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Hearing from God in Everyday Living

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Kathy Bricel

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Kathy Bricel 18 Comments

When will this stop?

Another school shooting! My heart grieved when I saw the news. Nineteen children and two adults. Dead.

No! I screamed inside. Not again! This can’t go on!

I cried out to God, “When is this going to stop?”

Immediately I heard in my spirit: When you stop glamorizing violence.

I never would have thought to use glamour and violence in the same sentence. But that was it. As a culture we have done that. And I became angry. Angry at all the ways our society glamorizes, idealizes—even romanticizes violence and calls it entertainment. I was angry at myself for what I have allowed and invited into my home through my TV and computer. Angry that young children are playing murder in video games. Angry that nobody seems to be talking about or doing anything about the root issues of this problem. And here we are again, mourning the loss of innocent lives.

More was stirring inside me and I realized what it was. “How come no one is training these boys to be men?” I cried out. There is a whole generation being discipled by video games, YouTube, and popular media. Where are the parents?

Where are the fathers—those positioned to train young minds into maturity and character? Where are they? Far too many are distracted, addicted, self-consumed, and emotionally unavailable. Far too many grew up on video games, violent movies, and self-focused sports and have remained boys.

Where are the mothers—those designed to care for the hearts and teach their children how to care for others and not just themselves? What makes them unavailable or unwilling to parent instead of being a friend to their children? What has become more important to them than raising their children to be responsible adults and contributing members of society?

It’s time that we, as a culture, start addressing the root issues of these acts of violence. It’s time we talked about this with others. It’s time we took tough stands. And it’s time we looked at ourselves. How are we cooperating with the glamorization of violence?

Take time to dialogue with the Lord:

Lord, are there ways I am glamorizing violence in my own life?

As part of the American culture, are there ways I am participating in this?

Lord, Is there anything you are asking of me — that I might be part of the solution?

Filed Under: Thoughts to Ponder Tagged With: hearing God, hearing God's voice, listening prayer, Listening to God, prayer

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Kathy Bricel 4 Comments

Word of the Day: Quicksand

The Invitation: While backpacking through a slot canyon in Utah, fellow hikers warned our group to be careful of the quicksand. They said a woman had fallen in up to her waist several days before. I quickly asked, “How did she get out?” They responded, “Her husband pulled her out.” This potential hazard sounded scary and not something I wanted to experience.

Seeing my dismay, one of our group members assured me that if I fell into quicksand I wouldn’t die. I just needed to respond appropriately. Although counterintuitive, since quicksand is filled with water, the best response is to put your head back and move to the edge with swimming-like motions. This made total sense to me. In water-like conditions, adapt to the principles of the water. Moving through water with the motions that are efficient over land, won’t work. Stop. Don’t panic. Readjust. My anxiety disappeared.

I thought of times in life when it feels as if I’ve stepped into emotional quicksand. I unknowingly wander into difficult situations where I worry, feel stuck, or keep working harder to get myself out, and anxiety creeps in. What if I took the time to shift gears, change my thinking, and do something new? Maybe even something counterintuitive? It might be a time to put my head back, find God in the midst, ask for help, and stop working so hard.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.
Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness,
everything coming together for good,
will come and settle you down.
It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
–Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)

Your Response: Thank you Lord that You came to save us. You offer us a way out of seemingly hopeless situations by inviting us to think and act differently. As I go through life, sometimes I step into situations that tempt me to sink into anxiety. When that happens, what is the best way to respond?

Is there a situation in my life where I am thinking or responding in a way that is outside of Your principles or ways? What would it look like for me to stop and readjust in this situation?

Thank you Lord that You promise to bring a sense of peace and to displace worry with Your love. Today I choose You and Your way, even when it’s counterintuitive or not how the world says to respond. May my heart be full of praise as I live with You at the center of my life.

Filed Under: Word of the Day

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Kathy Bricel 7 Comments

What if I stopped trying to figure everything out?

Page 7: What If. . .

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them….
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?
You must follow me.”
–John 21:20-22 (NIV)

I don’t know about you, but I keep trying to figure things out. Why are they doing that? What’s going to happen? I have a lot of questions. But I just want to understand, I tell myself, then try every angle I know to make sense of the irrational, confusing, tragic, or unexpected circumstances that come up.

Thinking this way isn’t wrong, but when it is my focus, anxiety creeps in and poisons my sense of peace and well-being.

What is the antivenom to this poisonous way of thinking? Trust. Being certain that God’s character is good. Believing He is at work and He watches over me and those I care about. Holding loosely to the unknowns instead of demanding an answer to regain my false sense of control. Letting go of my longing to understand.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all you ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
–Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

I realize I want understanding and I want peace, but often they don’t walk hand-in-hand. When I choose to trust God, He leads me on the right and good paths of life. He brings a peace which transcends human understanding, a peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus and results in a wave of well-being. This is how I want to live. A life of surrender and trust in the One who is trustworthy.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV)

Try it out…

Lord, is there any place I’m experiencing anxiety due to my desire to figure things out so I can hang onto an illusion of control?

What would it look like to exchange this desire for trust?

How can I trust You today in practical ways?

Lord, Thank you for being trustworthy and working all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purposes. I choose today to put my full, complete trust in You.

Filed Under: What If . . .

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Kathy Bricel 4 Comments

Word of the Day: Comfortable

The Invitation: I like to be comfortable. I like to know what I’m doing, feel confident in my abilities, and have a clear sense of direction moving forward. When I wander too far off the comfort path, I am tempted to turn back to what is familiar. I’ll stop pursuing the dream or possibility—the very thing my heart desires—because uncertainty and the unknown make me nervous.

My heart’s desires often reside in the unknown, and wandering into that territory requires trust. New circumstances, challenges, and opportunities will require me to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. I know the Lord leads me to freedom—healthier relationships, living more like Jesus lived, and no fear. But my self-talk promotes comfort and can be quite persuasive.

Thankfully, the voice of Freedom is not swayed and continues to challenge me to believe and act on scriptures that bring liberty. Staying comfortable has a great cost. Will I choose freedom even though I won’t always be comfortable? Yes.

 At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free!
We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.
–Galatians 5:1 (TPT)

Give it a try: Lord, I desire freedom over comfort. I want to cherish the truth ,and I refuse to go back into the bondage of the past. Lead me into places that require me to trust in Your goodness and kindness. I’m willing to leave me comfort zone.

Is there a place in my life where I am choosing comfort over freedom—over how You’re calling me to live?
What is it costing me?
Show me, from Your perspective, what freedom looks like in this place.

(Respond to the Lord. Will you come into agreement with Him? Will you give it a try?)

Filed Under: Word of the Day

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Suddenly, the glory
of the God of Israel
appeared from the east.
The sound of his coming was like
the roar of rushing waters,
and the whole landscape
shone with his glory.

—Ezekiel 43:2 (NLT)

Welcome to the Father’s House – Our Book

book cover smallThe Lord's Prayer--a prayer often recited by memory, yet with little expectation it will make much of a difference in our lives. But what if this prayer actually holds the keys to living more like Jesus lived? Would it change the way you pray? … [keep reading...]

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