Abide

This morning we woke to cloudy, rainy skies and falling temperatures. It was peaceful and relaxing, and the perfect setting for a day of rest. After eating her breakfast, my sweet girl asked if she could sit in my lap. She climbed up and began snuggling in close. With her head on my chest and whispers of "I love you," all I could think was, "This is what you want from me isn't it Lord? To want to be close to you, close enough to hear the beatings of your heart, to hear your whispers of love rain down on me. You want me to find peace, protection and contentment in your arms. You want me to be still, listen, and abide in you."

In Isreal, we learned a great deal about abiding.  With each lesson, I realized I had little knowledge of the word, and I certainly didn't practice it often.  What does it mean?  According to Mirriam Webster:
ABIDE
transitive verb
1: to wait for : await
2 a : to endure without yielding : withstand
b : to bear patiently : tolerate
3: to accept without objection
intransitive verb
1: to remain stable or fixed in a state
2: to continue in a place : sojourn

Psalm 91:1-2 says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

So, why do we abide? Why is it important? Psalm 91:3-4 answers, "For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."  

John 15:9-11 says, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."

Even as I type, I can hardly keep the tears from our eyes. Friends, do you not see? God loves you. He adores you. He thinks you are magnificent. And he wants you near to him. He wants you to abide in him, where it is safe, where he can rescue and protect you.  He wants you to want to be near to him, in your moments of joy and your moments of sorrow.  He wants you with him. 

In one small moment, my young curly haired girl reminded me of God's love for me, and how desperately I need him.



**I hesitated to post the picture at the top of the post because I am confident this is not how Jesus looks. However, as a piece of art and not an actual representation, it works for the message of this post.

Live

I received the following yesterday in an email, and since I liked it so much I thought I would share it. Enjoy.

Live

Live in Him— As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Colossians 2:6 NKJV

Live through Him— Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NKJV

Live from Him— For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 NASB

Live with Him— Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. Romans 6:8 NKJV

Live as Him— He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6 NKJV

Live by Him— ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 NKJV


Live for Him— yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6 NKJV

WLW: What is your favorite exercise?

This week's topic: What is your favorite exercise?

I have to admit, as I read this question, I immediately started asking, "What kind of exercise? Cardio? Resistance? Indoor? Outdoor? With weights? Without weights? There are so many options!" What can I say, I am a personal trainer after all.

So, how about some of each, or better yet, some exercises that involve a bit of everything? I love exercises that involve mutliple planes of the body and not only improve strength, but also cardiovascular fitness. For instance:
Burpees
Moutain Climbers
Jumping lunges
Squats with swings

When it comes to strictly cardio, my choices are jogging or a spinning class.  Usually, I choose spinning if my ankle is starting to bother me, the weather is not working in my favor, or I just want to change things up from my normal jog.

My favorite ab exercises?  Plank, side plank, and plank with ab roll.

With all this talk about exercising, I think it's time to go do some!  Happy exercising.

WFW: Watchtower

Isaiah 21:8
Then the lookout called, “O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, And I am stationed every night at my guard post."

We know that God, our creator, is our high tower, protecting and sheltering His people. No person is asked to keep watch because God never grows weary. He knows every hair on our heads and the weaknesses in our defenses. He knows where our walls are not fortified, He knows we have a limisted view. And so, He stands guard on our behalf, and for our good.

To enjoy more Word Filled Wednesday posts click here..

Old vs New: I Will Take Them Both

How often have you thought of the Bible as one complete book? Not one book divided into two portions, but one complete book?   I have heard many people claim they enjoy the New Testament portion of the Bible more, that they have trouble digging through the Old Testament.  Prophecies, convenants, new names, new lands, wanderings and waitings, and judgements keep many away from the pages of the Old Testament.

Since my journey to (and through) Isreal, I have found myself falling in love with the Old Testament.  Many of Dr. Jim's teachings have opened my eyes to what is being revealed in Scripture.  These are not new revelations, simply things I had missed before in my own ignorance.  But now?  With new eyes and a new perspective, I have been diving right in and reveling in God's story, from the beginning.

