Saturday, June 27, 2015

No Hate

No, I don't hate anyone.  I do disagree with you.  Furthermore, my stepson is currently serving in the military to ensure those that accuse me of hate may do so.  Oh, the irony of life!

I do know this:

  • God is love.
  • God is strong.
  • God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  • God is never wrong.
  • God is love.
Yes, I believe my Bible speaks rather strong against the Supreme Court's decision yesterday.  Very strongly...in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Salvation, though, comes down to this:  you and God.  No one else.

When I first heard this announcement yesterday, my soul tensed just a bit, for as our country continues to turn its back on the Bible Truths, so will He turn against our country, not against the Christians within the country, but, yes, against this country.

Then, my next thought, "Yes, He really is coming soon."  This is just another indicator of that.  I know we have heard this all our lives, but He is coming soon.  Thus, no, we cannot hate, for God is love.  We can pray, love, pray, love...and take that stand for those Biblical Truths with love as needed.

Never have I wanted to hang out with people who do not like me, nor would I think do others.  Therefore, to those who say "Love Conquers Hate," I do not hate you.  I cannot.  

This hate word is a work of Satan, who wants Christians to act out with hate, to be seen as hypocrites who cannot live up to His Word.  Thus, we as Christians are being tried...we have to be careful to show God's love.  I can completely disagree with a person and feel no hate.  I can feel sorry for them for their lack of revelation and feel no hate.  I can pray for them without any hate.

Love conquers hate.  Yes, God, who is love, will conquer hate.  He will.  We already know how this story ends.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

New Book Study Begins

This evening, I meet with a very special group of ladies; sometimes, of whom, there are two, five...even as many as 11.  Always glad, I look forward to this time of fellowship around God's Word...and a glass of iced tea.  Yes!

This will be our fourth study, having now completed three of Beth Moore's studies:  I and II Thessalonians, Esther, and Breaking Free.  All very powerful.  May I just pause and reflect here?  I went into Breaking Free, thinking this one, while full of great reminders, was probably not for me, for over the last few years, I have experienced such a time of rejuvenation in my spiritual life...and felt that way until about week nine.  Then, the Lord began dealing with me about some more...yes, more!...strongholds over me...and, sadly, where I might be the stronghold to or against others.  Amazing how alive His Word remains, speaking to me, even when the brain exudes too many topics, thoughts, and theories.

Yes, Lord, speak Life!

For our next study, we have chosen Angela Thomas' Stronger, based on two of us having attended the Women of Joy Conference in March and having listened to her speak during that conference.  So far, twelve ladies have purchased the book.  What does that say?  One, ladies are seeking girl-time and God-time.  Two, some feel the pull of weaknesses...yet that gentle sweet Spirit saying, "Come unto me."  He is the strong one.

I so encourage you to become involved in a Bible study.  About a year ago, when Beth Moore's study of I and II Thessalonians came out, I just "felt"...you know, that nudge you get from the Lord?...that I should host this study at our church and invite all my friends, just in hopes that one, maybe two, would join me, for I felt the need.  I wasn't sure if the timing was for me or for the other ladies whose hearts God was preparing, nurturing, healing.

Amazing testimonies have come out of this group:  we prayed a son would call his mom...the phone rang just as we finished praying...yes, the son was calling his mom; another lady asked for prayer, for she was just about ready to give up...that evening's message was on the topic rest.  The Spirit was so strong that evening, for we all knew He had shown up and was speaking directly to this precious lady.  All through Him.  Amen.

This study, as the ones before were, are video-based.  When we gather (around that iced tea, of course) we share prayer requests and prayer, comment on the study, and then dive right into the video and what the Lord has to say to us.  I arrive just as everyone else does...ready to listen and learn.

Looking forward to this day that our Lord has made for our Bible Study.

Be blessed!

Monday, June 22, 2015

What? It's Over Already?

You plan and work and plan..and plan...then, the event is over in a heartbeat!

This past weekend, our church hosted a women's retreat:  Thrive!  I enjoyed it so much.  Pictured at the right is my favorite advertisement.  These colors just make me happy!

I was amazed as I worked with printing the documents for the ladies at how all the speakers' topics, the songs...all of it merged and flowed.  This, within itself, became a God-Thing.  He is the mighty director of these orchestrated events, isn't He?

