EMBRACING HIS FULLNESS 2-2

JULY <2> of

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 2: 

EMBRACING

the Fullness Found Only in Him

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37. "Shocked by My Own Advice" Matthew 7:13-14

"Conformed or transformed? The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold-out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd."Lysa, p.116

38. "The Value of Emptiness" 2 Corinthians 12:9

"The more dependent we become on God's strength the less enamored we will be with other choices." Lysa,p.119

39. "Satan's Plan Against You" 1 John 2:16

"Satan's power over us is nothing compared to the freeing promises of God." Lysa, p.121 & 122

40. "When the End Goal Seems Too Hard" 2 Peter 1:5-6

"Big things are built one brick at a time. Victories are achieved one choice at a time. A life well lived is chosen one day at a time."Lysa, p.124

41. "Replacing Old Lies with New Truths"Romans 8:38-9

"If we are really going to make progress toward lasting changes, we have to empty ourselves of the lie that other people or things can ever fill our hearts to the full." Lysa, p.126

42. "Turning North" Deuteronomy 2:2-3

"Am I letting the mess define me or refine me?" Lysa, p. 129

43. "How Much will This Choice Really Cost Me?"

2 Corinthians 2:11

"If I know how much something is going to cost me, I make much wiser choices." Lysa, p. 132

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As I read through these chapter titles before reading the daily devotions, I was sure that #38 and #39 (somewhat related to #41) were the ones that stood out for me so that I might write on one of them. But it wasn't so - thankfully. Hopefully that means I am finally getting this saturated into my thinking and life. Oh, then thinking about "when the end goal seems too hard" (#40), I was sure this would be it, because when I'm in that place (I'm sure you all get to this point when you face hard times that you can't help but feel this "seems too hard") - beyond what you think you might be able to bear ... we often find ourselves so discouraged - but not even #40 is the one, although it came close. If I look at the scriptures with each one, I might have chosen one of these ... however, it was not the scripture that drew me, rather the directional compass of "Turning North" and what that meant or means for me that made the difference, especially when Lysa starts out with:

"We all have MESSES in our lives ... Messes that leave us feeling stuck...

[the writing in between the ... listed some of the different "messes"]
Having MESSES in my life and as part of my blog title, I could not avoid paying closer attention as I read this one ... and one of my biggest messes was in her list, but whether Lysa covered yours or not, I'm sure you may have a "mess" that pops into your mind, whether we like to admit it or not. Life is and gets messy. It was thinking about Lysa's quote question boxed above and "circling the same mountain for too long" of Moses and the people of Israel, that caused me to pause, relating this to my life.
When I was really making a MESS out of every part of my life, I had a very poor directional compass, meaning I hardly ever followed the direction my inner compass of the Holy Spirit, who must have been yelling "straight ahead," not right or left with the many times I made detours, not listening to that inward voice just an outward push or propensity of my own. I could not understand why I kept circling in the same MESS or found myself broken over the same old same old... it was frustrating, and I think I wore a deep rut pattern that I kept falling into. I tried to get rid of those feelings, those messes, those poor choices, decisions and behaviors that became poor habits - not any substance addictions just not the Christ-like life I professed to living or believing. 
{So this is part of my "mess" of #42 - the other part, is separate from this}.
Years later, when I finally became a little better at hearing the Holy Spirit and really seeking God's will and following it and Him more closely, learning to wait until I heard "go", or stay or move. I was living and serving in Mexico so I really needed to hone in and listen carefully and closely to God, since I was basically on my own with Him, as my Companion, Direction and Compass.
I thought that I needed to come back home and stay many times, I  even tried to live in another part of my state, working with migrant children, but still felt the tug of Mexico. So back and forth I went for 20 years ... although about 13 years into this, I started asking God to open the doors or close the door, to going back to MN. My spouse kept insisted that I stay and live in MX, but I desired more and more to do what God led me to do, not him. Then we had our devastating house fire, which was considered a total loss ... and I thought surely it's time now. My spouse still insisted I wait a year until the rebuilt house was done and then another for some additions, and on and on things were happening yet he tried to delay my coming home, actually it no longer was home, but a new house.
I heard God speak to me in 2015 and finally 2016, I knew that I needed to be "Turning North" literally ... back to that northern state of MN, where I was born and raised and lived for most of my life. You see, my spouse had a car accident and surgery that I came home for, but a discovery was made after our house fire in my spouse, because of the various dr. appointments, he was diagnosed with beginning stages of Alzheimers (I shared about this disease on my Mission blog back then). I wanted to come back before the disease progressed too far, to be there for him, while he still knew who I was ... little did either of us know that before Alzheimers would rob his mind of so much stored there, that he would have not one but two strokes now (maybe more). Yet his mind is still active and he keeps working on projects and writing his life story. I only wish that Jesus was a part of his story so I'm still waiting. 
We live out in the country (as you might know from other blog posts and some photos of nature I've shared) so because of this the night sky is very clear on a clear night, at times we can see the Northern Lights over the backdrop of our pine trees but often we can see that North Star shining brightly and then I can see how much "Turning North" has always meant to me. It shows me God's faithfulness and His goodness, how no matter where I am I can spot that star but when I'm home, I see it even brighter and realize that I've stopped "circling the same mountain" of long ago - thank God, however I find myself still "circling" yet another mountain ... knowing that God is my Refiner and He's still working on me and yes, though I may not see ... He's working on completing another person's story and bringing it full circle, I just need to be patient and believe, with hope God can move the mountains and 40 years in a wilderness will seem like nothing. Messes can become Miracles! 

