The Spirit of God - Alive & Active

"Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)

I am so thankful for the Lord's precious timing. I have had this particular post on my mind for several weeks now. For some reason, I have not been able to completely transcribe what has been on my heart regarding this subject matter. Each time I sat down to complete the post, my heart was overcome with heaviness. I would then become frustrated due to my lack of words and put the post aside. I then did all I knew to do - Prayed for God to sort out in my heart whatever it was that was hindering this post from being completed. So very passionate about this particular thing, that I did not know where in the world to begin.

Over a month ago in small group Bible study, a friend of mine raised a question. It went something like this: Do you think God still gives us insight into our futures? What she was asking, in so many words, is not whether our God is a fortune teller, but whether He is still into the details of our lives. Does He truly call us to believe Him for something specific in our lives, only to fulfill that very thing we have believed Him for? My dear friend wanted to be assured that her God was still capable of leading her, of speaking to her, and of carrying out His plan for her life. That the plan she felt certain He was revealing to her for her life, was indeed from Him. That it was not some fairy tale that she had conjured up in her imagination. That it was possible for Him to reveal Himself to her in such a way. And that it was biblically acceptable that she believed Him in such a way. How do we know when to believe God specifically for things in our own individual lives?

Do you see why I have not had the words on my own to type out this post? Some deep stuff, don't you agree? [Side note: It has taken me like 3 days just to get this far. See what I mean? The enemy better move out of this territory. There's someone reading today that he wants to keep from hearing this. And not because I have anything grand to say - I assure you, I do not - But because God's Word has something immensely important to say to us. And it's huge. And it's affecting how we live our lives every single day. Without us even knowing it.]

I love reading the story of Jesus' birth each Christmas season. When I flip open my rugged Bible to the gospel of Luke, I am never expecting the Lord to speak to me with such newness and revelation - however, year after year, He never ceases to do so. Each year there is something special for my heart to treasure. I, probably much like you, usually stop at Luke 2:20 when I read the Christmas story - "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." This year was a bit different. I chose to continue reading. And I am so glad I did. Because it was in Luke 2:21-32 where the rubber met the road for me. Where I had my "Aha!" moment. Where I realized exactly why God had not allowed me to complete this post that seemed to be roaming around unfinished in cyberspace. Because HE had something to say about all of this. He didn't want my words or opinions. He wanted to have the opportunity to sort this issue out for all of us. Through His Word. And how we praise Him for that - Because it is His Word and His Spirit that bring forth power into our lives.

In Luke 2:21-24, baby Jesus, at just eight days of age, is consecrated to the Lord. [According to the Law of the Lord (Numbers 3:13), each firstborn male was required to be consecrated to the Lord.] In order to hammer these few points in, I am going to type out the next several verses for you. I believe it is absolutely necessary for us to read this particular text:

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel' " (Luke 2:25-32)

The Scripture above labels Simeon as righteous and devout (Lk. 2:25). He expressed much devotion to the Lord. His allegiance was clear. Simeon knew who he belonged to. And everyone else knew who Simeon served.

The latter part of verse 25 also points out that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. Simeon was a devotee of God Almighty. He walked with Him on a daily, hourly basis. He lived his life closely knit together with the One and Only. He desired to know God more with each passing minute. You could say, Simeon was abiding in God. Regardless of what happened in Simeon's surroundings, he had made a commitment to remain stable and fixed upon God. To abide in Him.

I would like to point out a few things before we move on. Ladies, we too can be Simeon's. The Lord Almighty is giving each and every one of us the opportunity to abide in Him. To make a commitment, regardless of our circumstances, to remain stable and fixed upon Him. To be continuous in the pursuit of our God. When we abide in Christ, His Holy Spirit will be upon us. And I can guarantee you this: The work of God will be more present and more active in our lives than ever before.

Luke 2:26 says that the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen Jesus. Did you get that? The Holy Spirit revealed something to Simeon. The Holy Spirit still does that, y'all. In fact, it's one of the Holy Spirit's main functions ...

1 Corinthians 2:10 tells us that God reveals things to us by His Spirit. That passage goes on to say: "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us" (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).

So, get this girls. Not only will the work of God be more present and active in our lives when we are abiding in Christ, but the Spirit of God will reveal the deep things of God to us! The Word of God is very clear that those who are in the Spirit understand the things of God and those who are not, cannot spiritually discern those very things. I tell you this for a reason. When you are called by God - either called by Him to accomplish a specific task, job, etc. or called to believe Him for something in your future - there will be skeptics. And I would even go so far to say that some of them will be other believers. And when that happens - We claim the following as Paul did: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). Which brings me to the next point ...

There are certain things that the Spirit of God reveals to us, that are meant to stay between us and the Lord. Things that we are not meant to share. #1) Because of the above. Human skepticism can completely cinch our belief in God. This is unfortunate, but too often the reality. #2) We have a biblical example of this. Galatians 1:15-16 says, "But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man." It's about time that we start living as if it is God's opinion that matters. First and foremost. Yes, praise Him that He does put spiritual counselors and advisers in our lives to help us to discern what is best in some situations. But in others, we are to rely on the Holy Spirit, who is our ultimate Counselor (John 14:26). And when the Holy Spirit is upon us girls, we will know when God is asking us to believe Him instead of consulting man. We're talking about the Kingdom of God here.

The next part of the Scripture in Luke just brings such joy to my soul. Verses 27-28 say: "Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God ..." Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit. Are you getting this?

Simeon invested in His relationship with God. The Holy Spirit came upon him and was actively working in Simeon's life. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon something specific regarding his own life. Simeon believed God to fulfill His call. The Holy Spirit moved Simeon - when it was time - to see God's promise fulfilled. Simeon praises God saying, "Sovereign Lord, as You have promised ..." (Luke 2:29).

Yes, yes, yes! Girls, this is true for our lives today. Replace the name Simeon with your name in the previous paragraph and praise Jesus for His faithfulness in your very own precious life. Because here is the thing: Our God still uses the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of God in our lives. Just as he did with Simeon. Does He do this for everyone? No. Is He willing to do this for everyone? Of course. But only a few will truly abide. Abide dear one, abide.

And here is the kicker: When God calls you to something, He is absolutely 100% NOT going to allow you to miss seeing the fulfillment of His promise. Can I get an AMEN?! Isn't that wonderful? The Holy Spirit moved Simeon to exactly where he needed to be at the exact time he needed to be there. The Spirit of God would not allow Simeon to miss God's fulfillment, God's plan for his life. And guess what? He's not going to allow us to miss it either. So we might as well keep on keepin' on. Keep on abiding. And keep on believing. And we will see the fulfillment. And just as it was for Simeon, it will be glorious for us.

God has something so wonderful in store for you. Believe Him. Just as Simeon did. Oh to see the Christ-child with our own eyes and touch Him with our own hands, that would be the greatest gift of all this Christmas, wouldn't it? But you know what - We can experience Him this Christmas, can't we? Because the Spirt of God ... Is alive and active.

Merry Christmas, sweet ones. I love loving Him with you. Have a total blast celebrating His birth this year.

