He Loves Me - Texture Tuesday

With the extreme heat, it has been hard to catch a daisy that hasn't wilted and crumpled before I can even get out there to pick it!  I got lucky with this little jewel the other day, and I snapped several photos.  I decided that I am going to start trying to show my original photo, because I love seeing the before and after shots of so many of your photos.  So here is what I started with.

I added several adjustments layers, a high pass filter on overlay at 100%, a blue color fill, a pattern overlay, several layer masks, and Kim's 'PlasterSquared' texture on multiply at 50%.

A daisy always reminds me of the famous, "He loves me, He loves me not" little diddy, and when I think of that, I always am reminded how much God loves me....and the best news is, there is no "He loves me not" because He only loves!

I'm off on a photography road trip today  with a girlfriend and I hope to return with lots of new photos to edit!!

Enjoy Texture Tuesday!

It's Time. Do You Feel It?

Right now, at this very place in your life, you are at a crossroads. Do you feel it? A fresh start, a new beginning. It's a chance to refocus, breath, and rest. You've been running....running from the One who wants to give you everything He has for your enjoyment, for your good and for His glory.. It's time...time to run into His arms and begin again.

Don't overthink it...you know it is time. Put every excuse aside, knowing that the Creator of the Universe longs to hold you in His safe arms once again, to whisper the greatest love ever told, right into your heart. It's all for you sweetheart, He adores you. He wants to help you with every step of your life. He knows where you are going, won't you take His hand and let Him lead you there?

Make Today Different

What if we make today different?  It's Leap Day, an extra day, like a gift.

What if instead of putting out our usual chatter on Twitter, we took it by storm and sent messages all around the world about Jesus?


What if we join the hashtag #JesusRocks and share about Him all day long?

What if today could be different FOR HIM, instead of just an extra day.

Will you join me?

Finding Rest in Anxiety

I knew I was in trouble.

The overwhelming feeling of just wanting to be home was about to overtake me.  I couldn't get there fast enough, to the safety of my own living room.  Warning signals went off in my head; anxiety.

It's an unidentified nervousness that overtakes me without warning.  My stomach is in my throat, and my skin crawls as if bugs are under the first layer of skin.  It's frightening, it's scary, it's maddening.

I got home and headed straight to the couch with a blanket and my husband.  My legs shake with overactive nerves, it's hard to relax;  I can't get close enough to him to soak up the safety within his strong body.  I'm ready for bed by 9 pm, knowing that sleep will be the best combatant to ease the tension away, to escape and hopefully, to wake to a brand new day.

I awake the next morning; it's Sunday.  As soon as my eyes open, my mind begins to go over a check list, examining every symptom.  Physically I appear to be fine, but my mind is wrapped in fear and apprehension.  It's hard to let go of the "what if's".  I arise earlier than usual, wanting time to sit quietly and pour over my bible before getting ready for church.  I'm searching for the armor that will sustain me for the day.  As I so often do, I turn to one of my favorite passages to comfort and encourage my soul, Colossians 1:10-14, and I am again greeted with words that give life, words that embolden courage:

worthy of the Lord                knowledge of God                   strengthened with all power


  endurance and patience               glorious might                   joyfully giving thanks


   redemption              inheritance of the saints                    kingdom of light


                forgiveness of sins                                                rescued

I read it over and over again, soaking it in, as deep as it will go. As my bible lie open on my lap the opposing page is steeped in underlines and highlights.  I glance over to see what scripture I had felt connection to, for that is why I mark in my bible, to remember the connection.  I see Philippians 4:6.  Irony is not something that lives hand-in-hand when living the faith.  So I don't take lightly that God is reminding me to put this verse into practice, right at this very moment.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." 

I sigh deeply, knowing this is not merely a suggestion by my Lord, but a command.  How can He work in me and through me if I do not bring everything to Him?  So I lay it all out before Him, surrendering those worries, concerns, and anxieties.  I whisper thanksgivings, ready to enter into worship at church in the coming hours.

His presence is felt, ever near, surrounding me with peace.  I sing out in my loudest song, How Great Is Our God.  Tears stream down my face, as I continue laying those concerns at His feet during worship.  

And He gently reminds me of this:  HE. IS. IN. ME.  I cannot hide, I cannot escape, He never leaves, He never alludes.

I take my seat next to my husband while our Pastor takes the stage.  And my soul is restful. 

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

Today is my first post over at Sisters in Bloom.  I hope you'll join me there today talking about online friendships.

