Un controllo nel mio spirito

Un controllo nel mio spirito

Un controllo nel mio spirito
by Toni Weisz/Abuse Recovery

Scripture reference: Ephesians 4:29-32
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

I had an opportunity this week to see a leader from my past. She was the unbortion recovery leader at our local pregnancy center at the time I was also volunteering. We did many post-unbortion Bible studies together for several years. I was very surprised to see her because we were at an event that had nothing to do with ministry. We sat next to each other. We shared about our families, and then we also discussed ministry. We both come from totally different approaches to ministry.

Over the years, I have learned a woman doesn’t need to be slammed about her sin of abortion, that it’S something that we talk about, and the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts her of it.

At My Ashes to Beauty, we are very clear that abortion terminates a life. But women come to our ministry broken, and they need someone to lift them up, to love them, to share the truth about abortion, and to share the love of Jesus with them.

As we talked about ministry, I noticed I was raising my voice; we are both very passionate and strong women. I was not feeling good about what was happening. I felt like we were in some kind of strange competition. I felt very uncomfortable. I felt like she was defending herself and also insinuating some things about me that were not true.

At one point, I just folded my hands and stopped engaging with her just to take a break because our conversation was getting kind of bizarre. In the past, She had hurt me in many ways by her style of leadership, and I suffered not only public humiliation in front of other leaders, but she also told me it was my sin that was causing problems in my marriage.

I have worked very hard over the years to forgive her. Signore, I forgive her, and I pray You bless her and her family, in Jesus name. God has taught me many things by looking at other leaders and learning from them.

She sent me a text the next day and was wanting to get together possibly. Onestamente, there are some people that I have to keep at arm’s length, and she is one of them.

Have you ever felt like you had to keep yourself protected from certain individuals? For some reason, have you felt they are unsafe emotionally? Was there a check in your spirit, like a caution?

When I think about it now, I was a co-dependent people-pleaser. I had a fear of authority figures, E I considered her an authority figure. I gave her too much power over me, and that was my fault. But I was so wounded, and I had just started in the post-abortion ministry, so a lot of things were coming up from my past. I wasn’t equipped yet to handle all of that.

Perhaps she reminds me of other family members. I am very guarded around individuals like this who have hurt me in the past. I am also aware the evil one is prowling because I sent my ministry cards to some family members who are pro-choice. I know I cannot change their hearts; I am praying God does, but I want them to hear the truth from the other side that abortion not only takes a life but also harms women deeply. Please pray for God to open their hearts to hear the truth about abortion.

Domande da prendere a cuore:

  1. Are there certain family members or friends you have to guard yourself from?
  2. How do you navigate those relationships? What do you do to protect yourself?
  3. How can we pray and encourage you?

I pray this topic was helpful for you. Per favore contattaci se hai bisogno di parlare, toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Sei amato,
Toni

 

 

Leggi di più sui blog di Toni QUI.
Il suo occhio è sul passero

Il suo occhio è sul passero

Il suo occhio è sul passero (Parte 1)
di Toni Weisz/Discipline spirituali

 

Riferimenti scritturali: Matteo 10:29-31, Isaia 61:1-3 E 1 John 4:7-8

 

Matteo 10:29-31
Non si vendono due passeri per una moneta di rame? E nessuno di loro cade a terra senza la volontà del Padre tuo. Ma gli stessi capelli sulla tua testa sono tutti contati, Non temere quindi; tu vali più di tanti passeri.

Isaia 61:1
Lo Spirito del Signore Dio è su di me, perché il Signore mi ha consacrato con l'unzione per portare il lieto annuncio ai poveri; mi ha mandato a fasciare quelli che hanno il cuore spezzato, proclamare la libertà ai prigionieri, e l'apertura del carcere a coloro che sono legati;

1 John 4:7-8
Amato, amiamoci gli uni gli altri, perché l'amore viene da Dio; e chiunque ama è nato da Dio e conosce Dio. Chi non ama non conosce Dio, perché Dio è amore.