"For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

~ Isaiah 9:6 ~

Above All Things

I love this time of year! 45 degrees on a November morning certainly calls for a lit-up fireplace in my home. I curled up on the couch this morning with my Bible, some coffee and the dog at my feet and enjoyed some quiet time with my God next to the fire. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness to Him. I am absolutely overcome by His perfection in the delivery of His promises - both in His Word and in our lives today. I experience periods of time where my heart seems to be overflowing with passion for Him. It cannot be explained and it cannot be extinguished. I am forever grateful to Him for igniting a fire in my heart for His Word.

Girls, whatever you are going through, I assure you that His Word has the answer. Open it, read it, and allow the Spirit of God to sift it straight through your heart. I promise you, if you abide in His Word, you will be forever changed. God's Word will be engrained in your core. And your dependency on God will be evident and obvious in a world that is so broken.

In my own time in the Word this morning, I came across the following passage of Scripture:

Psalm 138:2-3 (ESV) - "I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your Name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word. On the day I called, You answered me; my strength of soul You increased."

Above all things, His Name and His Word are exalted. There is power in the Name of Jesus ... And there is power in the Word of God.

Allow Him to ignite a fire in your heart for His Word ...

A fire that cannot be extinguished.

His Presence in the Practical

I spent my Monday evening very agitated. Here are a few things to know about me:

1. I do not like clutter. Some people can tolerate it. It makes me want to rip my hair out. [My mother would laugh at this post. For some (obvious) reason she seems to correlate my ability to organize, with the trunk of my car. I didn't say that I don't often live amongst clutter - especially when things are busy - I just said I despise it.]

2. I like a finished product. I see the big picture, and I want to get there. I used to be more detail oriented than I am at the current stage of my life. Not sure why. Perhaps planning a wedding had something to do with it?!?

Back to Monday evening. We have 2 rooms in our home that are incomplete. Ok let's be honest, we probably have more than 2, but I'm hyper focused on these 2. I have not yet decided on the perfect paint colors, we have rubbermaid containers stacked up in one of the rooms filled with wedding cards, keepsakes, textbooks, etc. I have been wanting to find time to search for the perfect bedding and fabric for window treatments. And in one of the rooms, because I love to read and needed space to place all my books, my husband built these beautiful wall-to-wall bookshelves. I love them, and yes, they are already almost full. Well, there is a gigantic hole in the ceiling where one was "forced," as he tells me, into the proper spot. I hear that a general contractor's "punch list" never gets completed. Probably not until you go to sell the home.

In my mind, there is still a lot to do. I am careful to say "in my mind" because I fully recognize that this whole "moving into a house a little less than 2 months ago and still having things to finish thing" would be considered perfectly normal to a lot of other women. Other than the slightly obsessive-compulsive ones, like myself. I have so much to be thankful for. I love my home. And I love even more that my husband designed and built it. I am just being a baby. And yes, God has revealed that to me and I am accepting it. So, no need to feel so sorry for me that you stop what you're doing and head straight over here to help me furnish or paint my home. Really, no need. Well, unless you know how to patch up a ceiling hole.

So yesterday morning, the Lord was just so sweet. I was sitting in a coffee shop waiting for a friend, so I opened up my Bible to have some time with Him. [Side note: This was the second coffee date of the morning, by the way. Oh, and I went to Starbucks 3 times yesterday. Record? Maybe so.] Since it was the 24th day of November, I was led to open my Bible up to Proverbs 24. Do any of you do that, by the way? Read a chapter of Proverbs each day? You know there are 31 Proverbs - Just about one for each day. Jenny Lynn and I were talking about that last night. It's a great little daily devotional. I have always found it difficult, because I think the Proverbs are filled with such truth that it's hard to read through an entire chapter each day. On the other hand, it is a great way to be in the Word everyday - even if you just meditate on a few special verses in each chapter. If you do this each month, you're sure to come across something new in God's Word every single day of the year!

So, after waking up yesterday morning still feeling slightly disorganized and overwhelmed, our All-Knowing God speaks this over my life yesterday during Starbucks visit #2:

Proverbs 24:3-4 - "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

How Great is He?? He was so precious to remind me that my focus needs to be not on worrying about filling our rooms with the perfect furnishings or paint colors right away - that stuff will come. Instead, I was challenged through His Word to be focused on founding our home upon His wisdom and knowledge. And when all is said and done, I would so much rather have a room filled with His rare and beautiful treasures, than to have a room filled with the best Pottery Barn furnishings. How wonderful will it be to have a home in which I can walk into each and every room, and see remnants of God's faithfulness written on the walls. And not just on the walls of the room, but on the walls of my heart. Because His treasures stay with us for a lifetime. And not only a lifetime ... Into eternity.

Thank You Lord, once again, for Your Presence ... In the practical.

And I would like to include one more thing. Just as a little bragging session on my amazing husband. On Monday night, in the midst of my breakdown about the organizational condition of the house not meeting my standards, I left to run over to my parents to pick up a few things really quick. When I returned about an hour or so later, the downstairs was cleaned up, our couch was vaccumed [We have a golden retriever. Need I say more?], and the new pillows were perfectly placed on the couch. He had organized our office a little bit, and he even moved his assembled Lego crane and other construction equipment, up to the third floor. These Lego masterpieces were all being showcased right smack dab in the family room up to this point. So yes, he's a gem, that boy. I think I'll keep him ;)

Silenced

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

~ Proverbs 31:26 ~

Why do we cringe at the thought of the Proverbs 31 woman? Is it because we feel her standards are so unattainable, that the rest of us are deemed failure from the start? Because we live in a culture and society where we feel her particular routines and priorities are a little outdated, extreme, or perhaps irrelevant? Because we feel the flaws in our own lives are amplified in the mirror of this godly woman? Well, let me share something enlightening. I have been studying the Proverbs 31 woman. Yes, by choice. I am serious. And my findings? I am wonderfully encouraged, refreshed, and challenged by this special woman represented in the Scriptures.

What a gift God has given us in her - She, my friends, is a reference point for us to look to, in countless situations. I have been amazed at how my daily life encounters nearly everything that she experienced on the day-to-day. Alright, maybe except for the spindle thing: "In her hand, she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers" (Proverbs 31:19). I would like to point out however, that this particular verse may be applicable to someone, just not me. Like my friend Jenny Lynn, for example. She [ahem ... slight disgust ... little eye-roll] has been known to make some of her own clothing. And it's cute. And she's cute. The cutest. And I am just jealous of her creativity. I didn't get that gene. My mother hogged it all. Anyways, Jenny Lynn and I ... We have a pact that she will not tell my husband that she does this. Why? Because I assure you he would think this was the best idea in history. Being that he has me on a b-u-d-g-e-t [I prefer not to say the word very often], he would totally think this was yet another great way we could save some serious money. I am however certain that once I went through with it and fashioned him an article of clothing, he would realize this was not such a great idea. Disaster, I can almost promise. I wish I could show you the multitude of sweaters that have accumulated small holes that I have set out to mend. They never ever seem to fit the same way after I am done with them. Oops.

Ok, girl who can't sew ... Getting back on track.

