Seeing Jesus, Seeing the Father

It is only two days into ‘Reading the New Testament in 40 days’, and I cannot get enough!  Last summer, going through the whole bible in 40 days was an outrageously fast pace read through.  I didn’t have time to stop and savor.  That is why, in part, I chose to do only the NT.  But, I still want to stop and savor.  I am trying to journal little things that speak to me here and there, but there are so many neat things!

I have determined to try and really get a picture of the Father’s heart.  I know that Jesus was the exact representation of the Father, so as I study Jesus, I see the Father.

One thing I notice so far is that healing is the Father’s heart for His children.  Jesus healed ALL who were brought to Him.  How many?  All!  I don’t understand why ‘all’ are not always healed, but I do know His heart is to heal!  Go back and look at how many times Jesus healed and delivered in these first two days worth of readings.

There is so much more that I am loving and being convicted of.  Matthew 8:13 and 9:29 . . . As thou hast believed, so be it done unto you . . . according to your faith be it unto you!  Oh.my.goodness!  That can be tough to swallow.  What kinds of things am I believing??  Are they all the truth?  Just an example of the ridiculous wrong thoughts in the last 24 hours?

This is so hard, I feel so lost.  Why bother to figure out our school, never goes how I think it should anyway.  What is the point?  This child will never change.  Today is going to be just as bad as yesterday!  I don’t even know what to do and God is not telling me.

Pathetic?  And I wonder why I am having a bad day?!  These verses shaped me up a bit.

I also loved Matthew 6:7-13 about the Lord’s Prayer.  Having grown up Catholic before coming to a saving knowledge of Christ, I am very familiar with this prayer.  It took on new meaning as I read the verse preceding it,

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

I love, love, love, knowing that my Father already knows what I need before I even ask.  I felt like He showed me that I get all worked up and almost fret over what I think I need, but He, being a good Father knows exactly what I need!  And then, reading the Lord’s Prayer with that in mind, it just popped how much of it is about HIM! and not me.  {insert sheepish grin}

Oh, to be at that place (and stay there) where I so know and trust He knows what I need and to just focus on HIM and HIS will.  (not me and my will!)

There is so much more that I won’t prattle on about.  How about you, what treasures are you finding?

Open our eyes to behold wonderful things out of your Word, O Lord!

There Is Still Time! Join In!

Today officially starts our “Read Through the New Testament in 40 Days”.  It only takes about 30 minutes a day.  What an awesome way to close out the summer.  Can you think of anything more worthy to spend that 30 minutes on?

Who here could stand to have their eyes opened to behold wonderful things out of His law?  I know I could stand to be wiser than all my enemies!  Need understanding?  Peace?  Would you like to be “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”?  Look no further, jump into His word!

Let’s spend the next six weeks getting to know Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  (Psalm 119:18)

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.  (Psalm 119:89)

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.  (Psalm 119:98)

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:103-105)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. (Psalm 119:130-131)

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. (Psalm 119:140)

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Here is the schedule, all you need to do is print it up!

