Godstops!

       In our women's small group study we're reading a Beth Moore book entitled "Believing God."  It may sound pretty straight forward, but let me tell you, it packs quite the creative and thought-provoking punches!  And that pretty much has captured me-I'm loving it!  

      Beth has challenged us to 5 key faith statements to claim as our own.  She notes that there is a huge difference between believing in God (fire insurance, acknowledging that there is indeed God, etc, you can fill in the rest!) and believing God.  The 5 part statement of faith goes a little something like this:

1) God is who He says He is

2) God can do what He says He can do

3) I am who God says I am

4) I can do all things through Christ

5) God's Word is alive and active in me

      Two weeks ago, as we started off the study, we were given two challenges.  The first was to think over our sanctification, especially in light of the faith statements above.  We were encouraged to be more aware of our sanctification and were challenged to grow deeper in that process.  As a reminder, we wear blue bracelets, just as the Levites wore blue tassels attached by blue cords as a statement that they were set apart for God.  I have to say its effective.  Every time I look down at my blue ribbon on my wrist I know exactly why I'm wearing it.  That constant reminder is slowly helping my brain remember that I am set apart for God.

     To help us remember who God is, and what that might look like in our lives, we were encouraged to record Godstops.  The "stop" part is "Savoring The Observable Presence."  Don't you love that?!  I do.  So now, armed with a fresh notebook, I have decided to go gung ho into this project too.  I look for those things where I know God is active.  I look for His Presence.  I rejoice that my God is able!  I do a baby victory dance with wiggles and heel clicks as I become aware the truth that He is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do, I am who He says I am, I can do all things through Christ, and yes, by golly, God's Word is alive and active in me!  Mmmmm...  That's pretty good!

Mull it over.  

Savor it.  

Long little bit of my rambling here, but to cap off my story I just have to record a fun, baby Godstop for everyone.

1) Its a beautiful morning, and that just makes drinking my cappuccino even better.

2) I spent the night in La Mirada so I didn't have to drive today (research day in the library for me...!)

3) I'm DRINKING my CAPPUCCINO IN THE LIBRARY!  

     Ha!  If that's not worth celebrating

 this morning, well...  I don't know.  There's lots to celebrate, but this one makes me giddy this morning!

Strength

Even though I am worn out, I'm glad God never gets tired.  That there is nothing God cannot do.  

That He is able.  

That He is loving.  

That He is wise.  

That He is the Great Physician.

That He is the perfect provider.

That He knows me intimately.

That He does not give me more than I can handle.

That He does not give peace as the world gives.

That the Holy Spirit has sealed me and indwells me.  Me!  

That Timmery Layne Clark is a temple for the the God of the universe!

I'm glad, because I  know I am frail and human and weak.  

What a great treasure we house in our fragile clay jars...

Thank you Jesus! (Jesus hands are waving right about now!)

School days

Today is one of the first times this semester I've spent any real length of time in the library.  Lest you fear that I'm slacking (I might be) let me tell you about last semester's library visits...

It all started with Hermeneutics where I wrote about 7-8 papers roughly 7-8 pages each.  Nice little bit of writing and research there-exactly the sort of thing that a library comes in handy for.  Next we'll move on to New Testament Survey where I compiled a resource notebook about 40 pages long.  Mmmm, Theology 2 wasn't too noteworthy in the library, instead we just plowed through the books we purchased for class-that four inch book by Shedd was plenty.  

I'm really not all that academic, I enjoy playing when I can.  But it seems I've used up all my "play" passes and the library has beckoned once again.  Research papers and special projects are coming due.  It's just that time of year.  Yes, that's right.  The time of year to hustle with one's research and documentation because finals will be smack dab around the corner after that!  

Thoughts I Think

Right now I'm sitting at Panera after finishing a late lunch.  I'm doing a quick little daydream session before homework calls me back.  Here's the randomness that comes to mind at any given time (Sometimes.  Never in the middle of class though.  Especially Historical Theology.  That would nearly be a sin.  Pity.).