There is a high calling set before us here, girls. And there is one particular area of our lives that is demanding our attention. God is desperate to have control over this area because it is so crucial. He is desiring submission in the area of our mouths. Yep, I said it. He wants to have control over what we say, and how we say it, and even why we say it.

The Proverbs 31 woman speaks with wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 31:26, above). Can we then imply on behalf of this Scripture, that God would warn us against speaking foolishly and mindlessly? Why yes, I think we can. How often do I talk, just for the sake of talking? How often do I give advice, just for the sake of giving advice? My talking and my offering up advice, according to God's Word, is to be rooted in wisdom and instruction. God's wisdom and instruction, not my own. I have been so challenged by this, y'all. Challenged to invite discernment into my daily life, in the area of my mouth. Here are a few Scriptures I have found to be highly motivating and convicting:

"The discerning sets his feet toward wisdom, but the eyes of the fool are on the ends of the earth." (Proverbs 17:24) - Where am I rooted? Are my feet firmly set upon seeking God's wisdom, or am I distracted by the thoughts, ideals, false promises of this world?

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge; and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." (Proverbs 17:27) - Do I practice restraint? Or do I get quickly annoyed and heated at the people in my life - whether at my family, friends, or the cashier at the grocery store? Or the homeless man in the Myrtle Beach Food Lion parking lot? Umm yeah, we won't share that story.

"Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." (Proverbs 17:28) - When I sense an argument brewing, or find myself in a conversation my spirit is telling me I should not be in, do I ask the Lord to help me remain silent, or do I feel it is more important to state my case?

"Oh that you would keep silent, and that would be your wisdom!" (Job 13:5) - Do I associate silence with wisdom? Am I tuned in to recognize when He is asking me to keep quiet, allowing Him to fix my problem? Perhaps He is asking me to be quiet so that I may hear the words He is giving me to say, instead of relying on my flesh to speak? Or maybe He is asking me to be silent so that He can deal with it all of His own?

Are you thinking right now, as I was when I first read these verses, that occasional silence could possibly be one of the most difficult tasks God is asking you to submit to? Am I suggesting that you change your vivacious and endearing personality, and become a mute? No, I am suggesting no such thing. I am simply suggesting that if we want to be the counter-cultural women that God desires - the women that in our heart of hearts we truly want to be - that we would allow Him to shape our speech to reflect His nature. That we would allow the Great Teacher Himself to define our words in those compromising and difficult conversations, as well as in our everyday phone calls to friends. Deuteronomy 30:11-14 reminds us that the Word of God is near to us. It is in our mouth when we speak it, and in our hearts when we meditate on it. Therefore, we can do whatever it calls us to do. Because when we know Jesus, His Word is a part of us! And we know that there is power in the Word of God.

Ladies, God is asking us to submit our mouths to Him. To allow Him to silence us when necessary. Sometimes He may be asking us to be silent long enough to hear what He is prompting us to say in a certain situation. Other times, perhaps he is silencing us because He wants to take care of the situation on His own, in His own way. The above Scriptures do not in any way call us to be a doormat. Rather, they call us to make the effort, through Jesus, to be intentional with our words. To be the kind of women who speak with wisdom and instruction, as we are encouraged to do through Proverbs 31. Putting aside the foolishness and mindlessness, and rising up with encouragement, truth, value, blessing, promise and affirmation. With wisdom, instruction, and even some godly tact. You can bet that if we commit to speaking with wisdom and instruction, asking the Lord to guide our mouths, there will be times when we will have to speak a tough or uncomfortable word over someones life.

I love His Word so much. Father, thank You for the practical ways You speak to us through Your Word. Continue to teach us. We desire to be counter-cultural women who will raise up the Name of Jesus, to a world that so desperately needs You as their Savior.

Submitting our mouths to You, Lord ...

May wisdom and instruction be our goal.

And may we trust You, even when we are silenced.

B.P.

A few years ago my friend Lindsey granted me a nickname. She began addressing me as "B.P."

What does B.P. stand for, you ask? Ok fine, I'll [hesitantly] tell you ... Bossy Pants.

Actually, she has not called me this in a long while - Does this mean I am perhaps making progress on the bossy front?? I do hope so ...

This Friday night, my Mom and I went to the Women of Faith conference about an hour away. Patsy Clairmont brought a brand new meaning to the word bossy for me! See, she told a story of how her family deemed her as being the bossiest one in the family. When she realized she was bossy, she responded: "I can't help it that I'm ... directionally gifted."

Directionally gifted, Linds. Not bossy.

A blessing of a day

I have had a few requests for wedding photos. It was hard to choose, but here are a few of my faves:

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits ... who satisfies your desires with good things ... "

(Psalm 103:1-2, 5)

Tammy Wingo Photography

Run Harder

"He has filled the hungry with good things ... " (Luke 1:53)

The Word of God is clear that God alone can, and wants to, satisfy us. Psalm 107:9 says, "For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." This verse declares two facts about our God: (1) He satisfies. (2) He brings forth good to our lives.

The most satisfied I have ever been in my life is when I've been running hard after God - Intense prayer, time in the Word, and experiencing God in my everyday life. God did not just choose to grant me a season of satisfaction. No, not at all. My satisfaction was a direct result of time in the Word and communion with Him.

I guess what I'm getting to is this: All our answers are found in Him. At times I get so lazy. I have a million prayer requests, I have heavy burdens on my heart, I have dreams left unfulfilled ... And what do I do? I talk about it, I ask for prayer about it, I worry about it. I might pray about it a little, or maybe even a lot. I may ask my Bible study to pray for me. I may talk to a spiritual advisor or counselor about it. I may even look in my Bible to see if God outlines the answer for me. I may run to God for the answers to my problems, but this is the kicker: How often do I run harder? Not often enough, I hate to admit. If I don't get the answer right away, or within the time frame of what I think is realistic, discouragement quickly sets in and I begin believing that my request is all-together unimportant for my God. Running harder seems like the worst possible option. Why? Because I'm often worn out from the battle. But little do I realize in those times, that God is prompting me to dig deeper in His Word, to seek Him more diligently, so that I truly may experience a refresher, a revival in my soul that I never imagined.

I recently had a conversation with a friend who told me she was discouraged in one particular area of her life. She has asked God time and time again what she is to do in a certain situation, and God is being silent. I'm sure I gave her my own "spiritual" answer (Forgive me, Lord). What she needed to hear was this: Run harder. Run harder after Him. As I looked to His Word, I was blessed to be reminded that He so desires to fill our hungry and thirsty souls with good things (Psalm 107:9). That as we continue to seek him - to hunger and thirst for Him, especially in our moments of drought - He will come through for us and bless us. After seeking out the biblical perspective on her situation, I could almost picture Jesus saying something like this to her ... Run harder after Me. I have the answer for you. And I have a purpose in this time of searching. Keep running ... Don't quit. You will be richly rewarded for your perseverance and obedience. And remember ... I alone, have the answer for you.

And do not think that I believe this advice is strictly for others. It is very much for myself, especially in this current season of my life. This season of blind faith. God is telling us that He has the answer though, ladies. His Word declares His promises. He has a plan ... And He has the answer we're longing for.

