Just an update on my life...

While our women's ministry at church is on a hiatus regarding a Bible study (because we're soon starting an 8 week study as a church on marriage), I've been doing Breaking Free by Beth Moore on my own. Has anyone done this study? It has been so productive. Areas of my life that I haven't realized could change are being submitted to God for His power to transform my mind and life. God is using this study to 1) show me thought patterns that need change, 2) encourage me that He will change me as I cooperate with Him, 3) show me things to do to help facilitate that change. He reveals truth through His word and does a work in my heart, I submit to His truth and actively pursue Him as Deliverer and Healer and Conquerer, and the fruit of that is a deeper intimacy with Him and a life that is changed! How exciting!

My son just called. He's had a stomach bug for a few days. He lives in Washington, D.C., so I can't bring him broth and crackers and baby him a little! I wonder if God ever feels that way about us. I really think His heart yearns to give us a big hug sometimes, especially when we're suffering. :)  I bet He'll do just that when we finally see Him face to face!

I've been making some changes in our diet around here. It seems everyone in my family has specific challenges when it comes to this. One has a digestive problem and should have no fat or insoluble fiber, one has an intolerance to wheat and sugar, my girls and I are always conscious of maintaining a healthy weight, and my husband desires a healthy diet for his heart. I thank God that many years ago, even way back when I was in college, I've always had an interest in nutrition and cooking. My prayer is that He will lead me to the research and recipes I need to help the medical care that they get on occasion. And change our tastes to like some of these foods that are new to us, i.e. I'm discovering miso, tofu, and many, many ways to use vegetables! lol! An old cookbook from the Weimar Institute and Mollie Katzen's incredibly creative cookbooks have been very helpful. God provides. :)  I've been making these apple date squares with no wheat, sugar, or fat (I know, I know, "and no taste" lol), but no, they're really good!

Enjoy your day!

Pam :)

Currently Reading Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) By Paul David Tripp see related

Trials have been many lately, and how easily I could lose my perspective! The Lord is using a book I’m currently reading to encourage me to cling and to trust. To see purpose in the midst. It’s long, but if you could use a bit of hope and a view from above, I urge you to read this.

Excerpt from “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” by Paul David Tripp

GOD’S REBAR

            When builders lay a huge slab of concrete, they reinforce it with rebar, metal rods that run horizontally and vertically through the center, adding strength and stability. Similarly, the grand themes of God’s story run through every passage of Scripture, producing a stability in my life that I can find nowhere else. Only in the context of these themes will the pieces of my story make any sense.

            Let’s consider three grand themes of the story of redemption. Embedded in each is a practical comfort, as well as a clear call to wise and godly living. The first is the theme of God’s sovereignty…

            From the rise and fall of governments to tomorrow’s weather to the exact location of every human being, the universe is under God’s control. He has the power and authority to do exactly what pleases him, anywhere he chooses to do it. God’s sovereignty is not only about power and position, but also about a plan. Scripture clearly teaches that God has a plan for his world and the people in it. God is calling a people to himself, forming them into his likeness, and preparing them for an eternity with him. This is his overarching plan of the ages, revealed in history, present in current events and in the lives of everyone who has ever lived. At any moment in time, the right answer to the question, “What is God doing?” is, “Accomplishing his plan.”

            This theme is meant to be a great practical comfort to us. Look around – don’t things often seem to be out of control? Doesn’t it often look like the bad guys are winning” Haven’t you cried, “Why me?” or wept at the suffering of another? Don’t you sometimes feel lost in the crowd, the custodian of a small and relatively meaningless life? Don’t you daily face your powerlessness to even change yourself?

            In response to humanity’s deepest, heartfelt questions, God sweetly speaks of his sovereignty. “Take heart, I am in complete control. I am the definition of holiness and love. All of my ways are right and true, all of my decisions are best, and I will not rest until my plan has been completed.”

            There is comfort in your moment of greatest mystery. There is encouragement in your time of greatest confusion, and hope in your moment of greatest discouragement. Your world is not a world of constant chaos controlled by impersonal forces. Your destiny is not in your hands or in the hands of other people. You are held in the hands of your heavenly Father, who rules everything. You are a child of the King of Kings and you live under the shadow of his wing. You are part of his plan. That means that the exercise of his power and authority is for your blessing.

            You and I can rest in the middle of deep and personal mysteries. We can press on when little around us makes sense. There is reason in the mystery and order in the chaos, because behind it all stands the One in control of it all.

            What does this mean for each of us? It means peace when my brain is unable to put it all together. A Christian’s inner peace is never based on his ability to take the teachings of Scripture and figure it all out. Our peace always rests on the presence, power, and character of the Lord. Because he rules heaven and earth according to his wise plan, I need not live in anxiety and fear. God’s absolute sovereignty guarantees the fulfillment of each of his promises to every one of his children. This includes you!

