"Still" time

Hello out there. I came across this quote about the need for solitude and thought it was awesome. Some of you probably already saw it because I posted it to Pastor Jimmy's wall on FB. Wanted to bring it to our attention today.

"You are like a jar of river water all shaken up. What you need to do is sit still long enough for the sediment to settle and the water to become clear." Ruth Haley Barton

So my question to you today is when is your time to sit still for a minute? I know the possible answers, excuses, and scenarios coming to minds instead of a clear and definite answer, but let's talk about this for a minute. When I read this quote, that's exactly how I feel throughout most of my day. Another picture that comes to mind is a snowglobe all shaken up. I feel like my mind is a flurry of sparkly things whirling about 100 miles an hour, making it hard to see clearly or correctly. If anyone out there can understand how hard it is to carve a few minutes in your day for solitude and quiet, it's me. So I'm feelin' ya sister. And I'm all about keeping it real and practical. For a stay at home mom that also works part time and spends a good amount of time at the church, I need to know God and be refueled in between moments of screaming children, doing dishes, driving in my car, and loud gym music (my job). So as nice as it sounds to have a long, leisurely quiet time spending hours in the Word, prayer, and worship, for me that is not my reality. Maybe it will be one day, but not right now. So does that mean I just stay discouraged and tired, feeling defeated because my walk with the Lord is waning because of the cares and responsibilities of life? Well, it could. And to be honest some days it does. Or I can just make it happen in a way that's practical but still life giving and refreshing to me.

I'll be honest. I'm still battling the whole getting up early in the morning thing. Now most days I'm up early to get ready because I have to be at the gym, so I usually stumble out of bed and fall onto the start button of my coffee pot. I try to squeak out some Word time, just to get my mind focused in the right direction and start the day right. But mostly it's through groggy eyes and a foggy mind. So this is not my still time. This is my I'm-attempting-as-best-as-I-can-to-start-my-day-right time, so there is a lot of motivational self talk, coffee guzzling, and praising God instead of complaining like I want to because I'm tired and my emotions want to talk.

My "still" time comes later in the afternoon where I plan our days around us being home from around 2-4 or so that the kids can have rest time. Now that time is very precious to me, and unfortunately it has to be divided up between cleaning, preparing to teach my classes or see clients, or anything else that has to be done without the distraction of children. But I've discovered something about myself. If I can just have as little as fifteen minutes (and when I'm lucky a little more) or so to be still, listen to worship music, talk with God and sit in the sunshine and absorb some vitamin D, those little sparkly things swirling around slowly begin to settle to the bottom and I can see and think clearly again. And it's amazing what it can do for my day.

Since we're studying the book of James and talking about the life and death importance of reading the Word and knowing God, I figured it would be good to just have a practical talk about what that can look like for us in the middle of our busy days. Simple and practical, James style. So here's to hoping your sparkly things are settling for you today and you can see and hear clearly. Love to my peeps.

Have you breathed today?

Something we talked about Friday night has just stayed with me, so I'm going to share it again for those that weren't there with us. The main focus was on James 1:21 which says that we are to "humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save our souls".

As quotable and as many "famous" verses as there are in James, if we don't embrace and get a revelation on this simple verse, those powerful verses will not have their full impact in our lives. James is trying to emphasize the importance of the place of the Word in our lives. He goes as far as to say it has the power to save our souls. Which means he equates the Word with the Spirit of God Himself. If we don't hear the Word, we can't know God. It's the Word on the inside of us that's been implanted in our hearts that gives us the desire to want more Word and know God more. If we have no hunger for Him, we have become full with the things of this world and have lost sight of our NEED for His Word. When we don't desire the Word, we don't read it and do the things we know we should. What to do with this vicious cycle??? We break it! When we know that the power of the Word in our lives is life to us, then we rise above our emotions and how we feel and do it anyway. The external Word will stir up that implanted Word in your heart that's been neglected or crowded out by the things of this life. This will give life and bring back the desire.

It's like oxygen. It gives life and in giving life it makes you breathe. In breathing you receive more oxygen, and the cycle repeats itself. We don't say oh I have oxygen. It has made me alive, and look how well it's working in me! I don't to receive any more oxygen. Just because the Word is in our hearts doesn't mean that we don't need to keep on receiving it. We die without both working together.

God has been convicting me about this lately and challenging the place the Word has in my life. I haven't necessarily filled my heart with bad things, but if I'm not careful it still gets filled- even with good things. I desire God's Word, but can I say I've been desperate for it like it's oxygen and I can't make it without it? Not all of the time. But if I believe what the Word says, I will know that I will be in serious trouble without it. And if I have that mentality, even if I'm not feeling it, I will get to that place. And it will have the power to save my soul. From fear, from despair, from anger, from strife, from busyness, from myself. And when I receive it humbly, or with meekness, that means I am ready to submit to it right now. And take it literally.

So, have you breathed today? Take in that oxygen and allow it to breathe life into your spirit.

