, long chat. Just she and I. Then I want her to hug me. One of her famous hugs. The ones that never end. The ones that encourage me and give me hope. 

So Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mama! And thank you for everything you gave me. But most especially, thank you for being my compass and always pointing me to Jesus. 

I love you forever.

Photo by @songkat
Posted in Moments and Musings

When I Lift My Hands

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

“So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands”

Psalm 63:4 ESV

Years ago, I was going through a really bad time. I was dealing with depression and anxiety without any professional help. My marriage was falling apart. I felt like I was in a hole so deep no one could find me, not even God. I had two toddlers running around. Life was just not working at all. 

I remember one night after a fight with my husband (now ex-husband), I sat down on the couch after putting my babies to bed and just started to cry. It seemed like there was no way out for me. I knew I needed to be strong for my girls and learn how to be a better wife to my husband but I had no clue how I would achieve that. God felt very far away and I felt like a huge failure. 

For some reason, the verse 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 came to my heart: 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 

Praise and worship have always been my favorite part of any church service. I’ve always loved to sing. At the time, I was part of a praise and worship team at my local church. I was well acquainted with the power of praise and knew how to raise my hands. However, in my depression, I was sure I had the strength. I remember being honest with God and telling Him I wasn’t sure if I could even lift my hands to him. I wasn’t sure why anymore. 

God very gently spoke to my heart. He said, “When your babies come to you and they lift their hands to you, what does that mean?” 

I replied, “It means they want me. They want me to pick them up and hold them.” 

God said, “And what happens when you hold them?” 

I said, “They’re comforted. They’re loved. It’s an act of security for them to be in my arms.” 

God answered, “Then lift your hands to me, daughter. I will lift you up and hold you. You will be comforted and you will know how much I love you. You’ll be secure in me.” 

Lifting my hands in praise and worship has been easy for me ever since that day because I always remember these words. I always remember how I felt that night as I lifted my hands to Jesus. Depression and anxiety melted away in those precious moments I was held by my Heavenly Father. Was my life perfect after that? No. The abuse in my marriage turned into adultery which then resulted in divorce and a whole new way of life for my girls. Yet, none of that really matters because whenever I felt waves overtake me, I just lifted my hands and let God lift me up. 

My daughters are grown young women. They haven’t received this revelation yet and are far too shy to experience total freedom in worshipping God. I don’t worry. I know deep in my heart that their own conversation with God is just on their horizon. One day, they will need to lift their hands and when they do, God will hold them, comfort them, provide for them and show Himself to be their Daddy and not just their Heavenly Father. 

Maybe you’re like I was and you’re in a well of darkness or depression. Maybe you need to be lifted up in some way. Can I pray for you? 

“Heavenly Father, we love you so much. We thank you for your Word that gives us everything we need in every season. Father, your word says to praise you in every circumstance. We know how important this is and how important it is to lift our hands to you in prayer as well as in praise. Sometimes, Lord, we admit we don’t always feel like it. Sometimes, we just don’t have the strength. But we know, Father, that you desire us to be free and to walk in freedom. We know you desire to be not just Abba Father but Daddy to us your kids. So we take a step of faith and we lift our hands to you, Daddy. And we lift our hands, we ask for you to lift us up. We ask to be seated on your lap, with your arms wrapped around us. We thank you for your love and comfort. We thank you for security and we thank you for not leaving us in the pit but placing our feet on solid ground. We thank you and we praise you for this, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Posted in Moments and Musings

Joy Despite Circumstances

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

I’ve been experiencing a case of the blahs lately. And for no reason at all. I have a good life. I have a beautiful apartment in an area I love. My girls are lovely, accomplished and living their own lives (still living at home, which is fine). I have a small measure of financial security. 

In short, I’m better off than a lot of people right now. Yet, I can’t seem to shake this case of the blahs.

The other morning, while walking my dog, Percy, I decided to attack this with prayer and praise. I love to praise God. I love reminding myself out loud all he’s done for me. I love to tell him what a wonderful Father he is and what a perfect husband he is to me. I began thanking him for my family, how he’s kept them all safe and secure and miraculously provided for them, even in this Covid season. 

As I praised him, this verse came to my mind. I said it out loud. “Thank you so much for this day, Father, for this is the day you’ve made and I will rejoice and be glad in it”. As sure as the last word left my mouth, the Lord quickly spoke to me and said: 

“Even when the circumstances and feelings tell you otherwise.” 

