It is so true….

Amen and amen.  Abundant blessings upon you and yours...

Living this life

Another "Take Time Tuesday" has arrived and Ephesians 4:17-32 are the verses I am meditating upon today.  I'm not going to say a lot; mostly share the verses and pray the Holy Spirit shares with each person what it is that He desires to share.  I, personally, feel these verses are a very timely and necessary message to us in the world today.

As Blaine and I continue our study, The Holy Spirit:  An Introduction by John Bevere MUCH is being revealed to us that we have not learned in our faith journey thus far.  We, personally, would like to recommend doing the study with another person or in a small group.  Not only purchase the workbook, but also get the DVD series or purchase the download video version.  This is the MOST POWERFUL teaching we have ever heard!  

Living as Children of Light

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:17-32 New Living Translation

…and the same verses from a different translation:  The Message ~

The Old Way Has to Go

And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.

But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Holy Spirit ~ thank you for your faithfulness in teaching us that we may continually grow in our knowledge of God's Word; understanding more about God the Father, Jesus and You!  Please help me be truly transformed to be more like God and to live the life that I am called to live. I don't want to stay as I am now for I know You have so much more for me.  I desire to fully live!  Thank you for walking and talking with me daily and being available to teach me continually.  I am so grateful.  In Jesus' name ~ Amen.

I am so thankful for each person that takes the time to stop by and read.  May our amazing Lord bless you and provide for your needs enabling all of us to also bless others.  

  

Discipline.

Tuesday has arrived once again.  Oh great, I thought.  I don't have anything "laid on my heart" to share this week.  Just ordinary life happening; tasks, trials and time… passing by.  For the first time ever, I was not aware that my birthday was next week.  It seems as though time has gotten fuzzy since we moved last September. So I told myself, "It's not like Take Time Tuesdays is a requirement, set in stone; that I have to post something every Tuesday.  It's not a job.  I'm not getting paid.  Guess I'll let it go this week."  And then, the Spirit interrupts my plans and shows me that I do have something to share…

Discipline.  

This word brings about a negative/defensive reaction in me.  My Dad was a strong disciplinarian and I feared him.  I am way passed judging my Dad or saying he was wrong. This is simply an observation.  It did affect me.  It did shape my life.  Others shaped my Dad's life.  It did cause a ripple effect in my life.  And because of how my father disciplined his children, I held the same image for God the Father.  Took me a really long time to learn that He is loving and gracious too.  Not having this revealed early to me and learning new skills, I was a crazy strict and "apologize after I got really mad" Mom.  Oh, how I love our children.  It still saddens my heart.  Grieves my heart.  Brings great sadness to me and tears fall...  Occasionally, I still am that person.  I cannot tell you how many times I have repented and sought God's forgiveness for not handling a situation properly (and being drawn into sin myself).  I am so humbled.  This is a major area for me that I deal with in feeling "unworthy" of good happening in my life. Thankfully, God's grace and Truth are continually teaching me and I am learning and growing even as our children are all adults now.  I am also learning how to forgive myself (but I digress, for this is not today's topic).  I pray God is able to bring healing and wholeness into their lives and healthy discipline to them when they raise their own children (if they have children).  I am not proud of my actions or their effects upon our children - but it is my reality and it is the background setting for today's post.  Discipline has always been a negative word to me.  Even typing it, I can feel my body cringe.

Definition according to the Oxford dictionary:

noun

• 1the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience:a lack of proper parental and school discipline
•  the controlled behavior resulting from discipline:he was able to maintain discipline among his men
•  activity or experience that provides mental or physical training:the tariqa offered spiritual disciplineKung fu is a discipline open to old and young
•  a system of rules of conduct:he doesn’t have to submit to normal disciplines

• 2a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education:sociology is a fairly new discipline

verb

[with object]

• train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience:many parents have been afraid to discipline their children
•  punish or rebuke (someone) formally for an offense:a member of the staff was to be disciplined by management
•  (discipline oneself to do something) train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way:every month discipline yourself to go through the file

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  

Hebrews 12:11

For years, this verse confirmed my strict discipline and it stated that discipline would cause pain. (Along with teachings from others.)  And, it was my experience too.  It is what it is.  Justified, right?  No.  As I have grown, matured and God peels away the layers of my own experience, I understand that the "discipline" in this verse refers to discipline done in love and in a way that has a positive influence.  Still a tough one for me to understand exactly what this looks like, as I have disciplined in love - but I think it gets messed up when 'fear' and 'anger' are also thrown in.  The biggest difference I see…  Does the discipline actually bear fruit in the person's life?

