(More Than) 5 Minute Friday, in real life, & an On-Line (un)Conference

(Please continue praying for Texas and all those affected by the wildfires and working to put them out. Send Your rain, God.)

I popped over to The Gypsy Mama for the normal 5 Minute Friday post and was surprised to discover this. It sounds really amazing and I can stay in my pajamas…bonus! Maybe you can come, too? I'm thinking...pajama party?

In keeping with their theme, in real life, I decided to share a few of the first thoughts that come to mind (this could be dangerous…). You can read more of the same here., and link up, if you'd like.

The phrase in real life implies that maybe some things in life… aren’t…real? This got me t’ thinkin’ (sorry, sometimes the Texas in me sneaks out)…and to brainstorming (like writers sometimes do). Here’s what I came up with:

In fake life?, get real, for real, uncover, lies, cover-up, pretend, in plain sight, taking off the mask, not always perfect, too good to be true, put on a happy face, behind closed doors, hiding, fear of, out in the open, the real me, the real you, what you see is what you get, closed, open up, share

Boy, did that open up a can of worms.

Aren’t we all in this real life together? Why the temptation to hide behind masks of perfection or cover up hurts or put up walls or be someone we’re not?

In this life…this real life…there are hurts. There is happy and sad. There is beautiful and there is ugly. There is abuse, failure, success, lies, mistakes, regrets, victories, anger, sin, love, hate, tempers lost, divorce, jealousy, expectations, affairs, rebellion, cliques, impure motives, joy, disappointments, accomplishments, and on and on and on.

You get the idea.

Let’s talk about the real. Let’s be real. And let’s help each other.

It’s all good (except when it’s not).

And that reminds me of one of my favorite books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, by Dr. Seuss.

“Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest…Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t. I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you…”

But do we stop or give up because real life happens? No.

“…on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak.”

I hope you know as I write these words on my blog, God is speaking to me, healing me, correcting me, exposing me, re-directing me… loving me. I invite you to come along and pray that you find some of the same through what you read. Sometimes my arms get sore and my sneakers leak, but God never changes. I am happy to be sharing my journey with all of you.

Isn’t that part of our job description anyway?

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (I Thes. 5:11).

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb. 10:23-25).

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:8-10).

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col. 3:16).

Happy Friday, friends! :)

My Top 5 from the "Yes to God" Webcast

First and foremost, friends, please remember to pray for my home state, Texas, and all those affected by the wildfires as well as those risking their lives to fight the fires. We need rain and we need a miracle.  I know that even in the midst of this, God is bigger and He is still good. 

***********************************
Last night the webcast offered by Lysa Terkeurst and Ann Voskamp was about saying "Yes to God." God has been speaking this for some time to me. In fact, I just wrote a guest post about it yesterday before the webcast that will be published soon.  More specifically to me, it has been about saying yes to Him while saying no to those things that might distract me from His purposes or keep me from His presence.

I loved getting together with my girlfriends all across the world. It was like having one big chat session, especially with the twitter feed - although my (undiagnosed) ADD contributed to missing several statements spoken on the left while trying to keep up with the written conversation on the right. I should probably take advantage of the opportunity to review the webcast. If you missed it (or need to see it again), it is available on demand on Lysa's blog.

I decided to list my top 5 favorite nuggets from last night:

1. Before we say yes to God's work in the world, we need to say yes to who He says we are in His word. ~Ann
2. Keeping company with God is what's most important, not how much we accomplish. ~Ann
3. Christ is always our first yes to God...there is no yield in our lives until there is a yes to the Lord. ~Ann
4. The name of God - YHWH - is the sound of breathing itself...Make every breath a yes to God. ~Ann
5. Peace isn't the absence of dark, it's the assurance of God's presence in the dark. ~Ann

And since I usually have a hard time limiting words (except when I'm trying to meet my word count goal for the day, of course)...it is no surprise that I have one more to my list...technically making this my Top 6 (but we'll leave the number out so I don't have to change my title LOL):

Lysa talked about intentionally pausing in the moment and acknowledging God throughout our day. This has been my quest in pursuing God. This was a great reminder for me as it has been key in learning to "Hear His voice above all the noise," as my tagline states. I pray that I will not forget this. That I will remember when life is busy and frustrations are high and stress is squeezing and things are harder...that I will pause and acknowledge God...that I will remember He is good and He never changes.

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Were you able to join in on the webcast last night? If yes, what were you favorite take-aways? And if not, please feel free to comment on my faves :)

Also, remember there is still time to watch the webcast on demand today and tomorrow at LysaTerkeurst.com.


Although not my usual Imperfect Prose Post, I am still joining today with Emily at Canvas Child and Ann for Walk With Him Wednesdays.


 

It is Good to Draw Near

For some time now I have felt God's invitation to come closer...an invitation to know Him more...to fellowship and worship all throughout the day. At times I have to just stop and kneel beside my bed, even if only for a few minutes. And some nights, like tonight, sleep is no rival for time in His presence. My body is tired but my spirit is doing cartwheels.

This morning our Pastor finished up his most recent series with a message titled Seeking God's Face in Prayer and Worship. He spoke about how the church as a whole has become quite efficient in seeking the hands of God when in need or want of something, but are neglecting the Giver Himself.

God is urging us to get to know Him. He desires that we wade out a little deeper.

James 4:8 assures us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus promises that if we seek, we will find and if we knock, it will be opened to us.

Again Jesus speaks in John 7:37 and invites those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink.

The psalmist in Psalm 73:28 proclaims that it is good to draw near to God.

To be near our Savior. To sit at the feet of Jesus. To rest in the lap of our God. To bask in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

No petitions.

No requests.

No pleas.

Just be near Him.

(A very abbreviated summary of my notes):

I. We must first seek God's face in prayer.

• Relationship is dependent on fellowship. Jesus' relationship to His heavenly Father was directly related to his prayer life.

• The disciples knew that prayer was key. In Luke 11:1, they did not ask Jesus to show them how to heal or how to do miracles or how to teach but how to pray. "...Lord, teach us to pray..."

II. We must seek God's face in worship.

• As Esther prepared for her time with the King (Esther 2:12), she used oils and perfumes not of her own preference, but those that were pleasing to him. We, too, must prepare and worship in ways that are pleasing to the King, however we feel the Holy Spirit leading. It is not about our preference, but His.

• In Matthew 26:8, Mary brings an alabaster flask of very expensive oil and pours it on Jesus as He sits at the table. Pastor James painted a picture of Mary breaking open the flask and emptying the entire bottle without hesitation. She was extravagant in her worship no matter the cost. Today, the majority of the church measures out a little here a little there, deciding how much we give God in worship. He wants us to come in our brokenness (break open the flask) and pour out everything we have on Him, no matter the cost.

It is good for me to draw near to God...Ps. 73:28

More posts on drawing near to God:
i am His
An Invitation, A Call to Intimacy
Unworthy but Invited to Come
My Soul Longs For You
Complete in His Presence

Today I am linking with Jen at Finding Heaven, Michelle at Nebraska Graceful and counting my gifts with Ann.

#66-75 of graces embraced and gifts undeserved but given anyway

66 lifting holy hands
67 knees bent
68 arms open
69 the weight of His glory
70 spiritual cartwheels
71 an invitation to come closer
72 the sound of sleeping beauties
73 staying up late and sleeping in on holidays
74 corporately reading through Matthew 1-4 on a Friday night in a little church in the middle of nowhere
75 overwhelmed in His presence and tears that flow freely

Finding REST in a Narrow Place

Joining today with Gypsy Mama and a community of others to offer a spill about REST.

Losing our football game last night prompted me to consider times of loss, adversity, disappointments, etc. Although defeat comes with a sting, it is temporary and can be a vehicle to victory. It is easy for me to jump on the encouragement train and speak words of wisdom to my fifteen year old, but what happens when I face similar circumstances or trials in my own life? We leave the football uniform hanging in the dressing room but the struggle to keep faith and stay strong catches a ride home with us.

Psalm 31:7 says "I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of my enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place."

God knows each stop we make on our journey and the things we face there. He knows us, even in adversity and remains unchanging. It is our faith that wavers and our belief that sways.

In Ecclesiastes 7:14 we are advised to consider that God has appointed times prosperity as well as times of adversity. "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other..."

