So, I've just completed week 3 of Beth Moore's "Believing God." There is so much I could/should write. I just knew I needed to put it down somewhere. So, for now, I'm going to throw out some quotes- they're all Beth.
"...those prayers were answered with a no but only so that God could grant a greater yes."
"...Gos is far more interested in our knowing the Healer than He is in the healing."
"A seamstress cannot mend a fabric she does not hold in her hands. Likewise, God cradles us in His careful hands as He stiches our broken pieces back together again, forming a new and far more beautiful garment."
"As we allow God to minister to us in our fiery trials, He is gloridied, the church is edified, and we are qualified for greater reward."
"faith fills the gap between our theology and our reality."
"Faith is complete engagement with God: holding on to Gos and His promises because we know He's holding on to us."
"He knows who He is, and He knows what He's going to do- in the course of time."
"Anything attainable by humand understanding is a mere shadow of the reality."
"Keep in mind that our human tendancy is to addirm and readdirm spiritually and biblically what we already believe rather than to search and consider the whole counsel of the Word."
"Faith unchallenged is faith stifled."
Pledge of Faith:
God is who He syas He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am
I can do all things through Christ.
God's word is alice and active in me.
I hope to come back to these statements and journal more. They hit me. They're highlited. I want to hold onto them.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Dizzy
If you're reading this, please pray for me.
I'm falling into that old trap. I know what committments are important. But, I'm over accepting and getting distracted by "bright shiny objects." By bright shiny objects (here on out= bso), I mean things like the computer, the phone, putting off errands (things that really need to be done) to play or even just plain day dreaming. I get so caught up in reading my books, that I'm not digging into the Word as I NEED to be.
I'm sitting here tonight, dizzy. My brain is racing in all different directions. I know it's an attack from the enemy. However, I needed to confess my part. I've allowed the distractions in.
I want clarity, disernment and calm.
Earlier today, I had to make a visit to my former place of employment. Would you believe I hadn't set foot in there since I dropped off my last time sheets? Seriously. Gripped by unnecessary anxiety. Irrational anxiety has kept me from exercising, which has further clouded my thinking.
So. That's it. It's out. Time for me to read...the Bible. I think tonight I will head into Proverbs as I have been doing lately (yeah, I've been reading daily, just not digging and giving God the time he so deserves and wants to work on me). Tomorrow, I'll dig out my old notebooks/journals and see if anything sticks out for a study. That, and I'll pray. I know He has a plan and a path....
I'm falling into that old trap. I know what committments are important. But, I'm over accepting and getting distracted by "bright shiny objects." By bright shiny objects (here on out= bso), I mean things like the computer, the phone, putting off errands (things that really need to be done) to play or even just plain day dreaming. I get so caught up in reading my books, that I'm not digging into the Word as I NEED to be.
I'm sitting here tonight, dizzy. My brain is racing in all different directions. I know it's an attack from the enemy. However, I needed to confess my part. I've allowed the distractions in.
I want clarity, disernment and calm.
Earlier today, I had to make a visit to my former place of employment. Would you believe I hadn't set foot in there since I dropped off my last time sheets? Seriously. Gripped by unnecessary anxiety. Irrational anxiety has kept me from exercising, which has further clouded my thinking.
So. That's it. It's out. Time for me to read...the Bible. I think tonight I will head into Proverbs as I have been doing lately (yeah, I've been reading daily, just not digging and giving God the time he so deserves and wants to work on me). Tomorrow, I'll dig out my old notebooks/journals and see if anything sticks out for a study. That, and I'll pray. I know He has a plan and a path....
Saturday, September 27, 2008
It's 2:00 AM
Yep, it really is. I'm up. I hadn't done my reading yet & knew I needed to. I missed my appointment with Him. So here I am. Being met.
I made a goal to complete an STS this week- very purposeful study. Sure enough, the word is coming alive. So, I had to share a brief snippet...Psalm 103:5 was the target. I'm crossing the word "good."
NIV:
Psalm 103
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Normally, we know I'd quote The Message next. Rather, Amplified!
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
I'm not going to bother reformatting. Don't need to distract. Just wanted to share.
I made a goal to complete an STS this week- very purposeful study. Sure enough, the word is coming alive. So, I had to share a brief snippet...Psalm 103:5 was the target. I'm crossing the word "good."
NIV:
Psalm 103
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Normally, we know I'd quote The Message next. Rather, Amplified!
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
I'm not going to bother reformatting. Don't need to distract. Just wanted to share.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Back to STS format
I'm pleased to share that I have found a small group Bible study. God had a good plan.
I'm back to the STS format for analysis. I grabbed a passage from Bible study. It was one of those that just kind of jumped off the page and said read me! It's perfect for getting back into the passenger seat and being along for the ride...
