Synchronicity

Hello, my friends! I'm so glad you're here today! :)

Today, I want to chat a bit about synchronicity. Yeah, it's a big word. :D Use it in conversation sometime - it's worth at least 25¢!:D

What the heck is it? I'll give you Dictionary.com's definition, and then you'll STILL wanna know! :D

The state or fact of being synchronous or simultaneous; synchronism.
Coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related, conceived in Jungian theory as an explanatory principle on the same order as causality.

OK. So the way I'm using it is that one of the ways I know God's telling me to pay attention, that He's trying to say something to me, is by the same subject or Scripture coming up in two or more places.

Has that happened to you? It's happened to me - and actually to both Kenn and me! - a lot in the past year. We'll talk about something in Sunday school, then walk into church and hear something that goes hand-in-hand with that discussion. And it's not something that could be planned - we're walking through John in Sunday school, and our sermon series this year is on Heroes of the Faith; we're just beginning Moses. (There's another example of synchronicity for you! One Bible study I'm doing talked a bit about Moses, God gave me that post on Moses [scroll down!], and now we're studying Moses at church!)

It simply amazes me when God does this. :) I love knowing that He's guiding my thoughts to what He wants me to think about, He's telling me He's right here with me. It's a comfort knowing that I don't have to wonder what I'm supposed to be looking for, that He's showing me rather obviously. :D

Have you experienced this? How does it make YOU feel? What's He talking to YOU about? I want to know! :)

Be BLESSED, dear one. I'm so grateful that you're in my life! God LOVES you. He has a purpose for you, a plan to bless your heart. My prayer today is that you'll be super-sensitive to His leading, and all the little things He pours into your day to show you how much He loves you.

It's the 25th!

And that means today is "Work on something for Christmas!" Day!! :) We're only 275 days until Christmas - only 9 more months. And it will go FAST!

Today, I'm going to work on my gift list. I'm going to write down "people I WILL give to" and "people I'd LIKE to give to", and then write down ideas. Maybe even start on those ideas, if they're something I can start crafting now. I *always* procrastinate doing that, and then only half of what I want to do gets done! :)

What are YOU going to work on today?

What a walk we're on!

Hello, dear ones! I'm so glad you came to be with us today. :) It's a glorious day here in middle Tennessee; it's rapidly warming up, and the plants are growing at an almost-visible pace! It's amazing!

Today, I'd like to follow Moses on an interesting journey. I hadn't seen it before, but God opened my eyes in an unrelated Bible study a week or so ago, and I wanted to share what He showed me!

The first place I want us to look at is Exodus 3:6:
Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Do you see what I see? So far, what we know about Moses is that he was the baby in the basket on the Nile who Pharaoh's daughter adopted. He was raised as a prince of Egypt, given the best of everything - including education.

At the age of 40, he was fleeing for his life because he murdered an Egyptian overseer, thinking he was doing a good thing for his people.

Now, at the age of 80, we find him leading his sheep across the desert. Talking to a bush.

:D

Anyway, back to the verse! Moses HID his face. He was afraid to look at God, even though God was in the form of an unconsumed, burning bush. He's not afraid to tell God no, however! God tells hime what he's going to do, and Moses says, "But, God...!"

For a whole chapter, God gives Moses signs and wonders, and Moses gives God excuses. (Hmmmm. Sounds familiar in my own life.) Finally, a whole chapter later, it says, "Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses..." (Ex. 4:14) Does anyone else see the humor in this? Or is it just me? The burning bush is now burning with anger! Oh, Moses.

But God leads Moses through a LOT in Egypt, growing his faith and his obedience. Know how I know? Because of our next Scripture!

Exodus 33:18:
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

This SO excites me! In less than 30 chapters - but a WHOLE lot of walking out what God tells him to do! - Moses goes from being afraid to see God, to ASKING to see God.

What a journey! What a change of heart! What do YOU think had changed? I think that Moses had gone from not wanting to draw attention from the Most High to knowing that He loved him, little Moses, who had screwed up own his life. That Moses had learned that God was going to see him through this journey. That God kept His promises. That Moses had decided that he was sticking with God, earnestly seeking His presence.

Can you IMAGINE seeing God's glory?? Not just the EVIDENCE of it, but the glory itself?

But there's one more Scripture to look at, one more step in this journey. It makes me weep.

