Using the Lamp...

Yesterday I wrote about the critical need for believers to be in the Word, seek the Word, and explore the Word of God for ourselves. I know this can sometimes be overwhelming, so I thought I would put together a few resources that will serve as a catalyst for you as you seek God's Word in your life. It is so important to remember that even if you are overwhelmed, take heart: Jesus never asks you to do anything without enabling you with the power to do it…to include reading Scripture!

What You Need:
1. A Bible-Try reading several different translations. You can test them out on bible.gateway.com. Choose one that you can easily understand. I recommend either the English Standard Version (ESV), New International Verson (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), or in some cases The Message. (If you click on the link you will be able to see a the variations of each translation of the well-known verse, John 3:16.)
2. A Notebook- I know journeling is not for everyone, but you don't have to write pages and pages of notes, maybe jot down a thought or a question, what is weighing heavy on your heart, your prayers...but you will be amazed to see how God really does move through His Word, and writing it down will help you see...and remember!
3. A Bible Reading Plan- Some days you will just want to pour over the Psalms, or devor a certain book, but if you have a reading plan it will help you stay disciplined in your devotion time and ward of feelings of being overwhelmed and temptations to just give up.
4. A Bible Study or Study Aid-There are some great devotionals out there if you prefer a devotional on a certain subject/theme (like Freedom, parenting God’s-way, building your marriage, etc).

I would love to know if I can help you further, or if you need a Bible. Do not hesitate to ask--it would be a true joy to be able to send you a Study-Bible totally free!

Here is a 6-month reading plan, broken up into 2-week sections, that should help you get started if you have never really explored the Bible on your own. These writings, stories and chapters are relatively easy to read and understand, which will help you gain confidence that the Bible was written for YOU! These are passages that are often referenced in sermons, or commonly quoted, and will help you understand the context regarding these popular verses and stories.

The Life and Teachings of Jesus:
Day 1, Luke 1: Preparing for Jesus' arrival
Day 2, Luke 2: The story of Jesus' birth
Day 3, Mark 1: The beginning of Jesus' ministry
Day 4, Mark 9: A day in the life of Jesus
Day 5, Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount
Day 6, Matthew 6: The Sermon on the Mount
Day 7, Luke 15: Parables of Jesus
Day 8, John 3: A conversation with Jesus
Day 9, John 14: Jesus' final instructions
Day 10, John 17: Jesus' prayer for his disciples
Day 11, Matthew 26: Betrayal and arrest
Day 12, Matthew 27: Jesus' execution on a cross
Day 13, John 20: Resurrection
Day 14, Luke 24: Jesus' appearance after resurrection

Life and Teachings of Paul
Day 1, Acts 9: The conversion of Saul
Day 2, Acts 16: Paul's Macedonian call and a jailbreak
Day 3, Acts 17: Scenes from Paul's missionary journey
Day 4, Acts 26: Paul tells his life story to a king
Day 5, Acts 27: Shipwreck on the way to Rome
Day 6, Acts 28: Paul's arrival in Rome
Day 7, Romans 3: Paul's theology in a nutshell
Day 8, Romans 7: Struggle with sin
Day 9, Romans 8: Life in the Spirit
Day 10, 1 Corinthians 13: Paul's description of love
Day 11, 1 Corinthians 15: Thoughts on the afterlife
Day 12, Galatians 5: Freedom in Christ
Day 13, Ephesians 3: Paul's summary of his mission
Day 14, Philippians 2: Imitating Christ

Overview of the Old Testament
Day 1, Genesis 1: The story of creation
Day 2, Genesis 3: The origin of sin
Day 3, Genesis 22: Abraham and Isaac
Day 4, Exodus 3: Moses' encounter with God
Day 5, Exodus 20: The gift of the Ten Commandments
Day 6, 1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath
Day 7, 2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba
Day 8, 2 Samuel 12: Nathan's rebuke of the king
Day 9, 1 Kings 18: Elijah and the prophets of Baal
Day 10, Job 38: God's answer to Job
Day 11, Psalm 51: A classic confession
Day 12, Isaiah 40: Words of comfort from God
Day 13, Daniel 6: Daniel and the lions
Day 14, Amos 4: A prophet's stern warning

