My heart is heavy

My heart is heavy.  I hate that certain circumstances bring revelation.  I can’t even begin to express how this feels.  You want to learn to make the most of every day.  To tell and show others how much the mean to you.  To make an impact on other’s lives so that you leave a legacy behind.  But you don’t want to be reminded of these things while knowing Jesus is calling someone home and soon they will leave you and join Him.  Wishing death didn’t impact the living as much as it does.  Wanting to learn to take out the hurt and rejoice with another life going to the everlasting life.  We all should strive to go and be with Him, in the perfectness He has prepared for us.  But while in our human flesh, we are weak and we grieve and selfishly wish to keep those we love and care for with us.  How to you come in agreement that time is what it is and when he calls we freely give.  My heart is heavy.

Beauty from Ashes...So I rise

I recently changed my url and my title of my blog. Beauty from Ashes...So I rise..
This is something that just speaks to what God has done in my life. Throughout the years He has really been showing me that my struggles and trials were not in vain and that He can and will use my story, my testimony for his greater good. I recently had the chance to share part of my testimony at the kick of for our Women's Bible Study event. Pastor Laurie truly blessed me by asking me to share and let me tell you GOD WAS GLORIFIED through all the women who shared. I am so proud of each of them and their willingness to be courageous and transparent. He has created in me a new person.

In Loving Memory--- MkD

It’s funny how she just pops in my mind. There are so many days, so many moments that I think of her. Throughout the years I would check out her face book, see how she was doing, and send her a little note whatever. I was always curious; she just seemed to have a wonderful life. She was entertaining, she was stunning, and I missed the close friendship we once had. Just like many things and many people in life, you lose touch but it doesn’t take away the importance of that person, or the impact they had on your life. I loved how once upon a time, we were vulnerable, we shared our innermost thoughts and feelings, and we laughed and cried together. I have caught myself crying many times over her in the last 2.5 months. It just doesn’t seem like reality, I can’t wrap my head around her being gone.


Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we could tell those who have left us how much we care, how much people miss you, how much you impacted so many lives. I wish she could look down and read what people say about her, I wish she could feel the tears and the sadness that is left behind because she no longer exists in this world. I wish she could have felt how much people really loved her, how much better she made each of us, how we desperately want her to know, it’s just not the same without her. I know she lives on in so many of us, but I wish she just lived on.

Why

you have been on my mind a lot recently. I have been blessed with you visiting me in my dreams. Though the years got away from us, I just held such a special place for you in my heart. You were just one of those people that made you happy, that brought joy and laughter into your life. I love your spunky personality, you captivated me. I know so many people miss you, God knows I do. I heard this song and couldn't help but cry for you. I still can't get my head around it all, but I know that you are soaring and your soul is finally at peace. Miss you MKD!!! You must have been in a Place so dark You couldn't feel the light Reachin' for you through That stormy cloud Now here we are Gathered in our little hometown This can't be the way You meant to draw a crowd [Chorus] Oh why, that's what I keep asking Was there anything I could've Said or done Oh, I had no clue you were Masking A troubled soul, God only knows What went wrong and why You would leave the stage In the middle of a song Now in my mind I'll keep you frozen As a seventeen-year-old Rounding third to score the Winning run You always played with passion No matter what the game When you took the stage You'd shine just like the sun [Chorus] Oh why, that's what I keep asking Was there anything I could've Said or done Oh, I had no clue you were Masking A troubled soul, God only knows What went wrong and why You would leave the stage In the middle of a song Now the oak trees are swaying In the early autumn breeze A golden sun is shining on my face Through tangled thoughts I hear a mockingbird sing This old world really ain't that Bad of a place Oh why, there's no comprehending And who am I to try to Judge or explain Oh, but I do have one Burning question Who told you life wasn't Worth the fight They were wrong, they lied Now you're gone and we cry 'Cause it's not like you to Walk away In the middle of a song Your beautiful song Your absolutely beautiful song

Tangeled Up Mess

I think back on the last two months and how completely broken I have felt at times. The roller coaster I have been on just didn’t want to stop and I felt so lost in the mess at times. This undoing has been the slow unraveling of everything I held close. You’d think by now with the life I have lived I would be used to the crushing; this one caught me off guard. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father. He is bringing meaning back to life; he is bringing beauty from ashes. I wish I could cling to Him when I am not falling to apart, I am learning but the desperation for Him is what is so beautiful in my tangled up mess. This is why I enjoy the crushing, though painful, I feel the presence of God more than ever. I survive only because he holds my hand; He untangles this messy life and catches me when I fall.

Mason Jar, any Jar.....

