A little creativity from my aching heart

I have done my best to stay strong. I have done my best to not let this kill me. There are scars to prove your attempt at slitting my throat. You left me for dead. Lies, like a best friend, you kept close to your bosom.

I’ve heard all I can take. There is darkness where there once was light. A soul left in depravity. How I feel the ache from the thorns wrapped around your heart. You are bound. Who will break through to show you that there is so much more worth living?

You left me there, lying on the floor; a person I thought I could depend on. Who is he that controls you? Who is he that abuses your emotions and puts you into a prison cell? Lifeless, you portray an image that’s far from the truth.

It’s time to know just how much you are worth fighting for. I almost died once trying to show you. This time it will be different. Truth is my banner and God has shown me your destiny. It is full of light and life. Hope is here. It is what gives me strength to remain standing after each brutal stab.

This time is different, despite the pain that weighs me down. I will not be so easily taken as I was before. I wave the banner high. Never have I known such truth. There is so much forgiveness and love. The ground beneath me cannot be shaken.

Strong is my stance. Loud is my voice that once was choked by prison bars. Bend your knees. It is time for redemption. Accept rebuke and forgiveness. Let this show you true love.

He is waiting. With hope I will keep this banner lifted high even if it takes a thousand years or more. Run towards the only One who can save you. Love. It is all I desire for you to know.

A True Story of Wonder

My husband and I found ourselves being Wonderstruck last Tuesday night. We both got into our cars to drive home from a long day of work. My car started up smoothly and I gratefully turned the heat on low before my car warmed up again. I glanced over to my right to see Jeremy shrug his shoulders as his car only made a slight clicking noise.

This is not the first time that this has happened. We were sure that all that we were going to have to do was crank the car up on a jack and make sure that the starter wires were connected. In the dimly lit parking lot, we dug out the jack and attempted our best to stay dry in the wet mist cloud that sometimes envelops parts of Oregon.

Jeremy checked for the starter wires and everything looked fine. He attempted starting the car several times with each attempt ending in disappointment. We had just talked with the youth group that night about allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and to expect the same signs and wonders that are in the book of Acts. Here was our chance to see God do a miracle on our behalf. We had no money for car repairs and we needed both vehicles for the next day.

Holding hands we began to pray. We thanked God for his goodness. This car was such a great gift from Him. We asked Him to anoint our car and fix whatever was wrong. There were no fancy words, no begging. It was a simple proclamation of God's goodness and with a grateful heart, a simple request.

Jeremy and I looked at each other, hope in both of our eyes. We both believed that God could heal our car if that is what would bring Him the most glory. With lightness to his step, Jeremy walked around to the driver’s side and leaned in to turn the key. Nothing happened. He removed his hand from the key and decided to turn off the radio. All of a sudden, the car started on its own, without Jeremy even touching the key!

In excitement I started dancing around, Jeremy proclaimed what God had just done, and I continued to dance saying, "Thank you Lord! Thank you Jesus!" We drove home that night completely wonderstruck! There was no way the car should have started on its own like that, other than God starting the car for us. He had heard our simple request. He knew our genuine hearts of love for Him. And He answered in a way that revealed He was the only one who could have done it.

God is always there. He desires us to come to Him as we are. In heartaches, and the messy parts of life, He will fill us with wonder when we seek Him.

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Margaret Feinberg, in her new book and 7-session Bible Study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God reminds us of such moments, much like the one I just shared.

Wonderstruck will help you realize that God has always been there. You will:

·       Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine

·       Unearth extraordinary moments on ordinary days (like a car starting on its own!)

·       Develop a renewed passion for God

·       Identify what’s holding you back in prayer

·       Discover joy in knowing you’re wildly loved

 

To learn more, watch the Wonderstruck Video, here: https://vimeo.com/53953257

God will not disappoint you. He is there. 

Pre-order Wonderstruck before Christmas and receive extra gifts worth over $300.

Being Wonderstruck- it is beautiful!

My friend, Margaret Feinberg [www.margaretfeinberg.com], has an awesome new book and 7-session Bible Study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God (releasing Christmas Day)—a personal invitation for you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life. Wonderstruck will help you:

·       Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine

·       Unearth extraordinary moments on ordinary days

·       Develop a renewed passion for God

·       Identify what’s holding you back in prayer

·       Discover joy in knowing you’re wildly loved

To learn more, watch the Wonderstruck Video, here: https://vimeo.com/53953257

Read below to hear about my own reflections of experiencing God’s wonder that comes out of a reflection from reading Wonderstruck

Most recently I have been experiencing the wonder of God during my most painful moments. In these intimate coffee dates with God I lay my heart at His feet. When I do not understand the reason for what is going on, He shows me that He is making beautiful things out of the mess. I have found, much like Margaret did, that when we are more intentional about prayer, we get caught up in the wonder of who God is. It is during these intimate prayer moments that He reveals to me the purpose for my pain; that He is sovereign.

Last night was a very painful night. In fact it was the final blow to losing someone that I love very much. In my disbelief, I ran into the arms of God. It is in His arms that one thing is certain: He knows the truth and He knows me. He knows every single part of my heart and mind. With this realization it calms the stormy sea inside of me and I know that I am safe with Him.

Being caught up in the wonder of God in my wounded mess allows Him to heal me. As He heals me, the wonder of who He is grows even more. For this I can never stop standing up for His truth. For this I can never stop proclaiming His goodness. He loves us so much!

Follow Margaret’s snarky, funny, and inspirational posts on Twitter [www.twitter.com/mafeinberg], Facebook [www.facebook.com/margaretfeinberg], or her blog [www.margaretfeinberg.com]. You can learn more about this great book by visiting www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck where she’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff. I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.57 ($14.99 retail) on Barnes & Noble [http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonder-struck-margaret-feinberg/1110904808?ean=9781617950889] for all you savvy shoppers. 

Where have you seen the wonder of God in your life?

Wonderstruck... Struck by Wonder

 God is so wonderful! He fills me with amazing wonder. 

I can relate a lot to Margaret Feinberg as she describes what it means to be struck by the wonder of God. There is such depth to God's heart for us. While reading Wonderstruck, I find myself reflecting back on the first moments when I was filled with the wonder of who God was, after so many lies of who He is was stripped away. My heart takes flight at the thought that I am His and His alone. It is truly a divine romance that I am thankful will never end.

This book is so good! I encourage you to reserve a copy or begin a Bible study through this book. You can reserve the book here:  goo.gl/YsbHW

You will not be disappointed! 

Blessings to you as we give thanks this week.

"10 Christians Everyone Should Know"

This book was an easy read which encouraged me greatly. 10 Christians Everyone Should Know gives a brief overview of ten unique and diverse individuals that most of us have heard about in one way or another. One of the things that I loved about this book was the fact that they all followed Jesus and made a huge impact in this world even though many did not get to see the fruit of their labor. What is encouraging is the constant theme that, when one lives a life serving the Lord using ones gifts and talents, the impact is far greater than what one would ever expect.

Many of these ten people I already knew several things about. What was important for me was being able to understand in greater depth the important role their faith played with what they are most known for. 10 Christians Everyone Should Know, is a good book for those who like history and want to see the impact of faithful followers of Jesus.

I received this book free from Booksneeze.com and these opinions are my own.

A Must Read!!- "Messy" by A.J. Swaboda

Have you ever asked yourself why your life seems to be messed up? Life is messy and so often we seem to puke out the reality of our need for God and his holiness. One of the things that make God so awesome (despite his awesomeness) is that he loves us when we are messy. He meets us in our mess. We are not perfect yet God loves to work his perfection in us as we toil through the garbage, confusion, questions, and doubts that plague our lives

A.J. Swaboda brings a striking combination of humor and seriousness to describe how God likes us messy. We are messy people. As such God wants us to come to him without trying to cover it all up. With brutal honesty, lacking no fear to tackle sensitive issues, A.J. Swaboda conveys God’s truth that will have you laughing one second and caught in silent conviction the next.

Seriously, go check out A.J. Swaboda’s book, Messy. You will find God in the mess and be able to laugh at yourself here and there too!

Note: I received this book free from the author and these thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Check this out!

I have the privilege of being able to read and write about an upcoming book, Wonderstruck, by my new friend Margaret Feinberg.

It is breathtaking already. It has made my hunger for God bigger than it was before. I encourage you to keep an eye out for this awesome book, Wonderstruck, which will be coming out on Christmas day this year! Please go here to check out the book: goo.gl/YsbHW.