Obsessed

I recently picked up the book "Crazy Love - Overwhelmed by a relentless God" written by Francis Chan. There is one chapter that is entitled "profile of the obsessed".

Obsessed: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.

This is how I would describe the relationship I had with my blog. There was the ever present preoccupation of what I would be posting next. The thinking and rehearsing the words, pictures, and stories in my head of what I wanted to share. Reviewing the best way to phrase a sentence or how the posting would look.

I had been feeling God asking me to consider what it would be like to be away from this blog. But I did not relent. I liked this idol, and what it did for me.

I finally bent my will towards Him.

He was calling me back away from my own consuming thoughts, and asking me to fill the space with His thoughts. And so I have been steadily turning my heart back to my home, family, studying Bible. Allowing my thoughts to wonder about what He wants. Doing this has allowed His burning Spirit in me to be heard more often.

The goal now for this blog is to journal of the Lord's faithfulness; and to share with family and friends the updates of our family.

"The Bible teaches us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out His words. The Holy Spirit stirs in us a joy and peace when we are fixated on Jesus, living by faith, and focussed on the life to come."
~Crazy Love, by Francis Chan

Overflow

Have you had a difficult day, month, or even last year?

I sure have. :)

If so, then I hope you would take a moment to read this letter sent out by our mentor from the Keepers of the Home Group, Lori Gammon:

Dear friends,

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

2 Cor. 1:7-10 "And our hope for you is FIRM because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On HIM we have SET OUR HOPE, that HE will continue to deliver us..."

As I read through God's Word each morning I see sweet, sweet promises of God, I see sins that he wants me to avoid, I see new and more wonderful things about Jesus, I see promises that he makes me that I can cling to in my times of trouble and adversity.

Today's verses are sooo precious to me! Christ's sufferings will be allowed to "flow" into my life. I kind of wish at times that this said "trickle"...but it says "flow" and that does not mean once in a great while...it means pretty steady, at least from what he's allowed in my life! I'm sure many of you know what I mean! :-) I know that I used to say "I can't wait till this hard thing is over!" whatever that hard thing was. But, what I didn't realize is that it will be a "flow" of suffering and trials and adversities. Thankfully it doesn't say "flood!" Although there have been times when it's definitely felt like a "flood!" But I love the next few parts of these verses. Just as suffering flows into our lives, so also through Christ, does our comfort OVERFLOW! I love the words God uses...he allows suffering to flow...but his comfort to OVERFLOW! He more than makes us able in our weakness, to endure by his strength!

You will not experience the fullness of God until you have experienced him in deep, deep trials and hardships and suffering! No hole is so deep that our God is not deeper still! Corrie Ten Boom shared this long ago! God does not send the one without the other. God does not send suffering, without sending an overflow of comfort for us. BUT, we need to look to him and fix our eyes upon him and our thoughts upon him in the MIDST of trials and suffering to receive the outpouring of his grace, love, and comfort! We can wrongly choose to become bitter and resentful in the midst of the trials and doubt the goodness and faithfulness and love of God OR we can choose to believe his Word and believe his character and FIRMLY KNOW and be CONVINCED that God is who he says he is and that he will do what he says he will do....and RECEIVE the outpouring of his love, grace and comfort that he desires to give us! We need only turn to him, humble ourselves before him and reach out and RECEIVE his comfort!

Sometimes we all experience difficult times in our lives that leave us feeling that it is beyond our ability to endure! Paul did too! BUT what we need to purpose to remember is that these trials and sufferings and persecutions and adversities happen in our lives....why? So that we might not rely on ourselves, but instead that we would learn to choose to rely on God instead! It is ONLY as we SET our HOPE on HIM that we will continue to see our character grown, our faith grown and our spiritual maturity grown and that we will experience deeper intimacy with Christ! We all want character, we all want to be more godly and more spiritually mature....how does this happen in our lives? From coming under the Lord and allowing him to have his way in us and in our lives! From allowing him to send us not only blessings, but suffering as well! And He is faithful...with suffering also comes comfort...the comfort of knowing God and knowing his principles and seeing the truth of his Word come to life. We gain comfort from his love, his faithfulness, his grace and his mercy.