I am obsessed. I really want to be creative and when I see stuff like this I want to redo my entire house. This will be on the Tarno project list before long. I love jars and all the cool things you can do with them.

For someone whom I recently met

This is for every girl out there in her "single" time. Pray for your future and remember these words. Thought I would share this for someone whom I recently have had the pleasure getting to know.

Safe Place

Oh how my soul longs to be here. To hear the silence of the world and let my soul run free. Oh how I long to listen to the waves crash against the coast, to feel the breeze in the air, and to feel closer to God more than any other place on earth. This is my safe place. The place I go to unwind and decompress. The place I long for. It's the place I feel at peace, the place where I feel warm, cozy, and free. Oh how my soul longs to feel the dew from the oceans mist. To feel the cleansing of my soul that only this place can bring. This is my escape, this is my oasis. Heaven is beyond my comprehension, but to me the ocean is a tiny glimpse of what He has for me in enternity. I desperately wish I was here, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and going to a place that I can process and cleanse, a place of restoration. This is where I feel and live His beautiful creations. To rest in my Heavenly Father. Oh how my soul longs to be here.

This is where my soul resides when it’s not out frolicking.

P.S. I love you

I am usually not one for sappy girly movies. Sure I like the occassional romantic comedy now and again but I don't rush off to see the latest "Chick Flick" I recently rewatched P.S. I love you for the millioneth time. This one just does it for me. There is something my souls connects to. I remember in the beginning of the movie just feeling like, wow this is really how Troy and I are at times. The first time I saw this movie, I truly was overwhelmed with emotions. I thought how many times I have had a disagreement with Troy over the silliest things. I can't imagine loosing him, I can't imagine trying to start a life without him in it. This movie just makes me think, it makes me appreciate and cherish my husband. There is so much raw, real emotion in this movie. But one thing it makes me know deep down inside of me....I will love Troy until I no longer live. LOVE YOU 'TIL THE END I just want to see you When you're all alone I just want to catch you if I can I just want to be there When the morning light explodes On your face it radiates I can't escape I love you 'till the end I just want to tell you nothing You don't want to hear All I want is for you to say Why don't you just take me Where I've never been before I know you want to hear me Catch my breath I love you 'till the end I just want to be there When we're caught in the rain I just want to see you laugh not cry I just want to feel you When the night puts on its cloak I'm lost for words don't tell me All I can say I love you 'till the end

Ode to Joy

It truly was an ode to the joy I felt in my heart. I walk into my parents house on Monday April 16, my 31st birthday. I had had a great birthday so far, nothing out of the norm, a good day at work and a great word from God at Soul Sister's that night. I had many wish me blessings, and make me feel special. The one thing I was most looking forward to that day had nothing to do with my birthday but everything to do with the two angels God has blessed my life with. I don't know what it feels like to be a mom, but I know how amazing, how blessed, how rewarding it is to be an AUNTIE and that night I just wanted to have those little arms wrapped around me, to see their smiles and hear their laughs. These two boys light up my heart, as do all of my nieces and nephews. Their is something about each of them that just overwhelms me with love.

Joshie ran to me and said Happy Birthday Auntie as he jumped in my arms. I gave him a big hug and kiss and told him this was the best birthday I could have, and he said if you think this is great just wait what I have for you, I am going to serenade you later with a song. Then comes Braeden aka Mini me and he jumps in my arms and I get to love on him too and wish him a happy birthday. I was just so content with being in the presence of these two little boys.

Later, after my mom got home, Josh got out his Violin (which he just started lessons on) and played Ode to Joy. It was beautiful and I was blown away with how good it was, how well he played knowing he was just learning. He did great and it was beautiful. It is moments like these that you will treasure forever. Those sweet tender moments, when kids melt your heart and really define ODE TO JOY.....

The Inheritance Session 9

The last Session to the Inheritance Studay by Beth Moore was amazing. I have learned so much through this study and know as I continue to process and reread the scriptures and my notes, God will have so much more to reveal to me. If you have a chance to participate in a group session for this study I would highly recommend it, if not I would do it on your own. Learning about our Inheritance and just how much God prepared for us will blow your mind. Be Blessed!!!

Confessions of an Heiress

God has made me an heir.
I am a real, live heir of God and co-heir of Jesus Christ.
Because I am a woman, technically, I’m an heiress.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance.
As an heiress of God, my life is never left to chance.
As a member of the NT priesthood of believers and as an heiress of God, He is my portion…and I am His.
I am inheriting a kingdom
My inheritance can never perish, spoil or fade. It’s being kept in heaven for me.

