Deeper into His love....together

There is something so special and bonding about growing deeper into His love and knowledge of the God of the universe together with other women. I didn't realize how much I was missing this until this past month when I joined two women's Bible study groups. I am not saying that I haven't been growing in other teaching situations but what I am saying is there is something so wonderful about joining other ladies, of all ages, and studying God's living Word together, learning from each other.
I am so thankful for the wisdom of our older but young at heart ladies in our church. They are such gentle women and so full of a love for the Father and those around them.
Lately I've been reminded of a verse that has meant so much to me and kept me focused on the "big picture".
Romans 11:36

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Some how circumstances and life situations of the past, present and future are a lot less threatening when I focus on the truth in this passage.
It calms my heart and helps me to be thankful for it all and even look forward with anticipation to what comes next.

It is time...

It is time to move onto the banquet table that the Lord has set before me. Seasons have ended for me in regard to some relationships and other things in my life and the more I mourn this reality and wait to see if it will change the more I miss out on the banquet table that is set before me. I am thankful to the Lord for the ongoing solid God centered relationships that has weathered both time and events over the years and I am rejoicing in the way that the Lord brings people back into my life just at the right time.
So many prayers answered...
So much to be thankful for...
So much to look forward to...
It is time...

Packing up the "Stuff".

As of late I've been sorting through our stuff in order to pack up for the move to Weyburn. I have three types of categories that I'm sorting stuff into. I have the things I want to keep, things I want to donate and things I want to throw away. Moving always involves this type of sorting for me but I have found myself processing through another part of my life and doing some sorting in my mind/heart. It has been a couple of years of much revealing in my own heart. So many emotions and baggage to sort through. I am asking the Lord to help me sort it all out with His guidance and by the light of His Spirit and Word. I am not wanting to hold onto the things I should be throwing away. I do not want to enter into this new ministry carrying the baggage that weighs me down and makes me stumble. I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and His gentleness through this process. He has been faithful in showing me what baggage I've created and what baggage other's have deposited into my life but I've chosen to carry with me. So by His Grace and His Mercy I'm packing up these emotions, memories and thoughts that are a stumbling block for me and those around me. By His empowering I'm repenting of this sin and asking the Lord to free me from the bondage to it. If you read this blog you can support me by praying for me. Pray that I'd pack it up and give to the Lord once and for all. And pray that I'd be able to resist when I'm tempted to open one of these packed "thought/emotion boxes" or take it all back and rummage through it thus re-shelving and re-living in my mind and heart that which I know the Lord wants me to repent of and release to Him. Pray for me that I may be free and that I may remember, claim and believe; John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." and 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."

Forgiveness or Permission?

There is a saying that "It is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission."

In other words, some might take advantage of this reality/fact and make decisions and take action without asking for permission in hopes or rather counting on being able to ask for forgiveness in the end anyway.

Does the end justify the means? Nope.
Are we held accountable for both? You bet.
Do the means and end both have consequences? Yes they do.

And what I've observed is that all too often the option to ask for forgiveness is abused by some. But, we are called to forgive and we must not expect the Father to forgive us if we do not extend that forgiveness to others. Does forgiveness mean the person you are forgiving is trustworthy all of a sudden? No and the Lord knows we are going to be among those that we need to watch out for and yet we must depend on and trust Him no matter what.
Matt 10:16 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Feeling So Safe; Feeling So Loved

Psalm 3:3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Right now I'm feeling so safe in the Lord's care. He sent messengers and today He shone His light into a situation that dispelled the enemy's lies that had tried to make it bigger than it really was. He took away doubt and condemnation. Oh what freedom in knowing the truth. Oh what freedom in knowing the depth of the Lord's love and care for His people.

I can't say in words just how real this verse has become to me over the past few weeks. He has been my shield and lifted up my head. He has heard my cry and delivered me.

Thank you Lord for the gift you gave to my heart today. You are the Rock!!!

I Will Choose To Listen & Believe The Voice Of Truth

Casting Crowns (2003)
"Voice Of Truth"

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Stepping out in faith...

Well, here we are, house virtually sold, notice given at work, and deposit on a home in a new city and really we are 95% of the way to things being finalized but for that 5% that will happen in the next three days it kind of seems odd that we are all but packing to go already!
That peace that surpasses all understanding that I'm a child of God's and that I'm in His will is what moves me forward. Today, we brought one of Harley's co-workers to church. He isn't a believer and says so quite readily but still he came. There I sat beside him and listened to Harley preach a message about living out our faith every day and being ready to give an account for the hope that is in us. I'm thinking to myself, wow, there is no way this co-worker could sit through this if Harley wasn't practicing what he was preaching. I'm so blessed to have a husband that tries to practice what he preaches. We enjoyed the company of this co-worker for the rest of the day and saw the rest of our church greet him and witness to him in the time that they spent with him. The planters were out today and planted and the waterers watered and we are trusting the Lord to do the growing. Praise God for His faithfulness and His living testimony. So much work to be done and what a privilege to be enlisted in His work. I pray that I don't ever take that privilege to be involved in His work for granted and waste it in my lifetime here.