Don't Get Caught Lacking - part 2

Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

I have been reading in II Kings about King Josiah. He became King when he was 8 years old and reigned 31 years. When he was 16 years old, he began to seek the Lord. When he was 20, he began to purge his kingdom of idols. When he was 26, he was working to repair the house of the Lord, so he sent some men to the house to gather the money collected from the people for the repairs. When they entered the house of the Lord and started digging around, they found the book of the law. (their bible) It had been discarded by past Kings obviously considered unimportant.

In Deut. 17:19-20, (talking about the book of the Law) “It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of the law and these statutes, 20. that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Isreal.”

Josiah had the book of law read to him and his eyes where opened.

Oh, that the same thing would happen in our time! The very book that God has given us to guide us through life, would be important in our homes and personal lives.

Yet, so often is set on a shelf to gather dust, as we try to maneuver through life without the “map.” Every answer we need is in God’s word, although at times, we try to figure out the answers in our own mind.

Josiah was spared from God’s wrath because he did what was “right in the sight of the Lord.”

Wonder why we struggle so much with reading and studying the bible? There is an enemy that knows this very thing. He will do anything to distract us from the very book that gives us life.

It is essential for our walk as Christ Followers!

i was pondering today on the service that chris brought......always so good. but when i saw the whole russell family came in after saying good-bye to kathi the day before.......what a testimony!! terry said can you imagine coming in knowing that the one you love will NEVER be there again to sit with.......i said yes.........that the Lord had shared a time when a dear friends daughter was tragically killed in a car accident......He showed me in his word that when John the Baptist was beheaded that Jesus wept......we all know that but then when He wanted to get away for rest and quiet the people went on ahead ...... so when Jesus saw them he was moved to compassion for them and ministered to them......i said to myself back then....i want to be that strong........i truly do.......so as you read this think about what you would do in the midst of a tragedy or something that you know is fixing to happen....where would you choose to be.......home or with your church family.........love you girls and keep keeping on with our Lord Jesus Christ and keep growing......fall forward.......don't quit no matter what happens........don't lean on your own understanding.........just trust...................truly trust....
robbye

despair....................

dusti and i have been watching the series....anne of green gables....an interesting quote was said in one of the videos and it has stayed with me for years when i watched it with my older girls....aunt mirilla said, "to despair is to turn your back on God". strong statement....so i thought i would comment on that today. i find myself the older i get that there is going to be situations ALL the time that can steal your joy and hope in the Lord. the question is are you going to let that happen, because we do have the power by the Holy Spirit NOT to let that happen. i looked up in the dictionary the word "despair" .......one definition says it all......to be without hope; to give up all hope or expectation; to loose confidence in; to deprive of hope;..........strong words girls......i want you to turn you face to the Lord today and worship, praise and thank Him for all He is and does on our behalf. despair is not an option for me.......my hope is in the Lord in all things.......even loses.......even tradgedy and disappoint..........even triumphs and victories........where is your hope today.........in what you see?............or who He was and is and is to come!!!!!!!!!! have a hopeful and victorious day, girls..................it is always your choice!!!! i choose life today...........how about you??!!!!!
my hope is in the Lord
now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen
it is impossible to please without faith
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

have a hopeful and glorious day!!!!!!
robbye

Don't Get Caught Lacking

It is a HOT morning!  I just walked into my house from my morning walk feeling thankful for the cool air.   Earlier this morning, as I rolled out of bed before everyone else in the house, I grabbed my coffee and bible which is my routine.    For about a month now, my routine has been just-exactly-that......routine!    Sometimes I read my bible and the words jump out.  I get an excited feeling kind of like butterflies in the stomach! I know God is speaking to me through His word.  

For about a month now, I have struggled to “feel” anything as I read.    This morning I was reading in Hosea 4, when verse 6 made that long awaited jump!   

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,

Because you have rejected knowledge,

I also will reject you from being My priest,

Since you have forgotten the law of your God,

I also will forget your children.

I know this is Old Testament and that God is speaking to the sons of Israel, but I believe the words of the Prophet Hosea can speak to us today.

Having a passion for God’s word and “feeling it” is the best thing ever!   What about the times I don’t feel it?   During times of trials and struggle (which is inevitable),will I lay The Word down and wallow in self pity?   Honestly, I have been there lately.   

I was reminded this morning of a very profound fact of life.   This thing is so simple, yet at times I can make it complicated.   Take the living word, as God has given us, to guide us through life, read it, gain knowledge of the truth inside, which in turn will keep me from being “destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

I chose to do this whether I feel it or not!

  

Hey girls,

I just want you to know that I haven't ditched the blog! Hey, "shift happens"! I only said that because I can't say the other! HA! At this moment I am sitting at my sister's computer in Oklahoma City. She is at work today, so I am alone. (Well, not really, Seth is here) There is nothing like being pampered by my older sissy! God is good. He is so in love with me and I with Him. No matter what is going on at any given time in our life, He is right there with us. I am experiencing a "shift" in my life that I have no control over. I am so happy that God knows and He controls what happens. Sometimes thing happen and we are not sure why, but once we walk through and get to the other side, we can then be able to help others. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to be a child of the living and active God!

