Philippines Chronicles: When God Speaks! Part 4

So my mother and I hang up the phone and I reach for my carryon bag to get my little purse pouch with my passport in it. and OH NO! it's not there. I look in my seat, nothing. I look on the floor of the car, nothing. Now my heart begins to pound. I look again just in case I missed it. It's not here!

I think back, did I take it in the bathroom with me at the gas station. No I took was my phone and I had my phone with me. So I look again. Now Caleb asks is something wrong? I can see the concern on his face. I keep looking. Where is my purse? I am now frantically looking for this little pouch-clutch purse. Caleb again asks, "Is something wrong?" I finally speak it, "I am looking for my purse." He begins to help me look but we find nothing. I could feel the panic and the frustration at this moment sipping in.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, I left it in the car. My mother's car that was parked in Stockton, CA in front of Rein's house. We were in Hayward at the moment. I looked at my watch and it was about 11:50. We were about to approach the San Mateo Bridge so we could not turn around now. We would never make it there and back. My heart beats faster.  we were about 100 miles from Stockton. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 1:55 PM. 

Now I am frustrated with myself and I feel stupid. How could I have left my purse with all my identification, credit cards, cash and MY PASSPORT! I am furious at myself and my embarrassment is growing. I cant blame anyone but me. 

So let me just slip this in at this point. I DONT leave my purse. I will forget my keys, hair brush and other stuff but my purse... That is not going to happen. I guard my purse like fort knox. Especially my identity. I have had identity theft so I am always eyeballing my purse. So to leave my purse that is not me at all. So this now feels like an attack. Like there are forces beyond me at work here. How did I leave my purse? How did I know sense this sooner? It's baffled me. However, this situation has no easy solve to it. 

I call my little sister and asked her to go to the car to verify my purse was there. I told her to call me back ASAP.

When we got to the airport, we unloaded the car. I went to the ticketing counter and asked when the next flight was going out. They told me the next flight would be Thursday. I felt the bile in my throat. THURSDAY! I asked if they had another flight on a affiliate airline that was going out later that day. They seemed to not understand what I was asking. My heart sank. So about 10 minutes after talking to the ticketing counter my sister called me back and confirmed my purse was in the car. I was releaved but disappointed. i would have to miss my flight. This was really happening... another obstacle to this trip. 

I went back to the ticketing counter to see if I could get on the Thursday flight for sure and I was told that I needed to go back to where I purchased the ticket to make arrangements. So with nothing left to do at this point. I loaded my things back in the car and headed back to Stockton, defeated, discouraged, embarrassed and feeling stupid. I could not blame antone but me, I wasn't even being rushed. It was just a silly unfortunate mistake.

This story contuinues so come back tomorrow to hear what happens next.


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

Philippines Chronicles: When God Speaks! Part 3

Now let me interject another little sidebar here, believe me all this is important. The night before we were scheduled to leave, Rein asked if I was going to drive. I told her I was planning on riding to the airport with her and her mother, so I would not have to park the car there and pay for long term parking. 

Later, she mentioned that her mom's car was having battery problems. She was hopeful that they would resolve it by the morning, but I need to beware that a backup plan might be needed. When it was said, I felt that maybe I should just drive but said nothing because she was sure that it would work out. Now, I did not have the money for parking but I felt if we had to park the car there God would supply the need. I knew that if I had to drive, I would have to call my mother, since the car I had access to was hers and she was under the impression that her car would be parked in the garage at our house. She does not do well with changes. So I was a bit concerned about telling her but not worried. 

As the conversation progressed, my concerned went away. So I just told myself I would tell Rein in the AM that I would drive. So when I woke up there was a message from Rein saying that the battery had been replaced and all was well. Her mom would drive us to the airport. So I never offered to drive.

So I am now running my errands and I get to Rein's house about 9:45 AM. I load my luggage in the car. While I am standing there chit chatting with her mom. I realized I did not pack my comb and brush. So I ask how much time do I have I need to run to my house and get those items and come back. She said about 10 minutes. So I get in my car and jet to toward my house.  As I am driving, I see Hollywood Beauty Supply and I just stop there to get a comb and brush instead of driving back to my house. In doing this that would make the trip a bit faster. I get back to Rein's house, park the car in the spot where it had been parked before and Rein says, "You can't park there. Pull up in the garage." I do this and get out of the car and hop into Mother Pryor's car. Now I'm excited because we are officially on our way to the airport.

We stopped at the gas station, and I jump out to use the restroom while they are pumping gas. SFO is about an hour and half drive maybe two with traffic. I got back in the car and we were off. As we drive I look through emails and FB post and respond in kind. Then we decide to check-in online for our flight. I remember thinking "Oh my, this is really happening." Now it's not that I thought it wouldn't happen. I had gone through so much to make it to this point. But even more than that. God has promised me international ministry since I was 14. It seemed so great and so vast a vision, you just wonder how is god going to do it. I had gone to Italy when I was 31 but had not been back since then and for it to be happening now. I am just amazed at God. I took a breath and told myself to live in the moment. God had showed up and  showed out for me. "I thought to myself, you about to see the realization of God's promises to you and this is only the beginning.