What is it that you have been asking your God for, for what seems like forever? I do not really know why I felt so led to share this with you this afternoon. Other than the possibility that I am very much in this season myself. The season of being challenged to run harder after my God ... Even in those areas where I already feel like I am very much running. Perhaps someone just needs some confirmation today, to keep going. I am learning more and more about the All-Sufficient role of our God. He indeed has every answer we could ever want.

I will close with this ...

"For when You did awesome things that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled before You. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him." (Isaiah 64:3-4)

When we know that God has awesome things in store for us that we did not expect ... How can we afford to not run harder?

Taking Jesus at His Word

I am probably one of the only people who gets excited about cross referencing Bible verses. I will often read a verse in Scripture that just gets me excited, causing me to long for more. When I look to the sidenotes in my Bible and do not see any cross references, I tend to get a little disappointed.

Well, this morning as I was doing my Bible study, I cross referenced a verse in Daniel 4 and was led to Numbers 23:19. I cross referenced Numbers 23:19 and guess what?! I was led to 6 other verses. I nearly jumped out of my skin! I love it when God's Word cross references itself. It's the most amazing thing, because I believe that is one of the main ways that God confirms specific truths in our lives - By using His Word to affirm, then re-affirm that truth. It also very much put me in the mood for a new journal. Perhaps a LifeWay trip is in my near future. Hmm yes, I do think that would be a good idea. Maybe a fall-themed journal. My current Lilly Pulitzer journal has been looking a bit too summer-timey lately, come to think of it.

Anyways, here are the verses God used in my life this morning to confirm something specific:

Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man, that He should lie, not a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Isaiah 55:9 - "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Hosea 11:9 - "For I am God, and not man - the Holy One among you."

1 Samuel 15:29 - "He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change his mind."

Malachi 3:6 - "I the LORD do not change."

Titus 1:2 - "A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time."

James 1:7 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

This morning I found myself wrestling with God. I felt sure that He had perhaps forgotten about me. Felt certain that He would fail to fulfill a specific desire of my heart. A desire that only He could have placed there in the first place. Something that He has very much led me to surrender and commit to, time and time again. Regardless of the fact that God was the initiator of this specific desire, I was still terribly frightened that God had forgotten me. That He would fail to fulfill His plan in this one particular area of my life. Oh no! I must remind Him of how very serious I am in committing to His call! What if He has forgotten me?! What if He has given that task to someone else because I have been too busy?! What if He no longer finds me qualified? Maybe I made the whole thing up in my head ....

Oh how those thoughts of ours can so quickly get out of control. So, this morning I was clearly struggling with whether or not God had forgotten about fulfilling a specific promise in my life. Moments after this worry spell, I open the precious Word of God to read Numbers 23:19 which reaffirms the truth in my heart that God does not lie, that He will fulfill the promises He gives us, that He will act on our behalf. And He did not stop there ...

He provided 6 other affirmations of His promise-keeping character, of His faithfulness in fulfilling His purposeful plan. And all of this, He did through His Word.

In John chapter 4, Jesus is in Cana in Galilee. The same place where He had turned water into wine. A royal official approaches Jesus, sharing with Him that his son is dying. "The royal official said, 'Sir, come down before my child dies.' Jesus replied, 'You may go. Your son will live.' The man took Jesus at His Word and departed" (John 4:49-50).

Did you get that? The man took Jesus at His Word and departed (John 4:50b). Jesus spoke. The royal official listened. That was that.

How often does God speak something over our lives, only for us to spend the rest of our lives in question as to whether or not He really said that very thing? How sad to think that we live in such spiritual denial.

So, what happened to that little boy? Did Jesus heal him?

"While he [the royal official] was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, 'The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.' Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, 'Your son will live.' So he and all his household believed" (John 4:51-53).

Of course Jesus healed the boy as soon as He spoke it! He spoke it ... and it was done. Of course those two happenings occurred at the very same time! Why? Because our God is not a man, that He should lie. Because our God does not change His mind. Because our God does not speak and then not act. Because our God does not promise and then not fulfill (Numbers 23:19).

What, dear sister, is God speaking over you through His Word? What is He asking you to believe Him for? What has Jesus promised you? What task has He called you to? Let's not get tossed around today in the waves of doubt. Instead, let's curl up on this rainy day with a blanket, some coffee and maybe even a new journal, and write down all the ways God is confirming His call on your life through His Word. Take those cross references in your Bible, and use them to claim His Promises.

And then walk on ...

Taking Jesus at His Word.

A different kind of morning

This girls, is how I began my day today ...

No lie.

My husband woke me up very early this morning to take me to his hometown to learn how to shoot a gun. We picked Kyle [above] up on the way and headed for the field. Even stopped at Biscuitville on the way. Pretty sure that chicken biscuit and sweet tea were my motivation for getting out of bed. Oh, and I got to hear Jim Bob from the Duggar family on His Radio, which really got me pumped up on this brisk mornin'. I love those people. They are going to be at Biltmore Baptist Church this weekend in Western NC. Have no idea where that is, but I wanna goooo!

So, 4 guns, about 45 minutes and some dirty cowboy boots later, we loaded up and headed back to the big city. [Ahem, Raleigh.] I went home, curled my hair and headed off to work. It's back to reality.

The point of this morning? Not so sure. I guess it's a guy thing. They want their women able to defend themselves, if need be. One thing I do know is that I made my husband proud. What more could a girl want?

One of my Fave's in Life

One of my most favorite parts of fall is that Starbucks brings back the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

A few weeks into the fall season, I received a phone call from my husband. This is how the conversation went:

Him: "Babe???"

Me: "Yes?" [Thinking: uh oh ... what did I do?]

Him: "So like, when you go to Starbucks, you eat there too?"

Me: [Totally confused.] "Umm no. Not really. Not ever. Why, babe?"

Him: "Oh ok because it's like $5. I was assuming you were eating there as well. Isn't that sort of expensive for a cup of coffee?"

Me: "Oh no babe. It's not a cup of coffee. It's my pumpkin spice latte." [Poor thing ... If he only drank coffee, he would maybe understand the necessity of those Star"bucks."]

Ok, fast forward a few weeks. A few weeks in which I had exerted much self-control, only allowing myself a FEW pumpkin spice lattes. A few pumpkin spice lattes ... in a few weeks. Translation: That's like one a week. Hello?!? Accomplishment? YES.

Yeah well, just go ahead and take a look at this photo that was sent to me last weekend. From none other than guess who?? My husband.

Yep, it's as you suspected. His very own pumpkin spice latte! We won't even mention what ELSE is in that picture. Now, that's just sacrilegious. No, not that he's eating Krispy Kreme AND drinking a pumpkin spice latte. But that he's umm partaking in those two activities, WITHOUT ME!

Oh well. I guess I should look on the bright side of things. I will now spend much less time brainstorming as to how I can justify those pumpkin spice splurges. Me and Starbucks have him on our team now! YES!

We will not let you down, boo. You will not be disappointed that you made the decision to come over to our side. Your life will be extra caffeinated and ultra festive. And maybe a little bit spicy. Excited yet? I thought so.

Now ... Don't you think we should probably increase our budget slightly to accommodate for some additional Star"bucks"?