Understanding the Meaning of Your Faith
Day 1, Genesis 3: The first sin creates a need
Day 2, Isaiah 52: Salvation prophesied
Day 3, Isaiah 53: The role of the suffering servant
Day 4, Luke 15: Three stories about God's love
Day 5, John 3: Jesus explains "born again"
Day 6, John 10: The good shepherd
Day 7, Acts 8: Conversions spread outside the Jews
Day 8, Acts 26: Paul testifies of his conversion before a king
Day 9, Romans 3: God's provision for sin
Day 10, Romans 5: Peace with God
Day 11, Galatians 3: Salvation unavailable by obeying the law
Day 12, Ephesians 2: New life in Christ
Day 13, 1 Peter 1: Future rewards of salvation
Day 14, 2 Peter 1: Making your salvation sure

Prayers of the Bible
Day 1, Genesis 18: Abraham's plea for Sodom
Day 2, Exodus 15: Moses' song to the Lord
Day 3, Exodus 33: Moses meets with God
Day 4, 2 Samuel 7: David's response to God's promises
Day 5, 1 Kings 8: Solomon's dedication of the temple
Day 6, 2 Chronicles 20: Jehoshaphat prays for victory
Day 7, Ezra 9: Ezra's prayer for the people's sins
Day 8, Psalm 22: A cry to God for help
Day 9, Psalm 104: A prayer of praise
Day 10, Daniel 9: Daniel's prayer for the salvation of Jerusalem
Day 11, Habakkuk 3: A prophet's prayer of acceptance
Day 12, Matthew 6: The Lord's prayer
Day 13, John 17: Jesus' prayer for his disciples
Day 14, Colossians 1: Paul's prayer of thanksgiving

The Holy Spirit
Day 1, Judges 14: The Spirit gives Samson strength
Day 2, 1 Samuel 10: King Saul's experience
Day 3, Matthew 3:1–4:10: Role in Jesus' baptism and temptation
Day 4, John 14: Jesus promises the Spirit
Day 5, John 16: The work of the Spirit
Day 6, Acts 2: The Spirit comes at Pentecost
Day 7, Acts 10: The Spirit guides Peter to accept Gentiles
Day 8, Romans 8: Christians' victory in the Spirit
Day 9, 1 Corinthians 2: Wisdom from the Spirit
Day 10, 1 Corinthians 12: Gifts of the Spirit
Day 11, 1 Corinthians 14: Gifts of tongues and prophecy
Day 12, Galatians 5: Life in the Spirit
Day 13, Ephesians 4: Unity and gifts
Day 14, 1 John 4: Signs of the Spirit

Women of the Bible
Day 1, Genesis 2: Eve, the first woman
Day 2, Genesis 18: Sarah laughs at God's promise
Day 3, Genesis 24: Rebekah's marriage to Isaac
Day 4, Genesis 27: Rebekah, the manipulative mother
Day 5, Judges 4: Deborah's leadership frees her people
Day 6, Ruth 1: Ruth and Naomi's deep friendship
Day 7, 1 Samuel 1: Hannah prays for a son
Day 8, 1 Kings 17: A poor widow and the prophet Elijah
Day 9, 1 Kings 21: Jezebel, an emblem of wickedness
Day 10, Esther 2: Esther is chosen as queen
Day 11, Esther 4: Esther's courage at the risk of death
Day 12, Luke 1: Mary and Elizabeth receive great news
Day 13, Luke 2: Mary gives birth to Jesus
Day 14, John 11: Mary and Martha and their brother's death

