I Know Nothing! by Linda Lange

Well, that's what I want to say. How many of us "just want to know?"

Something happened to me one night that made me see how wrong it is to want to know everything. I learned in scripture that that more you "know" the more you will have sorrow (Ecclesiastes) and also the more you know, the more you are responsible for. So why do we "just need to know?" Well, I can tell you why we shouldn't want to know. Let me tell you a short story. I can't tell you how much I want to "know" everything. I would say to my husband, "What are you thinking?" I just want to know what he is thinking. I would overhear a conversation and want to "know" the details, of which is none of my business. I want to "know" where I'm going at all times. I want to "know" everything! And since I'm a teacher, that is rightfully so, but even in that there has to be a balance. Knowledge alone can cause so much grief. The Bible says "knowledge puffs up" (I Cor. 8:1). And if I look at that in the spirit, I would see a big head trying to stay on top of a body. It's wavering back and forth, tipping from side to side because the head is too big. This is an unstable person, wouldn't you agree? Because all that knowledge is making them top heavy. That is why so many of us feel confused, afraid, angered, especially when we have to make decisions. We find ourselves second quessing ourselves because though we have some knowledge, we end up making wrong decisions at times and it's all because we don't have the wisdom within that knowledge to make good sound decisions.

Then on top of that, the more we "know" the more we are responsible for. Ecclesiastes says that with much knowledge comes much sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18). But that didn't stop me from wanting to "know." I think we get that (ladies) from our mother, Eve. She "had to know" what God knew and so ate the tree of knowledge. I think we have been on that road ever since, but it doesn't have to continue. If you are ready to get off that treadmill of "having to know" everything, then, this article is for you. Let me share a story.
My husband and I had just retired to bed when he said, "Oh, I forgot to do something." So he got up and went out into the kitchen. Well, I forgot to do something too, so I got up as well. He saw me coming and said, "What are you doing up." He was standing there holding a bag of something. I said, "I needed to set up something to record on the TV." With that I went to bed. He came into the room and I asked him what he was doing. He told me he wasn't doing anything. I was persistant. I wanted to "know" what he was doing. I started getting ugly. I was becoming suspicious, and mad, and felt left out of whatever it was he was doing. Then all of a sudden I was snapped out of it when I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Tomorrow is Valentines day." I couldn't believe what I had done. I spoiled a surprise! I turned to Tom and said, "Oh Tom, tomorrow is Valentines day, you were putting something out for me so I would be surprised in the morning." He said, "Well, no surprise now, you just had to know didn't you?"
That is an example of what we do when we need to know everything. We cause our own grief! Perhaps you can think of a time you nosed around for some information and all it did was cause you upset and grief and you wished you didn't find out. There is a reason we aren't to know everything. I realized that when we "know" some things, we tend to use it to control our situation and other people. For example. When I know that someone at work is having a party, I want to find out if I'm invited, who all is invited, etc., so that I can decide if I want to go or not. I want to control the situation. And you may know someone that is a "knowitall?" They talk about all that they know, and they use it to tell you what to do. I think those having to listen gets tired after awhile, wouldn't you think? But people who think they know everything would rather listen to themselves speak than listen to anyone else. A person who "knows" a lot tends to be self-righteous, full of pride, arrogant, controlling, manipulative, and the like. I would like to set the record straight now. I don't want to "know" anything! I think Paul says it quite nicely, "I know nothing but Christ and Him crucified." If I would keep that kind of mentality, I wouldn't get into so much trouble!
The need to know comes from a spirit of witchcraft. Not that we are witches (necessarily) but that the spirit behind that craft is present. It uses control and manipulation through "knowing" for selfish purposes.

So what do we do about this? The Bible is clear about us gaining knowledge, right? As stated in the scripture referenced at the top of this teaching "The people that do not understand shall fall" Hosea 4:14. I've seen this happen first hand! You will notice that when knowledge is present in a passage of scripture, so is "understanding."

There is always a balance in what is taught, and that's the part I had been missing. With knowledge we also need understanding. That then takes that "big head" syndrome and eases it into our hearts through understanding. Now we can find that balance and peace we desire. I use that now as an indicator of being out of balance. Am I getting irritated? Am I getting frustrated or angry? Am I getting upset at all? If so, it's an indicator I'm not "understanding" what is going on. I'm not saying we need to know why… that is different. What I'm saying is that we need an understanding of the situation.