Lunedì pomeriggio, Giugno 5, 2023, mentre porto a spasso il mio cane, Mi sono imbattuto in un uccellino. La povera creatura non aveva ancora nemmeno le piume, e i suoi occhi erano chiusi. Ho immediatamente portato dentro il cane e ho chiamato mia figlia per sapere cosa avrei dovuto fare. Quando le ho mandato una foto dell'uccello, ha detto, "Mamma, è un corvo. Sia io che lei odiamo i corvi a causa del modo in cui viaggiano in un gruppo chiamato "omicidio" per predare tutti gli uccellini indifesi.

Ho chiamato molte agenzie per gli animali e una mi ha suggerito di creare un nido sull'albero dove si trovava il nido originale e che i genitori lo nutriranno. Così, Mi sono affrettato cercando di trovare il mio nido improvvisato e di metterlo sull'albero. Poi con mia sorpresa, una coppia di tordi venne più volte e diede da mangiare all'uccellino. Ho ringraziato Dio per averli mandati.

Odio vedere i deboli, vulnerabile, abbandonati, sfruttati e maltrattati o uccisi. Odio la caduta in cui tutta la natura e l'umanità caddero nel peccato. Aspetto quel tempo in cui non ci sarà più peccato, morte, Dolore, dolore o lacrime. Ho pensato tra me e me, “Questa piccola cosa sarà fortunata se riuscirà a superare la notte,” ma lo fece con mio grande stupore.

Martedì mattina, Ho guardato fuori dalla finestra e ho visto un picchio rosso vicino al nido, e mi sono precipitato fuori dalla porta per scacciarlo. Ho pensato tra me e me, "Questo è pazzesco, non puoi farlo tutto il giorno; ti farai impazzire dal panico ogni volta che arriva un altro predatore. Toni, devi dare questo a Dio e arrenderti”.

Passò un po' di tempo e notai che il nido era caduto dall'albero, così ho cercato e ho trovato l'uccellino e l'ho rimesso sull'albero. I tordi volavano sopra di me per tenermi lontano da questo uccello. Ho provato a rassicurarli, "Va bene."

Ho pianto e sono entrata in casa e ho scritto questi pensieri:
"Signore, Non posso aiutare tutto e tutti. Non posso salvare nessuno. Posso proteggere e aiutare coloro che mi porti, come meglio posso, ma alla fine, Ho bisogno di arrendermi tutto a Te, se si tratta di un uccello abbandonato, i problemi di salute di mio figlio, una donna che porti al ministero o alla salvezza di un membro della famiglia. È tutto nelle tue mani, Signore; Cedo il controllo a Te.

Guardare i tordi prendersi cura di un corvo, il loro nemico, Ho sentito le parole di Gesù, “Ama i tuoi nemici, benedici coloro che ti maledicono, fate del bene a quelli che vi odiano”. (Matteo 5:44)

Questi uccelli che lavorano insieme per proteggere e nutrire questo piccolo mi hanno ricordato il corpo di Cristo che lavora insieme per aiutare i vulnerabili, i deboli, e i feriti in questo mondo. In questo ministero, vogliamo che gli altri vedano il cuore del Padre verso di loro. Vogliamo che sperimentino il Suo grande amore e la Sua compassione e che si prendano cura di loro come farebbe Lui.

Per tutto il tempo ho tenuto questo uccellino tra le mani, Stavo pensando al vecchio inno, Il suo occhio è sul passero. I brani biblici da cui è tratto questo inno si trovano in Matteo 10:29-31; “Non si vendono due passeri per una moneta di rame? E nessuno di loro cade a terra senza la volontà del Padre tuo. Ma gli stessi capelli sulla tua testa sono tutti contati, Non temere quindi; tu vali più di tanti passeri.

Voglio solo che tu lo sappia, caro, che Dio ti vede e ti conosce così intimamente perché ti ha creato. E Lui sa quanti capelli hai sulla testa.

Vieni a Lui e porta con te i tuoi sogni infranti, il tuo cuore spezzato, la tua vita spezzata, e Lui può trarne qualcosa di bello se sei disposto a fidarti di Lui.