The New Testament In 40 Days

Day 1: Matthew 1-7

Day2: Matthew 8-12

Day 3: Matthew 13-18

Day 4: Matthew 19-24

Day 5: Matthew 25-28

Day6: Mark 1-6

Day7: Mark 7-11

Day 8: Mark 12-16

Day 9: Luke 1-4

Day 10: Luke 5-9

Day 11: Luke 10-13

Day 12: Luke 14-19

Day 1 3: Luke 20-24

Day 1 4: John 1 -5

Day 15: John 6-9

Day 16: John 10-14

Day 17: John 15-19

Day 18: John 20-Acts 4

Day 19: Acts 5-9

Day20: Acts 10-15

Day 21: Acts 16-20

Day 22: Acts 21-26

Day 23: Acts 27-Romans 4

Day 24: Romans 5-10

Day 25: Romans 11-1 Corinthians 1

Day 26: 1 Corinthians 2-9

Day 27: 1Corinthians 10-15

Day 28: 2 Corinthians 16-2 Corinthians 9

Day 29: 2 Corinthians 10-Galatians 4

Day 30: Galatians 5-Philippians 1

Day 31: Philippians 2- 1Thessalonians 2

Day 32: 1 Thessalonians 3-1 Timothy 5

Day 33: 1 Timothy 6-Hebrews 1

Day 34: Hebrews 2-10

Day 35: Hebrews 11 -James 5

Day 36: 1 Peter-1 John 1

Day 37: 1 John 2-Jude

Day 38: Revelation 1-7

Day 39: Revelation 8-15

Day 40: Revelation 16-22

I Guess I Just Need Reminders!

In the kitchen . . .

In the living room . . .

In the bathroom . . .

And around my neck . . .

You can read here for a reminder of why these three words are so important to me right now.

It is O Taaaayyyy! (okay)

Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.  (Psalm 116:7)

I love that verse!  Return to your rest my soul.  He really, really has dealt bountifully with us, hasn’t He?  It is so easy to be overwhelmed, ungrateful and down right grumbly.  Life just comes at you hard sometimes, right?  Even in the ‘easier’ times, when things are really going okay.  Even then we can be all frazzled and and grumbly. 

Take a deep breath.  Tell your soul, ‘return to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.’

I have been talking to myself a lot lately.  Stop laughing, I mean in a good way.  Speaking truth, the Word to my soul.  One thing our little grandson says is, “It’s O Taaaayyyyy”  It is adorable.  So lately I have been telling myself, “self, it is O Taaaaayyyy”  No need to fret.  No need to hurry.  No need to get all riled up.  Everything is O TAY!

Brian reading the Word to his youngest, Elijah and his first grandson, Levi.

Mama and Elijah

They really do love each other, contrary to popular belief on some days.

If you heard this little guy say, “it’s O Tay”, trust me, you would believe him!

I am going to spend the WHOLE day with my Father tomorrow.  Alone.  All alone.  No computer. (pray for me ) I am so looking forward to it.  Just to be,  just to rest in Him. No agenda, no schedules to rework, no charts to work on, no ‘doing’, but resting, just being!  Woo Hoo!

Signing off for the weekend . . . to Relentlessly Pursue my Father.  ( I guess that is an agenda, isn’t it?  Well, you know what I mean )

Accountability Time, Ladies!

Being the first of the month I thought it would be helpful to check in with everyone to see how you all are doing with your vision, goals, words, resolutions, ect. for the new year.

What is working and what is not? What could you change to get back on track if you are off track?

I am thrilled with how things are playing out this year in regard to my ‘word’ for the year. Relentlessly Pursuit. If you remember, this year was a year to get back to basics. To relentlessly pursue the ‘basics’ that really should be in place before I attempt to do other things. The Lord gave me great goals in several areas. I have had some struggles, but quickly get back on track. In the past, I would have given up the whole year, by the middle of February. I seem to be diligent for about six weeks at a time and then it all hits the fan!

My categories were, Spiritual Essentials, Wifely Essentials, Motherly Essentials, Keeper of the Home Essentials, Physical Essentials.

Things that have worked for me in the Spiritual Essential category are as follows.

• Relentlessly pursue a consistent prayer time (in addition to my regular quiet time)

Every afternoon right after lunch I take my little one, Elijah (age 3) in my room and set him up with something to play quietly with. The other children are to fold all the laundry and listen to Bible Experience or Victoria read aloud. I have about 30-45 minutes of quiet prayer and reading the Word. I have never been consistent with my prayer time and having a prayer journal has helped immensely! I will share that in the future.

• Relentlessly pursue fasting 1-2 times a week

I have just made this an automatic. I don’t consult my flesh or my mind anymore, it just happens every Wednesday whether I feel like it or not! Another day is added if the Lord leads.