Men of the Old Testament
Day 1, Judges 6: God calls Gideon to rescue his people
Day 2, Judges 7: Gideon conquers his fears—and his enemies
Day 3, 1 Samuel 3: God calls young Samuel
Day 4, 1 Kings 3: Solomon is given wisdom
Day 5, 1 Kings 19: Elijah runs for his life
Day 6, 2 Kings 5: Elisha heals a powerful foreign general
Day 7, Isaiah 6: God calls the prophet Isaiah
Day 8, 2 Kings 18: King Hezekiah under military siege
Day 9, 2 Kings 19: Isaiah speaks God's word to King Hezekiah
Day 10, 2 Chronicles 34: Josiah sets his nation back on course
Day 11, Nehemiah 2: Nehemiah courageously begins rebuilding a wall
Day 12, Jeremiah 38: Jeremiah, in prison, refuses to change his message
Day 13, Daniel 1: Daniel risks his life in captivity
Day 14, Daniel 5: Daniel's word to a royal orgy

Social Justice
Day 1, Exodus 3: God hears the cries of the slaves
Day 2, Leviticus 25: The year of jubilee, a time of economic revolution
Day 3, Ruth 2: A poor woman finds help
Day 4, 1 Kings 21: Elijah speaks to a land-grabbing, murderous king
Day 5, Nehemiah 5: Nehemiah demands justice for the poor
Day 6, Isaiah 5: Warning to fun-loving materialists
Day 7, Isaiah 58: Worship that God appreciates
Day 8, Jeremiah 34: Freedom for slaves
Day 9, Amos 2: Sins against God by his own people
Day 10, Amos 6: Warning to the complacent
Day 11, Micah 6: What the Lord requires
Day 12, Luke 3: John the Baptist tells how to prepare for Jesus
Day 13, Matthew 6: Jesus speaks on material things
Day 14, James 2: How to treat the rich and the poor

God and Nature
Day 1, Genesis 1: God creates the earth
Day 2, Genesis 2: God creates human beings
Day 3, Proverbs 8: Wisdom's view of creation
Day 4, Genesis 7: God preserves the species
Day 5, Job 38: The greatness of nature
Day 6, Job 39: The wildness of nature
Day 7, Job 40: God's mastery of nature
Day 8, Psalm 8: Praise for the Creator
Day 9, Psalm 98: Nature joins in the praise
Day 10, Psalm 104: God sustains the earth
Day 11, Isaiah 40: The ruler of all creation
Day 12, Romans 8: The "groanings" of our present state
Day 13, Isaiah 65: Preview of a restored earth
Day 14, Revelation 22: The end of history

Two weeks on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33

Two weeks on Moses and the exodus:
Exodus 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 14, 16, 19, 32; Numbers 14; Deuteronomy 1, 2, 4, 31

Two Weeks on David:
1 Samuel 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24; 2 Samuel 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18

Thy Word is a lamp...

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

I have heard and read this verse over and over since I was a little girl. It became, to be honest, one of those verses that I would almost skim over while reading as if it simply belongs on a coffee mug somewhere or maybe in a eloquent framed display to show off in my home. But as I continue on my own personal journey to pursue Christ, this verse has become a simple, yet incredibly profound portrait of why I, and all of us who claim Christ as our Savior, desperately need God's Word every single day.

Because I have been there myself, I know there are some of us that say we believe in Jesus, and that God hears our prayers, but still feel overwhelmed by troubles, lost when it comes to coping skills to battle depravity, and think we don't hear anything in response to our prayers. Can I give you the #1 reason why you feel like that? I guarantee you it because you are not reading God's Word for yourself. Maybe you depend on what a pastor shares from the stage on a weekend, maybe a verse a friend comments on...possibly a random post on Facebook or a tweet on Twitter? Let me tell you, sweet friends...God has SO much more for YOU! It is pressing on my heart to share with you and to encourage you to explore the Sacred Literature and allow it to speak truth in your life...you will begin to see God's heart for you, the nature of His ways, and what He is saying to you through His sweet, sweet words of love and guidance, you will begin to hear God's response to your prayers, help for your troubles, you will SEE in the Written Word that even when you feel lost...God knows exactly where you are, and He is holding you close.