I am reading a book, "Think and Make it Happen". Rice Brooks told us about this book, while we were in Nashville. I started it a couple of months ago, but haven't had the time to really dive into it. My one goal during this restful week in Oklahoma , is to finish this book. (It is so nice to have just one goal!, at least for a few days) God's timing is always perfect! I need this book at this precise moment in my life. A quote: "A correctly thinking mind understands that the goal with our emotions is to manage them as best we can by directing their significant power to achieve positive ends. The remarkable mind will also make sure the conscious "self" remains in charge rather than being ruled by emotions."

We have control over our thoughts. Do we take control? So may times a thought will make itself known in our mind, we immediately grab it, feed it, then it grows into a monster!

I truly believe that every circumstance, even the toughest, can be looked at with a positive mind. This book states: "The fact that Jesus withstood the pressures brought upon him is evidence that he was the captain of his own thoughts."

We can only learn by doing, therefore, when a negative thought jumps into my mind, I desire to
take control and not let that "thought" control me. This book is a meaty book written by a very intellegent person. I don't know how I will ever get through it and remember everything. One chapter can be overwhelming with a wealth of information. Well, better get back to reading.

Love you all.... Have a wonderful week! Ruth

Connections that count!

Quote: Disconnect people can never be whole.  Vulnerable and painful though it may be, a community of people whose lives are tied together by the tender strings of the heart is life the way God meant it to be lived.  Beth Moore

This quote from our homework leaped off the page and put a knot on my head! 

  

So this got me thinking............

It is the “vulnerable and painful” part that keep people from connecting.     Most of us understand that side of it.   It is inevitable that once you do connect to people, the potential for pain is there because of our human side.   This blog is about the flip side.

What would cause a community of people (friends) to walk together with minimal pain?

Can it be accomplished?   I personally believe it can!

John 15:13 Comes to mind: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Outside the thought, that I would lay down my physical life for someone, is the following thought.  Will I lay down my life in the sense of, my desires, my preferences, my very self, for a friend?

Laying down myself means “myself” doesn’t matter.   I will be unoffendable (is that a word?), nonjudgmental, honest and trustworthy.   I can love friends for who they are, flaws and all.   I can be truly joyful if they receive things that I don’t have, if they have more or less then I do.  The jealousy monster cannot rise up.   Remember I am laying MY life down!   

Can you imagine a community of people who “lay down their life for each other”?   I can!

Can you imagine the impact it would make for the world looking in trying to find something authentic?   I can!  I believe it can happen.

Last thought: If you look at the verses above John 15:13, you see foremost, I must be connected to Jesus (the vine) which will cause me to bear much fruit.  I must obey His commands which will cause me to remain in His love.   Vs. 12 says: Love each other as I have loved you.    Connection with Jesus, IS the prerequisite to connection with people.   There is no way around it!

Only when these words leave the pages of the bible and enter into our hearts as revelation, will we be able to experience connection the way God intended.

I am up for the challenge!   Will you join me?

Ruth

  

Really good thought

Hey there.  I came across this post from Steve Murrell, one of the founding fathers of Every Nation.  He is one of the most amazing, consistent, and wise leaders I've ever seen.  He birthed a church that is now thousands strong in the Philippines.  I follow his blog because he always has these awesome things to say.  

This particular post is talking about the difference between talents and gifts in our children and ultimately ourselves.  So good.  Been thinking a lot lately about the big picture in parenting.  Mostly because I'm trying to stay positive during this (hopefully) short phase of my children's lives and remember the goal at the end of the finish line, not just the grueling marathon to get there!  (This has been a particularly exhausting round of constant discipline and battle for consistency around here) So I really like to hear about people that have grown children that are amazing to remind me that all of the hard work is so worth the investment, that it didn't happen overnight, and to keep on staying strong!  Love to my peeps- Hope you enjoy this:

The Myth of the Gifted Child

 “Your sons are so gifted.”

I’ve heard it a thousand times…
-  at William's elementary school piano recitals - “wow, he has a musical gift”  (no, he’s practiced every day, since he was 5)  
-  at James' tennis tournaments  – “I wish my son could hit a forehand like that” (try training 7 days a week, for a few of years)
- when people see Jonathan's paintings -  “he obviously has a special gift for art” (you should have seen his "art" before we hired an art teacher to mentor him)

Yea, we have gifted kids – they were gifted with a mother who wouldn’t allow them to waste time doing nothing. And they were gifted with a father who was on a 10-year anti-TV, anti-video game kick during their formative years. That’s why they spent countless hours reading, listening to music and developing killer kick-serves.

My sons were also gifted with mentors/coaches/teachers who helped them discover and develop a few of the skills and talents that God hid in them. 

Gifts are free. Talents are costly; they must be discovered and developed. 