" ... It was a pivotal moment for them to remember. One where they had faced a life-changing choice. They could stay stuck, endlessly circling the same old place, or they could choose hope and head in a new direction with the Lord. ..."

I choose Hope!
I EMBRACE the Refining process and will not let my MESSES define me (nor others, nor the enemy)
I will continue to "replace old lies" with God's Truth.
When the "end goal seems too hard" I will press on, not give up.
Because I know the "value of emptiness", I will  EMBRACE and be more dependent on God and God's unwavering strength, not living in my own strength and risking failure.
I will pray that God daily give me a "keen sense of awareness of the Enemy's plans and schemes against me" so that I will recognise his traps and avoid them I will EMBRACE God's all powerful truth in His freeing Promises!
I know how much my choices have cost me  and am shocked by my own advice {ok, Lysa's advice that I agree with} I will break up with unhealthy choices as God reveals and enables me!
I EMBRACE Victories and a Life well-lived.
one brick at a time one choice at a time one day at a time
EMBRACING HIS FULLNESS
I EMBRACE God's Transforming Power and ALL that He is doing in me and around me in Jesus' name

EMBRACING HIS FULLNESS 2-1

JULY <1> of

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 2: 

EMBRACING

the Fullness Found Only in Him

When I thought about breaking these down, it was after I linked the ones that I was able to find, and as I began reading them daily, I discovered that I might want to share some insights or as I did in the first part, a quote of Lysa's or something personal

... but when I got to #33, which I did not link or find so you could read it also, I decided since it was and wasn't what I (or you) might have expected that I should share. Mostly because the sweet story she shared was about her fur baby, Chelsea ... which did not turn out to be as tragic as a similar story I have with one of my many fur babies doing the same thing ... and those of us who have and love our pets can dearly relate. Yet only Lysa (unlike me) can make a spiritual lesson or connection, boundaries, in part, in this case. However, this devotion of hers, perhaps is the reason God chose to spring my deer-ly delight that inspired me to write about them, since here in the midst of God's beauty in nature, I often succumb to "where brokenness runs deep" over this, that and a lifetime of healing needed, not taking note of the many other delights and blessings I do have here. Perhaps some of you are experiencing much deeper hurt and brokenness ... and found comfort in Psalm 16 or another psalm of lament, or another passage to see you through your own pain (current or past). So the story of Chelsea is what I'd like to share about my own ... not the part on boundaries or brokenness, because that would take an entire book for me.