Ugh.  I doesn't seem I learn very quickly either. I failed once again.  Just this past weekend, I really blew it with our adult son that lives with us.  A situation occurred that I felt needed discipline, but I handled it completely wrong and ended up causing hurt and pain.  The "specifics" are not important, but instead of going to him in love, fear was also included.  This choice could lead to this choice, to this consequence, the world's affect upon your life, etc.  I could go on, but I won't.  That fact is, I just made the whole situation worse through my "discipline" choice.  I brought in too many other factors from outside the situation that snowballed into creating a hurtful mess.  Oh, that I could have a "do-over," but that isn't an option in real life.  Words are said.  Actions speak volumes.  Pain is inflicted.  Forgiveness is sought.  The wounds take time to heal.  Repentance.  Prayer.  Seeking God's help, once again, to heal and restore. 

From Proverbs 15, I am reminded, "a harsh word stirs up anger."  Now, this does not mean discipline wasn't needed.  But it is how we deliver our words, our attitude and in what frame of mind we are.  And, we all have choices to make in this life.  We cannot make choices for others.  God did not make choices for us, but gave us the ability to choose.  There are consequences that comes with our choices, but we were still given a choice. This is an endless subject to study...

Discipline - in a positive light - is difficult and we humans would rather not go through the "hard stuff" in life.  We often envy those who take bigs risks and receive big payoffs. There are those who decide to get in shape and train for a marathon mid-life… Those who come from horrific environments and do amazing things.   Overachievers. That is often our initial human response.  If it's not us, we're so jealous.  Why?  Because discipline is hard.  Really hard.  Even knowing the end result - "a harvest of righteousness and peace."  It's still hard.  We don't like pain.  We are not patient.  We want immediate reward.

I've only talked about discipline in "raising children" and behavior or choices that we feel needs to be changed.  But let's take a broader look at this verse...

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  

Hebrews 12:11

 (discipline oneself to do something) train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way

This part of the definition is the "positive" area that is my focus for the rest of this post.  While correction is important (and often necessary - and if you've read my posts this past year, you know God has been disciplining our lives for which we give Him continual thanksgiving), I am learning new disciplines in my life and I am able to experience discipline in a new way to help change my reaction to that word.  I need to work on myself and not others.  Focusing on what I need to change about me often creates a ripple affect upon others…., although this is not my objective in doing so.  God is working in me and in everyone else too.  I don't need to worry about others.  I do need to focus on establishing good discipline in my own life.

Here is what I'm/we're working on in bringing discipline to our lives:

• Morning devotion - Blaine and I have committed to getting up a little earlier each morning, so we can have coffee/tea together and read a devotion together and pray before he leaves for work. (I learned how to make his coffee for him too.) This also means we have to go to bed earlier… 3 days into it and it is a struggle each day.  We've been married for 28 years and this is our first real effort to make this happen.  Praying for perseverance.
• Walking the dog daily - there are days when I just don't feel like taking the dog for a walk.  If you have a dog, perhaps you understand this.  She could just go out into the backyard and potty, couldn't she?  She needs specific exercise just as I do.  She needs social connection.  Living creatures are funny like that; needing to connect with other living creatures...  And, a smaller property means she need to get out and walk.  Every day.
• After work walk with Blaine - we both need more exercise.  We find that in joining a gym, we fizzle out pretty quickly.  What could we do on a practical level to incorporate more exercise together?  Long term?  We could go for a walk once Blaine arrives home from work.  We've discovered it's more than just a walk too, we talk about our day, listen to each other - away from our house and all the demands that are there. Oh yes, no dog either.  Just the two of us.  It's been an unexpected gift in our life together.  And, it usually has me wearing my headlamp, because of winter darkness at an early hour, at least for now.  Dinner is a little later because of it, but so worth it!
• A heart of thanksgiving:  Day….. ~ a year long project for me that I am recording daily on my Facebook page.  It began with 30 Days of Thanksgiving in November, but I felt prompted by the Spirit to continue until next Thanksgiving.  I feel awkward about it some days, as I know I've had a bad or challenging day, but I'm only posting those things that I am thankful for and I don't want people to get the idea that life is totally "peachy."  It's not.  I am learning to be more thankful and it is changing me.  In a good way.  I've also heard from a couple people that it is really helping and blessing them.  That makes my heart happy.  God is good.  All the time.
• iPhone - Removed the Facebook app from my phone today.  I know I need to be a little less connected and more available to God.  Most days, I don't want to be so hooked into technology and yet, I find myself checking my fb, because it's easily accessible on my phone.
• Less tv, more life - we don't watch nearly as much television (or stream stuff on our computer) as some people, BUT it still dominates our life.  We desire more "real living" and less watching.  We've reduced the number of shows we record and we are on the verge of getting rid of cable service too (after the Super Bowl).    

