WOF - WOW!

Well, folks, I went to Women of Faith over the weekend. (I'm sorry I didn't post earlier - my internet was down.) It was amazing! Having never been to a Women of Faith conference, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was ... wow! I had someone ask me yesterday what I liked best about it. I tried, really hard, to answer, but the truth is that I loved everything about the weekend. I enjoyed every speaker, all the music, the fellowship, the atmosphere, all of it. It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend basking in the presence of God. Look for more posts, as I will try this week to highlight each part of the weekend.

Going to Women of Faith

Well, to those of you who look regularly, occasionally, or stumble upon this blog, I have exciting news! I am going to the Women of Faith conference next month. On August 26-27, I’ll be in Washington D.C. experiencing my first ever WOF conference. I’m very excited to go. Thomas Nelson, for whom I sometimes post book reviews, is sending me. I, in turn, will be posting about my experience. Watch for more posts about this incredible event!

Your body is a temple

So, since I need to care for my temple, I have begun P90X. For those of you who don't know, that stands for Power - 90 days - eXtreme. It's a workout regimen not for the faint of heart. I expect to sweat. I expect to be sore. I expect to be exhausted. I expect to push limits. And I expect to get into great shape. I'll keep you posted!

Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick

Do you long for divine intervention? To move mountains? Or to see God work supernaturally in your life? In Sun Stand Still, Steven Furtick challenges you to “ask God for the impossible.” Using Joshua 10 as an example, Pastor Furtick demonstrates that “if you have the audacity to ask, God has the ability to perform.”

In Joshua 10, Joshua and his troops are in a battle and Joshua prays "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.…The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. (verses 12-13)

Using Biblical references and real-life examples, Pastor Furtick walks you, the reader, through how to pray your own “Sun Stand Still Prayer.” By having audacious faith, praying specifically and according to His will and character, and approaching the throne of grace boldly, you can revolutionize your faith by believing God for the impossible. Then, you will see the mountains move.

Despite initial wariness that it might be a bit too “prosperity theology” for me, I loved this book! It in no way implied that God would give you a million dollars just because you asked. Rather, it talked of seeking God’s will for a vision for your life and then praying for the impossible in accordance with that vision. I found it to be Biblically sound, challenging, and encouraging. Let’s move beyond the ordinary, the easy faith of the American Christian, and dare to live the extraordinary, abundant life that God wants for us.

Great book! I highly recommend it for any believer who wants a transformed prayer life!

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Marinate

Marinate in God's Word until it permeates your entire being. Then you'll have a right perspective regarding your circumstances and your actions and reactions will stem from that place.

Burdens…Share and Bear

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. -- Gal 6:2

We are told to bear one another’s burdens, but how can we do so if the “other” doesn’t share the burden with us?

Recently, I’ve been struggling with something difficult. I didn’t share with others how difficult it has been. It just seemed like my issues were so insignificant next to those who are facing loss of a loved one, cancer, a spouse who left them, etc. So, I just went on suffering alone. And then some loving, caring members of the Body of Christ broke through my defenses and somehow I found myself sharing with them. Suddenly, several people were praying with me and for me. Despite no change in my circumstances, I began to feel better.

The next day, when one of them came up to give me a hug and ask how I was, I braced myself for the onslaught of tears that I was sure was coming. Instead, the verse that says “His mercies are new every morning” came to mind. I was able to smile and thoroughly enjoy my day.

The power of prayer, when two or more are gathered, is nothing short of miraculous. I want to encourage you to share whatever is troubling you. God cares about all the details of your life and your Christian brothers and sisters are ready and willing to share your load.

And on the flip side, when you see someone hurting, a seemingly small gesture – a hug, a smile, a phone call, a card, or a prayer – can be huge. Touch someone’s life for Christ today.

The Hard Way

My four-year-old daughter wanted to watch a movie tonight and she asked me to go turn one on for her. When she didn’t get the answer she wanted, she climbed up on my lap, put a hand on each side of my face, and tried to make my head nod. I shook it simultaneously, resulting in my head going around in circles. She backed away from me and said, “Are we gonna have to do this the hard way?” She climbed onto my back and began repeatedly pushing my head forward so it would nod. Then she climbed down, stood in front of me and said, “You said yes, Mommy, so go do it!”