"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 5)

I am two weeks late in posting about chapter 5 - but did not want to miss for those of you are following my updates on our classes and this wonderful book/study.



So... "What Keeps us from Saying Yes to God?"



First we discussed - When we choose a life of radical obedience - we can know that we will encounter "naysayers". The word of advice given was, "Never let others' compliments go to your head or their criticism go to your heart."

And a quote from Paul Bunyon, "If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me." These are two truths to remember as we seek to say "Yes" to God, and as we encounter those who will criticize and/or discourage.



Then comes the choice to worry or to worship...

(pg 90) "Worship replaces anxiety brought on by fear with an unexplained peace that can only come from focusing on God." Psalms 141:8 says it this way, "My eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord, in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death."



As we choose to worship - we will experience His Peace... Lysa worded it so well (pg 85)
"The world's way to peace would have me pull back to make life a little easier for me, my circumstances, and my family.
The problem with this is that we were not put here to be all about ourselves--we were put here to be all about God.
We are to die to our self-centeredness so we can have more of Christ in our hearts and minds. Jesus clearly tells us to focus on Him, His ways, and His example, and His peace will be with us."

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."



I will close with this from prayer of Saint Patrick (pg 92).



Let it be your prayer too.



Christ shield me this day:

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.



Oh.... that I may be so filled with Christ...that He is the overflow!

Radical Obedience - that is what we are talking about ...

Yes, God, Yes!

"PaPaw-isms"

My dad was never at a loss for words. When he did not know the correct word or could not think of a word - he would just make up his own... We began calling those words - "PaPaw-isms".



I will try to give a few examples...

---instead of Highway Patrol - he would say Highway Control.

instead of UFO's - he would say PQR's
(go figure that one - I guess he just knew it was three letters)
and as I re-read this before posting I also want to explain - not that he ever saw an UFO - just when he talked about it. Oh.... the more I try to explain -the worse it gets -LOL

---instead of "I am going to relax" - he would say "I am going to exlax". :)

---He had a hard time saying "Hal" for some reason... so he just call him - "hoot". (or Pope)



So,the cycle of life continues.

Our precious Aubrey (now 2 1/2) does the same thing. And I love it.

---I told her I was taking her to Pottery Barn..... later she wanted to go to "Barn Door". No hesitation - no thinking about it...
I guess in our home-Pottery Barn has a new name.

---When we go to Cracker Barrell - she really likes the hushpuppies. She will tell you - I want "puppie doggie".

And there are more - but I just can't think of them right now. (for both generations)

Maybe I will update some more later.

Those are the times that I miss my Dad so much. I would love to pick up the phone and call him to tell him the newest "Papaw-ism" that Aubrey has just said. It would have tickled him so much.

It has been seven years since Dad went to be with His Savior. Seven years since we heard some of his "-isms".

Until now...

Now, the grand-baby carries on the tradition. And I have a feeling like this is just the beginning.

To be continued...

A night with boomama and Trent Monk

Tonight was the night...

Went to Sophie's house.

Met with other Birmingham Bloggers.

Had wonderful entertainment by Trent Monk...

WOW - what a musician!

Sweet fellowship. (Gayle, Sophie, and Me)

Thank you Sophie - for opening your home and inviting us in. And for letting us sit and enjoy listening to Trent.

I told you when I walked in that you were a brave soul - but I change that... you are a precious soul!

And we are blessed by having spent some time with you in your home. That is what hospitality is all about.

Sweet Blessings to you!

The Body of Christ

So as a form of another update, I just have to share with you about our particular "Body of Christ". I have to share about seeing them function in the way the Body is designed to function.

My Godly husband (the pastor) called for our people to come together Wednesday night to pray for our very sick teenager girl and her sweet family. He asked those of us who teach other classes to dismiss early and come. He asked those who can only make it for choir practice to please come early. He asked for the body to gather together and PRAY. To intercede for a member of our family who is sick. Very sick.

And what a blessing to come down from my class to see such a crowd. Young and old alike with one purpose. We were petitioning our heavenly Father to be Jehovah Rapha and heal our sister in Christ. To touch her body.

What a sweet, sweet spirit. What precious prayers were offered. What a sacrifice of praise. This is how the body is supposed to function. I was overflowing (literally- out the eyes) just to be a part and a witness. Sweet ministry.

And then for the update...

Today, the doctors changed the diagnosis. It is not Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) - as we were told on Tuesday. She does have Vasculitis - but not the serious kind. PRAISE YOU JESUS. I believe with all of my heart that our Heavenly Father reached down from heaven and touched her body. He so graciously has already begun the healing work in her.

James 5:15 says, "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up."

Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Certainly, we ask that you keep praying for "K" and for her family and for her doctors. But we know who is the great Physician. We met with Him last night on her behalf. Praise You, Lord!

WFW # 9 Consider...

Consider the ravens:

they neither sow nor reap,

they have neither storehouse nor barn,

and yet God feeds them.

Of how much more value are you than the birds!

In these days of uncertainty in our world...

These are Words of truth for us to remember!

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

Update

Here is the update on the teen girl...

K has been diagnosed with Polyarteritis nodosa. Basically, it is an infection or inflammation of the small or medium arteries in the body that results in weakening and damage to the arteries involved. Often, clotting occurs in addition to the bleeding.

We should continue to pray for wisdom for the medical team and give praise to God for revealing the condition so quickly to the physicians. This quick diagnosis (although I am sure it has not been quick for the family) will allow appropriate treatment to begin immediately.

Thank you so much for your prayers... and please continue to pray... She has been moved out of ICU to the step-down unit. Hopefully, tomorrow will be in a room.

Still a very sick young lady and still a very serious condition.

Your concern, prayers and emails have blessed me and I will be passing them on to the family.

