Lord, Do YOU Think I'm Beautiful?

So, wow!  I didn't do very well posting in February.  I've been on sort of a writing halt for the past month.  Busy is the word.  I really don't like that word, but that's the one I'm gonna stick with.  Between family, work, more family, accident details, and a few random trips, 2010 has been a melting pot of experiences.  Honestly, I've never felt so close to God than I have last month or two.  I cannot quite explain it.  So much turmoil, yet so much peace.  I've seen His hand so very clearly in my life.


I began a new Bible study with a few of my close friends.  We've decided (thanks to the suggestion of Zoe) to go with "Do You Think I Am Beautiful?" by Angela Thomas.  Whoa!  That's about all I can muster up because it takes my breath away.  We are on week two and I feel as if I've studied a month already in a good way.  I was so ready for this yet I didn't even know it.  Angela, way to write straight to the heart of every woman!  If you are a female, I recommend this book and/or Bible study to you.  It's one of those "you gotta read this" for me.  Get a group of your friends together girls... you cannot go wrong on this one.


One thing I've realized in 2010 is the world tends to stifle the whisper of God.  The world wants to remove beauty from my vocabulary.  It's constantly reminding me of the "ugly" in my life.  The ugly hair days, the ugly attitude moments, the ugly insecurity, the ugly whatever it can find to hold over my head.  Can you hear it?  Can you hear God's whisper?  It's time we lean in and listen.  He's not only whispering but He's singing His love over all of us.  Can you hear it?  If not, lean in and listen.  Has your situation's noisy voice drowned out the whisper of the Father?  If it has, lean in past the noise and listen.  Do you feel unworthy or not good enough to hear Him?  He's speaking to all of us and that includes you.  He's crazy about you!!  Lean in and listen.  He wants to whisper sweet somethings to you.  You are valuable.


Speaking of leaning in and listening, I think I'll go do just that.  Nothing like taking your own advice.  Until next time, lean in and listen.  See you before April, I promise. 

To Skip or Not To Skip?

It's been a great 3 weeks (well, almost 3 weeks) of Prayer and Fasting.  Being completely transparent with you, I usually just skip around in the Psalms.  Every time I get to chapter 119, I usually shutter with intimidation at the sheer size of the chapter, and hurriedly flip the pages to the 130's (as if I must out run it or something).  That's where some of my favorite chapters are; mainly chapter 139.  


For all practical purposes, mostly out of obedience, I dove into chapter 119.  Tackling a mere 8 verses daily, I found some of the best kept secrets the Bible has to offer.  I learned  1. wisdom of the believer is found in God's commands, 2. His perfect unfailing love is constantly at our disposal, and 3. safety is at our fingertips when we obey.  So very many great lessons to learn!  Not only lessons from His Word, but lessons in not skipping things just because of the size or any other excuse.  Don't let large chapters intimidate you.  They are filled with God's wisdom just like short chapters.  Great things come in small packages... and evidently large chapters too.  


What are you skipping over in the Bible?  
Challenge:  Dig in & find the treasures of God's heart.


I think my next challenge is Song of Songs.  (long pause)  I actually just shuttered typing the name.  I always intentionally skip the entire book because it's... so... well... it's gotten a bad wrap.  It's God's Word.  There is freedom in wrestling the areas of our lives that hold us back.  I think the question is:  What am I missing?  Time to find out!

Day 2: Purity Revealed

These 21 days are going to be phenomenal!  Already, I'm 2 for 2 on hearing great things from God.  Today's reading for the 21 Days of Prayer consisted of verses 9 through 16 of Psalm 119.  As you may have already imagined, I found a jewel in those 8 verses.  Being someone passionate about the pursuit of purity, verse 9 hit me like a brick.  It reads:

"How can a young person stay pure? 

By obeying Your Word."

Some versions continue saying "and following its rules."  As I read the words, I thought "That's it young people!  Get in the Word!"  It's as if I was lost in the woods and suddenly came across a path leading somewhere.  Actually this truth applies not only to the young, but everyone.  Male or female.  Young or young at heart (9 days until I celebrate 40, so I'm not really liking the word old right now).  Searching throughout the Bible for years, I've been seeking "the answer".  God finally opened my eyes to HIS answer:  The key to purity isn't found in one or two or three verses, but in the entire Bible.  Purity is a product of obedience to God's simple commands.  I wonder what nuggets tomorrow holds for all of us.   

