Tag Archives: light the world

Reach Out and Be Healed

In the New Testament we read of the miraculous healings that Jesus performed – healing the blind, the lame, those with palsy or leprosy. Whether tormented by devils or taken to the grave, nothing was beyond His ability to heal and make right.

Have you ever been sick or struck with an emotional trauma and wished He were nearby that you might simply reach out and touch the hem of his garment and be healed? Did you know that He IS nearby? Closer than you realize. He is always there, waiting for us to reach our hands out into the darkness and find the light. He is “the light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not” (John 1:5). But it takes an act of faith to extend ourselves and trust that He is there.

The following video is the testimony of one woman who did just that at our recent Light the World: Birthing Your Destiny Retreat. She reached out and found Him there.

To view the video if it doesn’t display, click here.

Women: God’s Secret Weapon to Preserve Our Nation

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” -John Adams

My father believes that you can determine a person’s intelligence by how far into the future they plan. If all they work for is a party weekend, that tells you something about them. But if the person has a 1-year, 5-year, or 10-year plan, that also reflects something about their intelligence and their character.

I would take what my father said a step further and link morality with forward-thinking as well. A person who has a clear sense of right and wrong tends to think further into the future. They long to leave a legacy, to make the world a better place, and to share the blessings they enjoy. They think about the type of nation their children and grandchildren will experience. They also tend to care more about ideals and working toward them. This could be the reason John Adams said the U.S. Constitution was made for a moral and religious people.

Our Founding Fathers knew that “government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master” (George Washington). The Founders put into place clear checks and balances to control government and to foster individual responsibility among its citizens.

Shortsighted individuals will use governmental force to satisfy their own immediate needs and wants. Forward-thinking individuals realize that when we abdicate personal responsibility to the government, we enslave future generations. Thus the need for a moral and religious people – people who will not use government to take from one group of people and give it to others.

In my opinion, there is only one way to reclaim our country and that is to instill moral and religious values into the current and future generations. And the best way I know to impact generations is through women. It is said that a good woman impacts four generations. Think about that! That’s her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and her great great grandchildren. As William Russ Wallace wrote, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”
 
I have found this to be true. Today, I and thousands of others are still being influenced by my fifth great grandmother, Dicey Langston (a 14-year-old girl who saved an entire village during the Revolutionary War). Women who are clear about who they are and what they stand for, who lean upon the Lord and reflect His light, impact the world in powerful ways. Their influence radiates, ripples and cascades through time.

Imagine if we were to bring together thousands of these women so they could learn from, support and encourage one another. Then they would no longer be a single prism standing alone reflecting God’s love and light to the world. They would be part of a glorious chandelier of prisms, tied together in a way that could not be ignored.

Women coming together to light the world could be part of what Isaiah saw in his vision of the last days:

Isaiah 60:1-4,8

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.  Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.  Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?”

In an ever-darkening world, women are God’s secret weapon. As we wake up and get clear about who we are and our relationship to Him, His light shines through us. Then as we encourage and support one another, we “arise and shine. Our light is come, for the glory of the Lord rises upon us.”

As we light up the world, leaders of nations will take notice, and good people everywhere will flock to the Light like doves to the windows.

If you would like to join with other like-minded Christian women across denominational lines to make a difference, we want to hear from you!  Join us in April 2010 for the Light the World: Birthing Your Destiny Retreat.

5 Steps to Lighting the World

The SheLovesGod.com Virtual Women’s Conference starts today. This is our 10th year holding it online. There’s no need to travel, it’s all online or by phone. This video introduces our theme of “Light the World” and discusses 5 steps for letting Christ’s light shine through you so you can bless others.

I’m also giving a telecall today on the Light the World subject. To receive details on the call, please register for the conference at www.SheLovesGod.com/conference .

Imagine there were no limits

Imagine that there were no limits on what you could do with your life. Imagine that money was no object. Background, education (or lack thereof) were not a concern. What would you be? How would you impact the world for good if you could be the ultimate you?

That’s what Light the World Now is all about! It’s about letting go of limiting beliefs that keep you from shining brightly so you can reach your full potential. It’s about finding joy in what you were born to do. You’re here for a reason. Are you living up to that reason?