Domande da prendere a cuore:

  1. Hai saputo amare i tuoi nemici?
  2. Hai sperimentato un momento in cui il corpo di Cristo ha lavorato insieme per ministrare agli altri? Puoi fare un esempio?? Come ti sei sentito??
  3. Come possiamo pregare per te?

https://youtu.be/ku2RUdcku_w
Il suo occhio è sul passero, Selah

Prego che tu conosca l'amore di Dio nel tuo essere più profondo perché quando lo fai, cambierà radicalmente la tua vita per sempre. Per favore contattaci se hai bisogno di parlare. Scrivimi a: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Sei amato,
Toni

 

Il suo occhio è sul passero (Parte 2)
di Toni Weisz/Discipline spirituali

 

Dovevo fare progetti per far addormentare il mio caro e fedele amico. Avevamo Mozzie per 12 anni. Era il mio compagno costante e il mio protettore; amava davvero quel ruolo, lol. Era quasi cieco e sordo, e non poteva camminare molto bene. Sapevo nel mio cuore che tenerlo in vita sarebbe stato egoista da parte mia. Aveva adempiuto al suo scopo su questa terra. Era giunto il momento per me di lasciarlo andare. Mi sono concesso qualche settimana per piangere e lasciarmi andare.

A settembre 1, 2023, L'ho portato dal veterinario, e mentre sei nella sala d'attesa, il Signore ha portato la canzone, Il suo occhio è sul passero, a mio avviso. Con le lacrime agli occhi e la voce rotta, Ho cantato la canzone a Mozzie mentre lo tenevo tra le braccia e lo cullavo. È stato un momento dolce e ringrazio Dio per questo. Non avevo intenzione di stare con lui fino alla fine, ma immagino che Dio volesse che fossi lì con lui. Sono rimasta con lui finché i suoi occhi non si sono chiusi e il suo cuoricino ha smesso di battere. L'ho ringraziato per essere un amico così fedele. Ho ringraziato Dio per il dono di Mozzie.

La mattina dopo quando mi sono alzato, Mi sono seduto al computer per iniziare le mie devozioni mattutine. Il Signore ha sussurrato al mio cuore, “Sono orgoglioso di te per il modo in cui hai mostrato gentilezza e per come ti sei preso cura di lui così bene. Benedice il mio cuore quando ami le mie creature. Ho sorriso e il mio cuore si è riempito del Suo amore. Voglio compiacerti, Signore, in ogni ambito della mia vita.

Per favore contattaci se hai bisogno di parlare. Scrivimi a: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Sei amato,
Toni

 

 

Leggi di più sui blog di Toni QUI.
Chi sono i tuoi abitanti del balcone?

Chi sono i tuoi abitanti del balcone?

Chi sono i tuoi abitanti del balcone?

By Toni Weisz/Recovery Tools

Riferimenti scritturali: Ebrei 10:24 e Matteo 11:28–30

Balcony peeps (people) are individuals who cheer you on in your life. They are literally hanging over the railing of a balcony, cheering you on in your walk with Jesus and in the hard things you have experienced in your life. They are your cheerleaders.

Who do you see as your balcony peeps? Can you see their faces? Can you hear their words of encouragement?

Too many people, even in ministry, are not kind, gentle, loving, or supportive. I have experienced a lot of pride lately in leadership roles, and it makes me very sad because I know that is not pleasing to our God.

In the book, Balcony People, the author talks about the toxic people in our lives and how much importance we put on their words instead of focusing on the positive people God has put in our lives that help stir us up to love and good works. (Ref. Ebrei 10:24)

 

Here is a poem by an anonymous source taken from the book, Balcony People by Joyce Landorf Heatherley:

I was hungry and you formed a humanities club to discuss my hunger.
THANK YOU.

I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel to pray for my release.
NICE.

I was naked, and in your mind, you debated the morality of my appearance.
WHAT GOOD DID THAT DO?

I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
BUT I NEEDED YOU.

I was homeless and you preached to me of the shelter of the love of God.
I WISH YOU’D TAKEN ME HOME.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.
WHY DIDN’T YOU STAY?

You seem so holy, so close to God; but I’m still very hungry, solitario, Freddo, and still in pain.
DOES IT MATTER?

