Just QUIT! Did I get your attention? I’m assuming that you are captivated and curious by the title. It isn’t very often that we hear our friends, family, or even God tell us to “just quit.” “Quit what?” you may ask, with inquisitive wonder. Quit my job? Quit volunteering? Quit speaking out? Quit keeping quiet? Quit wasting time? Quit consuming things that are harmful to my body? Quit bad habits? Quit the expectations? Quit fearing the future? Quit holding on to the past? The list could last forever...and ever...and ever! Instead, I charge you to restate your thinking… redirect your question…What am I doing that needs attention? What am I doing that needs to stop?! Maybe those two little words, just quit, immediately pierced your heart like an arrow with an intense sting and you know exactly what you need to surrender or halt! After you have asked, trust the Lord to give you strength to sustain and carry your through with the tough choices you are making or about to make. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path." Psalm 3: 5,6 Quit and fear are two buddies that seem to continuously walk hand in hand on the same winding journey with me. My guess is that they walk along side you, too! When each stands alone they are not always considered bad. Both can be identified with two opposing sides and we do need to quit some things; however, we don’t need to quit out of frustration! Fear can be a good thing to keep us away from trouble, but when we let fear control us, it can inhibit us from freedom living. When quit and fear are coupled, often fear is the leader! It is the thing that motivates our actions or paralizes us. I fear that if I don’t quit….blah, blah, blah….. OR If I quit, I fear that…Blah, blah, blah. You fill in the blanks! See how fear tends to lead?! There is no need for me to “enlighten” you on the danger of living in fear. You know it is a strong vaccum that will suck all life from you. When this happens, you are living a defeated life! Just quit! This is not the path believers should walk. Their way is one of victory which is coupled with faith. Victory that is gifted to everyone who fears (reverential fear, trusts) the Lord! "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."—1 John 5:4. This week I have heard more people use this phrase… “I’m afraid of….I’m afraid that…” I even recall me saying it many times throughout the week, but more often, I have caught myself thinking it because I’m too afraid to speak what I’m thinking about out loud! Fear has even caused me to procrastinate and then I experience a greater fear from not doing the thing that needs to happen. Been there? My struggles have even been having a lack of faith. All we need is faith the size of a tiny mustard seed! We both know that! But what are we doing about it? These last two weeks have been really tough for me as I am preparing for all of the new in my life, new students, new part-time job, new issues with organizations in which I help lead, new study for Restore retreat, new relationships, new deadlines and new timelines, new…new…new! September always seems to stir up anxious feelings and struggles with feelings of inadequacy. I know that to be true of most teachers as well. FEAR has been defined as False Emotions Appearing Real. I actually had forgotten this acronym, but in my case, the definition is correct. The fear is real but the emotions that are causing the fear are false! The attack is on my mind and travels to my heart like a drug dampening my spirit. It causes me to shut down, give in, be less creative, and feel powerless. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 2:7 AMP I like that this translation in the Amplified Bible includes a calm and well-balanced mind, discipline, and self-control. By His spirit we can just quit the anxiousness, and false emotions. He can cause us to have a well-balanced mind and give us the discipline and self-control we need to survive our day to day tasks! I was awakened by the Lord the other morning with a new acronym for FEAR. How sweet of the Lord to begin my day with a tender whisper in my ear. He told me, “Forget Everything And Rest.” I did think that was kinda funny because as I was asleep, I was resting and forgetting everything! I rolled out of the bed to write this one down before I forgot it. I knew it had come from the Lord. Slowly moving down the stairs, I began to chew on its meaning. Forget everything, let go, stop harboring, release, surrender…these phrases were like a breath of fresh air in my lungs. I deeply inhaled and released a strong sigh and felt the tension in my body release. I repeated forget everything and rest! While I was now sipping my coffee and pondering His tender words I thought about the word rest. As Kathy and I have been preparing for the new retreat about the gifts of abiding in Christ, the word abide has been premier in my thinking and study. Abiding is resting, and it’s hard to rest when you are battling and resisting evil and desperately trying to solely trust in the Lord! These were my thoughts and then BING, like light bulb suddenly piercing the darkness, I connected REST….Resist Evil, Solely Trust! Yeah God…and thank you! When I trust in nothing else but You, I am able to resist and even repel evil thoughts (fear and inadequacy) that come from walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Ps. 