Just some thoughts from some books

I'm needing to turn in some books to make space but went through them first and wanted to jot down a couple of thoughts so that I have them handy.

Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On by Stormie Omartian. This was a GREAT book that I read in a tough time. The book starts out: Life is a walk. Each day we take steps. Our tomorrow is determined by the steps we take today.

"God doesn't often reveal the details of where He's taking you because He wants you to trust Him for every step. He wants you to pray and listen to Him directing your path for this day, this week, this season, this year, and this time."

"Sometimes what seems like the darkest step we've ever been on comes just before the brightest light we've ever experienced."

"God wants us to surrender our dreams because we can't be led by Him if we are chasing after a dram of our own making. And He wants us to surrender all of them."

Get Over It and Get On With It by Michelle McKinney Hammond
"The beauty of being in a plce you cannot control is that it gives God the opportunity to work out His plan. You can plan your work all you want to, but in the end God will work His plan with or without your help."

"Joseph didn't resign his dreams and longings. He merely tucked them deeper inside his heart and dealt with the present. In the present he needed a miracle. And God was setting him up for exactly that."

"Only in laying down all her dreams about one type of life did Ruth find a life greater than she could ever have anticipated."

"Far too often we allow a wayward mate, an inconsiderate friend, or a dishonest associate back into our life without any thought of testing that person's intentions or character. We fail to set appropriate boundaries. If nothing has changed and the person is not willing to deal, in a healthy and honest matter, with what went wrong before, you are destined for a repeat of what already happened. Get counseling. Hash it out. Discuss what went wrong and what changes need to be made in order for the relationship to be restored. Set parameters for reestablishing trust. Make a new covenant you can both live with."

Struggling with Forgiveness

Not an easy topic to talk about and to share. However, it's the truth. I'm struggling with forgiving someone who has hurt me. They questioned a decision I made and in essence questioned my character. Right now I don't want to talk to her about it and why I am not speaking to her but she has asked me why I am not talking to her. Letting go of something is hard. I have struggled with it before but right now it's even harder because I know that I made the right choice in the decision I made.

I know this is short but I needed to put it somewhere- if you are reading this please share what your thoughts are on forgiveness- especially when it's not been asked for.

WOW

Well, I did what I said I was going to do and God got a hold of me BIG TIME!!!  Here was my devo for this morning (My Utmost for His Highest- June 6)- If you are reading this after June 6- go to that date on the calendar.  I think the part that hit me the most were the first two sentences:

"Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do.  When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God."

I just posted that yesterday- I know what I ought to do but my fleshly desires and priorities have rendered me powerless in a way.  Hmmm... food for thought anyway.  Then, I went to Proverbs 6 (read a proverb a day and today is the 6th.  Vs. 20-22 really struck me. "My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.  Bind them on your heart always, tie them around your neck.  When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you".  I guess the reason why they jumped out at me was this: I have been taught from early age who God is and have read the Word from a young age so I KNOW the Word (I could know it better though) and I have been letting what I already knew lead me- I haven't been taking the time to learn more so that it can be applied to my life today.  Does this make sense to anyone?

So, my next reading took me to Psalms- also something I try to read daily- well, it's been so long since I read Psalms that I decided to start with chapter 1.  Well, God knocked me over the head with this one- vs. 1-3 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and it leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers."

WOW!!!!  This is exactly what I was trying to post yesterday.  Because my delight has not been in the Lord or in the law of the Lord I have been dry- I have been withering.  I know that to be fruitful, to bloom, to thrive, I HAVE to take delight in the law of the LORD! 

Thank you God!

Just some thoughts

I have been struggling some lately and I know why but yet, I'm having a hard time doing anything about it. My quiet time has been suffering ever since school got out. The crazy thing is I have more time than ever and yet, nothing. I am going to have to get myself in a routine and buckle down. I need accountability and I don't really have that. I leave in less than 2 weeks for Romania and I wonder how I am supposed to tell others about Jesus when my relationship with him is dry right now. That's where I know I need to get going. So, my goal for the days ahead will be to read and respond. Read the Word and respond by sharing what has been revealed to me that day. It may be a thought, it may be a quote, it may be the scripture that I have read. Anyone want to join me?