Carmen Horne

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Just a Little Light is Needed

by Carmen Horne Leave a Comment

Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’ John 8:12, NLT

When we forget to turn off the cable box, that little light bores into my closed eyes. It seems bright enough to land a plane in our bedroom. That little light overwhelms the darkness. 

Jesus’ light is like that pinpoint light. He shines it brightly, yet focused, where our souls, our hearts, our actions are moving into darkness. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad He usually focuses in on one area at a time. I’m not so sure I could handle seeing it all, brightly, at once. I often pray, “Lord grow me, but please be gentle.”

 

In week two of , Finding I AM, we discuss Jesus declaration in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.” Lysa makes this statement on page fifty-three, “Jesus isn’t trying to expose you to put shame on you. He’s trying to expose the sin that has it chains around you.” 

God uses all sorts of things to shine a light on our hearts. Donna Partow spoke recently on what she calls “the gambling spirit.” Quoting Donna, “A gambling spirit believes I can get a desirable result without having to do the hard work others have done to get that same result. To expose myself to danger and proceed in spite of it and in the face of it.” Ouch.

That just smacked me in the heart. Recently I had my lipids tested. I usually eat healthy (just way too much), but I have been eating things not good for me for a while – like since Christmas. I saw myself in Donna’s words. I’m gambling that I will be the one person that doesn’t suffer consequences from a poor diet. That somehow the extra weight I carry can be lost quickly. I want it gone easy. Not with a lot of hard work like others who have lost 50 pounds. 

Here’s another – gambling spiritually. Do you see yourself here? The one person that can neglect prayer and Bible reading and still have a close relationship with God. How about financially (credit card debt)? 

This is where Lysa’s quote above gives such comfort. It is out of love that Holy Spirit convicts our hearts of sin, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son {and daughter} whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6, ESV

I think the scary thing would be when we don’t hear Him speaking. When our spirits don’t feel that nudge that something needs to change. His sheep know His voice. “His light not only helps us get free but see where to walk from here.” – Lysa

Lord, invade any darkness that is in us or around us. Not only shine brightly on our sin, but shine brightly on the pathway out. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Struggle to Pray

by Carmen Horne 3 Comments

Why do we struggle to pray? As I sat at my desk, reading my Bible, I ask myself this question. Why does it seem so hard to settle myself down to pray? 

We know the importance of prayer. We understand that it is by communicating with God that we include Him in our lives. So many times God is waiting on us to invite Him to help.  

I welcome Him to get up into my business. I praise Him for who He is and thank Him for the blessings and favor He has given me. It’s my time to build my relationship with Him.

Why, oh why then, do I struggle? Why do you? I go through seasons. Is it because I don’t want Him in my business? Is it because I have some prayers I haven’t seen answered? Am I mad? Or, just disappointed?

In the movie, Sleepless In Seattle, Sam (Tom Hanks) explains a bit about dating and some things he’s confused about to his son, Jonah and says, “These are things I’m willing to get to the bottom of.” That’s kinda how I’m feeling about me and prayer. 

These questions come at a good time for me. For one thing, I always welcome questions from my heart. When we begin to think and dig deeper into our relationship with God, we always win. God is such a good, good Father. He takes our questions and guides us into some really good answers. Assuming, of course, that we are willing to dig deeper into His word and listen to what it’s speaking into our situations.

Another reason this is a good time is that I am beginning to work through Lysa TerKeurst’s new study, Finding I AM, with a couple of  small groups at my home church. Get ready, you will probably hear more about this study as we progress. I love this quote in week one addressing some of our feelings about unanswered prayers, “Those answers and the easing of that ache aren’t the source of finally becoming fully satisfied. They aren’t. And you believing this lie is a scheme of Satan to keep you in an unsatisfied place.” 

One of the focuses of ministry for me is the idea that our perspectives are powerful. How we perceive our circumstances influences our response to our situation – whether our circumstances change or not. What is my perspective on prayer? What is yours? Not the one we know we should have. The one that we really have.

Let’s get to the bottom of our feelings on prayer. Dig in. Let’s ask ourselves the hard questions. While we are at it, let’s ask God to let our hearts burn within us as He teaches us through His word.

They said to one another, “[a]Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was [b]explaining the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32, NASB

Footnotes:

a. Luke 24:32 Lit Was not our heart
b. Luke 24:32 Lit opening

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What Others Are Saying...

"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/
"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/
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Carmen Horne, Life Coach

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