We often do not know even our own heart, the stability of our faith, the depth of our beliefs or strength of our character until we are squeezed, tried and put to a test.

The end of Ps. 31:7 says He sets our feet in a wide place. I believe as we go through these adverse times, these times that feel narrow and constricted, we are being formed, molded and refined. At the end of this uncomfortable place opens wide the enlarged territory for which God is now preparing us.

It has been a struggle not to resist this part of my journey. The last several years have felt like a long, narrow hallway, but I am catching a glimpse of an opening ahead. I am resting in His truth and trusting that He knows me, He loves me and He never changes.

In this resting, I have found a quiet place. A place of restoring. A place of refreshing. A place of hearing. A place of knowing. A place of communing. A place of growing and becoming and being.

I pray that you find this place of rest today, this quiet place, this place created that you might know Him more. And I pray that you realize the fullness of His joy, feel the breath of His Spirit and accept His love that never fails.

Can I pray for you today?

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email (contact info).

*Although I took longer than the normal 5 minutes to write, I pray that this 5 minute read refreshes your soul.

imperfect prose: i am His

finding joy in the still

learning rest in the not-to-do

listening in the quiet

encountering Him.

i feel His pursuit

i hear the sound of His breath

this breath of life

blowing like a great wind over me.

i will not be found hiding

afraid in sin and shame

but turned and running

to meet my Pursuer.

loved and forgiven i receive this gift

empowered and filled i break free

called and commissioned i advance

consumed and overtaken it is no longer i who live.

giving thanks in all, i am embraced by the One whose heart holds complete

undone and unable to speak, my words fail me

overwhelmed by this God who loves me full

i spill out and He cradles messy, imperfect brokenness.

i sit on this potter's wheel surrendered

i enter this furnace open

molding, refining, repairing, re-making

becoming.

i am His.

what is this life if not to be lived for the One who first breathed life

if not to be given back to the one Who first gave

lived for the One who breathes life still, today

given to the One who gives life still, today

i am His.

****

linking with beautiful emily for imperfect prose.

 and beautiful ann for walk with Him wednesdays 

God's Holy Pursuit Part 2

(Part 2 of the message I heard Sunday is further proof that my Pastor is sneaking a peek at my notes.)

As my Pastor stated Sunday morning, there is a diminished presence of God's Spirit in the church today.

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~Matthew 24:12-13 NKJ

The Spirit of lawlessness has invaded the last day church. The King James uses the word iniquity. The transliterated word for iniquity in the Greek is anomia which means the condition of without law; because ignorant of it; because of violating it; contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness (source). The sin that separates us from the presence of God is anything in violation or contradiction to God's Word. There are a multitude of things that have become common and acceptable in the world that are completely contradictory to the Word of God and they have found their way into the church, a blending of values.

Jesus is speaking not to unbelievers, but to the church in Revelation when He says, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth" Revelation 3:15-16.

A blending of cold and hot...make lukewarm. A blending of the world's normal with bits and pieces of the truth of God's Word ....makes one lukewarm. Jesus said He would rather we be cold. Halfheartedness is not pleasing to God but rather like a cheating spouse, an extramarital affair, a breaking of covenant, a betrayal.

The church as a whole is operating at minimal capacity. Although some would appear to be thriving, they are void of the Spirit of God. Building earthly kingdoms that will not stand, bound by legalism, religion and the traditions of man and operating in criticism, judgment and condemnation. I have been there and this is not God.

Blended Christianity, accepting of popular opinion while rejecting Truth. This is not God.

God is love.

And He is calling His children back to Himself. Everything He does in relationship to us is done in love. Even in chastisement and correction, He loves. We must turn from our sin, be bold in our faith, immerse ourselves in His presence and begin to walk in the authority that has been given to us. We must seek Him, not man or man's opinions or ideas or approval. We must seek Him and hear His voice. 

The Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt because they didn't have a vision for their future. Sunday evening, our guest speaker, Bob Griffin, explained it so well.  Because of sin, their vision was clouded. They could not perceive what God was wanting to do. They were in a place of non-perception. Sin and religion cut us off from seeing God's plan, from hearing His voice and will cause us to shrink back from the great things He is wanting to do in and through us.