When someone tells you something that is very hard for them to share, it actually causes them pain to talk to you, all they want to hear from you is, "I understand." It seems to make all the hurt go away, and they find peace. But when we come back and say, "Well, if you would have done this or that…" It only causes strife and upset. Understanding is the "key" to wisdom. The Bible is clear when it says that we need wisdom. But we get wisdom through Knowledge and Understanding because that's what produces Wisdom. And then we have what we need to make sound decisions.

So after realizing this about me - because the Bible says we are to know our own heart - I began to name off all the things I "knew." Let me share some with you.

• I know that I need to work to pay off some bills.
• I know God has called me into ministry.
• I know God loves me.
• I know there is a plan for my life.
• I know I love to eat.
• I know I need to eat better.
• I know I love to shop.
• I know I need to restrain myself while shopping.
• I know I like to watch TV.
• I know I need to cut back watching TV.
• I know I need to exercise.
• I know I need to get closer to God.
• I know I want to be all God wants me to be.
• I know Tom (my husband) is right about many things even though I don't like it.
• I know I have a long way to go in my walk with the Lord.
• I know I have a desire to retire so I can work Full-Time in ministry.
• I know I want to plan conference meetings.
• I know I want to plan a concert.
• I know I want to travel.
• I know I want to buy a new Harley so Tom and I can ride together.
• I know a lot of the Word but need to know more.
• I know I need to memorize scripture.
• I know I need to keep going to church.

I know what I don't like. I know what I like. I know, I know, I know.

I can tell you emphatically that each of these areas causes me grief! And I didn't "know" why. Then God showed it to me. Each of these areas are a constant nag to me, they cause me grief because I know I have to or want to do all these things. The truth is, these are truths, but the reason they are "nagging" me is that I haven't asked God for understanding as it pertains to each and everything I know! This can cause anyone to fall off the fence and make goofy decisions that could come out all wrong.

I've been there, done that, and I'm through. How about you? I want to not only "know" some things, but I also want understanding in those things so I can make good decisions. Even saying that causes me to feel at peace. So what I did was take each thing I listed above and then added to it, Lord, "I know I need to work and pay off some bills, please give me understanding about this." See, because my desire is to quit working and go into full-time ministry. I think that Tom is preventing me from doing God's will. But the "understanding" is this: Tom is not stopping me from doing anything, he just wants me to "understand' the whole picture and make a wise decision. He said that he sees me doing great things in this ministry, but I'm not thinking things through as I need to. I'm trying to rush into it without "counting the costs" as the Bible says to do. I hate waiting, but even in that I asked God for understanding in "why" I hate waiting! Sometimes we want things now because we are in fear of it never happening. I had to confess my fear to God and receive forgiveness in this area. Because the truth was I was in fear of running out of time, not doing what I wanted to do. It's great to know God loves me and has my best in mind. See, this is "knowledge" and "understanding" working together. I "know" God loves me (knowledge) He has my best in mind (that's understanding). They have to work hand in hand. Many know God loves them, but it stops there, and they still live in fear, unbelief, doubt and stress. Why? Because the understanding isn't there. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Remember, knowledge and understanding produces wisdom. So if you want to truly "understand" what the fear of the Lord really means, then gain knowledge and understanding first, and it will produce the wisdom you need to truly believe God.

I encourage you now in your situation, to begin asking God for understanding. I guarantee you He will respond! He said, "Ask and you shall receive, he will hold nothing back." And believe me, that is the truth! Just since this morning when I asked for understanding, it's coming to me like a flood. So much so, I don't need to "know" so much any more. The need to know is diminished, and the only thing I truly need is to "know" more of God. Whew… all that to get to that… which is what I needed in the first place.