These times in our lives are not meant to hurt us but to redirect us and to strengthen us through Christ that he will continue to deliver us from ourselves and our sin and our flesh...to purify us for Himself and to make us more like Jesus!

So if today is especially difficult or hard....look up and remember that this thing, this circumstance, this situation...has come so that you would not rely upon yourself...but instead that you would yield to God and to choose to set your hope on Christ who is seeking to continue to work in you and set you apart and to work out his good pleasing will in your life, redeeming you and sanctifying you and transforming you....in order to bless you and do good to you and draw you ever closer to Him! Allow him to comfort you as only He can! "

Hope this has been a blessing and a source of encouragement!

Kitchen Postings

"Obedience to God is not some diet we suddenly blow. It is something to which we recommit every single day, no matter how we blew it the day before". ~ From: Praying in God's Word - Recovery, by Beth Moore

"A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels". ~ Author Unknown

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

From time to time, I've placed various postings on my kitchen window sill that have special meaning to me. It could be a favorite scripture, a lovely thank you note, a concept for life, reminders, or quotes like the ones above.

Are there postings that you look at for daily encouragement?

Prayer

Hello Friends,

Our dear neighbor will be having knee surgery at noon today. Last Sunday, she turned 97 years old. She is in good health, but she has been in extreme pain because of the knee problems. Following this knee replacement there will be a week of rehabilitation. Would you please remember Vergie in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much!

Love this...

~Ps. 23:7 “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

“What you feed your mind affects your attitude, and your attitude affects the choices you make, which in turn affect every area of life for good…or for evil, and the choices you make determine the consequences!"

by Connie Julin

Living it

I recently heard this song again and this time I intently reflected on the lyrics. It's verses had renewed meaning:

OH LORD YOUR BEAUTIFUL

Oh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clear;
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.

I want to take Your Word and shine it all around
But first help me to just live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well,
Help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.

*The last verse really got me. My prayer is that I will start & KEEP living what I have learned from His word and the lessons He is teaching me right now. Then when I'm doing well, that I would seek to give Him glory, instead of looking back at myself.

Precious Treasures

In an earthly mine (the type you dig) men are looking for (usually) one precious thing. In the mine of God there are all kinds of precious treasures. Each on is the mother lode with veins running in every direction and leading to other mother loads; rich each one beyond all the others.

Nobody digs in the mind of God without effort, so those who do not dig never know what they are missing.

It is dark in the mine, for (Pr 1:6) the words of the wise are full of dark sayings, but the owner supplies light to those who are earnest, the light coming mysteriously with effort.

Those who come must spend a lot of time searching for they know not what, for the treasures of God are fully of mystery; but once found they know what they have found and rejoice as those who have (Ps119:162) found great spoil. And the value increases as they have not yet found.

Moreover, they take it away from the mine in their hearts only to find that others have also found it before them; and they took it away, yet it was still there, put there to be found by (James 2:5) the poor of this world rich in faith. Then mysteriously they discover that they give it to others with the greatest diligence and effort, they cannot get rid of it all. The harder they try to get rid of it the richer they become. Each vain just keeps getting wider and richer.

Treasure Found

Well I'm back from the retreat!

It was an enjoyable time of being with other women who had like minds of loving their Lord, husbands, and families. It was a short trip with about 28 hours teaching, talking, eating good food, quick trail walks, and sleep (actually not that much). The schedule for the retreat was different then typical ones, as it wasn't all about "personal enjoyment", but more about an intense time of learning and encouragement. Making the most of our moments together. There was uncontrollable laughter and the shedding of tears. Good stuff.

I had been thinking that I couldn't remember when was the last time I had sat for so long. My only concerns were of taking care of myself, eating (no cooking, or coaxing little ones to eat, or cleanup!), having conversations with other women with little to no interruptions, and then simply focusing on the teaching times. It was an odd feeling for me as the day before, I hadn't "rested" the entire day while I was running around preparing for this trip. My mind was definitely going in different directions. So I was thankful for this different state of mind and being.

