Several weeks ago I started the Beth Moore series "Believing God." The studies, presentations, revelation, have all helped me see God through new eyes. I was moving along from chapter to chapter....lesson to lesson until I hit "the wall." It was the part about my words and thoughts. How these words and thoughts can bring life or death to me and to others. There are times when I use words to beat myself up. The words I say to myself are very unkind. Words that I would not speak aloud against someone else. Yet I use them against myself regularly. Do you ever do that?
When I hit this part of the study.....basically, I just stopped studying. I didn't want to uncover the root of the hurtful words. Maybe because I have told myself those things for so long, I actually believe them. Whatever the reason, I was running from God's truth about me.
Then I came upon another on-line Bible study on Jennifer Rothschild's book.....Me, Myself, & Lies. So without really exploring it, I purchased the book and was super excited about starting the study. Are you familiar with this book? Do you know the subject? It's about cleaning out your thought closet.
Ok.....who's laughing? Because really, it is funny. Who, besides me, can see the irony in this? Who besides me can see that God is not going to let me walk away from this topic. Who, besides me, believes God is telling me that it's time I turned and faced whatever fear is holding me back from cleaning up my thoughts. But it's more than just about cleaning up my thoughts. It's about recognizing, accepting, and believing who I am in Christ.
How can I say that God will do this for others and not for me? I cannot. That would put God in a box and limit Him. What fears do you face today, This Day? Turn and face them with me as we find strength in God together.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 138:8 (NIV) The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.
Wow! Can you believe it? The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are flying by faster than a speeding bullet. June is almost behind us and at next Thankful Thursday's post we'll be in July getting ready to celebrate our nation's independence. God's word tells us to be thankful in everything so here's my list......silly or serious, big or small...God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for prayer time with my hubby. Yep....he's in the top five again this week. We work different shifts and have different days off so our time together is precious and few. We cherish our prayer time together.
2. I'm thankful the landlord got the central AC unit fixed. We'd been using a window unit that just wasn't cooling with the spike in heat and humidity.
3. I'm thankful that God is concerned with that which concerns us. Last week when I was searching for my "picture of the day," I got my husband's car stuck in the mud. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. While I was rocking the car, I was praying for help.....I just needed a little push. You can see the result at my photo blog, Shutter Clicks. A couple days ago I went back to get a new picture of the day and took a photo of the ruts I made.....God clearly helped me. That photo will be posted Sunday.
4. I'm thankful for the time my daughter spent with me last week.
5. I'm thankful for safe traveling when I'm on my motorcycle. I'm riding to and from work almost every day on it, plus I'm riding it to class two evenings a week. Class is about twenty miles from home and I don't get out till dusk. That's when critters start moving.
That's my list for the week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and stop by Sonya's at Truth 4 the Journey to link up and see how God is blessing others.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV) Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
I have started this post several times but just couldn't get the words to flow. Initially, I had the title as "House Update." Yet, I felt like that was all I was able to say. The offer we made was not accepted, and we continue our search for a house to buy. Thank you so much for your continued prayers in this matter.
My outlook turned from optimism to discouragement, and it has stayed there for several days. I needed to get my mind off what we didn't get and on to what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. To accomplish this changing of my thoughts, I'm concentrating on the joy of the journey and the type of place our home will be....not just for us but also for everyone who will cross the threshold.
My joy comes not from what is seen, but from what is not seen. That joy is the work God is doing behind the scenes to accomplish His plan and purpose for our lives. This is a time to discover the treasure of where God is leading us. The journey is not always a pleasant one as He hones us (me and hubby) to take us to the next level, preparing us for the home and mission He has in store for us.
Our desire is to have a home that is a place of order, peace, and safety. This home will nurture and burst with light, joy, and love. Where the presence of Jesus can be felt. When you walk thru the front door, you should be able to shut the door on the chaos, hatred, cruelty, and pressure of the outside world and into the light of His presence. Our home will reflect the love and joy, peace and gladness of our Father in heaven.
What is your home like? Is it a place of order or chaos? Is it a dark, depressing place lacking the light of life that lifts souls? Is your home filled with nasty looks, hurtful words, disrespect, and dishonor? Or when others come into your home can they feel Jesus there?
Shut the door on the world today, This Day, and walk into the light of His presence. You, too, will feel the joy of the journey.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Matthew 7:11 (NKJV) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Normally, I would dedicate this post to my dad......or my husband, but today, This Day, I want to dedicate this to my heavenly Father. Without Him, I wouldn't have the other two fabulous fathers in my life. He knew me before time began and my life is in His hands. I'm thankful I can depend on His plan and purpose for my life. The best part is that He hears me when I call on Him. He will never leave me or forsake me. No matter where I go or what I do, He will be there. Thank you, Lord.
I'm still participating in Project 365 where I'm taking a photo a day for the year 2009. There are pictures from last week's motorcycle ride with....the rowdy crowd. This is a mission field that few have access to yet God has called us to show them His love by example. Where is God calling you today, This Day, to be an example of His love?
Peace and Joy, Susan
Mark 2:17 (NKJV) When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
It's Thankful Thursday. WOW! What a crazy busy week. This gives me a change to slow down, pause, and reflect on the many blessings in my life. Here, is my list of five......they can be serious or silly, big or small.....God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for the stamina to work full-time, take a class, plus do all the other things I need and want to do. Especially ride my super fun Harley!
2. I'm thankful for praying friends. It's great to call my prayer warrior and know I'm covered!
3. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. Yep.....he's in the top five again. He is doing his best to find us a home.
4. Thankful for having had cancer. Wait.....what???? I know.......but bear with me here. Through my experience and the friendships I made......I am indirectly touching a newly diagnosed woman whom I've never met. Her niece has been able to help her through hair loss and buying a wig, and understand what lies ahead. God used me to help someone I don't even know. Isn't that how His love works?
