holy hands

two weeks ago, my pastor was teaching from 1 Timothy 2:8...

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer,

without anger or disputing."

 my pastor's point was that men, in general, tend to have more issues with anger. i won't argue that. but it's interesting that Paul links these two ideas together. worship and anger management. but i guess he's on to something. ya can't really worship when you're bitter and ticked off at someone. i mean, you can, but it's not authentic and God is real clear about how we are to worship. and it ain't that fake, forced business.

as i reflected, i couldn't help but think of one man that is an "as close to perfect as a fallen man can be" example. my pops.

my pops is that kind of man. the one that worships in Spirit and Truth. and not just on a Sunday morning. on every morning of every day. in all that he does. he is a man that worships with all of his life. all that he does. all that he says. all that he plans. he walks in the Spirit. he leads in the Spirit. he loves in the Spirit. he lifts up holy hands without anger or disputing. thanks for setting the bar high and leading our family so well, dad. love you!

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

a timely word

i skipped out on Bible study tonight (gasp, i know). put me on the naughty list if you must, but as i was doing my homework that i failed to do (i skipped bc i didn't do my homework and i wanted some "Jesus time" to get caught up), God smacked me between the eyes with a timely word of Truth for a very dear friend of mine. that's no coincidence. God is in the business of orchestrating moments like this ALL THE TIME. all we have to do is be open to His voice and obedient when we hear it.

don't mis-hear me and think that i'm hyper-spiritualizing my desire to skip on Bible study and have some Jesus time to myself tonight, but DO hear me saying that it's okay to do that and, in my case tonight, the Lord did it for a reason. i needed this time to slip away, undistracted, and hear His Truth not only for my life, but also for my friend's life.

you see, tomorrow is a really big day for her family and i can't be there. my heart is aching. i literally might not sleep tonight. i'm battling my own desire to storm in and take God's role in her life. to fix everything. i keep telling myself that the Lord will fight for her. He will work all things for her good. He's got this. i mean, He's God after all, right? anyway, as i was reading tonight, here's what i came across...

"Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. "They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:6-8, 19)

um, yeah. about that. i promptly picked up my phone and shot a few texts with those verses. God will not let her be overcome. He will rescue her. He will give her the words to speak. He is with her. He is for her. what comfort in the face of such daunting days ahead!! i pray she believes God to hold true to His promises and i pray that He will flood her with His peace and a quiet confidence in His hand at work in her life.

and tomorrow will be a day that i, too, have to rest in His plan for her family. i will fight for her in prayer, but ultimately, the battle is the Lord's. and He will work all things for her good. according to His plan. not hers or mine. 

soli deo gloria.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

happy #29

tonight was week one of really diving into 2 Peter precepts. i'm excited to see what the Lord will teach me over the next 8 weeks as we dig into the Truth that Peter wrote. my new friend Allison joined me tonight and it was so much fun to sit beside her and study the Word. she's a fantastic woman of God and so wise. i'm anxious to spend more time with her and take the bay area by storm. :)

happy #29

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digging into the Truths of 2 Peter.


[credit to Liza for the idea of posting happies each day]

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

happy #22

we started an 8 week study of 2 Peter tonight at church. precepts style. [insert hallelujahs and squeals of excitement coupled with deep exhalations of joy]. gosh, i'm so excited for this study. i love precepts bible studies for so many reasons. mainly because i get to dig in the Word in ways i would never do on my own and i get to study alongside women of all ages. such wisdom and insight!

happy #22

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studying the Word inductively with women of all ages. such a blessing.

[credit to Liza for the idea of posting happies each day]

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

good stuff

just wanted to share a few verses that I've come across in my recent studying that stuck with me and are an encouragement to me in this phase of life...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless." (proverbs 14:12, 15-16)

"In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge." (proverbs 14:26)

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (proverbs 14:30)

Bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.