I tried to call my Mom because I had tried calling her while I was running my errands and got no answer. My mother is in Texas so I knew, she was up and about. Still no answer from her. I scrolled through my phone again and made a mental note that I would have to charge my phone while I was waiting to board the airplane. Chit chatting with Rein and her mom, my mom calls. IN all the excitement, I had forgotten it was my mother's birthday. So after I apologized and made a big deal about that. I told her I was going to text her the data page of my passport, just in case something went wrong. We chatted a few more minutes. My mom wishes us Godspeed on out journey and tells us to preach the word with God's anointing. I can hear in her voice that she is proud of us. My mother is not an emotional woman, so I have learned how to discern her emotions in her speech. 

When I hung up the phone, I went to take out my passport to take a picture of my passport to send to my mother.

I know.... you want to know what happened, but I will continue tomorrow. I am trying not to make this post too long. :). You will not miss anything, I promise the good the bad and the ugly is going to be in these post. 

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Philippines Chronicles: When God Speaks! Part 2

So on Tuesday I head to the Pharmacy to pick up my prescription. When I get there, I am told that the prescription is ready. SO I hand them my insurance card so it can be run through my insurance. The pharmacy tech comes back and says that my insurance is no longer accepted through Walgreens. I should try Rite-Aid or CVS. If I got it through them I would have to pay 79.00 even with my prescription discount card.

She explains I would need to have the other pharmacy of my choosing to request that they fax over my prescription. So I call CVS, because that is where my sister works and I knew she would let me know if they were telling me the truth. 

CVS sends the request and the Man assures me that in a few hours my prescription should be ready. So I call back in about 3 hours and CVS has not received the prescription yet. So I call Walgreen's. They tell me it was faxed over but they will fax it again. So I go on with my day and decide to check with my sister to see how much it would cost. So I text her. She text me back and says through CVS it would be 97.00. I was like man, I am so glad I have insurance that's more than Walgreen's.

On Wednesday, I call CVS and my prescription is ready so I go to pick it up while I'm out running errands. When I get there, I give them my insurance card and they said it will take about 15 minutes to rerun my prescription through my insurance to get the price if any. I walk around CVS window shopping until I hear my name called over the loudspeaker. I return to the pharmacy.

Now here's where it get interesting. I am told that my insurance WILL not cover it. So the cost is 97.00 or they can ask my doctor to prescribe a different prescription that may be accepted by my insurance. feeling a bit nervous now. I say okay they tell me they will call me when it's ready.

So, I leave. and I wait. and I wait. and I wait. Now I call back it's been almost a week since I took it to CVS and I have not heard from them. They tell me my doctor has not responded. So I decide to give it another day.

Now it's two days later, and I have just a few more days before I will be leaving. CVS still has not heard back from my doctor. So I go to my doctor's office to get them to respond. I am told that Malaria pills only have one dose and the prescription that was given was the most commonly used one.

So I ask the ladies and the people of  God to pray. I need these pills and I have only a week to get them. I just did not have the 97.00 to spend and I really needed them to come down.

CVS and I go back and forth for the next week. Then I post on FB, I need God to intervene once again for me. One of my friends say she is going to western union me some money. So my prayer is God let me get it for the original price, so the money she sent me will be enough. 

I go Friday afternoon to pick up the prescription. The Pharm Tech gets my information and says that will be a total of 116.00, I hand her my discount card, because I remember that Walgreens said that even with my discount card it was 79.00. She says it does take some off but with the discount card it would still be 100.00. I only have 80.00. I was about to say I'll have to come back, when the Pharm Tech says wait a minute let me ask the Pharmacist something.

She comes back in about 5 minutes and says, "Your cost is 42.00!" She used a different discount card that they have at CVS. Not only that, but they did not have the generic brand that my doctor asked for so they gave me the name brand drug. I almost cried on the spot.

So now you can see how God moved on my behalf, in miraculous ways. Like I said before this is just one of many stories. I know that some of you ready this blog were the ones praying for me so I wanted to share.

So now April 21st was here and it was the morning of the day we would fly to the Philippines. I got up excited, took my shower and dressed comfortablely. it was going to take us  two days to get there with an overnight layover in China. I ran some last minute errands and then met up with Rein and her Mom at their house.

Hope you are following along on this journey, more to come.


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Phillippines Chronicles: When God Speaks! Part 1

So on April 21, 2015, I was on my way to SFO to go on a missions trip to the Philippines with my Sister and Friend Evangelist Rein Johnson. the flight has had been booked since late February early March. When I tell you God opened doors that I could not even imagine so I could get the money to go...I mean it. Had God not intervened on my behalf, I would have still been working on raising the money.

