When She Falls...

Do you ever wonder how the attacks in your life are so pinpointed perfect to make you suffer to the max? Like someone is in your house watching you?

Well…. There is…

Inspired by C.S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters, this series for the #write31days challenge is going to pull back the veil a bit so we can see what the devil attempts to do to bring down the Saints and make us think we are defeated.

He cannot take us, 

so his goal is to 

stain us, soil us, and destroy us.

Starting October 1st, check back each day for a new installation in our story about 3 ladies, Mary, Lisa and Anne. Women who are from 3 different walks of life that end up intersecting and experience deceitful, heinously accurate attacks in their daily lives.

Oct. 1st- Valuable information

Oct. 2nd- knocked down... but not destroyed
Oct. 3rd- the never ending list...
Oct. 4th- Entangling Webs
Oct. 5th- Sword of the Spirit Must Stay Sheathed
Oct. 6th- The Longing for Worthiness
Oct. 7th- Captivity in the Mind
Oct. 8th- Coveting the Illusion
Oct. 9th- Sunday Distractions
Oct. 10th- Unmet Expectations
Oct. 11th- Shame and Pride
Oct. 12th- Course Corrections
Oct. 13th- Choosing Well
Oct. 14th- Little Secrets
Oct. 15th- Footholds
Oct. 16th- Pushing Through the Darkness
Oct. 17th- The Rat Race
Oct. 18th- Red Flags
Oct. 19th- Is it going to be o.k.?
Oct. 20th- The Stress of Self Sufficiency
Oct. 21st- The Grass on the Other Side
Oct. 22nd- Come Back
Oct. 23rd- Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
Oct. 24th- Best Laid Plans
Oct. 25th- The White Robe
Oct. 26th- Dancing on the Razor's Edge
Oct. 27th- Glimmers of Hope
Oct. 28th- The Beauty of Restoration
Oct. 29th- Competing for Worst Wound
Oct. 30th- Choosing to be a Victorious Warrior
Oct. 31st- Second Chances and New Resolve

...Because women need each other!

Sometimes you come across a book that is so timely and perfect for your place in life. That is this book, “Giddy Up Eunice”. Besides loving the title, this book by Sophie Hudson is chock full of adorable humor and southern sweetness.

The theme is that women need each other. In this world of comparison and competition, and where my success seems to means less for you, or your likability seems to mean less for me…this book cuts through that fakeness and untruth and exposes clearly what scripture has to say about what our relationships are supposed to be.

I loved reading every bit, it was a quick read, mostly because I couldn’t put it down! I strongly recommend it for any woman, or actually… all women.

In my own life, my relationships with older women have been both pivotal and shaped me as a grown woman, wife and mother. As a young mother, I had an army of grandmothers, 2 moms, and a host of incredible church ladies that made sure I was well equipped! I not only respected them but craved their wisdom. The weird realization I had reading the book was that I am now smack dab in the middle. I am not the young mom anymore and neither am I older. My kids are teens and it’s my turn to impart my wisdom to younger women and moms.

Sophie Hudson uses three sets of relationships from the bible to show us the benefit and necessity of multi-generational relationships. Mary (Jesus’ mother) and Elizabeth her cousin and the mother of John the Baptist, Naomi and Ruth, and Lois and Eunice (Timothy’s grandmother and mother) are such friendships that show us why we need each other.

Besides the obvious family ties, the life lessons, experience and direction that come from multi-generational relationships are priceless. 

Sophie says “it’s so important for us to have older women in our lives; they know how to make things grow. 

They know how to grow plants, sure, 

but they also know how to grow in faith, 

how to grow in marriage, how to grow in singleness, 

how to grow in friendship, how to grow in parenting, 

how to grow in a relationship with the Lord. 

And in addition to all that growing, 

they know how to establish roots that are 

deep and well-nourished, 

they know how to prune away what’s no longer necessary, 

and they know what it takes to bear fruit.”

Something else that I know, at least for myself, that comes into play with older women (myself included) is that we know the heartaches of life, we know what it means to be caught in sin and have to surrender to God to get out, we know feelings of regret over decisions and all of that we can impart on younger lives to warn them and help them to choose a better path than we did.

Titus 2:3-5 says “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, 

not malicious gossips 

nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, 

to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, 

being subject to their own husbands, 

so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

I have noticed that there is this shift from what used to be, with older women teaching and showing the younger women they way, to now we always seem pitted against each other. Older women are feeling outdated and useless, put on the back shelf and younger women are advancing in prominence and crippling insecurity all at once. 

We have to get back to recognizing the richness in multi-generational relationships. We can find common ground and build from there. We aren’t in competition with each other, we need to be walking the road of life side by side.

Sophie, thank you for addressing and bringing into the light this issue and encouraging us to change the tide!

You can find Giddy Up Eunice through B&H Publishers and also on Amazon 

HCSB Notetaking bible

It was my privilege to receive and review the Notetaking Bible in the Holman Christian Standard Version, given by the B&H Publishing bloggers group.