In John 20:22 after Jesus was raised from the dead, He came and stood in the midst of His disciples and breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit... the same breath that breathed life into man in Genesis 2:7. It is the Holy Spirit in us that empowers us to live... empowers us to live the life we were created to live, to walk in the authority we've been given, to accept the task before us with confidence.

God is in pursuit of His children. He is calling us to a higher place of obedience, faithfulness and love. Let us see and hear. Let us not shrink back, but advance in the power of the Holy Spirit, ready to conquer ground yet to be conquered.

When the call seems too great, allow God to breathe into you the breath of life and empower you with the Holy Spirit. There are big assignments waiting to be completed. There is a path waiting to be chosen. There is a door waiting to be opened.

I refuse to go back.

(If you missed Part One: God's Holy Pursuit, click here to read)

Today I am linking with Jen at Finding Heaven for Soli Deo Gloria.

Hear it On Sunday, Use it On Monday: God's Holy Pursuit

I'm not sure if my Pastor ever reads my blog, but I am certain he stole my private notes for his sermon this morning. 

Either that, or we are listening to the same voice.

Remember my Hebrew study of Genesis 1:1-2 for a section in one of the chapters of the book I'm writing?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

Before man was even created, the Spirit of God was hovering (brooding, fluttering) over the very thought of Adam and Eve.  He was in pursuit of man before man was even here.

In Deuteronomy 32:11, the same word is used by Moses to compare God's hovering over the children of Israel in the wilderness to an eagle hovering over its young. The side notes in my Bible call it a divine overshadowing.

As my Pastor spoke during the morning service, this word was confirmed in my spirit. God- the creator of the universe- is in continual pursuit of His children... of me, of you. He is not only watching over us, He is watching for us. Watching and waiting in anticipation for us to accept His invitation, reciprocate His love, and pursue Him Who is pursuing us.

In Genesis 3:8-9 the Spirit of God again pursues Adam and Eve for an evening stroll in the garden. Ready for a time of fellowship, an intimate conversation, a strengthening of their personal relationship, He enters the garden and searches for His children.

"Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?'" ~Genesis 3:9

Instead of meeting God as they had before, Adam and Eve were separated from His presence. A breach in their relationship occurred because sin had entered their lives.

How many times has God had to call out to us?

He desires to manifest His presence in our lives continuously, not just a moment here and a moment there. He wants to take up residence in our lives. In order to experience the continual manifest presence of God revealed in the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must reciprocate the love He lavishes upon us.

The evidence of our love is not found in what we say but in what we do.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments..." ~1 John 5:3a

Do not misinterpret this as meaning we have to earn our salvation by works. But are our actions reflecting what we believe? (Click here to read a recent post on Believing, Speaking, Living).


God pursues us because He is madly, passionately and completely in love with us, His children.

As we walk throughout our day, the Spirit of God is hovering over our lives. Even now.

Can you hear the sound of God hovering? Can you feel the breath of His Spirit? Can you sense His Holy presence?

Is He searching, calling out to you...Where are you?

Or has He been met by your own pursuit of Him?

(Part two of this sermon and more evidence of my Pastor tampering with my notes...coming soon.)

Linking today with Michelle at Nebraska Graceful:

and counting my gifts with Ann V:

#56-65 of graces embraced and gifts undeserved by given anyway...

56 confirming words

57 words that empower

58 God revealed in us by the Holy Spirit

59 God's pursuit of me

60 Sunday evening service twice a month

61 days when I can't seem to tear myself away from the Word of God

62 three more logs on the fire burning in my soul

63 God's desire to manifest His presence in my life

64 an evening stroll in the garden

65 a Pastor who hears from God

imperfect prose - less air to breathe

(Linking a past post with Emily for Imperfect Prose)

Head on our pillow, our body rests but our mind cannot.


Unrest and worry attempt to grip our soul.

Tempted to give in, our mind wanders and begins to doubt.

Suddenly there seems less air to breathe...squeezed and emptied, our faith becomes small.

Uncertainty and fear take root.

Reeling from the events of the day - the month - we become servants to our circumstances and the thoughts they provoke.

In those times when we feel there is nothing else, no one else, no place to turn, our head hangs low, our feet stumble...fingers groping in the dark we long for something to grab on to.

