Celebrate Your Progress

Well the Engineer is busy building an ark today...I am not sure that I have seen this much rain ever...its just a coming down.  So while he is busy building an ark I am calling the hair salon...because all this humidity in the air has made my curls flare up and its more than this girly can take today!  But the appointment is not til next week...and by then I will be sailing away on the ark...living amongst the wild beasts of the earth and none of them will probably bat an eye at the curly mop on my head!

And for the regulars who are following my 'book review' of Eat the Cookie...buy the shoes you are wondering how in the world that is going to tie into to chapter 5...well most likely its not...unless it just happens to by the end of this post!

So chapter 5 is all about celebrating your progress.

One thing that has filled my mind and heart as I read and re-read this chapter again...is the question 'how have I progressed in my 33 years?'

To sum it all up there was a few moments that added up in my twenties that made me realize I was truly missing out on something.  I was tired of going through the motions, being the good girl, just following the rules.

I discovered there was more than religion.  There was a most amazing grace and love filled relationship with Jesus to be lived out daily!

How is that for some progress?!?!?

Friends it can be said of most of us...we are a work in progress.

There is purpose for celebrating progress.  Celebrating strengthens us. 

I can celebrate my progress with my thoughts.  After completing the Me, Myself and Lies Bible study I am more aware of my thoughts...ones that are time wasters, ones that are not pure and right, ones that are not God honoring, ones in which the enemy is trying to trash talk a daughter of the Most High! 

How is that for some progress?!?!?

I have room to continue to grow in this area.

"God isn't keeping a record of each time we fall, but He is excited about our progress, and we should be excited, too!"  (pg 40)

There are moments in which I find myself being humbled at the feet of Jesus much faster than in the past.  And I praise God for that change and progress...because its a sign that God is working in me!

Do you recognize the areas in which you have grown, changed?

Do you rejoice over your progress and change?

Living life with Jesus is a journey in which life will be 'shining ever brighter til the full light of day' (Proverbs 4:18)

Look over this past year of your life, can you see progress?

Here is a plug for journaling.  For me I need to keep a written record of what I am hearing, learning and going through...then I can look back and see where I was and where He has brought me!  There is a beautiful trend in progress while in relationship with Jesus, its all purposefully living at His feet and it always brings us closer to His heart!

Now be careful if you think you have made no progress, because that most likely means the enemy is lying to you.  The enemies purpose is to bring you down,  he does NOT want you celebrating your progress.

Celebrating strengthens us, while condemnation weakens us.

When we choose to celebrate we are looking for God in our life, and that is thanking Him for what He has done, is doing and will continue to do!

"As children of God we need to be committed to change.  Throughout our journey here on earth God's Spirit will be working with and in us, helping us change for the better." (pg 47)

Friends if there is something today that brings you encouragement...and a reason to celebrate I hope it is this:

we are not asked to do this in our own strength..we are not to change on our own...its not as if God has asked us to clean ourselves up and then come back and present ourselves before the Throne.  No my friends...we sit the entire time at His feet in His Holy presence and the One He purposefully sent will work in us...as a comforter, healer, adviser, teacher, coach, an intercessor! (John 16:7-13)

And as I strive to daily remember its not perfection in my human understanding, for Gods definition of perfect  means that I am willing, cooperating and growing!

My prayer,

Lord I pray that this will go into my heart by the power and working of the Holy Spirit. That my mind, thoughts, words, actions, and living will be honoring to You, and when its not that I will be made aware and correct it. Lord I love You and living my life on purpose is only possible because of Your love and grace for me. I pray that even though I know with my head that I am a work in progress and not complete until You bring me home to eternity, my heart feels the pain and struggle of the continual shifting and changing. It is unsettling and uncomfortable and purposeful and right all at the same time. I praise You Lord for Your mighty hand and presence in my life. May I continue to become less and You More.  Amen

May we desire to live in such a way that the progress we make is celebrated because we keep getting deeper in relationship with our Maker.