Question:  How can I be more obedient to God's Word?

Today's reading:  Psalm 119:9-16

21 Days of Prayer

I love setting aside time for dedicated prayer!  Our church, Healing Place Church, is joining with many other churches for 21 Days of Prayer.  During this time, we will be focusing on Psalm 119...a monster of a chapter having over 70 verses.  

Due to it's sheer size, I often skip this chapter while browsing the Psalms, but was pleasantly surprised this morning.  Today, day 1, we read verses 1 through 8.  I love the ending verse for today.  Please do not give up on me!  I especially like the punch at the end.  The exclamation point!  I am sure I over-use them, but I think it's the passionate side of me that likes them the most.  

If I were to be completely honest with you, I feel like I don't live up to my potential most days.  Maybe it's an attitude needing adjustment, perfectionism that I can never attain, who knows what it is.  Other days I feel like I'm on my game.  Regardless of the day, let my prayer everyday be "Lord, please do not give up on me!!!!!!"  I think this pretty much sums up my plea.

My prayer for these 21 days is two fold:  1.  I would grow closer to God to hear His voice more clearly every day, and 2. God would give me direction about where to submit the manuscript to for publishing. 

Today's reading:  Psalm 119

 ¹ Joyful are people of integrity,
      who follow the instructions of the Lord.
 ² Joyful are those who obey his laws
      and search for him with all their hearts.
 ³ They do not compromise with evil,
      and they walk only in his paths.
 ⁴ You have charged us
      to keep your commandments carefully.
 ⁵ Oh, that my actions would consistently
      reflect your decrees!
 ⁶ Then I will not be ashamed
      when I compare my life with your commands.
 ⁷ As I learn your righteous regulations,
      I will thank you by living as I should!
 ⁸ I will obey your decrees.
      Please don’t give up on me!

Lost in Obedience

This morning I was reading part of Nehemiah's account of the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem.  What a man of courage and determination!  What if all of God's people were obedient to the point of Nehemiah's obedience?  What if we all just got lost in obedience to Him?  I think about great men and women like Moses, Abraham, Paul, John...well, actually all of the disciples, and so many others.  Accounts we get the pleasure of reading in the Bible still today. Then there are modern day versions like Mother Teresa and the countless others serving our world today as missionaries.  The obedience required in each of their lives speaks volumes. 

In Nehemiah 9, the people were finished with rebuilding the wall. They stood in place for 3 hours while the book of the law was read, and then 3 additional hours they stood as they confessed their sins and worshiped God.  After 6 HOURs they were still praying!  6 hours and still going...sounds like "Get Out of the Shade" Summer Camp from 5 or 6 years ago, but that's a story for another post.  They began recounting the greatness of God...of His great mercy and unfailing love.  At this time they offered up a simple petition to God not to forget them and their suffering.  Not 30 minutes of reading or praying in my comfy chair, but after 6 hours on their feet, they offered a simple prayer to God.  Amazing to me!  

If each of us were honest, we'd say we have trouble focusing on God for more than mere minutes some days.  At times we complain about having to get up for church or mumble about going to work or having to drive somewhere.  Times when, instead, we should be singing praise to God for the amazing privileges we have...privileges of His unfailing love and great mercy.  How incredibly blessed we are.  Every day, we should wake up with a song of joy on our lips and a heart of obedience to just say "Yes Sir, God.  Yes Sir."  Lord, make me more like Nehemiah.  Lost in obedience regardless of the cost.  With that, I'll just focus on saying "Yes Sir" today.

Influence

Live The Dream...what more can I say?  I'm in overload from all of the knowledge and wisdom downloaded into my mind since Thursday night.  I could process this for the next two months and still not fully get all of the GB's of info I just heard. 

Yesterday afternoon I began thinking about influence.  Where do the ripples of my influence travel?  Who do I influence?  Am I a tidal wave of HOPE or something else?  So much to ponder.  I think tomorrow I will spend my day off really digging into this.  You know, journal it out.  I want to be the influencer God desires me to be in my husbands life, in the lives of my children, in my granddaughter's eyes,....in every moment of my journey in life. 

God, search me.  Thank You for sending incredible women of God to speak into my life about influence, the house, HOPE and much, much more.  May I be willing to look foolish to everyone around as necessary to bring You glory!  Let HOPE resound in my life!  May I be the influencer You created me to be!

Check this out...

40 Days of Prayer starting soon for the children.

Begins August 1st.  

Go check it out today!