Listen, Not only did God supply the money for the plane ticket there and back, He made a way fo the Hotel to be covered, and when I found out that I needed a Visa for China because we had an extended layover, God supplied the money for that too. So needless to say this Chicka was on cloud nine and rising. I was thankful to everyone that sowed a seed or donated so that I could get the immunizations, bug spray, and other items needed.

Let me just tell the story about the Malaria pills because this is just a glimpse of what God was doing on my behalf. I went to my doctor to get a physical. I had been sick with bronchitis and I just want him to tell me I was cleared to travel this was about two and half  weeks before we were expected to leave. My doctor said all was well and prescribed me a cough medicine to help with my lingering cough. He also gave me some antibiotics to clear up any viral infection. I told him about my trip to the Philippines and he told me that I needed to get the immunizations, even though they were recommended, I should because I was getting over bronchitis and needed all the immune boost I could get. So that day I went to public health and got my Typhoid shot. but the Malaria immunization was not a shot but pills and my doctor should have prescribed them. So I called my doctor to see if I could get the prescription ans was told I needed to drop by so the doctor could see me before he prescribed them. So the next day i drove out there and my doctor prescribed them. this was on a Friday.

So, about four hours later I was running errands so I went to Walgreen's to see if my prescription was ready and was told that the prescription would be ready on Monday. I asked what the cost would be and they told me it would cost 79.00. I took a deep breath. It dawned on me later that Walgreen's did not have my insurance on file and evangelist rein said that her prescription for the Malaria Pills was free.  So I said, "Lord let it be for me too."

On Monday, I get a call that my prescription is ready. So I put it on my calendar to go Tuesday to pick up.

Stay tuned for more of this story tomorrow.

You are Bound No More.

Pastor Linda Hillman
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now

Will You Be Made Whole 
In The Meantime

What Matters Most is How Come

Many of us say this phrase after we have come out of a trial or hardship, “What the Devil meant for evil...” However, do we really believe this? What if you are still in the midst of your trial, can you say this phrase? Can you claim the victory even then? Do you ask “Why” me, why did I have to suffer? Do you harbor bitterness and unforgiveness? I know I did too, listen to my testimony and be set free. 

I was going through a time of just feeling empty. I had a good life, if I say so myself. I was working, had transportation, a roof over my head, a good church family, and people who cared for and loved me but I could not enjoy it because I was too busy wondering about all the negative things going on in my life. I was dealing with emotional scarring that had taken over my life. I remember falling into deep depressions and having manic mood swings. One day I would be higher than a kite feeling good about life and next I would be lower than the grave. I had lived this way for most of my life. I felt hopeless and lost, even with Christ in my life. My question was always, “Why did God allow this in my life? Why would He allow the test and trials to happen to me, His child?” I had tried to overcome them on my own. I had tried to do what the Bible said but to no avail. The reason being it was done in my own strength. I could not do it and the sad thing was I was not willing to give it over to God either. In many ways, you can say that I was content to live miserably saved. Now what kind of salvation is that? 

In your situation, you may be on the brink of your breakthrough and you need to understand that forgiveness for those that tried to take you out IS needed. Let God be God and let Him handle your enemies. You love them and pray for them. You stand firm on God's promises and GET UP! Though you may be down however, you are not out, GET UP! You may be hurting, GET UP! You may be questioning “Why”, GET UP! This is not the time for giving up but for getting up. God has not forgotten His promises to you and He is faithful to complete and bring them to fruition. Get up girl; your destiny is calling you! 

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

Why Be Made Whole?

Many people are walking around with emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and financial baggage. They carry it from place to place - relationship to relationship. Most importantly they make decisions based on their past hurts and hangups. The one thing that I know to be true is that you don't have to be that way. You choose to be that way. Yes, I said it YOU choose to walk around and play the blame game.

Just think about the last time you had a real good laugh? A good meaningful conversation where it did not turn into an emotional blame game? Can you think back that far? If you answered: No, I can't remember the last time a really laughed or sat down and had a good conversation without blaming others for my current circumstances... then I am here to help you. Just consider me your own private coach for healing.

For many years, I thought that being "me" was being rude, resentful, evil, a gossip and saying what was on my mind no matter who it hurt. I thought I was keeping it real. As the young people say, "I was keeping it '100'". however, I was living a lie and truth be told I was miserable. I blamed everyone for what I did not have and what I thought I could not get. I was my worst enemy. In my book, "Will You Be Made WHOLE" I share a formula that helped me to see that I could be and do anything I wanted to do but I had to be healed of the things life had dealt to me. I had to release on the things that were not meant to be in my life. I had to realized that there was a different me YELLING on the inside of me... Hey sister, let me out. I'm suffocating in here and I can make things so much better.

If you are tired of living in the pits of hell that you call a life. Then let me help you. I promise, you can blame me for the satisfyingly delicious life you will experience.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

It's A Real Change that is Needed

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. As a man thinks, so is he. Our mind is a powerful muscle. Yep I said muscle because we must use it and exercise it. Just as you can sculpt your natural (bodily) muscles and train them to cause you to have a healthier body mass, it is also true for your mind.

