Tuesday, September 30, 2014

I Cannot Come Down

Last night, I sat and listened.  As did two others.  The fourth lady?  She talked.  Shared.  Cried.  Hurting.

Once her spirit quieted, another lady expressed her gratitude for having such a group with whom she knew she could share her most personal needs.

Then, we prayed.

When Beth Moore announced her summer study of Children of the Day, a spiritual analysis of I and II Thessalonians, I just felt compelled to host  this study at our church.  Initially, no one seemed interested.  Then, one by one they signed on, and our small group grew to five.  Just the perfect number for us.

A nine-week study, Children of the Day became a four-month study, resulting in our meeting just in God's perfect timing so that the night's focus became just the message that one of the five needed from the Lord. (See above for example!)  It was truly amazing to witness. I know...at this point in my walk with the Lord, nothing that my God does should amaze me, but amazed, excited, humbled, grateful I am.  Every time.

As we neared the end of the study, one of the ladies asked, "What study shall we do next?"

What?  Another study?

After some discussion, the group decided to participate in Beth Moore's study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman.  Then, possible Kelly Minter's study of Nehemiah.  I so love both of these books of the Bible.

May I leave you with my very favorite scriptures from Nehemiah...chapter 6...verse 3...?
I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.  - ESV
Nehemiah refused to listen to his enemies, the distractors who attempted to interrupt his direction, his work for the Lord.  This bible study is a great work for the ladies involved, so no matter how busy my schedule, no matter how tired I may be after a very long day, no matter how some may suggest that this is the one thing I should no longer do, no matter...this is a great work from which I cannot come down.

What great work for the Lord are you doing?  For what work will you not stop, no matter who attempts to interfere or dissuade you?

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Just Fifteen Minutes

I am participating in Lysa TyKeurst's of Proverbs 31 online book study The Best Yes.

I  teach twice on Sunday:  Sunday School the book of Hebrews and Sunday evening MasterWork Fall 2014:  Essential Messages from God's Servants (David Jeremiah's Slaying the Giants in Your Life.)

I assist with the children on Wednesday evenings doing crafts/activities from The Gospel Project.

I participate in a part-time ladies' study of Beth Moore's Children of the Day (finishing the study tomorrow evening and beginning her Esther study).

I am also slowly reading Virelle Kidder's Meet Me at the Well: Take a Month & Water Your Soul (taking me a bit more than a month!).

I also teach English full-time and participate in two other book clubs.

And...yes, that is why I need The Best Yes, as I  resist continuing to say "yes, I'll do that."

Yesterday, as I read about too-busy schedules and finding that soul time to do what is pulling at your heart strings, I realized that while I am so busy with all the above "church" activities, I am not doing what I really feel called to do...more about that as I continue to write here, for I know what I want; just need confirmation from Him.

I enjoy blogging, though, and want to do so daily, yet, day by day, the missed opportunities leave, vanish. This is where that 15 minutes comes in.  I am clearing my schedule 15 minutes for at least four days a week to blog, either here, on my teacher blog, or on my book review blog.
Don't get so locked in to your overwhelming schedule that you haphazardly spend your soul.  It's time to flip that.  Never is a woman so fulfilled as when she chooses to underwhelm her schedule so she can let God overwhelm her soul.
Yes.

Time's up.  Now, to get ready to discuss that giant called Worry during tonight's Discipleship Training class.  Thinking...Casting Crown's "Thrive" may be a good place to start.

Then, to read for the college-level class I teach tomorrow after school.

AND to finish the last few lessons of Children of the Day.

What are you doing with your 15 minutes of soul time?

Friday, September 12, 2014

In Anticipation...

Tomorrow, thirteen sisters in the Lord are traveling with or meeting me to attend the Beth Moore Simulcast.  I am beyond excited!  Truly!

I attended this event the last two years and was blessed immeasurably...even though I attended solo.  Part of me truly enjoyed that...just a day surrounded by other women, just a day where, at the same time, Jesus and I met.  So blessed.

This year, when I learned the same church would be hosting again, I just began inviting the women, and one by one each began to accept my invitation.  Now, they are coming from all over:  three are traveling over an hour, one from out of state; two are teachers with whom I work; several attend church with me, two from within our community.  All who have needs; some so wounded, one just having lost her four-month-old daughter to SIDS.  All who have needs.

Tonight, on the way from the football game, my fifteen-year-old daughter announced she just felt like she should go tomorrow.  Praise God!

I feel just a bit like Joshua did when he said, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."   Wonders. Miracles.  I am rejoicing already for what He is going to do for these ladies.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

A Gospel Nugget...or two...

I like this one...
It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave your nor forsake you.  Do not fear nor be dismayed. - Deut. 31:8.

Throughout both of the last two evenings, I have sat and listened to two women share tremendous testimonies:  one a newly retired elementary teacher, the other a young adult interviewing this week for a job, both learning to trust Him, to lean on Him, to rest in Him.   As I listened, I was just so blessed and uplifted to witness the growth in faith of both of these women.  These are such powerful times.  God is so mindful.

...the Lord who goes before you...

Earlier today, I received a text from a young Christian wife whose husband is about to fly to Hawaii to work for a while.  Scared, fearful of the many events and troubles in our country and around our world, she asked if I thought he should go.  Oh, my!  The question.  My reply:  "Pray.  Seek His will.  Then, either go...or stay...in His name and take a step of faith, either here or there."  Then, I read this scripture...now, I will share this gospel nugget with her.

He will be with you.

On Sunday morning, I sat and listened to two young women share prayer requests that caused my heart to yearn for answers from God to their prayer requests, both asking for God to intervene in family matters, matters so close that tears filled the eyes as words were sought to explain the dilemmas.

Do not fear nor be dismayed.

I listened through the speaker of my phone as a concerned friend shared a rumor she thought I should know about my daughter.  A lie.  A work of Satan.  This one backfired on him, for through this, both The Daughter and I turned to Him, for comfort, for solace, for answers, for relief.  He was there.  Every time.

I really like this one...
It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave your nor forsake you.  Do not fear nor be dismayed. - Deut. 31:8.

Blessings, my friend.  He is with you.