I’ve been thinking a lot lately about adoption. At the beginning, it was just in terms of when I could adopt a child. Looking into the process, trying to come to terms with the cost and trial that such an endeavor would produce… that kind of thing. For now, our adoption plans are at a standstill. We’re trying to walk in His way, above all else.  Still, my mind has been consumed with the idea of adoption, sending my thoughts beyond the journey toward adopting my own child to the journey that I went on to be adopted into God’s family.

Do you ever sit back and truly think about the glory of being called a child of God? I forget to.

I’m in the process right now of re-evaluating the use of my time and energy. It’s been enlightening, to say the least. The foremost thing being: I spend way too much time thinking about how to please people and not enough time thinking about how to please my God.

And what could please him more than spending time meditating on how he saved me?

I was lost and he found me. I was broken and healed me. I was empty and he filled me. I was hungry and he fed me. I was thirsty and he gave me the water of life. I was lonely and he came to me. I was scared and he comforted me. I was falling and he caught me. I was desperate and he soothed me. I was dead and he breathed life into me. I was in need and he fulfilled me. I was condemned to hell and he took my place. I was blind and he opened my eyes. I was lame and he taught me to walk. I was completely and totally sinful and he completely and totally washed my sins away.

That’s the Father that adopted me.

Lord, thank you.

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

 The overall thing he is saying is: “Trust Me.” Which requires a lot of faith. His word says:

  His ways are higher than my ways…His thoughts are higher than my thoughts…
  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
  “Lean not on your own understanding…”

I typically like to put my two cents in. By nature, I’m opinionated. And he’s been challenging me with this. He really doesn’t need me… in a good way! I need to be willing to let go and trust that he will work his will. Even if I think I have the answer, I need learn to keep my opinions to myself and  to trust that he will not forget me or neglect me or allow others to thwart his plans. I am safe in Him.

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

Spend regular time in the Word.  

Many people have excused themselves from having regular time with God by saying that they are avoiding “legalism” but it’s not legalism to have discipline!  We cannot know God unless we know his Word. It’s as simple as that.

Also, continual prayer.  Not necessarily sitting down for periods of time to pray but conversational prayer as I’m going about life. Instead of thinking, “I should pray about that.” Actually doing it! If one of my boys come through and mentions something, taking time, right then to stop and pray with them/over them.

 
If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Let guys pursue you. Don’t flirt. Don’t initiate. It all ties back to what God has been teaching me… It’s all part of a pattern of trusting him. — Trust that he is able to take care of you, provide for you…

Start now while you are young, to learn this principle. It’s so valuable! It affects every area of life. Trust Him.

 
What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

The writings or teaching of:

   Bill Gothard
   Elisabeth Elliot
   Nancy Missler

 

Short Biography:

Cheryl has been married for almost thirty years. She and her husband Bob have a farm in Southern Lewis County where they are raising their three boys.

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

Basically, about love. To love people unconditionally, even if I’m not receiving love back.  God has been telling me to draw love to fill my “need” from him and to keep pouring love out onto others.

Along with that, He has been dealing with me about pride. Helping me see the times where I have let my “gifts” become a place of pride instead of using them to encourage others. There are times when I’ve noticed that I do things better than people and think, “Oh, this is good.” instead of  praying that God will build up those places in their lives! I want to remember to do this.

 

What is something practical that you’ve done to strengthen your relationship with God?

I’ve been thinking lately about the time when we did “soaking” services a lot. (Soaking is basically, taking time to just sit before the Lord, maybe with soft music on, and ask for him to speak to you.) We would do them in a group and then afterwards, take time to share with each other what God said to us. It was so encouraging!
Even by myself, I remember taking the time to just do this. I want to get back into that.

 

If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Spend time developing friendships with other girls. Especially those who help spur you on in Jesus. I spent a lot of time in high school trying to keep and maintain a relationship with a boyfriend that I now regret.  How much more valuable it would have been to have worked at my relationships with the same gender! I wish that all girls could know the importance of this.
Short Biography:
Shae is in her early twenties. She married her best friend four years ago and is mommy to a beautiful one-year-old girl. She enjoys sewing (which inspired her business, Valerie Ann Designs) and taking care of her family as she follows the Lord.

