2014 - SURRENDER

*Pretty flowers from my husband.  A great way to start a new year.

For most of my years, I have been a New Year's resolution FLOP.

Failing in what I wanted to do.
Losing my grip because I couldn't last past February for most resolutions.
Overlooking the good things I did do.
Praying for a better way to face a new year.

Then last year I learned about using one word to focus on for your New Year.  I was intrigued with changing my focus from ME and my laundry list of failings and needs to change to one word that I could use to focus on all of my year.  I chose the word REACH. 

With the word REACH in mind I worked with other volunteers at HopeFest in Phoenix helping provide for very basic needs for people in Arizona.  The event was held in Phoenix at Chase Field.  People received food, dental work, eye exams, medical exams, car seats, lunch (that was our main duty wrapping hot dogs and providing food for all the guests receiving service), clothing, counseling help, and so much more.  It was an amazing opportunity to see God at work through His people. 

I used the word REACH to look into my own life and see that I needed some healing.  I had a long history of pain on my shoulders.  Over seven years ago, I forgave so many for the things that happened in my life, but I never forgave...me.

I used the word REACH to hold my arms out to my Abba Father and ask Him to love me as His daughter.  Something I have always been afraid to do because of my own father issues.

REACH was there reminding me to share my heart with a good friend when I was going through a really tough time at work.

REACH is what I did when I decided to sign up for Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies so I could make a real change in my life and "Say Yes To God."

REACH kept me going through another study so I could gain "A Confident Heart."

REACH was my start my grasp toward something better.

Picking one word, changed my perspective on facing the new year.  Last year was good, but this year is going to be better.

My word for 2014 is SURRENDER.

To keep this quick, here is where I stand on that right now.

I am surrendering my will to His will.  I will make plans with God in mind.  I know that He has blessed me with gifts, but my own fears have kept me from remotely investing in them.  My doubts kept me constantly saying "I can't" rather than remembering that "He can" and above all "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). 

I surrender to waiting for God to bring all the things He wants me to do to me, and instead move towards what I believe He wants and accepting whatever happens when I make those first steps.

With surrender in mind I will give my thoughts to God.  I will not think  negative thoughts about myself.  I will think God thoughts for myself.  I will also ask the Lord to help me think good thoughts toward others and ask how I can best serve Him by loving them (Luke 6:27-28) "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

I will also surrender my weaknesses to Him.  Especially when it comes to food and exercise.  There was a time when I was fit.  I want to go back to those times.  Not because I want my outside to look good, but because through this I can better serve the Lord.  I want to be a shining example of what God can do.  A big part of this will be taking part of the next Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies "Made To Crave."

Because music has always been a big part of my life and because I work in Christian radio, I decided to find a song that I will make MY SONG to hold me to my focus this year. That song is "We Won't Be Shaken" by Building 429.  I believe part of my SURRENDER is going to be holding onto that reminder that no matter what, I will not be shaken.  

Here's the second verse which really moves me...well it all does really:

You know my every longing
You've heard my every prayer
You've held me in my weakness
Cause You are always there
So I'll stand in full surrender
It's Your way and not my own
My mind is set on nothing less
Than You and You alone
I will not be moved oh 



 

2014 - Breaking Down My Goals - Time With God

*Remembering a MOST lovely view in Carmel from our 2nd honeymoon.



So for 2014, I really want to make a stronger effort in my relationship with the Lord.  I know that I need time with Him.  I see the results when I am kind of floating about on my own.  It can start off okay, but then a storm of some sort hits and BLAMMO!!!!!  I'm knocked on my tushy.  

The thing is I know that spending time with God isn't going to keep the storms away.  They will still come, but I will see them for what they really are...TEMPORARY.  I will also see myself for who I am...A LOVED CHILD OF GOD.  

Now...before I get with the planning, I do want to celebrate the victory I have had with my time with God.

