Getting Intentional

I have for the past couple of years been waiting on the Lord.  Waiting is not easy for me, I am a hurry up and get 'er done kind of gal.  It has been difficult to not see results as I have prayed for God to show me where He wants me, what He wants me to do...  I am ready, Lord...   here I am, Lord....   now, Lord....  well, you get the idea.

I felt His nudge to release myself from various ministries I was involved in, okay, I did that.  And I felt Him nudge me to an area that was definitely NOT in my gift of service...  or that's what I thought.  And it has been a fun time, and definitely a learning time.  And now I am feeling that nudge to move out again in faith and trust.  What could it be?  I have always had a heart for women's ministry, and led a women's Sunday school class, and several Bible studies.  So what is it Lord?  Again I am praying for what? where? when?  And I am still waiting....

In June I attended for my third year the WH&FMS Missions Conference at Alton Bay.  It was the best time.  Worshiping with all those women, praying and hearing how God is working in the hearts and lives of these women.  A new ministry opportunity presented by Becky Nicoll titled "Mary's Heart".  I've got to tell you, goosebumps...  oh yeah...   goosebumps!

Then to business....  Becky announced that there was an opening for president of the Maranatha Conference...  asked everyone to be in prayer for that position.  My stomach started churning, I had only had a slice of toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast...  so I was a bit uncomfortable with the hunger pangs...  or so I thought.  As Becky continued with her report, I prayed for that request.  It was the least I could do.  I nudged Susan sitting beside me and said Susan they are looking for a president...  I thought, she would be perfect...   the hunger pangs were stronger, and I was about to excuse myself to go out and find something to eat, when we were excused for a break to get a refreshment and drink.  Phew!!!  I wanted to go up and see Becky for a minute, and Susan wanted to go too...  but before we did I looked at Susan and said something to the effect of....  pray for me, I think the Lord is nudging me to find out more about this presidency thing....  what?  did I really say that?   I waited my turn to talk with Becky, and yes, I asked her to pray with me about it.  The hunger pangs were kind of subsiding...  we had a wonderful time of prayer.

Well, as the day moved on I called David and talked about what I was feeling and believing that it was of the Lord, and his comment to me in return was...  "If you know it is of the Lord, go for it. "  I asked him to pray, and I would continue to pray through the afternoon..   The rest of the afternoon was just as incredible as the morning...  what a great spirit there that Saturday....   Well, I had been praying, everyone had been praying...  there was no question in my mind....  I should go and tell Becky that I felt the call of the Lord to fill this position...  I was so excited!  She was excited, the board was excited...   God had opened a door to women's ministry, right there, not where I thought it would be....  I was thinking CBC, but He had other plans...  His plan...  for me that Saturday.

This is the year I will be intentional about pursuing the ministry to women God has placed on my heart....  as I am typing this blog, I am getting so excited about the possibilities to minister with the women in the New Hampshire Maranatha Conference...  I am looking forward to this new journey....  I am looking forward to what God has for me on this journey....   so excited!  goosebumps! 

Writing a blog...

I've been thinking about writing a blog for some time now.  But I just couldn't get my thoughts together to make sense of anything.  There is so much floating around in my brain, that it is so hard to know where to begin....   So today, right this very minute, I have decided to write a blog.

So here it is...


A BLOG.......


:)

I'm Smiling....

I am sitting here this morning, smiling.  Yes, smiling!  Thinking about those short little bowed legs and toes that turn in when he walks.  Just makes me smile out loud....   :)   The little fingers and thumb wrapped around my finger as we walked on the sidewalk.  Chatting quietly and then excitedly as a motorcycle goes by.  My heart is smiling now...   if that is possible...  sure feels like it.

His squealing laughter, and funny noises....  his chatter...  that face, and those brilliant blue eyes.  His hugs and kisses and waves good bye....  

His running across the living room to find Grampa sitting in his chair, and climbing up to sit on his Grampa's lap to play with whatever Grampa has in his pockets.

That precious little face when he spots me in the kitchen, and then the word "cracker?" is said as clearly as can be.   Oh yes, I am the "cracker" Grammie....   :)  and of course there is one for each hand.

What a joy it is to be a Grammie!  

Conquerer's

John 16:33  "....  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  NIV
                   "....  In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.  But take heart!  I've conquered the world."  MESS
                   "....  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  NAS
                   "....  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  NKJV

Take heart!  Take courage!  Be of good cheer!    These are really hard to do sometimes.  I don't know about you, but when my world seems to come crashing down around me, it is pretty difficult to be cheerful or courageous.   So, I decided to investigate and find out what it really means.

take heart
Be confident, be brave, as in Take heart, we may still win this game . This idiom uses heart  in the sense of "courage." 
good cheer 

cheerful spirits; courage: to be of good cheer.