God Likes a Party

Hello friends and family, welcome to the blog today! 

Do you like parties? 

Well Chapter 4 in Eat the cookie...buy the shoes...Joyce shares about how God is all about parties.  She helps us remember all the times of celebration and ways people partied in the Bible.

She opens this chapter up with the first party that Jesus attended...not only was he in attendance...he helped keep the party going by turning water into wine! 

Now don't get off course by focusing on the wrong things...try to keep in tune with what God might have us know and the purpose for including this in His Word.

Jesus attended the party, He had nothing against the party, and He wanted the people to enjoy the party.

Now calling myself a 'party girl' might get some people to raise their eyebrows here today...but in all reality I truly am.  I am a girl who loves to party...aka celebrate life.  Whether it be a Christmas party, a birthday party and anniversary party...and you know parties usually include yummy treats...so yeah!

You are invited to God's party!  Have you accepted the invite...and have you showed up?

Are you in attendance at His party?

"God loves us and all that He has is ours as long as we belong to Him.  He appreciates our work and effort to please Him, but if we refuse to enjoy the benefits of being a child of God this is our fault, not His.  We can have a party anytime we want one.  Every day can be a party if we learn the art of celebration." (pg 35)

Friends today I am really in party mode...as I just finished the Bible study, Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild.  I am so deserving of a celebration..that Bible study was a hard one...hard in a really good life changing way...but as I finished today I can truly hear my Creator clapping...and that calls for a celebration...right?!?!

I am living life with Him and when I stop and think on that...that is worth celebrating. 

May we not take one second of our freedom in grace for granted...but rather party like we truly mean it!

You are worth a little waste

Now if that is not a chapter title that is hard to swallow I am not sure what it is!!

Before we dive into the third chapter of this book adventure I do want to make sure everyone knows my heart...I am a Jesus loving girl...and also a firm believer that His word is the ultimate source of truth...but I have heard from Him in many different sources...other books...secular and religious...movies...tv commercials...friends...other blogs...so please know I don't put this book that we are journeying through together before the Word...or in any means deem it my only spiritual food at this moment in life.

Which so conveniently brings me to the first 'highlighted' point in chapter 3.  And Joyce writes,

"God often works through unlikely vessels and in unusual ways to give us courage and strength" (pg 20)

Friends not to weird you out but this actually happened to me today...yep!  I check the mail everyday before youngest little guy and I go get the oldest little guy from school.  And in the mailbox was a manila envelope from a blog friend...and inside was a beautiful sun catcher...a card filled with love, encouragement and such sweet words...and a VERY generous gift to be used towards She Speaks!  Friends the highlight for me is that through a person I have never met in person...never seen face to face...never talked with even over the phone...but would love to...God brought strength and encouragement.  He loved all over me!

I share this 'mailbox Jesus loving on me moment' with you tonight because it helps me understand this whole chapter 3 a bit better.

In chapter 3 Joyce helps us understand there are times for extravagance.  Joyce reminds us of the story found in the book of Matthew of the woman who pours a very expensive perfume all over Jesus' head.  It was her way of showing Him her love.  While everyone around Him saw this as wasteful and silly,  some even claimed it was down right irresponsible.  Jesus saw her heart!

"But religious legalism leaves no room to be led by the Holy Spirit." (pg 20)

Where is our focus?  What is our focus?

Do we look at what is going on with our minds or with our hearts?

I will be completely honest there were moments this afternoon after opening that gift that was in my mailbox that I stated 'I don't deserve this', 'I am sure this was a sacrifice for my friend', 'I am sure this could have went to someone more worthy'?!?!

"When we look at things with the eyes of our heart we are more likely to see from God's view" (pg 21)

Me analyzing this gift was denying and not choosing to recognize it as what it was a gift.  Given by a sweet and precious daughter of God...who truly allows our Maker to work in her and through her.  And because of her sweet and precious Jesus filled heart...love flowed out of her onto me!

