Sunday, August 25, 2013

Seek and Find and Seek

Hey there sweet friend!
Welcome!

I've been sitting here thinking on the Bible verse from week two of the OBS "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God". Letting each word sink in some more -  15 words that had an impact on my life last week.

        "You will seek me and find me   
      when you seek me
       with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13


When I first started to meditate on and memorize this verse, I confess that I didn't like how this version read.

Why does it say seek and find and than says seek again?
It was actually that first seek (third word) that felt all wrong.

It may sound kind of bold to be stating that any part of God's word feels wrong. Yikes! 

But no, no lightening bolt has dropped out of the sky to strike me dead.  And hey, I'm not taking this too lightly - so please don't take it too seriously. Hear me out friend. That's what friends do ya know.

I read and reread the verse a few more times.

Each time trying to figure out - "Why in the world would God have Joshua write it this way?!"

I couldn't help but think that if this verse read "You will find me when you seek me." it would make a bit more sense.  Simple and to the point.

Yet, I don't think God wastes words and He pretty much means what He says. So there must be a deeper meaning.

Hmmm ..... I'm still not sure .....

That is until ......  And wait for it .... yep, that little light bulb over my head lit up.

If I take the second half of the verse first and the beginning last it begins to make much more sense. Does that make sense?

Well, at least to me it does. But hey, I'm blonde and sometimes tend to over think things.

Now to try to explain.

By taking the last part first -                 

..... when you seek me with all your heart.

 - Jeremiah tells us to seek with all our hearts. That's pretty straight forward and I believe it means we are to actively seek Him.

Seek Him like ....
.... you mean it.
.... your life depends on it.
.... He is your first and only desire.


As for the first part of the verse -

You will seek me and find me ....

- let's look at it as if  "seek and find" go hand-in-hand. Don't think of them as two separate actions.

As I thought about this, I remembered back when my son {not saying which one to protect the innocent} was around four years old and how he'd try to "seek and find" his shoes. He'd stand at the doorway to his room, taking maybe one step inside and declare "I can't find my shoes!".   Ahem! You didn't even try.

We won't seekandfind one single thing seeking that way. Nada. Nothing. Zip. Agreed?

To sum it all up and put it all together -

 - it's only when we actively seek God with all our hearts that we will truly seekandfind Him.

Now guess what friend!

I found a translation that's worded pretty much the way I'm trying to explain it. I've underlined the two key words that help to make it clearer.

"You will seek me and you will find me 
because you will seek me with all your heart."


Anyway you look at it, after studying this verse, I have a happy heart knowing that because I'm seeking Him with all my heart I'll certainly seekandfind Him.

#YesToGod


Monday, August 12, 2013

Seeking Him With All My Heart ~ Jeremiah 29:13

Hey there friend!

It's the start of a new week and the next two chapters in the OBS "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God". Woot Woot!!

Since I'm just getting started this week, there's not too much to share. At least not yet. If it's anything like last week it should be amazing and a time of growth in my walk with the Lord.

I can't wait to share some of the things I'll learn and experience this week. But, until then here is a picture with this week's study verse.




I made it just for you friend!
Hope you like it!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Saying Yes When.......

Hey there friend!  Happy Saturday to you!

Today ends the first week of the online Bible study (OBS). What a wonderful week it's been!

I've learned sooooo much.  

And let me tell you - it's all been amazing!!!


What Happens When Women Say Yes To God

I don't know if every week during this OBS I'll be able to write a little something to share and kinda sum up my week. I'd like to, but we'll see.

Today I really feel the need to share. So, I'm saying yes.

I figure either I need to get my thoughts written down or perhaps you can be encouraged.




This week the biggest impact from Chapter One was learning to be aware and ready each day for those moments when God was asking me to say yes.

Saying yes when ..... it's a "yes".
When I first read about Proverbs 31 Ministries' next online Bible study I thought it looked great. However, I had already let a book and workbook from Christmas lay by the wayside after the first couple of chapters. Would I stick with this one?

"Oh Lord, should I sign-up and try this one or restart the other one?"

I'm so thankful that I said yes and signed up for this particular OBS. And I'm convinced, after just one chapter, that I wouldn't be getting as much out of it if I had put it off and just read the book on my own.


Saying yes when ..... it's a "no".
There are two dreams of mine that I haven't wanted to give totally to God. I mean He might tell me no. I haven't been ready to listen if He did. {just keeping it real here my friend}

One is being a "real" blogger. You see, I started to blog about 14 months after my son went to live in heaven with Jesus. I thought I had a story to tell. I figured at the least I could encourage others with examples of God's faithfulness to me. Not to mention my own wit and casual style. Ahem. Yet, I love my little place here in bloggy land. And if only a few people are ever encouraged or blessed by my sharing than that's great and praise God. But, does it take up too much of my time? {hubby would probably say yes} What would God say?



The second thing is what I've labeled my "God-sized dream". It's called Miss Maribel's Place. MMP is my etsy shop where I'll sell quilts, totes, pillows and wall hangings. Once it's up and running, I'll use some of my profits to help families who are adopting. Well, I've discovered it needs to be more than a hobby to be successful. There are like a gazillion shops on etsy! There's a lot more to it than making a few things, taking a picture and posting it in my shop.



Maybe I'm being stubborn, but I don't want to let either one of these dreams die. And I haven't really wanted to know what God thinks about my dreams becoming a reality or if they're a part of His plan for my life. {that whole He may say "no" thing}

Today as I drove to work I spoke to God about both these things. I realized I'm ready. I need want to say yes to Him in all areas of my life - including two special dreams.

