Well, the emails started going this morning with songs and links and encouragement, and that's when I decided--we must have a blog! We all love email, but I thought this would be a cool place to share our thoughts and questions and have some conversation around them between our Tuesday meetings. I like to think I'm computer savvy, but I'm honestly not exactly sure how this works. Since I "own" the blog, I guess that makes me responsible for the posts, and then you can add comments to those posts. (Some of you are likely going, "Yeah, duh, Beth." But maybe some others are saying, "Oh! Thanks for telling me how it works!" Or maybe I'm wrong about how it works, in which case I'm blushing.)
So, to jump right in...what did people think of those quotes that Rochelle sent from Sacred Parenting? Wow! I read them and thought, "Wow! That is truth!" But then I also thought, "Oh shoot! That is hard." But something has struck me a couple times today, once in those Gary Thomas quotes and once in a comment made by someone else. It's the fact that there is nothing else in life worth more than seeking to become like Jesus. One of you said to me earlier today that you keep "chugging because I never want to stop trying for fear of where I would end up." I totally get that. What becomes of me if I stop seeking Jesus? What becomes of my marriage or my children? There is a lot at stake. While on the one hand that is scary, on the other it is so purpose giving, isn't it? The journey is hard, but when I look at it like that, I wouldn't dream of giving up. It's those stinking idols that get in the way.
If you have thoughts about the Sacred Parenting quotes or anything else in this post, jump right in! And while I'm jabbering, I just want you to know how much I'm enjoying all of you. I've been so blessed by the way our group has been willing to be so open in sharing our struggles and our idols even without knowing each other very well. It has been really rich for me, and I hope the same is true for everyone. I told Tiff today that I'm just eating this up because I feel like I've been away from the Word for so long and am rediscovering the life it truly gives! Of course, there's that whole conviction thing...but like I said, is there anything else that's worth chasing? Nope.
Brianne shared a verse with me in an email today that really struck me. It's not morning anymore, but it was actually the end of the verse that really resonated with me. "In the morning, oh Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation" (Psalm 5:3). I wonder if I'm really expecting anything and if that might be why I often don't feel like I'm hearing or receiving anything.
Okay, so you'll find that I can get a little "windy" once I start typing, so I really am closing this now. I'd love to hear your comments. And I'll try to do at least a couple more posts before our next meeting.
Waiting in expectation...
7 comments:
Well, hopefully this won't be a blog where Beth posts and I'm the only one who comments since she and I seem to be the most, shall we say, attached to computer usage! :) Since I just sent you all a marathon length e-mail, I will refrain from commenting further here (at least until some of you comment first), but I'm eager to hear from each of you, and grateful to Beth for giving us a common place to connect when it's most convenient! Get those comments coming (as long as you can spend some time on your computer without taking time from what's most important....)
Now I think I'll go see if there's a book called Blogging for Dummies so I can figure out how to do this thing.... :)
Hmmm, have I posted? Considering last night was my virgin blogging experience we'll see how quickly I get the hang of this. After being up for nearly two hours looking at the links Tiff sent, I alreay see I better be careful.
I'm disapointed that my day has been typical, in that it was running and no time in the word again. I did get to read the e-mails so that at least keeps the topics discssed in the front of my mind.
Tiff, can I borrow that book when you find it?
I am so pleased by this blog. Nice work Beth! Loving it!!!
Here is my daily calendar I liked it :)
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.-Ephesians 6:11
On a photography trip, I have a number of options. I can use a wide-angle lens to take in the full panorama of a mountain ridge. Or I can put a longer lens on...and focus on one aspect of a mountain. The same happens in a temptation to sin. When we focus only on the moment, we lose all sense of the big picture....We shut out all thoughts of penalty for sin, and we focus only on the pleasure....In order to build a defense against the devil, we need the big picture of our lives always before us.
I loved this verse...it makes me think of Day 2 of our study. About how we could be willing to sacrifice our dignity, our self worth, etc for the potential to feel content or loved or having what other have... (reference to Leah and Rachel). How often have I done that--Maybe it isn't visible to the seeing world because I am quite crafty in hiding my sin and defects...but God sees it and I know it, and it kills my heart and my soul...So here is to a new day where I live and make choices because: It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me--Galations 2:20
Yep I am a long winded blogger :)
This is SPECTACULAR, to say the least. What a great forum for our thoughts throughout the week. Thanks for taking this on, Beth.
On a technical note, I do think there is a way to add other authors ... check the settings tab ... but it may be a limited number of authors ... not sure if you can do 10. Let me know if you aren't sure what I'm talking about.
I am so thankful for how God has brought us together and I pray He continues to bless our time and open our hearts to what we are missing. I feel the same way, Beth, like I have been so distant for so long ... I am definitely getting thirsty! Isn't it comforting to know that He is always waiting with open arms???
One more thing ...
Be aware of satan's attacks ... I feel like since I have been spending more time with God, there have been numerous circumstances/conversations/relationships or nagging concerns that have caused little bruises to my heart ... I have to remember that there is a battle for our effectiveness, for our fulfillment, for our thought life ... just stand guard, Nogarinas. Keep persisting. I know I have to!
I'm praying for each of you this morning--for the specific requests that we shared Tuesday night, and also just for a "victorious" day as you work, relate to others, care for your family, and open your heart to what God is teaching you right now. As Rochelle said, the battle is so real!
Also, this is the quote Beth was talking about Tues. night from the devotional, Streams in the Desert: “Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.”
Beth Moore asks us, "What envelope have you been most prone to hold the edge of?"
I'm thinking it's amazing I have enough fingers to grasp all the envelopes I've tried to keep hold of in my life, most of which probably have to do either with my family and relationships or my view of myself. How about you?
okay, this took me much longer to accomplish than I thought. I consider myself having decent computer usage skills, but I ran into complications. So, now I am trying to remember what I tried to post the first time and it's not going to be the same. Hopefully it is still meaningful.
When I ask my HS students about their cool experiences over summer break, I doubt they will be as ecstatic as I will if this goes thru as my first ever blog participation.
So, I had some time earlier today to read, study our book and do some journaling. It was some great alone time for me and God. I found it amazing that as I reflect on our study thus far, that I discovered a similar theme in another book I am currently reading. I have a paragraph to share:
If he (Satan)can get us to try to 'live the Christian life' without cultivating an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus, he knows we will be spiritually impotent and defeated. If he can get us to do a great many things 'for God' without consciously seeking the will of God through His word and prayer, we may stir up a lot of religious dust, but we won't do Satan's kingdom any real damage. If hecan get us to operate on our own thoughts and ideas, rather than seeking the wisdom that comes from God, he knows we will eventually get sucked into the world's destructive way of thinking.
This was powerful for me and as I try to continue to strive for that union of one with my Lord Jesus.
Let me go on to say that I have enjoyed our Tuesday meeting time together and am anxious for it each week. I also have gained from the sharing of emails, songs and books that each of you have extended. I will definitely have to pull out my Sacred Parenting book and reread it!
Blessings all!
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