I have to say, I am a girl that loves to get some fresh highlights in my hair. There is nothing better than the first 3 weeks after a great highlight. it is just one of those little indulgences I love and splurge on. The sad part about it is, that they don't last for ever. As I get older, I find that i have to go more and more often. After about 8 weeks or so I feel a little dull and need a little pick me up again! So, I call up my hair dresser and make an appointment to feel fresh and new again!
That is how I feel in my walk sometimes. There is nothing better than a fresh revelation from God. I pray for them often, and before I went to the Beth Moore Conference I said to a friend of mine "I am expecting a revelation this weekend." The night after I made that statement, I thought about it all evening. I asked myself..."am I really expecting a revelation??" Not just hoping for....wanting.....?? Finally I said to myself...YES, I am expecting one.
Well, I about fell out my chair when one of the first things she said to us the first day was....."Girls, I sure hope you all came here expecting a revelation from the Lord!! Cuz, I believe each and everyone of you is gonna get one!"
The Greek transliteration for revelation is the word "apokalypsis" meaning: a disclosure of truth, instruction. Some other descriptions I found were "uncovered" "revealed"
Thayer's Lexicon said: ~especially relating to the Christian Salvation-given to the soul by God Himself or through the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Fresh direction always comes from a revelation, and I knew that I needed some fresh direction in my life. I was feeling a little stagnant and needed to know what God wanted me to pursue next.
In our Christian life it is so important to keep moving forward. We need to keep seeking fresh direction and revelation from God.
I love the story in Exodus 34 of when Moses went up on the mountain and saw the Glory of God. When he came down the skin on his face shined, because He had heard from the Lord. Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw it, and knew that Moses had new revelation from God. He shined so bright he would wear a veil over his face, until it wore off and he went to hear from the Lord again.
When we receive fresh revelation from the Lord people notice because we shine! We are filled with a new joy and a bounce in our step. I always love it when I come home from getting a highlight at the salon and my husbands eyes light up. He always gives me sweet little "hot-mama" complements and I know he can see a fresh bounce in my step that he likes and finds attractive.
Just like it isn't long before I need new highlights to freshen up my hair, I need fresh revelations from God to keep my walk fresh and heading in the right direction.
I just love words and their meaning, so here is one more for today......Shine ~verb: 1: to emit rays of light 2: to be bright by reflection of light 3 a: to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished 4: to have a bright glowing appearance ;to make bright by polishing
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
I'm Back!!
..but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
I know it has been several weeks since I have had time to sit down and journal, I have had out of town company and just not a minute to get on the computer. Let me tell you though, I just got back from a trip to Jacksonville, Florida to see Beth Moore and the Living Proof Ministry, and it was so incredible. I will have weeks and weeks of things to share with you, if the Lord will allow me the time to sit down and type it all!!
Before I went I prayed for and EXPECTED a revival in my heart, and let me tell you the Lord answered! He has renewed my strength and refreshed my soul in ways that I will never be the same.
Just looking at the picture you can get a glimpse of what the weekend was like. (I got it from Beth's Blog....this was not my seat thank goodness!) Yes, very crowded , and a little stressful when it came to bathroom time! (luckily I have this cute little belly that got me preferential treatment all weekend when it came to a need for a bathroom stall!! Ha!) But, let me tell you 14,700 woman praising God in the Spirit, the only thing I could think of was WOW!! If this is even a micro-glimpse of what heaven will be like, I can't wait. The voices were so beautiful and the music so powerful that it was like thousands of angels singing praises to the Lord. I wish I could have recorded those 14,700 voices singing Amazing Grace acappella. It was the most beautiful thing I have EVER heard.
I got up bright and early this morning ready to live out the revelations God gave to me this weekend. I wish I had more time here on my back porch to tell you all about it, but I have to get my kids ready for church! They and their dad had a fun weekend together. Yesterday they took the jet skis out to Shell island and watched the air show that was on base this weekend. They showed me pictures, and I can tell they had so much fun. I think my man was wore out though! I am praying this morning that God will meet him out on the Golf course. I know that he will! :-)
Friday, March 7, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
This week and last have been one of the busiest in a long time. We have several projects going on all around the house, and our kids have had one activity after another. The boys both have baseball, Tori has youth group activities, we have had 2 big school projects due this week, I have had baby showers and Bible studies, we have company coming in a week and a guest room that is in shambles..........the list could go on and on.