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - The meaning of this in the connection in which it occurs is this: "God will lead and guide me in the path of righteousness, even though that path lies through the darkest and most gloomy vale - through deep and dismal shades - in regions where there is no light, as if death had cast his dark and baleful shadow there. It is still a right path; it is a path of safety; and it will conduct me to bright regions beyond. In that dark and gloomy valley, though I could not guide myself, I will not be alarmed; I will not be afraid of wandering or of being lost; I will not fear any enemies there - for my Shepherd is there to guide me still." (Barnes Notes on Ps. 23:4) Honestly speaking, I admit it again that I struggle with fear. I have to tell myself to just quit! Quit living a defeated life! I will not live in defeat! I am thankful to the Lord for giving me two acronyms that will serve as a reminder: FEAR = Forget Everything And Rest! REST = Resist Evil, Solely Trust! So what about those of you who began reading this blog and your heart was pricked to just quit something?! You know deep within your soul how God is speaking to you. Are you afraid? Remember the two buddies that walk hand in hand…quit and fear? Fear leads! This is how we walk in defeat! Walking in victory is achieved by stepping out in faith. Remember that walking and stepping are verbs…showing action! Take the Father by the hand and let Him lead you into all truth. Listen to the Spirit of God and not the voices of evil. Remember that you are an overcomer! (Rom. 8:37) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 Fear, to some degree, is a battle that most of us face on a daily basis. It causes worry and worry causes stress. When we are consumed with it, it can cause havoc on our physical body! When we are physically weak, our guard is down leaving open doors for the enemy to shoot those fiery darts. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). So I urge us all to JUST QUIT! Quit living a life of defeat! Quit leaving out of fear! Quit living in disobedience! Quit trying to rationalize! Quit walking without faith! You know what to do...Cling to His promises, sing aloud His praises, magnify His name! The enemy will run! REST (resist evil,solely trust) in His truth! The Father is with you! This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lordyour God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Resting, Sherry Be sure to join us for Monday Musings each Monday by subscribing with your email address. The subscription box is located at the top right of this blog! Come be encouraged! Come rest with us! Join us at the next RESTORE RETREAT at Tall Timbers Retreat Center on October 10-12, 2014. Click here to register!
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I'm so grateful for the people in my life who have the beautiful gift of encouragement. This week has been full of blessings as I have stepped back into the routine of teaching, music ministry, caring for my mom, studying and writing for our upcoming Restore Retreat. Ken and I recently had such a wonderful time away on vacation with family and friends and it is always hard for me to settle back into the routine. I love to travel and see new things. This particular trip was especially blessed as we gathered with some friends and all their children and grandchildren for several days at Callaway Gardens in Georgia and later spent time with family in South Carolina whom we don’t often get to see. After fun times with loved ones, some time together to pray and discuss the future and many hours in the car traveling hundreds of miles, eventually we had to come home. In our usual, not so smart, approach to travel and desire to savor every minute, we arrived home after a 9 and a half hour drive with 2 hours to unload, shower and dress for a wedding 45 minutes out of town! Crazy! When I walked in the door, all the piles of unfinished business and projects at home and work were still there waiting where I left them. Of course, I bring in new piles - of laundry and unpacking. I look at the list of things to do and needs to be met and wonder how it can possibly all get done! Do you ever feel that way? That’s when the love of the Father often pours into my life through the love and encouragement of others. Often they are not even aware of my need or concerns. They are just loving, thoughtfully offering a listening ear or a word of wisdom. This week I’ve felt His loving touch in so many ways:
