tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26893272704187576312011-11-23T23:05:15.534-05:00ramblings, rantings, a bit of revelationdiane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-29071074563058197322011-11-20T15:23:00.004-05:002011-11-23T23:05:15.546-05:00

my study of human nature has been a lifelong endeavor - interesting to some and annoying to others. I’ve taken a renewed interest of late in personality type and understanding how people are wired. My daughter, who is not wired to be interested in such topics, recently said… “and some people have the personality type that cares (about personality type) and that would be you, mom.” Yes.

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-45201454025510157902011-04-14T15:38:00.019-04:002011-04-16T10:48:09.237-04:00

eight months ago the Lord called me He led me to stop the busyness of my life and to spend my time seeking Him. I thought this was a season that would come to end in a few weeks or months. Yet as time passed, I realized maybe it wasn’t a season at all… but a new lifestyle. A different way of living and perceiving life. A paradigm shift that would change much more than how I spent my time. It

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-35399034017235281542010-07-14T20:25:00.004-04:002010-07-15T23:13:17.084-04:00

I had a strange situation happen recently.A dear friend from childhood misunderstood a joke I made and insisted I meant something hurtful. It was sureal as she continued in email after email to try to convince me of my ill intent. I was truly caught off guard.Did she know my heart better than I? I thought, prayed, pondered and waited to see if some hidden agenda would rise to the surface. As I

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-1077719903719224412010-03-02T10:46:00.018-05:002010-03-02T13:50:56.651-05:00

I love my husband. He's very encouraging. He recently told me to stop asking what is needed or necessary and ask instead: what brings me life? That is a great question.What brings me LIFE?It's amazing for me to realize that God gifted each of us to do the things we love to do, the things that bring us LIFE! That HE actually designed us to love certain things and to be energized by them as gifts

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-80374130225991435372010-02-13T12:44:00.018-05:002010-02-22T16:06:16.444-05:00

My thoughts are recently being drawn toward the concept of faith and how it relates to wisdom. My heart is torn when I see situations that presumably took "great faith" and yet ended in what looks like a disaster!I sense the Lord is speaking loudly about wisdom being a necessary component to acting in mature FAITH.When we step out for something, don’t our steps need to be balanced and supported

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-36545611021819844002010-01-22T16:06:00.009-05:002010-02-22T17:30:18.695-05:00

I was born a fixer. I love solving problems, developing creative solutions, making things all better.Not only is this a gift set of mine, but it also fit well into my family of origin. That's right... I am a first born child. A first born child from a divorced home with an alcoholic, bi-polar parent. A perfect scenrio for a person who likes being the savior.I was the one who loved to jump in and

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-55891215458671148132009-09-10T18:47:00.013-04:002009-09-12T19:45:31.371-04:00

Wow. I can't believe it's been five months since I've blogged. I have certainly had many random thoughts over the past five months that I could've shared. Truth is many of the thoughts I had over these months have been truly trivial, some of them have been a bit confusing, and a very few have been borderline disturbing.I had a BIG birthday since my last blog and that was what caused many of my

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-43456849685610477792009-03-03T13:16:00.006-05:002009-03-03T13:56:40.038-05:00

I have many people in my life - myself included - who like to return gifts. You know how it is. Someone gives you a gift and the size is wrong or the color clashes with your hair and you HAVE to return it. Nothing against the wonderful intentions of the giver - it just makes sense to return the gift. After all, we don't want it to just sit in the closet taking up room.Lately, I've been thinking

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-80778890034416663392009-02-23T21:01:00.025-05:002009-02-25T10:55:59.576-05:00

I wrote this entry in the first person, present tense as a style choice. I dealt with this particular issue for many years and have recently been sharing with others who struggle in a similar way - hence the post. By the grace of God, I have been set free from most of these inner struggles and I (mostly) walk in the TRUTH of who HE says I AM! However, I believe that HOW we see ourselves and HOW

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-27270298796971299582009-01-11T00:42:00.021-05:002009-01-15T18:54:55.307-05:00

If you've been reading this blog for very long, you already know that I am very passionate about the realities of God; our spiritual journey; and the transformation of our hearts - becoming more like Jesus.I had a great conversation the other day with a close friend regarding inner healing. It seems some in the Church don't see a significant reason to dig into the heart to get free from

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-52511935023340797462009-01-02T18:52:00.005-05:002009-01-03T12:01:40.692-05:00

I am continually bombarded by every possible substitute for true, authentic relationship with Jesus. It sometimes seems easier to embrace religious rules or even existential thought than to be in a real one on one relationship with God.I think relationships are difficult for us as humans. They take energy, effort, vulnerability, time, communication, forgiveness, grace, flexibility, intention,

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-27500751365713899682008-12-04T09:52:00.004-05:002008-12-04T10:03:05.027-05:00

This Christmas our extended family has decided to not exchange material gifts with one another - adults that is... kids under the age of 18 are still eligible for presents! :)What a relief! I am so happy about this decision. This has been something I've been promoting to the family for years but FINALLY the rest of the gang has jump on board... some willingly... some not so much!I am very excited

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-1954241374670537622008-11-27T07:55:00.004-05:002008-12-04T09:50:21.944-05:00

The following is LONG! Several friends have asked me to share the details of a teaching I'm doing at a retreat this Thanksgiving weekend. I built this entry from my teaching notes – so if you need to fast forward or come back for more later – go ahead... it might get too long for you!Personal Reflections:My journey with the Lord has been typical in many ways. I became a Christian, joined a church

