Are You Listening?

Do you ever find that is you look directly at someone, you can hear them better? It's like your listening skills suddenly improve by just engaging another sense, sight. I thought about this early one morning recently. I had the song, "Listen" by Trin-i-tee 5:7 on my mind. I hadn't heard it recently or anything. But I was reflecting on how I was really hearing God recently. You know..the LOUD and CLEAR kind of hearing. That caused the song came to mind. And of course, because I am strange jumble, I started asking myself what listening meant to me. Why was my "listening" and  subsequently, "hearing" so much better?

It is because my other senses are fully engaged. I'm walking around with my eyes open, really looking for signs and hints. When you seek, you find.  I've been reading the word "looking" for what new thing God wants to show me about that book or verse I feel I know so well or not so well.

I'm also touching. This past year I haven't written much. Over the holidays I realized through a sort bout with a dark period that seemed like depression that I have to write. Writing is what God wired me to do. It's how I connect all the dots He's showing me. It's one way I connect to Him. I need it like air. So I'm touching pen or pencil to paper, fingers to keyboard and God's heart for others with my words.


And I'm speaking. I'm praying. I got away from that during the holidays. Rick's back went out so a lot more stuff fell on my plate to handle. I got so caught up in my own pity party of  "I'm so tired, no one appreciates me, life is so hard, " that I forgot to lean on the One who could sustain me, renew me and carry me through. I hate when I neglect our relationship. Trust me, God never neglects me, but I often Him. Now though, we're back to regular conversations. A girl couldn't be happier.  :)

Listening. Seems so one-dimensional when you say it. But when you do it, I mean really do it, it's very multi-dimensional. So much of you is involved. And it's a sweet experience, be it with God or another person. Being a motor mouth myself, I don't listen enough. But that's changing now. Being an extrovert, I crave interaction. Listening is interactive. Who knew? LOL

My final thought was this: You can't experience the beauty of the conversation or message if you don't hear it. Are you listening?

Be Blessed!


Mari

Unwanted Party Guests

I can't remember if I told you that I have fibromyalgia. Part of the reason I can't remember is probably due to fibro fog (think an episode of being forgetful and slightly ditsy).  Fibromyalgia has a lot of associated symptoms. I don't care for any of them.

Right now mine is out of remission. I know that's a word that associated with cancer but it fits here too. Mine doesn't flare up everyday. Sometimes I go for long stretches without issues. But for the last 3 weeks, my body has been host to unwanted party guests. Pain, fatigue and forgetfulness stop by and throw a party in my body without my permission. Sometimes they bring other "friends" along like GI issues, lack of depth perception, sleeplessness, sleepiness, etc. Sometimes it's a short-lived party. Other times it's like those weeks long fests you read about in the Bible.

I could focus on the really horrible parts of this condition. And sometimes I do because it can wear you down and completely out, literally. It's hard to tell your husband to not hug you today because every part of you hurts. It's frustrating to ask your teenager the same question 6 times because you really can't recall what she just said 45 seconds ago. I could go on but I think you get the picture. I could go there on a hourly basis. But this time around, I'm choosing not to.

I am trying to focus on the joy in it. Yes, I said joy. Every unpleasant situation doesn't have to just be unpleasant and difficult. We can choose to see something good in it. For instance, because I sometimes can't sleep, it allows me to read more good books or write. When I feel the extreme exhaustion coming on, I delegate unfinished tasks or just let it be. That's freedom right there. When I'm hurting I know I have to find other ways to allow my family to connect physically with me. Maybe they can't hug me but they can hold my hand or gently touch my knee. The point is that we have come together to come up with a solution.  I don't know how I'm going to feel from one day to the next, so I focus on the most important stuff and leave the rest. It helps me see what my real priorities are. That's priceless, no?

