HOLD STILL & REMAIN in CHRIST

During last week's FOCUS on PACE, I mentioned that we would be "Taking Inventory" this week, with the 4th of July being Thursday (thinking this past weekend, not next weekend would be the holiday weekend - so it's probably the entire week)😉 but so many times I wanted to come back and share more about PACE, from my own PACE experience and various readings that crossed my path, but I wasn't able to do that then. And the previous week with SILENCE, it was the same, however I was able to sneak in one blog post (because of an image that fit the theme of SILENCE from a great Summer Book Club) yet I remained in SILENCE when I was inundated with so much (and also at the same time, much of our state and others in this area were being inundated with flood warnings, watches and serious problems of rising waters) which gave me much to contemplate; so LITTLE and HONESTY (One Words) all came to mind with more to write, but I didn't and I don't think I will today either, even as "taking inventory" of those FOCUS One Words ... my heart is drawn in another direction. 

Last week was week 2 (Part 2) of the "Still Standing..." book club with Courtney Joseph Fallick and it was a jam-packed week of emotions (at least that's what I'm calling it) but this week - Week 3 looks like it will be even more impactful! [Courtney shares on her blog "Women Living Well"(WLW) and her WLW Facebook (FB) page daily and also "Good Morning Girls"(I think, since I don't have FB)] Plus see this page on 10 VERSES on her website (blog)

Let me go back and share some of Part 2 first "Overcoming the Darkness", which is definitely a need in this world in which we live, yet this was more on a personal level. In fact, the rest of the title of her book "Still Standing..." is "How to Live in God's Light While Wrestling with the Dark". WOW! I think for much of my life, I have tried and pursued to "live in God's Light" while surrounded what I perceived as darkness, and not nearly to the extent that is prevalent today (and in my personal life). I'm sure that there were (are) many times that I felt like I was "wrestling" alone with my darkness, even while being very active in the church and church life & volunteer activities (yet I did learn to PACE myself eventually-probably not soon enough for the two children (and at times dogs) that I towed along with me to many of these church events. Often though, I did go alone for just me & God times! I truly have always greatly needed more God time and to surround myself with God's people (community). 

I'll give you a glimmer into last week's readings just through the titles and that the opening Bible verse for the week was Psalm 139:1-18 NIV, but each of these sections ended with "Ten Verses for When You are ..." (in her book but also available in an excellent download provided by Courtney (the author) at Women Living Well in "100 Scripture Declarations"

6. "I'm So Scared" 7. "I'm So Angry" 8. "I'm So Embarrassed" 9. "I'm So Worried" 10. "I'm So Sad"

{I can't say which one I needed most, because I needed them all and the 10 verses,
which I still need to pray and read and list in my prayers}
Here's an example from the "Ten Verses for When You Feed Sad" from me:
(I had quite a few moments of overwhelming sadness)
Courtney writes: "God sees your tears and sleepless nights. He is for you."
The Scripture verse is: Psalm 56:8-9
My Prayer:O Lord, "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle." ...Thank You. Thank You for always being with me, and caring, even before I know how much I need You sometimes.I give thanks that "when I call" You turn back my enemies."This I know, that God is for me."I'm grateful to know that You are not against me.At times, in my sadness (or other feelings) I feel like You are,yet quickly I return to Your Word that assures meYou are for me. I am confident as I sing and declare this:
{In fact, I now sing this song (and there are others) "God is Not Against Me"}Elevation Worship or Brandon Lake
Week 3July 1-5
Part 3in "Standing Still ..."with Courtney Joseph Fallick
"Standing in the Light"
I'm so looking forward to this (reading 11 -15) but mostly in my life!
These are this week's readings:

11. "Finding Peace When... " 12."Finding Strength When..." 13. "Finding Contentment..." 14. "Finding Your Way Forward When You Feel Stuck" 15. "Finding Joy When..."

I just finished a YouVersion (YV) plan on PEACE for the month of June: Pause: A Month of Peace in Five Minutes a Day so today's reading on "Finding Peace..." is a good refresher and application, especially because Courtney once again adds "Ten Verses for Finding Peace ...". For the YV plan, the focus verse each & every day of the 30: Philippians 4:7. The verses from Courtney's book are: Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 26:3; Ephesians 6:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 15:13; Romans 5:3-4; John 16:33; Psalm 46:1 {certainly many of my favorites!}

The best things I can recommend, for today, are: 1) follow Courtney's blog (or Facebook or both); 2) get a copy of her book, and the free workbook & scripture declaration download and 3) participate with her Facebook or your own group & do the Reflection Questions (for yourself & if possible by sharing at least one with someone else). 

I know that I need #11, #12 & #15 for sure but as I read I always find something in each chapter and thankful & glad I am doing this book this summer. Thank you Courtney for your invaluable words! and emphasis on God's Words in "Standing Still". I hope that when I finish, that I too will be "Standing Still..." better than I have before and that I remain in Christ always.

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I might be back as I read this week!

(and "take inventory" starting with my PACE)