Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

For several years now as a new year approaches, I seek the Lord about what He specifically wants me to focus on that year. Last year the word was, "listen". I will not say I have become an expert listener, but praise God my ears are more open then before and my mouth is more shut. Through listening I have really been able to hear the hurts and hearts cry of some women around me. Listening has led to amazing things that I will save for another post, but now I want to share this years word.

Purposeful

In all honesty that would not be my choice of words, I would much rather have "spontaneous". The majority of my life has been one spontaneous thing after another, it is one of the masks I use to hide behind. This year God is asking me to take off the mask and be vulnerable as He shows me how to be purposeful.

Purposeful with Him.

Purposeful for Him.

Purposeful in my marriage.

Purposeful in my relationships.

What exactly does "purposeful" look like? I'm not sure, but I look forward to year of learning to purposeful with Him as my teacher.

How about you? Is there a specific area that the Lord is targeting this year? Please feel free to share in the comments below, or send me an email. I would love hear from you. :o)

Have a wonderful safe and purposeful new year!! :o)


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Prayers for 2010

My prayer for the coming year:

* I will really listen to the heart of God and do what He wants me to do.

* My family will grow in Him and really seek after Him.

* The church I attend will blossom and grow spiritually, so it can in fact be the beacon on the hill.

* My Pastor will continue to seek the face of Jesus and continue to be bold in his teaching.

* My friendships will grow according to Gods plan.

* The ladies Bible study will group will continue to grow spiritually and that we will reach out to others. This has been amazing and I look forward to seeing what God is going to do.

* Protection over my family as we live day to day.

* Wisdom from on high as we each make important decisions about the future.

* Salvation for those family members and friends who do not know the Lord.

* Wisdom for the President of the United States and for a true understanding of who Jesus is.

In all honesty I have lots more, but those are ones that come to mind right now. What about you, what are your prayers for the coming year?

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Womens Day Book 12-23-09

Outside My Window... overcast, but yet still sunny and chilly.

I am listening to... the sound of my boys rough housing, ah....such a pleasant sound. ;o)

I am wearing... comfy socks, black jeans, and my Evangel University Mom sweatshirt. :o)

I am thankful... for all the Lord has provided.

I am pondering... my Christmas list.

I am reading... The Left Behind Series. I have read this through years ago, but I want to read it again. I'm currently on the second book, but will be on the third some time today.

From the kitchen... I made popcorn and I think the boys are making eggs.

I am creating... plans for the rest of sons vacation....;o)

I am thinking... that boys love to rough house, no matter the age.

I am going... to go Christmas shopping with hubby tomorrow. Last minute? Yes, but I'm excited!! :o)

Around the house... clean and comfy. :o)

One of my favorite things... reading the Word and soaking it in.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I purposed in my heart that this year I would not be stressed at Christmas. No matter what came my way, life would go on and stress would not rear its ugly head. Well, life threw many things my way and when I started to feel stress pop up, I would worship the Lord. It may sound simplistic, but it's true. Worship. It is a word that means so much to me, but even more to God. Instead of counting my problems, I started counting my blessings. Literally. I remember before Thanksgiving laying in bed and telling the Lord how great He was. It was a tough time, but yet as I talked to God and thanked Him for who is not to mention all He's done I fell into a deep sleep.

It. Was. Amazing.

This season as things can get so very stressful remember to praise the One whose birth we are celebrating. You may feel you have nothing to praise Him about, then praise Him anyway. Praise Him through the storms. Praise Him in the valleys. Praise Him on the mountains. He is worthy of our praise.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Are You In the Boat?

Have you ever wondered if the storms of life equal you not being in the center of Gods will? I mean, it is easy to believe that if God is there then the storms certainly must not be.

Right?


Not necessarily.

If you have your Bible turn to Matthew 8:23-27 or click here to read the scripture.

Our family has been going through a rough time, financially. When things start to look good, something happens and there goes any 'extra' money we may of had. It has been a frustrating, scary, and at times lonely 3 months. However, in the midst of it all God was there.

Matthew 8: 23

" Jesus got into a boat and his disciples followed him."

These men were with Jesus, God in flesh, and they followed Him into the boat. They did not drag Him behind them or make Him go with them, they followed Him.

Matthew 8: 24

" Without warning, a furious storm came upon the lake."

There was no warning. The storm came out of no where, with apparently no impending signs. Some of the disciples were fishermen and would know how to read the sky for inclement weather, but the Bible says there was "no warning".
How many times do we have, "storms without warning"? It can be a sudden death, a financial crisis, troubles in relationships, and anything that causes our lives sudden shock. I don't know about you, but I like to be in control and when something comes without warning it really throws me off track.

Matthew 8: 24

".... so that the waves swept over the boat...."

Do our sudden storms overwhelm us? Picture being a boat and having the waves sweep over it. That would be a very scary thing!! Talk about not being in control!

Matthew 8:24

"....but Jesus was sleeping."

What was Jesus doing? Sleeping. How could He be sleeping during such a violent storm? Didn't He realize what was going on? Didn't He know how close to death they all were? Why was He not worried? Well, the Bible doesn't specify but I believe that Jesus knew He was in the very center of His Fathers will. He also knew that His disciples were in the very center of His Fathers will. The difference is that He knew it and they did not.

Matthew 8: 25

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

They were freaking out! There they were, with the same man they had seen do miraculous things and yet when danger knocked on their door they panicked. Not a little scared, but truly panicked. It seems that they thought their lives were in imminent danger.

Matthew 8: 26

"He replied, "You of little faith, why are you afraid?"

Wow! He basically rebuked the disciples for for their lack of faith. He knew all that they had witnessed and yet when their time of turmoil came, they had little faith.

Matthew 8:26

" ...."Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and it was completely calm."

Jesus stopped the storm. It did not fade away leaving remnants behind, it stopped. The turmoil was gone and it was calm.

Matthew 8: 27

"The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey him?"

The disciples, who had already seen some amazing stuff, were once again amazed. This time Jesus met their need. They were worried and fearful, but Jesus took their anxieties away by taking the storm away.

Does God always stop the storms of our life?
No.

Is God always in the boat with us?
As long as we are doing the will of God, then yes.