I'm reminded of Paul. He asked God several times to take the thorn from his flesh. (sometimes I wonder if it was fibromyalgia, because it is definitely a thorn in the flesh) God's answer was "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9). In my own life that's God saying, "Mari, you will depend on Me. You will know that your energy, strength, your everything comes only from Me. I will supply what you need in the face of fibromyalgia and the other medical conditions that accompany it. You will glorify me in your weakened state." He's right. I'd overdo it, over think it and sometimes overlook His hand in my life. But this condition, this horrible situation grounds me in Him. It builds and strengthens my trust in Him. So I say bring it! I will rejoice in it. I will find joy in it. And God's great name will be glorified through it.

Be blessed,

Mari

Turn It Around Tuesday - When The Rain Is Pouring

These last few weeks have been quite a ride. Unfortunately, I don't mean that in a fun, exhilarating way. First, my cousin had a stroke and now has paralysis on the right side of his body. Last week my uncle had a stroke. Yesterday my mom called to tell me that one of my cousins was killed. A bullet came through the window, striking and killing him. There are other smaller things that have occurred but nothing like the "big three". I almost cringe when the caller ID announces it's my mom, because I'm dreading more bad news.

This torrent of discouraging news could have shaken my faith. I could have gotten angry with God. I could have thrown up my hands and said, "That's it. I'm tired of this. I quit!" I've been tempted to do that a time or two or thirty in my life. But this time I wasn't there. That wasn't in me. (Right here is where we can give God a clap offering!) Are you wondering why it wasn't in me? Great, because I'm going to tell you why.

I've accepted a church-wide challenge from my pastor to "practice God's presence" at least five minutes every day. In other words, sit in stillness and quiet for at least five minutes thinking on, waiting for and anticipating God's presence and hopefully at some of these sessions, a message from God. This isn't a new concept for me. The problem is that I've never consistently done it. But now I am determined. Why now? Now, because I am desperate to grow closer to God. Now, because it's just time to further solidify my relationship with Jesus.

I read something recently by C.S.Lewis that said we need to become dyed and not painted. I'm afraid all these years I've been painted. Paint fades, chips and peels. That's how I've felt recently. Temporary is no longer good enough. I want permanency. So I'm ready for my dye job. Ever dyed your hair? The dye has to sit for a good little while to actually "take". So I'm going to sit each day for God's presence to "take" in my life. I'm excited about that.

So when that rain came pouring down in the form of bad news after bad news, issue after issue, there was God. In my time of quiet and even throughout my busy days, He spoke two things to me.

1. I'm still in control. You might not understand what I'm doing. And I know that frustrates you. But trust me. I've always been in control. I'm in control now. I'll be in control in the future. That's never going to change. Let me be me and you simply trust me. I'll never fail you. Never.
2. Your days were numbered before you were born. I know the day I will call you home heaven. You don't know if that day will come now or ten years from now. Consider each day a gift from me. Unwrap it and choose how you will use it.

Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom."  That is my prayer each day now. Instead of turning my thoughts to worry and anger over problems, issues, situations and circumstances, I now chose to turn my thoughts to God and how what He's doing can teach my something. Yes, even the things I don't like. Even the things that hurt. Especially the things I don't understand. I'm not perfect with it yet. Never will be. But I choose to keep practicing His presence and His way of life for me. Will you join me? I promise it will change your life in the most marvelous way!

Blessings to you all,

Mari

For This Season

For this season in my life...this is my song. Thank you Father for the ministry of song! Enjoy!

Wrestling Match

Have no fear. I'm not going to be discussing WWE or WWF or whatever wrestling "organizations" exist these days. Although, there was a time eons ago that I used to watch "professional" wrestling with my mom. Not sure why she was into that, or why I got into it, but we bonded over many a Von Erich match. Don't judge.

Anywho......

This weekend I spent some time wrestling with God. You see, there are some things in my life that are not as I would like. There were some things that happened last week that I'd really wish hadn't. There are some plans I had for the summer that God effectively shut the door on. Let me just tell you, one of them really broke my heart. I can almost feel the physical pain. Did I mention that it really broke my heart?  It did. And so, I got a little down. Okay, a lot down.

