Continued...

Okay I know that was quick! But sometimes the Lord answers quickly. Right after I posted "A Characteristic of God" I looked in my email box and there was a Proverbs31 devotional waiting for me to read. So within this devotional the Lord gave me a glimpse of His many characteristics. Here it is...

I pour into the Word, a measureless crevice in which my words rest. He asks three words my parched soul thirsts for, “How are you?”

I’m weary. "I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10b (NIV)

I feel alone. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV)

I can’t take much more. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28b (NIV)

I pour out, He pours in. An ebb and flow more natural than the ocean’s tides. My needy soul needs His words; needs Him: the Word.

Community is God-given. But friend’s and family’s ability to be leaned on will ebb and flow. Hence our soul’s deepest need: friendship with the Lord. {Inhale deeply that delight: we’re friends with God.} Friends with the unchanging nature of the Word, Jesus.

Will you take His cupped hand, reaching out to hold you, your cares, your friends and family members? Take His hand and take a walk through Him, the Word. Pour your truthful answers into Him and pour yourself into the fields of Scripture. Refreshment awaits. He’s asking, “How are you?”

I'll post more when the Lord shows me more of who He is. 

A Characteristic of God

Have you ever studied the multiple characteristics of God? Well I've done few small studies that just cover the surface of who God is. Have you ever thought about how unchanging and constant God is?

Lately my heart has been burdened by the things in my life that aren't or haven't been constant. Things are always changing. Don't get me wrong, I like change most of the time. But lately I have been hating (yes, "hate" is a strong word but it's the truth)... the things in my life that aren't constant or things I can not count on. I suppose it's the things in my life that I can control that I don't mind if they change. But those things that I have NO control over, those things that change when least expected and seem to turn your life upside down that really get to me.

So what's something in my life that is constant, unchanging? There is only one... my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Three in one... Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How someone can be three things and not change is beyond my human comprehension.

So this will be to continued later... when I've really learned the meaning of a constant and unchanging God in my life. I'll be back... it's just going to take some digging!

Seeing the Lord in the Busy

Oh boy has this week been full!!! I just wanted to share a little bit of what's been on my heart and what new things the Lord has placed in my path.

1. Romans 6:4-5 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in a newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
 This verse I have heard every Wednesday from my girls in AWANA. Each one of them is working on memorizing it. So as I sit and listen to them recite it to me, it hits me. I LOVE this verse! Why? Well... let me explain. By the symbolic act of baptism I am showing that I've accepted His gift of a new life. I no longer live the life of darkness and meaninglessness. I can be raised for the dead, from a life full of nothing, death, darkness. Delivered into a life of fullness, joy, light and a clean slate. Wow! That me, a sinner, would be given a second chance.

2. I was presented with a new opportunity to be involved with ministry. I'm going to lead a small group of young girls through a study. This isn't something I would normally do, I don't really like teenagers and I don't like speaking in front of people, so why have I chosen to take on this new task. Well, I'm ready to take a leap of faith. So here I go... diving into something completely unknown. I'm very excited, yet at the same time I'm terrified. I'll have to be vulnerable and bold. I didn't think the Lord would ever take me down this road, and of course he did. I will be praying the He uses me, that His words are heard, not mine. May His Holy Spirit be the one who leads these girls.

3. On a side note... I love the Shellnut girls! My mentor's girls who are 10 and 15. They always make me smile and the oldest is always great about giving me hugs, she just brightens my day. She will be apart of my small group mentioned above and I'm SO excited to have her on board.

4. Now the boring topic of school. I'm overwhelmed this semester with a HUGE research project. I can't wait until I'm past this semester. Then next semester I'm trying to decide between taking two or three classes to finally finish this degree. But with my schedule picking up I'm not sure how I'm going to fit it all in.

5. And finally a prayer to bring all this to a close.
Dear Heavenly Father, I'm so amazed by the many blessings you give. Thank you for speaking to my heart and making things clear and giving me a second chance to be used by you in your kingdom. Thank you for your word and the truth that you give. Will you please be all over this new ministry opportunity? Will you please be preparing the hearts of each girl that will join? We are going to need you, need your wisdom, strength and direction. None of this is possible without you. Will you be preparing my heart as well, give me the ability to guide these girls to you? As my schedule picks up, will you give me the strength to give it my all? Help me to manage my time wisely, and take those moments of rest as well. And one last thing Lord, will you help me finish this project? Help me to focus, stick to it and do my very very best. Thank you for my mentor and her amazing family, what a blessing she has been in my life. Help me to have faith, to trust you moment by moment. In the end it's worth it all, all this will bring you glory in the end. I pray these things in your Holy name, Amen!

The End and the Beginning (again)

In a previous post I wrote about finishing a journal notebook and closing a chapter in my life. Well once again I have filled a notebook completely full of prayers, thoughts, and life experiences. This notebook wasn't as long as the last one, it only took me seven months instead of three years to get through. But that's not the point.

I mentioned earlier that I was so excited to see where the Lord would take me in this new chapter... oh boy... did He take me to some great places. On vacations, new friendships, growth in my job, bigger projects with school, and the most exciting thing... a completely new relationship. This relationship was completely unexpected and totally all God!!

So here I am... starting a new notebook to fill with all new prayers, thoughts, and life experiences, and starting a new chapter in life. A chapter that I've so very excited about, can't wait to see what the Lord does next. Wow... He sure can surprise us! Here I go, jumping in with all I have, letting the Lord have control, trusting Him!