Joyce encourages us in this chapter to remember we have to work and then enjoy the fruit of our labor.

I tend to be too busy working most of the time...to stop and truly enjoy.  I am reminded that even the God of the universe who with the mighty works of His hands...worked 6 days and rested! 

And then I got to page 23 and there was a chorus of angels singing loudly and applauding as I read these words...

"God gave us our emotions, and it is not wrong to do what is needed to keep them strong and healthy.  We must not allow our emotions to rule us, but denying their existence is equally dangerous."

Why the whole angel chorus singing?...Because they are already celebrating the moments when my heart will truly grasp those two above statements.  As in this moment I am still processing.  I know I was created like this...the emotional leading with the heart kinda girlie I am...now its onto how to live in a healthy balance and all Him to direct the emotions!

Joyce also spends some time in this chapter addressing how we go through different seasons in our life, ones in which He has us follow different guidelines.  Ones in which there are no shoes and no cookies until we truly learn that all we NEED is Him.

I am encouraged tonight to seek Him and ask Him for the strength to live life with the right heart attitude.  Knowing nothing is wasted if used for the right purpose.

"When people have a right heart toward God they do things in balance and are always concerned about representing God in a proper way." (pg 28)

And my sweet and precious blogging friend...Cindy...you nailed that one from above...your heart has sure touched mine today.  For you allowed Jesus to work through you...to bless and encourage me...and for that I am grateful and sending a very heart felt thank you right to ya!  I love you Cindy!

Before we go on

Welcome to the blog.  There are a few things...okay a lot of things racing around in my mind this morning on this day of rest.  And so it is my hearts intent as I type this morning on the day of rest to seek rest in Him.  Rest for a heart that is grieving over a choice made with the wrong intention. 

For some of you who have 'journeyed' with me for a while on this blog I am praying this morning that you will know this blog is never about playing it safe, putting on a show, or even being comfortable.  But rather living my life on purpose is about being real, honest and truly living each day being teachable; a work in progress!

When I started reading the book Eat the cookie...buy the shoes, I was scared of what I would find in the pages.  Without ever opening the cover...my mind raced over all the what ifs?  And I truly questioned...honestly...was this the book that would give me 'permission' to go back to eating my brownies and buying shoes when I wanted to. 

However it is my hearts desire to be a girl who seeks her Jesus in everything.  And I am not sure I started this book with that purposeful intent.  You see normally I struggle just watching a movie, reading a book, or being in relationship with someone without seeking what He has for me in it.  Trust me this is a tiring process...and probably one that is way hard to explain as I type.  I tend to look at life in all areas...'what does Jesus have for me to learn, see or do?'  So where did I go wrong with this book...well I think as I am typing this morning I can honestly say...I was focused on a the cookie and the shoes...and NOT Jesus!  As hard as that is to type...I do so to seek rest!

As I type I am very aware of my humanness. 

I am a girl who tends to be either on or off.

I live out of emotions.

I need to find balance.

I desperately need Him.

So as I read this book I know He will continue to reveal what has to go so I can be balanced.

For Friday was one of those lessons for me. 

The cookie for me is still not okay.  I know why I ate it.  I know my thoughts before, during and after.

Dear Jesus my hearts desire is to not void fill with the things of this world.  But only with You.  I know the enemy desires to see me lose, I have victory in You.  'Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours' (Psalm 128:1-2) Thank You Jesus for loving me, picking me up and bringing me through. May I know You more, I love You, Amen!

Can you over celebrate?

Hey friends...just so you know I have come to confess...yep publicly!  Think I am struggling already at this whole balance thing...like memories of the Dairy Queen blizzard from last night are being chased by the cookie I just stuffed in and the crumbs are still visible!

