last night was the monthly gathering of the girlfriends club. there is a group of 8 of us all of whom either do work at lifeway or used to work at lifeway. the activity this month was pedicures at venetian in green hills. then we headed to cheesecake factory for a VERY light dinner and a HUGE piece of cheesecake. a fun time was had by all. don’t have any pics from this month but these are a few from our april gathering at maggiano’s.
i added my most recent read to the sidebar. The Power of Crying Out is probably one of the most powerful little books I’ve read. in keeping with the title, the author outlines the biblical precedent for verbally crying out to the lord…for our needs, in times of trouble, making a habit of verbally crying out to the lord. in one of the first couple of chapters he outlines the different hebrew words for “cry” that david uses in the psalms. in those words there is a common thread….a continual noise or utterance. it is like the idea of meditating where you mull over scripture and spiritual truth over and over again. the other huge thing for me was a section of the book that discusses praying with fervancy. spurgeon is quoted as saying, “Prayer without fervency is not really praying.” (that is close anyway) i find many times that the things that i pray for on a regular basis become ho hum or sometimes non existent during my prayer time. this is not to say that just because we ask that god is bound to do it. the main idea is just to cry out to god and the most effective way is out loud.
i’m still trying to digest all that the lord taught me. i’ve passed it on to a friend and am excited to hear what she thinks.
june is coming to a close and the 4th of july is just around the corner. it’s hard to believe that on sunday we will be in the 2nd half of 2007. as i was driving into work this morning, i was thinking about the “resolutions” i made in january. i don’t really make resolutions because they never seem to last, but i did resolve to do a few things based on what the verse that the lord gave me for the year.
4 Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.
Psalms 105:4 (HCSB)
i wasn’t sure the significance of this verse back in january, but i’m beginning to understand what the lord is trying to do in my life. the first half of this year, he has insisted that i stay in his word and continue to seek him in ALL circumstances. on the days when my flesh did not want to seek him, he pursued me and pulled me closer to himself. he is trying to get it through my head that i can’t do life let alone experience the abundant life without an intense connection with jesus. this first half of the year has been filled with ups and downs but the consistent mark is that every time i have sought him he has been faithful to reveal himself.
12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”—the Lord’s declaration
Jer 29:12-14 (HCSB)
my prayer is that i would continue to walk closely with the savior through whatever comes in the last half of 2007!
sometimes i think that i’m just entirely too chatty at all the wrong times. years ago i would have never put my name and chatty in the same sentence. i was so quiet and still will be in certain situations. most of the time though i can talk and talk alot. the speaker at church last sunday preached a timely message (timely for me anyway) on the power of the tongue from the book of james. since hearing that sermon i have begun to evaluate my speech and am beginning to realize that sometimes it is just better to be silent. i think god is trying to get that truth to sink in because he has put many reminders in front of my face. here is my reminder from this morning.
Shut It: 5 Times You’re Right to Remain Silent
it’s funny that a couple of these situations have presented themselves today. will i be able to keep my tongue in check????
wow! i had no idea it had been so long since i last posted. needless to say, life has been a little crazy. trying to finish up these classes is keeping me very busy. i decided to get back in the swing of things with a few pics. these were taken at our father’s day dinner.