But when we find the courage to look up - we see that there is a hand reaching out - arms open, waiting to pull us up...

...waiting to embrace us.

In our surrendering, we find Him.

In our brokenness, we are able to heal.

In our healing, we find that every suffering, every valley, every disappointment serves a greater purpose.

With all the uncertainty in this imperfect world - in our life - He is the one thing that remains constant. His love for us is certain. He is unchanging - the same yesterday, today and forever.

And in our weakness, His power is displayed and made perfect.

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. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I can't do it alone.

And I don't have to...

No matter my circumstances, His grace is sufficient for me. For you.

I hold on to Him.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

I will trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

I know that He has a plan.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

(un)Disciplined Writing, Grateful & What I Heard Sunday

First Grade :)

I am on a journey. I am learning. I am growing. I am being confronted with self. I am changing.

"People change when the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of changing" (John Maxwell).

Although I have always had a love of words, it was not until recently (within the past year) I gave in to what I feel is part of my calling in ministry. It required releasing some of my plans and dreams and surrendering to God and His purposes for me by acknowledging and embracing what He has placed in the very core of my being. He pursues me still, and I am being overtaken.

For the next couple of weeks, I am cutting back on my social media outlets (fb, twitter, and even some blogging) to focus and finish an important writing project and a few smaller ones. I have found that the art of writing - no matter how much God is in it - requires one to be disciplined. I am naturally undisciplined. But I'm growing and changing, remember? ;) 

Now...about what I heard Sunday.

My spiritual parents have arrived from Australia for some meetings in the US and I was able to attend one this weeked. I was challenged, encouraged and empowered by what God spoke through them.

Briefly...(because I'm on a mission...)

God has placed gifts - made deposits - within each of us. We must guard the deposits and stir up our gifts so that they are used for the purposes God intended.

"O Timothy! Guard what was commited to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (false doctrine) - by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith..." I Timothy 6:20.

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands" II Timothy 1:6.

We must know and firmly believe what the Word of God says about us. Remove self-imposed ceilings and limits and dare to be who you were created to be.

Let us stir up our gifts. Let us guard our deposit so that we can give it away, influencing all who cross our path. (We cannot do this if we are sinning, walking in unforgiveness and not pursuing the presence of God.)

Don't let anyone define who you are outside of what the Word of God says about you.

Is there something I can pray with you about today?

Linking with Jen at Finding Heaven, Michelle at Graceful and Shanda at A Pause on the Path...

continuing to count my gifts with Ann V.

#46-55 of graces embraced and gifts undeserved but given anyway...

46 words that fill

47 gifts placed on the inside

48 deposits made by the Creater

49 growing, stretching...changing

50 strength to confront and overcome obstacles

51 first day of school jitters

52 waiting in car pick-up lines and seeing my first grader's eyes light up when he sees me

53 imperfect teenagers who love God

54 fluffy white comforters and air conditioning set on 69

55 a class full of third and fourth graders hungry for God's Word and ready for a challenge

thirsting to be filled

rivers run dry, lifting sand, exposing roots

ground cracks open, thirsting to be filled

the earth cries out for rain

as a soul pants for streams of God's holy presence

barren, exposed and unproducing

lives crack open, thirsting to be filled

awaken, all creation

listen for the sound of approaching thunder

prepare and wait in anticipation

watch and see what the Lord will do

linking with beautiful emily, for imperfect prose



Wordless Wednesday - Every Wall is a Door

Linking today with 5 Minutes for Mom - Wordless Wednesday

 

Every wall is a door. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Believing, Speaking, Living

Another challenge I received this weekend while reading beautiful posts from friends around the blogosphere was to consider this question from Kyndra Steinmann:

"Does what is in my heart defile what I offer, or am I living the Gospel clearly and fully?"

In other words, am I giving action to the words I write and speak, or are they just lip service? Do I truly believe what I say and live what I post?

Are my actions toward those around me a confirmation of the words that come out of my mouth (and off my page)?

I must constantly check my motives and my heart (which is deceitful above all things - Jer. 17:9). It is easier to hold resentment than to forgive. It is easier to be prideful than to remain humble. It is easier to think about my own needs and neglect the needs of those in front of me. It is easier to be selfish than to be self-less. It is easier to say it than to live it.

