January 6, 2013

Good morning all-

I thought it was time to change up the page.  I hope you like the end result.  It fits with the theme of women everywhere.  I have always loved to look at maps and I thought it was fitting.  Let me know if you like it, I would love to hear from you.

As I was playing around with templates last night, I started to think about God and what He has meant to my life.  I thought of how many times I have called upon Him and realized that my prayer life came from calling on Him so much during a very difficult time in my life.  I also came to the conclusion that my trust in Him, even when I can't see Him, came during that time.  When you're a new Christian God reveals Himself to you in such a powerful way but as you mature in Him, He reveals Himself through the word.  He grows us up and stretches us just like we had to be in order for us to leave our parent's homes. I also thought of all the times I've grumbled, wanted my way, and believed I was never good enough to serve God.  I saw lots of people doing it but my life was a mess, so I know He didn't need me.  Well, I think it's the exact opposite.  When our lives are a mess, He can use us in a mighty way.  Besides young children coming to Christ and remaining in Him, most of the rest of us were or are a mess.  He knew that.  People that don't think their a mess are like the Pharisees of old but you and I know what a mess we are.

This brought me to thinking about who the "Word" came too.  Did you see the list yesterday?  That was exciting to query and see all those names.  They were just regular people, just like me.   They had problems, were ridiculed, were awkward and yet, God chose them to spread the word and to know His love.  Wow!  Ordinary people can do extraordinary things, especially when God is involved.  I would never have dreamed I would be writing a blog, pouring out my innermost thoughts and yet, here I am, for all to see.  The funny thing is it never bothers me.  I rarely think about it and I do worry about what people think.  I guess that I'm growing up, not just in age but in the Lord.  He has taught me through trials that I'm not perfect but that He is.  He has watched over me when He should have given up and He has given me a purpose with more responsibility than I ever thought I would have.  See, I'm not just responsible for praying, reading and repenting; I'm also responsible to not misrepresent Him in anyway.  Talk about scary!

Christ has put on my heart nations of women, not just a community, a city or a state.  He has called me to write so that women in other nations can read and find Him.  I read an article yesterday about a Pakistan teenager that was telling women to get an education.  The Taliban stopped her bus, got in, and began to shoot her.  A bullet did enter her brain but she's still here.  She just was released from an England hospital where it is still undetermined how much brain damage she will have.  She can never go back because the Taliban wants to kill her.  She is so much braver than me.  A young women who risked her life for what she believes in.  I think I can sit in my home, expose myself and write this blog. Don't you?

After I finished changing this template last night, I got into one of my son's apps for his iPad.  It's a daily scripture memorization and I found the perfect Scripture.  I really doubt I found it, more than likely it was revealed to me but it's a Scripture I want to memorize and keep close.  I have said these things to myself and to you but never realized it was in Joshua.  I hope it ministers to you as much as it did to me last night.  With all my heart, I hope this day brings blessings.  I hope that you see God more fully and I hope that this blog is a reflection of my love for Christ.  I'm learning every day something new about our God and I hope you are too.

Joshua 1:9 NKJV:

     Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I pray for the women all over the world that need to hear these words.  There are women in countries that are being stoned, beaten and abused.  We have so many abused women here so I know they exist everywhere.  We are asking our Lord to come before us and make us strong and bold with courage.  We are terrified to step out on faith but You command it.  All we ask is that You are with us and continue to love us.  Show us our path as we give You our lives.  Help us memorize Your word so that we have the sword to conquer our fears and to be Your warriors.  We desire to know You more and to see what You will do with the lives of women all over the world.  Help us pray for the men and boys of this and the coming generations.  Give us wisdom to be consistent in Your teaching and to spread the word all over the globe.  We thank You for believing in us and for commanding us to be strong and of good courage.  We need You in every facet of our lives to fulfill Your purpose.  May the Lord of light rain down on us as we spend time with You.  You are our King, Mighty and Powerful.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...