 An inheritance is being kept for us in heaven.
 A huge deposit of riches really ought to wait until someone is mature enough to receive it.
 Time cannot affect our waiting inheritance.
 We were appointed to manifest Christ when someone insults us. We are to respond with blessing and to use our tongues to bless.
 When we choose to speak blessing instead of insult, God speaks a blessing over us.
 There is no greater value than committing someone who insults you to God and praying that God will give them their inheritance.
 Our inheritance changes the way we look at bad experiences.
 The one and only reason we have an inheritance is Jesus Christ.
 We are receiving an inheritance because someone did die.
 Jesus Christ left a will for us – the inheritance of the kingdom. He died to give it to us. He just didn’t stay dead.
 The earth will be completely redeemed under Christ’s authority.
 Life like the heiress that you know yourself to be!


When you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from
the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name and say… “I declare today to
the LORD your God that I have come to the land the LORD swore to our forefathers to give us .… Now I bring the first fruits of the soil that You, O LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before Him. And you and the Levites and the aliens
among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.

Deuteronomy 26: 1-4, 10, 11

The Inheritance Session 8 Notes

We are continuing with Session 8 of the Inheritance by Beth Moore…..
Wow, Monday night was so good. I am sad that so many of our table missed on Monday night. I hope that each of you will be able to attend the next three sessions and finish this semester strong. I highly recommend that if you weren’t there Monday night that you download the session. Our story focused on Lost things being found, and the Prodigal. Beth nailed some heavy truths about sin, mostly sexual sin but she came from such an honest and powerful place. This session really made me think about my past and how God is in constant Pursuit of me, how blessed are we that God cares enough to pursue us when we turn on Him.

• Sometimes something is more valuable to us when it’s lost than when it’s found
• At the end of our lives, we’re going to turn our inheritance back into Christ and then we’ll be given responsibility in Heaven
• We squander so much of the Father’s Property
• Various ways we squander (waste or scatter) our inheritance:
o By being too distracted to prioritize
o Bitterness
o Unforgiveness
o Feeling sorry for ourselves
o Not giving Jesus full authority- who’s in charge -> God ->Me -> God -> Me
o Carnality
• God promised that if you will be obedient to Him, no enemy will be able to stand against you, NO one can defeat you.
• If you are living in the will of God, we are never meant to experience defeat (you will have difficulties but not defeat) If you are being defeated you need to ask why and evaluate why:
o Innocently- you don’t know the scriptures well enough
o Disbelief in God and His promises and faithfulness
o Disobedience to God
o Sin ruling over you
o Enemy is on your land
• Your enemy does not have the right to defeat you. You are made more than an overcomer on each square inch of your land
• We can be victorious even if we are not perfect (FYI NO one is PERFECT)
• To be blameless means we don’t have sin ruling over us. We sin, but sin doesn’t have to rule over us
• Everyone misuses their God-given property at some point to some extent
• God, our Father is never without reaction to the misuse of His property
• You are an heiress of God!! Respect and value yourself!! Find out who you are.
• You can have a harvest on your land, all is not lost
• The chief goal of all godly chastisement is so that we can be healed. If we come between someone and their consequences and rescue them, we are rescuing them from their healing.
o God creates consequences for actions. He does so in order to woo a child back home. God appoints consequences and even enemy forces if necessary to woo a child home. The consequences are so that child came be healed. When you step in and try and rescue them before they meet that consequence, when you enable, or when you prevent the rock bottom moments, you are keeping them from their Healing!!
• God knows you can’t force someone’s heart back home- he doesn’t look or force- he just waits!!
• Very seldom do people make a huge or pivotal life change because they have hurt someone else. We are not wired to change to protect, save, and heal, out of love for someone else. It isn’t until we are scorched by our own sin that we will change
• True repentance is always earmarked with humility
• There will always be those who disapprove of or despise our restoration, whether among the family of God or enemy forces
• There is always going to be somebody who takes away our right to be forgiven.
• Repentance has to be authentic, has to radiate from the core of us, to our bones, knowing that no one can take it from you
• No weapon forged again you will prevail
• Part of our heritage is that we get to refute the tongue of the accuser
• I am forgiven. Back the heck off!!!!!
• In Jesus’ name, we are forgiven!! That is our heritage
• The prodigal is never more lost than when he/she thinks they are responsible for being found
• NEVER TWIST the parable into suggesting that it is better to be the prodigal than the faithful.