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

 
It is a verse that I’ve had memorized since I was in high school – but it is the one that has been ever present in my mind over the past year or so. Micah 6:8 says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” As I’ve sought ways to live out that command in my life God led me to a career change and a move across the country. I spent three years teaching and often found myself frustrated that I didn’t feel like my lectures on the development of the English language or the symbolism of The Great Gatsby actually made a difference. God led me to a new job as a houseparent in a home filled with teenagers and I feel like my gifts, talents, and skills can make a meaningful difference here. I’ve marveled at how God has given me an opportunity to do something I love that is also a daily life lesson in how to embody Micah 6:8.

 

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

 
Memorizing Bible verses has never been a strong point for me. However, I do recognize their importance in my life and in being in my mind. I taped a number of index cards with Bible verses on them on a wall in my closet to that I can see them every morning as I get dressed. Sometimes I just read one or two. Sometimes I’ll stand there for a while reading a number of them. The verses offer encouragement or instruction for areas in which I know I struggle – the verses I need to hear the most.

If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be? 

 
I would encourage them to try a practice that has been a significant spiritual tool in my life. At the end of every day write down where you saw God that day. A paper journal, a document on your computer, send yourself an e-mail, write in a blog. But take a few minutes at the end of every day to acknowledge where you saw God. Hopefully you’ll find that you’ll start looking for God throughout the day – and when you look for God – He is found.
What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

Most recently – Selah’s latest album, You Deliver Me. Selah’s music has always had the ability to really speak to me. Their lyrics are powerful and the music is beautiful. It never fails to put me into a reflective state where I think about my life and how it lines up with what I believe is the way I am called to live.
And, if you can call this a resource – Lake Michigan. I just moved and God blessed me by putting me a short walk away from this beautiful lake. We’re told in scripture that nature is a testament to God and I certainly find this to be true. Looking at the lake gives me time to simply reflect on who God is.

 

Short Biography:

Nicole is a 26 year old woman living in Chicago. Her days are full with her busy life as a house parent to a group of teenagers. You can find her blogging at http://mashenahope.blogspot.com

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

The prayer on my lips is that my family in this generation will remain faithful. I think we will be coming into some very hard times. We need to cling to his faithfulness!

I’ve also been thinking a lot lately about my thought life and words. I recently read a book by Joyce Meyers,  called Reduce Me to Love.  In it, she talks about watching the negative things that can fill your mind and heart. It’s so easy to build offenses against people. Even the ones you’re trying to minister to! I have to remind myself that whatever I am doing, I must do as to the Lord. It doesn’t matter if people appreciate me. It only matters that I am serving Christ.

 

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

Serving others. Most definitely. One time I took a pie to somebody and then later I had gone to pick up the tin. When I arrived back home, I set the pie tin on the table and right then the Lord said, “Now, that was worship.” I was so shocked. He sees that as worship? He does. Anything that’s done for his glory and honor, is worship.
If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Get your mind off yourself and serve others.
What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

Oh, I have so many. I love books. I go to conventions. I watch Christian TV.

I guess a few, in particular, that have been ministering to me lately… 

Grace Walk by Steve McVey- An excellent book! God is teaching me so much through this.

When God Winks at You by Squire Rushnell – All little stories about how God makes his presence known through what we might term “coincidence” .

 

Short Biography:

Norma will have been married for 50 years on October 17th,  she and Mel have four children, 20 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She enjoys reading, helping care for her grandchildren and serving others.

What is a verse or passage that God has used to speak to you lately?

I Peter 3:8-13 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because of this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,

 ”Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

I, for one, struggle with my mouth. I tend to spout off things without even thinking! I am often loose with my words… But here, God is telling us to “keep [our] tongue from evil”. 

I guess the neatest part, for me, is that this is a command that is attached to a promise! It’s not just that we are refrain from speaking evil but that the reward is that we will love life and see good days!

Our world is filled with deceit. All around us… in the media, on the radio, in the store… our minds are being filled with negative. God is calling us to something higher;  something that comes with a promise!

In college, or at school, there is a whole gamut of opportunities to see the negative, to speak the negative…. but God offers a oppurtunity to love life and see good days!

What is something practical you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

I’ve been listening to worship music. I put it on in the background and keep it playing most of the time.