But truly, what was most impressed on my heart was how the Lord provided exactly what I had needed. As I shared in the previous post, I was simply looking for a rainbow in my heart again. Not only did I receive a rainbow, but a treasure. Not just one treasure, but many! He gives so much more than we can ever imagine to those that He loves. I am so thankful.

The treasures that He so tenderly gave to me were gems to hold onto even when the rainbows do fade.

Hope to share some more about the teachings we learned and catch up on some pictures soon.

Looking for a rainbow...

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Psalm 73:26

Isn't this verse just beautiful? My heart is heavy today, actually for a few weeks now. It seems like the slightest of offenses from someone wounds my heart. From those who have disappointed me or then being hurt by someone I love. My soul feels empty and there is a battle for truth amongst the discouragement that surrounds it.

I am trying to remember, but struggling to find peace in that the love of God is far greater than any earthly relationships or situations. His love is a secure love. I am so glad that He never changes. I just need to BELIEVE in His promises that I can rest in Him!

This weekend is our "Keepers of the Home" Women's Retreat. God is so good in His perfect timing to provide this special weekend of teaching and encouragement by some wonderful mentors. The theme for this weekend is Marriage and Intimacy, with the titles of each session being: Precious Treasures of the Heart, Mind, and Body. If you would, please pray with me that when I return from this trip that a rainbow will be present in my heart again. I also hope to share with you any special gems that were learned from this weekend.

Being still

"My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forever more" ~Psalms 131

"How trusting is a baby? Not very, some would say babies cry violently as soon as they feel the slightest hunger. It is the weaned child, a little older, who has learned to trust its mother, to fret less and simply ask for food instead of wailing. The profound simplicity of this patience is David's model for how he, and all Israel, should wait on the Lord. The apostle Paul comments similarly, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13). ~NIV Student Bible

Just finished...

I have just finished the devotional journal, "Whispers of Hope", by Beth Moore. It was a 10-week odyssey of prayer. This devotion asked the reader to adopt the P.R.A.I.S.E. format for their prayer time.

The acronym meaning:
~Praise
~Repentance
~Acknowledgment
~Intercession
~Supplication for self
~Equipping

It seems that through every Beth Moore study I've ever done, my life is eternally changed because of it. It's not necessarily that "she" is changing me, but more from the deep study and reflection of God's Word that "coincidentally" mirrors what I happen to be experiencing in life, or apply to the trials I soon will be coming to. This last study was no different. So thankful!

For now, I will be reading straight from the Bible, for two weeks. I will be studying about the women of the Bible. Not all of them, just the main characters. Already, I have seen that even though they were "Bible Women", they also struggled with sin. They often took situations into their own hands. The women used everything they had fairly or unfairly - and did it skillfully.

The question was raised, "How can I achieve God's Will despite obstacles?"

My honest answer was by being a woman of prayer, being diligent, seeking my husband's leadership, being courageous, and relying on Him!

What's your answer?

And, do you have any devotionals or studies that you have particularly enjoyed?

Anniversary

My husband and I recently celebrated our 11th Anniversary. This was a pretty important year for us. We have seen God move in amazing ways and we are closer than ever before, because of Him.

Leaving our small group meeting the other day, we heard the words, "Congratulations on your anniversary". I thought to myself, "Yeah, this is something to celebrate." There was that sense of accomplishment when you have worked hard at something. And the blessing of seeing the fruits of your labor can be seen soon thereafter. We have much to be thankful for. :)

For the actual day of our anniversary, August 10th, we went to dinner and the movies. A sweet woman from our group gifted us with free childcare for our two children that night. We went to McGrath's Seafood House. For an appetizer we had coconut shrimp. The main entree's were Red Snapper with a crab cake topping and lobster sauce drizzled on top, for me ,and then my husband had the Louisiana Catfish. Both of them tasted just wonderful. Not to mention the Clam Chowder!

We then went to see a movie at the Edward Cinemas. Our first movie alone as a couple in 5 years (I know - we need to fix this. We usually rent movies). The movie we watched was "Borne Ultimatum." It was great! - action packed, fast cameras, and good intrigue. A must see for those of you who are fans of the previous 2 Borne movies.