I have struggled each day to get up and do what I know I should do first. As soon as my slipper feet walk in the kitchen to turn on the coffee maker I start thinking in my head what I have to tackle today. "..I need to practice Zack's spelling words with him....oh no, I forgot Tori wanted me to proof read her book report last night......ah! I forgot to make Bob lunch for today......" I haven't even turned the kitchen light on and my head already feels like it is going to explode. Then this verse came to me......
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-39
I need write this out and put it right by my coffee maker where I can see it each morning as a reminder of where I need to be first thing each day.
I have struggled each day to get up and do what I know I should do first. As soon as my slipper feet walk in the kitchen to turn on the coffee maker I start thinking in my head what I have to tackle today. "..I need to practice Zack's spelling words with him....oh no, I forgot Tori wanted me to proof read her book report last night......ah! I forgot to make Bob lunch for today......" I haven't even turned the kitchen light on and my head already feels like it is going to explode. Then this verse came to me......
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-39
I need write this out and put it right by my coffee maker where I can see it each morning as a reminder of where I need to be first thing each day.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Shine
So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe Philippians 2:15
When I left my wonderful group of friends in NM they gave a wall hanging with this verse on it. I hung it on the wall by the door that leads to the garage, so that I can see it every time I go out somewhere. It is great for my kids too. My hope is that as they leave the house they will be reminded of how we are to shine out in the world filled with darkness.
Those of us in the military all have places we would like to go or hope to get assignments to. We don't always get the places we really want, but I have learned that no matter where I go, what I really want is to be where God wants me to be. I never want to go anywhere with out the Lord's presence.
Today I read this passage in Exodus 33:16 How will anyone know that you distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” The answer to Moses' question is God's presence. It is what sets us apart. We have to be in His Word and in our quiet times so that we can be filled with His Holy Spirit everywhere we go each day. If we re not filled with the Holy Spirit, the only thing that sets us apart from the others is that we have to get up early on Sunday and give up one of the only 2 days in the weekend!!
In my situation, God has not chosen to put me in a place where there are already a whole lot of other lights. That is a new thing for me. I guess that means that if I don't have all the other lights to shine with me like I am used to, I better just shine brighter!
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2
When I left my wonderful group of friends in NM they gave a wall hanging with this verse on it. I hung it on the wall by the door that leads to the garage, so that I can see it every time I go out somewhere. It is great for my kids too. My hope is that as they leave the house they will be reminded of how we are to shine out in the world filled with darkness.
Those of us in the military all have places we would like to go or hope to get assignments to. We don't always get the places we really want, but I have learned that no matter where I go, what I really want is to be where God wants me to be. I never want to go anywhere with out the Lord's presence.
Today I read this passage in Exodus 33:16 How will anyone know that you distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” The answer to Moses' question is God's presence. It is what sets us apart. We have to be in His Word and in our quiet times so that we can be filled with His Holy Spirit everywhere we go each day. If we re not filled with the Holy Spirit, the only thing that sets us apart from the others is that we have to get up early on Sunday and give up one of the only 2 days in the weekend!!
In my situation, God has not chosen to put me in a place where there are already a whole lot of other lights. That is a new thing for me. I guess that means that if I don't have all the other lights to shine with me like I am used to, I better just shine brighter!
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Blooming where I am planted
Here I sit another beautiful Sunday morning on my back porch with the sun beaming. I couldn't think of a better way to start the Lords day.
The Lord has planted me in a new and foreign place in my life that I have not been before. It has stretched me and grown me as I am learning to rely more and more on God for my direction and comfort. I feel very alone right now in my walk with the Lord. It isn't really a bad thing, but it is just different.
I don't have anyone in my family that is Christian. I love my parents and my siblings dearly, but NONE of them are believers. Neither is my Grandmother or any of my other immediate family.
I love my husband very much, but I have to admit he is not really interested in my passion for the Lord either. My pride makes that really hard for me to admit, because often times I like to dream or maybe even "pretend" that I live this perfect Christian life with a perfect husband that loves the Lord as much as I do. That is what everyone around me has, and as much as I long for it, today I (with a lump in my throat) admit that it just isn't true. I am lucky if my husband goes to church with us once every month or 2. He has a passion for golf, but not for the Lord. He has 2 days off on the weekend, but I I usually spend a good part of it alone with 3 kids. I am not venting or trying to make him look bad, I am just pushing myself to admit something that my pride has tried to get me to simply ignore or hide.