My husband has a knack for knowing when I'm wrestling with God. On Sunday he asked if I was having a "want to cry about it day". Why, yes, yes I am I responded. He thought laying down and resting might cure me. As much as I appreciate his efforts to help and console me, I knew that wasn't the solution. I needed to go to the source. And that meant a wrestling match.


I went over to my footstool, plopped my pillow on it and started to pray. And cry. See, this is nothing like professional wrestling. This is the "get down on your knees and beg God to help you be content" kind of wrestling. It's the "ask God why you can never seem to maintain your joy" kind of fight. This is the "asking God why he can't won't show you the "better plan" He has so at least you can feel better" kind of wrestling. It is the "list everything you see wrong with your life at this valley moment" kind of fight.

This, my friends, is what faith is about. It is following God no matter what. Even when we don't want to. Even when it doesn't make sense. Even when we feel justified in being a Jonah. Even when we're mad at God.


Even then, we go to Him. Because only He can make sense of it. Only He can help us walk through it even when it doesn't make sense. Make no mistake. It's not easy. That's the part I often struggle with. I want it to be simple to follow and trust. I want it to be easy to be content. It's not. At least not for me. I know I am tremendously blessed. There are so many things for which I am grateful. But contentment and complete trust in God is still not easy for me. But at the end of the day, as I lay my head on my pillow, I know that God is ready for our next wrestling match. And I think that's a good thing. Because when I stop wrestling with Him, it means I've given up and walked away from my faith. And that will never do. I'd rather wrestle like Jacob did  (Genesis 32:22-32) and walk away with a limp. At least I'll still be walking with God.

Amen?


How about you? Have you ever wrestled with God? Tell me about it.




As always, blessings to you!

Mari

Creation

I started a new job in November. It is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Have you ever been to Salt Lake City? What a beautiful place. I might be a bit partial because you can see mountains everywhere you go. And I love me some mountains. Love. Them.

I was in Salt Lake a couple of weeks for training. Usually I despise traveling for work. However, I don't mind so much going out there. You know, the mountains are there :) The hotel my company uses has the best views of the mountains. This last time I was on the 14th floor. Did it ever offer a view.

I awoke early the first full day there for the sunrise. I just love how beautiful it is watching the city and the mountains come into view. When I pulled open the curtains and looked to my left, I gasped. The snowcapped mountains were breathtaking. Tears came to my eyes as I marveled at the artistry of God. That view reminded me to reconnect with Him. It reminded me to ask Him to let me see His work in the day to day mundane details of my life, as well as the special glorious moments like the one I was in.




This picture does no justice to seeing it in person!


God is the Creator of the universe. Every once in a while, He shows me in a big way. Like that morning. At other times, it's not a grand gesture but something simple like my daugher singing "Jesus Take The Wheel" when I start to verbalize a worry. Either way, He reminds me of His presence. I treasure that. Look for Him today. Ask Him to reveal Himself. He won't disappoint.

As always......Be Blessed

Mari

My Tune Tuesday 9/28/2010

I heard this song on the way to work this morning. Tears flowed at the simple, honest truth of it. There are no words I can or want to add. Just listen. And know. Be Blessed ~ Mari



. 

Not What I Asked For

My little family is having a rough time. There are issues going on all over the place. Yesterday I hit a breaking point. I did my best to hold it together at work. I did take my lunch to leave the building, park in my favorite spot and read some scripture prayer cards. The Word always soothes me. Well, except yesterday.

Yesterday God gave me a gift. Yep. He surely did. I was praying, okay, whining about everything that was going on. I tried to stop the whiny train by praying through my Beth Moore Praying God's Word scripture cards. I read the first card and nodded in agreement. I read another and again nodded in agreement. Then I hit the third card in the stack. It was the one for 2 Corinthians 12:9. Ever read that scripture?


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Yeah. Not quite what I wanted to hear. So I said aloud "Ooooohkay Lord. I was kind of hoping for something a bit more encouraging." I moved on to the next card. Surely it would be a bit more hopeful. Nope. Another "gut punch". It was the card for 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. Let me share those verses with you.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I don't know about you but that does not elicit the warm, fuzzy soothing feeling I was looking for. it felt more like "Suck it up girl! This is good training!" Um, yeah, but I really did not want to hear that right then. I wanted comfort. Apparently, it wasn't going to happen.