Numbers 12:6-8:
...he said, "Listen to my words:
"When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.

⁷ But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.

⁸ With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?"

Oh, dear one! This is GOD speaking about Moses! The Creator, the Most High, El Elyon - says He speaks face to face with Moses.

Does this give you hope for your own walk? Where do you fall on this "spectrum" today? Are you hiding from God? Are you asking God to reveal Himself? Or are you seeking to be intimate with Him, speaking face to face?

Moses made a lot of mistakes in his life. He wasn't perfect, by a long shot. But God loved him, walked with him, and talked to him. Face to face.

I stand in awe, and thank God for showing me Moses. Because He showed me that, no matter where I fall on that spectrum of my walk with Him, I'm walking. And some day, I will see Him face to face.

Be encouraged, dear one. God LOVES you. No matter where you are, He'll meet you. He met Moses. He called to Moses. He's calling to you.

Even if you hide your face, LISTEN.

Posting about SHE SPEAKS! conference....

Hi, dear ones. Perhaps you've noticed the Proverbs 31 Ministries link in my sidebar; have you ever gone to check it out? Well, they have a conference yearly for speakers and writers called SHE SPEAKS - and I've made that a link to their home page.

Why am I writing about it this weekend?

Well, for a long time, I've gone through a dry spell where I haven't had a dream, or any real goal. I have been waiting patiently, pleading with God to make this area of my life come alive again. It's not fun just walking in the dark! Can I get an AMEN? :D

In the last two weeks, an old desire has started again. I'm still waiting to hear clarification, but that desire is for women's ministry. I don't know if it's going to be speaking (I MISS public speaking!) or writing here on my blog (and I KNOW y'all would appreciate a little consistency on my part.... :D). All I know is, God's lit that desire again.

And where He leads, He provides the way. I know that 100%. So this post is my way of giving Him the chance! :) I'm entering for a scholarship to the conference this year. I'm not even sure which track I'd want to go through - speaking, writing, and women's ministry! All places I feel tugs! :D

Since most of you know our financial situation, I'd like to ask that, if you feel led, you join me in praying that, ONLY if this is His will, He will open doors. If you feel led, I'd love to have you ask Him to start to focus that desire - I'm not going to take a step without Him moving me! He's gotta go before me, or I'm not going! :D And if I do happen to get a scholarship, there will be the expenses to cover - more prayer!

If you would like to learn more about getting a scholarship, please visit Lysa's blog at this post!

I can't WAIT to see what God's going to do. He is SO good; I want to be used to touch women's hearts for Him.

Thank you for your prayers, for reading this, and for walking in expectation of His moving with me! :) I love and appreciate each one of you. God loves you, dear one, SO much. I pray that you'll know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God's surrounding you with His loving arms. Rest in HIM, dear one! BE BLESSED!

Another few funnies! :D

I'll be writing a serious post this weekend sometime, but wanted to give you some more to smile about. :D It's IMPORTANT! "A cheerful heart doeth GOOD, like a medicine!" YOU ARE LOVED!

The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times.
"Now," said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?"
A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know I know!" she said, "To make the gravy!"

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LOT'S WIFE:
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving," he
announced triumphantly "and she turned into a telephone pole!"

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GOOD SAMARITAN:
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama.
Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."

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DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?"
"No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms?"

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HIGHER POWER:
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"
One child blurted out, "Aces!"

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MOSES & THE RED SEA:
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school. "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent
bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."
"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.
"Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

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THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD:
A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible, Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse.
Little Rick was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Rickey was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly,
"The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."

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Kids and Prayers

UNANSWERED PRAYER?
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
"Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages, "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon."
"How come He doesn't do it?" she asked.

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EXPRESS PRAYER
Our son had only heard his grandfather pray at Thanksgiving, Easter and other special occasions, when he, typically, said a long prayer over the food.
One night, after a fun camp-out and fishing trip, grandfather (to our son's surprise) asked for a very brief blessing on the food.
With a gleam in his eye, our son grinned at his grandfather and said, "You don't pray so long when you're hungry, do you Grandpa?"

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TIME TO PRAY
A pastor asked a little boy if he said his prayers every night.
"Yes sir," the boy replied.
"And, do you always say them in the morning, too?" the pastor asked.
"No sir," the boy replied. "I ain't scared in the daytime."