I’ve found that when it’s just quiet, the voice in my head can be so negative! 90%  of what we hear is negative! My thoughts are no different. I can dwell on negative things for hours sometimes!

If I listen to worship music then my heart and mind become focused on him. When the negative thoughts come- right behind them come songs of praise!

I’ve found that this helps a lot when I am tempted to dwell on negative things like, “I wasn’t invited to that…”  or, “I’m going to fail at this…” etc…

 

What is a resource that you have used lately to further your walk with the Lord?

The Morning Star Journal. (www.morningstarministries.org) The last issue talked some about God speaking to us through dreams.

I think I’ve always been interested in this type of thing because the Bible speaks of it… but somehow it seemed like there was a stigma attached to it. Like it was “forbidden.” So, it’s been so encouraging and uplifting to read information about what I’ve seen in scripture!

A quote from the journal: “In our dreams God uses metaphors and symbolism. He loves to wrap his wisdom in the mysteries of our language and culture.” and “We need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand our dreams…”

If anyone is interested in winning a subscription to this magazine- just leave a note telling us about something that God has taught you or a question or comment for Tish! Your name will be entered a second time if you publish a link to this site (just leave a comment telling me where to look for it!)

Drawing for the subscription will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2009.

What is a verse (or verses) that God has used to speak to you lately?

I’ve been reading in Nehemiah. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the details but Nehemiah was called to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He gets opposition and then more opposition. They try to trick him to get him to sin… He had to know in his heart who to listen to and to know what he’s suppose to do and stick to it, not turning to the right or the left.

One man sends him a threatening letter… Nehemiah says, “They were all trying to frighten us thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’”

Their goal is to get his eyes taken off his job- to turn his attention from what he is supposed to be doing.  Yet, he keeps his gaze focused solely on the job that God gives him.

If you know the Lord has put something before you- do it. You need his guidance but once you’ve been set to a task don’t turn to the left or the right. Even in the face of opposition.

And, the neatest part is that as they obeyed… they were drawn more and more toward Christ.

I think that in my life right now, I have to keep this in mind. We are in the middle of planting a church and there can be so much opposition. But, I can know that if God gave us this task then my job is simply to obey and as I obey he will draw me closer to himself. Which is all I long for anyway.

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

This year I’ve made a commitment to read through the Bible. I am thoroughly enjoying it! It reminds me that God wants to be intimately involved in every area of our lives.

I love it that the Bible is filled with real people! Those who follow Christ and those who don’t. God loves us, teaches us, leads us… but it’s up to us to follow!

God doesn’t say: “Oh, there’s a great person. They’ll be able to do something great.” No! God is the one who does the great things! All he’s looking for is the heart that is willing to follow.

I don’t have to do anything. I don’t have to figure it out. I just have to keep a heart that is open and willing and then he will do the work!
If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

A person can say: “I am going to do this.” Or they can say, “He can do this through me.”

It’s a small difference but the focus turns from “I” to “He”.  Choose to put him at the center.

It’s extremely difficult and yet, extremely easy.

 

What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

“Twice Freed” By Patricia St. John
It is a historical novel of Onesimus, the slave mentioned in the book of Philemon.  The truths in it are overwhelming!

 

For those of you who would like to be entered into a drawing to receive “Twice Freed”, leave a comment for Cheri; or a question!  The drawing will take place in one week; on Saturday the 26th!

We will be doing a series of interviews with different women for the rest of the month of September and into October.
The basic question that will be asked is: “What is God teaching you?” And, “What would you say to young women to encourage their walk with God?”

Giselle (age 3): “God is teaching me to play nice things. Oh, and how to play other games. Quiet games.”

Aurora (age 3): “God teaches me how to open things softly. Not making a lot of noise.”

Bella (age 3): “I don’t really know. Maybe to be nice.”

(I have a feeling that Brianna is working with the girls on how to play quietly. What do you think?)

Just a little note to tell everyone that a new Bible Study is being published…  It’s on the book of Nehemiah and is based on a study called “Repairing Your Gates”  by Nancy Campbell ( www.aboverubies.com )

Everyone is encouraged to read/leave notes/write posts (send to womenofpromise@ymail.com ) on the subject. It is found under the Bible Study tab.

This Bible Study comes in six parts- so be watching for each installment!