Happy Anniversary My Beloved!

"Into marvelous light I'm running..."

Sunday Worship Music - "Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall

"Stinkin Thinkin!" - Part 4 with Chart

HANDY LITTLE CHART
Wrong, unbiblical thinking vs. God's truth from his Word:

You say: "It's impossible"	God says: All things are possible	(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"	God says: I will give you rest	(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"	God says: I love you	John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"	God says: My grace is sufficient	(II Corinthians 12:9 Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"	God says: I will direct your steps	(Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: "I can't do it"	God says: You can do all things	(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"	God says: I am able	(II Corinthians9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"	God says: It will be worth it	(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"	God says: I Forgive you	I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1
You say: "I can't manage"	God says: I will supply all your needs	(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"	God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear	(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"	God says: Cast all your cares on ME	(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"	God says: I give you wisdom	(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"	God says: I will never leave you or forsake you	(Hebrews 13:5)

This chart is tucked inside my daily devotional journal. Consider placing a copy of it where you would frequently see it, such as: the Bible, kitchen (for me), bathroom, computer, car, work, near calendar, etc. It is so easy for these thoughts to come up that it is good to have a handy reference to help deal with them as soon as possible. Then we can move on to more important things...

I have had to re-read these notes many times! Remembering to think on what is TRUE" and engraving these precepts on my heart.

Hope you have enjoyed this series on "Stinkin Thinkin!. :)

"Stinkin Thinkin!" - Part 3

(Post continued...)

In the next posting I will show a chart that I think will really help and encourage you, as it was for me.

"Thinking on what is TRUE"...

"I know that years ago a chart very similar to this one helped me SOOOO much! Each time I was tempted to think, ponder, and roll around in that wrong thinking...I could go to this chart and expose the wrong, untrue thought and choose to replace it with the right, biblical thought from God's Word.

This dramatically began to change my life! And it helped me to fear less, worry less, and trust more! I began to have much more peace and rest in my heart. This is the "quiet peaceable spirit" that God is talking about which is of GREAT worth in his sight in 1 Peter 3 when he talks with women. We can have that peace and rest as we learn to take our wrong, sinful thoughts captive. And replace it with God's truth. Each time the wrong thinking or fear "bubbles" up in our thoughts and heart, we need to turn to the Lord and to his truth.

If that means every 5 min. at times...then it means every 5 min. If we turn to Jesus each time we feel that “bubbling” of fear and worry come, or each time we feel discouraged and hopeless then the Lord will be so very faithful to give us grace, and mercy, help and hope! As we turn to him and look to him, we are reminded of where our help truly comes from. We remember how very dependent we are upon him. And as we CHOOSE to trust the Lord, and walk out his leading in our lives…we will begin to see how pleasant his way is!

Proverbs 2:10-11 says “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

As we spend time EVERY day getting to know God and his character we will come to know that we can trust him and love him and we will be learning how VERY much he loves us! His love will become a reality in our lives as we die to self and live for Christ. James 1:22-25

As we spend time every day in His Word and praying and looking to him often...we will begin to allow the Lord to write his truth upon our hearts and minds and as we abide (drawing closer and closer to Jesus) we will begin to experience the fruits of his Spirit in our lives....love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal. 5:22

If you don't feel you have joy in your life, or self-control...spend more time with Jesus and in His Word…not as something rote we do, just to check it off our list or just to gain knowledge…but instead, as part of our desire to have an intimate relationship with Christ. I guarantee it will make a HUGE difference in your heart and life...especially as you begin to count it important to remember his truth and to obey it, by his grace and through his understanding.

I know it was so hard for me to understand so much of what I read in God’s Word in the beginning...but as I tried to concentrate and focus on the things I did understand that I read in God's Word and as I tried to apply those things...the Lord allowed my understanding and wisdom to grow and grow over the 24 years I’ve been reading it each day. I still have far to go…but I’m sooo thankful for what the Lord has done in my life and I have been sooo blessed to have God’s Word in my heart and mind to act as a sort of “filter” that everything I’ve read, heard and seen is filtered through his truth.