These beautifully enhanced pages are fine tuned for the reflective artistic reader. Some pages are blank and allow for creative expression, others have lovely hand lettering designs that one can color in.

The emphasis always is the inspired, God-breathed Word. This version with its artful pages allows you to pause longer over verses, contemplate and commit to memory while you enjoy creating scripture art.

The editors first include a page about God’s plan for Salvation. This is a great piece to include in the first few pages, as many pick up a bible to read without knowing exactly what being a Christian is or how to find the verses about it. Without this knowledge and faith, we cannot read scripture and have the Holy Spirit’s power in us to interpret and teach us what we are reading, according to John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27.

I enjoy the Holman Christian Standard Bible Version.  The first few pages of this bible have a description of how to use their references and footnotes and also why they made another English translation of the Bible.

They site reasons such as the changing English language, new biblical research available through the internet, and advanced technology in translating more accurately. 

It also includes the differences in translation techniques and which style they used. There is a great explanation of traditional features and special formatting features they have used. It is helpful to the reader to check out these sections so as to get the most understanding and knowledge out of the format.

I highly recommend this version to anyone who first loves the Word of God and second loves to express worship through art.

You can find this bible here at the B&H publishing site. Also, on  Amazon .

(Artwork credit to Abby Lynn Haske)

Does God really love me?

I was going to attempt to revise and reshape this entry from my journal, and when I began it struck me that everything I wanted to share was written already.

I want others to know that God loves them and created them just as purposefully and perfectly as He showed me I was.

So here is a direct quoted excerpt from my journal.

Psalm 139:13-16 “For You formed my inward parts, you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret; and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they were all written. The days formed for me when as yet there were none of them.”

Luke 12:7a- “ …but the very hairs on your head are numbered…”

Lord Jesus,

 I am overwhelmed by Your creation and love of me today. Reading the verse about the hairs on my head has sparked an idea of creation in me. You didn’t just haphazardly wave Your hand and toss me together, as an afterthought or as a last minute thing.

My existence did not come as a surprise to You.

~You took Your time with me~

You picked and selected each and every portion and part of me like a divine recipe.

You knew and chose- You wanted me exactly how I am and I am the perfect combination and mixture that You chose to honor You, praise You, and point others to You.

I’m blown away by Your preciseness. If Your word says the hairs on my head are counted, then so is each cell, skin piece, and platelet of blood.

I have this idea in my head of You creating- standing over a mass of living, heart-beating cells and using a paintbrush, measuring spoons, and divine perception to put me together.

Your majestic, Holy fingers shaped my face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears. You chose to make me 5’2 ½” tall. You formed my toe nails and my finger nails. You chose the exact shade of color for each and every strand of hair. You formed my mind. You chose critical thought and organization. You chose to add a heavy dose of music love to my soul. You knew one day You’d speak to me through it. When you created Lily of the Valley thousands of years ago You knew that I’d be walking on my road one day, smell them and deem them my favorite flower. You added dashes of determination and work ethic. You delighted in choosing my talents and gifts. You blessed me with a singing voice to praise You alone. You created my heart to burst with care and affection for those in need. You pulled from Your apothecary of combinations the exact portions of tenderness, gentleness, meekness, and love.

I am Your image-bearer! When I look in the mirror I need to remember that I reflect You.

My heart for mercy is a reflection of Yours. My generous spirit is but a fraction of what You desire to give.

My exact days have numbers attached to them and you knew this day would come when You’d overwhelm me with divine understanding into Your heart of creation.

All of my steps are ordered and You’ve prepared good things for me to walk in one day at a time.

You are Marvelous… this my soul knows very well....

 Linking up with some wonderful writers over at purposefulfaith.com

 

Confessions from a former list maker

~Finding freedom from achievement-based love~

I used to pride myself on the lists I could make and accomplish. Did you see that “pride myself” part? Yea… how many times have we all said that phrase? I’ll give you little insight into my prideful list making, consider if this hits a nerve with you.

In the morning, I’d get my handy little note pad, with lines of course, and make my list of duties for the day. These were things I wanted to accomplish and would feel good if everything was crossed off, especially if I could do it by 3pm because then I could enter into the super-mom realm.  I would list them, sometimes alphabetically, in order of importance and by category…..control-freak anyone?

In case you are wondering, my grocery lists were in categories, by isle of the store. I had a separate list of dinners for the week.

Here’s the kicker though, when I crossed things off the list, my “worthy meter” would go up a little. My worthy meter determined my worthiness of love, acceptance and ability to contribute to life.  Achievement based, conditional love.

So the major issue and fear I faced at the end of the day was if there were things I could not accomplish, I felt like the day was a failure…. actually that I was, in fact, a failure. If my list was completed I’d wave it around like an Olympian gold medal, shaking my little imaginary empty cup for others to fill it full of love and worthiness. If I didn’t finish the whole list, no one saw the list, even the things I’d done. I’d sulk and be surly to my family, which was an expression of how I felt worthless inside.