I have encountered many "Christians" who weren't so Christ-like. And truthfully (and sadly), I have fit into that category more than once.

I pray that I not only speak and write words of truth, words reflecting Christ, Christ who is the Word...but that I live those same words. That people see Jesus when they see me.

I am completely imperfect and adorned with faults. My righteousness is as filthy rags (Is. 64:6). If left alone, I would be swallowed up by self, indulging my flesh and not giving thought to my actions. But...He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus) (2 Cor. 5:21).

He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me n a robe of His righteousness...Isaiah 61:10.

I can live the words I write. We can live in this world, this temporary place, and be separate. We don't have to give in to selfish desires and lusts of the flesh.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...Romans 12:2a.

I pray that this life I live, this life that is quickly passing, would bring glory to my Father in heaven now, in this moment, whether in church, in the grocery store or in the privacy of my home. I pray that others would find Christ not only in the words He chooses to speak through me, but the life I live in Him.

Let us be mindful of our words and actions. Are what I say and how I live a reflection of the very nature of Christ in me?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Soon of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

***************


Continuing to count my gifts with Ann Voskamp

#46-55 of

46 an old aluminum boat and a homemade raft tied to a tree on the river bank at the back of our property

47 smooth, shiny river rocks colored with the fingertips of God

48 sweet ice tea

49 tangerine shower gel that smells good enough to eat

50 parents who live next door

51 my computer running slow, but running

52 an unexpected card in the mail

53 new school supplies

54 the sweet innocence of a certain six year old

55 triple word tiles in words with friends

and linking with...

She Likes Me...She Likes Me Not

Photo Credit

What is this proverbial inability to remain confident in Christ in me and who I am in Christ?

Girls, I know you know what I 'm talking about.

Things are fine and then suddenly, out of nowhere, something happens and we feel rejected, disappointed, let down, discouraged, deflated, unworthy...not enough. We forget to Whom we belong.

Why do we (I) look to other things to make us feel important, give credibility to and validate who we are?  For example...the number of facebook friends or twitter followers or blog subscribers. Or why is it so easy to feel neglected or left out when someone doesn't meet our expectations or fulfill certain unwritten rules of friendship?

I have to (and hate to) admit, I notice the number of followers on my facebook writer page and blog, especially since recently trying to learn about building a platform, increasing traffic and expanding reach. Somehow this is supposed to confirm my calling or validate that I am a real writer? I feel a certain accomplishment when I have snagged a new face or added a new name to my audience or friend list. Someone likes me. But what happens when that number decreases? Someone doesn't like me anymore? I immediately wonder who and why and what did I say or do that could have offended someone. Silly, especially reading the words now.

A common trap set to complicate our journey. A root of rejection from our past. Insecurities and fears of being unloved and misunderstood. Pressure to perform and succeed and be something some one else thinks we should be. Envy and jealousy causing us to look at what others have or do or are...and what we don't have, can't do and are not. Lies that whisper we are not good enough and cannot measure up.

Yesterday I took advantage of being in bed all day with strep and read some inspiring blogs. Jean from Healthy Spirituality spoke to my heart. She said, "Lord, I always think some of your spiritual giants - Abraham, Moses, David - were born with deep faith....yet in today's reading, Abraham first believed in your promise, then his faith grew."  Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God (Romans 4:20).

It is in our believing God's promises that our faith is strengthened. Abraham, like us, was born with the potential and ability to believe and become what he was created to be...he was not born complete. He had choices to make and voids to fill. Moses, too,had to decide where to put his confidence. He had to choose even in the midst of  his doubts and fears and insecurities. Traveling an imperfect and messy journey, he often paused to give ear to what he was not capable of doing, what others could do better and at times gave in to weaknesses begging to be recognized. But ultimately he chose to believe what God said and promised to do.

We, too, have to make that choice. No matter how messy or imperfect our journey may be, God has a plan and has promised that He will be with us. He has also promised to provide the tools and equipment we need not just to finish the tasks before us but to finish our race well.

He longs to heal our wounds and fill those empty places crammed with things that will never satisfy.