This year I joined two online Bible studies with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  The first was with Lysa Terkeurst's book "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God."  It was so eye opening for me!  I really do feel that I received so much direction from God through that study.  I definitely drew closer to God, developed a stronger prayer life, and I learned new ways to study God's word via verse mapping (pretty awesome!!!!).  

I also joined the online Bible study with Proverbs 31 Ministries that used the book "A Confident Heart."  This was such a big one for me.  On the outside, I look like I have it all together.  On the inside...YIKES.  I really had a hard time with my place in His world.  I am still a work in progress here, but what a blessing this study was to me as well.  I learned so many things and the most important was with how I compare myself to others.  Renee shared how a friend told her that when we compare ourselves to someone else, we compare out insides to someone's outsides.  Talk about a losing battle!  This was my first time also being involved in the online study with special Facebook groups too.  What a great way to study!  It was nice getting a chance to open up to one another on an even deeper level.  

I was also getting up extra early in the morning to spend time with God in prayer and study.  That kind of slowed down, but I am going to recommit.  For now, I am going to get up 20 minutes early and stick with that and increase my way up to an hour early.  I love my sleep so this has been a challenge.  That is why I decided to go for 20 minutes.  It is a small start, but I am looking forward to making it.  :)

Do you spend time reading and studying the Bible?  Do you follow a routine?  What works for you?

PS --- I am starting another study soon.  The book for this one is "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.  I am really looking forward to it!

You're Beautiful

*I just love the beauty of the sky reflected in this building in Jerome, AZ. 


I have been working through the study "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" by Lysa TerKeurst through Proverbs 31 Ministries.  It is funny how when we try to draw closer to God and actively seek him, we begin to hit walls.  Bad things begin to happen.  We get emotional.  Troubles rear their ugly head AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.  Or is this just me.  The negative things that have been going on in my life and in my head are ridiculous. 

Sometimes I wonder what I am doing wrong.

Sometimes...many times...I just want to give up.

Today, I had one of those moments when every voice in my head was against me.  I prayed.  I focused on God.  I praised His name.  I also found this old (well not terribly old) song from MercyMe that gave me hope.  It is called "Beautiful" and it is from the album "The Generous Mr. Lovewell."  These lyrics pierced my heart with God's love and literally sent me scurrying into the bathroom to cry. I don't understand it actually, but when I have these moments of grasping God's love.  I just break.  Anyway, if you've ever had those days...maybe these lyrics can touch you too.

"Days will come when you don't have the strength

And all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful

Praying that you'd have the heart to fight
'Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
They are nothing in the shadow of the cross"

Mind you this is not the entire song.  This is:

Starting A New Study!!!!!

My life has been pretty busy, but I am realizing that I am allowing it to be busy but not full.  What I need is to spend more time in the word and more time seeking God's will.  Well, in a plan to move towards that goal I have signed up for the upcoming online Bible study from Proverbs 31 Ministries "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways" by Lysa TerKeurst.  

I have always admired Lysa, and I simply feel like as much as I may be growing in my walk with God, I want to be more focused and I want to see what God wants me to do when I get out of the way (and boy do I know how to get in the way!).

Here is a little blurb about the study from the Proverbs 31 Ministries website:  

Current Study: What Happens When Women Say Yes to God

Through the P31 Online Bible Study, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, you will learn to:

• listen for His voice and discern what He is asking you
• see how wholehearted obedience honors His presence in your life
• give yourself to Him and let Him affect lives around you in amazing ways

The Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study offers real hope for real life. It’s flexible to meet any schedule. It’s the perfect Bible study for anyone who can’t attend a regular Bible study. Our group is focused on study, but we also have lots of fun. You will receive daily prayer and encouragement by being a part of this active community at Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I am definitely jazzed about this.  I have done several of these studies before on Melissa Taylor's blog.  They are not officially moving to the P31 site.  If any of these goals hit a spot in your heart, you might want to check it out...you can learn more at this link.  And since I am VERY serious about doing this and making REAL changes in my life (not to mention I want to remain accountable), I will be posting about my progress here.   Yep...it is transparency time!