"Lord, I don't know for sure what your will is for my little place in bloggy land. And I'm having doubts about my cute little esty shop ever opening. So God, if your will is a "no" to one or both of these, than my answer is yes."

Deep breath and a little sigh. It feels so great to finally leave these things in His hands.


Saying yes when .....  it's "???".
On Tuesday hubby went to the doctor for a follow-up appointment. The doctor took blood work and ordered a few tests. The reason being that blood in the urine, even a small amount, could mean cancer.

My brother just had a kidney removed due to cancer. My uncle is fighting liver cancer that was very recently discovered. My puppy, Lacey, just had two mast cell (cancer) tumors removed about two weeks ago.

No more cancer!! No. More.

My hubby told me his news when I phoned him on my lunch hour. It brought tears to my eyes and a knot in my stomach.

 "Dear Lord. Please help us. We don't know what we'll face. But, no matter what, we need You to walk beside us down this road. Perhaps it will be a "dead end" and all will be well. If it is to be a journey of fighting cancer...  then please, dear God, be near every step of the way. I pray it is not cancer, Lord. But Lord, know that right here and right now I say yes to whatever You have planned for us. I say yes to You Lord and will not turn back. I know you are forever faithful and love us."



I don't know if I could have prayed that prayer before starting this study. Leaning on the Lord  - yes. Asking for His help - yes. Taking a firm stand right at the beginning of  this journey where ever it leads - no.

So we wait.


Again I'll say - it's been a pretty amazing week!

I can't wait to start on next week's reading and see what the Lord will speak to my heart and teach me.

Living life, as a Yes Girl, for Him!

Loving you friend,

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Saying Yes With All My Heart...and some flowers maybe

Hey there sweet friend!

I've been thinking about what it means to love God with all my heart and Deuteronomy 6:5 gives me a pretty good idea.

 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
 
I wanted to discover what this verse means in a practical way in order to make this a part of my everyday life as a "Yes Girl".

I've been thinking about this verse all week.
I've looked it up in different Bible translations.
I've made notes in my journal.

I've written the verse out big and bold. And drew a couple of girly pictures by it to help me remember what the Lord was showing me.

I drew a pretty pink heart around the word "love".
Ha! Bet you could have guessed that.

I drew a flower by the word "heart".
I'm pretty sure you would not have guessed that one.

So let me explain -

You see friend, if you truly love someone with all your heart you want to please them. You want to say yes to pretty much whatever they ask of you. Not that you always will do it, but you sure love making them happy and seeing them smile. So you do whatever you can.

An example of this is how my hubby brings me a bouquet of flowers every now and then as a surprise. He does it because he loves me with all his heart.

So, I figure that if I love God with all my heart I'll bring Him flowers.

Yea, I know that may sound kinda strange.

I have it all pictured in my head. Now I just need to get it out and into words.
{not always the easiest thing for me to do}

The way I'm seeing it is that when I say yes to God it is like handing Him a sweet little daisy or two.

So my day would go something like this.......

I've been getting up extra early in the mornings to have a special time with Him by reading and praying. Getting up early is like.... let me see......a big sunflower. And I'm handing it to God as I stumble {literally some days} out of bed.

When I tell God I love Him and thank Him for His faithfulness - I bring him a few beautiful red roses.

When I say yes to God and walk away from gossip at work - I hand him a fragrant carnation.

When I praise Him for the beautiful sunset that I see as I drive home from work - it's a sprig of lavender that I hand Him to match the beautiful purple in the clouds He's painted for me.

And when I lay my head on my pillow at the end of the day, thanking Him for being by my side throughout the day - it's a bunch of delicate baby's breath.

Just think, at the end of the day I've given God a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I do it  because I truly love Him with all my heart.

So there you have it friend. It's either a look into the sometimes weird funny way I see life. Or a great example of what it means to say yes with all my heart.

Loving Him with all my heart.... and some flowers!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

I'm A Yes Girl

Hey there friend!

Something exciting is going on in my life and I'll be sharing this journey with you over the next six weeks. Actually, since I consider this only the beginning of a true life change I'm sure I'll keep sharing even after the six weeks are over.

I'm becoming a "Yes Girl". 

Ummm... not sure what you think that may be, so I guess I better explain.

It's week number one of a new online Bible study (OBS) at Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies




The book we're reading is -

What Happens When Women Say Yes To God



There are a few pages I've bookmarked and quite a few lines I've highlighted and made notes by. And that's just the first chapter.

Here's one of my favorites -
"God, I want to see You. God, I want to hear You. God, I want to know You. God, I want to follow hard after You. And even before I know what I will face today, I say yes to You."
 ~ Lysa Terkeurst   


I absolutely love that!
What a great way to start my day... focus on Jesus and say "Yes!" to Him and whatever my day may bring before even getting out of bed.

And guess what!
It was probably the third or fourth time reading it that I saw that one word - follow. Yep, that's my word.  As in my One Word for 2013.

Now that's pretty cool!


Tomorrow begins the weekly Yes Girl blog hop party. Woot Woot!

P31 OBS Blog Hop


Hope you'll stop back by to hear more. God is so good!  I can't wait to share with you what He's teaching me and how He's changing me as I continue to say yes to Him.

btw - it's not too late to join the OBS with me.
Come on! Let's be Yes Girl sistas!!!