The Bible says that we should have the mind of Christ. That his mind should be in us, however you can't do this effectively if you don't allow transformation to take place. You must allow renewal to occur.

So many of us have stinking thinking and that tarnishes our lives and purpose. It blinds us because we are so afraid of the unknown.

What if we just allowed God to be God and asked him to help us think as he thinks. Well.... I use a theory about the scripture about God being slayed even before the foundations of the world. One day, I was depressed about what I had gone through in my life, and God gave me this understanding. With this, it broke my depression instantly. Imagine this: one day God was sitting on his throne and wondered what if.... I created a world. A world that would house free will creatures that would be able to chose a relationship with me or not. He saw this world being created. He saw the events of our choices... He even saw the end of this world. But most importantly he saw his sacrifice on the cross and that it would not matter to some. He saw the hatred, the love, he saw the evil and the good. Think about what you have gone through in life and know that God saw it and when it was all said and done. God's thoughts became a reality and he spoke let there be!

Now some would find this to be disturbing. .. I find it to be comforting. Why? Because it allowed me to see that God had a plan even before I took my first breath. Just as Christ had to bear the cross, his resurrection had been planned. Let that sink in. So let this mind be in you.... The mind of Christ. You are not forgotten, there is a plan for your life and all the things you have endured and experience is a part of his plan. Nothing has taken Jim by surprise. So if we sit still... I promise you his thoughts will rush in and consume you... The healing (Resurrection) you need will emerge. ‪#‎DontCountMeOut2015‬ 

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

Coming Soon - Dont Count Me Out - Look for it on Amazon and where printed and Ebooks are sold.

While you are waiting.... Why not get a copy of these

 Get Your Copy Now! 

 Through the scripture and the story of the woman with an  issue of blood,  Linda Hillman moves past the obvious, more  common meaning of the text  to a revelatory truth: GOD  would not have us live unbalanced and  incomplete lives. In  her book WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE, Linda reveals  just how  crucial balance is in every area of your life. Through scripture,  practical principles and faith, Linda shows the reader how to  get back on  track when life derails. In Pastor Hillman’s own  words—“The one thing I  have discovered in my life is that  the pains I have had to endure were not  to take me out of  the game but to polish me for the end result.” Get your  copy today and be made whole!

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In today’s microwave society, we want everything in an instant. And we want it now. Between instant gratification and a sense of entitlement, we often forget that GOD is GOD and HIS will be done. We can’t lag behind HIM and we surely can’t jump ahead of HIM. Linda A. Hillman’s new book, IN THE MEANTIME, addresses this very subject—waiting upon GOD. 

Through vignettes of the Prophet Elijah’s life, Linda reveals GOD’s plan for waiting upon HIM. This concise but rich study provides insight into the character of GOD and how HE takes us through steps of preparation, motivation and confirmation in getting us through our seasons of waiting. The beauty and truth of Linda’s message is that you can have the same glorious breakthrough as Elijah had.

Will You Be Made Whole

Based on the process of the woman with the issue of blood, there is a process we must all go through. I hope that you as the reader will share your process with me.

So let's look at the scriptures that contain this wonderful testimony. You will see that I do not call them stories in the bible. I believe that the Word of God is true and that each "story" is actually a testimony of the goodness of the Lord. So let's read her testimony.

 Mark 5:25 - 34 "And a certain woman, which has an issue of blood twelve years , and had suffered many things of may physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. and straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

Now you will also find accounts in Matthew and Luke. I will refer to those accounts but the main account is this one in Mark. Why did I choose this one and not one of the others. I believe the process can be followed in this account. However, before we get into the process I want to talk about the customs of the day. This is important in understanding the woman's position.

In my next blog I will talk in depth about the customs of that day based on the Law of Moses. I will talk about the understood mentality this woman had to have to even approach Jesus. But as I close this introductory post, let me say this. It's time you stop thinking your situation is the end. It does not matter what others have told you. you have to maintain that God's word is true and that you will stand on His word. As Paul said, "...and having done all, to stand... Stand therefore..." (Ephesians 6:13-14)

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries

  Get Your Copy Now!

 Through the scripture and the story of the woman with an    issue of blood, Linda Hillman moves past the obvious, more  common meaning of the text to a revelatory truth: GOD  would not have us live unbalanced and incomplete lives. In  her book WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE, Linda reveals just how  crucial balance is in every area of your life. Through scripture,  practical principles and faith, Linda shows the reader how to  get back on track when life derails. In Pastor Hillman’s own  words—“The one thing I have discovered in my life is that the  pains I have had to endure were not to take me out of the game but to polish me for the end result.” Get your copy today and be made whole!