I am terrible in learning new disciplines.  I try for a while and then return to my old ways.  This not only effects my own life, but I did not raise our children with good disciplines or practices in their lives either.  Like going to bed to get plenty of rest, regular exercise, eating healthy (we do eat healthy, but I tended to eat on-the-go while they grew up or skip meals).  We home educated our children and I allowed our schedule to be flexible instead of being disciplined to get things done in a set amount of time.  I was not the example I wanted to be for them.  Yes, they learned a lot and we did a lot of volunteer work in their formative years, but learning discipline in their lives was not one of the things I taught well (or at all).  Hindsight.  sigh. And while I cannot undo what was done, I can pray that the Holy Spirit will help them develop discipline in their lives even as He is helping me…  Remember, God's not done with any of us yet!  Thank you, Lord, for hope.  

Click on the photo to read a beautiful post, Refinished and Restored.

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read my thoughts regarding what I am learning along life's journey.  This isn't the last post about discipline.  Oh no, it's just the beginning. 

Father God, thank you for this day and for this time to reflect on discipline in my life.  Thank you for disciplining me and helping me to see where I fall short and need correction and how you desire to teach me and transform me by Your Spirit.  Please help me to receive discipline in grace and love and to discipline others in the same manner.  No, it's not pleasant and often painful, but it will bear much fruit in my life as I embrace it and allow it to change me to be more like You.  In Jesus' name ~ Amen.

Abundant blessings on your day, precious reader.  May our amazing Lord bless you to be a blessing to others.

*Update ~ since posting this earlier today, the son involved in last weekend's situation arrived home.  We had an amazing chat and apologized to one another again for all that occurred.  In walking in obedience to God's leading, sharing what I'm learning, His healing balm was applied to us both.  Rejoicing and giving thanks to God!  He is good.  All the time.

Joyful & Triumphant!

It's that time of year to reflect upon the past 12 months and look forward with eagerness and anticipation to the New Year ahead!  Traditionally, we also make those "so very difficult to keep" New Year's resolutions….  What resolutions are you making?

For me, I'm keeping it pretty simple this year ~

• Develop "a heart of thanksgiving."  Find things in each day to be thankful for, even if it's that I'm still breathing or made it through another day.  Posting this daily on my Facebook page.  I'm on day 61 today. Life changing. 
• Spending time daily in growing my faith.  I am a believer in Jesus Christ.  The more I learn in God's Word, the more challenges and trials I go through, the more time spent in prayer, the more God helps me learn and grow and let go, the more I love others as He has loved me - my faith grows. It's a wondrous and amazing gift daily.
• Perspective.  It changes everything.  Learning more about perspective every day.
• People.  Family and friends and neighbors and strangers.  Being available to God for He blesses me to be a blessing to others.  My Heavenly Father is in the people business.  (Re)committing my life to supporting the family business full time.
• Health and healing.  Daily exercise, better eating, herb learning. 
• Joy Bell Farm.  We have encountered some big obstacles, given away much and are not currently farming (on any level), but we are determined to follow our dreams and trust that God can and will provide.  His timing.  His plan.  We are not giving up!  Continuing farm education, as we wait.  And, helping others when I can.
• Joyful & Triumphant!  Living this out daily.  Definition:  feeling, expressing or causing great pleasure and happiness AND victorious; conquering.  Amen and amen.  