Urgent Prayer Request

Prayer Warriors needed...

A young teen girl from our church needs your prayers today. Seriously.

I will update when I can.

Thanks so much!

"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 4)

You Never Know How God Will Use You Until You Let Him

This week we studied chapter 4.

And once again I have a quote from Lysa to share with you:
(pg 70) "I am a woman on a journey of learning how to make sure my reactions don't deny Christ's presence in me. I am a woman who says yes to God not because my emotions and reactions are always perfect. No, I say yes to God because He is perfectly able to forgive me, love me, remind me, challenge me, and show me how to weather trials in ways that prove His Spirit resides in me. I remind myself often that people don't care to meet my Jesus until they meet the reality of Jesus in my life."

Anyone who has ever been in one of my classes for any length of time has heard me say that I really believe that the World is looking (longing) to see that Jesus makes a difference. A difference in our lives, in our homes, in our relationships, in our attitudes, in our dress, in our choices. "...the reality of Jesus in my life."

So, we say Yes. Not on our own strength... (Ps 84:5) Blessed are those whose strength is in YOU. We take HIS hand... and we choose to obey. Obey the whatever that HE is calling us to do. What is He speaking to you about? What is He compelling you to do? To obey?

So, we say Yes. No Matter What. Just like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego. We know our God is able to deliver... to save... to heal... to mend... to "whatever". BUT IF NOT, I will still serve Him, BUT IF NOT, I will still Praise Him. (Ps 84:4) Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing YOUR praise.

How will God use you? How will God use me?

OH, that the world around us may truly see the reality of Jesus in our lives....

as we say YES, GOD...

WFW # 8 Children's children

Read the T-Shirt...

And we have just recently found out that it is a boy...

"Children's children are a crown to the aged..."

Proverbs 17:6a

I need to go buy something blue :)

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

Survey # 1 ----- For Wives ----- RESULTS

Here are the results from my first survey.

What says "I love you" to you? Your top three needs...

69 % --Communication (Talk to me)
65 % --Acts of Service (Help me PLEASE!)
48 % --Physical Touch (Hold me)
43 % --Sincere Praise (Words of Affirmation)
35 % --Security
7 % --Gifts


4 % --Quality Time

I am not sure that the quality time is accurate since I forgot to add it to the list... and then had to ask you to respond by comment if that was one of your top three. Since many come and read, but do not comment - this may have been a higher percentage if I had originally added it to my list. (Sorry)

Regardless, I am a little surprised by a couple of these... and not so surprised by others.

With all of the counseling that we have done over the years - it is no surprise that Communication is on the top. So often that is the first thing the wife will say. She needs her husband to talk to her ... and then to LISTEN. Communication. So vital to a relationship.

Then look at this comment... "It is interesting how few are motivated by gifts - or they are just not being truthful. A tiny little (I was just thinking about you today) gift tells me so much." I personally knew this would not be the top one, but I am really surprised that it is so much lower than all of the others.

Another cute comment ... one who said that quality time was her top need... said, "acts of service is for the birds." LOL.

I must respond to that one - since this is very high on my list - It means sooooooooo much to me for my husband to help me. And he knows it. :)

Which leads me to the next thought - it is so very important that your husband knows. And that brings us back to the top on our list - COMMUNICATION. So tell him, wives. It will be good for you both. Plan a date and talk about your needs - both of you. (Then go see the movie)

Interesting stuff...

Thank you all for responding. I am adding these results to my notes for the Marriage/Parenting Seminar that we are preparing.

And I will have another survey posted soon... but just do not have it ready yet. Life really is too busy, isn't it?

Fireproof - the Movie

We went to see this movie this past weekend. We both highly recommend that you go see it. I am not one who buys very many dvd's but this one is on my list to purchase as soon as it comes out.

If you have already seen it too - leave a comment and let me know what you think about it.

Go to http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ for more information.

Oh, and by the way...I will be posting about the first poll results tomorrow. And I am working on the next poll. Thanks to all of you who responded.

Wedding Photos

I have had several to ask if I was ever going to post more pictures of the bride and groom. So, here are a few for today.

I also want to encourage you all to make your Friday - FAMILY FUN DAY. Plan something with the precious family that God has blessed you with. Hal and I are going on a date to the movie - "Fireproof".... :) Leave a comment and let us all know what your plans are...

Enjoy the beautiful pictures .... (taken by my Jen - at Reflections Photography)

"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 3)

When Obedience Becomes Radical

So, after teaching this chapter 3 times (remember we have a Sunday night class, a Wednesday Lunch time class, and a Wednesday Evening Class)... I just wanted to share a couple of things that jumped out to me. (and others in the classes)

First, this quote by Lysa (TerKeurst) on page 45, "We need not fear what obedience will cause to happen in our life. We should only fear what our disobedience will cause us to miss."

So, the question to me and to you....
What is the area in our lives that God wants radical obedience? What is keeping you/me/us from doing so? Fear? That was the common answer from my sweet ladies. (the other was lack of discipline - ouch!)

Secondly, look at this passage of scripture. Let it sink in. Read it. Digest it. Meditate on it...

Isaiah 41:13, "For I, the Lord your God hold your right hand. It is I who says to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

He calls us to RADICAL OBEDIENCE - but He... the I AM that I AM is the one who is holding our hand and helping us.

That is awesome.

I am basking in this for a while. Seriously.




P.S. - Make sure you participate in my poll for wives on the right side bar - if you have not already. Thanks-sweet friends :)

WFW # 7 Daughters

Here is the corresponding frame also given on Mother's day.

It hangs on the other side of the French Doors.

Scripture is below the picture.

"...and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. "

Ps 144:12 (NIV)

"Don't you see that children are God's best gift?

the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? "

Ps 127:3 (Message)

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)