Dancing With God

My mom sent this to me and I thought it was great!

Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G": I thought of God.........followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. If God has done anything for you in your life, please share this message with someone else. There is no cost but a lot of rewards; so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance..........

James 3 and 4

I gotta catch up! Ok.
AH yes, the verses about the tongue. These are always good reminders for me of the importance of thinking before I speak, and also, not interrupting. Many times someone will be talking to me and my mind will already be spinning as to the next question I would like to ask them. I hate it when I do that! I also believe that the words of death and life are in the tongue. Into every situation we encounter, we choose to speak life or death into that situation. When we pause before we speak, we have a greater chance of speaking life! I know I do!!!!!!

For Chapter 4, the verses about boasting about tomorrow stood out to me. I am a planner....not to the point of obsession by any means. But, I think a lot of things run smoother when you have a plan. I was laying in bed last night thinking....if I knew a decade ago that this is how my life was going to be at this time, would I have wanted to trade this book in to God for another one. I don't think I know the answer to that question. The job situation and the married with kids deal is obiously not at all what I expected/wanted. On the other hand, I have been truly blessed to have Kimmie as my sis and roommate and we have traveled all around. I definitely would not want to take that part back. You have heard the saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him what your plans are." How true is that. My sis and I were talking the other day about how so many times in my life God waits until 11:59 to do something. She was saying she has no idea why that is (it is rarely that way for her). I do wish I knew. Perhaps I am just stubborn and want to rely on myself since I am so used to having to fend for myself and it is about letting Him fend for me. :)
PRAYER REQUEST: Unemployment runs out in December. I do not want to settle. I want a job I am passionate about. I would also like to pray for my man, wherever he is. :)

James 4

Each of us have quirks. There are certain things that just get on your nerves (smacking gum/food, cracking knuckles, tapping a pen on the desk, etc). I never thought of these irritations as being a problem with me, until now. I don't know about you ladies, but I have allowed my flesh to be in control more than I have realized. If someone smacks their food/gum, my greatest pet-peave, I immediately become irritated, anxious, and look for the quickest exit. I used to think that people were wrong and needed to change their behavior. I never thought about my behavior --It's all about me, me, me. What do I want? What do I need?

The word says: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4: 7)." This verse has often frustrated me, because I feel like I have resisted the devil many of time, yet I still fall into the same old pattern. But, God made me look at it in a different way. You shouldn't run a marathon without conditioning. The conditioning prepares you for the big event, right? So, we should apply this principle to our spiritual lives. Yes, I may be trying to resist the devil when it comes to serious issues such as lust, but what about those things that just irritate the mess out of me? If I can't control my "everyday" attitude and reactions, then how can I truly control my reaction to strong temptations?

During a Cleansing Streams course at KPIC, I learned that we should continually seek to be alligned with the spirit of God and should attend to the following hierarchy:

God's spirit
God's spirit living in the person
Person's soul
Person's flesh

PRAYER REQUESTS: TIME MANAGEMENT; ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS; ABILITY TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL-- TO NOT JUST LEARN FOR THE TEST, BUT BE ABLE TO APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE IN LIFE; DIRECTION FOR THE LIFE CENTER; ABILITY TO CLOSE OUT MAMA'S ESTATE; RECONNECT WITH MY FAMILY

When to Speak-Up and When to Shut-Up

Often, I just can't get it right. I say things at the wrong time, and I hold my tongue, when I should speak. I am encouraged by James 3 to do some soul searching. Is my spirit in alignment with the spirit of God? Who or what is in control of my thoughts and actions? My flesh is in control if I am not speaking through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Most likely my motivation isn't pure, when I just blurt out my frustration, my accusation. Most likely I am on the defense or my mind has been obsessing over the issue. Fear (fear of confrontation, fear of what others may think, fear of rejection, fear that I will not be able to make a strong case for my argument) has kept me from speaking-up. Abba God, I ask that you would fill every Sassy Sista with your Holy Spirit, right now. Abba, we submit control of our thoughts, our desires, our words to you. Teach us to speak in love, whatever that means for each individual situation. Teach us when to speak-up and when to shut-up.