Let me share a story: Tom (my husband) was in the kitchen making his lunch, and I was peeking around his shoulder to see what he was doing. He had the peanut butter out, and so I wanted to see what he was putting with it. He said, "What are you doing?" I said, "I wanted to see how you were making your lunch." "Why?" he asked me, and my answer was the truth, "So I can tell you how to do it." Tom said, "Yeah, how to do it better in Linda's world." I had to repent just then because the "knowing" gives me power to want to control. So again, I want my heart and mouth to say, "I know nothing" that way I won't have tendencies to control! I still have a long ways to go… but I'm learning.
Linda Lange

HAVE FUN! by Linda Lange

What a revelation! I thought I was having fun all along until I really had fun, then I saw that I didn't have fun as I thought I did. I learned the meaning of fun. It's to allow things to take it's own course, and we simply go along for the ride. I looked back at the times I thought I had fun and saw how much I had to orchestrate the activity. I had to arrange for things, set things up, make sure things were in order. There isn't a lot of fun when you are having to plan so much. Then Tom took me tobaggonning in the snow. I haven't done that since I lived in Canada so long ago - around age 4 or so. But now I know what fun is. I went down that hill completely at the mercy of the tobaggon, there was no stopping it, it went where it decided, and I was along for the ride. I laughed all the way down, out of complete control. That's when I realized I actually was having fun. I wasn't trying to "control" anything, nor could I anyway, and it made it fun. Now I understand fun. It's when we don't have control of anything, but let the anything happen!

When we plan trips, and go on that trip, when we return we need another vacation, right? It's because of what I was just talking about. We aren't having any fun because we are trying to "orchestrate" every move we make. We can make preliminary plans like, hotel stays and transportation, etc., but if we are out to have fun, we need to let the trip "carry" us.. afterall, God is preparing the way, he's ordaining our steps anyway, so let's begin enjoying our vacations or our day-excursions. Let the "toboggan" take you for a ride, and I know that you too will discover a new way to have fun!

The Mother's Heart by Linda Lange

Much of the teachings I share in ministry are based on relationship with our Heavenly Father. But in this segment, I would like to share with you how God also represents a "Mother's Heart." When Jesus came from heaven, He came from the bosom of the Father. The "bosom" is a place of love, nurture, acceptance and safety. Jesus came and showed us just that, His Father's love. (John 1:18) The bosom is a place where a child's needs are met. When a baby cries, they have a need. Change a diaper, feed, or hold. But they cry because of a need. We all all crying out because of a need. We are looking in so many places to get that need met, when all along it's within the Father's bosom - provided through Jesus Christ.

I recently heard that when a need is met, we are healthy. When a need is not met, we are sick. The Bible says, "Many are poor and sickly among you." I dare say that individuals who suffer pain in their bodies and emotions may have strived for love but that need was never met.

I learned that touching, speaking gently, and eye contact are vital for a child's development. The first experience of touch is at conception. A baby already has a spirit and it attaches to the spirit of the mother. That's why many psychologists say that the baby experiences all that the mother experiences emotionally. The Bible says we wrestle not with flesh and blood but with spiritual. We are first spiritual beings, so our spirits touch the spirits of others, and intimately so as a baby in the womb.

If the mother is at peace, the baby is at peace. If the mother is in fear and stress, it also affects the baby. The baby already knows if it's wanted or not, it's intimately acquainted with the mother's heart. Then after birth, the next two years the baby suckles and is held by the mother. Continues that place of peace, joy and contentment. But, in a home that this doesn't take place, a variety of manifestations in a child become apparent. They are unable to receive and give love, and this affects all their relationships. When you are dealing with a strong willed child - I would imagine this child didn't bond properly with a parent, and now living "undone" and alone. They are those who when you try to hug, they stand there like a stiff pole. They don't like the mush, they don't like being touched. They grew accustomed to it. They are unable to "bond" and have relationships. They wonder as adults why they can't make friends?

But we have an advocate with the Father, who takes us up at those times when none other would and he's pleading with you now to come and fall into his arms. If a father or mother doesn't provide the infant with what it needs - it will grow up needy. This child will look for love and acceptance from where it can find it - and it's proven that desires (Sexually or emotionally) heighten. Many children are hyperactive, but I would hope the parents would look to see the circumstances in which that child was conceived. Was the child loved from the start? Were ther issues in the mother's heart? Were there issues in the fathers heart? Was there love in the home from God above? When we are lacking these things - in other words - our needs not being met, many manifestations appear - and 100% negatively.

During the 9 months of pregnancy, the baby is co-joined with the mother. If the mother doesn't have healthy love relationships with themselves, God and others, the baby will formulate these same types of characteristics. When we are loved in the womb, it establishes a reference point of love. And as you have ready already in the teachings provide by LAM, Love is the most important aspect we can have that helps in our healing and restoration process. When we lack in that area of love within the womb, and then 2 years after birth, and there is no bond to a parent's love and touch, the child can become very sick. We are created to love, and if it's not there, we dry up, and thereby, many diseases are in our children today. Again, when our needs are met, we will be healthy. When oure needs are not met, we will be sick. It's easy as that.