There are overall themes of Scripture, no doubt: God is good, God is love, Jesus saves, God wins, hope, glorious hope, beautiful hope. But, if you are not reading God's written Word because you think you know the general "idea," honestly, you are as foolish as a poor woman framing a million dollar bill and just looking at it because she knows it's worth "a lot." Or even better, now imagine the poor woman sitting through seminar after seminar every week listening to someone else talk about how to wisely use a million dollar bill, how wonderful it is, nodding her head, absorbing the information being shared by a great speaker, only to go home and agonize and stress over unpaid bills...all while her million dollar bill sits prettily framed on the counter.

It seems pretty unbelievable right?! Sweet friends, it is no different than allowing your Bible to collect dust on a bookshelf.

Don't believe me? Let me share with you a few situations where God has responded to my life though Scripture and absolutely rocked my world...and prayerfully ignite in you a desire to explore for yourself:

1. Like any of us, I have had people that are close to me speak hateful, hurtful, damaging things into my life that crushed me. I believed what was said in rages of hate-filled attacks were actually true about me until God showed me how to discern real truth (God's truth) and Lies of man, and Satan's attacks on my spirit:

"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17


2. We all have moments in life when we hurt so deeply it feels like our souls are actually bleeding. One particular time in my life I was dealing with devastating news that not only broke my heart in a way that I did not know was possible, but shattered it even more when I saw my children hurting as well. Psalm 34:17-18 became a salve on the wounds in Spirit, and one I hold very sacred today:

"The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

3. To be totally vulnerable, because of very broken places in my life, scars I carry in my memories, and trials that seem to never end, I struggle with intense fears, expectations of abandonment, a reserve to trust, and mostly a lie I believed that I am unlovable. Likeable--yes...but I always seem to wrestle with if I am someone that can be loved for no other reason but just for who God made me. Such a spectrum of issues that God responded to with words that are so beautifully written I can not begin to give justice to how it moves deep in my spirit. Every time I read this passage, these strong holds in my life shatter:

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
..because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
--Isaiah 43:1-5

Don't delay any longer. If you are not in God's Word, start today. No more excuses. Take your million-dollar bill out of the frame and use it. God's word is tangible and an incredible gift that God has given to believers. If you don't know where to start, I will be posting some resources later to help and encourage you. The Book of John is a great place to begin...I also love Romans, Ephesians, Galatians, and the Psalms. If you do not have a Bible, please let me know--I will send you one free of charge. It is my honor and sheer delight.

Be Still and Know "Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts." Peter 1:19

Running with His Grace

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. ...No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. ...So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." -Hebrew 12:1, 2

I don't think many of us cannot relate to weariness, exhaustion...maybe even a fear that a trial or a "season" may be never-ending. I totally get it, and have been there many times myself. I know the crushing weight and burden of those fears...and I also understand the temptation to try to come up with a worldly solution to speed up or end the trial that is being suffered. Isn't it HARD to wait sometimes? Especially to wait patiently as God encourages us to do in Psalm 27:14 "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."

But do you see the beauty of what God is saying to us in Hebrews 12... He reminds us that those who are close to Him, as well as those that don't even know Jesus are a witness to how we are dealing with these battles. God is telling us that He doesn't want us to just crawl and drag our way through it...He says RUN the race! Run with confidence that Christ has already laid the footwork for us to come behind Him in His footsteps. God's precious Son has already run the same race, fought the same battles, endured the ultimate fight--AND WON!

Wow...being reminded of this is like taking a deep breath of His grace when I feel like I am about to suffocate.