God Restores Brokenness

Seventeen years ago my world fell apart and I thought my life was over.  My then husband walked out on my daughter and I, choosing another woman.

It was a year of heartache, change, and new beginnings.  It wasn't easy, but we survived.

Because of Jesus.

He brought me back to life, gave me a life, and hasn't stopped since.

It's hard to explain that now as I look back, God had a plan for me.  I couldn't believe it then, as it felt like He had forgotten me.  Hardship can be like that sometimes.  But He was refining me through the fire, and my life could not be what it is today without having walked through that fire.

I've been remarried now for 15 years, to a man that exceeds my every dream in a husband.  God brought me to this town to meet him, knowing we were a perfect match.  I had no idea how beautiful marriage could and should be, but now I'm living it. 

So if you are in the valley, and you can't see where God is taking you, would you trust Him?  He will take care of you, He promises in his Word that He will.

If you are struggling today, would you allow me to pray for you?  Just leave a comment and I will lift you to the Throne of God over the next several days.

No Matter What - OUR GOD REIGNS

OUR GOD REIGNS

nation wars against nation

OUR GOD REIGNS

famine wars against innocence

OUR GOD REIGNS

disease wars against flesh

OUR GOD REIGNS

Satan wars against souls

OUR GOD REIGNS

children war against parents

OUR GOD REIGNS

peoples war against governments

OUR GOD REIGNS

evil wars against good

OUR GOD REIGNS


"God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne."
Psalm 47:8

 

Are You Confused about God's Jealousy?

I was never an Oprah Winfrey fan.  I did not watch her show, but would catch occasional glimpses of her through other media.  Just the other day a video was being shared around Facebook of Oprah denouncing Jesus.

I felt it was a sad day.  Unfortunately, I had believed all along that Jesus was not her Savior, but this really was the final confirmation. Often times she would mention things in passing that were vague and left all of us wondering. Well now we know.

But what I found most disturbing about this video was the fact that she said when she was a young adult she heard a sermon that stated that God was a jealous God, and she decided right then that she couldn't believe in Him if he were jealous of her.

jealous of her


I grieve the fact that she totally misunderstood how God is jealous.  If this is something that you don't understand, I encourage you to look deeper.

God has never stated that he is jealous of us.  God is jealous for us.  There is a big difference.

"Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

Exodus 34:14

Because of His great love for us, He hates when we put other things before Him.  When something else becomes an idol, or as in the Old Testament, when the people were worshipping other gods, He became very jealous because our affection is misplaced. As Creator of the Universe, He deserves our undying devotion and attention.

He is also saddened when His power has made something happen, and human beings take the credit.  His glory has been stolen right out from under Him.  All praise and honor belongs to the Lord, not to us.

The Bible is certainly a complex, and sometimes frustrating book!  But God has provided many scholarly individuals who can help us understand those things that don't quite make sense to us.  Please, if there is something you don't understand, talk to someone about it.  Don't let it shape your faith, or worse, turn you away from faith.

In the meantime, praise God that he loves YOU so much that he wants ALL of you!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Don't forget our online book study of "James: Mercy Triumphs" by Beth Moore begins next Wednesday, February 1st right here!  Check out this post for more info!

Life as an Uphill Battle

Do you ever feel like the life you are living is a daily uphill battle?  Nothing comes easy and every decision is hard?

I think sometimes we slowly wander away from God's direction in our life.  When we are no longer walking in the Spirit, life becomes hard.  It happens before we know it, and suddenly we are struggling to squeeze any joy out of life.

If you are a bible believer, and I sure hope that you are, we know that the bible is a complete story from beginning to end.  We've lived much of it and are waiting for the remainder to happen.  Do you realize that your life is within that story?  Your life is happening right now between the books of the bible preceeding Revelation.  We know that part of history has not happened yet.

And so I wonder......

If we looked at this story, your story a little differently, would it reshape our thinking?  Because before you were born, God knew you.  He also knew where you fit into HIS story.  Before you were born He had plans all laid out for you.  Is life a battle because we have abandoned those plans that God has already prescribed?  We, you and I, have been chosen to do something important that God is doing within the story.

God is saving, rescuing and blessing.
He is providing, judging and healing.

A war is in progress;

evil vs good
unhappiness vs joy
pain vs healing
ignorance vs wisdom
life vs death
hope vs despair
heaven vs hell

Which side of the story will you choose?  We either choose God's side or we defect from it. 