The final "whack"? The next card of course. Ready??

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance... Romans 5:3

Well then.

Wow! I sat there and thought about what had just happened. Wow!

And then I laughed. That's just like God. When we are seeking what we think we need, He gives us what we really need. I was seeking comfort. He provided direction. That was His gift to me; divine direction. It was a gut check. Quit focusing on the circumstances and focus on the One who could either change or get you through them.

That's a lot harder to do when you're in the midst of a bunch of messes and raging fires. But do it I must. After all, God was pretty clear. Besides, I don't think my gut can handle anymore "attention".

And yes, I still love God, even if sometimes He gives me exactly the opposite of what I ask for :) In fact I love Him because He's willing to smile at my request and do the God thing instead. Sometimes I need that. Even when I'd prefer something else. Keeps me humble and teachable.


Has God ever given you the opposite of what you felt you really needed? Feel free to share!


As always, be blessed!!


Mari

Take a Journey With Me

I'm spending six weeks finding out what things I need to focus on and possibly change to move me from where I am to where I want to be. Now, I won't reach the full destination in that time frame but at least I'll be on the way, traveling the road. I'm two weeks into this private coaching and it's really been eye opening. One of the areas we are looking at closely is work.

I have found that some of the stress I experience at work can be alleviated just by my response to it. I can also place my focus on a different area and voila, the problem area that frustrates me is suddenly taken care of. All of this from some simple self and situational evaluation. My coach asks me the questions and is able to direct me based on my answers. Sometimes she just has to point out that I already have the answer; I just didn't recognize it as such.

I had an "aha" moment tonight. That's how we need to approach our difficult situations. Instead of saying, "What am I going to do?", ask God what He's going to do or what role He wants you to have, if any. Instead of whining 'Why is this happening?" say "Well let's see what I can learn from this." Instead of getting frustrated, get on our knees or our face and pray. We need to change our focus from the human aspect to the God aspect, because there always is one. Amen?

Why don't we try that this week. Let's change our focus from people and situations to God and His power. If you're willing to take the challenge with me, leave a comment so I can pray for you on this little journey. I'll post next week how it's worked from me. And I look forward to your stories as well. You with me? Come on! Let's see what kind of joy ride God has in store for us!

As always, be blessed!

Mari

Paint and sin

I spent days and days cleaning before my mom and sister got here for their visit. We even did some long overdue painting. Long overdue would mean about 3 years overdue. Now that it's done, can I tell you how much painting reminds me of dealing with sin? Yep. It sure does.

See, it all started with the living and dining room. We were just going to paint in there. No new color, just the same one. It's flat paint so if you try to clean it, it just comes off, leaving you with bare, unpainted walls. No thanks! So we painted.

Then we saw that the dirt on the foyer wall was really obvious now that the adjacent living and dining room walls were freshly painted and clean. So we felt we had to do the foyer. Of course, once we did that, the kitchen walls looked bad. So we did the kitchen.

And we thought we'd be done...except that the foyer walls also made the stairway walls look trashy. So...yes, you guessed it...we continued to paint. And we did this until every room was painted.

When we were done it all looked so nice and new, like we had never had dirty little hand prints on the wall. And that's when it hit me. If we start dealing with one area of sin in our life and we allow God to really clean us up in regards to that one issue, it's great. The problem (or great thing) is that our pleasure at God winning a battle for us in that area is tempered by the sudden realization that there's still this one other issue that we need His help with. And once we're doing good there, we realize that there's that other issue over there, hiding out behind the guilt and shame.

Just like my husband and I could not paint just the one wall, it's hard to just ask God to deal with one thing and say "Okay, I'm good. I'm done now." Even if we do, we'll keep looking at that clean area next to the the unclean one and it will bother us to action. And you know what? I like that.

So I say today, "God, paint on. Remodel! Have at it!" Will you join me?

