The Necessity of Kneeling

For a few weeks now I have been feeling tired, run down, not wanting to do anything, and lazy. I have been short tempered and snappy. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I have even been praying about and asking the Lord to restore my joy and to show me what I have let steal my joy. Well this morning it became very clear to me what my problem was.

For the first time in I can't remember when, I got down on my knees to pray. I pray daily sometimes in my chair where I do my quiet time, sometimes in the car, sometimes getting dressed, off and on all day pretty much. However, I had not been down on my knees in awhile. I was praying so hard yesterday for Him to show me what was wrong with me, I know He is the one who prompted me to pray on my knees this morning. Before Christmas I prayed on my knees daily, somehow through all the holidays I let that slip. Let me tell you it makes a difference that is unbelievable.

As soon as both of my knees hit the ground this morning tension released out of my body and immediately I knew that this had been my problem these last few weeks. I felt the Lord's presence cover me and my joy return. Like I said I have been doing bible study every morning and praying daily, but the difference is in the position. I can't explain how much better I feel, like a dark cloud has lifted off of me.

Thank you Lord, for waiting patiently on me as I tried to do things my way, taking short cuts. He was there this morning waiting patiently to restore me and I am so thankful for a God that loves me this much despite all my shortcomings.

Give it a try if you don't pray on your knees daily, you will be suprised at how much closer you will feel to God.

Have a blessed weekend!

Unfinished Business

Our pastor gave a very good sermon today and a few things he said challenged me, so I thought I would pass them on.

God put every person on earth for a reason and there are things that he has called each of us to do. Thinking back on 2006, did you accomplish everything God called you to do? If not, then it isn't done because only you can do what God has called you to do. When our pastor asked us did we accomplish everything in 2006 that God had called us to do, I immediately started to ask God in my mind, "Did I accomplish everything you called me to do?" Before I finished forming that question to God in my head an answer was already there. No, He had immediately brought to mind one task left undone before I even finished asking the question.

For several years I have been writing a bible study that He has called me to write, I'm in the rewriting process but not finished. I have often had the discussion with God that He doesn't need me to write Bible studies because He has authors like Beth Moore and Ann Graham Lots. There is a bible study written for every subject you can think of, so I don't really know what I can add. Every time I get convicted about not completing this task He has called me to, I will comfort myself with the thought that it really isn't a necessary task since so many others can do it so much better. Before that complete thought formed in my mind today, our pastor said loudly and strongly, "Only you can do what God has called you to do." Yes, there are many published Bible studies that are awesome, but they are not the one He has given to me to write. So I have unfinshed business to do this year, do you?

Our pastor also made this statement, "Good is often the enemy of what is best in your life." Well I did many good things this past year, but did I obey God so I could experience the best? I'm afraid I may have let good be sufficient for my life this past year, how about you?

Well not this year, I'm praying for God to show me how to prioritize what's best so I can do those things and say no to the things that are simply good.

Wishing you only the best for 2007!

The New Year's Resolution!

Well it has been awhile since I have posted. We had a very busy holiday season. It was wonderful though. I had a fabulous time in New York City with my husband and some friends celebrating our 14 wedding anniversary. We also went to Tampa for a weekend for his Co. Christmas party and then home to TX (yes, we haven't actually lived in Tx for 16 years but it is still home) for Christmas. My husband took the last 2 weeks of Dec off and we had a wonderful time with him. He has 4 weeks vacation and I think he had only taken a week the whole year. That's not really a good plan, he really needed those 2 weeks and it has certainly refreshed our marriage.

It is the wonderful time of year that everyone wants to make New Year's Resolutions. I didn't make any last year because I never keep them. However I am going to this year and I would like to share mine with you. Over and over the past year a theme has come to me in bible study, sermons, books just about every where I turn God has shown me one thing over and over and I have blogged about it several times. "Keep my commands, then you will know you are mine" God says. This is repeated so many times in the Bible, and my blogs "Living Lives Set Apart" really talked about it in depth. Something I have figured out is that when God really wants me to get something and make a change in my life, He repeats it over and over. He has been repeating this theme over and over to me more than any other I believe.

In Proverbs 7:1 He says, "My son keep my words and store up my commands within you." So there you have it. Those are my 2 New Year's Resolutions:
1. "Keep my words" - Live Godly lives according to God's commands in the Bible (How do I know what those commands are? See resolution #2)
2. "Store up my commands within you." Read, study, and memorize the bible

This year I am going to resolve to have bible study time 5 days per week, prayer time everyday of the week and do my best to live as God commands. The funny thing is the living Godly part comes easy when you have the study and prayer time down. I started this past fall having a friend call me at 6:30 in the morning so I could have bible study time before I start my day. It is amazing the difference in me and my family as well because we all know that in order for the family to be at peace Mamma needs to be at peace.

How am I going to keep these resolutions - simple. Keep an accountablity partner calling me in the morning and keep my date with God Mon-Fri before I start my day. Then through prayer I will ask God to help me keep His commands and believe me He is faithful to do that. I get convicted most of the time just thinking about breaking one.

My husband said it best in his Sunday school lesson our goal for this year should be "Livin for heaven in 2007!"

May God grant you a blessed and happy New Year!