When life is tough, it is so easy to go into our little hopeless bubbles of self, thinking no one understands, no one can relate...and we end up isolating ourselves and try to bear these burdens and trials alone. This is not God's design! It is a tool of evil. So what do we do when we feel like we are losing the race, or we just can't "run" anymore? The answer is right there in Hebrews 12:2..."we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion..." Sounds too simple to be actually work though, right? But here is the absolute truth of that statements: When we keep our eyes on Christ, we know that we, like Peter in Matthew 14, we can walk on water through the most intense storms of our lives. And when we not only can't "run" but instead feel like we are drowning in the seas of our struggles, unable to endure the crushing waves of life...look up! Jesus is reaching His hand out to us to pull us up, to save us, to walk with us on the stormy waters! (Matthew 14:24-31)

The truth continues on to remind us that when we think we are alone and no one can understand...Christ does! He understands because He humbled Himself from the sitting at the right hand of the Creator of the heavens and earths to endure everything that we would ever struggle with, to conquer every trial.

He knows what it is to be weary,
He knows grief,
He knows betrayal,
He knows heartbreaking loneliness.
He even knows the really nasty uglies of our fallen world...
...to be beaten
...to be spit on
...to be ridiculed
...to be abandoned
...treated as if He were worthless.


He knows our pain, our hurts, our inequities...He suffered them with the knowledge that upon Him winning the battle there would be unfathomable joy, and profound peace that our broken hearts are desperately seek. He had sufferance so that we may have hope and endurance through His victory. And how blessed are we, that since we are called His, that He runs beside us in this race encouraging our spirits, whispering in our hearts,

"You can do this! Keep going! You have already won because you believe in Me...I have seen the wonderful things that are on the other side of this! Keep going!"

There is such powerful hope found in John 16:31 (MSG) when Christ said:

"...The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

And be encouraged by God's promise of ultimate withstanding victory for you during whatever trial your are in right now:

"...but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain...Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe..." Hebrews 12:26-28.

Be unshakable in trials because Christ is in you...know you will endure, and you will make it through!

"...In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! ...Give it everything you have, heart and soul. ...Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1:1-9 (MSG)

I pray that your heart is overflowing with encouragement and promises from His Word. We serve a God of Good. Our God is a God of Hope and Victory. Be unshakable in Him!

Be Still and Know...God is with you on this journey. Stay on course of this race! Keep your focus on Jesus, and remember He is with you and you are not alone, and He is cheering you on with His promises, precious friends!

Passionately....waiting?

"God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God."--Lamentations 3:25 (The MSG)

Does anyone else feel like the pairing of the verbs 'passionately' and 'waits' is a bit of an oxymoron? A bit contradictory?

In my mind, 'waiting' is like hitting the pause button on life...everything just stops, stands frozen, still, unmoving until the "waiting" is over. It can be agonizing, draining, cumbersome, anything but passionate!

As I walk though life with Christ, I have to continually throw myself at His mercies as I struggle to deal with waiting. To be honest, I feel that I have spent many years in an ugly out-and-out battle to simply...wait. I use the word "battle", meaning it in the full use of the term because I tend to adopt the "Esau-Syndrome" wanting to rebel against waiting. I wrestle with wanting to impulsively react to satisfy a short-term desire, want, or (what I deem!) a need--not even thinking that I am trading away God's blessings and His perfect plan and purpose for me. All because I just can't seem to grasp the concept of waiting. Especially when waiting stretches past a "season" and goes into years, that now stretch into what I call "desert lands"

...it is hard to remember God's timing is better than mine...His ways are higher than mine...and His understanding of my situations and that also of the world. I, to be honest, tend to revert to the Israelite's behavior as I walk through my personal "desert" in life. It is a constant struggle in my heart because I do not want to be so near-sighted that I cannot trust in the bigger plan that He has!

"Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. ... “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all...we wanted!” ...[The Lord directed Moses to tell the people] "...Lord heard you when you cried, “Oh, for some meat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will have to eat it. ...You will eat it...until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and you have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”--Numbers 11:1-20 (New Living Translation)

"But it wasn't long before they forgot the whole thing, wouldn't wait to be told what to do. They only cared about pleasing themselves in that desert, provoked God with their insistent demands. He gave them exactly what they asked for— but along with it they got an empty heart..."--Psalm 106:13-15 (The Message)

YIKES!


The more I study the concept from a Christ-follower perspective of waiting, I am fully convinced it is one of the most challenging exhortations of Scripture for me. My natural progression of emotions during waiting periods, I have noticed is I tend become fidgety, fearful, frustrated, anxious, and sometimes even angry. I find myself screaming: "Am I really expected to just to...wait ...keep hitting the pause button, and just sit around twirling my thumbs until God hits the play button and gives resolution?"

My sweet Savior has listened to me beg for understanding on this subject, and recently He has laid an incredible thought on my heart:

That waiting, despite my impatience and incredible dislike for it, is a essential element in my relationship with God and how I ultimately reflect Him to others, especially my children.

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord"--Psalm 40:1-9 (New Living Translation)


But He doesn't stop with just promises that He will be glorified through my trials. He gives incredible promises to those of us that are waiting...waiting on Him...waiting and trusting in Him.


"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." --Isaiah 40:29-31 (New King James Version)

This verse just fills my heart with emotion. If you have ever endured a season that seemed never-ending, I am sure you know the feelings of weariness, a dragging heart, wanting to give up, contemplation of waving the white flag. This verse is like the most pure, clean water a man dying of thirst. It is the air to a woman who can't catch her breath. It overflows with hope!

"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"--Psalm 27:14 (New King James Version)


My prayers have been transformed as I have gone through this quest to understand and seek the Lord in this struggle to embrace waiting. I find that instead of begging for His timing to be harried...I am begging that He will strengthen my heart. That He will give me a new song to sing, and He will never let me forget the goodness He provides for me in this desert. Not to say that I do not have days and moments when I do wrestle with feelings of hopelessness in this situation, or wondering if it will be never ending...but I must remember what the Israelites were told just as they were about to enter the Promise Land after 40-years of wondering in the desert:

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. ...For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land...and you will lack nothing....Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God...He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. ...so that in the end it might go well with you." --Deuteronomy 8:1-11 (NIV)

God is leading me in my desert. He is near, guiding us through the tough and "waterless" waiting times in our lives. Giving us exactly what we need to survive and endure it! And the confidence to know that His promises to us will come, but all in His timing. Just as the sun rises and sets perfectly, or seasons come and go in perfect order... I love how confident David is when he wrote Psalm 130:5-6:

"I pray to God—my life a prayer— and wait for what He'll say and do. My life's on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning."-- (The MSG)

One final, maybe random, thought that is massively encouraging that I discovered about the word waiting. The english word "waiting" (as in waiting on the Lord) comes from the Hebrew word "Qavah." There are several definitions to describe this word, all which I expected, except for the last definition:

(1) “look patiently”
(2) “tarry or wait”
(3) “hope, expect, look eagerly”
(4) “to bind together”

As we wait...we are not simply hitting the "pause button" on our lives, like I thought. No! Instead, God is lovingly binding Himself to us! I am a mother of 4-amazing fellas...all whom I would use a baby wrap to carry them when they were infants. So, when I hear the term "binding together," I picture the way a mother (or father) may wrap a new born child around her body to carry the child she will forever, unconditionally loves beyond description, through the day...close to her heart, safe in her arms. Isn't that a precious picture?

God knows some trials or deserts will be too much for us to endure...to long for us to travel...to heavy for us to bear. So He binds us to Him so that He can carry us through! It totally changes my perspective...the thought of God holding me close, as His child, close to His heart, safe in His arms... is all I need to hear to help me understand passionately waiting on the Lord!

