Lessons

It has been a while since I posted, but that is because I have been on quite an interesting spiritual journey. I feel like I am stepping out of a fog. :)

So just real quick... I am learning two lessons right now.
1) 2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."

I am halfway through a great book entitled, "Becoming a Woman of Simplicity." This began as a community-wide women's bible study of sorts. It has been a tremendous blessing for me and now I look at life from a totally different lens.  This has led me to the second lesson I am learning...

2) Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to The Lord."
I am committing to being the submissive wife God has called me to be! This is huge for me because I am a very driven person and I didn't fully understand submission.  Well, God has enlightened me, and I have to say I am loving it! Is it hard at times? Yes, but it is right and right feels so much better than wrong.  I have found several sites that have helped me begin, but the most helpful site has been: peacefulwife.com. In fact, the other sites I have read are linked in posts from this site. :)

I will try to share some lessons on my journey. ;) We shall see, this growth has been pretty personal and it is hard to admit my shortcomings, but isn't it important to be transparent in order for others to see how God works in our lives?

I am Weak, but Thou Art Strong!

Earlier this week I was feeling discouraged....  It seemed like I was being bombarded by bad news from every direction!  So many people around me are facing horrible situations and tough battles.  This week I've talked with several people with major family problems, a couple that lost their child due to an accident, and it made me feel so weak that I cannot change their circumstances!

So, I began to be discouraged because of my powerlessness!  I felt like I was not being successful in this battle against evil because I could not help these people in their situations.  Okay, so looking back it sounds foolish, I know. (: Don't judge me!  I have issues with being a control freak.  I want to fix things.

Okay, so here's what God gave me in my discouragement: Haggai (and a California pastor's study of it)

Rebuilding the Church: http://www.hurtingchristian.org/PastorsSite/otherscripture/haggai1-7-2-9.htm

So you say, "What does rebuilding the church have to do with these hurting people in my life?"

I say, "Everything!"  We are the church!

My epiphany in this situation goes back to a quote that I have clung to for years. "Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship!"

Building or rebuilding a church has little to do with the number of services, events or programs.  A church that it filled with the Spirit and the Glory of God is one where relationships are the priority over programs.  Relationships between the membership and God, as well as, relationships among the people.

So, how can I help these people that God has put in my life?  Be there for them!  Listen, pray, be silent, give encouragement and biblical counsel when the Spirit guides.  Then let God do the rest.  He's a whole lot better at fixing things than me! :)

Casting Crowns sing it well in Love Them Like Jesus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viYe589KIcw

I wish I would have....

...read a proverb a day when I was a teenager!  :)  It is a habit I am just getting myself into (I'm doing better at this habit than working out, but its stilll a struggle). 
Today I read Proverbs 25, and I have to say I really enjoy the wisdom that pours from those verses.  So many of them apply to me right now. 
Proverbs 25:16 "Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit." :) lol
About two years ago, I began focusing my "cravings" on God rather than food.  Thanks to Lisa Terkuerst's book Made to Crave I have been able to rely on scripture and the Holy Spirit to deny my cravings for food and lean more on God.  It has been a long hard journey, but I am almost to my"goal weight!"

Proverbs 25:28 "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls."
This year I have been applying the truths of this verse to my life, and I am amazed at the peace it has brought to my life.  I am in a "crazy busy" season right now, and I was feeling very stressed.  I was not happy with the way I reacted at times, and I needed something to help me change.  When this verse was shared with me, it was life-changing!  I can control my reaction to others by the power of the Holy Spirit!  YAY!!!!  I know it sounds so obvious now, but I was really struggling with this, and to be honest sometimes I still struggle.  I don't like being  "like a city broken down, without walls." I want to be able to control my emotions and reactions, but I was so frustrated becasue I couldn't change!!  This verse, along with some experiences I went through changed me,thank you God!


There's some other verses in there that are ministering to me, also.  I just don't feel comfortable sharing right now.  Maybe later.... ;)

So, lesson learned....

A proverb a day...keeps the devil away! 

Haha, yeah if it were that easy, but it does help! :D

Purpose...

The purpose of this blog is to share my God and all the blessings and lessons He guides me through!  He loves me with an everlasting love, and I am amazed daily at the way He works in my life and the lives of others around me.  The most amazing thing He has done for me and to me was take this broken vessel of my life and make it something of value and use! 

Jeremiah 18:2-4(KJV)

² Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
³ Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
⁴ And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

I am called to be a reflection of God, by the saving grace of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit!  This blog is not about me, and what I am or know.  It is about God, and who He is....  It is my prayer that the words here bring Him glory and draw you closer to Him.