 

How do we meet these women’s needs? They need a safe place to come to lay their burdens down. That’s why we do the Sunday Conference calls. We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to these dear precious women. We provide a community of women who have experienced the same trauma because we have walked the same walk. We know through experience what they are feeling.

They are yearning to feel deeply connected in a safe community. They have been used and abused and feel isolated in their pain, and they are vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one. They desire to be seen by others. They need love, support, and encouragement that one day, if they seek God with their whole heart, they will be healed. But it’s hard work, and that is what we are here for, to cheer them on and to help them heal from their past trauma. It is God that leads them to us, and it’s through the power of Jesus, la Parola di Dio, and the work of the Holy Spirit that they are healed. We are just vessels God uses to accomplish this miraculous work.

We meet their spiritual needs as well as physical needs. We do not judge them for the things that have happened to them in their past because that does not define them. We love them, and we know they are weary with their pain and trauma from their past.

We are reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I thank God for each of you on this call today. I know most of your stories, and I am in awe of God and the work He has been doing in your lives. I get to watch God miraculously heal your broken hearts, bodies, minds, and spirits. I am truly honored and humbled by the privilege to serve in this ministry and for each and every one of you.

Domande da prendere a cuore:

  1. Who are your balcony peeps, your cheerleaders?
  2. Do you see them hanging over the balcony cheering you on? What are they saying to you?
  3. Who are you encouraging? For those that are just beginning your healing journey, take care of yourself and your family first, then you can reach out to others.
  4. How can we pray for you on your healing journey?

Please reach out if you need to talk this week. Send me a text at: 561-327-7274 oppure inviami un'e-mail a: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Sei amato,
Toni

Leggi di più sui blog di Toni QUI.
Signore, Voglio essere guarito

Signore, Voglio essere guarito

Signore, I Want to Be Healed

di Toni Weisz/Discipline spirituali

Riferimenti scritturali: John 10:10b, Ephesians 3:20, Isaia 41:10, Luca 19:10 e Salmo 40:13

 

If we truly want to be healed from our past trauma, we must be willing to surrender all to God. We must step out and trust Him completely in this process even when it gets scary and it’s unpredictable and out of our control.

For those who have experienced abuse and abortion in our past, it is hard to let go of control because it was our protection, so we thought.

We have to come to the point where we don’t want to just survive; we want to live the abundant life Jesus came to give us (Read John 10:10b). We no longer want to just settle; we want to experience true love and acceptance, perhaps for the first time in our lives.

If you are reading this blog, you most likely have decided you want to be healed, too. You are courageous and tired of the life you were living and want more. You want to stop the cycle of dysfunction in your life and for future generations. This is a long and very hard process, but it is worth it.

If you are willing, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than what you can ask or think (Read Ephesians 3:20). That’s the God we serve. He is not limited by time and space. He is eternal.

I remember back in 2006, when God called me to the post–abortion healing and recovery ministry, starting a journal called, “Why are the relationships closest to me toxic?” God gave me awareness that there was something going on in my relationships with those closest to me. But what was it? Ero il comune denominatore, so what was I doing to enable these toxic relationships?

I discovered many answers over a ten-year period of relentlessly going to God as a broken surrendered woman, “Lord I want to be healed from all the pain, rejection, abuso, and my abortion. I want to be set free from my people-pleasing, fear of authority figures, and codependency. I want to know your love in the innermost parts of my being. I want to feel loved, cherished, and safe, but how do I get there?” Please read my blog, “When I Finally Received the Love of Jesus in My Heart.” https://myashestobeauty.com/when-i-finally-received-the-love-of-jesus-in-my-heart-toni-weisz-abortion-recovery-and-abuse-support-group/

God was so gentle with me because He knew how fragile I was after a lifetime of pain, rejection, and trauma. He was leading me with His righteous right hand on a path of healing that was so difficult at times, but it was also beautiful (Read Isaiah 41:10).

I discovered the heart of God on this journey, and for that, I am most grateful. To know the Father’s heart towards us is life transforming. He is love, gentle, kind, faithful, peaceful, generous, powerful, and eternal. He is close to the abused, neglected, abandoned, and broken. He came to seek and to save the lost (Read Luke 19:10). We were all that at one point. But God in His infinite wisdom, His abounding grace and love picked us up out of the pit and placed us on the Rock, Gesù Cristo, our Lord, our strong foundation (Read Psalm 40:2).

