Pete Wilson's Blog, page 20

Why You and I Have Such A Hard Time With Intimacy

Intimacy in our relationships is found when we are able to strip back the personality we’ve created to cover the shame of our past. And as we move forward in our relationships, we constantly have to work on trying to show people a little bit more of our real self that we’ve buried underneath our shame.

Why Do We Hide?

Most of us know that we can only be loved to the extent that we are known, but we have a strong tendency to hide and pretend to be someone we’re not.

I sat down with Author, Donald Miller, who just released his new book “Scary Close” and asked him about why we still have a tendency to hide even in the midst of our most intimate relationships.

Click here to watch the full message.

What I Learned From Jumping Out Of A Plane

There are many times in our lives when God is asking us, “Are you ready?” and usually, we never are.

Whatever it is that God is prompting you to do, you need to know that you’re probably not ready, but it doesn’t matter, because Jesus is! All He requires of you is to be willing to step out of the box, and with Him, you’ll be ready.

You Have To Do Some Leaving

We need to remember that entering into a relationship will always require leaving some things behind. When we become united as one, we have to let go of our self-centered desires because love will require us to focus on the needs and desires of the other person.

And Now I Choose

Hey guys! I’ve asked Tammy Hodge, wife to our Franklin Campus Pastor, Brent Hodge, to share part of her story today. Tammy has an unbelievable testimony and I’m excited for her to share it with you today.

 

My cat…NO, NO…come back! I know this is the blog of the worlds biggest cat non-lover (hate is a big word but let’s be honest here…) But you don’t have to like cats to read the rest of this – I promise! As I was saying…

My cat and I were playing the other day and he left me with a small scratch on the top of my right hand. Small, but deep enough that it had scabbed over. Each time I washed my hands or put lotion on I would feel the scab. As each day passed the less tender the scab felt. I was no longer being as gentle with it. Eventually, it didn’t hurt at all. And when my scabs stop hurting I tend to pick at them. Gross, I know.

I have since demolished the scab and now it looks like a scar. Again, gross. The offensive layer has been stripped away leaving only a small mark as a reminder of my cats beautiful and gentle presence.

Life. Isn’t this just like life? We get hurt, abused, humiliated, not noticed, offended, ignored, assaulted. We study the hurt. We keep track of it. We acknowledge it and notice when certain elements and circumstances aggravate it. We wait for it to pass hoping, in time, it will heal. When outside sources no longer bother or notice it we pick at it. We uncover it. We reveal it once again. It’s like we want to make sure it’s still there.

Why do we do that? Maybe it’s just me. It’s almost…comfortable.

My book And Now I Choose is a collection of my scars. I have scars from abortions. I have scars from suicide. I have scars from physical abuse…I still see them on my left arm and my stomach. But, these scars no longer haunt me. Instead, I have chosen to let them heal. Each time I look at them I am reminded of how far I have come. These scars have made me stronger – they remind me of what I’m capable of. They remind me that I am bigger than a mark on my skin.

Why Bother?

My good friend, Jon Weece, shared an inspiring message with us last Sunday about trusting in a God that specializes in the impossible. As you’re pursuing your dreams by stepping out of the box, it’s important to block out the feelings of doubt and fear, and trust that Jesus is taking care of the things that seem impossible to you.

XOXO: Friends, Flings, and Relationship Things

I’m so excited to start this new series with you, beginning this Sunday, February 8th! We’re going to be diving in to the topic of relationships, from every angle, and I want your input!

Whether you’re single, dating, or married, click here to send me your relationship questions!

Live outside of the Nashville area? Join us at our online campus each week right HERE!

The Dangers of Debt

Money is never just money, money is always about trust.

Most of us choose to live above what God has provided because we don’t trust that He has given us all that we really need, creating debt that only brings on anxiety and a lack of peace. But, if we’re able to create margin in our finances by living below what God has given us, we’re able to pursue some of the dreams God has put on our hearts.

The Comfort Zone

Most of us are not comfortable living by faith, it’s just easier to stay in our comfort zone and be ok with a predictable life inside the box. But in order to fully experience what God has in mind for our lives, we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and step out of the box.

Plan To Fail

Want to become an expert at something?

Want to do something you’ve never done before?

Than you better get comfortable with being uncomfortable. And you better be prepared for some failure.

But what will always hurt more than failure is regret. We need to step out in faith to embrace the possibility of failure and learn from our mistakes in order to grow.