I understood God was giving me a command. He was reminding me that my joy comes from him, not from how I feel. I have gladness all day long because Jesus saved my soul, not because everything in my life is going the way it should. I can rejoice in every moment because God is for me and if God is for me, who can be against me. 

None of this is related to my circumstances or my feelings whether they be good or bad. My joy and peace come from the truth of God’s unconditional love for me – a love that sent a Savior to the cross. 

Perhaps this is why Paul is my favorite writer in the Bible. He never stops praising God. He never loses his joy. In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul writes, 

12 And I want you to know this, dear brothers: Everything that has happened to me here has been a great boost in getting out the Good News concerning Christ. 13 For everyone around here, including all the soldiers over at the barracks, knows that I am in chains simply because I am a Christian. 14 And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here seem to have lost their fear of chains! Somehow my patience has encouraged them, and they have become more and more bold in telling others about Christ.

Paul doesn’t yield to his circumstances. He doesn’t despair. In fact, he sees the bigger picture. He knows that while his situation isn’t good, God is working out something good through it all. So Paul doesn’t allow himself to be under the circumstances. But rather, he speaks from a place of deep joy and everlasting peace as one whose life has been transformed. Paul rejoices despite his circumstances which is knows is temporary yet he also knows God’s love and peace and joy is eternal. 

What circumstances are you under today? What’s causing you feel off? Can I pray with you? 

“Heavenly, Gracious Father, we love you so much and we are so very grateful for the precious gift of your son, Jesus. We can never thank you enough for the power of his Blood and the sweet salvation we get to enjoy because of it. Now, Father, we pray Psalm 118:24 over us for this is the day you have made and we are deciding right now, in this moment, to rejoice and be glad. We refuse to live under any circumstance. In fact, we speak to circumstances and situations and command them to line up with your precious Word. Devil, you’re a liar and these circumstances must yield to the power of the name of Jesus! We speak peace, health, provision and joy into all circumstances and we rise up out from under them. I thank for you supernatural joy and gladness this day, in Jesus name! Amen!”

Posted in Moments and Musings

God’s Plans Are Better

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Proverbs 16:3

Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans. 

There are two key words in this verse. To ‘commit’ means to “to carry into action deliberately” while to ‘establish’ means “to institute permanently by enactment or agreement” 

Commit is an action word. It means we should do something. In this verse, it means we should be intentional about including God in our plans. When our plans line up with God’s word, he will establish them – or he will honor our agreement with him to make our plans permanent and secure. 

A few years ago, I was in a relationship with a man who himself admitted to having an adverse relationship with God. He’d suffered much and that suffering caused him to lose faith in the love God has for him. On the outside, the relationship was solid. We made our plans to get married. He loved my kids as I loved his. He was even willing to have my mom live with us after we were married. 

Then, one day, I heard God say to me, “Are you ever going to include me in this?” I knew right away what my answer was. I said, “No, because I know what you’re going to say. I know I’m unequally matched in this relationship. I know the compromises I have already made in my heart to be with this man.” 

Ever the gentleman, God waited. While he waited, he gently kept reminded me “My plans are higher and my ways are better.” My relationship with this man started to fray and unravel. I finally went to God and said, “I yield, Father. I commit this relationship to you and ask you to direct me. I want to please you more than I want to please myself.” I prayed for myself and for this man, for our hearts, for our healing and for healing in our children (he had 3 kids from a previous marriage). I broke off the relationship and in that moment, I felt shackles falling. The enemy lost. God saved me what was sure to be another divorce and more heartache. 

Friends, when we align ourselves and our plans with the Word of God, we really don’t need to do much else. The hard part is over. God honors his word and gets to work in our lives. He creates paths where there are none. He gives us ideas and wisdom. He provides for those plans because ultimately, they’re his plans too! 

If you want to know what plans God has for you, you need only to look to the Word. The Bible is more than just a love story; it’s a blueprint for how we should live our lives and it never fails. 

What plans are you making for your life? Have you included God in those plans? Can I pray with you? 

“Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for the plans you have made for me. Jeremiah 29 verse 11 tells me your plans are good and full of hope and not for my destruction. You have planned well for me, Father, and I’m so grateful. As I continue to align my plans with your word, I thank you that you are causing those plans to be established and to succeed. I pray for continued wisdom and for your Word to be a constant light to my path. I thank you for all this, in Jesus’ name. AMEN!”