A few good books

QUESTION: When I see how long it's been since my last post it makes me wonder why am I blogging at all??? I don't share this space with anyone, so really why bother?

ANSWER: A few months ago, the name of this blog came to me and I knew I had to write about the things that God is doing in me. That's it....my experience. So I'll keep going and maybe share with a few of my friends where I am writing.

A book that I read this summer....

This book was given to all the elders of my church to read over the summer. My husband is an elder. He was having a hard time getting into it, so I asked if I could read it first. It was a very eye opening book. The concepts were something that our church has been exploring and doing for a bit, but some of the ideas that came up were great. This book made me want to dream. It made me go to God and ask, what can I be doing to help Terrace, not spread your word, but just be in the community. Which would spread His word....

The challenge is to make a difference in peoples lives...not for an agenda, but because you love them because God loves them. Another thing that I loved was that it talked about the things that you do not being just for "church" people. There are people who want to do good and need a project that they believe in, the church offers that project and anyone who likes what is being done can come along side. I really like this. What a way to meet new people and work along side them.

Now, what do I do with this info? How has it changed what I do and am doing? I don't know. But I am on the look out. Where do I fit and what is it that God wants me to do?

Another book that I just started and runs along these same lines is...

I'm only on the third chapter but wow! So far it's all about where you go. Stepping into those places that may be or definitely are uncomfortable. Being with people who are different than you and may even think differently about things than you. Throughout the book are Road Markers...Thoughts about the section you are in, one of them on page 5 says " Jesus crossed the road to let His actions speak louder than his words."

There is so much more to this book, hopefully I'll be able to put it to words when I am finished.

Well, that's all. I feel like God has me on a learning curve, but for what I have no idea. But I'll listen and follow what I hear.

What's so amazing about Grace?

This is the book I have picked up...

I'm not sure if I have read it before but it certainly is speaking to me now.

I have someone in my life that has been treating me poorly for a wrong that she perceives happening. But from that has come a lot of talk to other people but never to me. I thought we had dealt with it and that our relationship was just never to be the same, but apparently we haven't. Once again the "hurt" from 4-5 years ago has surfaced again. So I have been struggling with my role in this. I don't feel like I should have to say sorry, I don't feel like I've done anything wrong and yet...

Reading this book has given me a new perspective... Jesus did nothing wrong and yet he went to the cross and died for all MY wrongs, not fair but GRACE!

So, my feelings of this isn't fair, although perfectly natural are not Christ like. He wants me to forgive and be more like Him.

I am wanting to be more like Him and the only way that I can is when I obey when my heart is stirred towards that end...this would be towards that end.

So I will obey and swallow my pride which is what separates me most from God. I will obey and allow God to do the hard part of making things right in the end.

My desire.

This summer my husband and I and another couple are reading through....

This is the second time for me. The last time was in 2006 and our whole church was reading it.

Now as a side note, you need to know that I have a very stubborn streak that rises it's ugly head whenever I hear about the newest "have to read" book. I just don't think that one book apart from the Bible can do it. So whenever people start jumping on this reading wagon, I walk... the opposite way. Ask me about The Shack.

Anyway, this other couple, which I love dearly wanted to read through this again, so OK, the hype is gone...I'll read it.

I have been enjoying it. There are still parts that make me cringe, but that's OK. The parts that are making me think are worth it. Which is where the topic for this post comes from.

Worship...what is it and why do it?

"Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving Him and giving ourselves to be used for His purposes". Pg 56

"We bring God glory by worshipping Him. We worship God by enjoying Him". Pg 55

I love that, enjoying Him. When I spend time with God and all the distractions from "life" have successfully been set aside, I enjoy Him. When I repeat His name and His goodness over, and over until I see His face, I enjoy Him. I enjoy being in His presence and I look forward to hearing Him speak to my heart.

Is this all the time? I wish! Sometimes the cares and frustrations from life just can't be set aside, then my time with him is all about that.

I want my life to bring God glory. I want people to look at me and say, "Look what God has done in her life". I want the fullness of God, so that it just pours out of me and onto those around me. I want to listen closer, so that whenever God speaks I hear what He has to say.

My desire is to know God, and enjoy Him fully.

I'm Back!

Wow, that was a long break from blogging...almost 2 months.

Life happened and at the same time God continued to work in my heart, and remind me of Himself. Was I faithful in spending time alone with God? Nope. Was my attitude one of seeking after God? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no.

Where am I right now?
Wondering.
Where does God want me?
What does God want me to be doing?
How can I get there from here?

But for all these life choices I have to make, or am feeling like I need to make, the question I still hear in my heart is...are you doing these things now? Am I where God wants me to be? Am I doing what God wants me to be doing here and now? Am I the person God wants me to be right now so that I can continue to be transformed into the person He wants me to be then?

If I'm not doing and being now, how can I do and be then?

Such questions, answers only to be found in Him.
Proverb 2:2-3 "Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding."
Proverbs 2:6 "For the Lord grants wisdom!"

a few thoughts

Yesterday I went to a Ladies Missions Rally. The special speaker spoke to us about her current ministry and all that God has been doing...so much more than she could think of herself. More than she could imagine or dream up on her own.
Then she gave us a way to look at the wind that so often flows through Terrace....God is the wind and He is moving and we need to put up our sails and go with Him....move with Him.
Tonight she told us to take a risk...to step out and trust God. How will we ever know if we don't take that step of faith.

Oh Lord, I want to trust You. I want to know Your power for myself and not just what I hear and read. I want to step out in faith.

See the desire of my heart and show me Your glory.

thoughts from todays devotions

I was reading in Psalm today. Chapters 37-41.

37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you."

Once again, the lifestyle. Not just a style, that can be put on and off, but my lifestyle.

Everything I do. From rising in the morning, working, interacting with staff, relationships at home, time spent on the computer, EVERYTHING!

O Lord, help me commit everything to you, each day, at every moment. Transform me into the person who reflects back Your glory. Amen.

Forgotten God

Well, I just finished reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan. Amazing!
I am challenged to my core and I see the faults in my attitudes constantly.
God is amazing.
Just when I think He has forgotten about me and about changing me into a person that reflects Him better, He shows up and starts prompting me, whispering to me and letting me know "that right there...has to go"
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus!