Yes to God Study - Week 6 - It Isn't Easy

This week, we are covering Chapter 6 (If It Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Worth Doing) of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. It talks about how it can be difficult to say yes to God. I encourage you to click on the button above and visit Lelia's blog to read the thoughts and testimonies of other women.

Eventhough I can clearly see blessings resulting from my obedience to God, I still struggle. To be honest, I am drained by the battle. This week, I am tired of not knowing what may happen to my job, applying to other jobs with no response, and questioning God about it all.

It can be difficult to see what God is doing in and through a situation when you are in the middle of it. Am I seeking God's guidance, praying, and reading my Bible? Yes. Do I know God is in control? Yes. Do I believe he has a plan with perfect timing? Yes. Then, why isn't that enough?

Although I know it to be true, that does not mean I always FEEL it to be true. I am reminded of what our pastor says during the call to salvation, "it is not a matter of your FEELING but a matter of your FAITH." The struggle is in moving the focus from my feelings to my faith. Right now, I am holding on to this passage:

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:26-28 (MSG)

Lord, thank you for helping me along when I grow weary. I ask you to strengthen my faith and remove my doubts. Please direct my path to follow your will. Thank you in advance for working every detail into something good. Amen.

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays - There is a Reason

Growing up, my mother always said, "Everything has a reason." It would drive my sister and I crazy. As adults, we hold onto those words for comfort and security. When we face a trial or tragedy, it can be hard to accept, but there is a reason. Although we often do not know, nor could we imagine, the reason, I find comfort in knowing that God does make all things good.

Click on the button above to discover more great songs through Amy's meme at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders. If you have not seen one of my Safety Saturdays posts with tips for keeping kids safe online and offline, I hope you will check it out. Blessings!

Safety Saturdays (#10) - Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online and Offline

CELLPHONES

Today's cellphones have become mini computers with the ability to search the internet, send e-mails, and send picture, video and text messages. Parents and children should discuss appropriate cellphone use for their family. You may want to check with your service provider to find out what options are available to disable internet and/or text messaging capabilities.

Text messaging allows users to send short messages to one another. This may replace emailing, chat rooms, and instant messaging for children who do not want their parent's to access this information on the family computer. Many children are being bullied through text messaging. If your child receives a harassing text, tell them not to respond, save the message, and tell a trusted adult. Remind them to never send a text with words that they would not use in person.

Remember once children send text, video, or pictures from their phone, they lose control. It can easily be forwarded to another phone or to the internet. Sending provocative pictures or videos of themselves or engaging in conversations of a sexual nature can put them at risk for exploitation.

Safety tips to discuss with your children:

• Never post your cellphone number online.
• Never respond to harassing text. Save the message and tell a trusted adult.
• Never send a text that says something that they would not say in person.
• Never send provocative pictures or videos of themselves.
• Remember once a text, picture, or video is sent, they lose control and cannot take it back.

Where can you get more information?

• NetSmartz411 is parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web. You can search their library for information or ask the experts a question. Click on the library tab and then the cellphones/iPods category for several articles about risks, safety, and monitoring cellphones.
• NetSmartz Workshop provides on- and offline learning activities for parents to facilitate discussions with their children and teens about Internet safety, including cyberbullying.
• Wall Street Journal article, April 23, 2008, on cellphone tools that can filter uncensored web and chat.

Next week's post will provide information about CHAT LINGO, the foreign language of acronyms for texting, chats, and instant messaging. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a particular topic that you would like to see covered in a future post. (If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.) Click on the "Safety Saturdays" label to the left to get more safety tips.

Yes to God Study - Week 5

This week, the discussion of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, covers Chapter 5: What Keeps Us from Saying Yes to God. I encourage you to click on the button to the left and visit Lelia's blog to read the thoughts and testimonies of other women.

The most powerful words in this chapter for me were these:

God chose such a unique word to describe His peace - a river! A river is not calm and void of activity. It is active and cleansing and confident of the direction it is headed in. It doesn't get caught up with the rocks in its path. It flows over and around them, all the while smoothing their jagged edges and allowing them to add to its beauty rather than take away from it.

Our attention is like a magnifying glass - whatever we place it on becomes larger and more consuming of our time and energy.

The Lord laid it on my heart to attend the She Speaks Conference this year. In February, I said yes and registered for the conference. I trusted God would make a way financially for me to attend. Since registering, several rocks have fallen in my path. When I looked at the rocks, I saw them building a dam of uncertainty. I wandered if I should cancel my registration. Then, I turned my eyes to God and was flooded with assurance to trust Him.

Today, I found out that my registration fee will be paid in full. Praise God! I am so excited that He is smoothing the jagged edges of fear and doubt in my heart. I cannot wait to see how He will use me through this blessing.

Safety Saturdays (#9) - Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online and Offline

Instant Messaging

People, who are online at the same time, can send and receive messages instantly through Instant Messaging (IM). It differs from email because once you send the message, it appears on the other person's screen, as long as they are online, even if they are doing something else on the computer. Some popular IM services include AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and ICQ. The IM software can be downloaded to your computer for free.

Most services suggest creating an online profile. It is important to set your child's profile to private and to block messages from people your child does not know in real life. IM services may include the following features:

• Ability to share photos and videos
• Free computer to computer calling, which is similar to talking on the phone but through your computer
• Messaging through other devices, such as cellphones

What can you do?

• Log conversations (This is can be done through the service or using monitoring software.)
• Know who your child IMs
  
• Make sure your child knows he/she can come to you to discuss anything he/she encounter online that bothers him/her
  

Tell your child to

• Only communicate with people online that they know in real life
• Beware of friend of a friend
• Block people who send messages that are distressing or harassing
• Keep personal information private
• Never meet anyone in person first "met" online

Where can you get more information?

• NetSmartz Workshop provides on- and offline learning activities for parents to facilitate discussions with their children and teens about Internet safety, including cyberbullying.
• NetSmartz411 is parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web. You can search their library for information, such as "How can I block instant message?" or ask the experts a question.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a particular topic that you would like to see covered in a future post. (If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.) Click on the "Safety Saturdays" label to the left to get more safety tips.

Yes to God Study - Week 4

This week, Lelia's study of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, covers Chapter 4: You Never Know How God will Use You. Lelia's comments highlight a message I have been receiving throughout the past week:

Keep your focus on God rather than yourself.

Lelia said sometimes the pursuit of God is tiring. Oh, how I can relate. My blog has been quiet recently because I have been on a journey of introspection, seeking God's guidance.

The office where I work may close. This is time of unexpected change and uncertainity. If I focus on me, what I see or do not see, I may rapidly swirl in a whirlpool of worry. I can speculate what may happen. I can fret about searching for a job in a recessed economy. I can stress over the unknown. If I turn my focus to God, there is no need to worry. I know I can trust that He has a plan and will use me in ways I never imagined.

Lysa's statement on page 70

".....people don't care to meet my Jesus until they meet the reality of Jesus in me."

stood out for me more than anything else in this chapter. People often do not consider how their actions can drown out the truth of their words. They may be speaking the word of God but living in a manner that does not align with scripture. It can build a wall of hypocrisy blocking another's path to Jesus.

At times, I have felt ill-equipped to minister to others because I do not have enough scripture memorized "or all the answers to religious questions," as Lysa says on page 13. It is encouraging to realize I can have an impact through my actions by living in a manner that reflects God's presence. This study is such a blessing. Be sure to visit Lelia's blog to see what God is doing in the lives of other women.

Organizational Challenge

Lysa TerKeurst and Karen Ehman have teamed up for a "Swap & Hop" on organization. If you have "An Organizational Challenge Area in Your Home," write a post about it, and link to the post on Lysa's blog. We can check out other blogs and hopefully get some helpful tips. Plus, Karen will pick a few of the entries to feature instructional makeovers on her blog. Lysa and Karen are both giving away a copy of Karen's book "The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized."

Our CONSTANT organizational challenge is our home office. When one piece of paper enters the room, someone must pour water on the paper gremlins because it ends up looking like this.

The photo depicts the worst side of the room. The "to be filed" bin is full. Piles of paper serve as an ineffective filing system. Lovely cardboard boxes store pamphlets and brochures.

HELP! We need an intervention.

Pumpkin's Prayer

A heartfelt conversation between a pre-schooler and God:

God, please help us to never be sad or angry.

I love you, God.

I hope you had a good day up there in heaven.

I love you.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Yes to God Study - Week 3

This week, Lelia's study of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, covers Chapter 3: When Obedience Becomes Radical. In February, I wrote a post about God speaking to me to turn of the T.V. and use my time more wisely. I really related to what Lysa said on page 44, "It wasn't that what I was watching was bad - it just wasn't God's best."

In the 3 months since the television went off, I have become much more intentional with my time. I know I have to stay focused with obedience on meaningful activities. Otherwise, I could replace the television with another "escape."

Through this experience, I am living out the words from page 53, "The more we say yes to God, the more we will live in expectation of seeing Him."As I see how He has used this experience for my growth, I trust that I will be more open to hear and follow His directions.

The Bible study at the end of the chapter asks us to comment on the statement:

"We need not fear what our obedience will cause to happen in our life. We should only fear what our disobedience will cause us to miss."

For me, I think the fear of what obedience may cause to happen in my life comes from wanting to see the details of the big picture. I must remember to be assured that God has worked out the details for my good, as Lysa states on page 45. It will definitely help me to change my perspective to focusing on trusting God and what I may miss if I am disobedient.

Stirring One Another Up

Carolyn at Scrapping Servant has a great meme for Mondays. In My Walk Monday, she invites you to share something from your walk with the Lord. I love to read how others are growing in their relationship with God. She also asks a "bonus question" to get to know everyone more. This week she asked, "What is your most recent favorite verse in God’s word and why (if it isn’t obvious)?"

Some of my recent favorites are Hebrew 10:23-24:

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (NLT)

So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities. (Amplified Bible)

Through verse 23, I am reminded not to waver in my trust in God during this time of change in my life. He is reliable and faithful. Just because I do not know the plan, does not mean God does not have a plan.

Verse 24 is what Carolyn had in mind for this meme, encouraging one another. God continues to bless me with encouragement from others through conversations with family or friends and through comments on my blog. I am grateful that God is also using me to inspire others.

God never meant for us to be alone. He is always with us in every situation. He wants us be there for each other, too. The support people give one another in the blogging community is delightful evidence of God using us stir one another up. I am glad to be part of it.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Set The World On Fire

I came across the song "Set The World On Fire" by Britt Nicole today.
It is about trusting God with your dreams.
It is right where I am and just what I needed.

God has placed the dreams on my heart to write and to use my law enforcement experience to teach children and their parents about safety*. This year, I am taking steps to follow those dreams. "Take my dreams, come and give them wings. Lord with you, there's nothing I cannot do."

I'm trusting God will use me and my dreams for His will.
I hope this song encourages you to give your dreams to God.
Join me; "I'm gonna set the world on fire."

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)

*Click on the "Safety Saturdays" label in the left column to learn more.

Safety Saturdays (#8) - Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online and Offline

CYBERBULLYING - YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK

Cyberbullying is using technology, such as email, text messaging, blogs, and websites, to spread rumors and gossip; post pictures of someone without their consent; and/or embarrass, threaten, or harass someone. Young people often do not realize their words can be far-reaching through the internet. The video highlights the resulting consequences. Remind your children not to say anything on the internet that they would not say in person. Help them to understand that once words are emailed, sent by text message or posted, they cannot take them back.

Where can you find more information?

• My post last Saturday on Cyberbullying.
• Stop Cyberbullying provides information for parents and educators, plus age specific information for kids, ages 7-10, 11-13, 14-17.
• A project in Canada, which is helping kids who are dealing with the issues of bullying and teasing, provides further information about cyberbullying through one of their websites and an information sheet.
• NetSmartz Workshop provides on- and offline learning activities for parents to facilitate discussions with their children and teens about Internet safety, including cyberbullying.
• NetSmartz411 is parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a particular topic that you would like to see covered in a future post. (If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.) Click on the "Safety Saturdays" label to the left to get more safety tips.

Messy Results Still Scrumptious

When baking, I usually make the batter by adding a couple ingredients to the mixture from a box. Then, I came across a recipe for Chocolate Mud Cake, baked in a slow cooker. That novel idea sounded fun.

(Doesn't the picture below just make your mouth water?)

I thought my daughter and I would at least have fun trying to make it.

Below is the result of our efforts in the slow cooker.

On the surface, it resembles a cake.



When cutting into the cake to serve, the chocolate oozed out. (see below)

It was much more like MUD than cake, yet delicious.



The recipe had a disclaimer:

"Note: the cake's cooking time and final appearance will vary depending on your crock's size."

I thought about how our baking project could be a metaphor for our walk with God. Sometimes you have all the right ingredients. You go to church, read your Bible, and spend quiet time with God. You follow the recipe, but the results are not quite what you pictured. It is a little messy, a little muddy.

Maybe God takes you down an unexpected path. Maybe He does not answer your prayers as you anticipated or when you expected.

Aren't we like the "crock" in the recipe's disclaimer? Depending on the container, the cooking time and final appearance may vary. Each of us holds the ingredients a little differently. Some of us may need to simmer longer to bring the ingredients together. As long as we follow the recipe with faith and trust in God, He will be as pleased with us as we were with the cake.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)