I list these here today because most of them are simple acts of encouragement, but they brought such blessing and hope to my week. These people and many others not mentioned were Jesus to me, speaking words of life, love and hope. My heart is so full of gratitude for the people in my life who take the time to pray and offer encouragement. So as I come to the end of my first week home from vacation, I don’t feel so burdened by the demands that are facing me. There is still much to be done that is unfinished. There always will be I suppose. Our time away in prayer about our future didn’t result in all the answers we had hoped for. But, the Lord knows my need and He knows yours. He will send people across our paths to lighten the load, or spur us on, or simply, beautifully love us so that we have renewed strength for the task of each day and hope for the future. When we partner together in life, encourage one another, and lean on Jesus, we walk out our faith differently, better, and with His love overflowing. I thought this week of how often I have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to reach out in some way to another ... a call, a note, a prayer and sadly sometimes I have not acted as I let my own schedule or comfort rule. Often, I think we schedule our days so full that there is no room left for the simple acts we might offer to encourage one another. When I do listen and choose to respond in obedience to His order in my schedule or His prompting for an act of kindness or love, my life is so much more rewarding and I have the privilege of being His vessel of encouragement. "One good deed is worth more than a thousand brilliant theories. Don't wait for greater opportunities or for a different kind of work. Just do the things you find to do day by day… Do it promptly. Do not waste your life thinking about what you intend to do tomorrow. No one ever served God by doing things tomorrow. If we honor Christ and are blessed, it is with the things we do today." Charles Hadden Spurgeon How has the Father shown His love to you through the love and encouragement of friends and strangers this week? Look for the ways…you might be surprised at how many acts of encouragement and kindness you have experienced! Let those who have reached out to you know how much the act of kindness and encouragement meant. Spend some time in prayer thanking the Father and consider how you could be an encouragement or vessel of love to someone in your life or even a stranger? Simple acts truly make a difference! Father, thank You for the ways You have loved and blessed me through the generosity and encouragement of others. I pray in the days ahead that I will hear the voice of Your Spirit prompting me to bless and meet the needs of others and respond with a heart that reflects Your character. May these acts of love and kindness be the evidence of Your grace and love at work within me and through me and serve to wash the feet of my brothers and sisters in Christ and those who need to see the beauty of Your love on display. In Your Holy Name, Jesus Amen Seeking this week to find ways to be His vessel of encouragement to others. Won't you join me? Kathy We hope that many of you will join us for our fall Restore Retreat! Early Bird Deadline for Registration is soon! Consider blessing someone else with the gift of Restore Retreat. Bring a friend!! If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner. Instantly a box will appear for you to type in the security letters as you see them and press "submit." It will tell you that you need to go to your email inbox and click the link to verify/activate. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE NEXT STEP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG!
Scripture images from Pinterest. One of my favorite things to do is to set a pretty table to share a meal with people I love! I have a thing for china or pretty dishes, stemmed crystal, tablecloths, crisp - uniquely folded cloth napkins, and tailored utensils that comfortably fit the hand and mouth! There are times that I prepare my dining table just for its beauty and also when I secretly hope of a spontaneous visit from friends to join us for supper…(though that part rarely happens!) Seeing a beautifully prepared table or setting one, brings about an excitement and strong anticipation of something yet to unfold! I find myself smiling on the inside and out! When I do invite for meals, setting the table is the first thing I do even before creating a menu and cooking. Sometimes I set a table, THEN invite (hoping they’ll come), and then freak out over what to cook! The spontaneity in that excites me even more! Who will the Lord bring?! My kitchen is rather small and I have created systems to make things run smoothly when entertaining. Having a small space use to bother me or I’d get embarrassed that I would have to set up a separate side table to serve buffet style. I don’t let that stop me anymore because the blessing of sharing a meal and conversation far outweighs my feelings of inadequacy or embarrassment of a small sized (pink 1960’s) kitchen! There once was a period in my life that we didn’t have a dining table – and in stubbornness, refused to purchase something that I wasn’t really crazy about…just to get by. I think we went about 2 years without one! Did I let it stop me? Absolutely not! I would set up card tables, portable four or six foot tables, or some other make shift table that Brian would help me create sometimes using a sheet of plywood and card table chairs. Then I would fashion a dining space that was beautiful and ready for my beloved friends to come and dine…or have a tea party! When friends come to visit, the table is the first place