Dealing with the New Year! with a New Perspective

Philippians 3:12-14
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” NIV

As Christmas comes to an end we anxiously await the words “Happy New Year!” My best friend and I have this tradition we do every year for the last five years usually around the end of December. We go to our favorite beach spot, where we talk and pray about the past year and look ahead to the New Year.

We ponder and discuss all the interesting occurrences that happened the past year; the good times, the bad times, the frustrating times and also the fun times. We share what valuable lessons we learned from our experiences, what God showed us and how He was faithful through all of it

We do this as a closure to one year and then an opening to the next. After we have laughed a while and then cried, we begin to look forward with great excitement, wondering what God has for us this coming new year. What new experiences will we go through and what new lessons will we learn. It’s all fresh and new and that is exciting.

In doing this I believe it helps us to view each year as a season, understanding that God is Sovereign and has new seasons of experiences and growth to make us more like Christ. I can testify there were times we went through seasons of grief and there were also times we experienced seasons of joy.

It helps me to remember that God is in total control and that we are constantly growing as His children and that He knows the plans He has for us. Plans of new wisdom, insight and understanding that He wants to impart to us, if we will allow Him to.

It also gives us a fresh new outlook of the coming year and enables us to leave the past where it belongs, not that we forget the past but learn from it and move forward into our present future with opened hearts and minds to receive whatever God has for us.

With that said, I put together eight ways we can view the New Year and every year as.

A Year of:

New Beginnings: Start out the New Year with a fresh point of view to new experiences, memories and blessings. Having an opened mind and heart to where ever the Lord may take you with full assurance and confidence that He is with you. (Matthew 28:19-20)

New Possibilities: There’s no limit to what God can do in your life and nothing is impossible with God. God opens doors that no man can shut and also closes doors that no man can open. The possibilities are endless with God that is according to His will. (Philippians 4:13)

New Plans: Every year is a new season, be prayerful of what God has planned for you and be willing to walk by faith in obedience as you follow His leading. Remember that His plans are always for good and not for evil to give you a future and a Hope. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

New Purpose: As you forge ahead, God always has a plan and a purpose for what you will go through and experience. Remember that God always has a reason for what He allows in your life and through it you can trust Him completely. (Proverbs 1:3-5)

New Provisions: The bible says to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of it’s own. Trust in your Heavenly Father who knows everything you need, who is your God and your Provider. He is faithful and He will do it. (Matthew 6:1-33)

New Growth: When we are willing to let go and let God work in us and through us, He will always stretch us and grow us. It is an important part of the growth process. Continue to grow in your relationship with Him and in His Word. Pray for God to mold you and make you pliable in the potters hand and then watch the master craftsman work on His masterpiece; which is you!

New Wisdom: With new experiences and new lessons come new wisdom and insight. Always make it a priority to seek out wisdom as hidden treasure or fine gold. In Proverbs it says that it will be like a garland of grace around your neck and honor you and present you with a crown of splendor. (Proverbs 4:7-9)

Renewed Peace: As you go through new experiences and new adventures whether they are good or bad, my encouragement is to keep your eyes fixed on Christ and He will give you rest and peace, because He is our peace and loves you and cares for you deeply. (John 16:33)
Keep in mind that if even the wicked give good gifts to their children how much more will your Heavenly Father give to those that ask Him? (Matthew 7:7-11) Let us give thanks to the Lord for getting us through another year as we look forward to what He has for us up ahead and praise Him that He is faithful and worthy to be praised!

Our God is an Awesome God
Who Reigns on Heaven and Earth
With Wisdom Power and Love
Our God is an Awesome God!

May the Lord bless you and your family with a blessed New Year!

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Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a Pastor's Wife, Work at Home Mom, Woman's Biblical Counselor, Bible Teacher and Writer. You can view her website at http://filoiannwiedenhoff.com/

Dealing with the Holiday Hoopla!

Making Christmas a Time of Remembrance

If you are like me the holidays can be a blessing but they also can be stressful, anxiety filled and very busy.

As a CWAHM and Pastor’s Wife, I literally have to sit and try to remember all the things I need to do in preparing for family to come over, cleaning the house, take care of church business and our plans for Christmas Eve service, writing the menu for Christmas dinner, try to finish all my home business work, in between shopping, shopping and more shopping.

Sometimes I wish we had eight arms and hands like an Octopus that could do multi-tasking simultaneously. Hey wait a minute….we already do?

We’re wives, moms, worker bees, nurses, secretaries, accountants, chefs, house keepers, counselors, disciplinarians, taxi cab drivers, sometimes bus driver’s and professional shoppers. Whew! What a list.