"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." --Psalm 62:1-2 (New Living Translation)


"I will thank You and confide in You forever, because You have done it [delivered me and kept me safe]. I will wait on, hope in and expect in Your name, for it is good..." --Psalm 52:9 (Amplified Bible)

Be Still and Know...that God is in your waiting. Just as a mother binds a baby close to her heart, God is holding you close to His, precious friend.

Leaving My Egypt-Month 2!

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."--Galatians 5:21-23


I wish there were a way that you could step into my life for a moment and experience the incredible change that continues to rock my world. As God works to refine this area of my life, He has opened my eyes to how crushing this sin was to me. I really had no idea how suffocating the box I had put myself into because I was not living as God intended. Looking back even to my first post about my struggle, I am amazed at the freedom I experience now...the peace...and the joy! I am reminded of one of my favorite verses that totally embodies what I wish describe what God has done in my heart:

"...We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."--Romans 5:1 (MSG)

Doesn't that verse just paint a beautiful picture of freedom? It stands in such a stark contrast to the verse that I identified with as I began this journey...and as I reread it, I am just overwhelmed with gratitude that Jesus is leading me further and further away from these burdens I could not stand under:

"It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: ...a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; ...paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on..." --Galatians 5:19-20

I know you must be thinking that I am being a bit dramatic about over-eating, right? But, do you see that it wasn't the food that was the sin, which led to the life described in Galatian 5:19...it was the fact that I had put food before Christ in my life. That, of course, is the sin! So, being dramatic about food--no. Being serious about sin--YES!

"...Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet." --James 4:7 (MSG)

And true to His promises, Jesus is helping me "get on my feet!" People keep asking me what program I am following, or what my plan is...truthfully, I am praying every morning that God will just continue to help me make the right choices, and to honor Him above everything in my life. And He is! I am so excited to tell you that as of today I have lost (through God's grace!):

41 pounds!


I have never been able to lose this much before on any quest to lose weight. I have never lasted on a "diet" this long. I think it just affirms God's work in my life, and like what Galatians 5:21-23 promises God is giving to me as a gift: exuberance about life, serenity...a willingness to stick with things...a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people...loyal commitments, not needing to force this way of eating, able to marshal and direct my energies wisely.

I'm thankful.



"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it..." --Romans 12:1-2

Be Still and Know...God's Word is true, His promises are true, and in His Freedom we LIVE, precious friends.

Leaving My Egypt-Week 6!

"This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!"
--Jeremiah 9:23-24


I am wrapping up 6 weeks of battling an ugly sin that reared it's head in my life. If you are interested (or really bored!) in reading the whole story, you can start here
and then continue to read how God continues to refine and heal me as I get serious about sin here and here.

At the risk of sounding repetitive (okay, I am!), God continues to blow my mind every time I step on the scale and see the numbers decreasing. It is crazy-hard to try and wrap my brain around the fact that I put food in place of my Savior, and not only does He forgive me, and comes to my rescue in this battle...but he blesses me on top of everything! Every time I step on the scale, I truly feel incredibly humbled and undeserving...and mostly overwhelmed with gratitude that God loves me even in my betrayal to Him and His place in my life.

One of the biggest things I have learned over these past few weeks as God draws me closer to Him, is that I chose this sin. I liked it....loved it, in fact. But Satan takes these little "cherished" sins that we maintain (choose to keep, or not acknowledge) in our life...sins that we think that we can control...sins that we think we can choose to "stop anytime we want"...the fact for me is that I realized I was not in control of it at all. It controlled me! I was, in fact, a slave to this sin. Praise the Lord, no kidding, that He is leading me out of this grip that sin has on my life! I love Deuteronomy 7:7-9 and how it speaks into my life (my inserts):


"God wasn't attracted to [me] and didn't choose [me] because [I was] big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to [me]. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to [me]... God stepped in and mightily bought [me] back out of that world of slavery, freed [me] from the iron grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know this: God, [my] God, is God indeed, a God [I] can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments..."