The Pleasure of His Presence

"It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation." (Daniel 4:2-3)

We have been studying the book of Daniel in my Tuesday morning Bible study. A very intricate and historic book in the Bible. One thing I have loved is the vivid presence of the Almighty God throughout the book of Daniel. He makes His presence known everywhere - in dreams, visions, lion's dens, kingdoms, in blazing furnaces ...

What has God done in your life lately? How has our great and mighty God acted on your behalf? Where has He showed up?

I recently saw a facebook post from a friend of mine who I used to work with in ministry. She asked her friends to comment on how they practiced the presence of God in their daily lives. Practical ways of experiencing the presence of God on a daily basis. Some people commented on how they practically incorporate praising God into their daily routine. Others how they set aside a specific spot to spend with the Lord - even when traveling. Others mentioned personal prayer habits they have formed.

Friends, our God so desires to be wrapped up into our daily lives. To be present all day, everyday, in every situation. How I praise God for showing me through the book of Daniel, how very present He is in our lives. It has made me so acutely aware of the presence of God in my daily life.

So, how has He vividly declared His presence in your life lately? Has he fulfilled a dream of yours? Rescued you out of a blazing fiery circumstance? Given you boldness to speak up for Truth?

May it be our absolute pleasure to share with others,

how very Present our God is.

Our Resource for Success

"(Her) God instructs (her) and teaches (her) the right way."

~ Isaiah 28:29 ~

We had an opportunity placed before us a few weeks ago that required a big decision to be made. To most, it would probably have been quite a painless (and obvious) choice. To us, it was difficult and consuming. Knowing that we had to make our decision by Tuesday end of business day, we teetered and tottered throughout most of the weekend and Monday, weighing our options, listing the pros and cons, praying, seeking wise counsel, etc. On Monday evening, I prayed expectantly for God to show up and lead us to make the choice that we should make at this point in time. Neither options were bad - Both were fabulous, but was God asking us to step out in faith, believing Him for our provision and success? Ah, could it be that this new endeavor was purposed to be an opportunity for us to put our faith and belief in Him in a greater way? As I continued praying and seeking His Word for counsel, an excitement filled me that could only have been from the Spirit of God Himself. He was calling us to step out in faith - in full belief that He would come through for us. What would we do?

My heart was drawn to the first chapter of Jeremiah. This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. Jeremiah, though young in age, is called directly by God to a task that he perceived as too lofty and advanced. He feels ill-equipped, inexperienced, inadequate ... Yet God, in all His knowledge and intentional purpose, calls Jeremiah to step out in faith and believe Him to accomplish that which He has called him to.

Full belief. Trusting God to show up on our behalf.

Let's take a look at how God's call on Jeremiah unfolds: "The Word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah] saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'

'Ah, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.'

But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 1:5-8).

If you get nothing else out of this Scripture than this, then fine - Just get this: God ordains the days of our lives. He is in control of the small details and the life-changing details. He has a plan. He knows what the absolute very best is for our lives.

I love that before God calls Jeremiah to the specific task of "prophet," He first reminds Jeremiah of his identity. God reminds Jeremiah that his identity is in Christ. That God created him, that God has always known him, and that God has always had a plan for him. "Before I formed you in the womb ... I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5, emphasis mine). He knows Jeremiah. Knows the intricacies of his soul, his thoughts, his desires, his passions, his insecurities, his capabilities. Knows Jeremiah's ability to trust Him at His Word.

This got me thinking. Would I rather be the most capable at something, or the most able to trust my God? When God calls us to something, 99.9999% of the time it will be something that is beyond our natural capabilities. When God called me to my first speaking engagement, that 100% average in my college public speaking class only mustered up so much self-confidence in my own abilities. After realizing that my natural capability was limited, I began to panic. I immediately realized how desperately I needed my God to provide the resources for success. Why? Because God's call challenges us beyond our natural capabilities. And naturally so! When He calls us to a specific task that is beyond our natural capabilities, there are a couple undeniable opportunities that accompany this call:

1. His call provides us an opportunity to trust Him to come through on our behalf. To know without a shadow of a doubt, that without Him, we will fail.
2. His call provides an opportunity for our God to show up ... and to show off. All for His glory and purpose.

Do you know what else I love? Often when God calls us to a specific task, we are already in the process of going down another road. Perhaps a good road. One that seems to be the best possible, most success-breeding scenario. Jeremiah 1:1 gives us the background on Jeremiah's heritage. His father, Hilkiah, was one of the priests in the territory of Benjamin. Naturally, he would be expected to follow in his father's footsteps. So, here is Jeremiah - preparing to follow his father into the priesthood, a very honorable profession. Then out of nowhere, his Heavenly Father shows up, declaring His call on young Jeremiah's life - A task very different than what Jeremiah had in mind. Now, I'll let you be the judge, but do you think that this perhaps threw a little kink in his step? Challenged his faith-walk a bit? Required him to get on his knees a little more often? Believe God a little more?

Ladies, God still does this today. What is it that Revelation 4:8 proclaims? "Holy, holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He still calls us to specific tasks ... He still provides opportunities for us to trust Him in our day-to-day lives ... He still shows up and shows off ... And He still provides the resources we need for success!

What has God called you to do? Are you finding yourself at the point where I was a few weeks ago - At a crossroads? Is God asking you to step out in faith, believing Him to come through for you in a certain situation? Do you feel, like Jeremiah, ill-equipped, inexperienced and inadequate to accomplish a specific task you know God is calling you to? What are you going to do about it?

Believe God at His Word - THAT is what you're going to do. How I praise God that He sets us up for success, through Jesus! His Holy Spirit will lead us and teach us which way we should go (Isaiah 28:26). When we are called by God to accomplish a specific task, may we claim with unwavering belief that ...

He Alone is ...

Our Resource for Success.

Standing in Silence

I am just sitting at my desk getting some work done, and I have my Pandora Radio going in the background. Chris Tomlin's song "Kindness" is playing, and as many times as I have listened to this song, this morning I am finding myself totally captivated by the words.

His love truly is ... better than life.

Open up the skies of mercy
And rain down the cleansing flood
Healing waters rise around us
Hear our cries Lord, let them rise

It's Your kindness, Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's Your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
Your love is better than life

We can feel Your mercy falling
You are turning our hearts back again
Hear our praises rise to heaven
Draw us near Lord
Meet us here

It's Your kindness, Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's Your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
Your love, Your love is better than life

I have found myself wrapped up in a season of extreme busyness. To sit back and focus on His kindness, beauty and love ... It just puts it all in right perspective.

The same Holy and Almighty God "who was and is and is to come" (Revelation 4:8), is in our here and now.

May we take some time today in the midst of our busyness ...

To stand in silence before our God.

Our First Love

This will come as a shocker. I have pretty much been missing in action throughout the past several months. Well, in the blog world, anyhow. You will be happy to know, I have been very much present, very much occupied, in other non-cyberspace areas of my life. It has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Let me share a little about what has kept me occupied ... a little about where my heart is these days ... and a little about how deeply and desperately I long to be more consistent in sharing all that God is doing.