So how do we deal with the holiday hoopla added on top of that oh so crazy list? I came up with some helpful tips to make Christmas a time of remembrance:

1. Remember What Matters Most: In all our busyness we can be taken away from what really matters. Take a moment to reflect on your priorities which are Christ first, family, career etc… Try not to focus on things that just are not important and focus on the things that are.

2. Remember That it’s Not About the Presents: A great way to honor Christ this Christmas and at the same time teach your children the true meaning of Christmas is to share the birth of Jesus story with them, and then take them to the store and let them pick out brand new toys to donate to needy children or families. Make it a memorable and enjoyable experience and they will want to do it more often!

3. Remember Those That Are Lonely & Hurting: Christmas is also one of the most depressing holidays, for people who have lost a loved one, are lonely, hurting or ill. Please look around in your own sphere of influence and say a prayer, make a call or take over a meal or small gift to a friend or family member who needs your love or comfort and more importantly need God’s love through you. If you are one that is hurting this season, please call someone to pray for you, you are not alone and people care about you and would love to encourage and comfort you during this difficult time.

4. Remember the Soldiers: Let us also remember the soldiers that have lived and died honorably for the sake of peace. Please lift them up and their families for strength, comfort and peace.

5. Remember What Jesus Did For You: Christmas is a time of reflection on the real reason Christ was born and how His life as well as His death was a sacrifice for us. Remember back what your life was like before you received Him and reflect on how He has blessed you abundantly since that life changing day.

By remembering all the blessings Jesus has done for us and at the same time reaching out to others, we are commemorating His birth and honoring His life and allowing Christ’s Life to live in us and through us. It is a heritage to be carried on from generation to generation. May your Christmas be blessed and stressed free! From our family to yours!

Special Quote:
Yesterday was History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
but Today is a Gift and that is why they call it the Present!
Author Unknown.

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Christmas Devotional by Filoiann Wiedenhoff

Matthew 1:23
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel" which means,

"God with us." NIV

The angel came to Mary bearing this wonderful news. It was a fulfillment of God's promise and covenant to Abraham that His seed would become a great nation, He would bless him, make his name great and that he would be a blessing to others; which is implying the coming Messiah through Abraham's decendants. As we look upon this Christmas season and give thanks for Jesus birth let us also give thanks to God for His faithfulness to all men that He keeps His promises that Christ who dwells in our hearts by faith to those who believe, is the complete fulfillment of that promise. Before Jesus was crucified He told his disciples that it were better that He go away that the comforter could come. He was referring to the Holy Spirit being poured out. He said this because Jesus knew that it was better that He go away and no longer live "among" them, so that He could return through the Holy Spirit to live "within" them. "Immanuel" which means "God with us!" Christ in us, the hope of Glory.

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Stop and Remember!

Don't forget to make this Christmas a Time of Rememberance.

Remember God!

What He has done for you.

Where He has brought you from.

Where He is taking you now.

& Praise Him for All that He Does!

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Don't forget to check out my website!

http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com/

Click on url or banner below.

Do You Struggle With Depression or Know Someone That Does?

Statistics show that there is a high percentage now more than ever of people who get depressed every day in this country. The holidays are known to be when depression and suicide is at an all time high.

There are so many reasons for depression and suicide and one article I believe would not be long enough.

I wanted to encourage you if you or someone you know is struggling with depression you are not alone. There is hope and that there are many others who are going through the exact same thing.

Many women that I have counseled struggle with depression and in fact depression runs in my family. People do know how common it is but when you are going through it you still feel very alone.

I know because I personally have struggled with depression also. It can take a toll on your life and drag you down so low that you feel like you can't get back up. It affects your mind, how you think, your body, how you feel. It affects every part of you and can bring you to the point of despair.

That is why it's so important to seek out someone to talk to about this silent killer. Talk to a counselor or pastor who can give you some direction and instruction on where to go from here.
Also see a doctor and find out if it is hormonal or a chemical imbalance. There are so many contributing factors to depression that it can be one thing or it can be a number of things.

My encouragement for you is that the bible also speaks on depression. I wrote two articles called "Dealing with Depression Spiritually Part I" and "Dealing with Depression Practically Part II" that gives you practical as well as biblical counsel on depression that will lead you or someone you know in the right direction.

I encourage you to read it, copy it and if you know someone or people who struggle with it please send them my URL and encourage them to read my counseling articles and be encouraged that God knows what we are going through and He sees us and says He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is right there with us every step of the way because he loves us and cares for us deeply.

Filoiann M. Wiedenhoff is a Pastor's Wife, Work at Home Mom, Woman's Pastoral Counselor, Bible Teacher and Christian Author. She loves to write devotionals, articles, training and handbooks. She is currently working on a lay counseling handbook and devotional E-books due to publish by the end of next year. You can visit her website and sign up for her monthly newsletter on http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com/ Receive my new FREE ebook of my 6 "How to Deal" articles. Just click on my website.