But sadly, most talent is never discovered, never developed. It is simply wasted while staring at a screen. Tragic. 

What are you doing to develop your gifts and talents? 
What are you doing to help develop your kid's gifts and talents?

(i'll never forget the tennis tournament when the father of a kid my son had just destroyed turned to me and said: "i bet you paid a lot of money for his forehand." that father understood where the gift/talent came from - dad's checkbook.  he was right, and it was worth every dollar/peso.)

Link to Steve's awesome blog : http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/

BTW- I don't know where all of the little lines are coming from- they don't show up until it posts and I don't know how to get rid of them!  Sorry, kind of annoying!

Blooming

"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin

Happy Monday!  

Rapid Repentance

Quote:  Almost invariably we discover the kind of "enabling" in a time of desperation when we can no longer depend on ourselves.       It then grows in a private place of prayer.

This week we had a situation in our family occur where this quote came alive.    We were in desperation and , in ourselves, didn't have the answer.   We needed to be "enabled" from up above.   Mark and I spent time in prayer and asked close friends to pray also.  The "enabling" came!!!   We were empowered by the Holy Spirit to handle the situation.    It was obvious that God is the only one to orchestrate the events that unfolded.    Was it hard?  Was it painful?  Absolutely!   But our relationship as a family just took a huge leap forward.    

There is one reason why this situation was short lived and not drawn out.......... repentance!

In our study: Ezekiel 33:11 - Turn from your ways and live!    It is true that repentance brings immediate life back in!  

As soon as we choose to repent, everything shifts in that one moment.    If we wait, then God will wait for us to go around the same mountain as long as it takes.    I have been reminded by a person that I love dearly, to turn as fast as I can and choose life!   

Risky Business "The Sequel"

My mind has been on a marathon for a week now.   I have been “wrecked” by God: meaning a collision is happening with my heart and mind.  There have been several  bouts of “baby crying” and nights of sleeplessness.    What exactly is it?   Well, I am not sure yet, but wanted to share some random thoughts going through my very active brain this week.    Maybe after you read them, you can share what you know.   I need to hear it!

It all started with our Esther study at a point that I have heard since I was a kid.   Esther entered the presence of the King, uninvited, which could mean death.   Her words leaped out of the page and started the collision.   “If I perish, I perish.     She took a “risk of faith,” not knowing the outcome.   For lack of typing space, I will not go through all the stories in the bible where people took “risks of faith” without knowing the outcome.   

Have you ever heard the saying “Faith is like going down stairs only seeing the next step.”    What if you can’t see the next step?  What if all you see if darkness?  You take the next step, despite the fact, for all you know, there’s nothing to step onto.  

True faith is not about the step; it’s about the One telling you to take the next step.

I step out of the boat knowing that if God doesn’t allow me to walk on water, I will drown.  I face the giant knowing that if God doesn’t give me His strength and power, I will die.

Great risk takers operate in faith in spite of their fear.   They experience God’s favor -- not because they’re better, smarter, were raised in a Christian home, know the bible, and have no baggage.    If these were the requirements for “God’s favor,” most of the bible heroes would have been disqualified.    Fear of failure is what stops “risk taking.”   Because of the gift of choice, what if God uses failure as a tool to mold us?   We see failure as a “self condemnation” tool.  “See, I knew it would fail.”“Nothing ever works out for me.” etc.   Failure should cause us to stop and consider, “What changes do I need to make in order to succeed?”     Taking “risk of faith” will absolutely stop any Pride from creeping in my heart, because it HAS to be all God and NONE of me.   

It is not just humans taking a “risk”.   God works with us, uses us, as imperfect as we are, to carry out His purposes.   Now that is risky business.   

Break Free of the Funk!! (The Blue Funk Part Two)

Hello, friends.  Well thank goodness for Ruth or this thing would be a sinking ship!  Well, at least we have the confirmed word of the Lord that's she supposed to be doing this :)  And a great job she's been doing, might I add.  I would like to revisit her blog The Blue (or Pink if you're Robbye) Funk....

First of all I have to agree.  What the heck is going on around here??  One of the reasons I've been so silent lately is that I have been clawing my way through my own funk.  It's hard to write about anything when you're not that inspired. My children drank the Blue Funk Kool-aid and have been a challenge to put it lightly.  We could speculate all day long about why everything's so crazy and weird right now, but why bother.  Ruth did a great job talking about getting out of it.  Here's my two cents for all it's worth: 

Friends, let us not be fooled by the enemy:  whether the source of our funk is ourselves, the enemy or God, the enemy of our souls will take full advantage of our distracted focus and try to derail us from the purpose of God in our lives.  Can I take it a step further and suggest possibly the reason everything is so funky is that he knows and senses that God is about to do something and he's getting a little nervous about it?  In my experience everytime a big breakthrough is coming it seems all hell breaks loose before hand!  All the more reason to stay determined to break free of that which so easily entangles us!  What if something huge is around the corner...I want to be ready and not miss it because my focus was distracted from my funk!  

Yes, we all know this.  Yes, we read each other's encouragements and agree.  But really and truly when you are in a funk you don't want to hear it, and you especially don't want to work to press your way through it.  Let me tell you what happened to me yesterday and hope that it encourages you a little.  I have been having one of "those" weeks.  I wasn't "feeling" it.  I didn't want to read my Bible or be an ounce of spiritual (shocking, but I am actually just like you), I was in a terrible mood, and my children were happily pushing me over the edge.  All I wanted to do was take a nap before church.  And guess what.  That was the day my kids didn't want to lay down (which is unusual because Cadence loves her naps).  Literally on the verge of tears and rage at the same time, I sat on my bed and forced myself to get in the Word.  FORCED.  Because what else was I going to do- I couldn't sleep!  My flesh was pouting, and my soul (mind, will and emotions) didn't want to have anything to do with it.  But even through all of what I was feeling, my Spirit was fighting inside of me telling me to do it because I needed it and it works, no matter how I feel.  I knew that truth, so I trusted in it and not how I felt. So I read the Bible.  Didn't feel anything. I didn't want to go to church that night ( Does this sound familiar to anyone else out there??) but guess what- I'm the worship leader!  I don't get a choice!  Hate (actually love to) burst any bubbles out there, but again- just because I do what I do doesn't mean I'm not just like you.  So I get to practice, trying as hard as I can to get my heart right.  I am reading the words of what we're singing, and I begin to feel something rise up in me.  I set me heart and focus on going after Him with all I had. I am worshiping right there in practice, throwing my worthless flesh right into the presence of God and letting Him take over.  We sing the song, "I Lay Me Down", and it just couldn't have been more appropriate.  And I do what is being sung out of my own mouth to do. And let me tell you, by the time service started nobody would have ever known about the battle I fought leading up to that point because I had broken through and was so filled with Him I was about to burst!  The end of that song says after I lay me down, I lay it down, and I lift You up, that freedom is now the song of my heart.  And friends, last night that's exactly what happened.  I needed that so badly.

So, my point is this:  Want to break out of the funk?  Keep doing the right thing, over and over.  Make yourself.  What can I say except that it really works!  I know some of you don't believe me, and I wasn't believing myself earlier this week, but just try it and see what happens.  Read the Bible.  Pray.  Don't miss church.   I don't care what you feel at that moment.  Keep doing it.  There is too much Kingdom activity at stake here for you to give up now.  Too much on the horizon.  And even after that glorious time in the presence of God, it tried to come back on me last night when I got home.  I'm not there yet. But I'm going to keep on going and doing what I am supposed to do. No matter how I feel and what goes on around me. Will you join me?    

Risky Business

Okay...  God won't let me wait to write another blog!  But I still desire you all to share on here.   

On the intelligence scale, I fall in the average range.   My freshman year in college, I almost failed out.   I won’t get into the sob story of why, but the main reason was because no one taught me how to organize my time and study.   I remember my meeting with my counselor, who told me that “college was not for everyone,” and how I needed to take another path.   Because of the “fear of failure”, I came extremely close to following through with that counsel.   That time in life, my determination won over!  I began to learn how to organize and study.  My first report card as a sophomore was one B and the rest A’s.

(rabbit trail)  Mark and I laugh about my graduation day.   We were all sitting in a line waiting for our name to be called.  I believe that everyone on my row had magna, summa, or just plan cum laude before their name.   Then they came to just plan ole me, Ruth Lewis.  HA!  It really was funny. 

Have I always been this determined?   No Way! I have walked in the “fear of failure” in the past , more times than not.  

As a follower of Christ, I am called to a risky business.  God is teaching me to take “risks of faith”; to let go of the “fear of failure”.      When I do fail, I want to learn and be determined to do what it takes to succeed in what God asks of me.   It is time for me to stop “playing it safe”. 

(mono tone) All of us have heard about all the famous people who failed and failed before they became famous.  (Edison, Oprah etc.)

Like all the other “life lessons” that I have heard over and over, it must have a collision (impact) with my brain and heart before it gets my attention!   

Esther had to go before the King and risk her life in order to save her people.  

“Esther did what she needed to do, clearly the will of God, but not as one perfectly collected and confident.” (Beth Moore)

I love this statement!   I never feel perfectly collected and confident!   I believe that God doesn’t want me to because then I am fully depending on him to work through me.   

My job is to let it happen!

Ruth

The Blue "Funk"

Okay my friends,  I don't want this blog to become a "Ruth" blog.   I am writing this one, then waiting until some of you participate.    We all need to hear what God is doing with each other.

I can only imagine that Esther, after finding out the sentence that Haman handed out, must have been in a "funk".    She could either be refined or run.    

The Blue “Funk”

What is going on?  Lately, several of the people in my surroundings and even friends that live far away, have informed me that they are in the “funk”.  This has included me the last few weeks.   I looked up the word , Funk, in the dictionary:  bad mood, the lows, the dumps, the doldrums, the blue funk.  Honestly, I kind of like “the blue funk” part.  That sounds really bad?     So what does all this mean?  Well, here is my very intelligent and honest answer:

HECK IF I KNOW?