The the church we attend isn't really what I would like it to be either. It is very different than what I am used to. It is a wonderful church, but while the people seem very "religious", I have struggled to find many people there that are as passionate and serious about their walk with the Lord as I am. I find myself just waiting there in limbo until the Lord leads me somewhere else. Church shopping by yourself with 3 kids is really not much fun. The kids love it there, and I know that they are learning about God's word. I try to be as involved as much as I can hoping to bring a passion for the Lord to someone maybe in the Bible study I lead or somewhere else. I have seen little glimmers of hope, especially this past week in class. Maybe that is why the Lord has kept me there. I don't know.
This is the first base we have lived where I have not had a really close group of friends that are on fire for God. I have really close girlfriends elsewhere that I keep in touch with regularly, but even they seem distant right now as they have things going on in their own lives that keep them just as busy as I am.
So here I am, trying to raise 3 kids to love the Lord with all their hearts. Seems like an impossible task to do on my own, but with that being said I again think about my entry last Sunday. ".......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??"
I am not sure why the Lord has me where I am right now, but I trust Him and know that He has a plan. In the beginning of my entry I wrote that I feel alone in my walk with the Lord, but I just realized that is not really true. It is just me and my God. Maybe He has eliminated other distractions for now, so I can focus only on Him. I am excited to see what He has planned.
In my devotion this morning I ironically read this.....the contentment that the world offers is fleeting and incomplete. Thankfully, the fulfillment that God offers is all encompassing and everlasting. This made me think of one of the very first Bible verses I think I ever heard as a little girl.....The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want.
The Lord has planted me in a new and foreign place in my life that I have not been before. It has stretched me and grown me as I am learning to rely more and more on God for my direction and comfort. I feel very alone right now in my walk with the Lord. It isn't really a bad thing, but it is just different.
I don't have anyone in my family that is Christian. I love my parents and my siblings dearly, but NONE of them are believers. Neither is my Grandmother or any of my other immediate family.
I love my husband very much, but I have to admit he is not really interested in my passion for the Lord either. My pride makes that really hard for me to admit, because often times I like to dream or maybe even "pretend" that I live this perfect Christian life with a perfect husband that loves the Lord as much as I do. That is what everyone around me has, and as much as I long for it, today I (with a lump in my throat) admit that it just isn't true. I am lucky if my husband goes to church with us once every month or 2. He has a passion for golf, but not for the Lord. He has 2 days off on the weekend, but I I usually spend a good part of it alone with 3 kids. I am not venting or trying to make him look bad, I am just pushing myself to admit something that my pride has tried to get me to simply ignore or hide.
The the church we attend isn't really what I would like it to be either. It is very different than what I am used to. It is a wonderful church, but while the people seem very "religious", I have struggled to find many people there that are as passionate and serious about their walk with the Lord as I am. I find myself just waiting there in limbo until the Lord leads me somewhere else. Church shopping by yourself with 3 kids is really not much fun. The kids love it there, and I know that they are learning about God's word. I try to be as involved as much as I can hoping to bring a passion for the Lord to someone maybe in the Bible study I lead or somewhere else. I have seen little glimmers of hope, especially this past week in class. Maybe that is why the Lord has kept me there. I don't know.
This is the first base we have lived where I have not had a really close group of friends that are on fire for God. I have really close girlfriends elsewhere that I keep in touch with regularly, but even they seem distant right now as they have things going on in their own lives that keep them just as busy as I am.
So here I am, trying to raise 3 kids to love the Lord with all their hearts. Seems like an impossible task to do on my own, but with that being said I again think about my entry last Sunday. ".......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??"
I am not sure why the Lord has me where I am right now, but I trust Him and know that He has a plan. In the beginning of my entry I wrote that I feel alone in my walk with the Lord, but I just realized that is not really true. It is just me and my God. Maybe He has eliminated other distractions for now, so I can focus only on Him. I am excited to see what He has planned.
In my devotion this morning I ironically read this.....the contentment that the world offers is fleeting and incomplete. Thankfully, the fulfillment that God offers is all encompassing and everlasting. This made me think of one of the very first Bible verses I think I ever heard as a little girl.....The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want.
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