 

Ah ha!  I see a pattern here..  and each thing I read and go to mentions the word "courage".  Well, being courageous can still be hard.  Especially if you are trying to do it on your own.  But, we don't have to do it on our own.  

 

The last part of the verse is the key.  Jesus has overcome, He has conquered.  And we can too, with His help.  There will be troubles, we will experience difficulties, there will be tribulation....  but it doesn't have to overcome us....  Jesus has experienced it all....  and He overcame and conquered.  And He promised to never leave us or forsake us, so He is there to help us overcome and conquer.  Phew!!!  Am I glad that I don't have to do it all alone.  

 

Philippians 4:13  "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." 

 




 

Peace

John 14:27  "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

This verse was given to me years ago by a dear friend when preparing to go for a biopsy, and it has been a verse that I turn to every time things get difficult or troubling.  I guess you could say this verse is my security blanket.  It brings me comfort when hurt, softness when afraid and security when I feel alone.

But, it is not the verse that really brings me the comfort, softness and security.  It is Jesus that holds me close.  Jesus gives me peace in the midst of the storms of life.  The verse is just a reminder of who Jesus is, and what He will do for me.  He is my Comforter, my Savior, my Messiah.  He is all I need -- nothing else.

So today I am leaning on Jesus.  Not because I am hurt, or afraid or alone, but for His peace in direction and decisions.

Father God, thank You for giving me the faith to trust You in all situations.  You have been faithful to me through the years, You are all I need..... nothing else.  Amen.

Perseverance

Perseverance: my word for the day... and what is my Bible reading for the day? uh huh... you guessed it!

2 Thessalonians 3:13 "And as for you, brothers (sisters), never tire of doing what is right."
Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Hebrews 10:36 "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." 

AND this is the definition I found of the word persevere - "to refuse to give up; to keep on trying; to continue in one's actions or beliefs in spite of problems.)

How many times have I wanted to quit because something just wasn't going my way, or I didn't think I was doing it right, or....   well, you get the idea.  My Dad was a great teacher of perseverance.  He always told me to "stick with it, keep trying, don't give up.  If you believe in it and know that it is the right thing to do, even if something is bogging you down, just keep on plugging".    I learned from an early age to finish what I had started, and it has NOT always been easy.  The easy thing to do a lot of the time would be to throw in the towel.  But, is that the easy thing?  Who are you hurting when you do?  

Now I'm thinking back to when I played softball on the Carroll County Women's league, yes it was a long time ago...  figured I'd say it before everyone thought it.  I had a major issue with one of the coaches, I was ready to walk away from it all.  AND because of my love for the game, that was huge.  But, I was ready to give it up, end my season.....  but was that the right thing to do?  Who would benefit from it, certainly not the team.  Would I feel any better?  

Who did I turn too?  Yeah, Dad.  What did he tell me?  He told me that I needed to finish what I started.  Don't walk away, it wouldn't solve anything.  Keep on plugging, be there for the team.  You signed up for the duration, walking away would only hurt the team, and maybe even forfeit the season.  Dad was a smart cookie, you know.  

There have been several other things that I have wanted to throw the towel in on....   Are you having some thoughts of throwing in the towel?

Here's a thought: 

persevere - "to refuse to give up; to keep on trying; to continue in one's actions or beliefs in spite of problems.

 

 

 

 

 

Run away or not to run away..... that is the question.....

Okay, so here is the question:  What do you do when things get tough?  Hmmmmm?

I know some people would say, run away...  now, what happens when you run away?  Does the problem or pain or situation go away?  Hmmmm?

I don't think so...  well, it never has for me anyway.  It is still there.  It even has a habit of running away with you.  There is nowhere to go that it won't find you.  It keeps lurking around everywhere.  It even seems to grow bigger and bigger.

So, what are we supposed to do when it is so tough?  Hmmmmm?

We are to stand firm.  We are to come face to face with it.  We are to put on our battle armor.  We are to let go of it and let God handle it.  Give it to Him and don't take it back.  He is bigger than the boogie man.  Stay in it and fight for what you believe.  Don't abandon the ship because it's not easy.

God is faithful!  God is good!  God can work all things out!

'nough said....  I think you get my point....