The more you read, the more you will begin to understand more and more of God’s Word and you will have more and more “light” or wisdom and discernment from what you're reading.

Like a Polaroid picture coming slowly into focus, so it is with God's Word and with his principles...we grow in our understanding if we don't quit or grow weary and give up and quit reading. We need to persevere and continue to spend time with Jesus each day praying and reading his Word, and he will continue to reveal Himself and his truth to us."

(Chart to follow in next post...)

*from Linda - Keeper's of the Home Group

"Stinkin Thinkin!" - Part 2

(Posting continued...)

"Thinking on what is TRUE"...

We need to learn how to fight the battle, and to take captive our thoughts. The more we fight, the better we get at it! It is a real, true battle! And battles are not pretty!

Often in the beginning we will feel beat up and plagued with our wrong thinking and this wrong thinking so affects our attitudes and our actions and this causes a lot of drama and undesirable consequences in our lives. If we continue to allow ourselves to think on what is NOT true…we will become more and more depressed and discouraged, frustrated, hopeless etc.

Allowing ourselves to think and react to the wrong thinking, begins a “domino” effect upon our lives:

~our emotions are affected

~our joy is affected

~our energy is affected

~our maturity is affected

~our marriage is affected

~our children are affected by it

~and so are our other relationships

Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy us and our relationship with the Lord. One of his best tools is to just get us to focus on what is not true. To become so entrenched in our wrong, sinful thinking. Because he knows how this can so disable us and make us ineffective and unproductive in Christ!

More postings to follow...

:)

"Stinkin Thinkin!" Part 1

Hello Everyone...

In these next 4 postings, I will be sharing a chart that one of the mom's in our mentoring group emailed to me and what she had to share on "Thinking on what is TRUE". When wrong thoughts muddle our thoughts and effect our lives. One of my greatest struggles in my life has been with WRONG thinking...some women call it "stinkin thinkin!" This chart and notes have been teaching me to think on what is right, true, and biblical. I hope that it helps and encourages each of you:

As a man thinks...so he is, the Bible says.

What we think SO affects our actions and attitudes! If I think “I can’t do this!” Then I am setting myself up to fail. I will become more and more discouraged. I am choosing to put my hope in…me. And not in the Lord. Often when I am frustrated I am choosing to look too far ahead and this is not reality. We cannot possibly see ALL that the Lord will continue to do in us and in our lives and family…doing today what God shows me and leads me to do, will GREATLY help tomorrow to be much better!

So, instead of allowing the wrong, unbiblical thought of “I can’t do this!” to take me captive….

~I can choose to allow God’s grace to be sufficient.

~I can remember that ALL things are possible with God.

~I can choose to rest in God and put my faith in hope in HIM and ALL he can do!

~I can remember that he WILL direct my steps as I faithfully look to him.

That while WE’RE not able…
~GOD is able to do ALL things!

~That laying down our will to do God’s WILL be worth it!

~That HIS will is what we would always want if we had all the facts.

~That God will supply ALL our needs.

~That he will give us wisdom.

~And that He will never leave us or forsake us.

When I take the time to think on what is really true…it gives me hope, and it helps me to choose to put my faith in God, instead of fearing and worrying (which do nothing and bring no good). Faith and perseverance is profitable and produces in us spiritual maturity.

So...if we can allow the Lord and his Word to change our thoughts, and to transform our thinking with real truth…HIS truth, from his Word, we will begin to think on what is right, good and true! As we look to the Holy Spirit for understanding as we read we will gain understanding...

More postings to follow...

:)

A breath of fresh air

This morning, I decided to have my devotional time out on the back porch. With all the heat and smoke from fires lately, the air in the morning has been warm and poor in quality. Today, the forecast is 81 degrees at noon and 91 degrees for the evening. Definitely a breath of fresh air from the "summer time woes."

So I was reading through the Book of John and picking up verses that had been highlighted throughout the years that have had special meaning to me:

John 1:12
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..."

One of my life verses:
John 3:16 "
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 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

First heard this verse at Raft Rally Summer Camp
John 10:27-29
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them out of my hand. My father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."

John 15:1-4
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last."

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."