It's been quite a week! I am making the transition from working part-time to full-time and I keep reminding myself it's okay to be worn out. My mind keeps racing - new job . . . current job . . . writing . . . how is all this going to fit into my big plan?
Tonight I am home alone and thought about calling several of my friends, whiling away the evening blogging and visiting other blogs, maybe take a hot bath and relax. I revisited each option a couple of times -- even, sadly, considered just eating until I couldn't see straight. That old Satan loves to sneak up on us when we're vulnerable! Good thing I decided to just go get my favorite bible, my Bible Reader's Companion and my journal.
I opened to Isaiah - one of my all time favorite books. I think I've always liked it because I love the language and the almost hypnotic way the reader is lured and lulled into feeling comforted and soothed, loved and cared about. As I read beginning in Chapter 40, I realized I was very familiar with the "forties chapters." These the chapters were God offers the most reassurance and comfort. This is where we learn of the coming Messiah. This is where we realize even when we have felt abandoned and alone, we were not at all!
These chapters refer to John the Baptist, to Christ. These chapters link God's power and His love; His transendence and deep desire for intimacy with his creations. These are the chapters where God declares himself sovereign.
So I now feel both affirmed and uplifted. I think I'm going to vegetate, watch some television and start brainstorming article ideas. Some have been rattling around in my head, but I haven't bothered to write them down.
I am a writer! God is going to make a way for me to write! I just need to turn to Him, to give over the hours of my day and the days of my life to Him. He will direct them and guide them. He will lead me where I am to go and He will show me the way I am to accomplish His vision for my life.
I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. (PsaLm 3:6 NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. (Psalm 31:3 NIV)
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10 NIV)
Showing posts with label Isaiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isaiah. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
A Holy Roller Coaster Ride
I am feeling like I'm riding a roller coaster we rode on when we went to Disney World about 20 years ago. The entire track was inside - in the dark! You literally could not see when the next turn was coming, how far up or down you be carried; You could sure tell you were going really fast though!
I've never been a big roller coaster fan. I'm afraid of heights, so the downhill dives almost give me heart failure! God's had me on a roller coaster lately. It is just about as frightening as that Disney roller coaster, too. You see, once I obeyed him and published my book, He has enlarged my territory, expanded my sphere of influence, grown my "base" of readers and pumped me full of the Holy Spirit!
My last post shared how I will be giving $1.00 from the sale of each book to Just the Roof. On Monday I attended a meeting for Operation Community Kindness. I'll be taking over some blogging duties and probably writing/editing some content for the site for this promotion. I'm also going to be part of the team that works on compiling a book of stories from the participants. While I was waiting for the organizer to arrive so we could have the conference room unlocked, there on the table directly in front of me was a manual entitled "How To Start a Non-Profit Organization."
Can you guess where I'm going here? I almost checked out the book, but I uncharacteristically decided I would wait for affirmation and clarity. I've received it! I had lunch with a friend on Wednesday and I shared with her this had occurred. We got to talking about all the women we could minister to and all the ways we could spread the Good News--in other words, how our own individual ministries could be combined and enlarged to do even more to offer hope, healing and the love of Christ to even more hurting and broken women.
I know absolutely nothing about starting a non-profit organization. But I know a couple of people who do. I also know the public library has a really good resource I can read. I keep reminding myself I didn't how to self-publish a book until I tried it, researched it, stepped back and redid and retried it until I got it right. Not knowing how has never been an obstacle for me! I can learn how. I'm willing to learn how as long as it's what God is directing me to do. I think it is. Right now I'm going to pray--a lot. Then I'm going to pray some more.
I'm starting a national marketing campaign for my book and I'm going to include information about my speaking to womens groups. We'll see how it flies and go from there. The other two women who will be part of this undertaking are so gifted and bright and have such a heart for Christ. I am so grateful for their presence in my life and feel more and more the more I get to know them that we three were brought together for a divine purpose. You know how I feel about that!
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. (Isaiah 54:2)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)
I've never been a big roller coaster fan. I'm afraid of heights, so the downhill dives almost give me heart failure! God's had me on a roller coaster lately. It is just about as frightening as that Disney roller coaster, too. You see, once I obeyed him and published my book, He has enlarged my territory, expanded my sphere of influence, grown my "base" of readers and pumped me full of the Holy Spirit!
My last post shared how I will be giving $1.00 from the sale of each book to Just the Roof. On Monday I attended a meeting for Operation Community Kindness. I'll be taking over some blogging duties and probably writing/editing some content for the site for this promotion. I'm also going to be part of the team that works on compiling a book of stories from the participants. While I was waiting for the organizer to arrive so we could have the conference room unlocked, there on the table directly in front of me was a manual entitled "How To Start a Non-Profit Organization."
Can you guess where I'm going here? I almost checked out the book, but I uncharacteristically decided I would wait for affirmation and clarity. I've received it! I had lunch with a friend on Wednesday and I shared with her this had occurred. We got to talking about all the women we could minister to and all the ways we could spread the Good News--in other words, how our own individual ministries could be combined and enlarged to do even more to offer hope, healing and the love of Christ to even more hurting and broken women.
I know absolutely nothing about starting a non-profit organization. But I know a couple of people who do. I also know the public library has a really good resource I can read. I keep reminding myself I didn't how to self-publish a book until I tried it, researched it, stepped back and redid and retried it until I got it right. Not knowing how has never been an obstacle for me! I can learn how. I'm willing to learn how as long as it's what God is directing me to do. I think it is. Right now I'm going to pray--a lot. Then I'm going to pray some more.
I'm starting a national marketing campaign for my book and I'm going to include information about my speaking to womens groups. We'll see how it flies and go from there. The other two women who will be part of this undertaking are so gifted and bright and have such a heart for Christ. I am so grateful for their presence in my life and feel more and more the more I get to know them that we three were brought together for a divine purpose. You know how I feel about that!
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. (Isaiah 54:2)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)
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