When the Lord created us, he created us in His image. If God is Love and that's who He is and what He does, doesn't it stand to show that we are to have the same? Did you realize that if you didn't have a nuturing upbringing, or perhaps you were even given up for adoption, did you know that God receives you as his own. "Though your mother or father forsakes you, I will take you up." We have no excuse any longer. We cannot blame our parents or upbringing. We cannot blame God for giving us the parents we have, because He knew it was going to happen. He also knew that He would be there to receive you unto Himself. He knew that the parents you had had issues of their own to deal with. And our parents can only give you what they themselves received. It's time to stop being the victim, and be the child you were meant to be to a God in Heaven who is your true Father.

So what about our mothers? What does this have to do with our healthy lives? I know so many people who have been hurt deeply by their mothers. They've even said they had a wonderful father but their mothers were controlling and angry. This segment is for those who need to be healed of the hurts given them of a mother.

As I began to think about this in my own life, I came into a place that God actually healed my heart as a mother who couldn't give the love necessary to a child. In my case, my mother did show affection and love, but it was "I" who was the icky mother. My son now has allergies and is not very emotional nor likes to be touched. As I looked back in his life and how I impacted this part of him, I'll share it as it happened:

I was a mother who was hurting. Who couldn't give love because she didn't have any to give. A mother who didn't hold the child. A mother who gave the child up for adoption. A child herself that made so many mistakes and now regrets everything. A mother who carried guilt and pain for years, but from what I'm going to share with you in this session, my heart is now healed!

Many of you know what I'm talking about. You may still have the children with you but you feel guilty because you feel you are doing all the wrong things. If this is you, whether YOU are the mother who did not or still cannot love your child because of your own pain; or if your mother couldn't give you the love you needed as I shared in this segment, then pray this prayer with me:

"Dear Heavenly Father, you represent both a father and mother's heart. You are full of strength and yet full of love and compassion. I didn't get this as a child; I'm still trying to fill that area of my life by so manythings. But I now recognize that it's YOU that I need to fill that area of my life. I thank you for revelating this to me. I also want to release my mother right now. She too was hurting so she couldn't give me what I needed, but I cannot use that as an excuse any longer because You have adopted me; you have taken me up when others forsook me. So I want to receive from You what I need. Help me to open my heart and receive Your nurturing, love, and help me to experience the safety of being in Your arms. Help me to remember to acknowledge you in All my ways, so that I can experience your love in every decision or action I take in my life. I want to be complete Lord, and I know only You can complete me. Forgive me for trying to fill that hole in my heart with other things. I choose to forgive my mother right now and recieve Your love and compassion in her place. I thank you in Jesus Name, Amen."

"Everything in Boxing is Backwards"

This reminds me of a scripture that says we are trying to fight the enemy by boxing in air. That we need to "know" the enemy so we can stand firm at the attacks, and be proactive and prepared. As I heard this about boxing, I learned that when you want to swing forward to the right, you pivot the back left foot, when you want to swing forward to the left, you pivot the back right foot. I believe that's how God's kingdom is. Very backwards, don't you think? If you want something, gift it away. If someone wants your coat, give him your cloak also. If someone asks you to help them go a mile, you are to offer going two miles.

Tom's Tidbits

"Most churches are matinee's, your church is interactive."

What a statement! And as I thought about it, he was exactly right. Many go to church and sit and watch; but in LAM Fellowship each person there has the opportunity to teach, share, be heard, and request personal prayer - right on the spot! This way of serving the Lord in our services has proved very powerful! Many are getting their needs met before they leave services. It's important that we can go to church and get the help we need and then return to the "world" and live better lives. But we have it the other way around. We go to church and "pretend" we are OK; and then leave the same having the same issues trying to live in the world and be examples for others to follow. Church is a place for us to come where we can feel safe and free to share our hearts and needs. James 5:16 comes to mind: "If we confess our faults one to another and pray one for another, we shall be healed." There is a downside to this type of church. Many don't want to come to a church that exposes truth because it's uncomfortable. But that's what we need to do. We need to get the stuff that causes us to feel shame; hurt; anger, etc., so we can be clean vessels for the Lord.

I hope you have enjoyed this months' newsletters. See you next month!

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