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ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS?
When my daughter, Kelli, was 3, she and my son, Cody, would say their nightly prayers together.
As most children do, we have to bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past).
For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, "And all girls." As this soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this at the end, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, "Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?"
Her response, "Because we always finish our prayers by saying 'All Men'!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAY A PRAYER
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
"Johnny, wait until we say our prayer."
"I don't have to," The boy replied.
"Of course, you do," his mother insisted.
"We say a prayer, before eating, at our house."
"That's our house," Johnny explained. "But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!"

Live, love, LAUGH!

Anyone else need a little light-hearted fun dropped into your day? I got this from a friend months ago, and decided today was a good day to share. :)
YOU ARE LOVED!

Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

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Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited
Until you try to sit in their pews.

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Many folks want to serve God,
But only as advisers.

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It is easier to preach ten sermons
Than it is to live one.

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The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose,
But mosquitoes come close.

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When you get to your wit's end,
You'll find God lives there.

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People are funny; they want the front of the bus,
Middle of the road,
And back of the church.

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Opportunity may knock once,
But temptation bangs on the front door forever.

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Quit griping about your church;
If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

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If a church wants a better minister,
It only needs to pray for the one it has.

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We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or Judges.

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God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until
he is dead. So why should you?

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Some minds are like concrete
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

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Peace starts with a smile.

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I don't know why some people change churches;
What difference does it make which one you stay home from?

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A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises'
Are just sitting on the premises.

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Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean 'em.

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Stop, Drop, and Roll won't work in Hell.

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Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

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Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

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Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

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Forbidden fruits create many jams.

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God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.

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God grades on the cross, not the curve.

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God loves everyone,
But probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'

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God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

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He who angers you, controls you!

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If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!

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Prayer:
Don't give God instructions, just report for duty!

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The task ahead of us is never as
great as the Power behind us.

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The Will of God never takes you to where the
Grace of God will not protect you.

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We don't change the message,
The message changes us.

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You can tell how big a person is
By what it takes to discourage him.

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The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Love Letter

Hi, dear friend! I'm so glad you stopped by today; I have something VERY special to share with you today.

Kenn and I are going to take the photos for this sweet couple, Anna and Nathan, from our church. Anna posted this on Facebook last weekend, and I just REALLY feel that someone other than me is going to be blessed by it. I asked her if I could post it here; please take your time, and read this. It's very deep, and very moving. BE BLESSED!

Growing up as a female, I have heard from time to time to think of loving Jesus like a lover. Like your husband. That has always been a strange concept to me because I thought “he’s my daddy God. How can I see him as a lover?” But now I am beginning to see it.

I want to be with you for the rest of my existence. If we live like poor people in the streets, I will be okay because I have you. If we are exiled to a God-hating country that we cannot speak or be persecuted, I will hold out. Because I love you. Because I can call you mine.

This is what is means to be in love.

Not the gooey feeling you get when he holds your hand for the first time. But the solid security of knowing he will always reach for your hand in times of need. Or reaching for your hand just to know you are there.

The melting feeling when he looks at you from across the room for the thousandth time because he has to make sure you are not a dream. That you really do love him.

The security of knowing he will never leave you or forsake you. That he will always wake up next to you and be happy he is there. That he will lovingly make you dinner, AND do the dishes.

That he will sign the checks to keep a roof over your head. And that he will cry with you in the front seat of his truck because he loves you so much.

I grew yesterday in my love for you. I have been fighting tears today because I have a new revelation of how much I love you. I want to tell the world that you are mine, and that I love you in a deeper way. And yet, I want to keep it to myself as a little treasure. It’s like a glowing ember in my heart that I will not put out.

A revelation of love is not easily obtained. There are times when I feel that God reveals to us how much he loves us. And I feel that he has revealed to me how much he loves me by how much I love you. Words cannot express in complete thoughts how much I love you. I cannot say it enough, and even if I said it a thousand times, it would not scrape the essence of the depth of my love for you.

It's like my black and white printer trying to print color. No matter how hard it tries, it will only hope to print the color because it was not designed to print the glory of the vibrant color.

If we could connect hearts somehow and I you were able to know how much I love you. It couldn't be expressed in pictures or words, or feelings, but just a 'know'. And that is enough.

You are enough.
I love you.

Your future wife.