With great anticipation I (like countless others in East Tennessee) stocked up on provisions necessary to make being "snowed-in" a memorable experience.
All week we have heard of the massive snow storm which was headed our way. Safely at home, and fully prepared, I was excited about what was to come.
Just as the weatherman had predicted, almost to the very minute, the snow began. It was beautiful! Big, heavy, wet snow flakes began to fall, and fall, and fall .... it was a doozy of a snow storm. I was giddy with anticipation of what was yet to come. But then the unthinkable happened! The system shifted.
Seemed our neighbors, the counties and states around us, would get the BIG snow we had anticipated and been promised ALL week! : (
I'm convinced our local weathermen are wondering (along with me!) who prayed them out of a job. That's just not nice. (grin)
We did get our snow. Just not the snow we had anticipated.
We got just enough to be beautiful. Just enough for the kids to play. Just enough to cover everything with a white blanket. But not enough to snow us in. No, that is a choice. One I am happy to make.
Today, I am spending my "Sat(her)day" delightfully content in being snowed-in at home with the love of my life and my BFF. Gotta run. : )
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
DayBreak, it's a good thing. : )
DayBreak is the name my church has set aside for our women's Thursday morning Bible studies. I have always been fond of the name but today I believe (maybe for the first time) I understood why our Women's Ministry Director chose the name. Allow me to explain.
Today, the women who gathered in my class were weary. Weary of the heaviness of the hurts and disappointments of life.
Today, the women who gathered in my class were angry. Angry at the wake of destruction sin always leaves in it's path.
Today, the women who gathered in my class were desperate. Desperate for the blessing of community. In desperate need to be encouraged and "sharpened" by the other women they have come to know, love, and trust in the class.
From one woman to another, may I say ... there WILL come a time when life is heavy. And there will come a time when you are tempted to withdraw. From one who knows ... NOTHING good ever comes out of a Christian going into seclusion or going it "alone".
If you are not active in a local church - Determine TODAY that you will get plugged in. Don't miss out on the rich blessing of true community. Find your "DayBreak", it's a GOOD thing.
Today, the women who gathered in my class were weary. Weary of the heaviness of the hurts and disappointments of life.
Today, the women who gathered in my class were angry. Angry at the wake of destruction sin always leaves in it's path.
Today, the women who gathered in my class were desperate. Desperate for the blessing of community. In desperate need to be encouraged and "sharpened" by the other women they have come to know, love, and trust in the class.
From one woman to another, may I say ... there WILL come a time when life is heavy. And there will come a time when you are tempted to withdraw. From one who knows ... NOTHING good ever comes out of a Christian going into seclusion or going it "alone".
If you are not active in a local church - Determine TODAY that you will get plugged in. Don't miss out on the rich blessing of true community. Find your "DayBreak", it's a GOOD thing.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sat(her)day - First Love
This past week I was reminded of words spoken to me (and thousands of others) while I was attending a ministry conference nearly 8 years ago. What were the words? "Be careful you don't get so busy doing ministry that you neglect the One who has enabled you to join Him in His ministry."
I remember thinking ... "that's ridiculous!"
I could not for the life of me wrap my mind around how someone could get so busy doing ministry that they could grow cold in their walk with Christ. I just knew it could never happen to me. There was no way I would ever neglect my Jesus!
Over the years, those strong words and promises of mine proved to be simply strong words and promises. Unfortunately, there have been many times I have become so distracted by the details of life and ministry that I have neglected my first love. I wish I could say I have never grown cold in my love for my Jesus but I can not. What I can say is ....
My Jesus has never grown cold in His love for me.
My Jesus has never ceased to draw me back to Him.
My Jesus has been faithful (and jealous) for me to return to Him, my first love.
Maybe you, like me, have become weary with the "heaviness" of the holiday season. The details of life and ministry (the needs of hurting people) have overwhelmed you. How foolish it is to think we can do it in our own power. How foolish it is to continue to try.
He is waiting. He is calling. He is faithful.
Run to Him. Sit at His feet. Allow Him to minister to you today.
That's how I am choosing to spend my "Sat(her)day" today ... with my first love, my Jesus.
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Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )
I remember thinking ... "that's ridiculous!"
I could not for the life of me wrap my mind around how someone could get so busy doing ministry that they could grow cold in their walk with Christ. I just knew it could never happen to me. There was no way I would ever neglect my Jesus!
Over the years, those strong words and promises of mine proved to be simply strong words and promises. Unfortunately, there have been many times I have become so distracted by the details of life and ministry that I have neglected my first love. I wish I could say I have never grown cold in my love for my Jesus but I can not. What I can say is ....
My Jesus has never grown cold in His love for me.
My Jesus has never ceased to draw me back to Him.
My Jesus has been faithful (and jealous) for me to return to Him, my first love.
Maybe you, like me, have become weary with the "heaviness" of the holiday season. The details of life and ministry (the needs of hurting people) have overwhelmed you. How foolish it is to think we can do it in our own power. How foolish it is to continue to try.
He is waiting. He is calling. He is faithful.
Run to Him. Sit at His feet. Allow Him to minister to you today.
That's how I am choosing to spend my "Sat(her)day" today ... with my first love, my Jesus.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )
Saturday, January 2, 2010
"Sat(her)day" - All Things Have Become New ...
I love the New Year!
No, not because I am one of those "resolutioners". I have labored through enough resolutions to know they usually do little more than make me feel like a failure by February. (Grin)
So what is it that I love about the New Year?
The New Year (for me) is a vivid reminder of the invitation to "begin" again.
God says in His Word, His mercies are new every morning.
During my "Sat(her)day" time today, I spent some time reflecting on the immeasurable grace of my God. And reminding myself … He is sovereign.
Today was a day of letting go ...
I let go of MY expectations.
I let go of MY disappointments.
I let go of MY hurts.
I let go of MY feelings of inadequacy.
I let go of MY agenda.
I let GOD comfort me.
I let GOD refresh me.
I let GOD validate me.
I let GOD re-direct me.
Maybe you, like me, need to spend some time reflecting on the beauty of God's grace. Each new day is an invitation to begin again. : )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )
No, not because I am one of those "resolutioners". I have labored through enough resolutions to know they usually do little more than make me feel like a failure by February. (Grin)
So what is it that I love about the New Year?
The New Year (for me) is a vivid reminder of the invitation to "begin" again.
God says in His Word, His mercies are new every morning.
During my "Sat(her)day" time today, I spent some time reflecting on the immeasurable grace of my God. And reminding myself … He is sovereign.
Today was a day of letting go ...
I let go of MY expectations.
I let go of MY disappointments.
I let go of MY hurts.
I let go of MY feelings of inadequacy.
I let go of MY agenda.
I let GOD comfort me.
I let GOD refresh me.
I let GOD validate me.
I let GOD re-direct me.
Maybe you, like me, need to spend some time reflecting on the beauty of God's grace. Each new day is an invitation to begin again. : )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )
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