Hello, my name is _________ and I’m a people pleaser
The disapproval of others, I can’t bare to suffer
Addicted to opinions and the fix of instant praise
Convicted by the crime of compromise that seldom pays

When they don’t agree with what I say
When they would rather I do it their way
Though God is leading me in one direction
I yield, for fear of facing their rejection

A fool that has become a master juggler
Of views and judgments that hardly ever matter
Forced into decisions that are rarely my own
Saying yes instead of no, just to appease their groan

I’m here today because I seek freedom
From the enslaving chains of approval addiction
I’m under their thumb and can’t take it no more
I’m an approval junkie in dire need of a cure

© Copyright A.K.Browne, All Rights Reserved

The scales have fallen from my eyes
The world I see, no more in disguise

The chains that once enslaved are broken
New lips now utter words never spoken

Was lost, now found — divine resurrection
“In Him I’m reborn –A new creation”

A zombie I was, moving with the flow
The truth I now have, for HIM I follow

The former now fired – A new master hired
The death of my soul no longer conspired

Concepts I knew not – forgiveness and love
Have healed me so, now my peace overflows

His mercy sustains me throughout each day
And comforts me, even when I stray

I’ve been set free –O’ sweet victory!
On fire I am, for this new journey!

© Copyright A.K.Browne, All Rights Reserved

2 Corinthians 5: 17:  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Love lifts and escalates to fits of laughter
Loves excites just like a ride on a rollercoaster

Love liberates and breaks the chains that enslave
Love heals with a boundless grace that saves

Love serves, it washes feet without reservation
Love extends, it reaches without limitation

Love corrects, it never leaves you to falter
Love breaks, transcends you and makes you stronger

Love prays for you more than it prays for itself
Love values and never puts you to the test

Love sows mercy at the risk of reaping enmity
Love forgives completely without reciprocity

Love protects and shelters you from the storms of life
Love perseveres and overcomes in times of strife

Love hastens and is there in a heartbeat
Love never questions even in the face of defeat

Love denies self and gives with no restrictions
Loves lives, it lives to please without conditions

Love breathes as one, in perfect synchronization
Love loves perfectly without reason or ration


© Copyright A.K.Browne, All Rights Reserved

We’re at War! – Part 4

Every time I sin, especially when it is a sin that I keep repeating, I am overcome by a strong sense of guilt. I beat myself up for not having the strength to make the right choice and for once again, finding myself in the arms of failure.  Like a guilt ridden, shameful child trying to escape the glare of a disappointed parent, I avoid my Heavenly Father. I fool myself into thinking that if I avoid His presence, I avoid facing Him again…in failure.  The truth is He knows all; He knows what I already did and when I will do it again.  Yet, He waits for me to come to Him, but I don’t– because I am too ashamed.

The devil has me right where he wants me — in the claws of condemnation where bondage lurks dangling his chains of imprisonment.  I cower in that cold debilitating prison where just outside waiting with open arms is my Father, filled with love and forgiveness that know no boundaries.  I can be free – all I need to do is go to Him and ask His forgiveness. A simple but daunting step, so I don’t. I sentence myself to stay in that prison of unforgiveness.  How can He forgive me? Why should He forgive me?  I am a repeat offender and frankly, it is a mockery that I find myself here once again.

Psalm 32:3: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

King David knows my situation all too well.  He withered away in unforgiveness after his adulterous affair with Bathsheba.  But like any caring parent, God remained tied to him, tugging on his heart as he struggled to pull away in disgrace.

Psalm 32:4: For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

I recall the many times that my own son failed me and the limits it brought me to as a mother.  Yet in spite of my waning patience, I forgive him when he comes to me….over and over again.  Even with a great capacity to love, the love that I have for my child still pales in comparison to the love that my Heavenly Father has for me. This realization of His unbounded love and mercy releases me and gives me the strength to face Him…once again.

Psalm 32:5: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD “— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

I am unburdened now and all is well with my soul.  As I bask in the peace of His restored fellowship, I look back at that dark hole I crawled out of, wondering what took me so long. It is a new day filled with new mercies and new opportunities to make the right choices. I am free; I am forgiven. I am filled with a peace that is rooted in His never-ending love for me.

Psalm 32:1-2:  Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

He’s Waiting to Forgive You, What Are You Waiting for?

We’ve one life to live, so take no day for granted
Sow words of life and bloom where you’re planted
With love and humility, pour into others gladly
For service is the key that unlocks, the joy in life’s journey

To live a Christ centered life, is our calling
To find and live His will, is truly fulfilling!
Commit your way to Him; be patient, while He works
Trust Him beyond what you see, and in spite of what lurks

Seize today! while embracing tomorrow
Free yourself from the chains of past sorrow
You may falter, and at times you may stumble
Don’t dwell in condemnation, don’t grumble

Live life to the fullest, treasuring God’s goodness
Believing in His, unfailing love and promise
And though you may be, hindered by strife
In spite of this, choose today, to enjoy life!

© Copyright A.K.Browne, All Rights Reserved.