The event began, for me, before the kick-off time, as we sat and chatted and texted and prayed about the theme, the agenda, the menus, the decorations...girls having girl time, having fellowship around an event planned to Glorify Him...not us...but God.

That's right...we cannot outdo God, for every step of the way He was blessing us with closer relationships with our girlfriends, with fellowship around His Word.

My friend Joyce and I had discussed for the last couple of years the idea of hosting another retreat.  Then, when we were blessed with the opportunity to attend Women of Joy Conference, there we had time to nurture and cultivate the seed of the retreat.

One highlight of the weekend was the guests who attended.  So exciting to see women interested worshiping and wanting to thrive more in The Word.  We had hoped that some women from a rehab unit would be allowed to attend, but that fell through, so I am praying that God ministers to them in another way.

Two nuggets I gleaned from two of the speakers were...

  • "I'll be okay when I can pray."  Words spoken from a mom a few hours after learning of the passing of her son.  My friend Peggy is an inspiration to so many because of the extreme tests that God has walked with her.  Isn't that a powerful statement?
  • "Life's disappointments become God's appointments."  Our pastor's wife Lisa spoke these words as she was expressing her thoughts on what she had expected her mission trip to Uganda to be, as she learned what God had in store for her instead, for out of their trip came a desire for the missionaries there to remain on the mission field. Very powerful!


Yes, we are thriving!  So much so that we already planning for next year's event!  Same weekend, same place, same excitement, same God!

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Redeemed, How I Love to Claim It

In today's study of What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God, a study I am continuing and participating (this makes my involvement much more active!) with The Girl, we are asked to name Your Extraordinary Story (YES).  I did.  Then, I had a few more thoughts about that title.

I hope you enjoy this acrostic!

Redeemed, How I Love to Claim It
Yes, this is a variation of a title...changed proclaim to claim.  I just caught that as I was humming it.  True though, I do love to claim it!)

Resting in Jesus is becoming my goal,
Especially as I
Dive into His Word that speaks Life,
Especially as I listen,
Ever learning...and learning... more from spiritual leaders:
Moore, Minter, Thomas, Terkeurst, the Craftons.
Everything within me truly
Desires to be like

Him,
Onward, leaving sins, chains, strongholds behind,
While ever claiming my Salvation, a gift from Him.

I love you, too, Jesus.

Loving to praise ever more through prayer and music,
Over and over, repeating the lyrics,
Valuing that time with Him,
Established on the firm foundation,

Totally surrendering to the revival,
Only trusting Him.

Claiming, proudly, my Salvation,
Loving, resting, securely.
Always true He is to me.
I love you, too, Jesus.
More every day,

I rest.
To the cross, I do cling.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Your Extraordinary Story

Yes = Your Extraordinary Story

Tonight, I sat down to work on some upcoming events for my church:  women's retreat, Bible studies, Sunday School,...and in the midst of all that, I remembered this book I had purchased in the spring of 2014 and began reading on April 8 -- I know because I dated it.

I had also bought a copy of this book for The Girl...that study then hardly started before we quit.  Busy lives.  Busy. Busy. Busy.

Tonight, I could have said, "No."  So many studies going on already:

  • Breaking Free...then begin Stronger
  • What Love Is
  • Seamless
  • Sunday School:  I, II, III John and Revelation
  • Late in July...Not I, But Christ
But, no, I said, "Yes."

I got up to look for this book.

There, it sat...right on top.  Yes.

I then asked The Girl if she still had her copy.  No, she could not even remember our beginning the book.  

There, it sat...in plain view...in her bookcase.  Yes.

She, too, said, "Yes."  She wants to do the study to "fill up her time this summer."

We agreed to read to page 15 and meet for coffee at our dining table,,,in the morning.

Amazing!

Loved Lysa' story about giving away her Bible.  Amazing.  Extraordinary.  How hard...in an easy sort of way...that must have been to give her own precious Bible away.

Today, The Girl wanted me to buy her a new Bible.

No, I did not buy her one.  She has a very nice study Bible...still practically brand new.

She wants another one because she has seen all the Bibles I have. She wants to be like me.

I want her to be like me...ever more actively involved in The Word.  Yes!

Praise You, Jesus!

I love you, too.

_________________

PS  This post?  I typed it from my journal.  Yes, The Girl wants us to journal as we read this book.  This is an extraordinary story, and I am excited!