Over the past few days, God has been speaking into our spirits:

God Calling:  December 26:  Health and Wealth ~

Be not afraid, health and wealth are coming to you both.  My wealth which is sufficiency for your needs, and for My work you long to do.

Money, as some call wealth, to hoard, to display, you know is not for My disciples.

Journey through this world simply seeking the means to do My Will and work.  Never keep anything you are not using.  Remember all I give you will be Mine, only given to you to use.  Could you think of Me hoarding My Treasures?  You must never do it.  Rely on Me.

To store for the future is to fear and to doubt Me.  Check every doubt of Me at once.  Live in the Joy of My constant Presence.  Yield every moment to Me.  Perform every task, however humble, as at My gentle bidding, and for Me, for love of Me.  So live, so love, so  work.  

You are the Apostles of the Little Services.

God Calling:  December 27:  Glorious Work ~

I have stripped you of much, that it should be truly a life of well-being.  Build up stone by stone upon a firm foundation, and that Rock is your Master - that Rock is Christ.

A life of discipline and of joyous fulfillment is to be yours… Never lose sight of the glorious work to which you have been called.

Let no riches, no ease entice you from the path of miracle-working with Me upon which your feet are set.  Love and laugh.  Trust and pray.  Ride on now in a loving humility to victory.

God Calling:  December 29:  Work and Prayer ~

Work and prayer represent the two forces that will ensure your success.  Your work and My work.

For prayer, believing prayer, is based on the certainty that I Am working for you and with you and in you. 

Go forward gladly and unafraid, I Am with you.  With men your task may be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

God Calling:  December 31:  Jesus the Conqueror ~

Jesus.  That is the Name by which you conquer.  Jesus. Not as cringing suppliants but as those recognizing a friend, say My Name - Jesus.  "Thou shall call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."

And in that word "sins" read not only vice and degradation, but doubts, fears, tempers, despondencies, impatience, lack of Love in big and little things.  Jesus.  "He shall save His people from their sins."  The very uttering of the Name lifts the soul away from petty valley irritations to mountain heights.

"He shall save His people from their sins."  Saviour and Friend, Joy-bringer and Rescuer, Leader and Guide - Jesus.  Do you need delivering from cowardice, from adverse circumstances, from poverty, from failure, from weakness?

"There is none other Name….whereby you can be saved" - Jesus.  Say it often.  Claim the Power it brings.

So now dear friends and family, many thoughts run through my mind.  So much I desire to say, but I shall say nothing more…. for now.

My encouragement to you:  take time to reflect on the past year, the new year arriving and the words shared.  What does God desire to do in you?  Your life?  Through you?  May we all be:

Happy New Year and abundant blessings in 2014!

  

Take Time Tuesday ~ What kind of fast?

"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist.  You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.  Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?  Is it for bowing one's head like a reed and for spreading out sackcloth ashes as a bed?  Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord? Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of the wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?  Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  The you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.  And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.  Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell." Isaiah 58:4-12 

Perhaps, this passage, as stated in The Message will give you a clearer understanding...

“Well, here’s why:

“The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit.
    You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
    You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
    won’t get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
    and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
    a fast day that I, God, would like?

 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    to break the chains of injustice,
    get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
    free the oppressed,
    cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
    sharing your food with the hungry,
    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
    being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
    and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
    The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

“If you get rid of unfair practices,
    quit blaming victims,
    quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
    and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
    your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
    I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
    firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
    a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
    rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
    restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
    make the community livable again.

I have been meditating on this passage of scripture often for the past month and a half...  Praying and seeking God's direction and wisdom for action.

We are blessed to be a blessing to others.  

Am I available to God?

Are you?

My heart aches for the brokenness and oppression I see all around me.  The world needs hope, love, grace, compassion and to have people's basic needs met.  I can make a difference.  You can make a difference.  Together we can change the world.  And... with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

The time to start living Isaiah 58 was yesterday.  
The time to take action is now!