My worthy-meter determined my worthiness of love, acceptance,  and ability to contribute to life.

...This blog post is being featured over at First and Second blog today!
    Please click the link to finish reading!

A Review of the Military Families Bible

What a privilege to be able to review a beautiful bible such as this! 

I was given the Military Families Bible- Holman Christian Standard Bible version by Lifeway B&H publishers to provide a review.

The editors first include a page about God’s plan for Salvation. This is a great piece to include in the first few pages, as many pick up a bible to read without knowing exactly what being a Christian is or how to find the verses about it. 

Without this knowledge and faith, we cannot read scripture and have the Holy Spirit’s power in us to interpret and teach us what we are reading, according to John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27.

I enjoy the Holman Christian Standard Bible version.  The first few pages of this bible have a description of how to use their references and footnotes and also why they made another English translation of the Bible.

They site reasons such as the changing English language, new biblical research available through the internet, and advanced technology in translating more accurately. It also includes the differences in translation techniques and which style they used. There is a great explanation of traditional features and special formatting features they have used. It is helpful to the reader to check out these sections so as to get the most understanding and knowledge out of the format.

The theme, however, of this particular bible is for Military families. Toward the back they have 2 wonderful attributes. The first is a 2-page reference tool for where to look in scripture for situations in life and emotions you may be experiencing. 

This truly points to the fact that there is no situation you are in that is not addressed by God in some way. This speaks to the timelessness and absolute Truth of God’s inspired Word to you and I in this very age. 

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, 

for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness"

The second is a section with 30 devotions and prayer guides for Military families, written by several authors who have walked the road of military life. It is such a blessing to read through their advice and encouragement!

They have topics such as: Life on the Move, Living Away from Family, Dealing with PTSD, How to Keep from Growing Apart, Releasing our Loved Ones to God and so many more inspiring and comforting topics.

I highly recommend this version to everyone and also in particular for Military families.

You can find this bible online through Lifeway Publishers at Holman Christian Standard Bible- Military Families or on Amazon at Military Families Bible

Do you notice the Lovely in life?

Looking for Lovely By Annie F. Downs ~ Book Review

“My story is like many other women I know – 

the mirror has lied, and the enemy has 

whispered for years, and now we can’t look at ourselves and find anything lovely…”

I have been so moved by reading this book! It wasn’t my first pick because the description made me feel like it was too fuzzy feeling.

I was wrong.

This book is raw, hard emotion and hardcore honesty about Annie Downs’ life experiences and how she made it through to a healthier version of herself.

Annie references Romans 5:3-5 often throughout the book. She talks about being in different stages of each part of the passage.  It reads “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit Whom He has given us.”

There were many chapters she talked about the hard things she was going through that I resonated with, and the hard job of first realizing it about yourself and then choosing to do something about it!

The doing something about it was someone was to keep showing up, keep doing what is the right thing and allow God to do the work in you. To persevere while He’s working on you.

Just like a sculptor with a chisel and a large piece of stone, God is chipping and carving away to reveal the beautiful creation He knows us to be. We’ve built up the ugly walls that He has to break away. Our choices in relationships, what we spend time doing, watching or consuming have created a hard outer shell around our vulnerable hearts. We’ve sinned – a lot. It has affected and shaped how we see life and deal with people.

In order to take away the mess, or walls and roadblocks, we have to submit ourselves to some construction. It hurts. Sometimes more than we think we can bear and we want to quit.

 Annie talks about this in her chapter titled “Quitter”. She says, 

“In fact, a little more than a year ago, 

I wrote in my journal, 

‘why can’t I quit hating myself?’…. 

which is almost funny 

considering I can quit everything else. 

And that question, the question I can’t quit 

about the hate I can’t quit is the one 

I’ve been trying to answer ever since”.

If you leave the process in the middle before the finished product, 1) you’ll never be fully healed, 2) You won’t experience all of what God has for you and 3) you’ll remain in some state of “broken crazy” as Annie calls it.

Looking for Lovely is the pointed act of looking for lovely things in and around you while going through the ugly. It is a motivator and also a balm. At the end of the chapters she gives a looking for lovely challenge of sorts. To get up and watch a sunrise, go to see a theater production or concert in a historic music hall, picking up a phone to call a friend and tell them the reality of your situation, buy a watermelon with black seeds and the list goes on. Read it and you’ll understand.

Towards the end, Annie talks about what happened on the other side of the “broken crazy”. How her perspective changes. She says:

“I feel like since I gave honest words to the broken crazy 

and started to get healthy around it, 

God has shown up and walked me into more healing 

than I even knew to ask for. 

And in it He is opening my eyes.”

For an eye opening, vulnerably honest, lovely book check out Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs.