10 Reasons Why I Blog

1. God called me to do it. After praying for a year, I finally said yes.
2. It is a creative outlet for me.
3. I love words!
4. I have a passion to connect with other women and encourage them.
5. I saw Julie & Julia and was inspired!
6. It is a great keepsake for my girls as they get older.
7. I have horrible handwriting and this makes #6 possible.
8. I don't have a crafty bone in my body.
9. I get to meet and interact with amazing people.
10. Just like this fashionable lady I found at The Graphics Fairy, the possibilities are endless if you dream big!

How about you? Why did you start blogging?

Chair Time

Do you ever feel like you are just surviving your life? I do, and if I'm keeping it real, that is truly how I have been living lately. I find myself reacting to life instead of being Spirit filled and purposeful. So last week I was reading one of my favorite devotionals called, "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. I love this little book. It is written as though Jesus were talking to you directly. On March 19, the entry said:

Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving my Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living.
Page 82

I was intrigued by the word pause. According to dictionary.com it means:

v. To dwell or linger
n. A cessation of activity because of uncertainty.
A break or rest to emphasize meaning.

Last year, my word for the year was dwell. So when I read that definition I smiled. I am to "dwell (in Christ) before I respond to people or situations (i.e. my children, husband...)" As I dwell or pause in Him, it gives the Spirit room and space to act through me. Now there is a novel idea.

Then I was reminded of this today:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness
Psalm 103:8

I noticed immediately that it does not say, "Stacey is compassionate and gracious. Stacey is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness...." But the beauty of it is, Jesus is in me. And as I pause and give Him space He can and will be those things through me.

Oh Lord, I have so much to learn. I am so grateful that you are gracious and compassionate with me. Please give me gentle reminders this week to pause and let you be all you can be through me.

Looking Forward
Stacey

Multitude Monday

Counting 1,000 Gifts.....



#159 He would have died if I were the only one.

Thankful,
Stacey

The Cry of My Heart

Lord,

You see them, but do they see you? Help me to teach them how to develop an inward gaze of the soul upon you. That they may look forward and be satisfied with great expectation to your will for their lives. You speak to them, but are they listening? Do they understand that your Word is written to lead and to guide them through this crazy mixed up noisy world? And that your Word leads them straight to your heart and into your embrace?

How can I, as their mother begin to teach them to behold you in every moment and to listen for your speaking voice? Show me, for if I teach them anything today, let it be these truths. The cry of my heart is that they would:

love you,
obey your voice,
and hold fast to you
all of their days....
Dueteronomy 30:20

Looking Forward,

More Worth Mentioniong

On The Speaking Voice

The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second person of the Holy Trinity is called The Word. The Bible is the inevitable outcome of God's continuous speech. It is the infallible declaration of His mind for us put into our familiar human words...If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is this thing which you may push around at your convenience. It is more than a thing; it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the Living God.
A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God
Pages 77,8

Lord you are speaking, give me ears to listen.
Looking Forward,
Stacey

Worth Mentioning

On Beholding (seeing) God

When we lift our inward eyes to gaze upon god we are sure to meet friendly eyes gazing back at us, for it is written that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout all the earth. The sweet language of experience is "Thou God seest me" (Genesis 16:13). When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.
A.W. Tozer The Pursuit of God
pages 85,86

Lord teach me to perpetually gaze upon thee. Thank you that as I do, I see you gazing back at me.

Looking Forward,
Stacey

Chair Time

"Abundance is at the very heart of who I am".... from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I love that Jesus walked with a band of totally real, normal people like me. He did not surround himself with religious leaders. I appreciate His patience with their slowness to learn. It gives me great hope. I also like that He involved them in His teaching and even more important in His miracles. They did not just see them,they lived them. See, I learn mainly by doing. Ask my very sweet husband about teaching me how to use Photoshop. I have to feel and experience it to understand.

Today I read from John 6:1-14. As usual, multitudes of people where following Jesus. He called to Philip and said, "Where are we to buy bread that these may eat?" Now I know, Jesus had a plan all along. He was inviting Philip to be part of the work He was about to do. I love his answer, "That would cost a lot of money" (paraphrase mine). Andrew must have been a few steps ahead of Philip. He offered five barley loaves a couple of fish to Christ from some child whose blessed mother had sent him with a lunch that day. I can just see her running after him out the door, "Honey! Don't forget your lunch!" Little did she know she would be part of a plan to feed thousands! Can you imagine the dinner conversation in that house?

I love this part of the story. Jesus took the loaves and the fish. Thanked His Father and distributed the food to the people. They were filled. And then so wisely He asked the disciples to gather the left overs. Twelve baskets full. One for each of the disciples to hold, see, smell, and touch. Brilliant teaching from the Master.

So I ask myself, how often do I live on the 5 barley loaves of my own effort? When do I settle for what I can come up with in my own strength? If I take and lay it at the feet of Jesus He would bless it and delight in giving me from His abundance. I am not talking about money here. But my own self effort of teaching, mothering, and loving others. What I have to offer in my own power is no comparison. My bread may cure the munchies, but will it give life and point others to Christ?

"...and the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy house; They drink their fill of the abundance of Thy house.."
Psalm 36: 7-8

Lord,
I thank you that you have a plan. That you are blessedly patient with my slowness to learn. And that you delight in pouring forth your abundance upon every area of my life that I give to you.

Looking forward,
Stacey


P.S. When have you given Jesus your 5 loaves and few small fish and seen Him do a work only He could do? What was the result? Who else got to take part in the miracle? You can leave a comment or use McLinky to link to a blog post! Thanks!