Photo provided by flickr.com

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Do You Struggle With Anger or Know Someone That Does?

I want to encourage you that if you or you know someone who struggles with anger there is hope.

One of the main common issues people in general have is that we have these inner struggles that we feel we have to handle by ourselves either because of shame, guilt, fear etc.

We are afraid to expose our struggle for fear of what people may think of us or perhaps that we might be judged. I am no different. I have had those same thoughts cross my mind more than once.

Being a pastor’s wife, I have to look at myself soberly every day to check myself to see where I am at with God, and with myself. Am I taking care of my responsibilities at home, with my husband and my children? Am I being a good or bad example to our family, friends and church members?

There’s a responsibility that comes with being a pastor’s wife that isn’t in the bylaws but is there prevalent just the same. I’m only sharing this because I am not perfect and I have struggled with anger at one time or another.

I’ve been told that I have a “Samoan Temper” which means, that I’m the nicest person you will ever want to meet but once you cross the line “Look out!”

I remember one early morning I had to take my daughter to church to go to camp. I had told her more than twice to have her things ready and packed the night before so she would be ready to go the next morning.

Well, she didn’t listen and the next morning she was flying around the house looking for this and that and because of her disobedience she almost missed her bus. Needless to say I lost it. I blue a gasket and shouted at the top of my lungs. “I told you last night….”

It wasn’t a pretty sight, and I felt terrible about how mad I got. It wasn’t a conscience thing, I just lost it. I felt terrible though and apologized to my daughter on the way to take her and she apologized for not listening but was glad I asked her for forgiveness.

What made matters worse was what my son told me the next day. My son’s neighbor friend told my son, “Your mom was really mad this morning, we could hear her clear across the street!”

I quickly remembered that when I was shouting I was standing right in front of an opened window and the whole neighborhood could hear me. I was so embarrassed and felt very small. I know that was a check from the Lord to watch my anger and I have taken steps to guard myself from going off from that day forward.
I am thankful my husband who is also my pastor and counselor was able to give me some words of advice, encouragement and accountability.

I wanted to bear my soul to encourage you that anger can happen to anyone at any time in any situation but left un-dealt with can be cause for concern.

If you or someone you know struggles with anger please know that you are not alone and that it can be resolved.

I put together some advice and steps to help give you direction and guidance in my new article called “Dealing with Anger” which is posted on my website.

Please check it out. Remember that education is the key and having understanding is wise. So find out more info on this subject and copy my article “Dealing with Anger” for your reference.

Dealing with Depresstion Part II

Taking what you have and put it into practice

In part I, I addressed how to deal with depression spiritually with the main concept of believing that Christ lives in your heart by faith and is right there with you, helping you and giving you power and strength to keep moving forward and persevere through the trials.

Before I do, if you are suffering from deep or severe depression or suffer frequently, I encourage you to see a doctor and get a doctor’s diagnosis on your condition. It may be treatable with hormones or medicine for chemical imbalance. It’s best to find out for sure.

So how do we apply believing Christ is in us to this trial or any trial? This knowledge is very important to our foundation because it builds on the fact that we can’t but God can. That though we are new creations we still need Christ power to experience any real change. So when we are at our weakest we can believe that God is at His best and we can turn to Him daily and moment by moment to give us strength in our hour and time of need.


In this article I am going to address how to use that knowledge to put it into practical use in dealing with depression.

Here they are as follows:

Spend Time with God: During our hard times we need to draw near to God and the bible says He will draw near to us. Spend daily quiet time with God and allow God’s Word to encourage your heart.

Read Psalms and Proverbs: During your quiet time read some extra verses in Psalms and Proverbs. Reading on God’s Faithfulness and His love for us is always encouraging to the soul.

Spend Time in Prayer: I usually like to pray silently through out the day, especially starting in the mornings before my quiet time and ask God to strengthen me and help me persevere through my day when I’m having a hard day.

Talk about It: Talking to someone and expressing how you are feeling inside is always helpful to getting our feelings out and not keeping them bottled up inside. Don’t be ashamed to ask someone to pray for you. Having someone pray for you is always encouraging.

Take a walk: Getting out and taking a walk releases endorphins that energize the body and make you feel happier. You can exercise also to release stress or anxiety too. (Read my Dealing with Anxiety article)

Get out of the house: Take a drive or visiting with a friend or family member is always a good idea, especially when you feel like you want to isolate. Isolation can lead to deeper depression and morbid thoughts so stay conscience and aware of isolating and try to avoid it as much as possible.