they migrate. It is an important part of fellowship. This past week, I have shared a table with many friends and family as I visited in my home state of Tennessee and attended a family funeral, and again at the wedding feast of another. Knowing that God planted the seed of “banquets and tables” in my heart a few weeks ago to write about, I was even more cognizant of the subject. As I share my thoughts with you about this subject, it is my prayer that that God will open your eyes to many other wondrous insights of His character, His Word, and His fellowship with you as a chosen attendee of His table! One of my favorite scripture verses is Psalm 34: 7-9 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The word fear denotes a type of reverential fear, realizing and trusting Him as the Holy Lord of all. There is a wealth of inspiration and encouragement in these 3 simple verses. The angel of the Lord…the one whom the Lord chose…your personal one…encamps (Hebrew meaning: bends down, settles) continuously…around you. You will surely face and experience trouble because the Word says you will be delivered! Here is my favorite part: Oh, taste (perceive) and see (access): to actively become aware and approach His goodness. Using a Strong’s Concordance on these words will help open your mind and heart to a deeper meaning. I like that verse 8 and 9 begins with the word “Oh!” This word is used to express a variety of emotions. When we choose to take refuge (a shelter; place to abide) in Him, we are blessed. We have no lack (no want of anything…for He provides all we need!) As this idea of tasting, feast, fellowship, tables, and banquets has inundated my mind. I began to read and study scripture to see what God desired for me to learn. Honestly, I couldn’t find too much information other than the different feasts and the Wedding banquet in Revelation. This was not where I felt the Holy Spirit leading me. He seemed to direct me into a much more intimate and simple devotion pertaining to “fellowshipping” with Him and the individual banquet just the two of us share! The following words are what I feel He spoke to me. They are written with the hope of inspiring you to survey your own fellowship with the Lord. These are some of the Scripture verses I pored over: Banqueting Table "He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” Song of Solomon 2:4 As a child, I actually learned this scripture verse as a song, replacing the word hall with table; but when I went to the Bible to reference it, I realized it was actually a banquet hall! With my research, I discovered that the banquet hall was actually a “wine house” and a place where festivities took place. This scripture is typically referenced to the Wedding feast and to Solomon and Bride – a metaphor of Christ and the Church. Humm? Just thinking… Jesus gave the parable of the wine and wineskins in Matthew 9:17 comparing the natural sinful man with the transformed, renewed man; and at the last supper, Jesus took the cup and instructed them to drink. This wine represented His blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin. Matt. 26:28 By coming into His banquet hall (wine house) we partake of His life giving blood and are encompassed (covered over) by His banner (military standard/flag/protection/identification) of love. A beautiful beginning of a sweet fellowship of love and protection. The Lord’s Table 1 Corin. 11: 17-34 Most of us have learned that the Lord’s Table is much like John Piper states: 1) A proclamation of the gospel 2) The remembrance of Christ 3) The feasting on that entire God is for us in Jesus 4) The savoring of the new covenant promises 5) The call to love 6) The call to examine ourselves Reference:http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/why-we-eat-the-lords-supper-part-3 A Table of Friends In my study of John 13, Jesus shared a table with his beloved friends…His disciples. It wasn’t so much about the food that night as it was about intimate friendships. This was his last account of their time together before His crucifixion. Jesus served them by washing their feet, spending time encouraging their hearts and answering their questions. He challenged them and warned them of things to come, He comforted them and assured them by the promise of His Father, and then they prayed together. What a wonderful example Jesus set for us when we fellowship together over a meal…especially with our most intimate of friends! Do you serve, encourage, admonish, comfort, and pray together when gathering with friends? Or do you simply “shoot the bull” and waste precious opportunities of real ministry? “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15,16 The table that Jesus prepares runs deeper than setting a pretty table or pulling out the best dishes. His table is about approaching…spending time or resting…conversing…sharing…provision…encouragement…feasting (becoming full)…refuge…sustenance…only to name a few! He Prepares a Table “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows." Psalm 23:5 After recalling this verse, that I have studied time and time again, I realized that I skimmed over the first part of it. Many questions began to run through my mind.
