Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Above it All

As I'm flying home from a wonderful two weeks of family time, the clouds remind me of a lesson I learned only a few years ago. I look out over the fluffy sea of clouds stretched out to the horizon only to be framed by an edge of peachy pink as the sun disappears. Peaceful and unaware of what's going on below. Above it all. We have to come down. Down in the midst of "life". Where it's not always so peaceful and quiet. It reminds me of the weekend retreats I've been to, the week long camps, the quiet times spent alone in prayer with our savior. The feeling of peace, quietness...Above it All! Then one step into reality, life hits hard. I read a Facebook status today, it said something like, if your always upset about something your not trusting God. I also remember a saying...Don't be so heavenly minded that your no earthly good. It's just a wonderful time being in the presence of God! It encourages growth and closeness to our Heavenly Father. I just have to remember that just because life hits us on the face doesn't mean God leaves us. In fact it's a growing and learning experience we can use to grow even closer to God. So my prayer as we descend below the clouds, Lord I give it all to you! All is yours! Use me as you want. Let my mouth be yours, my feet be yours, my attitude be yours. Speak through me. Be in my thoughts up front and first before any negative thoughts or attitudes come into play.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Happy Christian?

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

During my life I've heard many different views of Christianity. I've heard that to be a real Christian you need to sacrifice all you have. That a real Christian is poor in material things. I've heard that to be a real Christian you will be blessed with health and riches or you're not in Gods will. It gets so confusing listening to man. That's another reason it's so important to develop a relationship with God. Religion isn't bad, please don't miss read what I'm saying. What is Religion without the relationship? The Bible is alive and speaks to us. You think I'm crazy? I give you this challenge...Read a Bible verse every day for a month. Each day before you read your verse, pray a simple prayer asking God to show you what He wants you to hear. After you read your verse, listen. If you'd like, write the answer in your journal. I like to do this, it helps me grow as well. A suggestion might be to read the book of Proverbs. There're 31 chapters, one for each day of the month. I would love to hear what you think and what God told you during this month of reading. Back to the featured verse of this blog. This is telling me to be happy with my blessings, enjoying each day giving God all the praise and Glory! I must not let satan or man take that joy away! Praise goes to our Holy God!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Proverbs 31

I just finished the book of proverbs this past week. In fact I camped out in Proverbs 31 for about three days. I'm not sure when I first realized how encouraging Proverbs 31 was, and I'm not sure when I first adopted this chapter as my life chapter. People talk about life verses, well I can't just settle on one verse. Of course the bible is full of verses, all awesome ones at that. But the whole chapter of Proverbs has spoken so deeply to my soul, that I have to claim the whole chapter. Not only has this chapter helped me in life, its helped me in practical, physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, relationship, ministry... well every nook and cranny a human needs help and direction, this chapter addresses it. It's a challenge worth taking, an example worth following, and it keeps a woman humble. No woman can be the proverbs 31 woman on her own. There a ministry called Proverbs 31 ministries. Check out the page on Facebook.