Living in Peril Times - Transformed Lives Part 2

"If we cannot discover how to change people, there is no hope for saving the world from ultimate collapse." Ray C. Stedman

You may remember that in 1972, a group of international industrial leaders and thinkers came together to form what was known as the "The Club of Rome". This meeting bought about six suggestions or proposals if you will, that we humans should put into practice if we are to survive on this planet. Let me share one, this is very thought provoking, at least to me, Here is it:

The survival of this planet necessitates new forms of thinking that will led to a fundamental revision of human behavior and, by implication, of the entire fabric of present-day society.

Huh? well, let me put it simply, Ray C Stedman's quote says it best. When you read Thessalonians chapter 1, you see that they were living in peril times. they were a young church and they needed change. Just like we now live in perilous times and we need a change. the gospel really is needed if we are going to see His face in peace.

We need to find was to fundamentally change people. Again, this is where the church needs to understand that we cannot continue to operate as church as usual, when the world is in a spin-out tumble with destruction. We have the gospel that can change a life and we instead choose to remain the same and do what ever feels good to us. In the meantime hurting others and causing more damage than healing.

Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica about the good news because they realized that the good news was life changing and could transform their reality. People now a days are looking for something that is real and that can transplant them from misery to victory. They don't want more pain in their lives. what it is they want is to know that through faith, hope and trust that they can experience joy.  I would ask that you read Thessalonians  book 1 and 2 and get a clear understanding of their times and what Paul was truly saying to them about being able to transform lives and bring hope. I mean if we are not provoking people to live according to their purpose and walk in their destiny. then what exactly are we doing?

It's time we ask ourselves, is my pain really something I cant forgive? If I have caused pain, is it really okay for me to walk without apologizing for the suffering and emotional turmoil I caused? If we are to truly transform lives we must start with "the man in the mirror". Next week we will continue to talk about transformation, My prayer is that it will begin with me and spread like a forest fire out of control and all those that read this blog and that we will begin to revolutionize the Body of Christ!

You are Bound No More. 

 Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

Transformed

Transformed: to change in composition or structure - to change the outward form or appearance of - to change in character or condition - convert - to subject to mathematical transformation - to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation - to become transformed - change

Jeremiah the prophet asked, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard change its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil" (Jer 13:23). This questions is still asked today? The question is honest and thought provoking when you come to think about how people behave. It simply says, that we are to judge people by their action or as I would like to say the content of the book. Looks on the outside can be misleading. You must read the book and know the contents in order to judge the book properly. Yes, people may learn how to put on different behavior and make minor adjustments to their attitudes. Some have even made great changes by suppressing their true nature. This may allow them to become more socially acceptable, but the real answer is not found in the human flesh.

Only God can actually change the human heart and reconstruct the very nature of a man. It is God who brings about real transformation. Over the next few entries I will explore some principles in 1 Thessalonians 1-2. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read these post and share with others. It's time that we understand that we don't have to live a life that is less than what God intended for us and even if we have made bad decisions, we don't have to live with them.

Take a moment tor read 1 Thessalonians 1 -2 and then check back next week for the first post. I promise you...you will be glad you did. ready for a change?

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It Could Happen

When you have vision, there is no one or nothing that can stop you but YOU. Don't expect everyone to see things you see or hear things you hear. Don't expect everyone to pat you on the back and say, "It Could Happen".

A few things you can be sure of true vision is bringer than you and you will need individuals to come along aside you to help the vision come forth. The vision will always look impossible and too big. Often times, it will even challenge you to grow up and mature a bit. Many lessons will be learned during the process. After all is said and done, you will be completely fulfilled!

However, when we are bound by our emotions and fears we tend to shy away from the greatness inside of us. We choose the safe way. We select the easy route because this is where we are comfortable. 

This is the reason why healing is so important. I get it, many times we don't know why we are acting the way we do. That's why it is important to journal and really reflect.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries

Get your copy!

Through the scripture and the story of the woman with an issue of blood, Linda Hillman moves past the obvious, more common meaning of the text to a revelatory truth: GOD would not have us live unbalanced and incomplete lives. In her book WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE, Linda reveals just how crucial balance is in every area of your life. Through scripture, practical principles and faith, Linda shows the reader how to get back on track when life derails. In Pastor Hillman’s own words—“The one thing I have discovered in my life is that the pains I have had to endure were not to take me out of the game but to polish me for the end result.” Get your copy today and be made whole!

Healing the Hurts

Here's a lesson from a recent Women's Conference I attended. Be blessed with this one.

• Emotional Abuse
• Christian wounds
• Hurt in the church
• Domestic Violence
• Harboring negative feelings
• holding grudges. it hurts ourselves more than others

Someone once said that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and hoping that it will hurt the other person. But yet many of us do it and cant see that we are really killing ourselves.

You can choose to hurt or Heal

You can choose your happiness or sadness in life. One way to do this when you choose whether to continue to nurse a hurt you have received in life, or to heal yourself and you relationship with the person that hurt you.

In reaction to our emotional hurts we often erect protective structures to avoid dealing with them or allowing anyone to touch them. Over time these structures become comfortable. Before we cna heal the hurt, these structures must be acknowledged and dealt with. this will often mean honestly facing our pain and anger and resentment choosing to forgive, YES forgive those who have wounded us instead of resenting them, and determining to risk opening our hearts to others again. It also generally involves a slow and difficult process not a quick fix. Like peeling an onion, it usually happens one tearful layer at a time.

Definition

A wounded heart occurs when someone or something brings hurt to your emotions. "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they fo down into the innermost parts of the belly." Proverbs 26:22.

Sources of Hurts

1. Result of Offense brought to us from others People say things or do things to hurt us. Prov 18:8
2. Result from our won sinful behavior. Not all hurts come from without. sometimes they can be the enemy within. Prov 17:19, Psalms 25:18 II Sam 24:10
3. Result from a calamity where one is overcome by the experience. Job 3:25-26
4. Result from the sins of forefathers (ancestors) Exodus 34:6-7
5. Result from drug and alcohol use. Proverbs 23:29-35
6. results from occult involvement Leviticus 20:6

God's Provision

1. God cares about your broken heart. Ps 34:18, 51:17
2. God healed David's heart and He will also heal yours. Ps 147:3, Heb 13:8
3. Jesus was sent to heal the broken hearted. Luke 4:18
4. Jesus, Himself, suffered all the hurts that one could suffer. Isa 53:1-12, John 1:11. Luke 22:57, 23:35-37, Matthew 27:46
5. Through the suffering of Jesus, God has provided the healing for your hurts. Isa 53:5
6. It is God's desire to heal your hurts. I Peter 5:7
7. God must have control of your whole heart before He can heal it. Jeremiah 29:13, Rev 3:20

Steps of Preparation

1. You must give your heart to Jesus letting Him become your lord. Roman 10:9, Phil 2:9-10
2. If you have offended someone else, then you must confess your offense and ask them to forgive you. Matthew 5:23-24, I Peter 3:16
3. You must forgive (RELEASE) the person who has hurt you. Matt 6:12, 14-15
4. You must put their judgement into God's hands and then ask God to forgive them for their offense toward you. Luke 23:24, Acts 7:60
5. You must yield your rights to God (possessions, respect, honor, family, expectations). Matt 19:21, I Peter 5:5-6, Luke 18:20, Mark 8:34-37, Psa 119:165

WARNING: A wounded heat that does not receive healing is an open door for evil spirits. Esp 4:26-27, I Peter 5:8, Genesis 4:4-7, Matt 18:21-35

How to Receive Healing

1. Make a list of your hurts (begin with the greatest list)
2. Ask God to cleanse your heart of all wrong attitudes (anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, lust, hate, revenge). Isa 1:18, 51:10, I John 1:9
3. Picture your experience ob being hurt in your mind
4. Now picture Jesus suffering the same hurt for you and overcoming it by his own death and resurrection. I Peter 2:24
5. Next picture in your mind the resurrected Jesus offering healing to you. Luke 4:18-19
6. In faith ASK God to heal your heart in the name of Jesus. Ezekiel 36:26, John 16:23.

As God heals your hurts, He will also give you a tender heart that will be sensitive to the hurts of others. Ezekiel 36:26, II Cor 5:18, Mark 5:19

Remember: God can change that which was meant for evil into good. Genesis 50:20, Duet 23:5 Romans 8:28, I Peter 5:8-10 and II Cor 1:6

What Was She Thinking?

Let's get into this. As I mentioned, I have written a book about this precious woman, so I had to do months and months of research squeezing every little morsel of enlightenment out of this seemingly stuffed in account. So let's look at it this way, you have Matthew, who was writing to the Jews, Mark, he was giving a second hand account but he was young, so as teenagers do, he just wanted to get the facts out so he could move on to the next thing, and then Luke, who was a physician so he wanted to bring into play the medical mindset.

I find it interesting that Matthew's version of the testimony is the shortest. as I mentioned he was writing to the Jews. So how were women viewed by the Jewish people. We will need to go back to the Old Testament to get a clear understanding. Let's read Genesis 17:11

"And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you."

This was God speaking to Abram. Notice this is before the law of Moses but this covenant clearly excludes a woman from entering a covenant with God directly. In verse 10 of the same chapter it is clear that "Every man child among you shall be circumcised." So here now we see that women could only have a relationship (covenant) with God through the covenant the men in their lives made. She would have to be related to a circumcised male as a wife, daughter or (depending on stage of life) sister.

Oh but there is more, let's read Exodus 19:1-15 - For sake of space I will just paraphrase for you but here we have God speaking to Moses about "the people" however reading it becomes clear that "the people" are the men of Israel because in verse 15 it states "And he said to the people, Be ready by the day after tomorrow; do not go near a woman." Again, women are to have their relationship through the Man of the house and these men would stand before God.  Beginning to see a pattern forming here?