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  There are so many people in this world that cannot see Christ. But they can see you. And you can be that introduction.

As one of his disciples, it is your responsibility … no your PRIVELEDGE . . . to be a light to the world. As you live true to who you are and tap into the grace that Jesus Christ offers you, you can accomplish amazing things. You will be a light, a “city set on a hill” that acts as a beacon drawing others to you.

A friend sent me this quote today. I’m not sure who originally said it, but it is appropriate for this site:

“Live in such a way that people who know you but don’t know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you.”

The more you are distinct and different in happy ways from others, the more people will be drawn to you and want to know how you do the things you do. At that moment, you have an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with them and the amazing impact He’s had on your life. It’s time more Christians tapped into His amazing grace on a day-to-day basis so they stand out, accomplishing great things.

The objective of this site is to be a support and a resource to help you do this. I want to hear from you! What is your big dream? What’s standing in your way? What subjects would you like to see addressed on this site and in upcoming podcast shows? Talk back! Please either leave a note below or email me privately at marnie@marniepehrson.com .

Remember: With God, all things are possible! There are no limits He cannot help you overcome.

The Perfect You

Come with me to a spiritual realm where the Light of the World, the Savior of mankind awaits. A glowing light surrounds Him and His arms outstretch, beckoning you to come to Him. You step forward and kneel at His feet.

Your finger gently trails across the nail prints, and your heart sinks — sensing the enormity of the pain He suffered because of you. Tears spill from your eyes. After a few moments, He lifts you to stand before Him and gathers you in His merciful arms, holding you tight.

You wonder what right you have to be here, feeling this immense love from One so perfect. A list of your mistakes, weaknesses, sins and imperfections floods your mind; and you start to shrink away.

“Don’t go,” He pleads, putting His hand to your cheek and brushing away your tears. Your eyes lift to His and you see only love there. No judgment, only love. “My sweet child,” He soothes, “Let me take these burdens from you. I cannot bear that you should suffer under their weight.”

One by one, you hand Him your cares, sins, disappointments, illnesses and imperfections. One by one, He embraces them and they melt in a puddle at His feet. You look down in awe as this pool of regrets evaporates and transforms into a glorious golden light that radiates out from Him in all directions. In the swell of that light comes a love more intense. It wraps you up in warmth and joy so remarkable that moisture fills your eyes once more. Only these tears are those of gratitude instead of guilt.

You look down at yourself and are amazed to see a white light radiating from you. You look to Him, puzzled at what you see in yourself.

“I made you perfect,” He says. “I made you the way you are.” You look around and suddenly you are in an exquisite garden. Flowers, trees, shrubs of every color and variety imaginable surround you. It seems that no two pieces of foliage are the same.

Jesus lifts a beautiful fragrant flower between His fingers and extends it to you. “You are like this precious flower. I made you the way you are. There is no one else like you. No one else can take your place. You are priceless to me.”

“But, I’ve made so many mistakes,” you say. “There have been so many disappointments. I try to do the right thing, but I’m too weak. I always seem to fail.”

“That is why you have me. You can’t do it alone.” He brushes away another tear from your cheek. “Allow me, and where you are weak, you will be strong.”

“Lean on me,” He continues, “and I will carry your burdens.
Come to me whenever you are lonely and afraid.
I live to comfort you.
Doubt not, fear not. I am right beside you.”

“My grace will make everything right.
Let me wipe away every tear, distortion and disappointment.
Remember, you are the perfect child I created in this garden.
You are a priceless gift to the world.”

“Whenever mortality’s cares begin to immerse you,
Come to me, and I will remind you who you really are.”

You rest your head on His shoulder, letting His words fill you with hope.

“Will you visit me often?” He asks at last.

You nod that you will.

“Good, good,” He says. “I have an important work for you – a work that only you can do.”

“What is it?” you ask.

“Shine for me. Shine like you are right now in this moment – free and unburdened by all that is not light and love. As you do, others will find me through you. Will you do that for me?”

Your heart swells with love for Him, and you hold nothing back, “Yes, yes, I will do anything for you. Only help me.”

“Of course,” He assures. “Always.”

(This was inspired by conversations/guided meditations with my remarkable friend, Judy Hansen. )