I have finally come to realize that the New Testament makes so much more sense in light of the Old Testament.  In fact, can we just rename them to "what happened before Jesus," and "what happened after Jesus"?  I like that much better.  In studying the events before Jesus' birth, I have come to understand more of what happened after Jesus' birth.  I have found a beauty in Scriptures I missed before simply because I did not know.  While lack of reading may have had way too big of a part in my lack of knowledge, studying in Israel, in those places mentioned in God's Holy Word, I am encountering a new understanding. 

It is an understanding that changes everything.  As much as I may share with you about the moments, the lessons, the sights, my friends, you will not truly understand any of it until you go.  I believe every believer should go, especially those working directly in ministry.  I think a biblical study program through Israel should be required in seminaries, and for Christian artists, and authors, and everyone in between.

However, until you are all able to go, I will do my best to convey the beauty I am finding in the Bible.  Do not walk around the Old Testament pages, flipping quickly unless you have landed in Psalms or Proverbs, but I challenge you, stop, read, study those words.  God's love for us is written just as clearly in those pages as it is on the cross of Christ. 

Isaiah 35:3-5 -- Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts,  “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 35 -- check it out.

Rock on

Because I care about you all, and know your lives are in need of good music:



Mini-Documentary of B.Reith's new release, "How The Story Ends" featuring guest appearances from Lecrae, PJ Morton, Dave Barnes, and Lisa Gungor. Release Date: 11/1/11. For more information, please visit www.breith.com Copyright 2011 Nside Entertainment

WFW Deuteronomy 8:2

Deuteronomy 8:2

Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

I took this picture as I walked out of the Wilderness of Zin, the very place the Israelites wandered waited for forty years.  I do not believe they were wandering at all, they were waiting until God told them, "Go."  They knew where they were, God was communicating what was expected of them, and God provided for them in the wilderness.  Not all of the Israelites who entered the wilderness were allowed to exit.  During this time, God refined his people, drew them closer, and purified them.  

Having walked out of that very wilderness, and spending some time there, I have gained a better understanding for the Israelites grumbling.  It is not a place I would want to spend 40 hours, much less 40 years.  But it is beautiful, and incredible, and a place that is easy to be alone with God.  During this time, God learned what was in the hearts of his people, and at the end of the 40 years, God led them out, just as he had promised he would do.

To enjoy more Word Filled Wednesday posts click here..

WLW

Today's Topic: How do you recover after a bad week? How do you get back into the groove?

My first thought is: I try to avoid having a bad week! Ha! Yet, they happen every now and then and are usually a result of my own negative thinking. I refuse to blame circumstances for any choice I make because I think that is just a cop out. Regardless of the joy or stress in my life, I am the one choosing how to care for my body based on what foods I eat and whether or not I exercise.

When things get really out of balance and I am needing to be realigned, I email a friend and mentor who has sent me words of advice like the following:

Your power will come from 0 memory of the past and total commitment to NOW. Your NOW is your joy investment for tomorrow and future. I love your energy, passion, commitment and persistence to your goals and life in general. My warning to you is that Satan hates your love of the Lord and your commitment to His will. So, the only place the enemy can go to battle with you is your mind. The only way he knows where the battle will be held is through your words. He cannot wage war with what he doesn't know and he cannot read minds.

That's what I am learning, even in this journey to the healthiest life possible, it all takes place in the mind first.  With that, I want to leave you with a great picture a friend posted the other day.  Enjoy, be blessed, make healthy choices, and know you are not alone!

Mighty Warrior

Slowly, I am emerging from my jet-lagged, world changing, heart wrecking, mind blowing haze. Israel. Wow. It truly was indescribable in many ways. Everything has changed because of it. I am caught somewhere between humble amazement and utter frustration trying to figure out "what now." 

When asked about the journey, I am no longer staring blankly with my mouth agape.  I simply say, "indescribable."  In many ways, that is true, and in many ways it is because I still have so much to process.  We were told it would take two years, and I am beginning to understand why.  Yet, I do want to be able to share with others, and more importantly, encourage them to go.

One of the many things I learned while there is what a fierce and mighty warrior God is.  We often preach about him and picture him as the gentle lamb, meek and mild.  While this is true, he is also powerful and strong.  Jesus was born to overthrow the adversary, to rescue us from the adversary's mutiny against God.  A rescuer must be able, and determined, and willing to sacrifice it all.  And Jesus did. 