Take Time Tuesdays

Good morning to all... My computer is still overtaken by malware and not functional, but I decided to go ahead and borrow Blaine's computer to post the final chapter of Becoming a Woman of Simplicity. (Never realized how "comfortable" I had become with my own computer and it feels strange to use someone else's - even though it's my husband's!) It got me thinking - my life became simplified and complicated all in the same moment... And, while I'm mostly disconnected from my computer world, I'm still fully connected to the One who is my source of life.

Chapter Eleven ~ The Beauty of Simplicity

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. " 1 Peter 3:3-4

"When I purchased the home from Mrs. Crighton, my childhood teacher, she said, "I will sell you my house if you promise to do one thing every morning." "What's that?" I asked. "Stop whatever you're doing at ten o'clock." she told me. "Go sit on the front porch or backyard swing and just listen to the bird." Ingrid Trobisch

And so we begin looking at the final chapter of our study... I will likely work through this study again (in the near future) to remind myself of so much that God lovingly taught me through this study. In addition, the Lord opened my ears to hear another source of blessing and encouragement to empower me as a woman of God: Lisa Bevere - great resources and audio messages for all of us. She and her husband both share powerful messages... You can find her here!

The 1 Peter scripture verses above are special to me and how I hope and pray His beauty is reflected through my life in words, actions and personal physical beauty... And, the quote from Ingrid caused me to squeal with sheer delight! Oh, to be blessed with a home so lovely. It's a beautiful word picture for all of us. I often stop to watch the birds flit about the yard and neighborhood and quiet myself to hear their lovely songs...

Slow down... Such a difficult "action" to take in our busy, busy, hustle, hustle world. I've often been so guilty of it myself - running from place-to-place and hurrying children here and there. So much to do and NOT enough time in each day. We often think that don't we? Not enough time in the day! And yet, I'm reminded that God created day and night and said it was "GOOD". Therefore, I must be the one who has an issue that need to be dealt with... I love what Cynthia shared in the study, "Simplicity is about living as God intends. It is focusing on living simply and purely in devotion to Christ. When this is our goal, we begin slowly to cultivate an inner beauty - a beauty of spirit that is gentle: kind, gracious and thoughtful, and quiet: calm, peaceful and composed. This is the beauty that adorns a woman of simplicity."

This week's study discussed 4 specific areas:

• Gentleness
• Quietness
• Rest
• Contentment

Let's take a closer look and discover how much freedom God's Word brings to our lives when we abide in Him ~

"But, whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Isn't that a beautiful picture? For me, it gives renewed hope that I am being set free, that abiding in Christ brings freedom into my life and that I am continually being transformed. I am not stuck in one place, but always being made into His likeness - and that is exciting news!

I love, love, loved what Cynthia shared about "becoming" a woman of simplicity:

"We become thoughtful and loving because we have abandoned ourselves to Christ and have presented our bodies as living sacrifices." 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 talks about that kind of self-less love!





What a beautiful picture ~ especially when we see it lived out in people's lives. I am still being transformed and I hope one day to be a picture of these verses!

Cynthia shares about "allowing God to direct her day and being available to Him" ~ and this is a Rule of Life that I try to follow on a daily basis. While I have "my plans", I truly desire HIS PLANS to always take priority in my life. That doesn't happen every time, but it does happen often..

Cynthia shares: "We become gracious because we have accepted the graciousness that comes from God. We are no longer driven by the tyranny of the urgent and are free to serve according to His plan without the irritability that an overly busy schedule produces. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."

Wow. An amazing concept to grasp, isn't it?!

Cynthia also shares that "we can be truly quiet and peaceful ONLY when we trust God with all our hearts." I love Psalm 59:16-17 that she shared regarding this understanding...

"But I will sing of Your strength,
in the morning I will sing of Your love;
for You are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
O my Strength, I sing praise to You;
You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."

Isn't this absolutely beautiful? During the dark and deeply troubling times in my life, while I did not know these verses ~ this was the condition of my spirit ~ even though physically and mentally it seemed I would be overcome; my spirit praised God, knew He was my refuge and fortress and oh, how He loved me! His Word and songs praising Him kept me going...

Now, I am still learning. I am not calm and quiet in the midst of every challenge and difficulty that comes my way, but I continue to learn and my trust in the Lord grows with each trial I face.

Cynthia shared David's response to God, "My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek." Psalm 27:8

I really appreciated Cynthia's discussion on REST ~ a subject that I have struggled with for many years... I've never heard it shared as she did:

"Jesus confirmed that the Sabbath, a day of rest instituted by God, was made for us (see Mark 2:27). Christians now set aside the Lord's Day for worship, for our rest is not in a day, but in a Person. We are no longer bound by the Old Testament Law to keep the Sabbath, but nevertheless I think that as we observe the rhythm of God, we would be wise to rest one day a week. I do my best to schedule one day where I do not have to do anything. ...I think that this is God's way for us to manage stress - to stop and rest from our labor one day a week."

She shared that during this time she visits a friend, has extended time with God, no pressing appointments or obligations... Her explanation makes sense according to what I "see" the church living out, but I'm still seeking out God and what His definition of rest and Sabbath is for my life. I don't think we should just accept what others share, but all things must be measured against God's Word and how He defines our lives. She has given me food for thought. However, the bigger issue here is that God designed us for rest and not to work continually without a time to rest, be refreshed and rejuvenated.

Contentment is an area I have struggled with my entire life. I know what God's Word says, but I'm still not "there" yet...

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." Hebrews 13:5

This has been a MAJOR distraction in my life for as many years as I can remember. I grew up in a military family and we moved often. I said I wouldn't marry a military man, as I didn't want to move around constantly with my own family. Well, I didn't - but God's plan for my adult life has included moving often from place-to-place, although remaining in the same general geographic area (Puget Sound region near Seattle). All I ever really wanted was to find a house, settle down, live in the same place for a long time and to have our children grow up with long-time friends in their lives. This was not our reality. So, everywhere we've lived I've been frustrated with "where" God planted us for a time when what I really wanted was just out-of-reach. However, looking back, I do see how God has used our lives to touch others and He plan has blessed our family with many opportunities that would not have happened if we lived in one neighborhood for many years... In addition, money was always tight growing up and there are memories that I have of not being able to do or acquire something I really desired. I was determined that my children would not have to do the same thing. Pretty much any interest, supplies, materials, etc they needed - we supplied; even to the extent that we racked up quite a bit of credit card debt. I justified it all with the argument that it wasn't frivolous - but meaningful in supporting the gifts and talents in their lives. (It was challenging living on one income all of our family years...) And today, one child has a spending habit (getting whatever he wants), another had a similar habit (but has chosen a difficult road to walk now with little money) and the other is a "saver" and spends little (and the one who received the least growing up). I hold myself responsible for some of their actions, but I do see more clearly now and I'm still learning how to hold possessions and ideals lightly... And, living in discontent is troubling not only to yourself, but also to everyone in the family. I know He is able and one day I shall get there!

I was really touched with what Cynthia shared from Oswald Chamber: "Every now and again our Lord lets us see what we would be like it it were not for Himself; it is a justification of what He said - "without Me you can do nothing." She goes on to share ~ "That is why the bedrock of Christianity is personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus."

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18

"We simplify, not just to be less busy, even though we may be right to pursue that. Rather, we simplify to remove distractions from our pursuit of Christ. We prune activities from our lives, not only to get organized, but also that our devotion to Christ and service for His kingdom will be more fruitful. We simplify, not merely to save time, but to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing Christ. All the reasons we simplify should eventually lead us to Jesus Christ." Donald S. Whitney

The study has contained powerful and eye-opening lessons for my own life. I pray that it has helped you to desire more of Christ and a willingness to let go of things that keep you from being devoted to Him. I'm not "there" yet, but I see His transformational work happening in my own life. May each of us continually desire to "become a woman of simplicity" and be a light in this dark world so that many people will experience His love, Truth and grace through our lives!

A special thanks to Cynthia Heald and this great new study. I am thankful she made herself available to our precious Lord, so that I could learn and grow from all she shared!

Lord ~ may You continue to bless each of us that we are a blessing to others for Your glory. May Your love be shared through our lives that many would come to know You as we abide in You and live lives simply and purely devoted to You. You are so good. In Jesus' name ~ Amen