Hallelujah!!! Grazie, Gesù.

Domande da prendere a cuore:

  1. When did God show you the dysfunction in your life?
  2. What was your next step after your awareness?
  3. How is God healing you? Who or what did He use to accomplish this?
  4. Come possiamo pregare per te?

Please reach out if you need prayer or a word of encouragement. You can email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

I watched this movie trailer recently that truly blessed my heart: Kendrick Brothers’ Show me the Father.

Here is the YouTube trailer: https://youtu.be/k4g0CFfGkMk

I pray it blesses your heart also.

 

Sei amato,

Toni

 

Faccio nuove tutte le cose

Faccio nuove tutte le cose

I Make all Things New
By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

 

Riferimenti scritturali: Rivelazione 21:1–5, Ephesians 2:8–9, Ephesians 3:14–21

Rivelazione 21:1–5
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; non ci sarà più morte, né dolore, né piangere. Non ci sarà più dolore, perché le cose precedenti sono passate. "

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

God has given me, and those who serve with me in this ministry, a special privilege to walk alongside you courageous brave women on your healing journey. We have watched you come broken and scared to share your secrets of trauma from your past abortions and abuse. You are fearful of condemnation and judgement. Letting go of your secrets is not an easy thing, especially for those who have been carrying them for many decades.

But our merciful kind and loving Father doesn’t want you doing this alone anymore. He wants you healed to become the women He created you to be.

I have watched God in my own life take a broken, depressed, suicidal, tormented woman and lift me off the ground, and show me His great love, by opening my spiritual eyes to see that I was a sinner headed for hell.

My life was transformed when I heard the Gospel for the first time that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, buried and rose again on the third day, to defeat death and Satan. He took my place on the cross, He paid my sin debt. I went running to Jesus to rescue me from the torment of a life I had been living for 34 anni. I can never repay Him for the gift of salvation that He gave to me.

Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Our healing process is a lifelong journey. I was amazed at how broken and dysfunctional I was when I started my healing back in 2006. All the time the enemy had me deceived that I was fine, no need to look at my past trauma because it was such a long time ago. “I was good.”

That could not be farther from the truth. You see, the evil one wants to keep us isolated sitting in darkness being tormented by him because then he has us exactly where he wants us.

But God does not want His daughters tormented anymore. He wants us to be healed and set free from the enemy and from our own distorted view of the truth. He wants us to have the courage to step out and trust Him to lead us. He wants us to use our voices and our testimonies to help others to step out also. It is a hard process, but it is so beautiful because Jesus gently leads us by His righteous right hand.

Jesus gave me a new life, a new song, and a new purpose. He has made all things new for me, and I know He can do this for you too if you will humble yourself before Him and trust Him. He loves you more than you can comprehend.

My prayer for you:
Ephesians 3:14–21

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

 

If you’re wondering how you too can have this new life in Jesus:

Primo, we must have a relationship with Jesus our Savior. He is our healer. There is no true life change without Him. (Salvation)

Second, we must have courage to step out and trust Him. This is hard to do, but we must trust Him in this process. (Trust)

Third, we must spend time daily reading God’s Word and praying. (Daily Devotions)

Fourth, we must be accountable to others. (Accountability)

Fifth, we must continue to want to be healed in all our broken places. This is a lifelong process. (Perseverance)

Sixth, we then go out and share our testimony so other women will have the courage to step out and be healed. (Sharing Our Testimony)


Domande da prendere a cuore:

  1. Where are you in your healing process? Salvation, Trust, Daily Devotions, Accountability, Perseverance, or Sharing Your Testimony?
  2. Are you ready to go to the next level in your healing?
  3. How can we encourage you on your healing journey?

I pray this topic has been helpful for you. Please reach out to me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Sei amato,

Toni

 

“You Make all Things New”
Big Daddy Weave

https://youtu.be/4_2aX_i4qpM?si=bJrJBO7ppX2n4j2Q