Life is out of control. Slow down. Get back to your basics. Get back in the word. And say no.
Books are great and friends are great and fun is great, but God's word is life and hope and joy and peace.....
Friends are great, but what a friend we have in Jesus.
**feeling like I have gotten off track again. Wandered into the "kingdom of me". I feel empty and scattered and overwhelmed.
Father,
I am in awe of your forgiveness and grace. I would have given up on someone like me, but you keep calling me back to you knowing what is best for me. Forgive me for thinking I know What is best. Teach me to live only for You.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Never in my own strength, but striving towards TOTAL VICTORY!
Joyce Meyer's fb status this morning:
Whatever challenges you the most, decide now that you are going to set your mind for total victory.
Do you ever know something, but just know it? The girl drama. I know it has to stop, but I just know it sometimes. And this is where I want to set my mind for TOTAL victory. I think about how free "the honesty policy" in every area of my life would be. Which also means, taking people at their word and believing they are being honest as well.
This week a friend of mine who has been a friend for a long time was willing to do the grown up and uncomfortable thing of talking to me and checking our relationship. Gauging things that have changed....why and if we were still going to be friends. Was it a fun conversation? Not really, but the more I think about it I know that we really have a REAL friendship bc we just did the TOUGH stuff together! It really goes for any of my deep relationships...we did the yucky stuff and made it to the other side.
Do I give people in my life that same respect? Why don't we talk to our friends directly about the issues we have with each other? (I am a queen people pleaser and enabler...so I can come up with a million reasons why the person couldn't handle that conversation.) But really, it comes down to be being daring enough, real enough and vulnerable enough to speak the truth.....IN LOVE...but the truth because I respect them and want our relationship strong and healthy.
Let's live by the spirit in our relationships!
22 But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up, being kind, being good, having faith, 23 being gentle, and being the boss over our own desires. The Law is not against these things.
Let's be daring together! Be intentional about our friendships, not let the devil get his way in them and keep him out by of our minds by being real. I know God will bless it and the best part is our true friends will be so thankful in the end.
Whatever challenges you the most, decide now that you are going to set your mind for total victory.
Do you ever know something, but just know it? The girl drama. I know it has to stop, but I just know it sometimes. And this is where I want to set my mind for TOTAL victory. I think about how free "the honesty policy" in every area of my life would be. Which also means, taking people at their word and believing they are being honest as well.
This week a friend of mine who has been a friend for a long time was willing to do the grown up and uncomfortable thing of talking to me and checking our relationship. Gauging things that have changed....why and if we were still going to be friends. Was it a fun conversation? Not really, but the more I think about it I know that we really have a REAL friendship bc we just did the TOUGH stuff together! It really goes for any of my deep relationships...we did the yucky stuff and made it to the other side.
Do I give people in my life that same respect? Why don't we talk to our friends directly about the issues we have with each other? (I am a queen people pleaser and enabler...so I can come up with a million reasons why the person couldn't handle that conversation.) But really, it comes down to be being daring enough, real enough and vulnerable enough to speak the truth.....IN LOVE...but the truth because I respect them and want our relationship strong and healthy.
Let's live by the spirit in our relationships!
22 But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up, being kind, being good, having faith, 23 being gentle, and being the boss over our own desires. The Law is not against these things.
Let's be daring together! Be intentional about our friendships, not let the devil get his way in them and keep him out by of our minds by being real. I know God will bless it and the best part is our true friends will be so thankful in the end.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
asking for help
So, our sermon Sunday was on prayer. One of the points made was are we too proud, or do we think we don't need the prayers of others. It got me thinking because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I have gotten through some valleys only because I had some prayer warriors intercessing for me when I wasn't even praying myself. Some of those unexplainables that can ONLY be chalked up to God working.
