Hayah!

Where are you?  Are you in the same place you were yesterday?  Last week?  Last year?  Do you need to move on?  Do you wonder why you haven’t moved on?

Maybe there is no need to move on—but maybe there is?  Maybe the issue is that you rushed on ahead when it would have been better to stay put.

This week while studying, a word jumped off of the page and stuck to my mind like a used piece of chewing gum that meets my shoe on the hot asphalt sticks.  

Joshua 5:8 states, “And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.”  This word HEALED…is the word for me this WORD WEDNESDAY!

I discovered this word, thanks to a wonderful Bible Study teacher, it is the Hebrew word hayah.  Go ahead and say “HAYAH” out loud…it’s kind of FUN, isn’t it?

I immediately picture myself and karate chopping a board in half.   Can you picture it? 

This word hayah means:  to live, exist, enjoy life, to live anew, recover, be well, to refresh.  And I have actually karate chopped a board in half before and this sends a surge of euphoria through your body.  However, when God karate chops the blocks for us-we are rejuvenated and left with a new feeling of LIFE!

Any time I feel like life has cut me down in some way I am right there at the Lord’s feet to receive His hayah! 

Are you in need of healing?  What is stacked up in your life right now?  What blocks before you are in need of God's powerful-HAYAH! 

I would feel so honored to pray for you and I encourage you to comment or send me an email.  (Today is the last time to be entered into the drawing that I have talked about this month).  In the past, others lifting me up with their healing prayers have blessed me; and healing comes when we remain with God and allow Him to hayah what is before us.

If we are in need of healing—may we stay put and allow God's HAYAH to breakthrough and heal what needs healing…Then…

Then we can fill in the blank _____________.  

Light Up His Name

"....I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."

2 Tim 1:6

Do you know your spiritual gift?  Check out these links at Girlfriendit.com.

Are you prepared to tell your Jesus story?  My church is encouraging us to write our Jesus Story this week here;  in order that we would be prepared and not ashamed to testify about our Lord.  (2 Tim 1:8)

I recently shared my story with a stranger only to find out that she shared a similar story...who knows how God will use this interaction in the future.  

Who knows what coals will begin to heat up in our paths as we step out and share and use the gifts we have been given-share the stories that we have been given.

I wonder if anyone is like me and struggles with sharing their story because it feels a bit ugly and messy.  Each time I share a little about myself I sense a pull from within to remain silent at the same time a burst of energy not allowing me to be silent.  

The morning after I shared and felt so vulnerable, I sensed God speaking to my heart, "I want you to be excited to share your story--your story is not yours at all- it is my story and it makes me famous."

In recent months Girlfriendit encouraged us to write a 1 sentence synopsis of our story.  

Mine was:  

I once was a broken little girl living a life of destruction without purpose and now 

because of Jesus I am living life on purpose for a purpose as His princess.  

How can I help you with writing your 1-liner for Jesus?  

I am praying for you to fan into flame those gifts God has given you...for together we spark a HUGE FLAME THAT LIGHTS UP HIS NAME!

Watered with the Word

Word up!  Having you gotten in the Word yet today?  What spoke to your heart?

I love the picture I got in my head when I read Proverbs 14:27.  (These pictures on my blog, don't do it justice)

"Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death." AMP

Word Wednesday!

It's Word Wednesday...Do you have a Word to Share?

This spoke to my heart this morning and some words were already underlined in my Bible but I couldn't help but run over all the words with my pink highlighter today.  Proverbs 4:20-27

My son (I read princess), pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 

for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 

Put away perversity from your mouth;keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil. 

Share a verse that spoke to you today.

To encourage you to share this month; for every comment or share you will be entered into a drawing to win this devotional book.  

YOU ROCK!

I’ve been speechless on the pages of my blog recently—not because I wanted to be—but because other jobs and writing tasks have taken precedence.   Yet, my heart has longed to write and God used this time to both remind and renew this passion…mission…vision.  I was reminded of when God first birthed this desire and gift of writing from within.

I write so that my joy may be complete (1 John 1:4) and similarly to speaking, I write in praise of the LORD.  (Psalm 145:21). 

What do you do that brings joy to your heart and praises our King? 

