vacationing. (Beth B)

We just got back from a quick trip out east. We got to hang out with family, eat a lot of good things and see many interesting sites. These things are great but the best was spending time just relaxing! I find that I don't relax very often. I am always busy "accomplishing" some task. The funny thing is that the busier I am, the less I get done. Taking some downtime to rejuvenate my body and soul makes me more productive. Maybe it's just the process of decluttering my mind or getting enough sleep, but whatever it is, vacations are necessary for me. So whether it is a "Stay-cation" or a camping trip or a global vacation, go and enjoy! You deserve a rest! Don't forget to send pictures! We love to see the smiling faces!

handing over your guilt. (Beth P)

(My thoughts after Week 4 Day 2 - Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer)

How many of you instantly start feeling guilty when I talk about Jesus Christ, God’s Word, Christian ideas?

We all have things in our lives that bring us guilt.  But did you know that the only guilt that comes from God, comes from God’s desire to offer grace to cover that thing for which we feel so ashamed? He’s not here to throw stones. He’s here to offer hope, and love.  Now, KNOW that  He will call you on it; He will not let wrong things go unchecked, BUT His purpose is restoration and grace. Hand it over.  Hand over the guilt and let Him do with it what we cannot, remove it. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 

~1st Corinthians 13:4-5

THAT is the nature of our loving God. He wants to offer a solution for our guilt. He offers healing, cleansing, and rescue from all that hangs over us.

So don't cringe at the mention of Jesus Christ.  Hand over your guilt.  Seek Him. He will love you to the end of the earth! 

tapping into the Power! (Beth P)

WANNA KNOW SOMETHING AMAZING!?!?

When we make the choice to believe in Jesus Christ as our only means of Salvation from sin and hell, God sends the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts. 

Do you realize what that means?!?!

We have access to the very thoughts of God Almighty in our lives!

1 Cor. 2:10-12

“The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?…. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.”

Did you just read that?

re- read it. 

Let's TAP into that Power y'all! 

He is waiting to give us that guidance!

That is just amazing. 

We have the Holy Spirit who is able to give us direct access to the thoughts of God as they pertain to our personal lives! Amazing.

I will confess here, I am really good at assuming I know where He is taking me and rushing ahead.  Today He has shown me rather than rush ahead I just need to respond with patience AND with preparation! I can prepare for his leading but not rush into it! He has a script I just need to follow it not FIND it!

(Another post inspired by Priscilla Shirer - Discerning the Voice of God - I am a little obsessed with her, and inspired!)

. . .Stop Looking for Offense (Beth Burrow)

Before y'all tell me that it is poor English to use a double negative, just know, I couldn't think of a better way to put it. So I ask for your grace:)

Now back to the topic at hand: Looking for offense. Have you ever unintentionally offended someone? I'm not talking about saying something unkind and getting caught!!! Instead, have you tried to help someone or even compliment them and they end up being offended? Normally, I run to apologize and explain myself. I gush over them. (Probably because I have a serious gushing problem!) Eventually it is all resolved and everything is back to normal.

Well, I think I need to stop it. I apologize way too much. If I forgot to tell you that I like your haircut, it doesn't mean a thing!! I may like it, I may dislike it, or most likely, I didn't even notice it. If that offends you, I feel sorry for you but I am not sorry. Too often, we are just waiting for a way to be "wronged" or "dissed" or "slandered", because we get a lot of attention for being a victim. We can run and tell everyone about it and they will either: Tell us how awesome we are or tell us how horrible that person is, for treating you poorly. Either outcome stokes our ego but what is it really costing your soul? I can tell you. . . it is an expensive price to pay for a meaningless rush. If you are really being mistreated, change your circumstances. If, however, you are looking for things to be mad about, stop it. Trying giving out grace, I know you will find that it will be returned to you abundantly!

hearing. (Beth P)

Hearing the voice of God….. wow, doesn't it seem hard? 

This study from Priscilla Shirer (that the woman at my church have been doing) has shown me it is actually the OPPOSITE! It is actually pretty simple if we listen.  BUT we seem to try and make it so hard. 

Here are some thoughts from the study…

1. We can't depend on circumstance to determine what God is doing. 

2. Just because we feel comfortable doing something doesn't make it right.

3. God will never lead us to do something contrary to His Word, so know His Word and use it as a filter for discerning His voice versus our own thoughts or conscience. 

4. “You may feel ill-equipped to handle many things God calls you to do, but when you sense His peace His is encouraging you to step out in obedience. When you obey, you will experience His supernatural power operating through you to do it.” - Priscilla Shirer

5. “You may not feel confident in your own ability but you can grow in confidence in His.” - Priscilla Shirer

6. "It is God's responsibility to cause you to hear and to recognize His voice." - Priscilla Shirer

Don't believe her?  Read Proverbs 3:5-6. Or read Philippians 3:15, it's there too! Oh, and in Philippians 2:13 and Psalm 37:4.  

Are you seeking Him right now in your life? 

That is how you hear His voice, seeking to know Him. 

Leaving Junior High (Beth B)

Do you remember junior high? I do. (And I praise the Lord that I don't have any junior high pictures that Beth P can get her hands on and put on this post!!)  My experience wasn't as bad as some. I have heard complete horror stories from some "survivors" of junior high. Even though my experience wasn't that rough, I still would never want to go back to those days. In fact, I have never met a person who would like to return. It was a time of overwhelming peer pressure. We wanted to act in such a way that we would get noticed and be invisible at the same time. Fashion, phrases, and possessions became measures of popularity. Relationships determined your entire worth. Cool girls had boyfriends (meaning you sat next to a guy at lunch or you passed them those silly notes!). The whole culture in junior high was based on peer approval. No wonder, we never want to return. The criteria for "Coolness" is ever-changing and never satisfied. It is emotionally exhausting.

So, I ask you: what is the difference between junior high and our fear of what others will think of us? I know that sounds harsh but I see so many of us almost crippled with concern over other people's opinions. We catch ourselves apologizing for acting in ways that may make people think we are not nice enough or generous enough, etc. etc.etc. We will never ever make everyone like us. Their standards are too demanding and not worth the personal sacrifices. Instead of chasing after popular approval, why don't we chase after the things that please God? His yoke is easy and He will never reject you. Pursuing God's way will probably cost you the "Cool" status but it will bring you so much more joy. It's time that we all graduated from junior high.

knowing Him. (Beth P)

“Often we seek to know God’s direction more than we seek to know God. We bypass the relationship because we would rather have answers about us. God wants to speak to you because He wants you to know Him; knowing His direction is just a by-product.” ~ Priscilla Shirer “Discerning the Voice of God” study book. 

God is more interested in us know Him than anything else. Sure, it matters where we go for Him but it is not as important as knowing Him and  experiencing Him. 

God cares more about my relationship with Him than how good a mother I am.

God cares more about my relationship with Him than about what service I do for Him.

God cares more about my relationship with Him than about where I work.

God cares more about teaching me about Himself than about rescuing me from my circumstances. 

God cares more about what I am learning about Him than about how well I perform the tasks He places in front of me. 

God wants me to EXPERIENCE Him, 

not just believe in Him or hear about Him. 

He wants me to KNOW Him. 

My thoughts from Week 4 Day 1 Bible Study from 

Priscilla Shirer - Discovering the Voice of God.