And funny thing is there is NO surprise at how I find myself celebrating...eating yummy chocolaty treats and visiting the shoe store...but I will say I left with not one single pair!!! And there was a sale my friends!


So Chapter 2 was on celebrating.  Well let me tell you I have NO problem finding reasons to celebrate...

Reasons to celebrate this week...our family schedule is easing up a little, the weather has been great, the fix for my laptop was way less than I thought it would be, watched friends adopt their new little girls, I have kept two children, one Engineer and one dog fed this week, oh and it's Friday!

Who knows I just might be getting celebrating and coping confused...HA!

Seriously I just ate the last cookie that was in our house...why?  Because I am celebrating that there is a child napping.  I am one mommy who is begging...I mean praying for enough strength and energy to get through this day! 

God knows I have been begging...I mean praying for His strength to do this momma job lately...I am NOT equipped...I am tired...and very overwhelmed that He would ask me to raise two little guys.  Seriously?

Not equipped but riding a sugar buzz from that cookie.

Yikes!

So I will continue on celebrating life...and seek celebrating with less sugar...I know it can be done...its all about balance for me!

I will celebrate the much happier 4 year old who will wake up from his nap in a much better mood (please Jesus!)

I will celebrate the pick up of my very tired Kindergartner in thirty minutes.

I will celebrate that I get to make my family dinner.

I will celebrate that daddy will be coming home around 5ish to help me tag team.

I will celebrate changing into comfy clothes and relaxing with an Engineer on a Friday night in the comfort of our own home!

May your weekend be filled with a whole lotta celebrating!

Join me back here on Monday and we will review Chapter 3 together...You are Worth a Little Waste.

Happy Birthday

Hello and welcome to the blog!  We are going through the book Eat the cookie...buy the shoes by Joyce Meyer.  And today we are talking about celebrating!

Do you celebrate?

Do you enjoy celebrating?


Do you have the spirit of celebration in your heart?

Do you celebrate your birthday?

Do you enjoy celebrating your birthday?

I know that last question might seem a little silly.  But truly think about it.

Do you just brush it off as another day?  "I'm just getting a another year older, what does it matter anyway"  "It's just another day on the calendar"  "It's too selfish to celebrate my birthday"

Is this is wrong attitude?  Are we missing the chance to celebrate another year of our life?

Joyce states;

Perhaps part of the reason why we don't feel the need to celebrate is that we lack understanding on how truly awesome we are. (pg 12)

Are you ready to truly claim these verses as truth;

You are the one

who put me together

inside my mother's body,

and I praise you

because of

the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous!

Of this I have no doubt.

Psalm 139:13-14 (Contemporary English Version)

I think when God spent such time creating us, He poured His creativity and life into us, He wants us to celebrate that!

Our birthdays are a remembrance of His time spent on us...another year in shaping us and molding us.  Oh friends this NEEDS to be celebrated!

When we truly celebrate from our hearts our lives we are bringing Him glory and honor, we are appreciating and recognizing who He is and what He has done!

And if we truly seek to bring Him glory and honor then we don't have to wait and do it once a year.  We can live daily celebrating life!

Do you celebrate daily?

Do you celebrate the ordinary?

Or are you stuck in the martyr syndrome as Joyce refers to it, where you go through life doing all the work feeling like no one truly appreciates you, while everyone else goes on enjoying life without ever realizing how much you sacrifice.

Ouch!

How do we not continue living in the 'martyr syndrome'?

Celebrate.

Living life on purpose calls for celebrating.

Creatively find reasons to celebrate.

The purpose of Jesus coming was for us to enjoy life to the fullest. (John 10:10)

May we truly know that everyday is worth celebrating and that we need to choose to celebrate and experience joy!

The Cookie

Hello Friends...I am back to get into this book.  We are going to journey together through the pages of Eat the Cookie...buy the shoes. This is Joyce Meyer's new book about 'giving yourself permission to lighten up.'

So if you are feeling now is a good time to take a breather...please join us!