It doesn't matter how many "likes" we have (except technically for those of us pursuing publication it does matter in that sense), how many events we are invited to or not, how many times our words are rejected or at how many venues we are asked (or not asked) to speak. Our circumstances, trials or hurts do not define us but they can serve as a prod to push us closer to God, refining us and molding us into a vessel that will bring Him honor and glory.

We are daughters of the King. He loves us unconditionally and perfectly. He thinks good thoughts toward us. He chose us.

Let us put our confidence in the One who will never let us down. The One who never changes. The One who empowers us to love and speak and write anyway.

Let us choose to believe His promises, increase our faith and bring glory to Him.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man...(Psalm 118:8).

For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught (Proverb 3:26).

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge (Proverbs 14:26).

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a).

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrew 11:1).

Linking with Jen at Finding Heaven Today...(Jen's link will go live at 8 PM Monday)

and counting gifts with Ann V.

#36-45 of counting my gifts, unending...

36 quiet moments to bask in God's presence and study the Word

37 unexpected opportunities to grow

38 our family of five

39 unconditional, perfect love

40 great fathers in the faith who have gone before us

41 refining, even when it hurts

42 raindrops on a sun scorched land

43 food on our table

44 laughter in our home

45 grace which abounds

Period, Space, Space & Other Old Habits

As the title and tag line of my blog suggests, God is indeed always speaking, if we only have ears to hear. I find that - more often than not - whatever I'm learning in the physical usually parallels something spiritual God is trying to show me.

One of my recent status updates on facebook said this:

• ONE space after a period. ONE space after a period! Anyone else have a hard time with this? Man, my age is showing.

Garnering numerous responses from friends who were - like me - having a hard time breaking this old habit, this status hit a spiritual nerve. Not only am I having a hard time letting go of the typewriter days of "period, space, space" in order that my material be more acceptable to a publisher or agent, but I have also been holding onto other habits that could prevent me from moving into my next season or appointed time.

• Old mindsets that refuse to embrace what I was finally able to confess: "I am a writer."
• Old mindsets that continue to tell me I'm not good enough and this is it.
• Old schedules and routines not conducive to productive writing.
• Priorities that need to be re-evaluated.
• etc, etc.

So, with the return of my kids to school in one week will also come school (sorta) for me, too. I will purpose to push through what has been normal and natural to me for many years (ahem...period, space, space) and move forward by learning new methods and strategies, re-ordering priorities and developing a schedule that will help me meet deadlines.

I will also continue renewing my mind with the Word and choose to believe what God says about me (a few scriptures from the Amplified Bible...because sometimes I need the volume turned up...).

• Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. ~Romans 12:2
• And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], ~Ephesians 4:23
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. ~1 Corinthians 15:58
• Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. ~Ephesians 4:22-24
• I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [a]infuses inner strength into me; I am [b]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. ~Philippians 4:13

On a final note, someone in my writer's critique group the other day mentioned The Pomodoro Technique.  This is one of the specific things I'm going to try in revamping my schedule to become more productive and efficient in time management. Have you heard of this technique?

Do you have some old habits holding you back?

What changes are you implementing to help you move forward?

Silent Sunday

5 Minute Friday - BEAUTY

Linking with the Gypsy Mama for 5 Minute Friday

GO.

Beauty.

What is this word that sounds so familiar but has more meaning than the common definition holds?

Camouflaged and hidden under a blanket of misconceptions and false ideals, beauty is really more than meets the eye.

When one knows and is keenly aware of exactly what it is that he is searching to find, the mystery becomes clear and the treasure visible.

Found in the simplest of places, beauty dwells and exists and abounds.

If you just reach your hand out or dare to see or stop to listen you will surely find that six-letter word.

Beauty is born.

Beauty is resurrected.

Beauty is grown.

Beauty is love.

Beauty is God in all things.

And beauty is doing unto God all things.

When you know what you're looking for, you can see.

Beauty in a smile, a laugh, a home unperfected, a life undone and poured out, a soul emptied to fill another, unfavorable places that draw deep and bind together, dishes waiting because dinner was shared, pages torn from overuse.

Purpose to see today. God in all things. Beauty.

STOP.