Anyways, I was not going to write on #33, but #35, so I find myself drawn to share on both. By the time I arrived at #35, I knew I had to write. Thus the reason for a seperate blog post from the original. My writing is not as profound and concise (or spiritual as Lysa's) yet I will share in hopes that I testify, inspire or encourage - some from her and some from me. After all, she does inspire me. In fact, while in Mexico, reading Proverbs 31 Ministries' blog and the author's blogs from the team, were the inspiration for me to start blogging, before I even knew what it is/was back before 2008. I found other bloggers and memes, so little by little, I too, began to write and thought I could 'blog', knowing very little about it, I learned and made every effort ... until all this stuff on copyright, etc. and now 'cookies' (which I shouldn't have any) showed up and has made it more difficult to keep a blog going.

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{everything boxed belongs to Lysa}

31. "The Pathway to Humility"

Deuteronomy 8:3

"Humility will always cost us something but will be worth the price we pay." Lysa, p.98, "Embraced..."

32. "What are You Missing"

Psalm 14:3

"Seeking requires me to sacrifice the things I feel compelled to chase so I can be available to notice God's clear direction." p.102

33. "Where Brokenness Runs Deep"

Psalm 16:5-6

"Sometimes we need boundaries around our own unique struggles ..."

In Lysa's devotion, she tells a story about her sweet little dog, Chelsea, who, in her words, "... is obsessed with trying to attack the tires..." as she exercises her freedom beyond her fenced in yard to run and play whenever someone drives up the driveway. As a result one day, she had an unfortunate encounter but survived with a broken front leg and scraped-up back leg and nose. Poor baby and of course, Lysa wept ... I did too, without even seeing it, because sadly I can relate. Not with my current dog family, but a dear dachshund, Champion, who I left behind when I went to Mexico. My Champ, just like Chelsea, loved to run the length of our driveway, fiercely attempting to stop that 4 wheel beast. However, one day, one of those beasts ended up taking the life of our dear little Champ. I could hardly believe the long distance news, but I guess I was thankful not to see him that way. Later that fall, it was similar news of my dear dad, only 15 days before his 90th birthday. 

So for me, it is one devastating blow after another ... quite often. Like last year, when my spouse was in ICU after suffering a cerebellar stroke, he was doing exceptional at recovering until that 5th day of observation, when the swelling went to the front lobe of his brain causing speech and swallowing difficulties. Earlier that morning, our little papa dog, Chimi, died and now this. My spouse was discharged on Hospice Care. Then once again, made remarkable, miraculous recovery ... by November 2nd taken off Hospice because he was able to go it on his own. Then this past weekend, another stroke in a different place in his brain that caused temporary weakness and paralysis to his right side, but released already this past Monday after only 3 days, once again on his own. {at least he thinks so, I know otherwise} Yes, we all have our limits and our boundaries. By God's grace, we are given both boundaries, limitations and many chances to get our life on the right track and come to surrender to Jesus, not make it on our own, because our eternal life is not based on anything we do, on our own, it's only because of Jesus Christ. 

Champ went beyond his boundaries and it cost him his very life. My spouse has gone beyond his limits more than once now, and yet through many prayers on his behalf he was strengthened, and with self-determination (in his own eyes) he is continuing to live, although he knows his days are limited (he says he's terminal) ... in a sense, we all are, yet those of us, who have placed our lives and trust in Jesus Christ, will see our earthly terminal end become an eternal beginning of life with God, because we choose (chose) to accept Jesus as our Savior and surrendered our life to Him and His way. We are not made to be a victim of our poor choices and decisions. We are made to be victorious, overcoming children of God. (paraphrased from one of the things that Lysa wrote we need to remind ourselves) 

"God helps us put boundaries in place, knowing that we need more time to heal before we step outside of them. Honoring those boundaries helps strengthen us and moves us forward in our healing."

