In HIS time!

I've been marinating a daily devotion I came across back on the 14th of April 2010. I found it on our daily calendar that sits atop our bathroom sink. I read it every morning as I am brushing my teeth in order to not focus on the fact that the new toothbrush requires 2 minutes of brushing. But nonetheless it is a great focus place my thoughts in the morning on God's word. I know we are not to rely on the daily word calendars or the daily scripture that appears in our inbox but what I do know is that God uses the smallest of things to propel us closer to Him, a catalyst into His presence.

The scripture and thought that appeared that morning was found in Job 37:5 and I will admit my first thought was "Woa is me Job," I just remember the many stories of Job's trials and they were horrible, granted the story had an amazing ending but it is one of those books in the bible that some of us don't want to read because we think if we read it we might have to endure some trial like Job. Well that was not the case this morning when I read the scripture from Job, it was so inspiring and encouraging.

His word thundering so wondrously, His mighty acts staggering our understanding!

Job 37:5 (MSG)

His acts are staggering that we cannot truly comprehend at times. I want to live a life that others look at and see the staggering acts of God. It is all for HIS glory and we are all these little parts in HIS great big Story! I know sometimes we can get ahead of God's story and try to write our own narrative in before He calls for it because we jump ahead into situations or seized opportunities that were not yet ours to embrace. We then find ourselves struggling, financially, mentally, or emotionally. Later, we come to realize if we had just waited on God we could have discovered His better way!

May we learn to live in that quiet "waiting" mode in which the Holy Spirit works

and directs our hearts. We choose to wait on God to manage our tomorrows rather

than maneuvering them ourselves. Tasting tomorrow's promise doesn't require any

maneuvering on our part. The promise fulfilled for those who learn to wait. (Jack Hayford)

Well, we are in the waiting but so embracing the beautiful story HE is unfolding around us. Sometimes we are just waiting whether it is behind the curtains on stage, in the audience, or out in the foyer but all the while the story is going on. I don't want to miss out on what HE is doing but I don't want to write my own little part of HIS amazing story. We are part of such a "now" generation, I can only partially wrap my mind around what people of the bible were thinking as they were waiting on God. Often, HIS answers came generations later.

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

Spring 2010

It is officially that time of year when we change out our clothes in the closet, we take inventory of what needs to be bought for the perfect spring/summer outings, and we start noticing the few pounds we have put on over the winter months. I know for me it is a time of reflection but also a time of newness and the blooms of God's love for us. I have been knee deep in Beth Moore's study of the Psalms of the Ascent. It always amazes me how God gives us just what we need when we are beckoning HIS throne room for answers, comfort, love, and HIS peace. I am loving the scripture Ephesians 3:20(msg)

God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or

guess or request in your wildest dreams! HE does it not by pushing us around

but by working within us, HIS Spirit deeply and gently within us.

I say that I know this scripture and understand it but I think God is saying "no my child not really but I am going to do more than you can imagine and you will see a glimpse at what I can do." I am excited and nervous all in the same breathe. But I know in my heart HE only has good things in store for HIS children...for us, AL and me.

Stepping UP

Monday Night, February 22 was the beginning of a new journey with an incredible group of godly women from Momentum. We began a Beth Moore study called “Stepping Up” a journey through the Psalms of Ascent. As with most of Beth Moore studies you never know what God has in store for you or why you are doing that or this particular study but what you do know is when you are done you will be all the closer to your Savior. Our study started off to a great start of just sharing of who we are and the excitement of this new pilgrimage we are on together.

I left with the evening with so many things pressed into my heart. I know that I am glad we are giving ourselves two weeks to marinate the word that Beth presented us with and time to dive into God’s word. There were several things mentioned that I was franticly writing down because I knew in the weeks to come I wanted to spend more time with Christ unwrapping that word.

The “word” I walked away with that I probably am looking the most forward to unwrapping with God was something that Beth Moore said towards the end. She was talking about pride, I guess it registered with me as “control” but it was the statement:

“Stop worrying about messing things up because you aren’t good enough to mess God up!”

Talk about a freeing statement. I mean who really is in control of this story…makes you wonder why we spending so much time worrying. Just wish I could imprint that on my heart and mind.