"But don't you know who you are, What's been done for you? ...You are more than the choices that you've made..."

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade

God Bless,
Libby

The Power of a Praying Woman #2

As I jumped into Chapter 2 of the Power of a Praying Woman, I found the wisdom and insight I had received from Stormie in Chapter 1 was just as powerful and relevant here in the Chapter entitled "Lord, Draw Me into a Closer Walk with You"

Some favorite excerpts from this chapter are: 

"He will transform you and your circumstances beyond your wildest dreams if you will give up trying to do it on your own and let Him do it His way and in His time." 

"That insatiable longing for more that you feel, the emptiness you want those closest to you to fill, is put there by God so that He can fill it."

Let's look at the first one, "He will transform you and your circumstances beyond your wildest dreams if you will give up trying to do it on your own and let Him do it His way and in His time."

~ I believe the most important word in this whole statement is 'if', hence why I underlined it, italicized it, and made it bold. Read that statement again, and this time read it with a pause after you say "if". It sounds like my parents when they would lay down the rules for a sleepover or some sort of special thing I would ask them to do. "You can do this, this, and this IF...you finish your chores..." :) But the Lord is a great father isn't He? and He sure gave me some great parents as well. 

I see life as a hike. There are downhill parts which give us rest from the climb, however, if we go downhill too long it's bad for our knees and actually makes the uphill parts harder than they  normally would be because our legs are so used to going down and our knees are sore. Then, of course, there are the uphill parts, the hard climbs that leave us out of breath and asking for a 5 minute break. There are also level stretches where everything seems pretty good but kinda boring. We might get lost - lose the trail sometimes. We might meet others going the same direction as us and walk with them for a while. We see others going opposite directions, and we probably wonder where they're going and if their journey is easier than ours. We may even be tempted to step off our destined path to follow someone else's. 

Now on this crazy long hike called Life, we are given a map - the Word of God. Now, although God gives us this travel guide for us to use daily, He also asks us to let Him lead us day by day and hour by hour. 'Why would we need Him to lead us if He already gave us the handbook to life?' you may ask, and it's a very good question. The answer? - The directions in the guide are written in a language we are not born understanding, but are able to learn through His teaching. And as He teaches us how to read His words and understand them correctly, we realize that there is so much more in this map than meets the eye, in fact, it seems almost "alive" in a way; it is always giving new information and always revealing new secrets to more and more "hidden passageways"  on the trail. :) Also something the map is not very clear about is specific timing in important decisions we must make on our climb - when to make the right turns, when to invite others to join us in our travels, as well as which road to take when they both look the same. Therefore, if  we give up trying to do everything ourselves and give over the leader position to the One who wrote the map and built the mountain to do everything in His timing and His way, I think we'd get a lot farther and be in much better shape when we did reach the end. :) 

Alright, enough of the Pilgrim's Progress :) 

But I do believe that God's ways are always, always better "more educated" than ours could ever be. I mean, He created the world and everything in it -right? He's not only the professor in the classroom of life, He wrote the textbook, He signed you up for the class and paid your tuition. He has the answers to everything to do with living, breathing, interacting with others and dying. He's got it all done - not only because He created the whole game, but because He's done it all just like us. He came, He was born, He lived a human life, He had relationships with other humans on earth, and He died. :) He knows what He's talking about when He tells you to do something you don't quite understand. Maybe, just maybe, He can see a bit farther ahead than you can in the grand scheme of things. :) 

"I long to dwell in Your presence, and my desire is for a deeper and more intimate relationship with You...God help me to set aside time each day to meet with You alone...Teach me to pray the way You want me to...I thrust for more of You because I am in a dry place without You."

                                                      -Stormie, Chapter 2, Power of a Praying Woman. 

God Bless
Libby

The Power of a Praying Woman #1

Here are some excerpts from the Book by Stormie Omartian "The Power of a Praying Woman"
God showed me once again how much He cares for me day by day when He brought this book to me through a great friend, Amber Baker, during a women's luncheon the weekend before we moved away. Out of the 30-some women I won the book from Amber, and I now know why.
I started this book just today and have been blown away already at how personally I can relate to every word this woman is saying! It's like the light bulb came on, the map was turned rightside up, and the keys to my questions dropped in my lap! :) Thank God for obediant and faithful daughters.
I couldn't wait to share some of these things with others who may be thinking through, dealing with, lost in, and/or struggling over the same issues I've found myself smack-down in the middle of.

First is a quote by Lisa Bevere in her book, "Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry"
for centuries women have "wrestled and waged war with the sons of Adam in an attempt to get them to bless us and affirm our value. But this stuffle has left us frustrated at best...In the end, it is all a senseless and exhausting process in which both parties lose. It is not the fault of the sons of Adam; they cannot give us the blessing we seek, and we have frightened them by giving them so much power over our souls. We must learn that the blessings we truely need come only from God."

