The Memorial Stones: Remembering What God Has Done

The Memorial Stones: Remembering What God Has Done

The Memorial Stones: Remembering What God Has Done

By Toni Weisz/Abuse Recovery

Scriptures: Joshua 4:4-7, Revelation 12:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Acts

1:9, Romans 8:34, and 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Joshua 4:4-7
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

We see several times in Scripture that God commanded the children of Israel to set up a memorial of remembrance for what He had done for them. These memorials were to be shared with future generations so they could see what great things God had done for them. I believe it is important for us to look back as well to see where we’ve come from and remember what the Lord has done for us.

Think back to a time before you knew the Lord, when you were walking in the ways of this world and living your life for yourself and your own selfish desires.

What did your life look like before Christ? Tell others the wondrous and amazing things that God has done for you. There is power in your testimony.

Revelation 12:11a, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the power of their testimony.”

There is power in you sharing your testimony. No one can dispute what the Lord has done for you.

My Testimony:

When I was 12 years old, I decided the “good quiet” persona was not working for me. I was not getting the attention that I longed for. So, I decided to take another path, one that would lead to self-loathing, addiction, destruction, and death. I was blinded and unaware of the evil that I would do to myself and to others. My unhealthy destructive choices would only intensify with age and become more and more grievous as I plunged headlong into drug and alcohol usage, promiscuity, smoking, and ultimately an abortion. I just wanted to be loved, but instead I was used by others, and I used them to fill this void in my heart. I would continue on this self-destructive path until I was 34 years old.

Then one day in January 1994 in a small Baptist church, I heard the gospel for the first time: Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on the cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world, was buried and rose again on the third day and ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It was His love for me and you that kept Him nailed to that cross. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Acts 1:9, Romans 8:34)

I don’t deserve His love, but it is the sweetest gift I have ever been given. I have been forgiven from my sin debt and set free to live the life He created me to live. I am so humbled and grateful to Jesus for His work and for my relationship with Him. I am a new creation in Christ; old things are passed away, behold, the new has come. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:17) I have a new life, a new purpose, and a new song in my heart thanks to Jesus.

I pray this topic has encouraged you to share your testimony. Please reach out if you need to talk, toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,

Toni

P.S. If you have never written out your testimony, I suggest you do. It’s an incredible exercise. and it will fill your heart with joy, hope, and thanksgiving to God for all He has done for you.

 

 

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Why Are Boundaries Important?

Why Are Boundaries Important?

Why Are Boundaries Important?

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: Exodus 20: 1-17 and Ephesians 4:32

While growing up, I never learned how to have healthy boundaries. In my home of origin, we were all intermeshed with one another, without a clear separation between me and another person. At a young age, I learned how to cope in a chaotic, unpredictable home.

Never knowing when the proverbial next shoe would drop or someone would overreact and yell or throw a shoe or smack you. I always felt like I had to be guarded, and because of this, I hid in the shadows. I wanted to be loved so desperately I was willing to do anything. As a result, I became a people pleaser. All I wanted was to make others happy with my behavior, my performance, and accomplishments. I would be whatever the other person needed me to be, just to feel loved and accepted. By doing this, I allowed others to treat me badly, to manipulate and control me. I had no boundaries. I allowed others to do these things, and I just accepted it. I just thought I must not be a person of any value, because if I were, why did others treat me this way?

Because I did not have any boundaries, I struggled with receiving love and giving love. All my relationships were unhealthy, and I truly didn’t know how to have healthy relationships. I would struggle with this for most of my life. I felt very alone and disconnected from others. I was lonely because I never truly felt loved and accepted by anyone.

Lack of clear boundaries is a very common character defect with post-abortion women and women who have been abused. We have a distorted view of God, ourselves, and others. We do not trust that God will not abuse us also.

There has to be some level of trust in a relationship to have the courage to set up boundaries. Boundaries help us form healthy relationships that are based on love and respect for each other.

Boundaries are important because they help us to set up parameters to protect us from others and to help our relationships grow in a healthy and loving environment. Just like the 10 commandments were set up by God as guard rails to protect us from sin, so are boundaries important to protect us also.

Setting Up Healthy Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, pages 106-107. AACC The Bible for Hope: Caring for People God’s Way.

1. What are some areas where you have boundary issues?

2. Have an accountability partner and meet regularly to discuss this; be truthful. Saying NO is hard for a person with no boundaries.

3. Recognize your part in this. Why are you fearful to set boundaries.

4. It is important to give and receive love and forgiveness.

5. Set up limits and consequences for not respecting your boundaries, and be consistent. Ex. Walking away from someone when they start yelling at you. A consequence can be, “When you yell at me, I will walk away.”

Questions to take to heart:

1. Did you grow up learning how to have healthy boundaries?

2. What areas do you struggle with enforcing boundaries and insisting they are respected?

3. How did you learn how to put up healthy boundaries?

4. How can we pray for you?

A great resource on this subject is the book, Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

I pray this topic has been helpful to you. Please reach out if you need to talk: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,

Toni

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