Sexual Sin Comment’s and Notes:
We all know, saved or not that sex outside of marriage is a SIN. Whether you truly believe it, it is not just some outdated ideology. Sex changes things, changes you, changes what you will or will not tolerate or accept in a relationship. Most relationships (non-marriage) that have abuse in them, they have had sexual relationship. We all (those who have sexually sinned) have felt the sting, the pain, the shame, etc from sex. How many times have you wished you have never slept with that person, or wish you never went there, or have wished you didn’t take sexual baggage into your marriage.
• Sexual sin- makes you bound to someone you aren’t supposed to be with. Sometimes you stay because you have had sex with them, knowing that they are the “HELLBOY” you aren’t supposed to be with.
• Sexual sin doesn’t work well
• If you are doing it, stop it, it will destroy so much of the fabric of your soul
• You will start feeling devalued- do not give away yourself so cheaply
• Have some dignity and act like the Heiress God created you to be
• People don’t treasure you because you don’t treasure yourself
• We have to repent, and accept this is who you were not who you are
Beth hit hard on this subject but she came from such a beautiful place. There wasn’t condemnation in her comments; there was love and compassion as someone who has felt the sting and the torture in the purest form of this sin. She encouraged woman to see their worth in Christ, and recognize no matter how much we try to make sex outside of marriage a NON-SIN it is. And it is a sin that has the power to destroy, tear down, devalue, disrespect, damage, numb, scar, you. It is so personal and so emotional and it truly was designed by God for good and for pleasure within marriage. If you struggle in this area pray that God will guide you with this sin, that he will soften your heart to recognize what it is and what it does. That he will reveal to you his purpose and plan for you in this area and lead you to repentance and forgiveness. Pour this at the feet of Jesus and know that you have sisters who have been in your shoes, who have sought the Lord and found freedom, forgiveness and cleansing of the wounds. This is a hard topic, it is one we all try to avoid but ladies it is the one sin that can cause so much pain in your life and so much distance between you and God. I personally am here to talk and to share my walk and journey with being a prodigal and the moments when God ran to me and pursued me.

Lifeline

Today I really thought about how people survive this life without God. I am left speechless. The trials that I have faced in my lifetime have broken me, shattered me, left me grasping for air. There were many times when I felt like there wasn’t a reason to go on, or I couldn’t survive. Even when in the Wilderness, even when I was a prodigal somehow God saw me through the good, the bad and the ugly. This past year has still left me grasping at times, it has left me doubting, angry, hurt, and overwhelmed but somehow God sees me through. I know that everything in my past God has used for His glory and for a purpose. The days of my brokenness he made sense of, He revealed to me how those things could be used for the greater good. On the days I have wanted to call it quits, the days when my body and emotions can no longer endure, God is there. I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father that quiets the storms, that calms those raging seas. I am grateful that when I feel crippled and I feel as though I am suffocating I can bring all to His feet and somehow, someway I know I will be ok. This past year has been a beating, but I know that it all comes down to my Trust and my Control that God is seeking. The lessons of life are sometimes painful, the lessons sometimes make it hard to see that God is and was and will be. But I know that I survive, I continue to face each day because I trust and believe in the one who saves. Thank you Jesus for being my rock, my salvation, my saving grace. Thank you for being the strength when I am weak, the comfort to the emotions I can’t bear or comprehend, the love when I feel empty. Thank you for being the light in this dark world. I am so blessed to be His daughter and grateful that in weeks like this one, I have someone to lay it all out to and know He’s got me in his arms!!

The Inheritance Session 7

I missed actually attending this session and will be downloading the Session soon. My mother shared some notes with me that I thougth would be great to post. I will add more as soon as I have watched it myself.

• The spirit in us is our capacity to know God.
• God is our portion, and we are His
• The down payment made for us is God himself
• God continually prioritizes the internal work
• In the New Testament church, healing is often on the inside. His priority is what He does in the heart and mind of man
• You can be free of any kind of bondage because the Holy Spirit of God is in you
• You have divine power to overcome every single stronghold
• God’s huge priority in the New Testament church is that man is healed from the inside out
• Every single one of us in whom God has worked has a beautiful inheritance.
• Our spiritual gifts are the way that Jesus Christ becomes conspicuous in us
• A manifestation of the Spirit is when your deposit goes from the inside to the outside
• The fruit of the Spirit represents the personality of Christ, the spiritual gifts represent how He ministers to people
• We as Christians are the most gifted people on the planet
• We have confused humility with timidity
• If we are easily discouraged, we will never be profoundly used in this generation
• The enemy wants to know how quickly he can get you to quit
• Our giftedness is the result of the grace of God
• Your spiritual gifts were given to you, but not for you
• We are widely and profoundly gifted
• In all 3 segments teaching spiritual gifts, every single time Paul gives an exhortation to love
• If someone gets on your nerves, you need to pray to love them more
• Pray to love the body of Christ
• If you are a person who has a heart to love people, you will discover your spiritual gifts
• Don’t confuse your gifts with your talents
• Your gifting energizes you rather than exhausting you
• You will have a sense of “this is what I was made for”
• Don’t try to be something you aren’t
• Your spiritual gifts will work, they will have impact, will have influence
• Watch for the trap that will distort your spiritual gift into the flesh
• There is no amount of carnality, no amount of doing our own thin that will ever begin to match what life will feel like in our giftedness
• You have to have faith and patience to operate in maximum giftedness. Harvests grow over time

The world lost a beautiful rose

I never have understood death. As a Christian I really hate that about myself because I can't process things outside of this world. I truly want to find comfort in our loved ones and friends leaving this temporary home and going to spend enternity in Heaven. This is something to rejoice over, for our bodies aren't meant to be here long, and this is only the stopping place before going onto either greater or worse things.

