Wanda Mann | Worship Leader, Songwriter, Life Coach
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Confession ... a beautiful thing???

9/6/2022

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I've often recalled moments in church meetings - whether large or small - where people regularly prayed together for needs or even confessing struggles or, dare I say... sins. These were some of the most impactful and impressionable moments in my life and continue to be today...
Praying for each other.
Photo by Rosie Sun on Unsplash
"...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful & effective."

OH WAIT... I forgot the first part of the verse:
"Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed..."

​James 5:16
There is great strength & health in heartfelt confession to others when we have sinned. If you remember anything from this little note, remember that.

When we acknowledge our sin to each other (when we humble ourselves and trust our family and friends in Christ) we open a powerful, relational door, full of humility and practical encouragement and support. Yes, this can be risky, but with wisdom there are incredible perks and advantages.

God is faithful when we come to him privately, but He has made us family. We are a community that is meant to do life together.
I remember the churches that our family was a part of when I was growing up. (Yes, there were a few as my dad's jobs had us moving a lot. :)

They were communities who had regular times at the end of Sunday meetings where we were invited to come for prayer if we wanting support. Others, then, would come and buddy up with each person, respectfully ask what they would like prayer for and... pray.

Sounds simple, but in hindsight, they were some of the most memorable moments in church gatherings for me personally. Sometimes I was the one needing prayer and other times I was the one listening and praying for. We became family in these sacred spaces. They were personal, earned trust, and grew humility. We realized, just as James goes on to say in verse 17, that we were all humans on a challenging journey with a supernatural God. We needed Jesus and each other.
Woman Praying
Image by Ulrike Mai from Pixabay.com
Confession is a beautiful, risky, powerful thing that gives great gifts in return. Healing, wholeness, support, and a bond in trusted community, to name a few. I think the greatest gift that it brings though, is humility. For where humility is, judgement is not.

We are the family of God. Should we not be able to come to each other with our struggles to pray, encourage, cheer or cry with one another?
I believe in a church like that... the family of Jesus, full of mercy and patience as we bring our struggles to the Lord, supporting each other in love.

We can be that church for each other.
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Family - Status or Privilege?

14/3/2019

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I was thinking today, family isn’t a status.
Family is a privilege and gift.

Picture
Recently, we were away for the weekend with our kids and their kids. It was so much fun! Not excessive amounts of sleep, but tons of food & fun!

As I observed the interactions and conversations, a wondering thought crossed my mind... have I placed too much weight on the successes and failures that we have experienced together? Have I allowed the status of having a 'successful family' to become part of my identity?

I am not discounting any of the positive or negative experiences as they have served to only enrich our lives, but I think that the Holy Spirit was challenging me with these questions.  Had too much of my identity, sense of accomplishment and well being been swayed by the plus' and minus' of family life?

I realize that I am possibly only speaking to myself here, but I'll continue so I can learn something...

Kids are a gift. They've been entrusted to us by our Father, God. They’re not ours to claim credit for or place a feather in our cap about. We had no more input into their design and natures than we did in our own. The truth is, that we could only control certain elements of their lives. Make no mistake, they do reflect us and the home of their upbringing, the steering, nurturing, and guidance that we as parents have given them, but they are still Gods, ingrained with His DNA, entrusted to us.

As a mom and nana, I must not forgo or take lightly the responsibility that I’ve been given ... the stewarding of several children. But, I should not take ownership nor credit for what is Gods. I must release them, daily if necessary, to His plan, looking to Him on how to encourage these kids, truly assisting them to become all that God has designed them to be.

I don't think parenting really ends, it just changes.

All of our children are now adults, raising their own crews. When they were babies, my husband & I did everything for them. Now we serve and try to interact from a different position — much more like the sidelines of a grand race, cheering them on. It doesn’t mean though that I don’t have occasional meltdowns, forget my position, and jump down on the track to help!  Sigh... I’d still try and win the race for them if I could! But that is just dumb and quite frankly, selfish.

This is their race, not mine. If they ask for help, I’m right there to give them support and love, to coach, but I must send them on. Is it hard to do that? You bet it is! My momma heart wants to be involved in every aspect of their lives... I don't like the separation, but I do love to see them grow and become confident adults and leaders in their home and surroundings.

They are God’s kids, and I have to trust that He is showing them the next steps. I must believe that their hearts are trained well and they only want what we, as earthly parents, have wanted for them... to know, love and serve the heart of God. If I don’t believe that, then I fail them in all the messages of faith that I have shared and lived for them over the years.

So, I humbly return to my seat in the stands and start cheering (and praying) all over again.
Parents, be encouraged and know that you are in an honourable position before God. He believes in you and has blessed you with your children... His kids. He trusts you with them. Whatever stage of parenting you are in, learn to look often for the face of Jesus. Listen to His prompting and wise counsel. Read and meditate on His word. He will guide you into all wisdom as you walk humbly and closely with Him. Don’t be slow in apologizing when you get things wrong - both to God and the kids. They will grow as they observe your authenticity and want what you have. They will want Jesus.
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Christmas! family

2/12/2017

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Picture
Jesus came at Christmas to offer us partnership.  
He came to call us in to his rich, blessed community.

He partnered with us by becoming a baby.
He offers us the opportunity to partner with him by becoming his child.

Amazing! Do you believe?

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©2023 Wanda Mann | KiDs Worship | Oikia Influence  
  • Home
  • Music
    • Videos
  • KiDs Worship
  • Coach
    • What is Coaching
  • Blog
    • KiDs 'n Worship
    • Worship & Praise
    • Inquiring Minds
  • Studies
    • Ready for Change >
      • 1. Re-Calibrate
      • 2. Ready or Not...
      • 3. Reflect & Reach Out
    • When Forgiveness Knocked >
      • Introduction
      • Hurdle called Behold
      • Hear from Heaven pt 1
      • Hear from Heaven pt 2
      • Father, Forgive
      • Open the Door
    • Made to Serve >
      • Unlikely >
        • Introduction
        • 1. The Covering
        • 2. The Return
        • 3. The Blessing
        • 4. Be Still
        • 5. Redemption
        • 6. The Race of Faith
      • 1. Made to Serve
      • 2. Follow the Leader
      • 3. Serving with Care
    • Pro 31 >
      • 1. Virtuoso
      • 2. Confidence
      • 3. What's in your Hands?
      • 4. Hope Smiles
      • 5. True Beauty
      • 6. Generous Eye
      • 7. Right Fear
    • Motherhood is not for Wimps
    • Gift of the Holy Spirit >
      • 1. The Gift
      • 2. Who is He?
      • 3. The Promise
      • 4. Be My Witness - Pt. 1
      • 5. Be My Witness - Pt. 2
      • 6. Release
    • Just Jesus
  • About
    • Bio
    • Promo Pics