A princess follows this path of praise and joy, don’t you think?  And not all of our desires and gifts are alike.

As I am writing this; the only thing that I audibly hear speaking is my washing machine; and I realize that in the loud hustling noises of our busy days it is a choice to turn up the volume and hear our King’s voice speaking to our hearts.  

Are we listening? 

As I carried the load of laundry down the hallway, my eyes highlighted a card taped to the door of my son’s room.  I know I have passed by this many times; yet today the Lord has something to say and He used this moment that my hands were full and my mind was racing with my busy to do list.  It was as if God hit the pause button on my moving feet and stirring mind and caused me to read the card on the door that I had previously given to my son and he since altered. 

Then I heard His whisper, “See how your boy has taken the words and made them His own.  Take my Word and make them your own and keep speaking my Word.” 

My heart was instantly rocked! 

As a child, I grew up in a home where encouraging words were few and I often wonder—am I now going over board with encouraging words. Maybe a silly thought?  But one can feel as if she is on a deserted island and alone in her thoughts from time to time.   

I desire for my children to aspire their dreams and believe that with God’s blessing, they may become anything that they desire.  If they want to be the next US President—may it be so—but then I know in reality there is only 1 president chosen in the United States every four years….you know what I mean?  

Yet, how many times have I seen the damage to a growing heart or dream with the mere absence of encouraging words.  Ironically, our mouths can be so quick to spout out some crass, crude humor—but an encouraging word shackles our mouths shut. 

Do you ever withhold an encouraging comment?

            *Do you fear sounding silly?

            *Do you fear that someone will think they are better than you?

            *Do you fear feeling less than?

            *Do you fear creating a pride monster?

            *What do you fear?  What keeps you silent?

It takes courage to encourage.

My heart cries out quietly from my chest, “Help me Lord.” 

Then as if to answer in concert…rockin’ my heart…I see the importance of embracing and owning the truth! 

I am reminded of reading Isaiah 41:10 earlier…and this is how I am choosing to own it:

I do not fear—for God is with me.

God strengthens me and helps me.

What Word did you make your own today?

May we be willing and allow God to use our mouths and our words to rock the hearts of those around us.

“My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.”  Psalm 145:21

Word Wednesday: STRIVE

We were made to strive for something....

What are you reaching for?

Let's keep going and keep encouraging each other. (Heb 10:25)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

WORD Wednesday..."tHaNkFuL"

"Since we are receiving the Kingdom that cannot be shaken...be thankful..." Hebrews 12:28

"Devote yourself to prayer, be watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

"Be thankful." Col 3:15

thankful

Soak in the thankfulness around you and express it!

What are you thankful for?  Who are you thankful for?

WORD WEDNESDAY *Forgive*

Has the word forgive been popping up for anyone else?  Such a process and probably the best description of forgiveness that I have ever read or heard explained to me was from the book Mending the Soul, by Steven Tracey--Chapter 10. 

I woke up this morning with the lyrics from Chris August's song titled, 7X70 playing over in my head reminding me of both the wrong that I have endured and the wrong that I have also given in this life.  Have you heard them?

7 times 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way
7 times 70 times
There’s healing in the air tonight
I’m reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around

I lost count of the ways you let me down
But no matter how many times you weren’t around
I’m all right now

God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined a light on the one thing left to do
And that’s forgive you
I forgive you

7 times 70 times
If that’s the cost I’ll pay the price
7 times 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way

7 times 70 times
There’s healing in this house tonight
Also, remember a couple of weeks back when we read that Jesus calls us 'friend?' 

I'm smiling as I write and see the words in Luke 5 where some men carried a paralytic man on a mat through the roof to get to Jesus for healing.  Jesus said in verse 20 after seeing their faith, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." 

Then again Jesus talks about a friend, a woman who has been forgiven in Luke 7:47...the shimmer of hope, the legacy that I want to leave..."her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much."  A princess for sure.

Isn't it true, aren't the most loving people we know also the most forgiving people? 

What about you...I'm curious if any other words have been whispered to you these past couple of days? 

Word Wednesday

This has been a physical mountain before me this week with our washer out for a few days.  Thought this was kind of funny and I would much rather focus on this mountain of laundry than some of the other mountains in my life.  I definitely don't want to be a downer--but I know I am not alone in the sea of mountains from time to time.  Any of these mountains sound familiar?