The Hebrew word for prepare is : עָרַךְ arak – meaning to arrange or set in order; draw up battle lines. God is doing more here than preparing a meal to be eaten. He is setting up things in order, creating battle lines, ordaining something special and uniquely for us. He is laying things out, arranging and control is under God’s authority. Preparing is a very intentional thing. God’s preparation is active, intentional and personal. God is doing this prep for me! He is setting up this appointment. What is the table? The table is a spread, feast, meal, and provision. The scripture is not talking about a physical type of table here, but a table of provisions to grasp, enjoy or take part of. He prepares a feast… lavishly! These provisions are right in the midst of the trouble at hand and in front of the enemy. This spread is one of variety. It could be peace, hope, comfort, rest, guidance, encouragement; anything that God prepares to fill you with sustenance, a source of spiritual strength and nourishment. God’s table is full with all that you need. He serves it right there…right in front of your enemy. What is the enemy? The enemy in Hebrew (tsarar) is distress, privation, cramped, to bind, narrow, be restricted, afflicted, tied up, anguish. The enemy is much more than the adversary, Satan. It is something that happens each day of our lives. Are you walking through a place in your Christian life right now that seems narrow, restricted, or cramped? Perhaps you feel as though your hands are tied. Maybe distress surrounds you or you are afflicted in some way. It is right here, at this place, that the Lord has a table prepared for you. A giant feast! Abundant! This table contains platters of variety. He has prepared it for you and all you need to do is to approach it, sit down (rest), and partake. This is a perfect provision that has been created just for you. You cannot experience or taste the goodness of God until you sit at His table! Evidence from participating at His table: "You have anointed my head with oil – my cup overflows!" A shepherd uses a salve or balm of oil on the head of his lambs to protect wounds and help heal. As we look at a shepherd’s viewpoint of this scripture, this is what we are taught. How about a shift in your paradigm? This is another view I have thought about. Have you ever noticed the demeanor of someone, one who leans heavily on the Father, when going through a stressful time or during a period of distress or illness? They often seem to be at peace! Their face is lifted and a certain calm engulfs them. An aura or glow permeates them. They have spent time feasting on the goodness of God’s provision! He has anointed their wounds with oil. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and anoints means to consecrate, smear or rub over, or paint. God anoints the head with oil. I have met believers that I knew were anointed by God. There seems to be something a little different about them. When people meet and fellowship with God, a physical change takes place. Something happens to their countenance! I believe that evidence from sitting at the Lord’s table, in the presence of the enemy, can be seen. People are always watching to see how you will respond or react in the face of terrible situations. He will anoint your head with oil. He will heal your pain and set you apart so that others will know that God has given you sustenance, strength. It's purpose is to bring glory to God. Your cup will run over! When something is saturated, that means there is abundance and overflow. When I eat until I am full, what I am really saying is that there isn’t any more room for another bite! I am no longer empty and not lacking. God provides all we need and we have no fear of want. The cup refers to a chalice, a large cup for drinking wine as in the Lord’s Supper. We have all we need in Christ when we partake of Him, full and overflowing! Come to the table. The invitation has been sent and preparations made. You are the chosen attendee! Don’t be satisfied by going through the drive inn window! The food obtained there is fast and doesn’t hold you very long…needless to say, not much variety or tasty. Coming to the table of the Lord is rich with lasting memories of what is served. It is a time of rest, encouragement, conversation, and substance. You will walk away with your wounds on the way to healing, an unexplainable aura, and your heart overflowing! There is so much more to share with you about banquets, foods, and feasts. This is only a “taste” of what God has in store as we study His word and open our mind and heart to a personal message from Him. If you have never experienced "sitting down at the table" with with Lord, I invite you to do that now. His fellowship is sweet! He longs to meet with you. He is knocking at the door of your heart now! "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 Joining at His Table, Sherry Be sure to join us for Monday Musings each Monday by subscribing with your email address. The subscription box is located at the top right of this blog! It's amazing to me how God is so intimately involved in the details of our lives. I have recently been asking the Lord a lot of questions about my life as I set my heart on the remaining years of my life. This happens often to me as I approach my birthday month! I want to live out His purpose for me. I want to use my gifts wisely. I've always been a dreamer, a romantic some would say. But I believe the Lord often uses the dreams He places within us to spur us on to seek out His best for our lives. And so it is no coincidence for me that the Bible study for our woman's group this summer was about dreaming and fulfilling God's purposes for us. The study by Jennie Allen is entitled "Restless" and is centered around the life of Joseph. Through the course of it I have looked afresh at my calling, committed to throw off the things that hinder me and run my race. I want to finish well - not as others might determine how I finish - but run my race His way, in the center of His plan, with His strength, His vision and His heart. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) Each week as I listened to the women in my group share their stories, I was intrigued at how beautifully the Lord weaves the threads of our lives together. I was moved as women shared pieces of their lives and their suffering, willing to be vulnerable, seeking direction, wanting to know that their lives matter and count in God's divine plan. There were worn out tears from young moms. There were lives that felt empty when they had hoped they would be full. There were stories of radical mid life decisions from women willing to sacrifice salaries and security to answer the call of ministry. There were women in their 80's making a difference leading Bible studies at nursing homes and loving on babies in nurseries. All were seeking to fulfill their dreams while meeting the demands of everyday living. It was evident as I listened that God had appointed people to speak into these women's lives, Others were appointed to love a friend through a difficult season or challenge a friend to move a different direction or simply to dare to dream. As I listened I saw His beauty and love in them all…. in the tears, in the laughter, in the unique and beautiful design of each one. And I reexamined my own life in the process….looking at the threads the Lord has woven together in His sovereignty and His unique design for me. There have been people and places and suffering and joy…..all working together to help me persevere as I run my race, fix my eyes on Jesus, and learn to dream the dreams He has for me so I can live my life in a way that counts for eternal things. I wonder where you are in your race today. It's easy to get lost along the way, to feel numb or just comfortable Or maybe you find yourself thirsty for more….. Sometimes we take our eyes off of Jesus and let the world or others mark out a course for us that we were never meant to run. Or sometimes the disappointment or suffering in our own lives or those we love just seems too much and we lose our joy. We grow weary and lose heart. Sometimes we let sin entangle us and we need to throw off all that hinders us. Or often there is just a restlessness in our souls, a longing for more. The Father can use that discontentment to pull us toward the goal He has set before us if we let Him. And so, in this season for me, I feel the need to pull away a little from the pace and routine of my life and listen and pray and ask the Father what it is that will uniquely glorify Him in my life in the coming days and years. I think we need to look at what brings us joy, what make us feel most alive. I recently read a wonderful book by Emily Freeman called "A Million Little Ways" that has been such an encouragement to me in pursuing the creative life I believe we were all designed to live. She writes, "You might not see yourself as an artist, but you are --- in so many unexpected ways. In what you create, whether poetry or pie, sculpture or sand castle, calligraphy or conversation. It's time to uncover the shape of your soul, turn down the voice of the inner critic, and move into the world with the courage to be who you most deeply are. Creating a life of meaning is not about finding that one great thing you were made to do, it's about knowing the one great God you were made to glorify -- in a million little ways." As God's image bearer I need to ask some questions.
Maybe you might need to ask those questions too. Could it be that the Spirit of God who lives within us as believers could actually be trusted to weave His Spirit so completely and intimately through us that our deepest desires and dreams might actually begin to look like His? Until we learn to lay our hearts, our dreams and our passions open before the Father, listen to His voice and trust Him, we will never have the courage to release them into the places and relationships where He has called us to live. I'm reminded of a song I used to sing years ago by Twila Paris entitled "I Will Listen". Here is a portion of the lyrics. "Could it be that He is only Waiting there to see? If I will learn to love the dreams That He has dreamed for me Can't imagine what the future holds But I've already made my choice And this is where I stand until He moves me on And I will listen to His voice." Listening and seeking to be all He has created me to be, Kathy If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner. Instantly a box will appear for you to type in the security letters as you see them and press "submit." It will tell you that you need to go to your email inbox and click the link to verify/activate. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE NEXT STEP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG!
Scripture images from Pinterest. Resources: Restless by Jennie Allen A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman |
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