I must confess, as my words came slowly, my clock ticked past 5 minutes and more. :)

imperfect prose on thursdays...i choose him

today i am linking up with emily for imperfect prose on thursdays

and i leave behind capitalization, punctuation and fluff

choosing instead unedited thoughts and transparency

because sometimes we just need to talk

no walls, no rules, no expectations

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i must confess this type of post scares me more than any other

words written are not forgotten and do not disappear

what is it that frightens one in sharing, in being open

i ask this question and know there are many answers

fear being the root of all combined

rejection, judgment, condemnation, misunderstandings, opinions

but when i think of all these, and then Him

the others seem to lose importance

silly and irrelevant to this space i now occupy

once lost in what seemed a found place

bound by the unworthy and untrue

tangled and alone and thirsty

even now should i accept all things

i might travel that road once taken

but forgetting those things behind i press on

keeping my eyes on the one who saves me

when hard days come and clouds threaten

i remember he never changes

i remember his words and they are true

i remember he still speaks

and i listen

what is this all for if not for him

no longer interested in this thing created by man

i choose him

brought into a large place

i choose him

rescued and redeemed

i choose him

forgiven and set free

i choose him

just him

Wordless Wednesday - Wide is the Ocean

Today I am linking up with 5 Minutes for Mom for Wordless Wednesday (less than usual, but not completely wordless).

(This month our daughter turns 19. Wide is the ocean in front of her.)

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." Psalms 139:9-10

Repentance, A Response, & A Great Awakening

Saturday was an incredible, intense day of worship, repentance, praise and prayer.  Over 30,000 people attended The Response in Houston, TX and I was honored to have been a part of it.  Over 100,000 others joined online via live-streaming video (that number is probably much greater given the churches who hosted the event only counted as one hit on the internet although there were many in attendance at each location).

As thousands gathered, the only name lifted up was the name of Jesus. Many well-known speakers, pastors, musicians and worship leaders took the stage unannounced. No political or personal agendas, no denominations, no affiliations. Only praises to the King of Kings and personal and corporate repentance on behalf of our individual lives as well as that of our churches, cities, states and nation.

*A CALL TO PRAYER FOR A NATION IN CRISIS*

BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION, AND SOUND THE ALARM!

(Joel 2:1a)

CONSECRATE A FAST, CALL A SACRED ASSEMBLY, GATHER THE PEOPLE...

(Joel 2:15-16a)

SO REND YOUR HEART, AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS; RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, FOR HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL... (Joel 2:13a)

Forgive us, God, for our sins as a nation and as a people. We repent and we say "Truly there is no other God but You!" Hear our cries and heal our land.

Sunday morning our Pastor continued in the book of Joel. Many people came to God for the first time and others who had been away came home. Words of a third Great Awakening came forth Saturday and Sunday. I am excited and looking forward with great anticipation to the things God is going to do through His people. He has called me and you to be a part of this final outpouring of His Spirit. Let us seek Him today with our whole heart...Let us be bold in proclaiming words of truth and standing for righteousness...

"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls."

Joel 2:30-32

Today I am linking with Jen for Soli deo Gloria and Michelle for Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday.

And counting my gifts with Ann Voskamp...

#26-35

hearts repenting

knees bent low and hands lifted high

a nation under God

forgiveness

an outpouring of His Spirit

anticipation of a Great Awakening

leaders who lead

friends who pray

freedom to worship
an unrelenting God

5 Minute Friday - WHOLE

Linking with the Gypsy Mama on this Friday...

GO.

WHOLE.

I don't always feel whole. Sometimes there's empty, sometimes there's lack, sometimes it feels like there is something missing. I can imagine I am not alone. Brokenness would seem to chip off pieces here and there, leaving some out, losing some, forgetting others. How can one be whole when one has been broken?

When the One doing the repairing is the One who formed the world and fashioned our being, the One whose own perfection knows exactly where the pieces fit perfectly together...yes, one can be whole when the Master Creator touches His masterpiece once again.

When this world leaves me broken, I cannot repair myself. When people wound and dreams die and bubbles burst, I don't have to remain shattered. I can be whole. When I realize I am complete in Him no matter who, no matter what, no matter why...when I give myself to Him without hesitation, without reservation....when I become wholly His, I am whole.

STOP.

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For more impromptu five minute posts on the topic WHOLE, visit THE GYPSY MAMA.