[This was in relationship to her Chelsea needing to allow 3 weeks to heal and Lysa loving her enough, to not let her go outside].

"... but my love for this dog would not permit me to allow her to harm herself. Her brokenness couldn't handle that kind of freedom."...

In my own life, I have been in that place where my brokennness could not handle that kind of freedom but also where my fragile state could not handle the brokenness nor the lack of freedom. 

Another point Lysa reminds herself when struggling and considering a compromise, is to force herself to think past the moment and ask herself "how will I feel about this choice tomorrow?" 

Other reminders from Lysa paraphrased: Boundaries need to be put in place, not for restriction, but to define the parameters of our freedom. In situations where temptation is overwhelming, one must remove the temptation or remove themselves from the situation and avoid the temptation. Frankly, after years of failing at this and ending up with awful consequences, I truly know how hard battles are and the cost of waging a war. I am not powerless but the power I have found is only by the Holy Spirit and it has taken years to rely on hearing His guiding voice and direction for me. It doesn't or hasn't taken getting ran over by the beast, but often I feel like I have and there are plenty of battle scars to show for my physical, spiritual and emotional wounds, however there also are glorious healings and growth in my journey ... as I am trying to learn much about establishing boundaries, I never had and knowing my limits. The problem is that others exceed their boundaries, limits and control and cause continuing conflicts with no resolutions. So I withdraw and isolate rather than try any longer to confront. I find myself... 

34. "Consumed by Cravings"

Psalm 84:1-2

"We were made to crave - long for, want greatly, desire eagerly and beg for - God. Only God." p.108

35. "Physically Overweight and Spiritually Underweight"

John 4:34

" Jesus wants us to know only He can fill us and truly satisfy us." p.111

Since I exceeded my limits on #33, making this so very long ... I will only briefly comment on this one because a few of these devotions are from Lysa's "Made to Crave" book and you might think that if you don't have a food issue, you don't need these devotions, but that's not so ... because you can apply much of this to your own struggle. I know I did to others but this one is. And most definitely is my "pathway to humility".
My personal comment that has to do with me physically gaining so such weight in the last 3 years since I moved back from Mexico to this 'fast food' frenzy that I am more than likely not just considered to be overweight, but obese. I do not eat alot just eat the wrong kinds of food - mainly junk. This has become a new struggle for this child of God that use to be underweight.
It more than likely is also contributing to my other health issues like high blood pressure. I know this but don't know how to change nor do I really want to ... (yeah that's fat talking). I need prayer and exercise, not diet (haha) ... I hope that my spiritual condition seriously is not 'underweight' because I'm 'overweight' in the other... it's a matter of balance. In Mexico, I maintained a weight every year that I came home, it was the same, however that too was already over my weight but not my range, so I remained comfortable with it. Please don't send me ideas or weight loss plans, though they would be good in intent, I wouldn't even drink those special powder drinks nor could I comply. I won't excuse my poor eating choices or be content as an obese person, it's embarassing. But if you pass me on the street or in those pearly gates, don't tell me, you told me so, just let me know, you were praying. I do not crave food ... I long for God, more of Him and less of me. (I guess that's also less for me but physically less of me would really be good. No sagging, bagging, overstuffed places.) I desire eagerly to have..

36. "An Undivided Heart"

Psalm 73:26

"How many times have I claimed to be a woman of faith but rarely lived a life requiring faith? "

{this kinda all runs together} Ending with
*Prayer(s) from Lysa are like those included at the end of every devotion so...
"Dear Lord, I know that it is true that only You can fill me. I acknowledge that You are the Lord of my life. {in every area} I want to please You today {and every day} in all that I do {and am}. Help me to follow You with my whole heart. I want and need to live apart from the everybody crowd. Free me of my distractions. Remove my insecurities. You know where my brokenness runs deep. Please help me to set some healthy boundaries and to heal. {Meanwhile give me the strength I need to endure and press on facing each day and every moment with a spirit of thankfulness and a fresh breath of heaven to fill me, renew me and restore me to the redeemed daughter of God, You made me to be, and live life EMBRACING You and Your fullness, showing me how to 'love life again' with an 'unsinkable faith' in You, setting aside all that hinders me from living Christ like and full} In Jesus' precious name ... 

*a compilation of some of Lysa's ending prayers with {my own additions}...


I hope you're not overwhelmed by my many thoughts and the length of this blog post as I keep on
EMBRACING His Fullness the Fullness only Found in Him

DEARLY EMBRACED ...

I have many thoughts about my precious deer family and truly hope this upload of my video of them works so you too can deer-ly EMBRACE ... FREEDOM and the FULLNESS I've found

Only in Him

"BE STILL and KNOW

that HE is GOD"

I DO

God seems to know exactly how seeing any of our deer crew delights my soul and when I need a sweet reminder, all of a sudden, one of them appears ... and I know that God sees me, knows me and loves to delight me with these little ones. As I go out to bring them food (and all the other critters that rob what they can), I try to calmly near them and repeat this verse "be still..." 

They look just like this photo on this Character Booklet I treasure. I love that deer along with horses exemplify "attentiveness"... and  even like dogs, all 3 show their attentiveness by the use of their ears. After discovering my own loss of hearing, trying to get use myself to hearing aides now ... with years of seeing how the loss of hearing affected someone I observe closely, but now I experience this on a lesser degree, I too have learned that I need to lean in, and focus when someone is talking and be attentive, pay attention better. I find any other noise easily distracts me. I love how this booklet begins with clarifying "attentiveness vs. distraction".

"Attentiveness is showing the worth of a person by giving undivided concentration to their words."

The Hebrew word for 'attentive' is qashshab, which means "to prick up the ears," as in the action of a horse, donkey, deer, dog ... The Greek word for 'attentive' (I can't type out the Greek word pronounced (ek-KREH-mah-my) means "to hang upon the lips of a speaker; to listen closely." The Latin root of 'attentiveness' is tendere (I think that's like tender and I also see deer ... ok, I'm stretching that a little,or tend like a deer) however this Latin root means "to stretch or strain, as a horse straining forward."

I definitely have noticed how I need to do this intently to hear or listen now as I compensate for my loss of hearing, because I, like the other person, have a hard time adjusting so I tend not to put my hearing aides in ... until I really need them. Often I have to take them out because they bother me or the sounds I hear are way too loud. The reason is not their volume control, it's because by using them you train your brain (supposedly) what it needs to listen to and what isn't necessary noise. Of course, all the unnecessary ones, are the ones you hear very well and too loud. I'm very concerned currently with one of my fur babies, Chiqui with her loss of hearing and watching closely after treating her for a bacterial ear infection. The vet thinks it may be just stubbornness. (Hmmm?, I get that lesson too)

God places importance on hearing and attentiveness by the fact that the ear is the first of the five sensory organs to function in the womb and the last to stop functioning at death. Sadly, it took the loss of hearing for me to pay attention to the importance it plays but also I am now keenly aware of how hearing people don't realize how difficult it is for those who can't hear. You don't necessarily need to speak louder, but clear enunciation helps. It saddens me that many who can hear, don't. (Rev. 2:29: Mark 4:9; Matthew 13:9). I wonder how often I'm guilty of turning a deaf ear to God and His warnings. God has been teaching me how to hear Him better, even in a whisper ... yet there are so many times I don't think He hears me or I don't think I hear Him, then He gives me a sign.

God took the time long ago to help me be sensitive to loss of hearing, and fortunately I began learning sign while deaf students lived in our home. By His Holy Spirit, I began to flow to music with signs, I had not yet learned. 

