Happy Half-Birthday To MEEE!!!

I think that half-birthdays should be valued with much higher esteem than most people currently do. It's a big deal, come on! :) 

Today I have reached another 6mo mark of life. Whoo hoo. Let's see here... in the past 6 months what has happened? I've been to two weddings, my sister moved in with Michelle and me (and her life has changed ridiculously), I helped lead a mission trip to Mozambique and South Africa with Duncan and Kate, I went to Nashville for Thanksgiving and Indy for Christmas, we moved into a new apartment, we gained a new roommate, we brought the two cats down from Indy, and I'm now in the market for a new job come the end of March. Yay for transition, acceleration, and change. God never changes (Praise Him!) but He is always on the move. So glad I serve a God who is not stagnant, complacent, boring, or aloof. And in keeping with that nature, He doesn't allow His daughters to be any of the above either.

Today, Carlos (lead pastor at CTFR) preached on honoring ourselves. We are the ones we spend the most amount of time with but how much of that time are we speaking negative words and thoughts over ourselves? But who does God say we are? He calls us sons and daughters. He predestined us to be adopted into His family through the blood of His precious Son, Jesus. Who are we to discredit this sacrifice and devaluing the joy set before Him for which He endured the cross? Romans says it is by the Spirit that we are called sons, and that is precisely what we are!! I believe it is high-time to cut the crap of false humility and accept who God says we are - WE ARE AWESOME - and to start honoring ourselves as such.

So bless yourself today. And take a moment to listen...what is God speaking over you right now? Who does He say you are? And what part of your identity is He wanting to root deep in your heart? Again in Romans it says, "if you believe in your heart...and confess with your mouth... you will be saved." 

Choose to believe the TRUTH today. There may be facts about you that aren't so pretty  but then there is the Truth. And Truth has a name: Jesus. And He has something entirely different to say about who you are and what your value is. Choose to believe Him today. And every day. In all things. No matter what. And then repeat this Truth over yourself in honor until your heart believes what your mouth is confessing.

For me, He says:

I am beautiful. I am cherished.

I was made with intention. I have purpose.

Not Forgotten

"Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matt 28:20

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deut 31:6

So despite the times when I can't see more than two inches in front of my face, I am not forgotten. I am not left with nothing. God's plans for me are still the same, even when I don't see what they are, and they are good. 

Love having friends in my life who are dedicated to reminding me of these things that I know and believe and yet have let lose power to bring the hope I need to sustain me each day.

Times are a-changing which can be fun and exciting to experience but the process can also be a bit unsettling if you don't yet have a clear picture of how things are changing or what they are changing into. These are the times when God's persistent prodding to "REMEMBER" proves most helpful. 

Remember every time God has brought breakthrough in your life thus far.
Remember all the blessings you experience every day now.
Remember the promises God has spoken over your life.
Remember that all His plans for you are GOOD.
Remember that not even the littlest sparrow can fall to the ground without Him noticing.
Remember you are never alone.
Remember you are more than a conquerer.

"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." Josh 1:9,5

"The LORD your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land." Josh 1:13

Remember. You are not forgotten.

Deadlines

They impose upon us in every stage and way of life practically. School, work, family. Due dates for writing an essay, completing a project, or preparing for a certain occasion. Get it done or face the consequences of a lower mark, poor review, or embarrassing lack of preparedness. We make them for ourselves (New Year's Resolutions, anyone?) and others make them for us. Natural? Yes.

But what about deadlines with God? Does it even work that way? Who are we to place a deadline on the Almighty? And who are we that He would actually honor that deadline? Is it "stepping out in faith" that pleases Him to answer our desperate plea for an answer at "such and such" a time? Surely it's not just a begrudging response in order to maintain His character...why would He feel pressured to do such a thing?

God, how do You feel when we make such demands? Shouldn't we be more trusting to allow You to "work all things for our good" in Your own perfect timing? Isn't that what true faith is? 

And what if it's a promising deadline for one party and what feels like a damning one for the second? Does that negate anything? Does simple agreement that should said deadline come to pass it would be a nice confirmation that that's what I'm "supposed" to do make it valid and standing?

Umm...and side question: how 'right' is it to purposely plant doubt in another? That doesn't quite sit well with me. Let's seek the Lord together instead, how 'bout it, and lean on His understanding. Surely, He will make my paths straight and guide me into all Truth.