Acts 8:26-40
Philip and the Ethiopian
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."[b]
34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
I've gotten started and will share more as I progress.
I'm back to the STS format for analysis. I grabbed a passage from Bible study. It was one of those that just kind of jumped off the page and said read me! It's perfect for getting back into the passenger seat and being along for the ride...
Acts 8:26-40
Philip and the Ethiopian
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."[b]
34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
I've gotten started and will share more as I progress.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Focus
I haven't been along for the ride. I took the driver seat. It all became painfully aware today.
I'm having some life changes. Opportunity for growth and character development.
I'm having some life changes. Opportunity for growth and character development.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
woah
I came home from AWANA tonight to a message on my machine from the gal I'd written about before. I admit, I was more than surprised.
I was re-reading 2 Peter again tonight. It was what we were discussing in small group the other day....I felt God speak in new ways. I was really drawn to the first chapter...
I Peter 1:3-11
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Message:
3-4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I feel very met.
I went into prayer. I prayed about the situation again, asking the Lord to prepare my heart, etc. I got to thinking how alike she and I are (perhaps her personality is a tad stronger than mine). I started thinking more about the scenerio. Then, He smacked me, right between the eyes. I was reminded (thank you Lord) of the time not all that long ago when I had a run in with a CSR at Target. I let her have it. Then, I gave her a dirty look following that "event." Oh, my goodness. I would be so embarassed to run into her at church/Bible study/etc. My actions were so not Christ-like. So, I get it, even more than I got it before.
This is what happens when you ask God to mold your character. :)
I was re-reading 2 Peter again tonight. It was what we were discussing in small group the other day....I felt God speak in new ways. I was really drawn to the first chapter...
I Peter 1:3-11
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Message:
3-4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I feel very met.
I went into prayer. I prayed about the situation again, asking the Lord to prepare my heart, etc. I got to thinking how alike she and I are (perhaps her personality is a tad stronger than mine). I started thinking more about the scenerio. Then, He smacked me, right between the eyes. I was reminded (thank you Lord) of the time not all that long ago when I had a run in with a CSR at Target. I let her have it. Then, I gave her a dirty look following that "event." Oh, my goodness. I would be so embarassed to run into her at church/Bible study/etc. My actions were so not Christ-like. So, I get it, even more than I got it before.
This is what happens when you ask God to mold your character. :)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
It's a small world after all...
Ok, here's one of those times that my flesh doesn't want to learn something new.
During spring break, there was a group of moms that came into work a couple times. I had to deal with them in regards to supervision of their children/safety. They were extrememly snotty, rude- glares and eye rolls. Which of course led their children to eye rolls and glares. I didn't go off on them. In the back of my head, I kept thinking- what if I were to see them in church? What if they were new and saw me? Would they want to stay?
I let it go- for the most part. Unfortunately, the one negative memory from spring break did stay.
Then, this morning, I went to try out a small group. Guess who was sitting there? Yep, the one I saw as the ringleader of nastiness. Part of me really wanted to say something- but it wouldn't have been out of love and it wouldn't have been appropriate. Another part of me was really uncomfortable and wanted to leave.
As I drove away (after it was all over), I got kind of irritated. Wrongfully so, irritated with God. I didn't want to see her again. But now, not only do I see her, I find out we go to the same church. I, in fact, hadn't forgiven her and the other ladies for the way I was treated. And now, God's going to work on my heart- if I submit. So really, there's no if. It's a no brainer. I want to grow closer to God and will not allow such a petty thing to keep me from Him. I suspect though, I'll be praying a lot on this one.
During spring break, there was a group of moms that came into work a couple times. I had to deal with them in regards to supervision of their children/safety. They were extrememly snotty, rude- glares and eye rolls. Which of course led their children to eye rolls and glares. I didn't go off on them. In the back of my head, I kept thinking- what if I were to see them in church? What if they were new and saw me? Would they want to stay?
I let it go- for the most part. Unfortunately, the one negative memory from spring break did stay.
Then, this morning, I went to try out a small group. Guess who was sitting there? Yep, the one I saw as the ringleader of nastiness. Part of me really wanted to say something- but it wouldn't have been out of love and it wouldn't have been appropriate. Another part of me was really uncomfortable and wanted to leave.
As I drove away (after it was all over), I got kind of irritated. Wrongfully so, irritated with God. I didn't want to see her again. But now, not only do I see her, I find out we go to the same church. I, in fact, hadn't forgiven her and the other ladies for the way I was treated. And now, God's going to work on my heart- if I submit. So really, there's no if. It's a no brainer. I want to grow closer to God and will not allow such a petty thing to keep me from Him. I suspect though, I'll be praying a lot on this one.
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