The First Step, Again

My friend and I began our new Bible Study together this week. I never cease to be amazed at how one short hour spent with other women who love the Lord and His Word can revive my spirit. In the dry, weary summer land I've been experiencing (naturally and physically), this time spent together seeking His face plumped up my wilted spirits and habits.

"For Women Only: The Bible Study" by Shaunti Feldhahn promises to be informative and invigorating. From the beginning we were challenged to be "one-sided" in our approach to this study. Don't be alarmed...the one side is MY side...opening it up to the Master Craftsman, the Transformer, the Redeemer of all things, and the Constructor of my life and relationships... allowing Him to work in ME to bring about change that will benefit and build up my man (and what a man he is, I might add) and my relationships with other males as well. Shaunti reminded me that it's not all about me...imagine that (sic). I was created FOR my man, to HELP my man, and to RESPECT my man. God gave me as a gift to this wonderful man of His creation. I want to be a gift worthy of my calling.

Needful Thing

Over lunch yesterday with one of my dearest friends, I was reminded of my great need for God's Living Word to be breathed in my life...OFTEN! We were discussing the possibilty of beginning a Bible Study. And we reminded eachother of our great need for God's Word daily infused in our lives. We confessed our lack of faithfulness to The Word in the recent busy days of summer. We agreed that without the power of the Word in our lives, we grow weary and falter. We stand shakily on the shifting sand of circumstance, rather than on our Solid Rock. We have no well from which to draw the Water of Life. We agreed to begin Bible study together. We agreed, though in an unspoken manner, to hold eachother accountable to returning to the One who first loved us...The Word who was made flesh and dwelled among us (John 1).

I'm thankful for my dear friends...Annette and the Holy Spirit.

Amplified Fears

Actually publishing my blog has yet to happen...my fears about it abound! I have several blogging friends for whom my admiration grows each time I read their posts. And I have a rotten habit of comparing myself to others all the time. This would be sin I realize. One with which I battle regularly. But even as I type this I am reminded by my precious Friend, the Holy Spirit: Amy, you are fearfully and wonderfully made and I have gifted you for your life. Concern yourself with obedience to Me. Follow My lead. Listen to My voice. Be at peace.

What a gift we have in the Ever-present One, breathing life into every moment of every day.

Adoration

The first purpose of this blog is to ADORE my King. Webster's says this means: to worship as divine, to love or revere deeply, (inf.) to like very much. King Jesus defines the divine, deserves my reverence, and desires to be liked very much by me (and YOU, too).

Creator, Sustainer, Incomparable One, Unchanging One, Unstoppable One, Friend, Forgiver, Lover of My Soul, Supreme Authority, Author of Life, Alpha, Omega, Peace, Wonderful, Savior, Friend, Healer, Redeemer, Bright Star, Name Above All Others....It's an endless list describing the One with endless grace and goodness. He's so real that at times I feel His breath on my shoulder and I want to turn around to see His face. At a glance I see the tear-streaked cheeks of my three-year old. Upon closer examination I see the wonder and the whimsy, the power and the tenderness, the love and the sacrifice, the seeming contradictions that can only be my Jesus.