But......... I can tell you some of my thoughts the last few weeks.  

I have a choice:  I can be refined or I can run!     O yes, my flesh wants to run, but my spirit tells me that this is something that I need to walk through. 

All I know and know for sure, is that I have GOT to, GOT to, GOT to, seek God with all my heart.   My flesh is NOT tough enough to withstand alone.   

I Peter 1:6-7 - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.   (7) These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Everyone knows the saying:  When the going gets tough..... the tough get going.

I don’t know about this......I am not very tough!   I am changing it for me:   When the going gets tough......  the tough get seeking!

Even though I try to seek God always, it really is more intense during “the funk”.     I told a friend of mine on the phone last night, that “the funk” is kind of fun.    I know that statement is really strange.   It is not fun going through it, but the fun part comes after walking through it.   Then I can look back and see how God is refining me, how my life view is changing, how I have gotten rid of some “junk” in my life, how I am treating my family and friends better....... and the list goes on.

I am going to face my funk head on!   I can’t wait to see what comes out of it!

Ruth

Remove and Replace

I wish things where different.   Why does it seem that nothing works out for me?   I try so hard, but nothing changes.   Why are some people so blessed with “things” and we have to struggles to make it?    I have desires and goals, but I just don’t have what it takes to carry them out.    I have always just been ordinary.    If I could just be thin and pretty.......... those women have it good.   I don’t have a life, I am just with my kids all day.  (In other words ...... I can’t do every selfish thing that I want to)

Okay!  I will stop before you think I have lost it!!   Truthfully,  this was the thinking that I had developed a couple of years back.   

Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds: 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

This verse sounds to me like I have to take action, it’s not going to just happen.

Because of God’s awesome power to change, and His incredible love for me........ I am changing my attitude towards life.   No more attitude on what has been, but what could be!

Everyday I have to take negative thoughts captive, remove them purposely, and  replace them with truth.

I will become what I think.   

My surrounding haven’t changed much........  but my thinking is changing everyday.    Do I still struggle?  Absolutely!   Just yesterday, those old thoughts started to creep in, I immediately recognized the “yuck”,  refocused my eyes on God. (Who does everything in me and with me anyway)   In a few minutes, my mind (thinking) was renewed.  

I am so incredible blessed, not with “things”, but with family.  (Physical and spiritual family)    Our pastor teaches us to have the “get to”  not the “got to”.    I get to be me!  

There is no other me in the world.     You get to be you!   There is no other you in the world.    

What is on your mind?

Ruth

Ruth's ramblings on this weeks homework.

When Esther and a number of other women were taken from their homes and brought to the King’s home,  there must of been several emotions present among the women.   I have tried to imagine what went on.   The bible is not detailed, so I have been thinking according to my knowledge of women and my experience of being one, for 44 years now.

Here are my thoughts:   Most of the women probably started out with fear of the unknown.  Others my have been excited to be in the King’s home.    The women eventually became comfortable in their surroundings after all the pampering and attention.   Then the drama began!    As the beauty treatments when on day after day, they probably began to compare themselves to each other.   Who is the most beautiful?   Who has the prettiest skin?  Who has the prettiest clothes and jewelry?  and so on.   Now come on, let’s get real, it still goes on with women today!

This has caused me to examine my heart and my actions:    We as women compare ourselves to each other.    Our looks, our possessions, our jobs, our clothes, our jewelry , and the list goes on.       Okay, so we already know this, let’s take it to a deeper  thinking level.     Comparison can causes jealousy, resentment toward someone, and other negative emotions that can cloud the truth of the God’s word. (our map for life)     Why do you think that, even as Christian women, that we withdraw from each other,  we let “pettiness” hold us back from our purpose.   We allow petty thoughts to keep us from true friendships that last.

Esther was a woman of true character.   She didn’t play these games with the other women.   She actually had good manners.   She treated the others with respect. She didn’t put herself above them.   Her character is what brought her favor with Hegai and then the king.    “Gaining kindness is something she was doing, rather than something being done to her.”    She simply was kind to the others no matter how they acted.  "Not trying" to get to the top and be the "most popular" is the very thing that gained her favor.

This week I am checking my heart:   Do I have any bitterness or unforgivingness toward anyone?   Am I holding some petty thought in my heart towards someone, that is causing me to hold back?   Are my eyes on myself so much that I don’t see others? 

Lord change ME!   

Ruth

I Cor. 13

   

 God has to place his children and scatter us all over the world, in all areas, so we can make a difference.    ( rich, poor, middle class, home, work, “good side of town”, “bad side of town” etc. ) God has placed you where he needs you.   