You can see how these lessons apply to me from the animals, linguistics, signs to God's Word, as in -

Deuteronomy 30:10; Proverbs 1:8; 1 John 3:18-20; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 2:13; Colossians 3:22

Also Jesus demonstrated ATTENTIVENESS as He listened to God, His earthly parents, His conscience, elders, rulers, and in His family business (employers) Matthew 20. We need to develop "spiritual ears" just like the deer by "being STILL.." and knowing God and balance attentiveness with alertness, discretion and love.

"Be swift to hear and slow to speak."

How I needed to learn this lesson very early in my life!

Isaiah 66:4 from Love God Greatly

... But GOD ...
who
dearly EMBRACED me 

anyways as

I EMBRACE Him

dearly and deerly

spending time with Him and seeking Him

for another Friday date

*many of these facts came from what I learned in this booklet, with my added spin to it.

OVERVIEW of my Journey EMBRACED -Part 2- HIS FULLNESS

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 2: 

EMBRACING

the Fullness Found Only in Him

[devotions #27-48]

As you can tell by the length of this post, I've done the entire part 2 and will be adding as I go along rather than posting every week ... I truly want to focus on EMBRACING the Fullness Found Only in Him, so that's part of why I need to do this like this, otherwise how can it be fullness when I'm here and there. My daily life already is interrupted often enough even when I start and end my day with Him ... even my Friday dates set apart to spend time with God alone, by *people who don't get this and often I need to continue on Sat., still I try my best ... oh, and the *people are not the ones who don't believe in Jesus

The following are all the devotions and main scripture in Part 2. I am breaking them down into weekly groups, starting with the end of this week of only 3 days ... perhaps the titles of the devotions or the scriptures will help you embrace God's fullness too:

27. "What Holds the Key to Your Heart" Luke 18:22

28. "The Most Searched-for Answer" Acts 4:12

29. "If Only I Had ... " Psalm 19:7-8 ESV

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I love Lysa's short prayer (prompt) at the end of each devo!

30. "The Seduction of Satisfaction" Philippians 4:19

Originally this blog post was an entire overview of Part 2.

[I was going to cut it off right here and post what remains of the next part into 3 separate blog posts at the end of each week. At the end of the first week of July, I decided this,

at least for that week then chose to leave it as is here.] 

{but still copy and paste new blog posts}  <><><> JULY <1>

31. "The Pathway to Humility" Deuteronomy 8:3

32. "What are You Missing" Psalm 14:3

33. "Where Brokenness Runs Deep" Psalm 16:5-6

34. "Consumed by Cravings" Psalm 84:1-2

35. "Physically Overweight and Spiritually Underweight"

John 4:34

36. "An Undivided Heart" Psalm 73:26

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37. "Shocked by My Own Advice" Matthew 7:13-14

38. "The Value of Emptiness" 2 Corinthians 12:9

39. "Satan's Plan Against You" 1 John 2:16

40. "When the End Goal Seems Too Hard" 2 Peter 1:5-6

41. "Replacing Old Lies with New Truths"Romans 8:38-9

42. "Turning North" Deuteronomy 2:2-3

43. "How Much will This Choice Really Cost Me?"

2 Corinthians 2:11
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44. "The Courageous Choice" Philippians 1:20

45. "Telling My Flesh No"  Ephesians 3:17-18

46. "Why Do I Have So Many Issues" Romans 8:1

47. "If Only We Knew" Hebrews 4:15-16

48. "The Real Peace We Need" John 20:19

Just like the first part of this journey, I will be back and add to this post as I read the devotions, so check back. If you subscribe to my blog and receive the posts in your email, you'll have to make your own journey over to my blog to catch my updates, because I'm sure that you don't get it mailed again (or if you do, my sincerest apologies). There are times I find some of these published by Lysa and I link to them, as some are now, so you can read with me that day. Basically, as I see it, Lysa's 100 devotions are really a compilation from her blog or Proverbs 31 Ministries. Being an avid reader of her writings, I probably have read most of them. However, reading these titles alone, I have already identified some that I know will inspire and encourage me all over again, even if I have read them before from her. Since this is already a lengthy post, when I have something that strikes me on any of these devotions, beyond what Lysa TerKeurst has written (like the quotes I shared)... or maybe because of what she has written impresses me and/or relates to me personally and God prompts me to share, I will.

