"I GIVE UP ..."

...in a new way...

[This is not a book review, just serves as an announcement that on July 30th, this book is being released ... and since I reviewed, studied and loved "When God Doesn't Fix It" by Laura Story (maybe I need a refresher of this one previously done), I wanted to share her new book:]

This post was first published back in July but I am reposting today - please read more about why at the end of this post. ****

"I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life" by Laura Story

BOOK DESCRIPTION

"Most of us long to be in control—of our schedule, our relationships, and our future. Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams? But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined. Now the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,”&“Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain.  In, I Give Up, Laura explores: How to delight in God’s gifts no matter your circumstances. Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process. The strength we find from meditating on God’s Word. Why surrendering to God leads to reconciliation with others. How the things we consider to be losses are ways for God to display his glory. As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you. Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up."

Some of this sounds much like the other study, yet maybe something stands out to you, as it did for me ... Perhaps you caught the part that I noted and the words echoed in my mind
EMBRACE God's vision
However, in order to do this, Laura points out, she had to surrender her vision for her life. Now this rings very loudly for my own life, and maybe it does for you also. 
Clearly God's showing me that in order for me to EMBRACE different parts, first I must surrender something that hinders me from EMBRACING it ... Most certainly, I desire to EMBRACE God's vision for me and although I might have lost sight of my own vision, temporarily with other things being thrown at me, God has not - it's part of His plan for good for me (Jeremiah 29:11). I always want to deepen my worship and discover a fuller life of joy ... much like another book I started reading recently by Tracie Miles, "Love Life Again, Finding Joy When Life is Hard"! My, oh, my ... how I see a common thread reoccurring with an added insight of a "Surrendered Life" ... and I thought I had, but noticing more and more, 'stuff' I still need to "surrender" ... Listening to Laura's song helped me and inspires me, so I hope it will do the same for you ...

I GIVE UP
“I Give Up” Might Be the Most Victorious Thing You Can Say

Sessions in the Study Guide include:

1. What Is Surrender Anyway?
2. God’s Character Matters
3. Giving In and Up
4. Being Transformed
5. The Ripple Effect of Surrender

{I don't remember how I came across this, but once again, it was Godly appointed for such a time as this in my life and maybe yours. Often I can see what others need to change easier than what I, myself, need to change...and trust me, surrender and embracing both call for an honest self-evaluation with the Holy Spirit, who carefully, tenderly and effectively holds you (in His embrace) as He walks you through whatever is needed in this season of your life, with love. God doesn't disappoint, and He's not done working on us for His glory. The enemy of our souls knows his time is shortened and knows this and is looking for every possible crack that he might enter and deceive you, rob from you and pull you away from your God-given destiny. Stand firm. Stay close to God and God's Word daily, for the other is prowling and seeking whomever he may distract and devour, with no notice or warning. Be on your guard and put on your armor, the battle is more fierce each day for you and your soul so don't give up on this. However, surrendering of your will for HIS is a daily decision and well worth every effort, choice, decision, step ... "not my will, but Thine be done, on earth as it is in heaven". A heavenly perspective for this earthly journey of "giving up" to Jesus Christ.} 

*******

October 7th through November 10th, 2019

Faithgateway Online Bible Study (OBS)

with Laura Story

JOIN

the study

and

receive

great freebies

Starts tomorrow already also  First5 begins study in Isaiah

This is a 13-week study and will run October 7-January 5 in the First 5 app.

Can't wait looking forward to both
Although I follow along with First 5 app and they use the ESV for their scripture reading I plan on going over to Bible Gateway and reading ISAIAH in The Passion Translation (TPT)

YouVersion has a 5 day sample of this but signing up gives you access to even more resources

EMBRACING SILENCE

I guess I should have shared this before the day that it starts

which is today - sorry, I'm late

October 1st

 

through

October 5th

{but it's been done before and hopefully will again, 

however, you could do this anytime and continue...}

5 Minutes with Jesus

This challenge is with Sheila Walsh's devotional bundle through FaithGateway

YouVersion also has 5 day reading plans:

5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: MAKING TODAY MATTER 5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: PEACE FOR TODAY 5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: A FRESH INFUSION OF JOY 5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: QUIET TIME FOR YOUR SOUL

...when you sign-up, you receive free downloads, one of which includes:

"Quiet Time Strategies and Prayer"

and

midway through this pdf

I read this:

"... Embracing Silence ... "First we need to get comfortable with the silence! For just a few minutes each day, unplug. Turn off anything that makes background noise. You might be surprised how threatening it feels at first! If it helps ease your mind, set a timer and remind yourself that it is very unlikely that anything will occur in that five minutes that cannot wait. Then take a few deep breaths, and sit quietly with God. Read a psalm. Say a prayer. Sing a hymn or song of praise. Read a devotional like one of those in the 5 Minutes with Jesus series. How you spend your time with God is up to you!" ...

the rest of this is just as valuable

HOWEVER

I pause with those first words

EMBRACING SILENCE

even when I try

my mind

does

NOT

my mind needs to be rewired

to learn to stop 

any whirring

of

thoughts

and

noises

{both exterior and interior}

to be void and quiet to listen

to hear the small

whispers

of

God

and

BE STILL

it's quite the struggle for me

and

a real learning process

I spend much time trying to be in silence

and unlike others; it's not the phone or tv or social media

that disrupts my silence

I won't even try to explain the details of all this personal deal

but the first devotion by Sheila Walsh

in another free download of

5 days of Quiet Time devotions

to get started

with perfect words

"Noise Pollution"

which of course, is about those other sounds

You might think that being a person

with newly discovered hearing loss

and 

learning to get accustom to my

hearing aides

mainly

to train my brain

I am keenly aware of sounds

Many times I take them out

with the hope of not hearing sounds

but it doesn't work

Upon first learning of my hearing loss,

I thought I would treasure all noises

and be grateful that I can still hear

even without using them

but it's a matter of

retraining your brain as to what sounds

are important to hear and those that you don't need

{like hearing myself chew or my dog's nails on the floor}

So

I am trying to

EMBRACE

SILENCE

and

plan to get away from home alone

later this week until a special day next week

{actually for this day to make it special for me}

going up north

with the

cold

not as enjoyable

but

I was hoping to capture the

fall colors and nature

with

God

so

I'll be taking my bundle of

Quiet Time

with me

Since I am in the habit of spending my waking moments

with

Jesus

in the quiet of the morning

and

ending with His Word & Him

in the evening

this is not the part that is the challenge for me

{I do know however that this challenge is for me (and you) if you let it}

Hope you can find some

Quiet and Rest

in the days ahead

also

Peace be with you

in

Jesus Christ