In seeing God more as a mighty warrior, I developed a newfound sense of safety in him.  His mighty arms will protect me, even through death.  His strength allows him to fight without tiring.  His armor is impenetrable, his victory assured. 

Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves." 

Revelation 19:11-11, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself."

From Israel

The following are some pictures from Israel. It is by no means complete or a full picture of all the places we went. However, I did not think anyone wanted to park at their computer for hours on end. And, I was a bit sleepy when I did this, so I just hope everything is labeled properly. Enjoy, and to those of you who prayed for me and the team, thank you.

Make your own digital slideshow

About the book:

A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Ft. Worth hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer--or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

About Patti:

Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University with a BS in education and completed master's-level courses in English at Indiana State University. She taught at Heartland Community College until May 2006, when she resigned to pursue her passion of writing. The author of three previous novels, Patti is the mother of two grown children and lives with her husband in Normal, Illinois.

For more about Patti and her other books, visit her website at www.pattilacy.com.



My Thoughts:
I fully enjoyed reading this book!  It's a beautiful picture of the importance of family, the beauty of grace and mercy, and how God has designed every moment of our lives to be purposeful.  Lacy develops the characters in this novel very well as she weaves their lives together.  As in life, Reclaiming Lily reminds us how interdependent we are on one another, and even when we believe ourselves to be fully independent and void of a need for others, we are in need of someone to walk alongside us throughout life.  The beauty of this story was also emphasized by the fact I have dear friends who have adopted from China.  Sit back, curl up, and enjoy this wonderful book.


Enter 10/5-10/19. Winner announced at Patti's Facebook Party on 10/20!

Win a KindleTouch from Patti Lacy!
Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily,  with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

Stateside

The journey home was adventurous friends, way too adventurous. If you have never tried to exit Israel, let me tell you, it is an experience in and of itself. Their security is incredible, and it was slightly unnerving to answer a question and be told, "I know." And, they do. They knew every place we had been, the times we had been there, and for how long. Wow. America could learn a lot about securing a nation from them.

As we finally crept into the check-in line, the computers began crashing. The airline, of which I refuse to name because even bad press is still press, did not take responsibility. Surprised? I wasn't. I was one of the last individuals in our group to obtain a printed boarding pass. Others received a hand-written one, five people from our team received nothing. That's right, five people were left behind and rerouted elsewhere. Scary. A group of us headed to the gate and chose to wait for the rest of the group, until we were yelled at to get on the plane anyway. We went on the buddy system and stayed in pairs so even if we were separated we wouldn't be alone. The flight was scheduled at midnight, left two hours late, and without 150 people that were supposed to be on there. I found out later we were two minutes away from not leaving at all. With Yom Kippur beginning the next day, that would have meant I would be getting back today, or tomorrow. Yikes. We arrived at JFK with only an hour until our connecting flight, which we missed due to customs. Nice. They had 11 hours to prepare for us, but of course, they did not. Another line, another wondering when we would get home, and another choice to stay in pairs. At 2:35 pm, we left JFK and headed to Atlanta, where we switched planes and landed in Nashville around 7pm.

After calculating time changes, etc, we figured out we were in an airport or on an airplane for a total of 24 hours and had been awake for roughly 48 hours. What does that feel like? Something akin to being run over by a bus I am sure.

I nearly ran off the plane, and at the sight of my curly-haired girl, I dropped to my knees as she ran to me, and tears gently streamed down my face as I wrapped my arms around her. The mere sight of my sweet girl and my husband made my eyes fill with tears. It was so good to have them back in arm's reach, and in my arms!

It's an odd adjustment though, trying to figure out life again. I still feel like a foreigner, and am unsure as to where I fit in this picture. I was told I would be wrecked and forever changed, but I never could have imagined just how much. I know see why we were told it would take at least two years to process our journey and all the lessons we encountered there.

Today, I will simply enjoy being together and attending worship at our former church, the place I have missed so dearly. Eventually, I will figure out my new normal.

Room With A View

This was the view from my room last night. We are staying at a place on the Sea of Galilee, away from the crowded and busy city. This is the perfect location to spend our remaining four days. How I am going to sort through and process all I have learned during my time here is beyond me. It is going to take a while, a very long while. For now, I am going to enjoy the view, absorb as much as possible, and rejoice in the fact God chose me to be here.