After His Heart

In the recent months I have been vigorously seeking to know God in a deep way. In several facet of my life He is teaching me how to hear Him, how to notice His voice above all else. My eyes have been opened to different ways of communicating with the Lord. It has made me realize that communicating with Him is not just rambling on about my needs and wants it is also carefully listening to what He wants  for me.  It is such an overwhelming feeling to be prayerfully seeking something and sit here in my chair and feel God’s arms wrapped around me. It is like he is saying to me, “I hear you and I’ve got you”!   As I grow closer and closer to Him I find myself worshipping in the oddest places, talking to Him constantly and reaching for His word all the time. So many times, the word I get from Him will come back to me in Sunday’s sermon or during a conversation with a friend.   I was driving to work last week while listening to the Christian radio station. A song came on and I started to sing. As I sang, I made that song my prayer. I told God I loved Him and asked Him to just love on me for a moment. Have you ever had that time in your car? I am still trying to figure out how to drive while raising my hands and see through my tears. Tears of overflowing joy of course! If your close to Him, if your seeking Him, you can worship Him no matter where you are. Praise God!   In our bible study Sunday morning we were speaking of the habits of a disciple. The one we learned about this past Sunday was living a Spirit-led life. Some people get scared when that word “spirit” comes up. I used to as well. I have always known there is a trinity and that the Holy Spirit is the third part of that trinity. But I never knew exactly why. I knew the purpose of the other two portions but not the spirit. I know so much more about him now and I love to experience even more. I love his presence. I will feel his presence after just sitting at work praising God for a few minutes. We can call on him and he will appear to us. How comforting. That is what the Bible says he is anyway, a comforter (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit will speak to me and he will speak through me!

It's 2012, Ba-by!!

Sinner! We took advantage of having no kids this morning and we skipped church and slept in. Probably not the best way to start a new year but I don't think God will send hell and brimstone our way for it!

However, when I woke up this morning and turn the TV on it was on Joel Osteen's program. Now, you may or may not agree with him and his ways but the message he was speaking this morning did spark some interest for me. He was speaking from Jeremiah and how he was told he would be a prophet. When told this Jeremiah responded with negativity and doubt. Here God called this man to be something and Jeremiah answered with "No, not me, I am too young." How often do we do that? God calls us to something and we just keep giving Him excuses as to why we can't do that. I have made too many mistakes or I don't know the Bible or I don't have time.
I, myself, could stand to put down my negativity and put on the spirit of Christ. Let Him lead me through what He has called for me. I should embrace each day with "blessings chasing me down" and make that my anthem for the good things God has for me and my family.

Now, I already know 2012 will bring some major change for us. And by change I mean some uncomfortable living situations, time away from my spouse, busyness of school and work and kids, financial woes, etc. But I won't let those challenges keep me from the gifts God will bring. He doesn't promise me a world of hurt but an overwhelming peace in Him. So, agree with Joel Osteen or not, God spoke through him this morning and for that I am thankful!

Sidebar...I asked Daniel this morning if he remembered what we did for New Year's in 2010. He or I neither one remember!! And I don't think it's because we were so intoxicated that we can't remember! So, I am making note right here, right now that on NYE 2011 we celebrated with some fabulous people. Our friends Jessica and Lee were gracious enough to have us and our friends Kristy and Chad over for the evening. We had lots of good food and even more laughs. Our girls are all around the same age and even though mine didn't join us at the party it was fun to watch them play. The boys watched the UFC fights and us girls talked all night. The sad part came around 11:30 when Daniel said he was tired and ready to go home! What?! Who leaves a NYE party just before the strike of midnight. Well, we did!! Happy New Year to all!!!