My heart is saddened and full of questions. I feel a loss and it's as time stands still. I remember her smile and her laughter. I remember those conversations we had as we pondered the world and tried to find all the answers to everything that plagued us, everything that made us smile, try to fit the pieces of life together. She had a smile that lit up the world She had a contagious, fun, outgoing, lovable personality. She definitely was the life in any room. People saw such beauty and confidence in her, she just radiated. I got to see many of her emotions, good and bad. We got to battle through things together, cry and laugh together. People enter into our lives for reasons, they touch us in so many ways, yet on days like today I am sad that I didn't get the chance to tell her recently just how much she impacted my life.

Today I found out that a beautiful, contagious spirit left this world and is dancing in Heaven. Part of me wants to smile and rejoice, while the human in me is heartbroken. She will live on in the lives of all she touched and will be missed by so many. Until we meet again, my God's peace surround you Melissa. Love ya!!!




"The Rose"


Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give,
And the soul afraid of dyin'
That never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose.

Hmmm....

True safety only comes from a life hidden in the safe place of Christ
For when you are tired of coming up with a plan, might you be willing to simply come? I’ve thought a lot lately about this space created for souls to breathe and the true meaning behind it.
He will not come undone. He remains un-overwhelmable

Heart Tenderizer

This was in my devotional read for March 19, and I found so much in this that I needed to hear. Be blessed....

Heart Tenderizer


“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Cor. 1:3-4

Great trials produce big hearts. But to those who have never been knocked down, or who have not felt the woes of adversity, the heart is small and insensitive. Indeed, it is on the bed of affliction that human beings find themselves horizontal—looking up to the Lord in heaven. A plague of bad news will pass—leaving behind a righteous residue on all hearts softened by the Spirit.

Where does the core of comfort come from for a Christian? Our consolation comes from Christ, where there resides an eternal security that transcends all fiery trials. He wraps us up with His love, and with a fire resistant blanket of belief. Jesus replaces anxiety with peace, and fear with courage. He is a friend who flocks to a friend facing great loss, giving His loyal support. A heart grows tender and true under the loving influence of the Lord.

“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 34:27

Ironically, the comforts of the world can crowd out the comfort of Christ. Our hearts can be so full of self-medication that there is no room for our Savior's intimacy. However, a humble heart is always on the hunt with spiritual weapons forged by faith. We go out of our way to be a blessing by serving behind the scenes. A tenderized heart stays moldable for its Master Jesus.
Above all, the green grass of grace grows best in a moist heart of humility. And it is grace upon grace that God gives you—to give to others. Grace extended to friends and foes alike helps them become like Christ. So, out of your softened heart, you comfort others for Jesus' sake. You are ready to birth comfort for others to enjoy, when your heart has been impregnated by Christ's consultation. Your tenderized heart is trustworthy to Jesus.

Lord, how can I apply Your tender touch to my heart, so I can be a conduit of comfort to others?

Related Readings: Joshua 22:5; 1 Samuel 10:9; Luke 1:78; Acts 15:8; Hebrews 4:12

Post/Tweet today: The green grass of grace grows best in a moist heart of humility. #grace #humility

Walk By Faith

In waking I give thanks In what’s not known I have to trust, My Father That yesterday’s pain is gone For you’ve given me this day For me to rejoice To faithfully follow To willingly hear your voice For trials will come sometimes And burdens I’ll have to bare But you promised me father To always be there So I’m standing on that promise No matter what I go through And just in case I stumble I’m depending on you For you hold the master plan And your path is always right So today I’m embarking By faith and not by sight

My Father

Return To Love

Return To Love
Submitted by: Cage
Author: Marianne Williamson, 1992
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
will not feel insecure around you.
We were born to make and manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

The Inheritance by Beth Moore Session 4 Notes

Every week I feel as though I am learning stuff from such a different perspective. The Word of God is just pouring out to me and I am so grateful for that. I feel as though I owe the table an apology for Monday, I was distracted with pain and felt that I completely was trying to get through on my own strength. I hope Beth Moore was able to speak God’s word to each of you.