Life is a battlefield, and unless we choose to play on the winning side, it will be an uphill battle of frustration, pain, and heartache.

God chose you for HIS side.  Come back and join Him on the winning team!  The Battle is the Lord's!

Prayer Helps for the Memory Challenged!

As a mom, do you feel overwhelmed by the ways we should be lifting our children before the Throne of God?

As a wife, do you find yourself frustrated that you haven't covered your husband in prayer?

As a friend, are you embarrassed when you realize you promised a friend you would pray, but you forgot?

me too

I finally gave up trying to remember all that I wanted to pray about and journaling isn't really my style, so I decided that I needed a new system.  A colored coded system was in order!  I found a set of 3x5 index cards in three colors; pink, blue and green.  This would work perfectly for my plan.  All prayers that are for my girls are on the pink cards, prayer for my husband are on green cards, prayers for myself are on blue cards, and prayers for others will be plain white cards.

I then sat down with some of my favorite authors prayer books and copied onto the cards many of those things that I wanted to be more intentional about praying, including scripture that applied to each prayer.  I chose the small cards because I want them to fit in my purse and be portable.  Then when I am out and have a few minutes of down or waiting time, I can take my cards out and say a few prayers in my extra moments of quiet.

I've also kept in my packet, simply kept together with a rubber band, blank white cards so when a friend mentions something they could use prayer over, I can simply write it down, then and there, so I won't forget!

I'm going to be using this same method for things that I want to be praying on my trip to Haiti on December 2-9.  I can easily jot down prayers and have them easily tucked away in my pocket for those moments of waiting.  I'll also be recording some scripture to include in this packet that I can be memorizing and referencing when our team needs encouragement.  

Have you come up with a system that works for you?  Would you share it with us?

A Snake in Indonesia Opens My Heart

These children are growing up in Indonesia where their parents are missionaries.  Look at those smiles!  Oh, and did you see the snake?  It's kinda hard to see 'cause it's so small.......in their back yard!

When I had the pleasure of hearing Joy speak at the Relevant Conference, she completely blew me away.  Her husband is a pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship and  flies missionaries in and out of the field. 

Joy told several beautiful stories about the way she had been blessed by the Indonesians that she is serving.  It was a powerful testimony of the way that God works.  I was in awe of her unselfish, servant heart...serving the Lord in a foreign country, in the jungles no less, and raising her 5 children.

Do you know what stuck with me weeks after hearing Joy speak?  The snake.

I live in a community of about 100,000 people, with 2 universities, and a very white collar work force.  Several large companies call our community home, so we are very blessed with a stable lifestyle.  My husband is a teacher, I'm an administrative assistant, we have one daughter in college, one in junior high and one in grade school.  We attend a growing church of about 4,000 people, where we serve regularly.

Is that enough?

This ain't no jungle. 

Somehow after meeting Joy and hearing about her life's work, my church's mission statement jumps off the page and speaks loudly to me, no longer able to be read over without conviction:

"A fearless church of Christ followers whose ridiculous love and dangerous witness are irresistible."

The snake in Joy's backyard is proof.

She answered the call to give ridiculous love in order to be a dangerous witness.

And it is irresistible.

God is moving

My heart is stirring

My mind cannot yet comprehend

So I'll wait

watch

pray

and say "Yes, Lord."

Will you answer the call with me?

Is He calling you?

Jesus Covers It All

Time has passed quickly for this mother of a 21 year old daughter
in college
on her own
without the need of her mama.

But this mom still needs the comfort of checking in, being able to look her in the eyes
gauge her well being
see her smile
hear her laugh
listen to her heart.

She met me, this beautiful girl of mine, half way between home and college
to share a plate of cheesy fries
and a piece of French Silk pie.

We chatted
laughed
talked
smiled.

I began telling her of those things that are beginning to worry me about my upcoming trip to Haiti-
lack of sleep
early morning rising
barking guard dogs
and noisy middle-of-the-night generators.

And this girl, my girl who I can't convince to go to church
who has walked away
from God for this time....

.....she speaks truth to my heart......

"Maybe God wants you to have to depend on Him for 

absolutely everything 

while you are there, even the little things."

My jaw may have fallen into the french silk pie.

I smile at her, completely amazed

and I wonder at the unexpected avenue that God has chosen to remind me of His 

unfailing love 

and provision of truth.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"

Philippians 4:13

all things

Jesus covers it all

An Interview With Buck Denver from What's In The Bible!

