SEE YOU

“We create with our words. What are you creating today?”- Beni Johnson

Our words create worlds. A spiritual father of mine spoke this truth and it has stuck with me. What we say about others, about our countries, about anything really has an effect. What I’ve been challenged in lately is the word I’m speaking over myself. What am I saying about me? What world–atmosphere–presence am I fostering when I speak? Am I birthing a reality of doubt–faithlessness–fear in my life? Or am I releasing a world of joy, hope, and destiny?

I was faced with this not too long ago. I was discouraged and getting completely in my feelings one night. I was letting lies trickle into my mind. I remember crying and saying to God, “I want to be seen. I want to be encouraged. Let someone encourage me!!!”  Before I could even begin the down spiral to self-pity [so glad I didn’t that place sucks], I heard God say, nicely but firmly, “how about you see you” (paraphrase). Essentially, why are you waiting on someone else when you have a mouth and can speak just as well? Instead of entertaining the lies, why not speak the truth?

I felt the conviction and the question was raised: how can I expect from others what I don’t do myself?

Self-love is so important. SEEING YOU IS IMPORTANT. We pour into what we believe about ourselves. What we say about ourselves creates the reality from which we live. That night, I refrained from calling my R.O.D. (ride or die) right away and first, spoke over myself. I chose to see me. I declared the truth about myself. The cloud of discouragement that was hovering began to dissipate. I really did feel my heart strengthen. Why?–because, my words in my mouth about me are just as powerful and affective—if not more—as anyone else’s. [<–awesome insight from a friend]. My words fuel my thoughts and my thoughts affect my actions. The moment I began to speak life over myself, when I chose to see me instead of waiting for someone else to, my thoughts were reminded of the truth and thus I began to shift from discouragement to self-appreciation and love.

Now, please understand, it’s so important to have community. It’s seriously AMAZING to be surrounded by people who intentionally see you and protect your heart. It’s a beautiful thing to have a core who call out your gold, challenge, inspire, and motivate you to go higher and be all you were made to be. In that same breath, it’s even more important that YOU see it. It’s crucial that YOU know the truth about yourself and that YOU see YOUR GOLD. So when your core is unable to do it, you can do it and believe it.

So here’s a little exercise!! I challenge you to write out some empowering beliefs about yourself and declare them, even when you are feeling the complete opposite–declare the truth and watch your atmosphere change. This weekend and this coming week, be intentional about SEEING YOU!

Til Next Time,

D

Here’s to Part 2

A year ago this month, I entered a life-changing experience. I packed my bags and moved to Redding, California . I didn’t know what I was getting into. I didn’t have a clue what to expect. I just knew that I was heading the direction God spoke to me [read about it here]. People ask what I learned or what I gained there. As dramatic as this may sound, when graduating, I really felt like my life was beginning.  . A five-year journey of breaking through came to full fruition in first year.  My heart was uncovered. I discovered my message to the world. Not only did my voice return—I encountered intimacy. Oh my heart has melted in ways I can’t describe towards Abba. He is my best friend. Our relationship has gone to deeper depths. I’ve learned the power of the secret place. The power of worship and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. First year has brought me deeper and higher. I really am forever ruined by the truth, power, and love of the King.

The last nine months have been transformative, inspiring, and revelatory. I’ve discovered what I burn for, what my purpose is. Who I am was born. It excites me because I desire to share this with the world. I desire to see other people come into the reality of who they are and whose they are. I aspire to release the revelation of identity to others.  My heart is to encourage and empower others to find their voice—their message. I want people to be reminded of how faithful God is. I want people to know and encounter His supernatural love. My heart is to see a generation raised and a generation rise up in and to the reality that they have a message this world needs. They have a voice that rings loud with authority, passion, and power and is drenched in the purity and culture of Heaven. I desire to see a generation broken free of religion and released into the grace and freedom of the Kingdom. A generation that knows that freedom and grace is not a “free pass” to live any kind of way but core values that hold them accountable to the standard they are called to. Whew. I could go on! The last five years but specifically the last year has really opened my eyes to the truth that there really is soooooooo much more. SO much more to life, to this walk–to relationship with God. It goes beyond me–it goes beyond us. It goes beyond one state—one city—one country. It’s an eternal reality—a never-ending revival.

In April of this year, I was accepted into Bethel’s second year program. In a month, I will be heading back to Redding to delve deeper as I begin second year. This year it’s all about serving and pouring out. I will learn and live out how to take ALL that I’ve gain, seen, and encountered and give that to the world. It will be a year of more stretching—stretching who I am as a leader; propelling me to walk out–even more fully–my purpose. This year I will have the honor of serving and running alongside leaders in the community of Bethel and second year students.

As I am working now and starting to prepare to return to Redding, I ask for your prayers. Tuition is $4400. Praise God, my tuition is half-way paid with $2590 left in the balance. Recently, God shared with me this revelation that He does nothing in halves. When He let His son die on the cross for us, He didn’t let Him die half-way. He didn’t raise Him half-way. He did it ALL in FULL. With that truth, we get HEALED in FULL. We get DELIVERED in FULL. We are PROVIDED for in FULL. We are LOVED in FULL. We are REDEEMED in FULL. You get it? God does nothing half-way. He’s ALL IN. With that said, I am believing God to have my tuition fully paid off by September 3^rd. I believe this also for all my financial needs this year–missions, housing, and ministry trips included. As I pray for more faith and boldness in this, I release it over you. Whatever financial concerns you may have whether it be debt, rent past due, car notes, accumulated fees–whatever it maybe—I release every financial breakthrough I’ve had over you! Every financial miracle I’ve witnessed you have permission to receive!  Even as you read this supernatural provision is happening. Doors are opening in places you least expect. Checks are being placed in the mail. Papa prick the hearts of the community this reader is surrounding by so this reader knows they are not alone or forgotten. Release Your grace over their finances. Let this reader know that they are seen and that YOU see their need and will ALWAYS provide for them. He’s just that good!

Again, I thank you to all those reading this who have invested in my journey thus far. You were apart of dreams coming true and I am so grateful! If you feel lead or would like to pour into the second leg of this journey, you can follow the instructions below:

go to www.ibssm.org and click on “give to tuition”. Type in my name: Danae Carson.

Any amount counts and I’m greatly humbled for your support and your belief in me. Whether you donate or not, just know that God’s hand is ALL over your dreams. He is ALL over your finances. He doesn’t give us crazy big dreams to tease us. He fulfills them. He has pre-budgeted your life. Every expense, every need is accounted for before you came into this world. God is limitless. He has limitless resources. I stand in agreement with you and declare life and truth over your finances. If you experience ANY financial breakthrough after reading this or if you have experienced it in your life prior, leave a comment on this post so that others can read it and be encouraged! There is POWER in the testimony!

You guys are AMAZING!

Til next time,

D