A Journey: What James Taught Me

Our small group met tonight and boy was I in need of it.

James 1:1-4
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings,
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


What I learned: 
God allows trials.  They strengthen my faith.  If life was always smooth sailing, would I ever 'need' God or call upon Him?    Job 2:10  ...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

Joy is different than happiness.  Joy is 'calm delight'.  Happiness comes from outside sources~from happenings.  It is possible to not feel happiness and still feel joy.  I do not feel happy about the trial, but I will rest in the joy of the Lord.
During trials, God is perfecting my character.  Who am I DURING the trial?  I am to stand in the trial, confident that He has already worked it out. 
God ALWAYS answers prayers.  Sometimes the answer is no.  Sometimes the answer is yes.  Sometimes the answer is yes, but not yet.  I am to pray.  Then wait.
Satan is 'fishing' while I'm in the trial to see what I will bite on.  There's a lure.  And always a hook.

The notes in my bible say:  "Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth.

Ever feel like God is talking directly to you?  I did tonight.  And I am thankful.

A Journey ~ Feels Like Today

It feels like today...

5 Years Later...

I just now found a note card given to me by the dear lady who led me back to Christ.  It is no accident that I carried it around in the cover of my Bible for 5 years, not having looked at it in probably 3 years, and found it today.

It is dated September, 2005 and reads:

Amy,
Always remember:
"There is nothing - no circumstance, no trouble, no testing...that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me.  If it has come that far, it has come with great purpose, that I cannot understand at the moment; but I refuse to become panicky, as I lift my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart.  So...no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever alarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is."
Love in Him,
Kelly

(she could not remember the author of the quote)

And so, with this gentle God-sent reminder in the form of a 5-year-old-note card, I am lifting my eyes asking God to not allow me to miss the lesson or the blessing.

Roots

A Journey

From the Radical Love Book:

Everything in life is designed for you to truly experience God's faithfulness.

A Journey

God has me on a journey that I would not have chosen.  Along this journey are lessons.  Some are proving to be tough. 

First lessons:  Truth.  Trust.


To my first true love ~ I will always love you. 






If it's the last thing I do...

A Week In The Life Of This 40-Year-Old

Memory Lane

Sand bags :(

Trench beside out house to prevent flooding

Neighborhood cookout

Oh...this can't be good

I love a man in uniform

Super-tall Amy

New 'do!

A Week In The Life Of This 40-Year-Old

Concert in the kitchen.

Black bean and cheese quesadillas.  Yum!

New favorite taco place.

New workout program.

'Veggie Buger' disappointment.  Giant portabella mushroom.  I REALLY tried to like it.

Because a trip to Target is ALWAYS good!