Journal your thoughts: If you are restless or need help releasing your feelings or emotions try to journal. When you spend quiet time try journaling and write down how you are feeling that day and what scriptures ministered to you and how and even what you need help with from God. Sometimes my best prayers are when I’m being totally honest with God about how I’m feeling and asking Him to help me. I’m always encouraged afterwards because I believe by faith he cares for me and that He heard my cries.

Encourage Someone Else: When you are feeling your lowest, take a moment to think of someone you might know that needs your comfort, a phone call, help with something and reach out to them. Sometimes the best medicine is ministering to someone else who could use your help. Not as a works but sincerely. This not only blesses the other person but blesses you also because you are not thinking about yourself but someone else. It takes your mind off of you and on to someone else who needed your help.

Pray for Someone Else: Make a list of people you can pray for and begin to pray earnestly for them. This is another form of reaching out but with less physical contact. Praying for others put’s your mind and your heart on others and their needs and will take your mind off of yourself. It may not cure you of depression but it will surely give your mind a break and peace of mind with God.

Seek out Accountability: Have either your spouse, family member or friend be your accountability partner. What that means is to let them know you are going through this struggle and to have them call you every so often to check in on you and also so that you can call them whenever you need encouragement or prayer. This will help you to not isolate and not feel you are alone in your suffering.

Repent if in Sin: I know that it sounds awkward but one of the causes for depression as a Christian is if we are walking in sin. NOTE: I’m not saying all depression comes from sin. But sometimes we will feel depressed or become depressed because of sin. Pray and ask God to reveal if there is any un-confessed sin in your life and repent which means to change your mind about doing that sin and turn back or return to God. Confess your sin and the bible says God is faithful to forgive you and turn away from that sinful act and return back to God as your savior and heavenly father. God is faithful and He will do it.

Stay in Fellowship: When we are feeling bad or depressed we also want to avoid groups of people. If you are in a bible study or home fellowship group it is important that you continue to keep going. It will help you to stay in fellowship and also you can have your group pray for you and encourage you. I find that when I’m feeling my worst the bible teaching is always perfect for me that day and I needed to hear it. So go expecting God to bless you because you came to meet Him there.

Keep in mind that when depression overcomes you, your mind is consumed about you and anytime you can refocus your mind onto other things, people, situations it will give you some relief.

These helps will also keep you active during your depression and help you to stay in fellowship with God and with others. Again, continue to go to the meetings, bible studies, activities and persevere through the pain and God will bring you relief as you hang in there and work through it.

I hope these simple but effective tips will give you more food for thought the next time you encounter depression and remember to seek out a doctor’s advice.

Whatever you do, Please do not try to numb the depression with pain medicine unless it is doctor recommended. It is important that you face the situation and work through it rather than numb it. Also, numbing can also prolong the recovery process. Give your pain over to God and ask Him to take your burdens and your cares for He cares for you!

Scripture References:


Ps 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.” NIV

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.“NIV

1 Peter 5:8-11 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” NIV

Matt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." NIV

Heb 4:16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” NIV

Photo provided by flickr.com

Moving Forward From Loss - Jonathan Masoli

Dedicated to Jonathan Masoli

I just got back from San Francisco for a one year memorial of my cousins Jonathan's death. Just to recall last year, it was one of the hardest funerals I have ever attended aside from my parents. My cousin was a young and vibrant 30 year old man who loved life and died only a week and half following his wedding day.

He died on his honeymoon in beautiful Jamaicha. Although it wasn't so beautiful after it happened. There was much red tape to bring him back to the states and surviving were his parents, new bride and only sister. Our family was devastated by the loss and needless to say it has been a very tough year.

Approaching his one year memorial service I wasn't sure what to expect but couldn't believe it has already been a year since he passed.

It never seems to amaze me how God's faithfulness never seems to change. My dear cousin Jill, Jonathan's sister calls me and shares with me how hard this year has been and then shared with me some powerful words that blessed my heart. She told me that this year has been very hard but coming up to His one year anniversary she felt that God was healing her of the pain and loss but more importantly she shared how she believed that her brother would want her to live for Him rather than die.

At the memorial service she shared the passage of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 that talks about a time for every season and how her season of mourning was very tough but she also believed in this new year would be a season of healing and next a season of joy.

Both my uncle Eddie and cousin Jill shared at the memorial service how we have all had a season of grief but joy comes in the morning, that there will be a season of joy once again and that Jonathan would not want us to continue in grief but to live not just for him but for God. God has a plan for each of our lives and that plan is to live life abundantly the best we can be according to His will.

It was a wonderful and encouraging message and although we will always miss Jonathan his spirit will continue to live in our hearts and our minds and we will be able to hold on to the memories that we shared with him forever in our hearts.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil?

10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Jonathan We Love You and We Will See You Again!