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-86525864468049692132008-11-06T08:16:00.013-05:002008-11-27T07:27:38.431-05:00

Recently, I had a gentle reminder of how absolutely crazy and truly unbelievable my faith looks to someone on the outside. I was reminded how insane it seems to the world that there are people (like me) who actually take the Bible literally. People who believe that there was a garden, a flood, an ark, a big fish, a virgin birth, a baby who was fully God and fully man, miracles, a resurrection,

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-36813887773904490322008-10-14T14:27:00.003-04:002008-10-14T19:47:53.515-04:00

I remember when I turned 37 years old. I began to feel the importance of the next three years. I really felt God was speaking to me about being in a season of preparation. It was almost as if He was preparing me for a release into what He created me to do. Those three years passed very quickly.Six months from now I'll celebrate my 40th birthday. I know for some their birthdays are just another

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-5282586024906291392008-09-26T12:47:00.007-04:002008-10-03T21:50:01.227-04:00

I am praying people in our country wake up. We have been lulled to sleep by entertainment, materialism, vanity, the American dream - and it's all going to crash and burn before our very eyes. Time is running out.My husband has been prophesying today's financial headlines for years. Everyone thought he was an extremist or a doomsayer - but it's all coming to pass. Our economy is a house of cards

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-4397399816460600372008-09-16T09:38:00.003-04:002008-09-16T09:59:26.480-04:00

As we get ready to begin our third day without power, I am reminded of what powerlessness really feels like. It’s not everyday that I have the opportunity or misfortune (depending on your point of view) to experience being truly “out of control.”Being without power can be kinda scary. Not scary – like oh no, I’m afraid I’m going to die!… but it gives you a weird or unusual feeling. We are so

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-50048735807453781262008-09-04T19:00:00.002-04:002008-09-05T11:36:25.013-04:00

I heard a really good message on Sunday from a good friend. He talked about embracing the “dare” God gives us to make a difference in this world. To do the radical, life-changing thing you’ve been called to do. It was great to be reminded that each one of us has the opportunity to affect and influence this world like no one else can. So, the question is... why aren't we?Over the last several

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-17757965042716730242008-08-20T14:40:00.000-04:002008-09-26T13:25:19.660-04:00

Myers-Briggs: ENFJExtrovert: I am energized by my time with others. "being with people is better than being alone" or "my mouth must move for my brain to think!"Intuitive: I know what you mean without you explaining it. "you know - that gut level feeling you get that guides you" or "the sixth sense"Feeler: I am aware of my feelings and the feelings of others. "how i feel matters more to me than

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-81728606767754140082008-08-11T19:23:00.003-04:002008-08-11T20:09:08.288-04:00

Our trip to the garbage dumps of Mexico City was awesome. It was incredible to see such a beautiful people living in and on the garbage for survival. It's a sight that is hard to describe in words - and even pictures don't do it justice. It's really something that needs to be experienced in person to fully understand.Each person I ministered to was loving, kind, receptive and full of appreciation

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-6945871121502068822008-08-02T04:09:00.003-04:002008-08-02T04:46:56.449-04:00

I can't sleep. It's 4:10am. I need to be up soon to catch our flight out of Cincinnati at 7:20am, but I've been laying awake for over an hour - so I thought I might as well get up and write!Today we leave for Mexico City. We are going to minister to the homeless who live off the garbage in the dumps there. This is my second mission trip - but quite different from my first, in that last time we

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-62062251282052856422008-07-29T17:42:00.006-04:002008-07-29T18:24:12.799-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about stewardship lately. Might seem like a boring subject at first glance - but I think in reality it's a very significant spiritual principal that many of us overlook. To take good care of what God's given you; to invest it wisely; to see an increase - pretty serious stuff. When I consider what it means to be a good steward... honestly, it's convicting.I remember when I

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-49048293861845275782008-07-17T22:24:00.010-04:002008-07-19T19:55:17.483-04:00

We were created by LOVE, to love and be loved - to experience an awesome two way interchange of a powerful choice, a powerful emotion, a powerful action - authentic, untainted LOVE. Yet, here we are. Most of us, not experiencing this LOVE transaction - at least, not like it was intended.God, in his ultimate wisdom, placed us here - on Earth with other broken, human beings. All of us created by

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-80922985377451103842008-07-13T20:47:00.005-04:002009-01-11T13:22:36.544-05:00

Easier said than done. Just when I think I am operating with pure, honest intentions, I see my ulterior motives - in the rear-view mirror. YUCK!I don't mean to have them. I WANT to only do things because it's what God is leading me to do. But, too often, I find instead I'm being led by my soul - my mind, my will, my emotions. Being compelled to do things as a result of unmet needs or wrong

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-6601923654504846952008-07-12T17:13:00.001-04:002008-07-15T14:44:37.732-04:00

There's an amazing transformation I've been experiencing over the past few years - an awakening of the parts of my heart that were asleep for many years. After 15years of abandoning most creative expression, the Lord awaken these parts of my heart and I started singing, dancing, writing and creating again.It was the most incredible, beautiful and fulfilling experience - to began to do some of the

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689327270418757631.post-24118748261397703122008-07-11T20:45:00.001-04:002008-07-15T14:44:00.897-04:00

I had an interesting conversation with someone today that really made me think, reflect, ponder. You know - be deep... for longer than the usual five minutes. We talked about the roller coaster ride that my husband and I got on about 7 years ago. About the changes we made in our lives. How we let go of the things we once viewed as so important - to grab hold of things we felt were important to

diane vanweeldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02933617371416731129noreply@blogger.com