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.