I'm In Traction

Recently I've felt an urgency to rid my life of as many distractions as possible. Seems to be from the Lord. As I've prayed about it, the word "distraction" is taking on a much wider meaning than I would have given it.

Did you know that "dis" in the Latin means "apart, asunder, separated"? For instance if you "dis-associate" from someone, you separate yourself from them. "Traction" is an interesting word. Medically, it is "a deliberate, prolonged pulling of a muscle by weights to correct dislocation or to relieve pressure."

Distractions put me under pressure. How 'bout you? I get pulled in so many different directions that I sometimes just shut down. I get overwhelmed and want to do nothing.
At first I write a list of all the things that are keeping me from focusing on the priority. Then I systematically start completing each thing on the list. The problem: the priority is still untouched - therefore it's not the priority! The distractions become the priority. Silly, huh?

If God is saying to remove the distractions, then maybe He means "focus on traction". What is dislocated? What is under pressure? What needs the "weight" in order to correct the problem? I've been focusing so much on the "distractions" that I missed the area that most needs my attention, the broken part that needs a little stretching; the part that is dislocated, not completely connected to the Source.

In fact, maybe I need some "attraction". "At" = toward, before. Something that draws toward traction. Medical traction can be a little painful. Sometimes it hurts to get whole. I personally seldom run toward anything that is difficult [smile]. But Jesus said that "for the joy set before Him" He endured the cross. Impending joy - the hope of joy. "Let the broken bones rejoice!"

The joy of the Lord is attractive. It just might be enough to help me ignore the distractions (the things that separate me from the health treatment of God) and focus fully on allowing God's weight to bear on my spiritually dislocated limbs; to rest in the medical "traction" of God.


Copyright 2007 Sharon Denise Dorminy

Romans 12:3 for Me

Ever have one of those times when someone decided to get honest with you and didn't give you fair warning? Man I hate that! Not that anyone should have to preface "truth" with "missile launch activated" or "prepare to duck", but I'm a consummate criticism dodger. It's not that I don't think that I need criticism... it's that I'm certain that I do! And it's probably gonna hurt. And I hate pain.

Oh, don't give me that "no pain, no gain" stuff. You hate it too! I'm not saying it's not necessary - I'm just saying I don't exactly enjoy it.

There are times though when someone, and let's grant them a pure motive, decides to reprove you and you walk away screaming to God, "What was THAT!?" Ever looked at a sister or brother in the Lord, made an assumption based on what you saw, only to find out how wrong you actually were? Ever been on the receiving end of the assumption?

This happened to me just recently. Father has so often said to me, "Denise, live in sober judgment of yourself; make sure that you live in truth." That's why when this "something" was shared with me initially there was an "ouch - that stung!" followed by weeping and gnashing of teeth all of which happened in private, of course. Outwardly, I took the word from my sister with grace, with an open mind, a willingness to search my own heart... And then I left the room, went straight to God and tattled! "But God, she said... and didn't I... and didn't You... and wasn't this..." Somewhere between my self-righteousness and my "low as a worm" theology is the truth.

It took me several days to break through the "what if this is still true about me?" "What if EVERYONE sees me this way?" When I finally got quiet, I heard "Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed." (Proverbs 27:5) The verse that follows that one is the familiar one: "faithful are the wounds of a friend..." Funny thing was... what the person said USED to be true of me. Not that I can't occasionally fall back into the trap, but for the most part, in this particular area... God has truly set me free and He told me so. But here's the thing: Through God's honest take on my sister's words, the painful rebuke suddenly became a healing reminder... there is an awesome responsibility to maintain our freedom from old strongholds by clinging to the only One who truly knows our hearts. Believer or not, one thing hasn't changed: we still can't save ourselves.

So when the missiles hit my heart and I'm not sure if it's a truth or a lie, whether friendly fire or flaming arrow, I'm choosing to take it back to the Truth and let Him set me free again... either from the sin that was revealed by the "hit" or the sin that was revealed by my reaction to the "hit". This way God seems to make every missile a part of His own arsenal for spiritual growth. It's a win-win. My self-righteousness gets a beating and the Truth sets me free. And the enemy gets a whoopin'.


Copyright 2007 Sharon Denise Dorminy

First of Many Firsts

I love water. Fountains, streams, falls, lakes, rain... but I hate to swim. I took swimming lessons when I was 6. I stunk at it. It wasn't the inability to kick or float. I simply couldn't stand my face in the water. I was certain that "face under water" meant "whole body drowns". I couldn't even blow bubbles without panicking. You can laugh. Everybody's got a fear. I discovered the key to all my fears much later. It wasn't really the fear of drowning... (though that was part of it) it was the fear of firsts. Do you ever fear doing something the first time - you know... something you've never done before. Every first was a fear for me. I've often wondered if that's true for everyone. I must have thought that some things, like swimming, would always feel like a first because I would never get the hang of it. Though that's true for me and water that's above my waist, it's not true of every first.

But here I am again. Another first. A website - a new ministry - a new stage of life. The rush of fear that comes with the first of many firsts. And then God whispered to me today, "Denise, this is not My first time." Made me grin.

He brought up Joshua and the number of times God instructed him not to fear. Wonder if Joshua had a fear of water or a fear of firsts? Maybe a fear of failure... rejection... or maybe just a fear of the giants on the other side of the river. Just the same: fear. And a first of many firsts. Some little priest had to stick his big toe in the river before anyone else. Would love to know that guy's name. One step of faith parted a river. One first faith trumped the first fear. And every first fear after that. You see, it's not God's first time. He's parted a river before - even for Joshua.

This is just another first of many firsts that God has already faced on my behalf. I'm not much for diving in... it's my personality to inch down the stairs on the 3' side of the pool and move to the deep slowly. But maybe the call is to the deep... to just climb the high dive, take the leap and trust the Lifeguard for the next breath. What can I lose? The most I can lose is another first that becomes a second that becomes a third... that becomes a victory over fear. Yeah, according to Father, this is the first of many firsts and the first of many victories. Hope you'll swim with us...


Copyright 2007 Sharon Denise Dorminy

Hebrews 11:41

Hebrews 11:41 "By faith, I...
If there really were a v.41, I wonder what God would pen about me. About any of us.
Today maybe He would say that by faith I crossed my spiritual jordan and that I have started fresh - that today I'm choosing afresh to walk by faith and not by sight. Maybe He would say that by faith, Dennie has chosen to believe that she really is all that I say that she is and she has determined by My Spirit to believe His Word and to speak His Word in the power that is hers by birthright. He could even say that by faith she has chosen to evict the squatter (the adversary) off of her promised land.

Part of me wants to scream "come with me!" and part of me wants to quietly settle in Gilgal for awhile, the place of healing and rest before the battle begins. Maybe just "set awhile". Mostly, I'm just incredibly surprised to finally be here. Humbled by it. Thankful for it. Awed by my God. No one crosses the jordan unless He crosses first. He parts the waters. He's longed to do that for me for some time now - it has been my stiff-necked refusal and my unbelief that kept me wandering. All it took was enough faith to put one big toe in the water.

Callings of God can be frightening. But what's more frightening is not following. Can't describe the hollowness that comes from standing still, but I'm certain I don't want it anymore. It's not about the call itself anyway. It's really not even about the where or when or how or why. It's simply about Who is walking before and with you. The journey's the thing. And the divine companion who's holding your hand. I'm glad it's not one of those things where He goes ahead so far that we have to meet Him there - so far that we can get lost along the way. I'm discovering that the only way I can get lost is if I wander away from Him to do some unholy sight seeing.