Session Four Recap:

· An inheritance must be possessed or it’s not an inheritance at all
· We cannot possess something without acting on it.
· What would happen if we started taking God up on His promises?
· Every generation is called to inherit their land
· Joshua was not the deliver/the savior. Yahweh was!!1 You can’t save anyone.
· In His wisdom, God requires His Children to exercise the will and action to deliberately take what He graciously gives
· God is developing the muscle in us through going to get it that it’s going to take for us to keep it.
· If we don’t develop the muscle, we won’t know how to hang on to it
· Hold unswervingly to the truth you know about God. Your enemy is going to try and convince you that he’s going to hit you head on. He does not have the authority. (Beth Moore had us think about a car and playing chicken. You are driving straight at the enemy- don’t go left or right, don’t swerve out of the way. Go full speed ahead directly at him and he will be the one to play chicken just before you would have slammed into him) I just love this!!! I think we are always trying to dodge the devil but we should be trying to run him over with God in control of our lives!!
· Sometimes God can speak a promise over us that is for our family line.
· The Lord drove the nations out before the Israelites because of their wickedness.
· Our land of promise is where we stand and walk and serve at full optimum when we’re doing what God has called us to do. It’s something we cannot do on our own volition. It can only be revealed to us when we are operating in the Spirit.
· We are going to be what we meditate on- the result of how we think
· We have been told to make God famous in our land
· We, too, will have to press through our fear to possess the land of promise
· If we are going to be successful in what God has called us to do, it’s going to be becuae we learned how to think
· The Hebrews often meditated out loud “God is our constant source of stability”
· There is more power in the spoken word than in the thought word
· The enemy cannot read what’s in your head, but he is forced to hear what comes out your mouth
· We can set out to serve but our lives must be characterized by a godly pursuit to serve God and man in order to be called a servant of the Lord.Memory Verses for this week:
" Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Hebrews 13:6



During your quite time this week meditate and journal on Psalm 16
Read it here in the NLT, but please use your own favorite version.
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!
Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever!!
Scriptures to read this week:
1 Chronicles 28:20 Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm for God can be trusted to keep his promises!

Isaiah 33:6 The Lord is my sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.
Genesis 15:6 Believe the Lord, and it will be counted to me as righteous because of my faith.

1 Corinthians 2:9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

God’s Emergency Numbers:

God’s Emergency Numbers:
When in sorrow, call ~ John 14
When others fail you, call ~ Psalms 27
If you want to be fruitful, call ~ John 15
When you have sinned, call ~ Psalms 51
When you worry, call ~ Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger, call ~ Psalms 91
When God seems far away, call ~ Psalms 139
When your faith needs stirring, call ~ Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful, call ~ Psalms 23
When you grow bitter and critical, call ~ 1 Corinthians 13
For Paul's secret to happiness, call ~ ~Colossi ans~ 3:12-17
For an idea of Christianity, call ~ 1 Corinthians 5:15-19
When you feel down and out, call ~ Romans 8:31-39
When you want peace and rest, call ~ Matthew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God, call ~ Psalms 90
When you leave home for labor or travel, call ~ Psalms 121
When your prayers grow narrow and selfish, call ~ Psalms 67
For great invention/opportunity, call ~ Isaiah 55
When you want courage for a task, call ~ Joshua 1
How to get along with a fellowmen, call ~ Romans 12
When you think of investments/returns, call ~ Mark 10
If you are depressed, call ~ Psalms 27
If your pocketbook/wallet is empty, call ~ Psalms 37
If you are losing confidence in people, call ~ 1 Corinthians 13
If people seem unkind, call ~ John 15
If you are discouraged about your work, call ~ Psalms 126
If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call ~Psalms 19

The Inheritance by Beth Moore Session 3 Notes

Session 3: The Inheritance
Hi Ladies,
Again Beth Moore has brought more insight and revelation of God’s word to us. I am really loving this study and the spiritual growth it is providing. I thought last night’s session was wonderful and our discussion time was great. I encourage each of you to bring up what is on your hearts that evening. I loved that we not only got to talk about what we are learning at the moment, but what we are facing in our day to day lives (whether it is on topic or not)

