Ooohhh, I'm so excited & looking forward to vacation in July. We are going to Okaloosa Island which is just off the Florida panhandle. Check out the cute place that we are renting:
http://www.vrbo.com/58359
Emma is so excited as well. I think she is most excited about sleeping in a bunk bed :)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
TFF - Week 3 - I Don't Have Enough Time!
This week The Frazzled Female lesson is about having time for all of the right things. Sometimes we get so caught up in keeping the house clean, working, etc that we don't make time for the important things like spending time with God and our families. So yesterday instead of pulling weeds, planting flowers, cleaning the ring around the toilet, doing laundry, etc, I stored up some treasures in Heaven. I spent time at the lake making memories with my family and just enjoying the beautiful scenery that God provides for us every day. We made memories!
Cassie and Emma painted rocks that they found along the lake shore. We then held an art auction for all of their works of art. Emma pocketed over $15!!!
Scotty played fetch with Brooks (our dog) who learned how to swim yesterday!
I documented our day, watched a movie, enjoyed fellowship with Scotty's family, and made some Bible study time!
So, it's ok if the house isn't perfect, the weeds are tall, the flowers are still at Lowe's, and the laundry is heaped in a mountain. Lucky for me, God sees what is in our hearts, not the mud between our toes (or the cobwebs in the corners, or the weeds in the flowerbed, or, or, or)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
TFF Week 2, Day 1
Memory Verse: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24, NIV)
Today's Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 "The call of Abram"
I am so excited about this week's lessons on trying to keep a positive attitude. Today's lesson was great for me. As I shared with most of you at the ladies luncheon a few weeks ago I was really mad at God when he asked us to leave Fellowship and move to Woodlawn. I mean, I had great friends at Fellowship and I was learning so much through the wonderful programs that they had. It was really the first time that I can think of when I was truly angry with God. Unlike Abram willingness to go, I went kicking & screaming so to speak. But, I believe God knows best.
More recently God has called me to work on the Women's ministry at Woodlawn. This is WAY out of my comfort zone (the day that I prayed at the Women's lunchen was the first time that I have ever prayed in public!!) and I have ignored God's voice for a long time. Finally, I gave in. I wouldn't call it a bad attitude, but just a hope, maybe, that He would give up. But, He didn't! and here we are on week 2 of our Bible study. I KNOW that God is going to bless this Women's ministry and He already has. We have 23 ladies with The Frazzled Female in their possession. Isn't that wonderful! I can't wait to see all of the positive things that come out of our time together. I think we should claim Jeremiah 29:11 as our theme verse for the church and our group "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The end of the lessons asks: What is God revealing to you about becoming a more positive person. My answer to that is that when you are positive, people are drawn to you & they want what you have. So, many doors will be opened for you to lead others to Christ--and isn't that what we should always strive for? I took a Bible study at State Street UMC a few years ago. The title of the book that we worked with was "Attitude is Your Paintbrush: It Colors Every Situation" and was written by James W. Moore. I think the title says it all!
Closing prayer from TFF: "Dear Father, I want to be more positive. Please make me aware of those times when I say things and act in ways that are not pleasing to you. Teach me to express myself in ways that truly bring You glory. Cleanse me from negative thinking and infuse me with Your joy. I love you."
Today's Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 "The call of Abram"
I am so excited about this week's lessons on trying to keep a positive attitude. Today's lesson was great for me. As I shared with most of you at the ladies luncheon a few weeks ago I was really mad at God when he asked us to leave Fellowship and move to Woodlawn. I mean, I had great friends at Fellowship and I was learning so much through the wonderful programs that they had. It was really the first time that I can think of when I was truly angry with God. Unlike Abram willingness to go, I went kicking & screaming so to speak. But, I believe God knows best.
More recently God has called me to work on the Women's ministry at Woodlawn. This is WAY out of my comfort zone (the day that I prayed at the Women's lunchen was the first time that I have ever prayed in public!!) and I have ignored God's voice for a long time. Finally, I gave in. I wouldn't call it a bad attitude, but just a hope, maybe, that He would give up. But, He didn't! and here we are on week 2 of our Bible study. I KNOW that God is going to bless this Women's ministry and He already has. We have 23 ladies with The Frazzled Female in their possession. Isn't that wonderful! I can't wait to see all of the positive things that come out of our time together. I think we should claim Jeremiah 29:11 as our theme verse for the church and our group "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The end of the lessons asks: What is God revealing to you about becoming a more positive person. My answer to that is that when you are positive, people are drawn to you & they want what you have. So, many doors will be opened for you to lead others to Christ--and isn't that what we should always strive for? I took a Bible study at State Street UMC a few years ago. The title of the book that we worked with was "Attitude is Your Paintbrush: It Colors Every Situation" and was written by James W. Moore. I think the title says it all!