As always be blessed! I'm off to help my mom reclean all the things I already cleaned before she got here. LOL

Freedom and the 4th

Happy 4th of July everyone! On this day we celebrate our independence as a country. That's an important thing. And wonderful to celebrate and reflect on the freedom we have.

As I was reflecting on that, a small, but critically important message came to me. I have to share it with you.

On today, as we think about freedom and independence, I ask you to consider another kind of freedom and independence. Consider, if you do not have it already, achieving freedom in Christ and the cross. Consider independence from the penalty of sin.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36 (NIV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23 (NIV)

If you don't know Him (Christ), get to know Him and let Him give you the ultimate freedom and independence. You'll never be sorry. And it will make your next 4th that much sweeter when you realize you are a citizen not just of the free United States, but a citizen with a reservation in heaven (your name is written in the Book of Life).

Nothing impure will enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. ~ Revelation 21:27 (NIV)

Happy Independence Day!

As always, be blessed! (And saved!)

Loving my Father God

These past 10 days have been so completely difficult. I withdrew from Facebook and Twitter. I posted one personal post here. I am a hurting woman right now. I don't understand what is going on in my crazy life......



BUT GOD....



is my Father and I trust Him. I don't understand what He is up to, but I trust Him. He's never failed me. He won't now.



Now can someone please tell my heart and my emotions? Thanks!



What is wonderful is that He loves me, even when I act like I don't know whose I am. He loves me no matter what. And I love Him. He is the best father a girl can have. My earthly father is up there hanging out with God in heaven. So now I lean solely on my Father God for fatherly advice and fatherly love.



I hope you lean on Him too. He's the best!



Happy Father's Day to all the dads. Use the best daddy in the world as your blueprint and you'll do well.



Happy Father's day Abba Father, Adonai. I love you. Thank you for being the best daddy I could ever want or have.



Be blessed everyone!

Strongholds

Hey everyone! Some of you may be wondering where I have been. Let me tell you, no place fun.

I finished one of the books. (YEAH!!) I have been trying and trying and trying to work on the second one but to no avail. I've had nothing. Not one word! How was this possible? I finally got it. Two things were at work.

One - I was neglecting my quiet time with the Lord. Yep, for the Lover of my soul, I had no time. That is so very uncool. And as a result of that, I came smack face to face with a stronghold that seriously MUST be torn down.

One thing I must say. If you are struggling with a stronghold or secret sin, talk to a sister in Christ about it. As long as the enemy can keep you operating in the dark, He'll keep winning. The Word says, "..if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or more are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV) I've talked my situation over with a dear friend and she is helping me pray through this. I cherish her prayers, her friendship and her support.

Ladies, I tell you, it had a strangle hold on me. I've lost a few battles but I will not lose the war. Why? Because Jesus won't let me, that's why. I'm putting on my armor!! I've taken to reading through every single prayer card on the subject from Beth Moore's Praying God's Word. What power scripture has when you pray it and let it settle in your heart and mind.

I did a lot of repenting, confessing and praying this weekend. Finally, last night, I was able to write some. It wasn't a lot, but it was a lot more than I had done in the last three weeks. Today was another tough day. But you know what, Jesus was right there with me. He provided "the way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV) so I could bear the temptation. God is so good! If ever you have doubted His Word, stop. It is true. It is real. And it is still working today in my life and I hope in yours. I know this stronghold will be torn down and utterly destroyed. And I am going to keep praying and trusting until it comes to pass. God is able!

Be blessed Ladies! God loves you and He is always at work in your life!

And God said "Yes, you do"

I am worn out friends. Between caring for a sick child, being sick myself and trying to finish the second of two book proposals, I am tapped out. The good news is that the proposals are both done and have been submitted. Now I wait. I've never been very patient. Wonder if that has something to do with why God would call me to participate in an industry where you do a whole lot of waiting. Funny Lord. HAHA right back at ya! (And I mean that in the most reverently possible way)

I do want to share one thing with you. It's a little message God spoke to my heart.