· The three elements found in all divine inheritance in Scripture are:
o Presence
o People
o Property
· Part of the uniqueness of divine inheritance falls is the first two categories. God promises that as part of your inheritance, you also get Him
· Typically, you do not get your benefactor and your inheritance, too, as they are usually deceased. Normally, it’s in someone else’s absence that we receive inheritance. Not with God. His presence is His abundance.
· Every good gift God gives is meant to be · In God’s agenda, every good gift He provides always involves people. We will never be singular heirs.
· You and I are rich in Christ Jesus
· What good is an inheritance if you don’t use it?
· We have to learn to possess what God has given us. We have to figure out what God has done for us; what has been given to us; what has been entrusted to us, and how we are going to posses it as the greatest reality in our lives
· When we start getting possessive, it’s time to start giving it away.
· You are never left to fate. Luck has no part in your life. Everything has either happened as a result of the perfect will of God or the permissive will of God
· The human soul was formed to feel liberty and to freely love
· Do not let the enemy convince you that you cannot change relationally
· God has assigned a spiritual field to every single person in Christ where we are to serve and bring forth harvest.
· You will never stand out alone in your field because people are a part of our inheritance
· Your destiny is dependent on the people who are coming alongside of you to fulfill it with you
· We are to be deliberate with what God has given to us.
·

1. Of the Three things that we inherit: Presence, People and Property; which one do you feel you are most missing?
2. Part of the inheritance of property is inheriting a work to do. Think about how this works out in your life. What work has the Lord called you to do?

Scriptures for the week to Study:
Deut 15:4 There should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you.
Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go!

Psalm 2:7-8 Today I have become your Father, ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Lev 20:24 You will possess their land, I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

Ps 16:3 These God chosen lives- all around - what splendid friends they make!
Suggested verses for memory and meditation
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go!

Psalm 2:7-8 Today I have become your Father, ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Lev 20:24 You will possess their land, I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

Ps 16:3 These God chosen lives- all around - what splendid friends they make!
Suggested verses for memory and meditation
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

2Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. All this from God who reconciled us to himself thru Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Matthew 28:18-20 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.

Psalm 9:1 "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

In your prayer time ask the Lord to reveal to you if you have any possessive tendencies

I am

The Inheritance by Beth Moore Session 2 Notes

Hi Ladies,
I can’t even begin to describe how amazing last night’s teaching was. I am sure most of us know the story of Abram/Abraham and have studied the sacrifice of Isaac as a burnt offering more times than we can recall. I know I have. But to see how Beth Moore laid this story out and to see what a powerful message this Scripture really tells blows my mind. I wish all of you could have been there to hear these words of wisdom from her, so I will try my best to convey the message. Beth Moore describes the parallel between God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering as God sacrificing his one and only son for the world. This was so powerful and mind blowing to me. The story of Abraham was meant to be told throughout time as a prophetic event of what was to happen in the future, it is the gospel message.
· We have received the full rights of sonship because we are co-heir with Jesus Christ.
· If we are to understand what it is to be an heir, we have to go all the way back to the beginning to the first place it’s mentioned, ABRAHAM, and see what we’re going to learn there.
· If you want a fresh God-work in your life, sometimes you have to let go of where you’ve been and move forward with God
· The Heart of the gospel message is that God has chosen to bless you.
· The first gospel sermon in Scripture:
o Genesis 12:1-3 “Part 1” – The call of Abram
o Genesis 15:1-7 “Part 2”- God’s Covenant with Abram
o Genesis 11:1-3 “Part 3” Abraham Tested
· The first time in Scripture the Word of the Lord came to a person was in the context of God cutting covenant with Abram
· When man is about to behold the Glory of God, He is wrapped in dark clouds so we can bear it. Once He is revealed all of those who are not believers will begin to mourn. That is how majestic and marvelous He is.
· God Himself is our very GREAT REWARD
· What we truly believe about God concerning this concept will play out in every single aspect of our lives
· When you are God’s child, to have something is to have the capacity to give something. He created us to give to us.
· The footprints of the enemy- continue to be fear and shame
· Satan’s influence:
o Keep your cards folded
o Keep your game on
o If you have a problem, hide it
o If you have an addiction, hide it
o If you have a stronghold of any kind, hide it
o If you have fear, hide it
o If you have a need, hide it
o If you have a question, hide it
· You are only as sick as your secrets. Bring them into the Light
· There is no way to satiate the cavern within us
· Your test will always have YOUR NAME on it (not your husband’s, not your kids, not your friends, not your bosses)
· He is the provider, we are the possessors
· Both dispensations (Old Testament and New Testament) begin with the gospel. The Old Testament concept of inheritance began with the gospel preached in advance. The New Testament concept of inheritance began with the gospel preached in real time
· It was all laid out beforehand in Scripture that God would set things right with non-Jews by faith. Scripture anticipated this in the promise to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed in you." So those now who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham, who lived by faith—this is no new doctrine! And that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure.
Questions to consider/ to really dig deep and find your answers:
1. Do you see God as a giver or a taker? Why?
2. Do you believe that God wants to bless you and through you, to bless others?
3. How will what I believe about God play out in every part of my life?
Scriptures to Memorize:
1. Our verse for this semester is Psalm 16:5-6 this one is key to memorize. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
2. Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect. The Lord’s word is flawless, He shields all who will take refuge in Him
3. Isaiah 45:2 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
4. John 14:18 Jesus said, I will not leave you desolate. I will come to you
5. Philippians 4:4-6 rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
I have so many notes that I don’t have a lot of time to type them out so I will attach them in a pdf . (these are the notes from the listening guide, as well as my notes I took in addition to what her fill in the blanks were)
I saw this prayer and thought I would share this with you all. I think this is a great prayer to pray.
Heavenly Father, teach me how to ground my life on you. You are the author of my life and restorer of my brokenness. Help me to trust you alone. To rely on you and seek you in every storm that comes across my path. You are always there to take my hand and lead me across the rocky rivers and I thank you for the opportunity you so willingly give. Lord, you are the only ROCK who will stand forever against any storm!! With you and only with you, there is POWER to overcome. Amen