I have a very special guest visiting here today! It is my great pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Buck Denver, a prominent newscaster over at JellyTelly Labs!

Hi Buck, thank you for joining us today! 

Buck: Thank you for that warm welcome, Cherie. It is a pleasure to be here!

I've heard there is a lot of excitement about a new Christmas video you've put together. Can you tell us about this new What's In The Bible DVD bundle?

Buck: I'm very excited about it!  I brought along a video that tells you all about the DVDs AND our new Christmas release!  Watch!






That was fantastic!  You mean for just $39.95 I can order all 5 DVDs and also get the new Christmas DVD?

Buck:  Yessirree!!  Phil Vischer, he's our creator you know, wants all the kiddos out there to have the chance to own this great series that teaches them all about bible history and cool bible stories.

My kids love your videos, Buck.  We own all of them and the whole family enjoys watching you and your friends.  Clive and Ian are pretty funny fellows!

Buck:  I'm so glad you like our videos!  We've worked  very hard to bring you lots of bible facts in a fun and entertaining way.

Well, you've done a great job!  Buck, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today and sharing this great deal with us!

Buck: Oh I was happy to be here.  And don't forget, this is the BEST EVER Christmas gift for kids of all ages!!  Bye!


Wasn't that nice of Buck to stop in to visit with us today?  What a great deal those What's In The Bible folks are offering, huh?  Not only do they offer this great series, but their website is full of all kinds of printables, games, videos and even church curriculum!

Want in on the savings?  Just click the banner below and you can order this specially priced set for your family!  Because where else can you find a pirate teaching you about church history?

 

{Please know that this interview was entirely made up in my own mind.  Buck was booked for the day}

If you choose to purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission. Thank you!

A OneVerse Movement for Every Language On Earth

weave:  to form by combining various elements or details into a connected whole: 

to weave a tale; to weave a plan.

God, in his infinite wisdom, weaves

usually we are unaware of His handiwork

then, slowly a picture starts to emerge

we catch a glimpse of color,

of people we've never met who need our help.

we stop short, squint to see the whole

previously unaware, we become transfixed 

on the new

fresh

idea.

He begins weaving once-strangers together 

whispering a calling

one voice

one vision

one task:

Translate My Word, THE word into every tongue for every nation.

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

A movement of  OneVerse bloggers has begun, and my heart screams YES!  

YES Lord, use us, mold us, stir us to make a difference for YOU!

Will you join me?

It doesn't get any more real than this!

We all can make a difference, even if it is only one verse at a time! 

We are in a unique time in history - for the first time the number of languages that need Scripture are decreasing. Every language will have some portion of Scripture started in translation in this generation.”
~ Roy Peterson, President, The Seed Company

Will you join us?

When God Says No to Our Dreams

Only a few days after I made the announcement to some friends that I was looking for a part-time job I received an email that an Administrative Assistant position was going to be open in the Outreach department of my church.  I quickly emailed the Director of the department to let him know I was interested.

Over a month, and three interviews later, I was contacted and told that they had chosen someone else for the position.  My heart was broken.

I had prayed

I had fasted

Many friends had prayed

Others had spoken on my behalf

.....but God said no.

Tears were immediate after the phone call, the disappointment running deep.  My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that I couldn't put words to, even for my husband.  He knows the disappointment, and he's patiently waiting for the words to come from within.

Yesterday was a day of reflection, an inventory of my emotions.  

How do we react when God says no to our dreams?  

I've wanted to work for my church for a long time now.  It is an amazing place with God sized dreams.  The Holy Spirit is alive within and I want to be a part of that movement!  Do I allow myself to be mad at God?  Do I build up resentment for those I interviewed with?  Do I quit going to that church?  Do I hide whenever I encounter the staff that know I had interviewed for the position?

What would it say of my faith if I rebelled

against my God

because 

He. 

said. 

no.?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I don't know God's reasons, but I do know that I must trust Him with the answer, even when it is no.   Faith isn't grown only from the yes's and the blessings God bestows, but is also grown from the pain and disappointment in the denials.  

So today

I praise HIM

Because He is the I AM

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

Are You Living the Best Version of You?

I love sleep.  I mean I REALLY love sleep.  It is almost one of my favorite things to do!  My bed is extra comfy.  My pillows are stacked just right.  My snuggly soft yellow blanket travels with me wherever I go in my suitcase and  I have a cute little bear that I have slept with for over 15 years. (long story)

 {Don't be shy, say hello to our guests, Mr. Brambles!}

When I was a teenager I often slept until noon.  Can anyone relate?  So by now you're thinking, "yeah, so what, you love sleep".