Now it brings me to the issue this woman was having... an issue of blood. In Lev 15:19-30, again for space I will just paraphrase, it talks about the menstrual cycle of a woman. It speaks of  a woman's “regular flow of blood” according to the priestly laws, the menstruating woman will be unclean for the seven days of her period, as well as seven days following her period. Then, upon the eighth day, she must take two doves or young pigeons to the priest to make an offering before God that will atone for her uncleanness. Man, aren't you glad the law was fulfilled in the New testament. :).

Wait, there's more, during her cycle, anything the woman sits or lies upon (basically anything she touches) will be deemed unclean, as well as anyone who touches the woman. This means that the husband of a this woman is forbidden to approach her for intercourse (Lev 18:19) and, get this, “If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her monthly cycle, he along with her has exposed the source of her flow, both of them are to be cut off from their people” (Lev 20:18). OUCH!

Plainly speaking, these Laws mean that every menstruating woman is ceremonially unclean for 14 days out of every month—roughly half of every year. Also, the menstruating woman is defiling to her husband and everyone within close proximity to her during this period of time as well. For women who had physical problems that caused constant menstruation, such as the woman with the issue of blood, she would be ceremonially unclean for her entire life and never able to make “atonement” for her uncleanness. this woman was just out of luck. however, knowing all this she pressed in to touch Jesus.

So think about it, this woman was putting herself in a dire situation to even go and approach Jesus, let alone touch him.

In my next blog, we will explore this a bit more and talk about how to overcome overwhelming circumstances.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

Get Your Copy Now
Through the scripture and the story of the woman with an issue of blood, Linda Hillman moves past the obvious, more common meaning of the text to a revelatory truth: GOD would not have us live unbalanced and incomplete lives. In her book WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE, Linda reveals just how crucial balance is in every area of your life. Through scripture,    practical principles and faith, Linda shows the reader how to get back on    track when life derails. In Pastor Hillman’s own words—“The one thing I have discovered in my life is that the pains I have had to endure were not to take me out of the game but to polish me for the end result.” Get    your copy today and be made whole!

Loss of Identity - Redefining Yourself through Faith

Having a relationship with Christ is not a religion, it is a lifestyle and identity. You live it, breath it, wear it and eat it day in and day out. It is the very reason we are called Christians.

A Christian is to be Christ-like. It means to have the mind of Christ in you, causing you to live with a higher awareness of love and faith. You operate not as the "normal" would have you respond but as the Spirit would lead you.

The unfortunate things is many of us of us have been indoctrinated into a religion. This indoctrination began at birth or conversion, and continues throughout your whole life. Religious beliefs and doctrines get internalized and adapted into your own identity, often to the point of suppressing your real authentic self in favor of the "group-think identity" of religion. For many who thirst for a more meaningful experience, they must lose fundamental parts of their identity. This can cause an identity crisis of sorts which can be quite painful at times, yet freeing and euphoric in the end.

Because doctrines are internalized to such a great extent, the persecution complex arises quickly and naturally to any information that is critical or challenging to those beliefs or teachings. New information isn't seen as just critical or challenging to the Dogma of religion, but as a personal attack in many instances. This is why you see many fighting over the letter of the law and hating what does not look, believe or think as they do. Once a person decides to stand for authentic relationship with Christ it can prove quite difficult to be embraced by those that still uses the defense mechanisms of legalism. However, it can also leave those of us who do cleave to Christ in relationship to feel a sense of loss with a church shaped hole in our heart and feeling like we don't know who we are anymore. After all, some of the greatest life-questions of philosophers were given to us with surety through great men and women of the cloth. We knew who we were because they told us, where we came from and where we were going after this life, if we followed their path. As long as we dont let the touchy-feely, sloppy agape come near us.
One of the more painful experiences we may have in leaving legalism is losing the identity we so deeply internalized and invested in. For many of us, there is a mourning process that we go through to weep over the loss of our beloved companion, "the church", and all that it fulfilled in us, or that we believe fulfilled in us. It is okay to mourn this loss. Not everyone goes through this though and that is okay too. Mourning can help release some of the religious or church programming and identity though, making room for God's truth to shine through. His truth that church is not a building we attend but who we are and we all are not a islands based on our beliefs but the body of Christ jointly fit together. We are all one!

You see the internalizing of beliefs into our core identity is what gave legalism (Religion) so much power over our thoughts and minds, and also the potential to hurt us on our way out through the loss of identity. Despite all of this potential for hurt and mourning from the loss of identity, you now have an opportunity that many go their entire lives without ever experiencing, and that is being able to consciously define your new identity. This can be a freeing and empowering experience. It can also set you up for further hurt if not done cautiously. When it comes down to the words and phrases by which we identify ourselves, the more emotionally invested we are in those definitions, the more potential and power we simultaneously give them to hurt us if or when that identity dissolves. Any identity-definition can be internalized and believed in so heavily that should it fail, causes us great pain, suffering and further identity crisis. The key to preventing any further identity crisis is to limit how emotionally invested you become towards any one identity-definition you may have for yourself, or that you adopted from outer sources. 