Remember there is still a Part 3 and Part 4 yet to come.

This ends mid-July so I'll be writing Part 3 then.

Do any appeal to you? or stand out?

SIDETRACK but I'M still EMBRACING

This past week, I got a little sidetracked from Lysa's book  EMBRACED ... although I was still reading the devotions mentioned here and there are still 3 more to do to finish this week of Part 1: Embracing the Pursuit of Him and His Direction 

I came across or perhaps God purposefully directed me to this diversion to 'EMBRACE contentment' via yet another You Version reading plan, a sample of another book: *Love Life Again: Finding Joy When Life is Hard by Tracie Miles. Needless to say, I quickly gravated toward this concept of 'loving life again' and 'finding joy' - little did I know, God was opening my eyes, heart, mind and soul to more than 'loving life', He was drawing me to really be content by EMBRACING contentment, realizing that I "don't have to search for a different life in order to enjoy life" {this makes good sense} I "simply have to EMBRACE the one" I "have by putting Christ at the center and asking Him to help me enjoy life, despite life." Yes, this is what I definitely need to do! So I embarked on a new facet in my journey to EMBRACE and I'm choosing to love life and be content with mine.

I began, in part, by taking yesterday afternoon to go back to a place in my life where many days were filled with sheer joy and contentment along with hours of study and learning, where I set out to complete goals I had early in my life and I was setting the path my life would take. It was a few years before this place became a vital part of my educational and spiritual life that I was sidetracked to following a different part of my life personally and emotionally which cost me much and still is ... I needed to go back to that point in my life and as God only could have arranged it, it was Alumni weekend (not for my class year) but I still could come to the liturgical worship and picnic part.

My real intention was two part; to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding of this place with God again and the people (maybe make contact with one particular friend). Though I didn't find that friend (which makes sense since it wasn't our reunion year) God connected with me and introduced me to a new delightful, young professor in the Education Department. Sharing with her, stirred within me, some of the old me I liked, and that part loved children and education more than anything. How much different my life might have been, if only... I wasn't sidetracked.

My heart was in the right place, common interests seemed to be enough to make this connection and a lifelong decision, yet even with this, the enemy of my soul was on a course to deceive me, so I fell - hook, line and sinker. 

[If you don't know my personal life story by now, you more than likely have no idea what I'm talking about]. 

My point is, after all these many years, as with me, God will still go with you, back to those places and make life right. He will show you and go with you to learn to love life, with the good and bad choices and decisions, so that you can go forward and EMBRACE life and enjoy life ... yes, despite life, and no matter what life throws at you, He will bring you through it. He will bring good out of it, even still. He knows and He knew the path you would choose and all the detours and obstacles that might try to come between you and your relationship with Him, because this is what really matters! Your choice- with Him. 

With Jesus Christ at the center, His Spirit will help you, lead you, give you, restore you - your brokenness and your faith in Him. He never left you. Circumstances cause many ripples, and people seem to throw boulders in your path, but no person or circumstance has the power to take away your happiness or love for life so don't let them ... don't give permission, fight your true enemy! There's a war going on and a battle to steal your life and you from God's best. Our enemy's purpose is to kill, steal and destroy ... his goal is to keep us stuck in discontentment, without a will to overcome, win or press on.

"I boldly choose to deal with my unhappiness by EMBRACING contentment."

{... and "Embracing Contentment" was just the first chapter of *this book.}
There is so much more and even more in this chapter alone!
For right now, this is exactly where God wants me to be and seems to be what I need to work on as He pursues me, as I EMBRACE my pursuit of Him, in my life, through my life and despite my life. 
Then I came across this song, new to me, but not a new song  *striking chords within me

Just One Touch - Kim Walker Smith
that's all it takes to EMBRACE

MY 3rd WEEK 'EMBRACED' ...