It's been a long time, but (Tuesday Top Ten)

Well, hello there.  It's been ages since I did a Tues top ten, but I just had to do one today in honor of..... Jessica Morrison.  We had a tearful sending off on Sunday- we are going to miss you so much, Jessica- but I know God is going to continue to do great things for and through her.  Liz and I were talking about our Houston trip when we went to see Joyce Meyer and how far we have all come since that memorable time we had together.  

Ten Things I love and will miss about Jessica Morrison:

1. Never have I met someone who only liked to eat like three things.  I think I will think of you every time we plan food for functions...
2. The huge Jessica Morrison smile.  You know the one.
3. Thinking that she's so much better than me at Catch Phrase (that's cute, really)
4. Although we will still have enough attitude to fill the room, I will definitely miss the sassiness.
5. Love how you took your little troop under your wing and discipled them by providing such a great example.
6. Even though you have walked through your share of "stuff" in the time we've walked with you, you have remained positive and have not doubted God or His goodness (even if you had your struggles with it, you remained strong).
7. Your faithfulness to our life group and consistency (except of course that you're leaving...)
8. Seeing you serving so faithfully in our church (ain't nobody pass that bucket like you, girl!)
9. You know you will think about us every time you ever happen to be in a Taco Cabana again (and I you :) )
10. Probably one of the things I will miss the most....  your laugh.  It's contagious, it's big, and it's fabulous.

Jessica, it's been such an honor and privlige doing life with you over the past couple of years and to see the amazing and strong woman of God you've become and continue to become.  We will always be here you, even though the miles separate us.  And finally, in your honor....

click on the link for some magic (and for the record, I tried to find that amazing music video with the dancing, but it's been removed... this is the closest I could find)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M5RBc069V0

Live and see!

Wow!  After just 2 days of our homework, I can tell this is going to be challenging.   Yesterday, when I read the part in our study about "wait and see" or "live and see",   It hit me hard.   I love that statement!! How many times do we say, "well, I am just going to "wait and see" what happens.  We sit and wait, but nothing changes!

This morning, I read Proverbs 2:

1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity.

These verses don't sound like someone who has a "wait and see" attitude.   It is a "if" you do this, "then"!   I don't want to sit and wait.   I want to walk out my faith.   I will inevitably make some mistakes along the way, will have to refocus, but if I am moving forward, progress is made.  I have a part to play!   

God everyday, help me to Live and See! 

Ruth

My day ( and 1/2) of temporary insanity

 

Tuesday afternoon the “stinkin thinkin” started and escalated as time went on through Wednesday.   I knew better, but never the less, I couldn’t seem to shake it.   Life’s pressure was strong, and the lies began to penetrate my mind.   But wait!   I am the strong one.  I am the one that usually helps others through their struggle!    I lost my mother when I was 13, I have always been independent!    I can handle things just fine!

(Isn’t another word for this thinking........Pride?)  Oops!   Repent time!

In my weakness, He is strong!   I believe God’s strength not only comes through Him, but through others.   Spiritual family is essential!!   I refuse to let “pettiness” break the bond of my spiritual family.   Because of them, my insanity was only a day (and 1/2).   The key word is “temporary”.    My friends and my wonderful husband spoke the truth, and the truth will set me free.   (Isn’t that a verse in the bible?) HA! 

Now, back to kingdom business!   

Blog from Robbye

  i was talking to someone yesterday at school and said though many things are on my plate, there is nothing to worry or fret over.....God allowed all of this to be on my plate at one time!!!!  (about 6 major things at the moment)
I got to thinking about psalm 23 in v. 5 how He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows - i am seeing my full plate of troubles in front of me for all to see, especially the devil, and i will choose to walk this out victoriously becase my cup overflows with all His promises - which as i walk goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all of my days and my dwelling place will be with Him.  what does that look like - at the 1st of the scripture it begins by saying (v.1) because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!  in another translation (V.5) reads that You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies - i am seeing "delicious" as His promises to be able to walk thru these trials - because the choice is made to walk thru all these messes - I can do it because of His promisese and He helps me do what honors Him the most.  what do you believe today - is your plate full of delicious promises - each one covering everything you are going thru - it's like each mess is on your plate and God covers each one with a special sacue ( his promises for each mess) which makes it look delicious.........it is all in your prespective on things........is your plate full of troubles?  cover it with God's special sauce (His promises)........and taste and see that the Lord is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!  have an amazing day on purpose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  love, robbye

The Path of least resistance?

I wrote this last week and posted it on facebook, so some of you may have already read it, but thought I would post here this week since I was out of town and didn't write one.   Love you all!

Boy is it windy today!   I looked out the window this morning to see the trees whipping and swaying back and forth.   The thought popped into my mind,  “this is not going to be an easy walk this morning.”    I knew that there would be moments that I would have a battle with the strong wind.    When my route took me straight south, that strong wind blew right at my face.   I had to struggle and push through, knowing that at the end of the street, I would turn around and go north.   Going north with the wind behind my back, was so easy;  the wind actually pushed me.    One would think, that going the north direction would be the most desired, because it was the easiest.   The strange thing is that I experienced the exact opposite.   Even though the south direction had the most resistance, I found that I felt a greater fulfillment going south, knowing that I had pushed through and accomplished something.   

