The Bone Deep, Transforming Word of God

I've been taking part in a women's Bible study at my church on the book of James....a Beth Moore study, too boot!! Some of her writing in our study book just touches my heart.....in a similar way to how Ann Voskcamp's writing does. I would just like to share some of what she wrote for this week's assigned reading....on the power of the written Word of God.

                                                                             Source: liesyoungwomenbelieve.com via Ann on Pinterest

"Squeeze in the palm of your hand the verses we're studying today, Sister, because they are the keys to flourishing, bone-deep transformation, and divine blessing. What James will teach us is the difference between talking about living in victory over things, like self-centeredness, addiction, seduction, and temptation and actually doing it."

"The Word of God is meant to do more than penetrate. It's meant to activate. It can bore holes through obstacles. It can tumble defenses. It can plant wondering feet of clay in places of divine purpose. It can sanctify the sin sick and steady the aimless and confused. It can light a blazing torch in a black hole. Simply put, the Word was meant to work. And through it, we were meant to bear fruit. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing, but James will teach us that faith with no fruit is dead on the vine."

Wow! How convicting and truth-laden are Beth's words!! I am so thankful for God's Holy Word - the Bible !!!

I continue to share my blessings through the Joy Dare!

3 Gifts Round

536.Our amazing earth, of which God made "in the beginning."

537. A yellow delicious apple

538. A glowing full moon

3 Gifts found in silence

539. Reading God's Holy Word, letting what He puts on my heart to go "bone deep" within.

540. The words that come to me, that God allows me to put down on paper, on my computer, and soak through my heart and mind.

541. A peace that passes understanding! His song of joy becomes my song!

3 Gifts given away

542. A box of used clothing, donated to Goodwill.

543.Two donated boxes, full of food and other items, that will be flown over to Honduras to help the poor (through a local missions called World Compassion Network. Watch this video)

544. A hug...given to my son's girlfriend...the love of God shared with another.

3 Hard Eucharisteos

545. Patience - waiting for the ground to be ready for planting.

546. Also, waiting for everything to be completed in His time, in regards to moving into a new home.

547. Trusting - my son to make good choices...sometimes I want to follow him around to make sure, but he is a young adult, now.

A gift turned, A gift folded, A gift hung

548. Wet clothes in my dryer.

549. Clean, warm, fresh-smelling, clothes and towels.

550. The clothes, hanging in my closet

(Can you tell, I'm doing laundry today?)

3 gifts eaten

551. Peanut butter on toast!

552. Fresh fruits and vegetables

553. A bowl of microwaved kettle-corn

linking over at these blog hops:

Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday (Graceful)

 Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)

Sharing His Beauty (Beauty in His Grip)  
A Pause in the Path (On Your Heart Tuesday)
Bless and Be Blessed(Bible Love Notes)

Consider the Lilies

                                                                                              Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27 

                                                                                       Source: dreamstime.com via Ann on Pinterest

Easter Lily History

The Easter Lily is the traditional flower of Easter and is highly regarded as a joyful symbol of elegance, beauty, spirituality, hope, and life.

The popular Easter lily we use today to celebrate the holiday is referred to as ‘the white-robed apostles of hope.’ These beautiful trumpet shaped white flowers were brought to the United States in 1875 from Japan by an American tourist and named after the florist who made it popular. The flower retells the resurrection story with its life cycle. These snow white flowers symbolize new life and hope. 

                                                                                                 Source: vernabob.com via Ann on Pinterest

The bulb of these flowers buried in the ground represents the tomb of Jesus and the glorious white trumpet-like fragrant flowers which grow from the bulbs symbolize His life after death. The snowy white color stands for the purity of the Divine Savior and the joy of the resurrection while the trumpet shape signifies Gabriel's trumpet call to rebirth and new life.

                                                                                    Source: colorsofthegarden.blogspot.com via Ann on Pinterest

Of all the flowers God made,  lilies are my all-time favorite!!! During the Easter season, I am reminded of all that He has done to give me new life!!!

Linking over at these Blog Hops

Say G'Day Saturday (Natasha In Oz)

Fresh Brewed Sundays(My Freshly Brewed Life)

Jumping Tandem Sunday

Springing into Fashion

Well, I've been really enjoying reading some fashion blogs lately. Not that I am any kind of a fashion expert...actually it's the very opposite. I'm always looking for ideas as to what styles work, what don't work, and learn ways to put ensembles of things that I like together to make a nice outfit. I have just recently started using Polyvore, which I really like. If you like, you can check out some ensembles I have already created...HERE.  I also like using my camera to take photos of my favorite pieces. There have been a few different blogs where the blogger has modeled her outfits and that really appeals to me. The only thing is, I currently don't feel real comfortable doing that, as I am a little overweight. I am on a weight-loss program, so I thought that it might motivate me to take some pictures of me now, and eventually I'll be able to share my befores and afters. So, here I am, (in all my plumpness) in a couple spring outfits. All you fashion models have encouraged me greatly, as I hope to soon model my favorite outfits comfortably.

 This outfit is for a little bit cooler morning with my military style jacket from Target for around $25 I've had for a couple of years, the hat is also from Target. The tan stretch jeans are from Goodwill. The Camo bag is from Walmart. Shoes are Sketchers that I have also had for several years.

Here, I changed out my top and purse. The top is a stretch knit in military green, also from Target (about $14). The purse was a Goodwill find, as well.

Under the green shirt, I wore one of my favorite T-shirts, from the "Life is Good" store. They have the cutest printed apparel items and accessories and are best known for their optimistic quotes and designs that include a multitude of hobbies and interests. The necklace is from Forever 21 (for $5).

I really don't like looking at pictures of myself, but that does encourage me to work hard at losing those 30-40 pounds!!

Linking over to:
Fashion Friday (Musings of a Housewife)

The Courage to Overcome Fear

 

My first memory of being full of fear was when I was in kindergarten. Our house was a few blocks from my school, and living in a fairly safe neighborhood, my parents let me walk to and from school each day. This was what all the kids did in my neighborhood, back in the day, so no one ever felt afraid. Then, one afternoon, when I was about halfway home from school, I heard growling and barking from behind me. I turned around to see a large dog running towards me at full speed! I screamed, turned around, and ran as fast as I could all the way home, the dog chasing me all the way. The animal didn't hurt me physically, but emotionally I was scarred for years, petrified of all large dogs. I eventually overcame the fear, but I'll never forget that horrifying experience.

Negative experiences can often cause us to fear things, people, places, or repeating the experience, itself.  Some fears can cause us to run away, hide in our own personal shells, avoid situations, or even have debilitating physical reactions. 

Some fear is good...God even says in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. But fearfulness that leaves us unable to function or live daily for God, isn't what God desires for our lives.

Fear also protects us in times of danger and helps us to live productive lives. The fear of being burned, when there is a fire prompts you to use the emergency exit. Fear of falling warns you to not step out of the window of a ten-story building. Fear of disease will encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle, maybe quit smoking or begin exercising. Fear of losing those you love may remind you to be more attentive and spend more quality time together. Fear of not being able to pay your bills definitely motivates you to show up to your job every day.

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The Bible offers powerful alternatives to different kinds of fear:

Fear of Evil - "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

Fear of Others - The LORD is my light and my salvation ; Whom shall I fear ? The LORD is the defense of my life ; Whom shall I dread ?(Psalm 27:1)

Fear of being alone -  'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'(Isaiah 41:10)

Fear of Humiliation - "Fear not, for you will not be put to shame ; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced ; But you will forget the shame of your youth, And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.(Isaiah 54:4)

Fear of Dying - "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul ; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

Fear of being deserted - "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"  so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME ?"(Hebrews 13:5-6)

Fear of being harmed - Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED."(1 Peter 3:13-14)

 

What then is courage? "Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid. Courage means you don't let fear stop you." To overcome your fears, take strength from these fear-busting Bible verses about courage.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.(Deuteronomy 31:6)

 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9)

 

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.(Psalm 27:14)

 

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost;(Acts 27:22 - the story of Jesus calming the storm)

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.(Philippians 1:20)

 

In all honesty, with God's help, we are called to be a fearless people! Remember He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present. Can anyone triumph over Him? "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

 

These are just a few verses about fear and courage...there are many more the Bible talks about. To read more Bible verses on fear, check out the link  here

Read mo re: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=2#ixzz1p9ZKwRRL

The picture above was from a story in Australia of a little girl named Sophia. Watch the video HERE  Do you think this was her first lion encounter? 

Personally, I jumped and shuddered, as I watched this. That lion looked hungry and mad!!! Maybe it just brings back too many memories from my youth!!

Linking over at these great blog-hops:

On Your Heart Tuesday (A Pause in the Path)
Grace Cafe'(Reflections of His Grace)

 Winsome Wednesday (My Daily Walk in His Grace)

JamWithMe Thursday (Faith Barista)

Heartprint Hallelujahs(Heartprints of God)
 Bless and Be Blessed (Bible Love Notes)