First of all, God is so good. His timing is perfect, His plan is purposeful, and He has great and wonderful things in store for those who love and trust Him. I cannot tell you how my heart has gone out to single ladies throughout the past several months. For many reasons. Many, many reasons ... And here are a few of them:

1. God can change things in an instant. In an absolute instant. Quicker than you could ever think, imagine, or dream.

2. God has such a purpose in your singleness at this very moment. Do not get stressed thinking about how long God could be calling you to stay in this season of waiting. It doesn't matter. It is different for every single young woman. For some, it's a few more weeks, months, years. For others, it could literally be just five more minutes. But regardless, for now ... for today ... it's you and Him. The two of you. Invest in your relationship with your God like never before. Ask Him to teach you something every single day. Increase your prayer time. Study the Word of God in detail. Pray big prayers. Believe God for the impossible. Have conversations with Jesus Himself.

3. God wants to blow your ever-loving socks right off your sweet (probably pedicured) feet. God, in all His glory and power, has a purpose and plan for your life that is beyond your wildest dreams. If you have a desire to love a man, to serve a man, to be married - If that desire is knitted into your heart of hearts, if it will not go away, no matter how many times you surrender it to the Lord - then God is just asking you to wait. And that is OK. Because what did I say a second ago? It could literally be just five more minutes.

Almost 6 months ago, a man walked into my life. I need you to understand something before I share some of the juicy details. I had asked (OK, pleaded with) God over and over to either fulfill this area of my life, or to remove the desire completely. As Abraham took Isaac to the altar with the full intention of sacrificing him, out of obedience to God (Genesis 22), I too laid down this most prized prayer of my heart, asking God to take it away, if He so desired. And I walked away from it, knowing that I had done my part - Now it was up to God Himself. Should He desire to take it away, He was going to be faithful to remove what had become such a growing passion in my heart. It would go away, or it would stay. If it went away, I would be OK. I knew God would satisfy me and provide for me in other ways. If the desire stayed, I would have to wait. That I was not so sure I could survive! Waiting ... waiting ... and more waiting. Ugh. Enough said!

On March 17, 2009 I prayed the following prayer in my journal: God, Your Word tells me to ask and I will receive (John 15:7). Please bring my husband to me, Lord. *Note that this was about the one-millionth time I prayed this prayer ... :) Just fyi, in case you were wondering.

On March 18, 2009 I stood face-to-face with my (now soon-t0-be) husband. One week later, God had clearly revealed to me that was the man He had created for me. The one I had prayed for countless times. So recently as 1 week before. Coincidence? I think not. Psalm 104 recounts all the many ways that God fulfills the desires of every living thing. Remember, dear sister ... God will fulfill the desires He has placed within your heart. It's just a matter of when.

And do you know what I love more than anything? Even more than that man God has blessed me with? The fact that when we have an encounter with the Almighty - When He becomes our All in All, our Satisfier, our Bread of Life, our Friend, our Everything - We get to a place in which we NEVER stop longing for Him. Ever. Isn't that fabulous? The longing God placed in my heart for a husband - It has been fulfilled, and believe me, I am praising Him for that! But the longing for a deeper understanding of my God, a closer walk with my Father - It is stronger than ever. Perhaps that is why the particular Psalmist in Psalm 104 breaks into praise after He admonishes God as the One True Satisfier: "I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the LORD" (Ps. 104:33-34). Because that Psalmist knew that ultimate satisfaction is found only through the Lord.

God will often fulfill the longings of our hearts on this earthly pilgrimage, because as Matthew 6:25-34 so matter-of-factly puts it, God KNOWS what we NEED. Those fulfillments are huge answers to prayer, much of the time. But praise God, that regardless of earthly fulfillment, He still longs to satisfy our soul. And when we know Him deeply, our spiritual desires will outweigh our earthly - And because of that, I do believe we will be able to enjoy our earthly blessings in a way that would not be possible had we not known Him as our Satisfier. "My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods; within singing lips my mouth will praise You" (Psalm 63:5).

Just the other day, I came across the following verse: "You have forsaken your first love" (Revelation 2:4). My Bible's side note on this verse says the following: "Temptations to follow society's ways challenge us today just as they did the Israelites. Everyday distractions, large and small, keep us from our original commitment to love and follow God. What do we need to do each day to rekindle our first love for our bridegroom?"

No matter the season of life we find ourselves in - whether busy or peaceful - Jesus desperately desires that we continue in pursuit of our love relationship with Him. Jeremiah 2:2 says the following in reference to Israel's forsaking God: "I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown." May we not only be devoted in the times of desperation - in those seasons of life when we are deeply longing for God to fulfill our desires. My prayer is that our devotion to God would withstand the test of time - the joyous times and the stressful times, the times of need and the times of plenty (Philippians 4:12). That whether we are going through hardships, or we are having the absolute time of our lives ...

We would not forsake our First Love.

Thirsty for Him

O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory.
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live,
and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise You.

Because You are my help,
I will sing in the shadow of Your wings.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

~ Psalm 63:1-5, 7-8 ~

Bye-Bye to the Sugar-High

So, yesterday afternoon I shared with you that I was really looking forward to dinner and some good hang-out time with a girlfriend - over some chips & salsa and dinner from Chipotle. Chipotle is extra special to the two of us - It's sort of interwoven into the depths of our friendship. Along with Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. You see, we used to work together in ministry. Her husband being a pilot traveled a lot during the week, so she and I spent several evenings together over dinner at Chipotle after work. Chick-fil-A was also frequented. And Starbucks - Well, that is just a trademark of any women's ministry. It's a dire need.

Allow me to fill you in on the series of events that took place last night.

6:30 pm - Run by Chipotle. Pick up some chips & salsa, and 2 salads. Yum. Eating dinner and catching up on the past couple weeks of life. Laughing at the babies. When all of a SUDDEN ...

7:30 pm - I notice that my cheeks are hot. Really hot. And so are my nose ... and my lips. Run to the mirror and my suspicions are confirmed - Yes, my face is bright red. Cheeks, nose, lips ... Yeah. On fire. Erin and I both begin laughing uncontrollably, then we both almost simultaneously say these words: "My tongue feels weird."

Yes, folks. We were having an allergic reaction to something in that blasted salsa!

8:00 pm - Being the oh-so-solution-oriented one that I am, as well as incredibly [ahem] impatient ... I resort to the following. An almost entire medicine cup of Children's Benadryl Allergy.

I paid zero attention to the side effects, because come on, seriously ... It's for CHILDREN.

30-60 minutes later, I wished I had.

When using this product:

• marked drowsiness may occur.
• excitability may occur.

9:15 pm - Passed out on the couch, barely keeping my eyes open. And laughing at every little thing. If those 3 teaspoons (or however much I took) did that to me, I highly recommend Children's Benadryl for any mother dealing with the terrible two's. For both the child and the mother. Talk about a sedative. Ok, I'm kidding. But let me tell you ... That's some powerful stuff. Girl was two sheets to the wind.

Praise God I eventually arrived safely at home. And almost missed church this morning because I slept through my alarm. When I texted my fiance and told him I didn't think I would make it to church he asked, "What would you like me to tell everyone?" I'm guessing something along the lines of, "Tell them I'm at home doped up on Children's Benadryl!" was the response he was hoping for?? Needless to say, I made it there (though several minutes late), so he did not have the opportunity to experience such a thrill.