"With the tongue we praise our Lord, and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's image (James 3: 9)." I know that gossip is wrong. Often, I find a creative way to get out of it: change the subject, walk away. Is that what God wants me to do? Should I confront the gossipers? What if they are not saved? Am I participating if I remain in the presence of those gossiping, but I remain silent? What do you ladies think?

James 2

"John Bunyan, author of the classic book The Pilgrim's Progress, said, 'You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back.' Make a decision that you will live to give. Be on the lookout each day for somebody you can bless. Don't live for yourself; learn to give yourself away, and your life will make a difference."
Joel Osteen

A Little Business:
A couple of us were wondering if we could add some of our friends to the Sassy Sistas family. Does anyone have any objections? I know that my friend, Roz, would be a good addition. She is a seasoned Christian and comes with a lot of wisdom. Tell us what you think.

James 2 from Amy

The first few verses were very poignant. Especially about looking at everyone the same. I did not get to watch it, but I know Michael Moore was on Oprah today and talking about be willing to pay more and wait extra to see a dr if everyone could have healthcare. While I would not love paying more for insurance, I fully believe that someone working a service job should have the same coverage as some big wig. We are all the same. And we should think of people the same. I know what it means to have plenty and I know what it means to barely makes the bills. Regardless, I am still the same person.

Oh how I pray I will always strive to be rich in the faith. May I always strive to seek only the things that bring glory to Him and not to myself.

Faith without works is dead. I always like the saying that says, "Preach the gospel...if necessary, use words." I have always found that when I am working toward a good cause, I always get ministered to while doing the ministry!

Ok, I have one more day of my real estate broker transition course and I think my brain is tired. Love you guys and pray you have a blessed weekend. Remember whose you are. :)

Beth Moore bible study

Hey girls. I am also doing the Beth Moore bible study on the tabernacle. This morning we were talking about how the Israelites were complaining when they were in the wilderness. They were missing the food they had in Egypt and wanted to go back and so God provided them with quail and manna.
It made me think of when we are in our version of wilderness and we want to go back to something just because it was familiar - good or bad - it was familiar. When you are going through so many new things and just want something that we know! I was thinking about all of us and how all of us are in new territories. Whether it be in jobs, school, having children, wondering what the future holds. Take confidence and gain peace in knowing that God can be the familiar thing to which you cling. Nothing that happens in your life is a surprise to Him. He knew the day I walked into that meeting room that I would be laid off. He knew that Dara would be trying to figure out what to write her dissertation on. He knows!
Also, we can take comfort in knowing that we have each other as a support system and the source of friendship and love. Be ASSURED my dear sisters that when you are going through the battles of life, we are here for you. Just like when Moses had to keep his arms raised in order for the Israelites to keep winning. He was so tired and Aaron and Hur came along side him and lifted his arms for him.
:) Love you girlies! Heading to the mountains this weekend for Molly's wedding!

Future "Doctor" Prayer Requests

In the very near future -- i.e., next week -- I have to determine a project on which to work during my internship this school year. I will be working with one of Harnett County Schools' Assistant Superintendents on the project. Related to this, I also have to determine a topic for my dissertation (which I will be working on this time next year!). Ideally, my internship project will align with my dissertation topic. In addition, I need to quickly identify the chair of my dissertation committee. These decisions are critical as I must live with both my topic and my chair for a long time and both have a direct impact on my ability to complete my dissertation in a reasonable amount of time.

So, the short story is I am asking you to please agree with me in prayer for guidance in selecting an internship topic, a dissertation topic, and a dissertation committee chair and for doing so in the right time frame.

Thanks for your prayers!

Prayer Request

Hey guys. Some great comments about James 1!

Prayer request: I am starting a study tomorrow or the effects of ginger in treating IBS. Hopefully I have been given real pills, not placebo. So, they have a few side effects, nothing major, but I would like to pray against any of them. I would love to hear that this is effective!
Also, for those of you who know Molly Tyson, she is getting married this weekend and we are going up for the wedding, so pray for calm nerves for her. Love you guys and I am praying for you!