Sunday my husband decided he wanted to track down a friend of his. This friend was in our wedding. I became friends with his wife. We all used to hang out when we lived in Chicago. Then they moved to Ohio, then to England and then back to Ohio. In the meantime, we moved to North Carolina. We lost touch after our move here. They were going through some stuff and probably going to move again so she couldn't provide me with a number. Life got busy. Rick and I went through our own trials here in NC and well, six years went by. So Sunday, he asked me to get online and see if I could find his friend.

I found him. And I found something else I was not ready for. His wife died in July. Forty years old and a mom of four. Dead. It hit me hard. Ladies the enemy had her fooled. He made her feel alone. He made her feel like no one knew what she was going through in life. He made her believe her only comfort was to be found in the bottom of a bottle. She believed his cocktail of lies and it killed her. It tore apart her family.

What I struggled with was that I didn't know if she ever accepted The Truth, my Jesus, the Christ. Then I wondered if I had talked about Him enough, presented Him enough when I had the chance. I fear I did not. I will not accept the guilt the enemy has tried to place in my heart and mind. And he is trying extremely hard.

What I will accept is the responsibility to not be ashamed of the gospel. I will acknowledge that as I was deciding if I was even going to submit those book proposals, I wondered if I really wanted to write and not have it marketed toward the Christian market. I liked the idea on the one hand but I also wanted to be a "Christian writer".

Ha! God clearly pointed out to me through the sad news that I am a "Christian writer", whether I write for Christians, seekers or the completely unchurched. Apparently, God was telling me with those book proposals "Yes, you do want to submit those proposals. I have called you to write for people like your friend, who don't really know me. Do you intend to go where I have called you?"

Yes, I do.

Do you intend to go where He has called you?


Be blessed friends! And be a blessing to someone everyday.

Faith Zone Challenge #5

Challenge 5 (Sunday....and beyond):


Challenge #5: Take an extravagant LEAP OF FAITH - embrace the call that God has impressed upon your heart. Listen to the right voice, and forget the excuses.

This one threw me for a loop. Here is my little story as to why.

God had placed three things on my heart. I am sad to report that I have been like Jonah about them. One was given to me two years ago and I just never got off my duff to do anything about it. One was spoken to me at She Speaks and the other just last week. So Saturday night I prayed for God to send me a flashing neon sign about the three things I know He has called me to.

One is a book He placed on my heart to write . It's not what I would have thought of for a first book, but He's been very clear. He gave me this idea at She Speaks during Bill Jensen's class. He was taking about books that get published because they are timely for something going on in the culture or a big event that has just occurred. To make sure I knew He wasn't kidding about it, God orchestrated a situation where there was a question on a writers group this past week asking if our Work In Progress was addressing any timely events. When I responded to the question with details about what this book would be and the format, I got several emails back saying "Hurry and get that proposal shopped around. It is so needed. " One email was from the panelist who posed the question. You would think I'd have said Okay Lord by now. But no, no, I was determined to be Jonah. Here God was giving me back the dream I has laid on the altar at She Speaks and I was refusing it because it "looked different" than what I had placed there.

Another thing He placed on my heart is a relationship tool for moms and tween/teen daughters. This was the idea I received from Him last week. Again my Jonah attitude said " Lord, my relationship with my own tween and teen daughters could use some work. I'm not sure I'm the right one for this God. Surely no one is going to listen to me on this one."

The final thing is a prayer ministry in our church for our Middle School and High School girls. This is the one that I haven't moved on in two years. It is so dear to my heart but I've been paralyzed by fear. "Well, they are going to ask me to write up a plan. I'm not sure how it should look, so how can I write a plan? What if it fails? What if I heard God wrong or misunderstood in some way? What if it goes too well and gets too big for me? Then what?" Focusing on me instead of on God, that's what I was doing. I have let the enemy engulf me in a spirit of fear about this.