Just even typing that verse encourages my heart! And I am excited to share that as of this morning, I have lost 29 pounds! (Editors note: In my mind, I picture confetti and balloons falling from the ceiling!). I am excited about what God is doing in my life! I will tell you it is ALL God's workmanship. As the weight continues to come off, there have been some sweet friends that have noticed the subtle changes...and truthfully, I love to hear the encouragement! But I also have to stand guard that I do not, for one moment, boast on my own accord--because then I am not honoring God. I am working to honor God with my eating...and what I am not eating...but I also have to ensure that I honor God and give Him all of His glory.

"We have heard of Moab's pride—
her overweening pride and conceit,
her pride and her insolence—
but her boasts are empty."
--Isaiah 16:6-7


"My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice."--Psalm 34:2

Be Still and Know...even when we choose to seek anything other than the Lord first in our lives, He STILL seeks and redeems us.

Leaving My Egypt-Month 1!

Okay, so I wrapped up a full month of eating for God. On a side note, I refuse to call what I am doing dieting. Refuse. When we diet, the goal is to lose weight.... In my case, that is not my goal (but a sweet blessing!), my desire is to honor and worship God by how and what I eat.

I will just tell you that this has been an amazing experience for me. The ravenous cravings are gone, and lack of control is healing. God is doing a miraculous work in me, and I cannot help but think of a Psalms that David wrote:


“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.” Psalm 41:4

I know I have mentioned before, but allow me to reiterate one beautiful fact that sings in my heart everyday: The way that I desired food, the way I used food as comfort, the way I placed the importance of food in my life over Christ, I ignored the fact that I made food a trinket-god before the Holy One. (hello, first commandment, anyone?!) I confessed this to my Father, and amazingly, the One who created life--the One who commands the universe, the One who is to be greatly praised--not only forgave me, but is tenderly helping me overcome this struggle so I can honor Him. And not only is He helping me overcome this battle with food, but he blesses me in the process! I am so undeserving! It makes me laugh with pure astonishment when I see the pounds falling off! It is almost like a physical way to show a small portion of what He is doing in my heart.

So are you ready to hear the total weight lost these past 4-weeks?

24-pounds! (Little editor's note here: I so wanted to type 25 here...but I can't push myself to lose weight, because then I am focusing on the weight loss, and just replacing that as a trinket-god. I am really trying to guard against that!)

Whenever I start to even try to grasp this blessing, or even the fact that I am worthy of a blessing in this situation, I just CAN'T! But I love how God is a God of GOOD...and He desires good for us.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." --Psalm 37:4

Now, of course, don't get me wrong... I will honestly tell you that I have had two incidences where I stumbled. One was not so much what I ate...but how I ate it. I did not eat in a way that honored God at all. Which makes me go back to my point that I made at the beginning of this blog...if I were dieting...I would have not done a thing wrong! I was fine with my caloric intake, it was very healthy (tuna and half and avocado), but I knew that my heart was not in the right spot while I was eating the food. I was eating almost in a state of panic because I was hungry and was afraid that I would end up bingeing. But do you see the two emotions that I was feeding and running from? Panic and Fear. Neither of those emotions show a confidence that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." What I did in that moment is I did not put these emotions before the Lord...I tried to handle it myself. I took the hope that I have in Christ to help me in that situation, and tried to put a humanly fix on what only God can heal.

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah" --Psalm 62:8-10

I am so humbled by God's care for me in this journey. What an amazing God we serve!

"If you wake me each morning with the sound of Your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in You. Point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before You. Save me from my enemies, God— You're my only hope! Teach me how to live to please You, because You're my God. Lead me by Your blessed Spirit..."
--Psalm 143:8-10 (The Message)


Be Still and Know...although we try, we can never fix what only God can heal.