• Relentlessly pursue thankfulness

• Relentlessly pursue JOY (daily)

These two have been addressed as I diligently work on my gratitude journal. I have a list in my planner that is with me all day and I simple fill in ‘graces’ as they happen. I do go in spurts, some days I get too busy, but the next day I get right back at it. I really do believe you make time for what is important.

• Relentlessly pursue scripture memory

This has been so exciting to me. I have never been very good at memory work, but I am committed! I have all of Ephesians 1 and 2 memorized! Of course, I started in November, but I don’t care if it takes me the whole year, I am relentlessly pursuing scripture memory. I have been brought to tears with this one. It really is hard for me, but it causes me to cry out to Him and ask His help, and He does! Brian and the children have heard Ephesians 1 and 2 a bazillion times, but they don’t mind.

• Relentlessly pursue a quiet and gentle voice

Okay, so I am still working really, really hard on this one. Much failure, but for me, there has also been much victory. These are life long habits and generations of harshness to overcome. I am very hopeful. One dear woman said one time, “you don’t have to live out the desolations of your past.” This sticks with me as I struggle to overcome this one. God is so faithful to give grace and to gently remind me.

Please, do tell how you are doing!! Are you on track or do you need to get back on track? Do you struggle with any of the areas above that are my focus for the year? What works for you? I hope to post about my other categories coming up here.

Word of the Year Check-up

It has been a little over a month now since some of us received ‘words’ from the Lord or made some goals and/or resolutions.  I wanted to put out a little reminder and see how everyone was doing.

If you totally forgot or have really dropped the ball, there is still time, still hope!  Don’t give up!!

I have done a few things  to really keep the vision before me.  The first thing I did was type up the ‘vision’ I believe the Lord set before me for the year. (Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Hab. 2:2)

I have printed multiple copies.  I keep one in my planner and my quiet time journal.  These two things are ‘constants’ in my life, so it is ever before me.  Put them wherever you will see it every day.

Another thing I do is sign each and every email or blog comment with, Relentlessly Pursuing, so as to constantly remind myself that this is indeed what my focus is this year.  Relentlessly Pursuing.  I wonder if others will get sick of seeing it, but I need to do things like this to keep it in my face.

I have to say that this year, by far, has been the most successful at keeping my focus.  Granted, it is only February 5, so time will tell.  I believe this is the year, though.  I have great hope and ever increasing faith that God is behind all this focus and He is more than supplying the grace to live it.

How are you doing??  Share your struggles or successes.

Believe!!

“Believe, I am restoring and rebuilding! When things get turned upside down, only BELIEVE. It is part of the process—part of the rebuilding. Believe in My Word. Do not stop seeking Me. Stand fast and BELIEVE!

Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. (Isaiah 43:10)

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (2 Chron. 20:20)

Relentlessly Pursuing . . .Believing

Putting “Feet” to My Words

After all the fun I had coming up with a ‘words’ for the new year, I am having just as much fun putting “feet” to my words.

For words that had to have ‘teeth’, don’t you think they need feet too? (beyond, silly, right? told you I was having fun)

My poor family, first they had to suffer long with me as I chased them down to come up with their own ‘word’, but now they have me asking them if they have ‘put feet’ to their words yet. Good thing they love me and I make amazing sourdough bread! Right?

What do I mean by feet? There needs to be some sort of plan to carry out my hopes for the new year.

Relentlessly pursue . . . prayer

Putting feet to it:

I purpose to put prayer time in my schedule. I absolutely assign a time of the day, and by His grace seek to keep that appointment as if it were eating or brushing my teeth.

Relentlessly pursue . . . scripture memory

Putting feet to it:

I include the children in on this during our devotion time, it adds accountability. I have copies of the scripture I am memorizing all over the house. I carry my ‘memory booklet’ with me where ever I go. I make sure to practice when I eat, or sit for quiet time, or when I rest, or as I am passing the fridge or washing dishes. If I am not intentional about doing this it will not happen. I know, I have tried haphazardly for years!

