Carmen Horne

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Condemnation or Conviction?

by Carmen Horne 2 Comments

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

John 8:17 (ESV)

Do you ever wonder the difference between conviction and condemnation? How might that look in real life?

Let’s look at a few of the differences.

Condemnation comes from Satan. It makes us want to run from God.

Condemnation is broad. Yet is also personal. Condemnation rarely addresses specifics. It is used to create feelings of self-loathing. You are a bad person. You are stupid. You are lazy. You will never change. Condemnation is less concerned with our actions and more concerned with us feeling useless and unchangeable—a lost cause.

Condemnation causes despair. Satan is called the Accuser of the Brethren (Revelation 12:10), and he takes his job seriously. In Genesis 3:11, God asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” Adam and Eve felt shame. They wanted to hide. These two had a personal relationship with God. They walked with Him in the garden; however, their Accuser convinced them that they could not trust God. They feel hopeless.

Conviction comes from God.

Conviction speaks in specifics. Conviction says these specific acts you took brought you to this situation, and those actions need to change. Conviction leads us to repentance, not avoidance. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom on how to change and the power we need to make changes.

Conviction is empowering. The Bible tells us that we can know we are loved by God when He disciplines us. (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19; Psalm 94:12) We feel secure in the knowledge that God corrects us and redirects us because of His love.

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT)

Are you struggling with feelings of condemnation? Those feelings are not of God. The Holy Spirit will be specific on what needs to change and then point you in the direction you need to go. There will be peace in the end, not despair. When the Holy Spirit convicts, there is hope.

When we mess up (and we all do), let’s run toward Jesus. Tell Him all about it, ask for His forgiveness, and thank Him for His patience in redirecting us. Jesus loves us and wants us to live an abundant life.

Here is an infographic to help you remember the difference between Conviction and Condemnation. Please get it here: Infographic

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Spotlight or Floodlight for Our Hearts

by Carmen Horne Leave a Comment

Have you ever looked at another’s life or circumstance and thought, How could they miss the red flags? How are they so blinded?

We can get so self assured righteous. We tell ourselves that we keep our own hearts in the spotlight. All is light and bright. The thing about a spotlight is…it hits “a” spot. Everything around it is dim, in the shadows, unnoticed. 

If we are not diligent, we can get so accustomed to the darkness within that we don’t notice those deeper places that the spotlight is not hitting. This a dangerous place to be. Jesus issued a dire warning about darkness in our hearts, 

And the judgement is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:19-21 NLT

“Dear friend, if you are afraid of light, be suspicious of yourself, for it is deceit that dreads detection.” Charles Spurgeon

A good question to ask ourselves – Is there any area of my life that I dread light? 

Oh, but there is good news – “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 ESV 

 

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What Others Are Saying...

"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."

Deana G.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:28:02-05:00

Deana G.

"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/deana-g/
"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."

Norah A.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:27:16-05:00

Norah A.

"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/norah-a/
"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."

Judy H.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:26:03-05:00

Judy H.

"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/judy-h/
"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."

Karen S.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:23:50-05:00

Karen S.

"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/karen-s/
"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"

Dianne A.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:22:56-05:00

Dianne A.

"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/dianne-a/
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Carmen Horne, Life Coach

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