So, I feel like I have no problem asking for prayer for a big decision, a life change, medical condition, ya know...the big stuff. (I am, by no means, belittling the big stuff.) But when it comes to humbling myself to ask for prayer for something like reoccurring jealousy, a stubborn heart, the ability to love like I should, ...(the "SIMPLE" stuff. HA!) I don't.
These are the excuses the enemy feeds me.
*that's silly
*no one cares
*you should be able to take care of that yourself
*there are so many people with bigger stuff going than you
*I could make this list go on and on and on.
Why am I not opening myself up to inject the spirit of God into every aspect of my life?! Why on earth would I not want more than me, who cannot seem to overcome these things on my own, giving these needs to the Father, who is waiting and listening and filled with joy to hear our requests!?!
I can honestly say that it is not the "BIG" things that are holding me back from kingdom work, it's the "little" reoccurring ones.
So I am not proposing that I tell every person I meet everything about me in order to pray for me. What about a few close friends that we can trust to hold us up in prayer? And how cool to be able to pray for a friend in that way too. I think the lessons in vulnerability will be great and it opens up a friendship to God working there too.
So this is my brains wrestling match these days....my head knows it, my heart needs to follow.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Father, work in my heart that I can be vulnerable enough to invite you into every aspect of my life....even the ones that I THINK I should be able to have a hold of myself. I don't want to hold them myself any longer and cannot wait to see what happens when your spirit moves fresh in those places. Help me make myself vulnerable enough to ask for help from trusted friends and prayer warriors that we can watch and see only answers You could provide. Thank you for the answers you have already given!
So, I feel like I have no problem asking for prayer for a big decision, a life change, medical condition, ya know...the big stuff. (I am, by no means, belittling the big stuff.) But when it comes to humbling myself to ask for prayer for something like reoccurring jealousy, a stubborn heart, the ability to love like I should, ...(the "SIMPLE" stuff. HA!) I don't.
These are the excuses the enemy feeds me.
*that's silly
*no one cares
*you should be able to take care of that yourself
*there are so many people with bigger stuff going than you
*I could make this list go on and on and on.
Why am I not opening myself up to inject the spirit of God into every aspect of my life?! Why on earth would I not want more than me, who cannot seem to overcome these things on my own, giving these needs to the Father, who is waiting and listening and filled with joy to hear our requests!?!
I can honestly say that it is not the "BIG" things that are holding me back from kingdom work, it's the "little" reoccurring ones.
So I am not proposing that I tell every person I meet everything about me in order to pray for me. What about a few close friends that we can trust to hold us up in prayer? And how cool to be able to pray for a friend in that way too. I think the lessons in vulnerability will be great and it opens up a friendship to God working there too.
So this is my brains wrestling match these days....my head knows it, my heart needs to follow.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Father, work in my heart that I can be vulnerable enough to invite you into every aspect of my life....even the ones that I THINK I should be able to have a hold of myself. I don't want to hold them myself any longer and cannot wait to see what happens when your spirit moves fresh in those places. Help me make myself vulnerable enough to ask for help from trusted friends and prayer warriors that we can watch and see only answers You could provide. Thank you for the answers you have already given!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
that little "thing"
Do you have that little "thing"?? You know, the thing that you are working to change more than anything, but somehow it keeps creaping up and reminding you that it's not all that changed..
(if you don't, I don't wanna know :) ).
For me, it is vulnerability. I will get up on my soapbox and preach to the world that it is the key to growth, but that's pretty funny because it is the thing that I have the hardest time with.
Why would I want to share my heart with people when it gives them a bigger picture to who I am? My strengths and my passions, but also my weaknesses and fears. I want to because I want to grow, but I don't want to grow if it is going to hurt....or do I?
In my prayer time this morning I pictured myself in the safest place I could, sitting in my Abba Father's lap and handing him a package that I was holding onto, He took it and threw it away, ahhh forgiveness. In it was some resentment because I became vulnerable this week and it didn't really feel very good so I was mad about it. It also had the keys to my heart. I give Him my whole heart because I want Him in control, even if it is a little scary sometimes.
