Who is HE and Who are YOU?

Nearly two years ago I felt led to do a Bible Study in my home for mom's with young children.  We home school and so I was a little leery about adding something to our schedule, but still felt strongly this was something that God was asking me to do, for Him.   In an effort to keep things balanced, I choose to do the study every other Friday morning.  Children were welcome and my elementary and middle school aged children helped keep toddlers and other kids occupied while babies played at mama's feet. 

The study we did was Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. Only a few mom's showed up at the time but I know God used that time and this study to bless each of us and help each of us to grow closer to Him.  Since then I have had the opportunity to share the resources and walk with others in the study.  It has been such a blessing to be a part of their journey and to be reminded again and again of the material.  

In the first session Priscilla talks about the anointing of God that David had in his life.  She shared how all of us who believe and trust in the Lord have the Holy Spirit, with the power of God, residing in us.  Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to do His will in our lives and to stand against the enemy. 

At one point Priscilla goes on a long and powerful exposition of who God is and who we are as a child of His.  I loved it and want to have this printed and posted in my home as a frequent reminder.  He is the one deserving of all my praise and the one constant who can help me me in all situations. Below is a lengthy quote from Priscilla so you too may be reminded of Who He is and Whose you are!

May you be blessed and encouraged in the Lord as you read this.

He Is…..
The First and the Last
The Beginning and the end
The keeper of creation
The creator of all
He’s the architect of the universe
And the manager of all time

He always was, always is and always will be.
Unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone

He was bruised but brought healing,
He was pierced but eased pain,
He was persecuted but brought freedom
He was dead and brings life
He is risen to bring power
And he reigns to bring peace

The world can’t understand Him
Armies can’t defeat Him
Schools can’t explain Him
And leaders they can’t ignore Him

Harold couldn’t kill Him
Nero couldn’t crush Him
The new age can not replace Him
And Oprah can not explain Him away

He IS Life,
HE IS Love,
HE IS Longevity and He IS The LORD
HE IS Goodness, kindness, faithfulness

And HE IS GOD
HE IS holy and righteous
and powerful and pure

His ways are right,
His word eternal
His will unchanging
And His mind is on us

He is our savior, our guide,
Our peace, our joy, our comfort
Our Lord and He rules our lives,

I serve Him because His bond is love
His yoke is easy His burden is light
And His goal for us is abundant life.

I follow Him because,
He Is the wisdom of the wise
The power of the powerful
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of all leaders,
His goal is a relationship with me

He will never leave you, never forsake you
Never mislead you, never forget you,
Never overlook you and
Never cancel your appointment is His appointment book.

When you fall He’ll lift you up,
When you fail He will forgive you.
When you’re weak He’s strong,
When you’re lost He’s your way
When you’re afraid He is your courage,
When you stumble He will steady you,
When you’re hurt He Is going to heal you,
When you’re broken He will mend you,
When you’re blind He will lead you,
When you’re hungry He will feed you,
When you face trials He Is with you,
When I face persecution He shields me,
When I face problems He will comfort me,
When I face loss He will provide for me,

And when we face death
He will carry us all home to meet Him.

He is everything for everybody,
everywhere ,every time,
And in every way.

He is your God

and that sister’s is who you belong to.

 

Book Review : Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

     In Outlive Your Life Max Lucado sends a message that underscores vital aspects of living as a follower of Christ and remains Biblical and purposeful in his approach.  His message draws frequently upon the book of Acts and relates the lives and work of those in the early church to our lives today.  Throughout the book the reader is encouraged and challenged to recognize their opportunity to make a difference in the world we live in and the need to keep Christ at the center of what we do.