1.  Looking at the Panera banner that says: 

Give     Receive     Rejoice.  Share A Moment.  Celebrate The Season.  I like the pretty crimson that dominates the banner.  I like that it makes me think of Jesus, even if that wasn't necessarily the intent (maybe it was though...).  I like that this year I'm excited for Christmas-the whole thing!  (Usually I just like the Jesus being born part, not so much the rest:  the hastle, the expectation, the family, the loneliness...  This year, not the case!  Hooray!!)

2.  I like that these days I'm a lot more sensitive to God's Presence in my life.  Still need to work on that yielding control to the Holy Spirit though.  This becomes especially evident when I drive home on the freeway.  But I like that I'm now so much more aware that I need God's Presence continually, and that (*glory*) He lets me feel His Presence these days!

3.  I've got ideas of Christmas presents I'd like to make.  I think I have to modify them so as to make them actually affordable, but hey!  I love that the creative juices are flowing!  Mmmm mm mmmmmm!  I never know if people like the weird things I make, but I have fun :)

4.  For the first time this semester I don't feel like I'm drowning.  I might be able to make it through, intact!  This in part is because of Psalm 126.  Read it.  Oh yeah, its good.  It's a rejoicing psalm of ascents that talks about the Israelites receiving blessing after returning from the exile.  Go study it.  I've got a special significance with this Psalm, but that's a story for another post...

5.  Gas prices are lower than they were last week, last month, last quarter...  I'm a commuter... So I say:  Hallelujah!

6.  God provides for me in ways I don't understand.  I feel spoiled.  I'm going to say I'm blessed.  It's true.  More than I give Him credit for.  Food, shelter, love, growth, school, satisfaction, health, community, and on and on it goes!

7.  I am loved.  Here's a little sampling:  Tiffany always makes sure I am hugged up and feel that I am loved.  The Redifer's make sure I am taken care of.  My Mom sends me money for school along with crazy care packages (including those clear plastic bowling shoes I wore for Halloween!).  Yesterday Nadia sent me a text:  "I prayed 4 u today.  Hope u r feeling better in ur new place!  I love u."  Cherryl prays for me and offers me support whether I'm up or down.  Sharon calls me and drops me a note every month I'm in school.  My Aunt lets me store things in her garage and closet, even when her life is crazy on its own.  Maria and Lissa send me emails or texts.  

What a great little community I've got!  Praise God!

8.  

Well, I almost got to ten, but now I've thought of more homework things to do.  Daydream session is done for now!

Setting Up House...

 

(Top photo: New Place in Escondido.  Middle photo:  Last Place in Oceanside.  Bottom photo:  First Place in Escondido.)

Through a set of circumstances that were completely unexpected, I am somewhat homeless this semester.  At the beginning of this week I moved into my 3rd home and started the all-too-familiar process of settling in.  Again.  This time I have a teeny tiny room above a storage building at my friend's house.  My own space!  Now that gets me excited!  The main house is just a hop, skip and jump away from my little "tree house" under the pines, which is good because I don't have my own restroom!  

I have windows on all four sides, a front patio, a back deck, a ceiling fan, and the protection of Suki the Akita (strangers should be careful, she's quite territorial.  I bribe her with a spoonful of my coffee, but others might not win her heart nearly so easily!).  

It's been interesting to see how this all plays out.  I remember being so devastated about this whole mess a couple months back.  All my careful planning just fell through with a completeness that broke my heart and sent me into an emotional slump.  Things got hard.  I got sad.  But even though I experienced these rough patches God hadn't deserted me.  He allows me to go through the tough seasons to refine me, to build my character, to grow me up into more of the woman God desires me to be.  And I'm okay with that.  

Next month I have another house set up to move into,  once again, God has provided!  I sincerely hope this trend of moving once a month will be coming to an end soon.  But I'm not promised that, only that God will be with me!  What can beat that?