Anything for Him

About a month ago I decided to check out www.lifeway.com on a whim.  I landed on the book page, and a book jumped out at me.  I felt like it was calling to me to read it right then!  I downloaded the Lifeway reader (which I don't recommend because of difficulty of use)  and checked out the sample, but it's easier to read on Kindle.

After I read the sample, I HAD to buy it so I could read the whole thing!  I felt like God wanted me to read that book!  Jennie Allen is a pastor's wife who was challenged when she and her husband went to supper with another couple.  Dinner conversation turned to Katie Davis from Brentwood, TN, a high school honors student, student body president, and prom queen.  Katie went home, went to bed, then took her laptop into the bathroom while her husband slept, and read Katie's website.  She was so moved by the website and Katie's story of going to Uganda after high school graduation instead of college that she and her husband began praying and telling God they would do ANYTHING that He wants them to do.  The book details Katie's evolution from the things that hold her back from anything, to praying for anything, to finally living anything for God.  It is a challenging, scary read.  Iamthisclose to praying anything, but that's not a prayer to go into lightly!

I was watching a clip about the book at www.jennieallen.com that pops up on youtube.  At the end of youtube videos, clips similar to what you've just viewed appear.  I opted to check out one where she was interviewed via Skype by other women also Skyping.  It was from the ladies at Good Morning Girls.  As I got to exploring, I noticed the "Studies" button at the top of the page.  One of the studies is Anything!  Yay!

The Anything Bible study is as challenging as the book because where Jenni just writes the verses in the book, the Bible study want you to write the verses in a prayer journal.  Writing the verses makes it even more personal!  I read the book first, then discovered the study.  I am excited to complete the study as I prepare to pray anything!  

Part of the study today highlighted Jenni when she said, "The very thought of doing anything requires everything.  We have to face our fears."  p 53 

I told ya, it's intense!  But sometimes tense is good.  

Let me know what you think, and check back soon because God is working something BIG and scary out in me now.  That's one reason I'm making doubly sure I'm ready for ANYTHING!

One of my fave new bloggers on guns and love

My little brother introduced me to Katie Kieffer a few months ago.  I don't drop in as much as I plan to in the future.  With all the gun debate and after watching Obama spout on about background checks like they're his cool, new idea, I decided to share Guns and Love.

I visited the issue of teachers and guns in Feb 2009 in an article for the Knoxville News Sentinel.  A local blogger had put a piece in the paper about teachers carrying in school and it really bugged me.  I wrote The Things Teachers Carry in response for my bimonthly column.  That was 3 years ago. 

A thing or two have changed, but I agree with Katie.  She is definitely worth a read!

Rising Waters

A week of rain, rain, and way more rain has given me a break from work.  I am currently reading a chapter of the Bible a day and reading a great blog by Pastor Dan Spencer that accompanies it.  It is really a blessing to me!  

Some of the first chapters we read were the story of Noah, his Ark, and his descendants.  I have gotten another, real life, reminder of Noah this week.  To say East Tennessee is receiving a lot of rain is an understatement.  The Weather Channel reports 1.87 inches of rain on Tuesday with a month to date total of 6.98 inches.  The average for January is 4.08.  

Back in the fall I was perusing a Lifeway catalog and noticed an interesting book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  I downloaded a sample on my Kindle that day and quickly decided to purchase it.  It was so worth the $7.50!  It feels like Jesus is talking to me each morning when I read it!  From January 15,

"You are surrounded by a sea of problems, but you are face to Face with me, your Peace.  As long as you focus on Me, you are safe.  If you gaze too long at the myriad problems around you, you will sink under the weight of your burdens.... Circumstances around you are undulating, and there are treacherous looking waves in the distance.  Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes... I am always beside you, helping you face today's waves.  The future is a phantom, seeking to spook you.  Laugh at the future!  Stay close to Me."

Philippians 4:7 NIV And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 14:30-31 NIV  Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me!  Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him."You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?"

Like Peter, that's when I get in trouble.  When I take my eyes of Jesus.  And like Jesus reached out His hand to Peter, He reaches out His hand to me.  Peter couldn't walk on water on his own.  I can't do all the things I try to do in my own power either.  

Jesus waits for me to call out to Him in prayer so I won't make the mistake of thinking I did it in my own power.  

Renewing my mind, step 1

One of the 13 things I want to do with 2013 is memorize Bible verses.  I have memorized some in the past, but I want to get back in the habit of reviewing them frequently.

Romans 12:2 is going to be at the top of my refresher list.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV

• The first thing Paul tells me here is to not be conformed to this world.

According to Merriam-Webster, to conform means:

1

: to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony —used with to or with <changes that conform with our plans>

2

a : to be obedient or compliant —usually used with to<conform to another's wishes>

b : to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs<the pressure to conform>

These are the things we let the world do to us.   Things I let the world do to me.

• Then Paul says that instead of being changed by the world and becoming identical to it, I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.

The best way for me to renew my mind is to read and memorize the Bible verses.  Being a writer, it also helps me to dissect the verses as I am doing here.

• Paul tells me I will be doing these things so I can prove the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God.  I won't be proving to God what His will is.  I will be proving to myself that what I am doing is His good, perfect will.  

A few years ago I used Beth Moore and Joyce Meyer's studies to launch Bible verse memorization.  I am going to delve into those books and let them guide me to delve into God's Word.  I'll let you know the verses I choose to start with beyond Romans 12:2.

My Favorite Bible Verses Pt 2

• One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV

I am reading Hope and Help for the Single Mother.  There are 21 Principles of a Healthy Single Mother.  I'm only on the 2nd principle, but I love this book!  Principle 1 is Hope.  The first two chapters talk about hope.  Jeremiah 29:11 is the theme verse for the second chapter.  I really like the way author Lori Little explains the difference between the words prosper, prosperity, and prosperous.  This is not talking about the health and wealth gospel some preach.  The word prosper means to flourish, bloom or be in your prime season.  I love her explanation of this!

I usually just leave it at verse 11, but Lori Little goes on to verses 12-14.

¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” NIV

Verse 11 told me that God has plans to flourish, bloom, and put me in my prime season.  Verse 12 says that I will pray to God and He will listen to me!  I will seek Him and find Him when I seek Him with all my heart.  God says He will be found by me and He will bring me back from captivity.  

My captivity isn't the same as that He was talking to Jeremiah about. It tends to be the worries of this world that holds me captive.  

So in these 4 verses I am assured that:
1.  God knows the plans He has for me.
2.  The plans are to prosper me, not harm me.
3.  He plans to give me hope and a future.
4.  I will go to Him and He will listen to me.  He isn't my genie in a bottle who will grant my wishes, but He will listen to me.  Sometimes just knowing someone is listening makes a girl feel better.  But that also means I have to seek Him
5.  I will find Him when I seek Him with all my heart.
6.  He will bring me back from captivity to sin and all the world's flashy distractions.

I had decided to just slow down on the blogging a little.  The Ultimate Blog Challenge sounded good when I happened upon it a few days ago, but 31 blogs in 31 days sounds a little ..... ambitious.  But then I remembered I posted My Favorite Bible Verses Part 1 yesterday and I didn't want to leave it at one.

I started this post with the intention of putting a few more verses here, but I've ended up writing as I feel led.  Normally I would journal this, but I feel led to post.  Posting allows me to write my thoughts out.  I think better when I write.  I am also going to hit post because doing so gives me a sense of being accountable.  

Until next time.....

My Favorite Bible Verses Pt 1

Psalm 23 NKJV

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

A few months ago I was going through a pseudo MS flare.  The fingers on my left hand had curled up and my whole arm was cramping from the shoulder down.  The usual fatigue was hitting with a vengeance.  I didn't know when my hand would be back to normal.  I didn't know when I would be able to go back to work.  I was pretty down in the dumps. 

Then one morning I received Psalm 23 in a text message from a young lady.  Psalm 23 isn't one of my go-to verses.  It's one of the verses I learned in Sunday School when I was little. But it was exactly what I needed that morning and exactly what I need everyday.  

I prefer it in King James' version, but I also like how the Message puts it.

^1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.

Tomorrow I'll share some of my other go-to verses.  What are your faves?

Pets and Peeves of Children's Programming

Mothering my daughter into toddlerhood has me getting into cartoons and Disney movies again.  Some are better and some are worse than they used to be.

My Pets (no pun intended)

1. The Wonder Pets!  

I LOVE the song.  It was my ringtone before I got my new phone.  These 3 came on Nick Jr. when Trixie was a baby.  We would watch this as I rocked her to sleep.  (Some would say this is bad mothering, but it worked for us.)  I think I like this one more than her.

     2.  Max and Ruby

           Ruby and Max

I love Max!  He is one sharp bunny.  Ruby is always underestimating him.  I have a big question though- Do they have parents?????  Ruby mothers Max, feeds him, helps him bathe.  Their Grandma drops in frequently, but do they have parents?????

  3.  Sofia the First

                                       
My daughter and I are both quite taken with Disney's newest princess.    This taps into the fairy tale from a couple different levels.  There's Sofia, the little girl who becomes a princess and Miranda, the single mother who marries the king.  Little girls get to become a princess and single mommies get the kings.  I love Cinderella's appearance and her regrets about her step sisters.  I really liked Miranda's first meeting with her step children and the way she acknowledged the reputation step mothers have and her plan to be different.  I can't wait for the series to begin!

My Peeves

1.  Olivia is kinda cute, but I find her to be a brat most of the time.  Complaining about her "little bothers."  She goes through a phase in an episode where she thinks everyone should be named Olivia.  I really don't want Trixie to turn into a self-centered brat like Olivia. 

2.  The new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Whatever happened to M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E???  And where did we get meeska mooska, Mickey Mouse????  And toodles?  I find the new Mickey to be highly annoying.

3.  Dora and Diego are getting on my nerves.  If you've seen 1, you've seen them all.  The same format gets old after a dozen episodes.  (Or even more with Amazon Prime.)  But I do see a benefit from the Spanish language and culture kids are exposed to.

That Which Disturbs Me 

1. Yo Gabba Gabba.  A grown man in a tight jump suit with a weird hat who plays with strange toys.  Strange toys that come to life.  I just really don't get this show.  At all.  I'm 30 years old and DJ Lance scares me.


What are your favorite shows for kids?  Do you find yourself getting more into shows than the little ones?  Are there any that freak you out?