So, I can officially say that the sugar-high is gone.

And now I'm just realllll tired.

A Few Good Women

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say, 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all the wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."

~ Titus 2:3-5, 11-15 ~

I spent my week with the 4 most precious girls. Lots of silliness, very little sleep, and some sugar-sweet memories. And when I say sugar-sweet, I mean it figuratively, as well as in the most literal sense possible. Like as in ... Krispy Kreme runs, mango-green tea smoothies, and pints of ice cream. So, here I am ... Minus my 4 sidekicks, and in need of a serious detox from the sugar high I am currently experiencing.I am left with some quiet time to reflect on the fun week I had with them. Left with some time to be challenged by the high calling we have been privileged with - To show off to these young ones as women of the Word, not of the world. Because let me tell you ... They are watching. Eyes wide open.

God is looking for a few good women. A few good women who will be committed to answering His call for their lives. May God grace us with His Presence in our lives ever so much, that we might show these young ones how it's done.

Now, if you'll excuse me ... I have some Titus Chapter 2 to cross-reference and dissect, then I'm off to enjoy some Chipotle over a much-needed hang-out time with an awesome girlfriend.

I'm hoping the salty tortilla chips and salsa will cancel out all the sugar I've consumed over the past few days ... ?? I'll let you know how it goes!

What Happened?

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasulate themselves!" (Galatians 5:7-12)

Who in your sphere (whether it be your church, family, or group of friends) has fallen away from the Truth and quit the race?

What are you doing about it?

Those precious people in our lives who have quit the race ... They are being deceived by the enemy of our faith. That should make us mad. Really mad.

Come alongside them ... and fight the battle with them, for them, whatever is required. If we have learned anything from our 1 Timothy Take-Aways, we have learned to "fight the good fight" (1 Timothy 1:18).

Melt-down ... In the Church Parking Lot.

Over this ....


This is sort of how it all unfolded ... in a nutshell. Be glad I'm giving you the nutshell version. Why do we say that, anyhow? What does a nutshell have to do with anything?

My fiance says to me last night, "Babe, I think I'll drive your car tomorrow when I go to see my Dad for Father's day. That way, I can clean it up for you." At this point, I begin to go into this long drawn out (unasked for) explanation, stating my case as to why I have not cleaned my car. Again, in a nutshell: "Well, I'm really sorry that my car is a disaster, but who has had time to clean a car? I have been so busy .... (blah blah blah blah blah)." Perhaps something along the lines of, "What a great idea! Thank you!" would have sufficed.

Fast forward to this morning. Running through the house like a crazy person. Wrapping Father's day presents (Yep, on Father's day). Running late. Doing my make-up in the car. Million things in my hand and the dang key remote thing-a-ma-jiggie is not working because ... Oops, it's out of batteries! And the remote that is working ... Well, it broke. Broke, like as in, I put the key in the ignition the other morning, cranked the key to start the car, and the actual key stayed in the ignition and the remote part broke off into my hand. Weird? I think so. At this point as I am manually unlocking the car, I remember that I am supposed to find the broken remote and transfer the battery to the remote that has the dead battery. Yes, in my spare time.

Finally get to church. Great message. See my fiance - And suddenly I remember ... He wants to switch cars! Dang it - I wanted to clean out that cyclone of a car before he had to drive it! I don't know why this sends me into such a tizzy, but I frantically run to my car and start throwing things in a bag (featured above). So, my man is wondering what in the WORLD I am doing. And for good reason. Remember? He is taking my car with him so that he can ... (Ahem) CLEAN IT OUT. The car being a mess ... Yeah, not such a huge shocker to him. Then all of a sudden, it just hits me. No, no no! Not here! Listen to me, you dramaqueen - Get a grip! Too late. The tears start pouring. Thankfully at this point the big sunglasses are covering up the smearing mascara.

Let me just e-x-p-l-a-i-n what I believe to be the root cause of this melt-down. Formerly-OCD-organized-checklist-girl clashes with exhausted-disorganized-wedding planning-people pleasing-1 blasted sale for the whole month real estate agent-hormonal girl. Yeah, not such a good combo.

So I start crying harder. Deep, ugly cry. In his shirt. I'm sure everyone in the church parking lot was thinking, "Awe, how cute. Look at them hugging." You know, like we were having a moment or something. Uh no. A moment of insanity, maybe.

Girl needed a good cry. Boy thought girl was an alien from outerspace.

Boy ran home to Haw River. Girl ran straight to Starbucks.

I'm better. At the moment. Or actually maybe I'm just caffeinated ...

Regardless, I need a serious dose of the Prince of Peace to go with my iced coffee.

Oh Jesus, Thank You for dealing with me today. For dealing with formerly OCD-organized-checklist-girl, now turned exhausted-disorganized-wedding planning-people pleasing-discouraged real estate agent-hormonal-girl. Otherwise known as, plain ol' me. I'm sorry for the melt-down. This morning's message was about second chances ... Can I please have a "Take 2" on the rest of today? I still have a Mexican dinner date ahead tonight with my Dad.

Oh, and Jesus ... Thank You for fiances who allow us to cry mascara tears on their church clothes, pregnant friends who see us crying on the way back into church and almost start crying with us, best friends who give us a serious reality check, and last but certainly not least ... Thank You Jesus for Starbucks.

much sisterly love y'all,
alien girl

Pursuing Faith and Godliness: Parts I & II

Two posts ago, I shared with you that I was embarking upon a study of 1 Timothy. I invited you to take the journey along with me, and some of you may be doing that very thing. Just finished up the first two weeks of the study, and this coming week we will be on week three. An amazing teacher of the Holy Scripts that Paul is! I loved having the opportunity to sit under his teaching and leadership this week. So much to glean, so much to strive for, so much to motivate us. That we would continue wholeheartedly after the pursuit of faith and godliness in our day to day living as women. That we might not just profess to be women who love the Word of God, but that it might be evident in our decision-making, in our attitudes, in our interactions with both loved ones and enemies, in our joys and in our sorrows. And on that note, I just have to share a sweet little story with you ...

I was talking to one of my best friends on the phone the other day and she was sharing with me that there is one particular "love language" that her husband has just not mastered. She said, "Heather, in the past _ years of marriage, we have not gotten very far in that department. But you know what?? We have the next 60 years to work it out!"

Praise the Lord that we are works in progress. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us of that very idea when Paul says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are His workmanship - He's working each and every one of us out until we become His personal masterpiece. No need for being an all-out overnight success (though sometimes He will tackle areas of our lives like that, praise God!). A life in pursuit of faith and godliness just requires a pliable, sensitive, and discerning heart - Tender enough to sense God's leading and instructing. And when we study Scripture, we must approach it with that very mindset. Trusting God to lead us and instruct us through His Word ... allowing our hearts to be pliable, sensitive and discerning to hear Him speak to us, to change us ... One day at a time.

I have had several Take-Aways from my 2-week study of 1 Timothy. I thought I would post my personal highlights ... those that have had a little extra challenge or encouragement for me.

Week One Take-Away #1: "The Gospel is for sinners."