These are just a few examples. It does little good to say, “I will exercise more this year”, but then have no plan to make it happen.

So, how are you ‘putting feet’ to your Year of . . . ?

This is part of Ann’s “Walk With Him Wednesdays”

He Will Do Wonders Among You

Last week as I was seeking the Lord for this new year I felt led to read Joshua 3 and then Joshua 1. I believe there was much encouragement for me in the first several verses of each chapter. As I meditated on them all week it became clear to me that they were my ‘verses’ for my Year of Relentless Pursuit. I will share with you how I turned them into a ‘prayer/meditation’ that encourages me as I walk the days out. The Lord went on to give me verses for each are of my focus this year, I will share those in future posts, Lord willing. Below are the highlights and how they spoke to me.

And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5)

“Wonders” H6381 miraculous, cause wonderful things to happen. It is not merely the unusual act or degree of astonishment, but the clear cut exhibition of God’s capable care of Israel.

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you . . . (your enemies) (Joshua 3:10)

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the LORD of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. (Joshua 3:13)

Prayer/Meditation:

Thank You, Father, that as I sanctify myself, set myself apart for You, You will work wonders among us. I praise You that each day will be a ‘clear cut exhibition of Your capable care of us.

I know that the Living God is among me and He, without fail, will drive out my enemies.

I need only step ‘into the Jordan’ and the waters will be cut off. It is by faith that I step into each day.

“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Drumroll Please! New WORD for 2011!

Relentless Pursuit

The Year of Relentless Pursuit!

Okay, it is two words. Come on, did you really think I could do just ‘one’ word? You can read the last post if you wonder what in the world I am talking about.

I LOVE it! 2011 begins the relentless pursuit to redeem and reclaim each of the essential or foundational areas of my life. Relentless pursuit of the essentials!

My essentials?

Spiritual Essentials:

• Relentlessly pursue a consistent prayer time (in addition to my regular quiet time)
• Relentlessly pursue fasting 1-2 times a week
• Relentlessly pursue thankfulness
• Relentlessly pursue JOY (daily)
• Relentlessly pursue scripture memory
• Relentlessly pursue a quiet and gentle voice

Wifely Essentials:

• Relentlessly pursue ways to bless and honor Brian
• Relentlessly pursue submission
• Relentlessly pursue serving him
• Relentlessly pursue intimacy

Motherly Essentials:

• be PRESENT in each moment
• be fun, laugh, smile, play
• be gentle (reflect the Father’s love)
• be physical (hug and touch often)
• be consistent

Keeper of the Home Essentials:

• be disciplined with school
• persistent with schedule
• inspect, inspect and inspect
• hold children accountable
• keep my heart at home
• restore structure to our day

Physical Essentials:

• early to bed, early to rise
• back to more nutritious eating
• gently ease into exercising (not obsessing)

As you can see, these really are the basics, the essentials, that should be in place before we are running off playing or serving others. Having been sick for so long and delivered of so much junk, I am relearning who I am and how to do even the basics! If I don’t relentlessly pursue them I will follow the path of least resistance. I have learned over the years to not make this into some type of ‘works’ mentality. While these are the things I will relentlessly pursue, I will do so in His grace, with His leading and with His strength. (not going down ‘that’ road again)

Both Brian and I feel like this is the year to ‘get our home in order’. Perfectly? No, we know better but getting on top of life just a little bit. Like a dear lady recently said, “thriving instead of just surviving”

There you have it. Relentless Pursuit. Don’t you think it is perfect? Brian had suggested the word ‘persistence’ yesterday, and while it seemed nice enough, it was just to ‘steady’ for this radical woman. We laugh, now, as we see that ‘relentless’ is the word ‘persistence’ with teeth!

What about you? What is your word or words? Do you have hopes or dreams for the coming year? Please share!

May the God of hope fill you all joy and peace, in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.