With all that said, the only source that we should look to for a definition of who we are is the one who created us. He thus, created us for relationship with him. To be loved by him and to love him. To allow our faith to accomplish what the world says is impossible. Not be our own strength but the strength that comes from Him. So let go of the religious beliefs that limit the God you serve and you from becoming a new creature in Christ.

Embrace the fact that transformation, requires you to lose your old ways and take on new ways. To think differently and understand your purposes as it pertains to the whole. Strive to be in relationship with Christ. Thus your identity will be made clear and your faith pure!

You are Bound No More!

Pastor Linda Hillman

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries

Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

Lost And Searching For Answers: Love and Faith is the key!

I want to talk to you today about a subject that touches every one of us, young, old, male or female...LOSS.

Sometimes we are faced with things we think we just cant handle; the death of a beloved father, mother, sister, brother, child, spouse etc... but what happens when the loss we feel is the loss of self? What happens when we lose who we are? Whether it is beaten out of us, snatched from us, or we give it away. How do we recover from this loss?

We may strive to find the reasons behind it, but when those reasons don't make sense or add up, we question God. We look up to the heavens and say, "God, how could You do this to me? How did You allow this to happen? Why do I have to suffer with so much pain in my life? How can You put so much on my plate? Why do I have to suffer at all? Why Me? What did I ever do to You to deserve this?" We might even go as far as becoming angry with God and blaming Him for the evil that has befallen us.

The real point is this... we don't operate on God's timetable nor do we have a true understanding of His ways and thoughts. We allow the fear of the unknown to cloud our judgment and even the most logical theories fly out of the window. We would rather think a loving God is punishing us, and that a God that gave up His own life so that we might live, somehow hates us. Even though His word is true and He speaks only of how much He loves us. 

In the world we live in, how could we even begin to understand His plans and purposes for our existence? So we look to other things to add value to us. Thus, we lose ourselves even more. OH, we say, we are trying to find our purpose because somewhere we have lost our worth. That tragedy, we survived, has stripped away our happiness, left us with no joy, scattered our peace. We are lost, broken and devalued.

My friend, let me tell you, this is where FAITH comes in and begins to play a huge role in our healing and restoration. Faith helps us to see His message in the darkness of our caves of despair. Faith beckons us to believe again, to hope again, to search for the truth of God's love for and toward us. Faith requires us to love through the pain of loss. Faith tells us that God's message has never changed. This loss is there to teach us not to take the ones we love for granted while they are with us. To love hard and deep. It is there to teach us that we should love ourselves enough to want better for our lives. We should love ourselves enough to search for the treasures God placed in us the moment we were conceived and not to let anyone speak over us what He has not already spoken.

Faith says even the mundane has purpose. Even the fleeting moments are to be cherished. The solitude that comes in those glimpses of hope, should be embraced. As I reflect on the pain we feel when we lose who we are in a hurricane of issues and strife, I am reminded what Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Faith breeds love. First, love God with your very being, Secondly, love yourself unconditionally, and then it spills over to mankind. It also reminds me that God is love; therefore there is no ill will in Him concerning you. He desires to see you prosper and walk in your expected end even if you never had a relationship with Christ. You cant be angry with a God that only wants the best for you. All He has is love to give.

He only requires us to love as fiercely, as bravely and as compassionately as we can and in that love, that human love, to allow faith to grow. Faith that allows us to forgive, and to continue to love unconditionally. As we find the peace of who we are once again, the pain of loss lessens and the joy of live emerges.

Today I challenge you to take a chance on FAITH and LOVE. Let your life begin again.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 Living Above Hurt Ministries  

Pastorlindahillman@hotmail.com

Get Your Copy Now!

Through the scripture and the story of the woman with an issue of blood, Linda Hillman moves past the obvious, more common meaning of the text to a revelatory truth: GOD would not have us live unbalanced and incomplete lives. In her book WILL YOU BE MADE WHOLE, Linda reveals just how crucial balance is in every area of your life. Through scripture, practical principles and faith, Linda shows the reader how to get back on track when life derails. In Linda’s own words—“The one thing I have discovered in my life is that the pains I have had to endure were not to take me out of the game but to polish me for the end result.” Get your copy today and be made whole! 

Get your Copy now!

In today’s microwave society, we want everything in an instant. And we want it now. Between instant gratification and a sense of entitlement, we often forget that GOD is GOD and HIS will be done. We can’t lag behind HIM and we surely can’t jump ahead of HIM. Linda Hillman’s new book, IN THE MEANTIME, addresses this very subject—waiting upon GOD. 

Through vignettes of the Prophet Elijah’s life, Linda reveals GOD’s plan for waiting upon HIM. This concise but rich study provides insight into the character of GOD and how HE takes us through steps of preparation, motivation and confirmation in getting us through our seasons of waiting. The beauty and truth of Linda’s message is that you can have the same glorious breakthrough as Elijah had.