     Social injustices, suffering, pain, sickness and death; these are all realities in our lives and the lives of those around us.  What can I do when it seems there is little that can be done? What can you do? I’m an ordinary mother living her ordinary life raising children and tending to the needs of my family, yet, God has given me an extraordinary ability to feel compassion for others around me, to wonder if my life can make a difference and the ability to purpose to do so each day.  Lucado provides a reminder of the call to see and act beyond the ordinary that God has given to others who have gone before us. These people include leaders and impact makers in the Bible as well as others who are unknown.  They used their lives, their talents, their time, and their specific calling to serve and reach out to others in ways that made a difference in someone’s life, or the lives of many. May my life be one that hears God’s calling and uses the desires and passions He has given me to bring Him glory through the serving of others.  As I do so, may it be as Lucado says, “If you are in Christ, God’s Spirit will speak through you.”

      Before delving into the application of outliving your life, Lucado does a great job of bringing the reader into thoughtful contemplation of how they may be shielding themselves from the pain of others and prompting them to ask for God’s help to look outside their own shell of protection.  He then intently reminds the reader not to forget the Bread; the Bread being the message and good news of Christ’s divinity, His sacrifice and His victory over death.  Ultimately, the reader is reminded and encouraged to accept, if they haven’t already, the offer of Jesus to turn away from their sin and accept His victory over death as payment for sin and its consequences in their lives; then pass this message on.

     Through the next several chapters Lucado shares moving stories of common people making a difference in the lives of others.  In many cases they teamed up.  They were not alone in their consideration and assistance of others.  He provides the example of the early church, as seen in the book of Acts, where believers worked in community.  Through the common ground of the death and resurrection of the Lord, the believers came together and assisted the poor and needy and helped others.  The body worked together.  Today, we too can work together and share hospitality with others.  We can look beyond and truly see the hurting around us and with God’s help and for His glory, reach out to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the blind and the oppressed. 

      Every chapter of “Outlive Your Life” begins with scripture and ends with prayer.  In the back of the book there is also a discussion guide to provide starting points in small groups that may choose to study the book together.  Overall I was pleased with the scriptural context and concepts that were present throughout the book.  In addition to challenges to reach beyond ourselves, the reader is reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love, the persecution that will come when serving Him yet that it is God who holds you, who is caring for us in all we do. Outliving our lives is not something we do on our own. In fact , Lucado wraps up with the reminder to pray first and pray most. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”   My prayer is that we would draw near to Him daily, that we would not be double minded in our thoughts and that we would look to the Lord and ask for His strength to see beyond our lives and into the lives of others. May it not be for our own glory or for a notch closer in a quest for self-righteousness.  Rather, may it be out of our love for Him that we love others and desire to share His love.  May it all be for the Lord’s glory.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2011 Garden Update - April 6th - Pots

So this year I have determined to get much farther in the landscaping of our yard as well as the gardening of fruits, herbs and veggies. I have found some good deals on pots that were quite the investment. No more plastic pots that fade and crack in one, maybe two, years of use in this crazy Texas heat. Ceramic pots all around. I was glad to find many with enamel only on the outside as I am hopeful that this means less likelihood of lead getting near my plants. Although, after getting it home and filling it with soil, I noticed that one of my non ceramic coated pots actually STATES that it is not for food!?!

Sigh... The first picture shows some of my pots. These are a variety of herbs. Texas Pink Skullcap, Echincacea (just starting to grow after planting last year), spearmint, pepperment, French Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Sage and Oregano. My basil is still being transported in and out of the house to keep it going until it is warm enough to keep it outside at night.

Nothing fancy here yet.  I took two old barrel style pots I had that are really made out of foam and are cracking, some new but faded pots from Ross's or Marshall's (I hope to paint these in the future) and large bean pots from HEB and loaded these with lava rock on the bottom and Lady Bug's Vortex Potting Soil.  Then I filled most of the pots with varieties of tomatoes.  I have a couple tomatillo plants growing and a few peppers, but some of these plants have completeley STALLED in their growth. Ugh. I've tried Thrive, Garrett Juice and Plant Wash on these and haven't seen much change yet.  Perhaps as the weather gets warmer this situation will change.   

Still to do... pick up mulch or free paving stones to place around the pots so that the grass growth doesn't become a nightmare around them.