Closing prayer from TFF: "Dear Father, I want to be more positive. Please make me aware of those times when I say things and act in ways that are not pleasing to you. Teach me to express myself in ways that truly bring You glory. Cleanse me from negative thinking and infuse me with Your joy. I love you."
Thursday, May 8, 2008
TFF - Week1, Day 2
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
The reading today takes a different look at "sitting at His feet." Often we focus on Mary as she literally sat at Jesus' feet and listened. However, the study points out that another way of "sitting at the feet of Jesus" is to think about God as you go throughout your day. I think this is a great way to live your life, but I wonder if you are able to develop the same relationship with the Father as you would when you daily find a quiet time to be with Him. Thoughts?
TFF Prayer for today: "Dear Father, I yearn for the intimacy You have for me. I realize many of the things that take up my day are good things. I also realize I will never be fulfilled in any of them if I don't choose what's to my advantage, and that's sitting at Your feet! Help me get excited about being in Your presence. Help me long to listen to Your sweet whisperings that can only be heard with I spend time with You. I love You."
The reading today takes a different look at "sitting at His feet." Often we focus on Mary as she literally sat at Jesus' feet and listened. However, the study points out that another way of "sitting at the feet of Jesus" is to think about God as you go throughout your day. I think this is a great way to live your life, but I wonder if you are able to develop the same relationship with the Father as you would when you daily find a quiet time to be with Him. Thoughts?
TFF Prayer for today: "Dear Father, I yearn for the intimacy You have for me. I realize many of the things that take up my day are good things. I also realize I will never be fulfilled in any of them if I don't choose what's to my advantage, and that's sitting at Your feet! Help me get excited about being in Your presence. Help me long to listen to Your sweet whisperings that can only be heard with I spend time with You. I love You."
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
TFF -Week 1, Day 1
Our Connected by Grace Bible study is beginning the Frazzled Female study and today we are on Week 1, Day 1. Feel free to make comments whether or not you are in the group. Hopefully, there will be one post each day to correspond with the study.
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
I find myself a lot like Martha and would have been equally displeased if I had been doing all of the work while everyone else just sat around. However, as I read this passage and Day 1 of TFF, I am challenged to be still and see what God has to reveal to me. I have never been the best at creating a quiet time daily with the Father, but I think by going through this study I will be "forced" to do it. It's exciting & I can't wait to read, hear, see what God wants to reveal.
It's kind of difficult for me to imagine having an intimate relationship with God. I mean, I can't see Him except through His creation, I can't touch Him except for holding a child, He doesn't talk out loud to me but he sends me emails! I believe, however, that by growing closer to God through a daily study others will be able to see him more clearly through me. 2Corinthians 3:18 says "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." I want to grow in God's likeness and have others see Him through my life.
what about you? Have you truly experienced a deep and intimate relationship with God? Are you excited about trying it? Will you join me and sit at Jesus' feet daily?
Here is our TFF closing prayer for today:
Dear Father, I'm choosing You. I'm accepting the gift of Your intimate relationship. Thank You for pursuing me and longing to fill my life with Your intimacy. I love You."
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
I find myself a lot like Martha and would have been equally displeased if I had been doing all of the work while everyone else just sat around. However, as I read this passage and Day 1 of TFF, I am challenged to be still and see what God has to reveal to me. I have never been the best at creating a quiet time daily with the Father, but I think by going through this study I will be "forced" to do it. It's exciting & I can't wait to read, hear, see what God wants to reveal.
It's kind of difficult for me to imagine having an intimate relationship with God. I mean, I can't see Him except through His creation, I can't touch Him except for holding a child, He doesn't talk out loud to me but he sends me emails! I believe, however, that by growing closer to God through a daily study others will be able to see him more clearly through me. 2Corinthians 3:18 says "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." I want to grow in God's likeness and have others see Him through my life.
what about you? Have you truly experienced a deep and intimate relationship with God? Are you excited about trying it? Will you join me and sit at Jesus' feet daily?
Here is our TFF closing prayer for today:
Dear Father, I'm choosing You. I'm accepting the gift of Your intimate relationship. Thank You for pursuing me and longing to fill my life with Your intimacy. I love You."
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