So this got me thinking.................

Most of the time, when God drops a vision in my heart of something He wants me to accomplish, the resistance starts in my mind.   “I am not good enough”,  “Surely , there is someone more talented than I”,  Someone else could do a better job”.  and so on.

And I am right,  I am not good enough, but God wants that to motivate me and not make me turn back.   God IS good enough and He WILL give me what it takes to fulfill the vision He has given.  If I thought that I was “good enough”, then I would not have to totally depend on God.  He wants me to depend on Him, then push through the resistance.   

Least resistance is an option , avoiding difficulty or unpleasantness; the easiest course of action, but..... is the path of least resistance the one that brings fulfillment?  

Resistance means to fight, stand, struggle.   I can be struggling with something, but still stand and fight.    If I do fight, at the end of the struggle, I have built up strength.    Not that of myself, but knowing that each time God asks me to do something, He will give me what it takes.

I have chosen the “path of least resistance” several times during my 44 years of life.   Looking back, there was not much joy in those times!     I am thankful to have my “fight back” and my joy!

Check, check, check it out!

Hey there, guys. I apologize for my absence on this blog. I said we would be posting here more when we didn't meet, and then I haven't been faithful to do it! Thank God for Ruth and others who have been sharing their great wisdom as well. She has better things to say than me anyway :)

Sooo, I want everyone to get really psyched about our new study... check out this trailer video so you can build your excitement and expectation!! I'll be back soon to share more! Love ya.

What do you expect?

I have had this blog in the making for a few weeks, but had a hard time finishing it.   Expectations are such a touchy subject.  We need to have some expectations, but unmet expectations can destroy relationships.   Where is the balance?

So it got me thinking..............  

Why do we get disappointed in people?

Why do we often run instead of stick things out?

Why do we get disappointed when “some person” can’t fix us? (our problems)

When our heart hurts because of unmet expectations that we have placed on someone, we desire our “hurt heart” to heal ASAP!  No one likes to hurt.     Then, we can begin to live out of that hurt.   We pursue harder and harder “expecting”  someone will help us.    When that doesn’t happen, we are disappointed in that person, begin to pursue another, and/or run!   The cycle can be unending.

So what is the alternative?      Seek God above all else, give Him your hurt (no really, give it to Him and don’t take it back), and give Him time to heal the wound.   In the mean time, keep walking in love and service to others.  Don’t put expectations on others that will only lead to disappointment.   God never meant for someone other then Himself to “fix us”.  He is a jealous God. He wants all of us, depending on Him!

There is only one that will always meet our expectations as long as they line up with His word.   God.

I expect Him to walk through my hurt with me, because He said He would.    I must seek Him before “a person” and give Him TIME to heal me.   In our impatience , we seek out people to fix us, only to be disappointed, because God wants us to come to Him.   

Don’t hear what I am NOT saying.  We need each other!   We need to encourage each other as we walk out life.    God asks us to love each other, not fix each other; Not be disappointed because our expectations of each other are not met.   

When you look at others, see what God values in them, not the things that need to be fixed.   That is God’s job!   Give him time to work, while we have grace!

Our job:   Seek God always, at all times!  (good and hard times)   When we hurt, take some extra time,  run to him, sit in a quiet place, spend time with Him and in His word.  Put your Ipod in your ear filled with praise.    Give your wound time to heal, knowing that God is doing the complete healing.    Then continue to walk in love with people as the healing takes place.

As we all know.........It’s a choice!!

 

Love me please........

Love me please.............

We all want to be loved!  Some will try everything and anything to be loved.   Some crave love from a certain person (a spouse, friend etc.)  so badly , they try to force it to happen.   If it doesn’t happen , then they are hurt.  The more that person tries , out of that hurt,  the more unlovable they become.

What makes us loveable?   

So this got me thinking.......................  Which again, brought me back to I Cor. 13. 

I know, I know, this chapter again!   But please........ Think about it!   When we truly get this  , off the pages into our hearts, can you imagine what God could do with the body of Christ!?

God knew that love had to be the most important thing.  That’s why He said it!  He knew that our personalities would clash, and could potentially destroy.

As we learned through this study;  God has made all of us unique, with our own personality,  perfectly crafted for what He needs. Psalms 139

I believe that walking in the I Cor. 13 kind of love, is exactly what makes us loveable.

Then why is this so hard?    That is the very question I am seeking God about.

Because when we GET this,   nothing can break the unity of the body.

The only thing I know for sure, is what I Cor. 13 says:     So here....... read it again and place your name in the blanks:

_______ is patient and kind: _______does not envy or boast:  _______ is not arrogant or rude: _______ does not insist on its own way: _______ is not irritable or resentful:

______ does not rejoice at wrongdoing: _______ rejoices with the truth:  ______ bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Really!   Meditate on this.......... I am!  I must!

Ruth