Makes me want to read the book. :) Plus the title is just genius I think!
This made me think of a question I often feel confronts me when reading modern-day christian novels/romances: Is there anything in my life which - if lost or taken away from me - would shake my faith in Jesus Christ and God the Father?
See, I find so many people 'give up' on God and the whole Christian thing after a tragedy, or the loss of a loved one, or the breaking of trust in that one person you thought would always be there for you. If only they had exaimed their hearts before this tradic thing had happened to check and see if their faith was built on Christ or on the idea of Him cast by something or someone else in our lives. If indeed something as the most horrid and terrifying thing we can think of was to happen to us - where would you be in your journey with the Savior? Shaken? Maybe scared, worried, or maybe a little doubtful... but would it leave you without a foundation - or would it make you cling to that solid rock on which we stand like your very life depended on it?
I challenge you to pray King David's prayer and ask the Lord God to search your heart and see - is your faith resting on anything other than His faithful promises, His word, and Him alone? Because if it is, than you are setting yourself up for a fall. There is a reason why He asks us to put Him first and nothing before Him; He is the only thing that doesn't change, lie, fail, or let us down some how. Everything and everyone else will fail us, so don't build your faith's foundation on anything but the author and finisher of our faith itself.

God Bless,
Libby

Trust Me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax and refresh yourself in the Light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequiate without My help. This is a subtle sin-so common it usually slips by unnnoticed.
The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on My each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handly something by yourself. Don't divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confindently.

You have been on along, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent. Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand. I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me. There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain. You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of your path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you. You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you see things from My perspective.
Complaining to others is another matter altogether. It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage. Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out. AS you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

Be willing to follow wherever I lead. Follow Me wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don't know what lies ahead, I know; and that is enough! Some of My riches blessings are just around the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless very real. To receive these gifts, you must walk by faith -not by sight. This doesn't mean closing your eyes to what is all around you. It means subordinating the visible world to the invisible Shepherd of your soul.
Sometimes I lead you up a high hountain with only My hand to support you. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the view becomes; also, the more keenly you sense your separation from the world and all its problems. This frees you to experience exuberantly the joyous reality of My Presence. Give yourself fully to these Glory-moments, awash in dazzling Light. I will eventually lead you down the mountain, back into community with others. Let My Light continue to shine within you as you walk among people again.

True Joy - Everyday

Remember that joy is not dependent on your circumstances. (I'll just say that again...)
Remember that joy is not dependent on your circumstances!
Some of the world's most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surpised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living in My Presence. Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons...anywhere!
Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy because it contains difficulties! (Again...)
Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy because it contains difficulties!
Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Me. Many of the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves. Other matters you must deal with, but I will help you with them. If you make problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to Me, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days.

When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me. These are supernatural responses, and they can lift you above your circumstances. If you do what comes naturally in the face of difficulties, you may fall prey to negativism. Even a few complaints can set you on a path that is a downward spiral, by darkening your perspective and mind-set. With this attitude controlling you, conplaints flow more and more readily from your mouth. Each one moves your steadily down the slippery spiral. The lower you go, the faster you slide, but it is still possible to apply brakes. Cry out to Me in My Name! Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel. Thank me for everything, though this seems unnatural- even irrational. Gradually you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground.
When you are back on ground level, you can face your cicumstances from a humble perspective. If you choose supernatural responses this time - trusting and thanking Me - you will experience My unfathomable Peace.

Luke 12:7; John 1:12; Romans 1:13

Never take for grated My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you -even to the number of hairs on your head. You don't need to work at revealing yourself to Me.
Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally.

True Worship for Our King

Worship Me only. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable Light. I am taking care of you! I am not only committed to caring for you, but I am also absolutely capable of doing so. Rest in Me, My weary one, for this is a form of worship.

Though self-flagellation has gone of of style, many of My children drive themselves like racehorses. They whip themselves into action, ignoring how exhausted they are. They forget that I am sovereign and that My way are higher than theirs. Undermeath their driven service, they may secretly resent Me as a harsh taskmaster. Their worship of Me is lukewarm because I am no longer their First Love.

My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest. Worship Me by resting peacefully in My Presence.
-Christ.

I will Rest in You: by Jaci Velasquez
Lord, I'm in the dark,
Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling.
No one, the sky is falling.
Lord, I need to know.
My mind is playing games again,
You're right where You have always been.
Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once know as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.
I will rest in You.
I will rest in You.
I will rest in You.
Tell me I'm a fool;
Tell me that You love me for the fool I am,
And comfort me like only You can.
Tell me there's a place
Where I can feel Your breath
Like sweet caresses on my face again.
Take me back to You;
The place that I once know as a little child.
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once know as a little child;
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.
I will rest in You.
I will rest in You.
I will rest in You.
I will rest in You.

The soft, sweet summer was warm and glowing;
bright were the blossoms on every bough.
I trusted Him when the roses were blooming;
I trust Him now.

- L. B. Cowman