Sunday, January 21, 2018

Word of the Week: Quiet

Striving. 

Hustling. 

Competing. 

I see so much of this on social media. I've even tried to join in the race. 

But those efforts will not bring the victory that God has already planned for me.


Time spent quietly before Him, resting in Him, and delighting in Him are actions that promise to bring about the desires of my heart. 

Psalm 62:1 says,
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him."


There is power in being quiet before Him. Our silence allows His voice to be heard clearly.  (click to tweet)

Taking time to sit at His feet like Mary goes against the grain of culture. And yet, Jesus said she made the best choice. 

In verse 5 it says, 
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him."

Am I honestly letting all that I am wait quietly before Him?

We strive, hustle, and compete because it's easier than stripping down all defenses and pretenses before Him. Truly getting quiet before Him requires humbling self and submitting to His agenda.  


I crawled out of bed to attend a women's event. I had barely been able to keep myself standing during the worship time. And I had no desire to go forward for prayer, I simply had no energy to stand. But, I felt my body rise up and follow the others forward. 

Standing there a thought shot through my mind, "no one ever has a word meant for me. This is a waste of time." 

Softly but firmly God pierces through the attitude of my tired heart saying, "Stay here, be quiet, and wait on Me."

I relax, trusting that He will give me the grace to continue to stand, I quiet my mind before Him, and wait for someone to come pray over me. 

A woman I don't know came over and began praying for me. She prayed, "Father, reveal to her Your rest. She's been fasting for three days, Lord, and she needs rest. Your rest. Show her what still needs to fall away. Show her what's next. Help her to trust you. And help her to rest. And Lord, take her deeper than she's ever gone before."

How did she know that I had been fasting for three days and felt weak and tired?

Her words brought confirmation, peace, and hope to my spirit. And now I wait, wholeheartedly before Him trusting that He will bring the victory in every area of life that I have laid out before Him. 

Trust Him, stay right where you are, and wait on Him in the quiet spaces of your life, He is worth the wait! 


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Sunday, January 14, 2018

3 Goals for 2018

Wonder Woman inspired me when we were together over the holidays! 

She ran down the hill singing at the top of her lungs, "And no one knows how far it goes!"

We hunted butterflies, searched for tigers, and avoided the 'pokey' weeds as we played in the park before her bedtime. 

Watching her imagination at work flooded my spirit with joy. 

I am beyond grateful for her influence in my life.

Confidence, determination, and a strong spirit of adventure all wrapped up in a two year old frame. 

I listened to her declarations of what she can do and then watched her show me that she could do it. She has an inner strength that many women I know would envy...starting with me!

Time spent with her confirmed the word God gave me for 2018:

'Courage.'

Courage in Hebrew is 'Chazak'. Which means 'to be strong'. 

The verse that is guiding me this year is Ezra 10:4 and includes three imperatives: 

1. Get Up
2. Be Strong (chazak)
3. Take Action

Meditating on those three statements convicts me to take them on as goals for the year. 

I have new music I've written that needs to be recorded. I have new goals that I've set as I seek to learn and grow this year. I have new responsibilities to live up to. In each instance I must Get Up, Be Strong, and Take Action. 

My little Wonder Woman didn't care who was watching when she ran down the hill singing, she was doing what she felt compelled to do. And I'm grateful to have learned that lesson from her. 

Strong women boldly follow their God-given instincts.


Do you have a word or phrase inspiring your goals for this year? If so I'd love to hear it!


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Friday, December 29, 2017

Word of the Week: Inventory

As 2017 closes:


I look back to evaluate the Connections of this year.

I look forward to what I hear God speaking for 2018.

And I look around to enjoy the present moment.


Eliana's bouncing curls as she laughs.

Raphael’s grunts and sweet new baby smell.

Daily chats with Spencer and Meesha.


Playing with our granddaughter,

snuggling with our newly born grandson,

reconnecting with our son and daughter-in-love.


Priceless precious moments.
Joy filled connections.
Treasures to ponder!


Life was good this past year,
life promises good for next year,
and life is good in this very moment!


This video is from 2015 and yet the three simple questions are timeless.
I pray that you can use them, as I have,
to take inventory on your year in preparation for 2018!