*Mount Baby Sniffles
*Mount Diagnosis
*Mount Finances
*Mount Discouragement
*Mount Fear
*Mount Location
*Mount Frustration
*Mount Hurt
*Mount Desire
*Mount Struggling
*Mount Don't Know Enough
*Mount Know Too Much
*Mount Stress
*Mount Don't Know What To Do
*Mount Lost

What's the mountain before you look and feel like these days?

How do you remind  yourself that you are not alone?

How do you keep from being paralyzed at the base of the mountain?

Let's keep going-keep seeking the One who gives us strength to climb and the one with power to move the mountain!

Listen to a man named Paul's advice...He knew and loved Jesus too.

"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.  Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.  I ahve learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Phil 4:10-13

Knowing that in this life we face mountains of many kinds, how can we pray and encourage each other to flex our muscles at the base of our mountains? Princess style of course!

Word Wednesday

Did you read my post Monday?  If you did, have you been thinking about Jesus being your friend?

Word for Wednesday just has to be FRIEND!

I keep hearing the word friend and each time I am reminding myself that Jesus is my friend!  I hope you are doing the same girlfriend!

It’s weird getting to know a friend we can’t physically see or touch though isn’t it?  I was reminded of how God uses our other relationships in this world to shine His love and even though we don’t physically see God’s face, or see his ‘thumbs up,’ He allows me to see it from others.  This morning after having some time to sit and be quiet with God I was talking to Him about wanting to see Him and wanting Him to be real in my life…just wanting that nudge or “Atta girl—you know when you just need to hear ‘keep going!’” 

I then went in to wake up my boy and to encourage him out of bed; I told him what was for breakfast. His enthusiasm was quiet—this is what I got.

It was enough to make me smile…and I just know Jesus is giving me that same quiet enthusiasm.

How have you been intentional about seeing Him as a real live friend?

Just throwing out some ideas:

*He is the friend calling you to do lunch next week.
*He is the friend taking the initiative to gently wake you up in the morning wanting to talk to you.
*He is the friend texting you asking how your day is going?
*He is the friend emailing you asking how He can help you out today?
*He is the friend nudging you to do the right thing.
*He is the friend who gently tells you that you goofed up and you should say, “You are sorry.”
*He is the friend high-fiving you and encouraging you to keep going.
*He is the friend who speaks highly of you in a group of others.

All of this just compels me to embrace my friend Jesus and isn’t it funny how having a good friend moves us to be a better friend ourselves.  Even though we are not perfect, we can be good friends—I know I am far from being a perfect friend.

Sometimes I’ve gotten the thumbs down from my friends…and I’m continuing to learn and grow through those interactions and relationships.  In this season when I feel I have less to give I am just seeking Him and giving it my best. I’m thankful for the girlfriends in my life that have continually pointed me to my friend Jesus and who model the way.. 

Are you the kind of friend you want to have?  I know in my life there have definitely been seasons where I got what I gave—and boy does our friend Jesus compel us to give what we get from Him!

I read over some of these truths since hearing the word friend…hope they encourage you and inspire you to embrace your friend Jesus and be the best friend you can be too!

“Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! ”  (Proverbs 3:3 NLT)

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV)

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interest of others.” (Phil 2:4)

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

Friend, do you have anything to share?  What has a good friend taught you recently?

Word Wednesday!

I've often felt like God has given me either a word or short phrase to focus on during a day or short season in my life.  Some days are so full and busy that I think He knows this is what will keep me focused on Him.  I will read some verses in the morning and a phrase might jump out at me and then get repeated by a girlfriend later that day, or it may be sung that day through a song I hear. 

Today it is the word...MAKE!

I've read: "...make straight paths for him." 
I've heard, "You make beautiful things."
I know God is going to make all things work out for His greater purposes...

No other great real thoughts--just gonna leave you with that and allow you to MAKE something of your own with it.

I will however leave you with this cool recipe to MAKE your own laundry soap.  Click here it is so easy and kind to your grocery budget.  A girlfriend shared it with me, so I just thought it might MAKE your day.

Please let me know if you have any other words to share this Wednesday--or recipes.