Recently God has revealed to me a major weakness in my life.  SLEEP!  I know I've confessed to y'all before about liking my sleep.  I think I've even explored the idea that my addiction to sleep is a sin for me.  Did you know that addiction is just a fancy, easier to swallow name for idol?

IDOL:  any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.

 

My devotion and adoration of sleep has kept me from devotion to other more important things.  It has kept me from being the best version of me.  For example, if I head back to bed each day this week after my kids go to school (don't laugh--it happens), I've lost over 7-8 hours of productive work time for my home and family.  Even worse, if my house is in order, I've stolen time away from God as well....time I could have been in communion with him in study or service.

 

"We must identify and understand that which threatens our ability to flourish, and only sin can keep us from becoming the person God wants us to become." 

John Ortberg, The Me I Want To Be 

 

I've battled this beast for a long time now.  I've always known that sleep wasn't the best use of my time, but never did I see it as a roadblock for God making me into the best person I can be. 

To make matters worse, Satan can't keep his stinkin' nose out of it.  He'll whisper in my ear every morning how nice and comfy warm my bed is, how it's only an hour, how I have the rest of the day to be productive, how I didn't sleep well during the night and I deserve it.  THEN...when I get up from my comfy nap...He makes fun of me!  He accuses me of being lazy, points out all that I have to get done, and laughs at my weakness.

Have you been in this battle?  It might not be against sleep.  It may be against something far more serious; alcohol, p0rn0graphy, shopping, eating, gambling, gossip.....the list could go on forever.  Is there something in your life that needs to be tackled head on so that you can be the BEST version of YOU that God intended?

He doesn't love you any less for where you are right now.  His love for you never changes.  But He has great things in store for you.

Will you join me in this SEARCH AND DESTROY mission?  Find what keeps you from thriving.  If it isn't obvious to you, pray about it.  God will show you.  Once you know what is keeping you from flourishing, team up with God to knock down that stronghold!!

Would you be transparent with us today?  What keeps you from being the BEST version of YOU?

 

The Kingdom of God: All Consuming

I was reminded and convicted in Sunday's sermon that Paul's missionary journeys were all consuming kingdom work.  Rarely did he sit back, relax, and take in the view.  Neither did he leave the work for other's to do.

So I thought, am I living my life as all consuming kingdom work?  Although I may not be serving in Africa or China, I have been given my missionary field right here in my home and local community.

Lord, give me new eyes to see that the work of my hands and feet every day should be in honor of your Kingdom.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

Designed to Flourish

God made you, and He loves you just as you are at this very moment.

He designed you to flourish. 

"Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

and who satisfies your desires with good things."

Psalm 103:2-5

OneVerse - Translating God's Word into the World's Languages

Is your bible one of your most treasured possessions?  Can you imagine living without a bible?

In our modern world it is difficult to believe that millions of people do not have access to the Bible. Would you believe 340 MILLION people?  OneVerse is working to change that:



The stories come pouring into OneVerse about the effects the bible translations are having all over the world as the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ is revealed:

• Nesrah didn’t marry a scoundrel, but Saman had turned into one. Her bootlegging husband was drunk much of the time, and now promoted a radical South Asian sect opposed to her new Christian faith. Nesrah couldn’t turn to either set of parents for help. Both their fathers were shamans.  So Nesrah prayed. The next time Saman came home drunk and began to argue, she remained calm. She continued to do so. Finally one day he asked why she acted so differently. She told him about the peace Jesus gave her. When he sobered up, she suggested that he go to a Christian rehab facility … and he agreed to go!  Each day during his treatment Saman listened to Scripture. God’s Word gripped his heart as he heard, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household” (Acts 16:31, NLT). As Saman embraced these words, God transformed his life.  Later when a Bible translation project began for his Ula mother tongue, a local pastor recommended Saman for training as a translator. Today, Saman shares God’s life-changing Word with his people.