            Because he rules, nothing you do in obedience to him is ever futile. Your life has meaning and purpose because you are included not only in the plan of the One who rules it all, but also in his family!

“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me...” Psalm 138:8

“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jer 29:11

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:6-9

Let us cling and trust and rejoice in Him this new year!

Pam

I’ve been doing the Beth Moore study, Breaking Free, for the past month and want to share a bit of it with you. This is an excerpt from today’s assignment that is particularly meaningful for Christmas. I did not write the following. Beth Moore did. (But I paraphrased the beginning of it because the format was fill-in-the-blank.)

“Isaiah 61:1  The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

“Take notice of the verb in verse 1:  “He has sent me.” The Hebrew word for sent is shalack meaning “to shoot (forth)” (Strong’s).

“Psalm 127:3-4  Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

“John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

“John 3:17 tells us God gave His Son for the salvation of people by sending Him into the world. You see, Beloved, God only had one arrow in His quiver. The most perfect arrow ever to exist. This arrow was a masterpiece, priceless to Him. Cherished far above all the hosts of heaven. Nothing could compare. His only heritage. His only Son. But as God looked on a lost world – desperate and needy and in the clutches of the enemy – His heart was overwhelmed. Though they had sinned miserably against Him and few sought Him, God had created them in love and could not love them less.

“Love reached sacrificially into the quiver and pulled forth the solitary arrow. The quiver would now be empty, His cherished arrow in the hands of hateful men. Yes, God so loved the world; but God also loved His only begotten Son with inexpressible, divine affection. The divine dilemma: two loves. And one would demand the sacrifice of the other. Only one weapon could defeat the enemy of the soul – God’s arrow. He positioned the weapon, pulled back the bow, steadied His grip, and aimed straight for the heart, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7

“Oh, what unfathomable love! What sacrifice! And all who will lower their veiling shields of unbelief and let the healing arrow penetrate shall be saved!”

                                                                        ~ Breaking Free author, Beth Moore

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

In Him,

Pam

Passion for the lost...

Check this out.....some with older ears like mine may have to listen twice , but it's worth it. I haven't listened to it yet without getting choked up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdMo0rOt2Kk

Where would we be without Jesus?

My husband was telling me about a friend from work who has a lot of family problems right now. Living with his girlfriend afraid to commit to marriage; has his mom and sister (who is an alcoholic) living with him; has a homeless man living in his basement just because this friend has such a big heart. Danny was saying that he felt a little guilty having a life that is so blessed compared to all this guy is going through.

I think the Lord brought this back to my mind this morning as I was getting my tea made and candle lit and cup warmer turned on in preparation for my time with Him. I thought, where would I be now if not for His restraining, protecting, Fatherly, loving hand on my life?

 I thought back to who I was before I was saved at the age of 20. I also thought about the temptations I’ve had over the years while I’ve walked with the Lord. The fleshly thoughts that, if not for God’s grace poured out in my life, would have become actions. That grace is invisible and silent, and I might not recognize it if I don’t stop once in a while and intentionally think about it. In my natural mind, I might tend to think we’ve been spared many things that others go through as a kind of cosmic accident if I don’t stop and realize how intimately involved God has been in my life for 30 years now. That’s what I did this morning.

If God hadn’t intervened in my life and brought me into a dynamic relationship with Him, I could be…

An alcoholic (runs in the family, and I feel this weird subtle pull toward it sometimes)

Unmarried (I used to think “why get married if you’re not going to have kids,” and I certainly saw no use for them!)

Having affairs (I used to think “why not?”)

Not the mom of my 3 kids!!! (can’t even imagine!)

Trapped by food and weight issues (God delivered me from compulsive eating habits and continues to give me healthy thinking regarding food)

All about image, vulnerability was weakness

Arrogant

Very cynical and sarcastic

Totally without hope

Maybe even suicidal

Wow.

If I may suggest something, take a moment and think about your life. For those who’ve been saved for a long time, think back to before. And think about whatever weaknesses you’ve experienced over the years as a believer that, if not for God’s intervention in your life, we all could’ve fallen headlong into sin and destruction.

Realize that He is powerful to save, saved us from what might have been, and saves us every day from sin and its effects in our lives.

This is what I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving.

In Him,

Pam

P.S. I've been away for a while because I needed to be single-mindedly devoted to our ladies Bible study at church this Fall. (read that as "at this stage of my life, my fuzzy brain can't focus on more than one thing at a time!") That season is drawing to a close, so I hope to be posting on occasion as the Lord leads and as I have anything worth sharing!