1 Timothy 1:8-11 - "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We know that the law is made not for the righteous but for the lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers - and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me."

The Message version of this particular passage reads: "It's true that moral counsel and guidance need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It's obvious, isn't it, that the law code isn't primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are contemptuous of this great Message I've been put in charge of by this great God."

As Believers, I think we often times run from sin so much that we forget the Gospel is for the very purpose of setting sinners free. How will we ever be effective in our evangelism if we are paralyzed with a fear of the sinner? I love what Paul says in 1 Corinthians: "But by the grace of God I am what I am ..." (1 Cor. 15:10). It is by the GRACE OF GOD that any of us are not what we could be, or used to be. We are misusing Scripture - watering and dumbing it down - if we fail to utilize the Gospel as the main ingredient for saving the sinner's soul. Let us not forget the elementary and profound truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection ... "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). That not one shall perish ... Not one sinner on the face of the planet. Not even that one that you think is too far gone ...

Week One Take-Away #2: "It's a fight worth fighting."

1 Timothy 1:18 - "Fight the good fight."

Enough said.

Week One Take-Away #3: "Be Quiet ... Even when you don't feel like it."

1 Timothy 2:2 - "...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

1 Timothy 2:11 - "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."

I keep going back to The Message just because I love reading the paraphrase of the New Testament. I believe it lends such personal application to our modern-day living. The Message Version of 1 Timothy 2:11 reads, "I don't let women take over and tell the men what to do."

This Take-Away was especially personal to me in this current season of life ... Becoming a wife. I am reading For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. Great resource for understanding the intricacies of the man's make-up - his need for respect, for leadership, for the support of a woman. Read more about it at Shaunti's website.

A word of advice that I gleaned from the book, as well as (Hello!) the Bible, is to be quiet once in a while. Now, contextually 1 Timothy 2:11 is specifically referring to teaching in the church: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission." But seriously y'all ... Would it kill us to just be quiet sometimes? Responding instead of reacting. A good concept to ... learn.

Week Two Take-Away #1: "Set an example."

1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

In speech. In life. In love. In faith. In purity.

Week Two Take-Away # 2: "Keep at it."

1 Timothy 4:16 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Do not be diverted. Stay the course. Keep at it. Hold tightly to your faith, to your character, staying grounded in the Lord.

And that, sisters, is a good point to close out on. Stay grounded in the Lord. Cling to the Word of Life. Love to you all. Enjoy your third week of studying 1 Timothy. 4 more Take-Aways ahead of us!

Keeping at it,
Heather

Praying and Waiting

Praying and waiting. Seem to go hand in hand. We pray ... and then we wait. Sometimes for a long time. What I read this morning in Streams in the Desert should encourage us deeply, as we pray and wait on God's timing and perfect answer to our deepest requests:

Make thy petition deep (Isaiah 7:11).

We must keep on praying and waiting upon the Lord, until the sound of a mighty rain is heard. There is no reason why we should not ask for large things; and without doubt we shall get large things if we ask in faith, and have the courage to wait with patient perseverance upon Him, meantime doing those things which lie within our power to do.

We cannot create the wind or set it in motion, but we can set our sails to catch it when it comes; we cannot make the electricity, but we can stretch the wire along upon which it is to run and do its work; we cannot, in a word, control the Spirit, but we can so place ourselves before the Lord, and so do the things He has bidden us do, that we will come under the influence and power of His mighty breath.

"Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Where is the God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him."

The greatest saints who ever lived, whether under the old or new dispensation, are on a level which is quite within our reach. The same forces of the spiritual world which were at their command, and the exertion of which made them such spiritual heroes, are open to us also. If we had the same faith, the same hope, the same love which they exhibited, we would achieve marvels as great as those which they achieved. A word of prayer in our mouths would be as potent to call down the gracious dews and melting fires of God's Spirit, as it was in Elijah's mouth to call down literal rain and fire, if we could only speak the word with that full assurance of faith wherewith he said it.

Click to read the online text for June 5 of Streams in the Desert.

Pursuing Faith and Godliness: A Walk Through 1 Timothy

Hello Ladies!

I am currently embarking upon a 3-week walk through the book of 1 Timothy. An amazing instruction book for standing firm in our faith, and being encouraged in our pursuit of godliness. Who would I rather invite to accompany me along this 3-week journey through this Awe-Inspired book, than you all?? I have broken the readings down into 3 weeks, which I have listed below. I am going to try to pull out several truths from each week's study and post them. Here is a suggested guideline for our Walk through 1 Timothy:

~Week One~
Day One: 1 Timothy 1:1-11
Day Two: 1 Timothy 1:12-20
Day Three: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Day Four: 1 Timothy 2:9-15
Day Five: 1 Timothy 3:1-10

~Week Two~
Day One: 1 Timothy 3:11-16
Day Two: 1 Timothy 4:1-8
Day Three: 1 Timothy 4:9-16
Day Four: 1 Timothy 5:1-10
Day Five: 1 Timothy 5:11-25

~Week Three~
Day One: 1 Timothy 6:1-10
Day Two: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Day Three: 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Day Four: 1 Timothy 6:20-21

One suggestion is to invest in a journal or notebook of some sort. I love reading Scripture, then going back and reading it a second time choosing a verse that stands out to me and challenges, convicts, or blesses me. We will call that our "Take-Away" verse. I encourage you to find your Take-Away, and expand upon that verse in your journal. Write your Take-Away down, followed by some thought-provoking questions such as these: (Feel free to use this as your model.)

I. What does this verse say? (State the facts of the verse.)
II. What does this verse mean? (State the spiritual application or meaning of the verse.)
III. What does this verse mean to me? (Make it personal. Ask yourself: Am I currently applying this verse to my life? If not, what can I do to implement this truth into your everyday life, or a particular situation I am facing?)

By the end of our walk through 1 Timothy, we will each have at least 14 Take-Aways, that will no doubt encourage us in our pursuit of faith and godliness. You will be amazed at how the reading and studying of the Word of God will usher you into a deeper and more effective prayer life with your God.

My favorite Take-Away from 1 Timothy so far: "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5).

This is gonna be gooood, y'all. :)

Joining you in pursuit of His instruction,
Heather

A New Chapter

I never thought I would be a lover of Christian fiction until I started reading Karen Kingsbury. I am beginning the new Karen Kingsbury series today: Above the Line. The first book, Take One, is out in stores. It looks like the second book, Take Two, is being released next month.

For any of you girls who want a good summer read and have never read anything by Karen Kingsbury, my personal recommendation is to start with the Redemption Series. There are 5 books in this series, and I assure you that once you speed through these 5 books, you will be ready for the next 2 series: the Firstborn Series and Sunrise Series.

What I love about her books is that they are loaded with biblical principles for relationships, marriage, life, and trials. She incorporates Scripture throughout her books so beautifully, that you truly feel you have spent time with the Lord after reading. And what I love about the characters in her books more than anything, is that they inspire you to get in the Word!

So, just a suggestion. I'm off to my future husband's softball game (Oh my gosh, that sounds so weird! Ahh, I cannot wait to marry this man!) ... And then enjoying some leisurely reading!

Love Y'all!