• The Takuu people of Papua New Guinea live in fear of spirits. Accidents, illness and death are believed to be punishment from angering these spirits. Each clan is represented by a certain spirit, or totem.  Abraham is a member of a clan whose totem is the crab. One day after
  Abraham had accepted Christ as his Savior at a translation workshop, he and some friends spent a day at the beach. While they were there, they roasted crabs over a fire and ate them.  When his father learned of Abraham’s meal, he shouted, “How could you break the taboo? You have endangered us all!” His eyes blazed with anger. “Because of this you are no longer my son; I will not say ‘kaisuru’ for you!”  At the traditional Takuu funeral service, a particular family member performs a protective ritual, called “kaisuru,” to assure the deceased’s soul is granted entrance into “the place of the good spirits.” If the ritual is not performed precisely, the Takuu believe the angry spirits will curse the entire clan.  As a Christian, Abraham knew he didn’t have to fear curses from spirits. He realized he didn’t need his father’s intercession. “I no longer worry if I die; Jesus is my ‘kaisuru’!”
  
  

Gifts of $26 provide funds for the process of translation, which is intense and time consuming.  Each and every verse must go through the same process:

• Creating a first draft translation of the text
• Forming a language team to review the first draft of the translation
• Testing the new draft of the translation within the indigenous community
• Checking the translation by translating the draft back into English or another major language
• Professional language consultants to review and check the translation
• A final check of the translation prior to publication
  
  Undergirding each of these project steps are training and mentoring, consultation for translators, computers, printers, translation software, office supplies, transportation, salaries or the equivalent and other necessities.
  

It is an immense task.  But in obedience, we must tackle the challenge.  Hundreds of tribes and villages have been waiting 2000 years for the salvation found only in God's word.

They should not wait any longer!

Could you give $26 for a verse?  

How about a verse per month? 

Now is the time to end bible poverty!

I invite you to visit oneverse and see the many different ways you can get involved in this life changing work.

Are You Living a Counterfeit Version of You?

I'm currently reading "The Me I Want To Be" by John Ortberg with my small group.  I've read the first several chapters many times already because it is ringing so true for me.

I thought I would share with you something that I feel we as women all struggle with, just to give you "Something To Think About" today!!

Sometimes we project "counterfeit" versions of ourselves in an effort to fit in.  But God created you to be YOU and no one else.  Maybe you can resonate with some of these false versions:

• the me I pretend to be
• the me I think I should be
• the me other people want me to be
• the me I'm afraid God wants
• the me that fails to be

Not only do we think that we fail to live up to everyone's expectations, but I think we also feel that God expects more or something differently from us.  In that line of thinking we fail to realize that God delights in us just as we are, in the person He created us to be.

"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Psalm 147:11

It doesn't say He delights only in those who rise early and spend 3 hours in prayer and study.  It doesn't say He delights only in those who practice every spiritual discipline. It doesn't say He delights only in those who live a perfect life.

No...He delights in those who put their HOPE in Him.

How about spending a little time today basking in the glory of the acceptance of your Heavenly Father?

Just something to think about................

Can a Modern Woman Practice Spiritual Disciplines?

As I venture into part two of this discovery, be sure to go to yesterday's post to catch up on our discussion!

I think many would say that their view of the Spiritual Disciplines might line up with thinking of a monk's life in a monastery!  Do you think of a silent lifestyle, praying 10 hours a day and eating only vegetables?  Is it really for me, an every day ordinary, modern christian woman?

YES!

As my faith walk has grown, and I'm sure yours as well, we are ready for bigger and better pieces of a life with Christ. 

• 1 Corinthians 3:2 NIV

  I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

• Hebrews 5:12 NIV

  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

• Hebrews 5:14 NIV

  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

So if you have been walking with Christ for a while, you should be eating solid food! While reading this book, Intimate Faith. A Woman's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines, I discovered that as my faith walk has grown over the years, I was already practicing many of these disciplines in my life!  Let's look at them.

• submission
• humility
• study
• simplicity 
• sacrifice
• fasting
• chastity
• secrecy
• solitude
• silence
• prayer
• meditation
• service
• fellowship
• confession
• worship
• celebration

If you are a new believer in Christ, this list may look intimidating and difficult.  Be encouraged!  As your life in Christ matures, many of these items will naturally find a place in your daily life.  If you are a seasoned believer in Christ, you can probably look at this list and see where your faith and obedience has grown.

The disciplines are not meant as a list to check off like a to-do list.  Instead I have discovered that through the practicing of each of these gifts, I grow closer to God.  I can't help be lean into Him, celebrating, worshiping, praying and meditating on who He is in my life.  If we're living a biblical life, these things come naturally.

I'd like to encourage you to research the Spiritual Disciplines and find the peace and hope that resides inside each one. Allow them to bring you closer and closer to the heart of  God.   If you've read through the new testament, you'll notice that each of these were practices of Jesus.  Now that is an example that I want to follow!