The Inheritance by Beth Moore Session 1 Notes

We are starting The Inheritance by Beth Moore this semester at Soul Sisters and I am really excited. I think Beth is an amazing deliverer of God's word. She has a way of helping the Words of the Bible to jump off the pages and help you understand them in a way you never saw before. I am so thankful to God that HE gifts speakers to help us understand and gain other perspectives of His Word.

I love that we are learning how the lines have fallen in pleasant places, indeed I have a beautiful Inheritance....like Inheriting God's presence isn't enough.

Here are notes from Session 1

Session One
 This can be the year that changes our lives
 The more we grown in Christ, the more He entrusts to us the power and abilities to live out the rights of sonship and daughtership
 We have rights as children of God. We need to know what they are and begin exercising them
 Trade in your shattered dreams for undeniable riches
 You do not have a big enough dream to match what God has for you
 When those of us who are in Christ come upon difficult circumstances that nearly overwhelm us and break us, we get to do it to the great glory of our God and King, and he gets to work it to our good. IT is a promise in His Word. He can take it and turn it around and make it the best year of our lives
 We share the same inheritance that Christ does
 Our purpose is not just to be good. We are called to believe God.
 Boredom is dangerous!!
 “Boredom is a desire for desires” Leo Tolstoy
 If you are boring or if you are bored, you are living outside the will of God
 Control freaks do not have fun
 It’s only a wild ride if someone else is driving.

Discussion Questions:
1. What struck you most out of the first session?
2. What do you need to let go of in order to live the life God has for you?

Week One Memory Verse:
Psalm 16:5-6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
This is the theme verse of the entire semester. If you don’t memorize any other verse this semester, make sure you bind this one in your heart.
Ephesians 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Romans 8:16-17 “The spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”
Galatians 3:28-29 There is Neither Jew no Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Week One Scriptures:
Psalm 16:5-6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed; I have a beautiful inheritance.

Romans 8:9 I am controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit.

Galatians 3:26 I am a daughter of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:7 Since I am a child of God, I'm also an heiress, with complete access to the inheritance.

Ephesians 2:7 The Lord will show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward me in Christ Jesus.

Our God (as Beth Moore stated- YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A WEALTHY FATHER)
Is Rich in Mercy Ephesians 2:4
Is incomparably rich in range Ephesians 2:7
Is rich in glory Romans 9:23
Is rich in wisdom & knowledge Romans 11:33
Christ Himself is unsearchable riches Ephesians 3:8
He is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor. Everything in Heaven & earth is His. He is exalted as head over all. He is the kingdom. Wealth and honor come from Him. The Riches of God’s Glorious inheritance in the saints is what we are claiming
1 Chronicles 29:11,12

God's Reminders

There's a reason God's mercies are new every morning.
It's because every day my heart wakes up and needs to hear again...
You're loved.
{1 John 4:19}
You have a purpose.
{Philippians 1:6}
You're not alone.
{Hebrews 13:5}
You're part of a bigger plan.
{Jeremiah 29:11}
You will be okay.
{Romans 8:28}

Have I told you....

Pssstt..

I am not..

a hopeless romantic but I think romance is necessary in your marriage. I would love to be taken away to special moments in either of these two places.

Christmas- Family Time

As we get older it becomes harder to see everyone you wish to spend the holidays with. Troy and I have made a schedule to spend every other Christmas with my side and his side. The years that we all can't be together are hard but I am grateful that we can spend the holidays with loved ones. We missed our Tarno clan this year greatly. Texas for Christmas and had a great time with my cousins and Aunt and Uncle and siblings. We had so much laughter and love and after the year Troy and I had, home for the Holidays was perfect!!!