5. I'm thankful for the resources to help our children when they get in a bind.
That's my five......what are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and be sure to stop by TT's host, Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey and add your list.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
A side note: We are placing a counter offer on a house today......please pray for us as we seek God's plan and purpose in this matter. Thank you for lifting us up before the throne.
Welcome to Thankful Thursday where I pause each week to list 5 things for which I am thankful. Share what you are thankful for thru Sonya's Truth 4 the Journey. They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for God's grace because it is sufficient to meet anything and everything that comes my way. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2. I'm thankful for God's mercy. It is new each morning and all I have to do is ask for it.
3. I'm thankful that God's love is unconditional. No matter what I've done, said, how I've acted, or will do, God still loves me.
4. I'm thankful for God's plan. He always always has my best interests at heart. Jeremiah 29: 11 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.
5. I'm thankful for God's will that none should perish (which includes you and me). 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Do you know God today? This Day? He is waiting for you to call on His name. You don't have to be afraid because He loves you! He has mercy for you and loves you unconditionally....no matter what. He has a wonderful plan for your life. How do you do that? Just be still and you will know.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Today is the start of summer semester. Do you remember a while back when I had over four weeks before classes started? I do...barely. Those days have flown by with the search for a house to buy, riding my scooter, mini-vacation. Now begins the crazy days of summer. Class two nights each week. Reading assignments. Homework. PLUS cookouts, more mini-vacations, more riding my scooter, more searching for a house to buy. With all this craziness I decided a new background was in order. Doesn't it just scream summer craziness?
My sweet blog peep, Kim @ Just a Southern Girl presented me with this wonderful award because not only do I visit her often, I comment on her happenings. She and her hubby are missionaries in Argentina and have some of the most interesting adventures. She's very creative with the resources God has provided and I am blessed by their faithfulness and obedience. Be sure to stop by her spot and say "hey."
Kim and I are both participating in Project 365 where we are taking a photo each day of 2009. Since we are on the opposite sides of the equator, we are in opposite seasons. It's fascinating to watch the change in our seasons, food, and clothing. Be sure to stop by both of our Project 365s. My photo blog is Shutter Clicks and you see the most recent pictures there.
If you've been following my posts this spring, you know I'm participating in a health challenge sponsored by Linda @ 2nd Cup of Coffee. This latest phase is the ole switcheroo. My switch has been more in my diet than my exercise pattern. Don't get me wrong, I'm still training 30 minutes a day. Some days I walk, some days I work out with my personal trainer on FitTV, and some days I ride my bicycle. It depends on my schedule and the weather. Oh yeah....I'm still drinking all that water too. Find out about this challenge and what the other Challengettes are doing by clicking here.
Seems like I'm participating in a lot of things these days.....doesn't it to you? Do you get that way? You have so many "want to do" plus your "need to do" that your time slips away and you're faced with "what should I do?" I think God calls us to be good stewards with all of our resources.....time, $$$, and body. We can easily get out of balance. That's when we need to stop, look, and listen to what God would have us do.
Do you need to self-edit what you are doing to be in balance and demonstrate good stewardship? Stop, look, and listen today, This Day, to God's calling. I guarantee He will align your "want to do" with your "need to do."
Peace and Joy Susan
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
It's Thankful Thursday again. Can you believe it? Another week has passed already. Crazy. So what is Thankful Thursday? I'm so glad you asked. It is the time each week that I list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small, because God honors them all. He tells us in is Word....."in everything give thanks."
1. I'm thankful for the promises of God.
2. I'm thankful for my family. We had such a wonderful time in Nashville this past weekend. It was great to catch up, be silly, and make memories.
3. I'm thankful for safe travel. My drive was only 3 1/2 hours compared to the 7 hours they drove from Charlotte. We all made it to and from our destinations without incident. Thank you, Lord.
4. I'm thankful for mini-vacations. It's not always possible to take week long vacations so getting away for a weekend is a treat.
5. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. Yep, again (actually...still). :) He never fusses about my travels.
Those are the blessings I'm counting this week. What are the blessings you are counting today, This Day? I'm sure when you count them you will be able to see all that God has done. Please stop by Thankful Thursday's host, Sonya and join in....you'll be glad you did.
Peace and Joy, Susan
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
God laid this message on my heart several weeks ago. Photos of doors were to be part of the message. I'm still unsure what this message is about, but God knows. So I'm going to follow His lead. There have been some false starts with it and some procrastination. The more I put it off, the less I had to write about. Even with this past weekend's adventure, I have writer's block.
It reminds me of Jonah. God gave Jonah an assignment that Jonah chose not to do. He skipped out and did his own thing instead. It didn't take long for God to get Jonah's attention and for him to realize that God meant business. Me? I've been doing my own thing with the blog and not submitting to the unction of the Holy Spirit. So....here I am today asking forgiveness for neglecting my assignment.
We all make choices....every day. Just like Jonah and I made choices to go our own way, so you have decisions to make as well. Each choice takes us through a different door. Some doors are enticing, drawing you to walk right through them. Other doors bring out the curiosity in us, attracting us by obscuring what is behind it.
Then there are the doors that you can see through clearly, know exactly what is on the other side, and walk through them with your eyes wide open.
Other doors persuade your thinking with the allure of prosperity by their beauty and ornate style. God gives us free will to make our own choices and decisions. When we choose our own way, we move out of God's plan for our life. The selection we make can steer us away from a blessing or towards one. What door is presented to you today, This Day to walk through? Be discriminate and seek God who will satisfy your desires.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Jonah 2:7 (NIV) "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.
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