Why I Wrote Kamea
Kamea is a tale that probably has some of my story in it. Okay, I know it does. But it also has some of what I’ve learned from other people’s stories as well. It’s all about trying to figure out who I am, and how becoming a Christian has changed me. I mean, if being a Christian is all about new life – what does that mean?
Kamea is designed to address questions such as:
· How can I be a new creation if I still do that same old, bad stuff?
· Where do I look to find out if I matter? If I am significant?
· What if I’ve run away from God? What if I'm mad at him?
· What am I worth?
· What does forgiveness mean?
Like Kamea, I came to a time in my life when I felt that God led me to start challenging all the old beliefs I had about myself ... to start challenging my internal “mirror messages.” I started to learn what the Word of God said about me, and compared that to what I had believed for years. Then, I had to make a choice. Would I exchange the old, familiar, internal “mirror messages” for what the Bible had to say? Would I allow the Word of God to “reflect” my identity and worth to me, or would I continue on the path I was on? As a result of the way I was living, my mind was full of confusion, but the Bible promised a mind of “life and peace” (Romans 8:6). I started trying to “think God’s thoughts”[1] by meditating on the scriptures about me in the Bible. I decided to trust God’s Word over the poisonous, familiar “mirror messages” I was so used to.
I began looking at the Word of God and putting my trust in what it said about me instead of what I had believed all my life. Instead of believing “I don’t matter,” I put my trust in the truth that I mattered so much to God that He gave his only son so that I would not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). I actually wrote down verses from the Bible on note cards and memorized them. I carried the cards with me everywhere and I tried to replace these old internal “mirror messages” in my mind with the truth from God’s Word. I could not figure out another way to “think God’s thoughts” than to memorize and ponder his Word, so that is what I endeavored to do. And God changed me.[2] It took some time, and Kamea’s journey takes some time. But, I have been transformed …God has set me free from so much of the depression and anxiety that used to plague my life. And I continue to be transformed by my merciful, powerful, loving God.
For many, adjusting what we believe about ourselves to line up with what God says about us in His Word will improve our emotional health, clear our minds for better decision-making and allow our hearts to accept the love that others, including God, offer us in relationships. It’s a step toward healing, freedom and wholeness.
As you read Kamea you will find numbered superscripts that refer to endnotes in the back with Bible references. Kamea is a just a story, but the Bible is The Truth. As you read I urge you to look into what God's truth has to say about you.
Come, journey alongside Kamea and be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
[1] This concept was introduced to me in the book Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer.
[2] I’d like to note that God used prayers — both mine and others’ for me — good books, good friends, the support, teaching and ministry of my church and long walks in my healing as well.
Kamea is designed to address questions such as:
· How can I be a new creation if I still do that same old, bad stuff?
· Where do I look to find out if I matter? If I am significant?
· What if I’ve run away from God? What if I'm mad at him?
· What am I worth?
· What does forgiveness mean?
Like Kamea, I came to a time in my life when I felt that God led me to start challenging all the old beliefs I had about myself ... to start challenging my internal “mirror messages.” I started to learn what the Word of God said about me, and compared that to what I had believed for years. Then, I had to make a choice. Would I exchange the old, familiar, internal “mirror messages” for what the Bible had to say? Would I allow the Word of God to “reflect” my identity and worth to me, or would I continue on the path I was on? As a result of the way I was living, my mind was full of confusion, but the Bible promised a mind of “life and peace” (Romans 8:6). I started trying to “think God’s thoughts”[1] by meditating on the scriptures about me in the Bible. I decided to trust God’s Word over the poisonous, familiar “mirror messages” I was so used to.
I began looking at the Word of God and putting my trust in what it said about me instead of what I had believed all my life. Instead of believing “I don’t matter,” I put my trust in the truth that I mattered so much to God that He gave his only son so that I would not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). I actually wrote down verses from the Bible on note cards and memorized them. I carried the cards with me everywhere and I tried to replace these old internal “mirror messages” in my mind with the truth from God’s Word. I could not figure out another way to “think God’s thoughts” than to memorize and ponder his Word, so that is what I endeavored to do. And God changed me.[2] It took some time, and Kamea’s journey takes some time. But, I have been transformed …God has set me free from so much of the depression and anxiety that used to plague my life. And I continue to be transformed by my merciful, powerful, loving God.
For many, adjusting what we believe about ourselves to line up with what God says about us in His Word will improve our emotional health, clear our minds for better decision-making and allow our hearts to accept the love that others, including God, offer us in relationships. It’s a step toward healing, freedom and wholeness.
As you read Kamea you will find numbered superscripts that refer to endnotes in the back with Bible references. Kamea is a just a story, but the Bible is The Truth. As you read I urge you to look into what God's truth has to say about you.
Come, journey alongside Kamea and be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
[1] This concept was introduced to me in the book Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer.
[2] I’d like to note that God used prayers — both mine and others’ for me — good books, good friends, the support, teaching and ministry of my church and long walks in my healing as well.