I felt a little better as I left and then I laughed as I drove home because God had one more picture for me this morning. It was a picture of me frantically digging through the trash to go find it again. I wanted to hold onto it a little longer apparently and not heal. But He showed me the picture so I would have a chance to choose to leave it there I believe. I am.
I am so very far from perfect, but I can testify to this...God is LOVE and so He calls us to the hard stuff sometimes. When He does He is doing it out of love! Shaping and molding and growing us to whatever next thing He has for us. And honestly, as I continually choose to give him my other little package, CONTROL, and let Him lead, the journey is far better than I could have asked or imagined.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Trusting your promises Father.
Amen
So sharing this is my vulnerable thing for the day.......have a great one!
(if you don't, I don't wanna know :) ).
For me, it is vulnerability. I will get up on my soapbox and preach to the world that it is the key to growth, but that's pretty funny because it is the thing that I have the hardest time with.
Why would I want to share my heart with people when it gives them a bigger picture to who I am? My strengths and my passions, but also my weaknesses and fears. I want to because I want to grow, but I don't want to grow if it is going to hurt....or do I?
In my prayer time this morning I pictured myself in the safest place I could, sitting in my Abba Father's lap and handing him a package that I was holding onto, He took it and threw it away, ahhh forgiveness. In it was some resentment because I became vulnerable this week and it didn't really feel very good so I was mad about it. It also had the keys to my heart. I give Him my whole heart because I want Him in control, even if it is a little scary sometimes.
I felt a little better as I left and then I laughed as I drove home because God had one more picture for me this morning. It was a picture of me frantically digging through the trash to go find it again. I wanted to hold onto it a little longer apparently and not heal. But He showed me the picture so I would have a chance to choose to leave it there I believe. I am.
I am so very far from perfect, but I can testify to this...God is LOVE and so He calls us to the hard stuff sometimes. When He does He is doing it out of love! Shaping and molding and growing us to whatever next thing He has for us. And honestly, as I continually choose to give him my other little package, CONTROL, and let Him lead, the journey is far better than I could have asked or imagined.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Trusting your promises Father.
Amen
So sharing this is my vulnerable thing for the day.......have a great one!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
His way
Trusting and hoping and singing away........
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me
Not one word in there I can pick as my favorite. I mean every single one and I lift it up to my Father..
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me
Not one word in there I can pick as my favorite. I mean every single one and I lift it up to my Father..
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Quiet
My blog has been quiet lately. Lots on my brain, so I have trouble streaming my thoughts enough to write. This one is for me...so I can remember.
Hebrews 10:
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I am holding tightly to God's promises. I have full assurance that he is so faithful and I can have hope in Him.
A good deed for me lately is as small as a text saying hi. A smile or a hug. Never underestimate the power those little things can do for someone. They are HUGE things, not small. Encouragement in any form is a powerful thing.
Father,
You are the source of every good thing. I praise you for your faithfulness. I praise you for friends who walk along side me. I praise you that this is NOT the end of our journey. We have so very much to look forward to beyond today. I praise you for the restlessness and the spots in our hearts that this life will never fulfill, so that we can look with great anticipation towards the day your Kingdom comes.
Guide my thoughts always to you and your promises for me.
Amen
Hebrews 10:
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I am holding tightly to God's promises. I have full assurance that he is so faithful and I can have hope in Him.
A good deed for me lately is as small as a text saying hi. A smile or a hug. Never underestimate the power those little things can do for someone. They are HUGE things, not small. Encouragement in any form is a powerful thing.
Father,
You are the source of every good thing. I praise you for your faithfulness. I praise you for friends who walk along side me. I praise you that this is NOT the end of our journey. We have so very much to look forward to beyond today. I praise you for the restlessness and the spots in our hearts that this life will never fulfill, so that we can look with great anticipation towards the day your Kingdom comes.
Guide my thoughts always to you and your promises for me.
Amen
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