Shake Your Booty

This is what I woke up to this morning…

Actually I have been waking up to this every morning for quite a while.

The picture does not do the display of excitement justice. Some days, I know he is up by the sound of the crib shaking. My 9 month old boy not only smiles from ear to ear but he has got rhythmic knees that know just how to shake.

So much has been filling my heart this week—and so much I want to write and share—but this picture says alot for me right now.

Let me explain first, that on Monday morning I woke up with a bizarre set of lyrics from a song in my head. “Shake Your Booty,” rattled in my head and Ihad this inclination to ask God..."Why?"

Sometimes when things just seem absurd, don't you ask Him, "Why?"

Having these lyrics in my head was just funny to me, because I don't watch much televsion, or even listen to much radio...and I don't remember hearing those lyrics recently. I also noticed that after settling my heart a bit with God in His Word before the Lane clan awoke and I went on to prepare breakfast and lunches for the day, I was filled with great inspiration for my busy week ahead. I even posted something on Facebook about it.

So, since Monday, the word 'Shake' has been on my mind!

I felt compelled to look up verses with the word 'shake' in them...I found myself in Isaiah 52 and was reminded of how dirty and dusty my feet actually were while meeting with some girlfriends doing ministry at the park. (Long story, but if you want to see some really awesome upcoming things happening check out Girlfriendit beginning October 1st!

Anyway...back to what's shakin...

Tomorrow I am off with one of my biggest loving cheerleaders in my life--my Mom! And we are off to a women’s retreat in the mountains. I just have a feeling that God is going to shake things up a bit, and bring smiles to our hearts and faces. I am expecting Him to do great things!

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my mom, it reveals her wild, adventurous side...

This adventurous side is so often overlooked in us women.

*Someone has to be the tamer amongst wild animals in life*

Will you join me in praying for this special time set apart for me and my sweet mother. And pray this verse over your own precious heart girlfriend! (Please insert your own name in place of mine and my mothers).

Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your garments of splendor,
O Julie and Linda, the holy ones of the Lord.
The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Julie and Linda.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive daughters of Zion.

Isaiah 52:1&2

WE ARE HIS DAUGHTERS!

Hallelujah! May He do some shaking this weekend and give our hearts peace and rest!

He will do this for all of us if we ask...don't you agree?

*This is me and my mom about 37 years ago...during the days she was greeted every morning with me shaking the crib. {INSERT great big God and Julie SMILES}

In The Waves of Life

Do you ever feel like life keeps throwing you one monstrous wave after another? After reading Psalm 93:3-4 this week, I sank my body deep into the cushions of the sofa and let my thoughts go for a second. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I reflected on the recent waves crashing into my heart these recent weeks. The cares and concerns of my heart may be small to the next person but still pounding upon my tender heart.

Thank you Jesus that we can take the cares and concerns to You because you care for us.
(1 Peter 5:7).

As I sank deeper into thought, I found myself back at the beach with family and friends riding the waves. I almost felt the movement of the breaking waters again as I saw myself back upon the boogie board riding the surf with some girlfriends. After being pounded by the waves hours earlier many of the kids and dads were now resting their feet in the sand and it was now our turn. The waves of life do have a way of pounding down on us.

Many times, I glanced over seeing my girlfriends smiling, laughing, riding the waves with me. I remember then, and now again am praising God for enabling me to ride the waves of life and share the precious memories with dear friends. **Insert a sudden halt**—a pause to the television DVR—the sound muted for just a second, for as soon as we are wrapped up in something good we are reminded that not all waves are able to be ridden together. My thoughts immediately shifted to remembering many a waves I was left in the dust watching my girlfriend ride on ahead and some I plunged ahead on my own. My body language may not have demonstrated as such, but when I was left behind, there was a speck of disappointment—a speck of just plain, “Ahhh, I want to ride too!” I know I am not alone as I saw the body language of many young and old demonstrate this same emotion thorughout our time on the beach.

Life is much more than riding the ocean waves isn’t it? I am studying about David in 2 Samuel 6 right now and his time to boogie board with thirty thousand men. They were riding the waves to bring up the Ark. Celebration was in order until their feat was halted with Uzzah’s death. Devastation hit the heart of the men and David became angry and afraid and left the Ark with someone else. David sat paralyzed holding his boogie board watching another named Obed-Edom ride the blessing of a wave.

David didn’t ride those waves again for 3 months and how often do we stand paralyzed because of life’s waves and then even become envious of another riding a wave while we are stuck with our feet in the sand. I am thankful for David’s example, for it encourages me to keep going.
We see David choosing to see God’s love rather than become jealous of his friend Obed-Edom.

Are you ever tempted to get out of the game and cease riding the waves?

For me, it is tempting at times…yet, rather than be jealous of another’s blessing He is nudging my heart and yours to say, “Yay God! “ And just as God reminded David , He is wanting to remind us too...He loves each one of us.

What waves are you watching another ride?
Are you watching reminding yourself that God loves you too?

So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves!
(Psalm 107:21 The Message)



*This is dedicated to my girlfriends who not only rode the waves with me this summer, but continually ride the waves of life with me. I am so thankful for you and your encouragement. Thank you for continuing to point me to Him and cheer me on--I pray I will always do the same for you!

Finally!

“Finally, we can be out here!” A sweet woman riding her bicycle on the path next to me exclaimed and smiled. The cooler temperatures of this approaching new season are something to get excited about. I was thankful for her smile and comment as my thoughts were beginning to drift remembering the latest storm as I watched groundskeepers clean up fallen branches and debris.

As I watched them haul off large tree trunks I recalled the images seen on television from the devastation of September 11th, 2001 as we just passed the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Remnants of that particular storm remain in our hearts tempting us to be paralyzed with fear and forget that even in the storms of life God is near.

So often in my own storms I am tempted to doubt and fear. I am thankful for vows in the recesses of my heart to “NEVER FORGET” and for the simple smile, truths and prayers of girlfriends—sweet sisters who are tenaciously seeking a relationship with our Father. So many times God has used a girlfriend to remind me that He is near. And, today is no different as this woman’s smile and word “finally” resonates in my mind.

Later the same woman on the bicycle came up from behind me a little wearier from her ride and began to share with me the dysfunction and disappointment found in her recent spiffed up bicycle. Apparently, she has been preparing for this upcoming season and had her bicycle repaired.

I just loved that this woman who I had just met began to share her minor trouble. Are you courageous enough to share your struggles with another? I know I am often tempted to cover up the struggles in my heart.

I sensed God nudging me to remind her…encourage her just as she had brought my wayward thoughts minutes earlier… and I simply said "Praise God we are here! Finally…we are here!"

If God is currently still working on you and cleaning up some debris in your life…please join me in exclaiming…finally! It's by no means perfect, but we are riding in this journey...all of us are a work in progress.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Eph 6:10)

Finally, my sisters, rejoice in the Lord! (Phil 3:1)

Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think of such things. (Phil 4:8)

Finally, sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2 Thes 3:1)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as sisters, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)