Slow to speak, etc.

One more thing. I try to remember the "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." I think I'm slow to show anger but inside it can be a raging inferno especially at work. I have a lot of "holes in my tongue." So, I think I quote this verse everyday. It becomes challenging too b/c when a friend asks for your advice, you want to be slow to speak, yet, they are looking at you like "well, what do you say?" Not the popular response to say, let me think about it and get back to you. Although, this should probably be the case many times b/c it forces both parties to think on it and pray about it to get the right perspective and you know to ask for wisdom (see other posting hee hee). I'm rambling....

Wisdom and then some

When I read this a few days ago, I was remembering what I read months ago about wisdom. Although this skips ahead, I want to bring it up here. When I thought of wisdom, I always thought of understanding/intelligence/tools to make good decisions. In James 3:17 (I know we aren't there yet), it says wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy & good fruit, impartial & sincere. This just adds to what you're asking for and it brings in to the notion that how much more will God give if you have His work in the forefront of the asking. In other words, yeah, it's okay to ask God for wisdom to make a decision on what to do here or there personally, but taking it a step further on going larger than personal gain from wisdom given. I feel like I'm not capturing in typed words what I'm trying to say and maybe you need wisdom just to understand what I've typed. It just put a new look on wisdom.
-In terms of Christina/Dara about believe you receive it and wondering. I hear ya. I think it's interesting that perseverence is before the asking/believing verse. Doubt will try to creep in and we have to persevere in faith and believe God is going to answer our prayers. We also have to persevere big time in keeping our ears open and "being still before God." It is hard when you pray about making a decision and you feel that you can't hear something for sure...at that point, it's continually seeking and taking that step of faith. I just put up a quote on the mirror "God stretches those who are willing to take the step of faith." I have been in a spot where I'm like "Lord if I'm stepping wrong, then I know and trust that you will bring me back/catch me."

Doubting whether or not I'll hear God

So, back to James 1:5-8. As I replied to Christina, I often wonder whether or not God will answer my prayer as I want Him to. But even more frequently than that, I wonder if I will hear God when he does answer my prayer. I so often feel like that "wave in the sea" when I trying to make a tough decision and I "cannot decide about anything". I ask God for wisdom, and I ask Him for clarity, but then I doubt my ability to hear Him. I think part of the problem is not taking time to "be still" before God. But even when I'm still, I still doubt.

What do you see in the mirror?

"...because he who doubts is like a a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." (Jm 1:7)
I never doubt that God can do it, but I do wonder if he will do it. Is that doubt?

"but, each one is tempted when, by his won evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (Jm 1: 14-15)
So many times when I have found myself caught up in sin, I wish these steps (temptation, dragged away, enticed, conceive sin, birth sin, sin, death) would be as long and drawn out as this verse almost makes them sound. Unfortunately, these steps usually take about 30 seconds, if that.

Are any of your mirrors broke? I think mine is. Let me explain. In my head, I often think that I am much smaller than I really am. Then I look into the mirror and I get a puzzled look as if to say, "Are you sure, 'cuz I thought I was a size 9?"
James calls us to look into the mirror. What reflection do you see? Do you see a woman who knows what the word says or are you a woman who knows and does what the word says?

Amere's musings on James 1

Verse 2 is such a tough one for me...consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. I find it difficult to initially consider it anything positive, much less pure joy! I feel like it has been awhile since I have felt true joy - except when I am with Josh and Karie. :) But I do relate to the next few verses about perseverance. I have had to work hard for everything I have gotten. I think if a lot of things came easy, I would not place as much value in them and the lessons learned would not have stuck with me.
Verse 19: man, that always steps on my toes - especially the slow to speak part - and not necessarily because I am going to say something bad. I feel like I should process what people say to me more before I offer back a comment.
James is so chock full of good stuff. I could take two verses and chew on them for a few days!
Love you ladies.

Hi Ladies! I'm just testing it out like Christina. This is new for me but I'm very excited. Love you all!