EMBRACED

in June of

2019

Part 1: EMBRACING

the Pursuit of Him and His Direction

my 3rd week and a little more

... Knowing God is Holding Me (& You) Close

The first devotion for this 3rd venture is also the last one in the You Version (day 5) as I continue to EMBRACE Rest Reassured or in Lysa's book, it's ... #16 "Space to Exhale" [Isaiah 58:13-14], which begins with the word "Rest. ..." so clearly, the order of this day, falling on Sunday ... Sabbath ... is REST still, in fact the Bible verse tells us to keep from breaking the Sabbath and doing as we please on the Father's Holy Day, even if it's "father's day", our Heavenly Father should always come first.

So I will pause, for now, and continue the rest of this at another time ...

17. "Chasing Down our Decisions" Proverbs 27:12

18. "Read This Before Making that Decision" Isaiah 49:10;  Psalm 23:1-3(NKJV); Jeremiah 31:9(ESV)

19. "Paralyzing Fear" 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 8:38-39

I recall back in the late 80's listening to a wonderful woman give a message and prayer call at an Aglow meeting if anyone needed prayer because of 'fear'. I was certain that this was not so, for me and even when someone asked me if I wanted prayer for that, I said "no, I don't have a problem with fear" - little did I know that I soon would find out (and am still discovering) just how much 'fear' I do struggle with ... accompanied with insecurity. In fact, I have recently experienced (as I did back then after this meeting) I have fear that indeed paralyzes me! PTSD - I have post tramatic stress disorder and I never fought in a military war but seem to battle spiritual wars frequently and am just learning better how to know the enemy, his strategies and how to use my spiritual weapon yet I still find myself weak at times and become paralyzed by fear, even certain sounds cause that fear to rise up within me (elevates my bp too, dealing with this currently). {sigh} so I've learned to battle on my knees and use verses from God's Word. Lysa's devotion just reminded me to use scriptures rather than cling to fear or let fear paralyze me, one of which is my Life Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7. I have also added deep breathing exercise along with ABIDE at night time to help me let go and sleep. Dr. Michelle Bengston has the perfect Rx of 40 Scriptures and sound advice, sent in my email (again) just in time 

20. "The Most Nonfrantic Woman I've Ever Met" Proverbs 22:1

21. "The Two Most Powerful Words" Matthew 3:17

22. "Analysis Paralysis" Romans 8:26-28

23. "Five Questions to Ask When Making a Decision" Luke 14:28-30 (NKJV)

... which only leaves 3 more devotions in Part 1  so I'm including them here also rather than another post with only these last ones

24. "God, I'm Worn Out" Psalm 142:3 NLT

25. "In the Flow" 2 Peter 1:3

26. "Practicing Wisdom" Proverbs 2:1-2; 4-5

*words in this color are Lysa's from in her book

I
EMBRACE
this quote as my favorite

..."Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing will position me to work in the flow of God's power."...Lysa T. #25

... however, if I reword the one in #21 that probably suits me better ... "When a woman lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, she'll ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul." ... I would replace 'schedule' with "life", because even though I no longer have a busy schedule, my life daily often leaves me overwhelmed, but since that devotion focused on the "two most powerful words" as being "yes" and "no" as regards your schedule, that is why Lysa uses 'schedule', which is so true, that we need to know when to say yes or no. I still probably need to know when, but my stress has nothing to do with an overwhelming schedule. (sigh) For me, it might even be the stress of aging, which is overwhelming and not just my own aging ... I pray that my soul is well and not underwhelmed

so for this journey
I'm EMBRACING "Letting Go" from #19 if only ... whether it's fear or whatever  causing me unnecessary stress easier said than done
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Happy Father's Day, Abba! and to all the wonderful dads too

Missing our lil Papa Chimi! {his 3 daughters and I send him our love}