So chapter 1 of the book is titled The Cookie.

If you don't have a copy of the book please link over here to visit this video. Start the video from 6:05 minutes in and watch until the end. It is about 3 minutes. Where Joyce shares her 'cookie' story.  It will give you the foundation for the first chapter.  After you watch come back over and join in reading my highlights from the chapter, and please lets make this a discussion by leaving your comments and questions.  Thank you!

She points out that her husband was truly trying to help her because he loves her.  I have a pretty significant memory of when the Engineer so freely shared with our OB/GYN on one of our Dr's visit when I was pregnant with Tyler.  The Engineer felt at liberty to ask the Dr..."is it normal for a pregnant woman to eat an entire pan of chocolate brownies?" Yes he got a pretty good glare!  Anyway, truly our friends and family most of the time comment out of love for us.  But Joyce points out,

Sadly, if we are not confident about our choices, we can easily let other peoples' comments make us feel guilty and ruin the joy we need to experience in life through doing the little things that mean a lot to us. (pg 4)

In the first chapter Joyce wants us to go away with this...

We're Not Built for Guilt

God will convict us of wrong choices and actions, but He never tries to make us feel guilty.  Guilt presses us down and weakens us, but godly conviction brings awareness of wrong, and an opportunity to change and progress. (pg 4-5)

As I read that I prayed that God would truly help me to make healthy and right choices.  And maybe if you are like me, but probably not...right??  Is there anyone else out there that struggles with balance?  I want Him to truly help me to discern when, why and how much!  I don't want to eat or buy to fill a void.  I want to do it because its been approved and okayed by Him.  I want to make the decision knowing I am fully living in my freedom from Him.

Had God wanted us to feel guilty, He would not have sent Jesus to redeem us from guilt. (pg 5)

Guilt is not from Him.  It is from the enemy.

To be living in relationship with Jesus means we need to be living fully in the grace and love He has for us.  This is true freedom, the purpose and reason for the cross. 

Our journey with God toward right behavior and holiness is progressive, and if we have to drag the guilt from past mistakes along with us, we'll never make progress toward true freedom and joy.  Perhaps this is the main reason why so few people actually enter into and enjoy the inheritance promised through relationship with Jesus Christ. (pg 5)

To be living in the present in relationship with our Jesus means not dragging our past around with us.

And Joyce asks us,

How much time do you waste feeling guilty?

Our energy is better purposed focusing on the future and eternity.  (See Philippians 3:12-14)

So I found myself reading this next sentence and felt myself truly inhaling a new dose of grace,

We may drive ourselves to finish, but somewhere along the way we will probably become bitter and get a chip on our shoulder if we don't lighten up and take time to celebrate the journey. (pg 7)

Go back and read that again!

Friends we need to be focused on and living out the purpose He has called us to.  But what do others see when the see you living this out?

Rules?

Regulations?

Laws?

Stinky Attitude?

Bondage?

Or just maybe they should be seeing,

Grace, love, joy, peace, freedom!

Joyce shares why she had difficult enjoying herself, it was because she felt like she didn't deserve it. 

I can relate.  Can you?

I was out of balance in almost everything and I did not yet realize that celebration and enjoyment are necessary in our lives and we cannot be healthy spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or physically without them. (pg 8)

Will you join me in praying,

Dear Jesus we start this journey holding tight to Your amazing hand.  You are the giver of grace, love, and freedom.  I pray if there are things that we need to let go of today, like guilt that is holding us back from truly experiencing You to the fullest, please lead us through this.  Thank You Lord for loving us so much.  It is our hearts desire to seek You, to know You and to live lives that bring glory and honor to You, why?  so that others can meet You too!  We love You Lord Jesus, Amen

Thank you for joining me for chapter 1...we will keep going on this journey!

You can change the entire atmosphere of your home simply by giving yourself permission to lighten up. (pg 9)