So for the last week God has really been after me that He needs me to get moving on these. I've was saying "Lord surely You are joking. I have two kids. I work full-time. I have a husband. I'm involved in ministry at church. Where in the world would I find time? How could all this happen in my one life? Perhaps I heard you wrong. Perhaps You meant one of these things and not all three." So I asked for a flashing neon sign that He meant all three. If He did, I'd quit being Jonah and do as he has asked. WARNING: Never, and I mean never, ask for this if you don't really mean it.

Sunday morning dawned and I looked on Tracie's website. The challenge was up - "embrace the call God has placed on your life." WHAT?! I was dumbfounded. As if that wasn't enough, in my quiet time, it was about, guess what, having faith. My bible study was talking about believing God for your calling, knowing HE can do it through you.

So with those three flashing neon signs, God finally had me. All I can say now is "Lead me Lord"

May you respond "Lead me Lord" in whatever He has called you to do!

Stop by tomorrow for Yes to God Tuesday! Love and blessings to you all!

Faith Zone Challenge #3 and #4

Yesterday I did not post challenge 3. I spent the day relaxing and recuperating from a string of headaches. So today I am posting Challenge 3 and 4.



Challenge 3 (Friday):



Challenge #3: Forgive them. Forgive that person whom you have been holding a grudge against for days, weeks, months, maybe years. Bask in the freedom that you will gain from being obedient to God in this way. Your rewards will be great.



This one was hard and revealing. During my morning quiet time I realized I had a group of people to forgive. I don't want to go into too much detail on the blog because I don't want to hurt others.



The people I forgave are relatives. They have hurt my feelings, interfered in areas of my life that they should not have and in general passed negative judgement on me. I'm not perfect but I don't think anyone deserves what I have often times received from them. What has been so frustrating is that at other times they "seemed" fine with me. I think the duplicity is what hurt and frustrated me the most.



It was hard to forgive and the tears flowed but I needed to stop poisoning myself. I choose to let God heal those hurt places. I choose to continue to grow into someone fabulous by God's grace and not become an ugly person because of bitterness. I choose to have faith that God is bigger than my bitterness. And I choose to let Him replace it with His love. Thank You Lord Jesus!



Challenge 4 (Saturday):



Challenge #4: Share your faith with three people today.

Well, I did not do so well with this one. I really did not go out much on Saturday. I went to the beauty shop at 6 AM so the two beauties and I could get dolled up (they start school tomorrow). I made one trip later to shop for shoes for my oldest beauty since younger beauty was off with a friend. I did not verbally give a testimony to the beautician, the receptionist at the salon or the clerk at the shoe store. However I was pleasant and nice to them. For me that fell short. I wish I had slipped them a verse or asked if I could pray for them or told them "God Bless you" or something that let them know that God was real to me. So perhaps I can do that going forward. I at least was aware of my attitude. I certainly did not want to be acting like a friend of the enemy. So in that respect I guess I did okay.

My time with God continues to go well. Some verses that have struck me in Day 3 and 4 of the challenge are:

"Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord, His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth." Hosea 6:3 (NKJV)

What I love about this verse is the concept of latter and former rain. Former rain comes in the fall and prepares the ground for seed (softens it). Latter rain came in the the spring and caused growth. If you apply this to the trials in your life, it would go something like the following. Some trials are preparing you for something God wants to do in your life (Former rain). Some trials are stretching your faith, making you grow (Latter rain). When I look at it this way, it makes me realize all the more how my complaining is out of place, out of line. God is working!

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong,. Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corintians 16:13-14 (NKJV)

What fabulous instructions. Watch. Watch for God's return. Watch what you say and do. Watch for opportunities to share your faith. Stand Fast. Stay in the Word. Keep praying. Again, share your faith. Defend it when needed. Be Brave. Depend on God for the hard stuff, for all the stuff really :) Be strong. All I'd add are the words "in the Lord". Finally, do everything with love. Exude the aroma of Christ. Let the Light that is within you shine through daily.

Be blessed! I'll finish up with Challenge 5 tomorrow

Faith Zone Challenge #2

Faith Challenge #2 from Tracie was :

Challenge #2: Let God's light shine brightly through you today - even if someone licks the red off of your sucker. Be kind to those who are unkind. Be giving to those who don't give. Look for the positive in every situation you encounter.

Pardon? If I didn't know better, I'd ask her if she had been drinking.

I've been on vacation this week, except for Monday when I had to work because too many other people were off. I'm not bitter just saying..I would have liked it off as well. But I digress. My two beauties have been bickering all week as we've been getting them prepared to go back to school on Monday. I know it's because this is their fourth week of all day togetherness and they are sick of each other. However, they know I hate fighting so you'd think they would not do it around me. Well think again.

Every day we've been out shopping I've to make the following statements:

"If you two do not stop it right now I will put everything in this cart back, walk out of this store and y'all can go to school with last years clothes. If you can't wear last year's clothes, then you'll just be naked."

"Making nasty comments about your sister is unacceptable and besides that it's not godly"

That works for the store we're in but then I need to repeat it all over again in the next store. Very frustrating. Fast forward to Thursday and Day 2 of this challenge. I had a little problem with the "be kind to those who are unkind".

As I suspected when I started Day 2, my children did everything in their power to push my buttons and get on my nerves. At one point during "Challenge Day 2" we were in the car and the two beauties were bickering back and forth like they were mortal enemies. I yelled "STOP IT!" Then I remembered the challenge. Specifically the "be kind to those who are unkind" came to mind because they were definitely being unkind. So I calmed my voice and began to tell them how ungodly that was and how what they were doing was not a good representation of what is expected of a Christian. We rode the rest of the way home in silence. By the time we got home they were both more congenial and neither appeared to be mad at me (like I would have cared anyway because they were just wrong!)

I wish I could have done this without yelling but after three days of bickering, that was all that was going to get their attention. I'm just glad that God enabled me to turn it around and make it a teachable moment, instead of a yell fest.

Tomorrow I'll be blogging about Challenge #3 and my quiet time this morning. As a teaser I'll tell you, I'm buying stock in Kleenex so I can recoup some of money!

Be blessed! Love God! Praise Him!

Faith Zone Challenge #1

Faith Challenge #1 from Tracie was :

Spend 30 minutes a day in quiet time with God for the next 5 days.

That did not prove hard today. I actually spent about an hour in prayer and reading my Bible. Oh was it an eye opening time. During my prayer time I actually got so worked up that I was sobbing. That hasn't happened in a long time. It was truly precious to me.

During my bible study time my eyes were opened to things I had never noticed before. Verses leapt off the page at me. There were many things to ponder and ponder them I will. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

One verse that stuck out to me was 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." WOW! It made me really think about my worldview. If we are only hoping in Christ for things on this earth and making our life here wonderful, then we are to be pitied the most and we are pitiful. We must have a biblical worldview, an eternal perspective. What we need to hope in Christ for are things that have eternal ramifications. Am I doing that? Are you?

Today I had to wrestle with challenge #2. I'll write about that tomorrow. Boy was that one a dousy! And my story to go with it, is just as interesting . I'm almost afraid of what #3 will be. But I'm going to hang in there. Just like Jacob, I'm going to hang on and wrestle with it. I know God blesses us when we have faith. And more than that, it draws us closer to Him, which is what I desire.

Come back tomorrow for Challenge #2 details :-)

Walking the Walk

Since I am doing Lysa's study on "What Happens When Women Walk In Faith", I could not resist adding a new dimension to it.

Tracie Miles from Proverbs 31 Ministries has issued a challenge. Not just any old challenge mind you. No, this is a FAITH challenge. There was no way I was going to pass up the chance to actually do some walking in faith.

I encourage you to join me. Stop by Tracie's blog and make the commitment with me. I'll be posting the next 6 days (gotta have a recap day ya know) on the challenges. I hope you are blessed by it. If you choose to participate, and I hope you do, please stop by and share your stories as well.

Each day will be a new challenge. I'll post tomorrow what Challenge #1 was and will provide updates on it over the next 6 days.

I'm so excited I can barely stand it. Come join me!