Prayer ...

So... grace is in order for my Friday post. You see, I had the chance to spend the day, yes, the entire day in prayer. Thanks so much to my friend Shery for organizing an incredible day to pray, worship, and read God's word. WOW....

In Nehemiah 9:3 we read...

They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.

So 6 hours of the "Law" and 6 hours of confession and worshipping... (OK - I didn't get 6 of each, but I got close, totaling 9 :-) I'm still processing the glory of it, and how he whispered to me! I'm also anticipating that as I listen, he'll draw nearer... (Can you sense my excitement???)

I count it a blessing to have a husband who is so supportive. The kids didn't have school and it was his birthday, but he counted it a blessing to be able to spend the day alone with them. Said it was one of his best birthdays! We met up with Kendra, Kris and Matt in Sioux Falls, and had our entire family around the dinner table to celebrate!

SO.... my Friday post, is now my Saturday post. And guess what.... It has to do with prayer. (Did you smile?)

Today we're on Mark 4-14....

In Mark 11:17 Jesus had entered the temple and saw many buying and selling. And he got upset... overturning tables and benches... and he said...

Is it not written: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

As I reflect on "his house", I'm reminded of the modern day church. It's been on my heart for SO long that we don't pray enough in all of our churches. Prayer meetings are seen as boring and not attended, or at times obligatory, but not entered with a heart prepared to seek the Lord.

I want not just my house, but every house to be called a temple of prayer. My church house, and the home I'm raising my kids in, and anywhere else that prayer is offered up! I want it for ALL nations. Not just for my little comfort zone here in Northwest Iowa, but for ALL nations. Those that face persecution get it at times. Their hearts are so hungry when they enter into prayer. Because I have it easy, many times I fear that I don't apperciate it for the blessing that it is. What does a true house of prayer look like?

I envision it (now, keep in mind, this is one women's interpretation) being non-stop. That everything I do has a spirit of prayer over it. As I'm pouring my kids cereal, at the office, driving them to activities, etc. For each step of my day, my God feel and hear my prayers.

I have a cool story from yesterday...


I was in Sioux City, so Tom, little kids, and Matt drove to Sioux Falls, and I met them there. I had talked to them on the phone, and as soon as I hung up, I felt this strong sense that I should pray for their safety. (5 of the 7 of my family in one car without me...) So, as I drove and worshipped I pleaded for their safe travel.

Later, Tom told me that they had nearly been in a bad accident. Apparently some kid was texting and was all the way over on their side of the road, with no place for them to go because it dropped of... He looked up for just a second and was able to correct just before he hit them...

Now, I don't know that this was right when I was praying, but I do believe that God put it on my heart for a reason. I'm so thankful that I was obedient to his prompting!

Today, I'm inspired to pray. To embrace my God in the way he's asked us to...

Fleeing...

Day 3- we're on Mattthew 21 - Mark 3...





Ok - so it's a cartoon... but, to me, it's the modern day version of the disciples fleeing from Jesus.  In Matthew 26:56b  we read.. "Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."  This is right after he is betrayed and is being captured.  help but think of the he disciples fled...  persecution taht we anticipate in the end times.  T

The disciples deserted him...  The same people he walked with and talked with.  He loved them.  He wept over them.  And they DESERTED HIM....  Fear of man...  And I wonder why I have it!  As I read this, I couldn't help but to think of this as we consider the persecution of the end times.  Seriously, the disciples fled...  What makes me think that should the end come today that I would be strong enough in my faith to stand firm? 

A bit later we read about Peter - who follow him at a distance.  Now, Jesus had told him that he would deny him 3 times (and he did).  But, at best, he was able to follow him in the distance.  (So much for living boldly huh?) 

OK - so sarcasim aside, this portion of scripture convicted me that I always need to pressing in to know him more.  If I want to be prepared for persecution, I MUST continue to know him better.  (So that I don't flee!) 

"Father God...  create in me a devoted heart.  Help me to stand by you, regardless of the circumstances.  I'm reminded tonight of students being shot at Columbine, Colorado for standing up to you.  While we may think that we'd be that brave, God I ask that you continue to challenge me to draw closer to you.  May I not get lazy in "thinking" that I'm ok with you and may I continue to be hungry for more.  I don't want to deny you even once Lord...  Give me a pure heart for you and you alone!"

My Heart...

So... it's day two of my 30 day bible reading challenge.

Today, I'm stuck on the condition of my heart.



In Matthew 15:8-9

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."


WOW.... does that speak to me. It is the desire of my heart, the it would be close to God. Yet I know, that at times I am only honoring him with my lips, while my heart is cold and hard.

And my worship??? Well, it seems that at times it depends on where I am. For me, lately, church has been one of the more restricted places of worship. Totally fear of man! I'm letting the rules taught by men limit my worship for him in his house.... Ugh!!! I want to worship with reckless abandon and let my heart seek him completely, regardless of where I am!

"God... give me the confidence to loosen the fear of man. May I seek you and your approval alone. It's so easy to say here, sitting at my computer, sipping on my Diet Coke. But God, why do I make it so hard when I'm out in the world.... Nudge me when I'm letting the world get the best of me. I want my worship and my heart, everything about me to reflect more of you!"

Wanna read the BIBLE????

I LOVE A CHALLENGE!!!  How about you... Well, if so, have I got one for you!


It started last night when I was driving to Sioux City for a Compel meeting. I was listening to some teaching on my IPOD, and was totally reviatlized!

The speaker hit on some things that totally spoke to me. The one that I'm SO excited about was a challenge in reading our bibles. He talked about how most people, if you asked them would say that they read the bible. But, if you dug deeper, we would see that the "thought" of reading the bible is more prevalent than actually reading it. He challenged to spend 1 hour a day reading it. (Seriously, I know I have that time in my day, I just need to prioritize it!)

But then he hit on what REALLY got me going... Did you know that if you read:

10 Chapters a day
6 Days a week
For 1 month....

YOU WILL HAVE READ THE ENTIRE NEW TESTAMENT!!!!

You see, when I read my bible, I always feel like I'm wandering here and there. Hunting and pecking.... As I read, I'm either looking for something specific, or I feel like I'm not hitting on what I'm suppose to be (For the most part... at times, I get delightfully surprised!)

SO.... the thought of a one month plan to read through is awesome to me. 10 chapters is totally doable!

Now.... don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about just reading words on the page to say I've got my reading done. He challenged me to pray prior to even opening the bible. God, guide me as I read and highlight what it is that you have for me. Reveal to me what you would speak to me today, with where I am in my life..." (I think you get what I'm saying!)

SO.... I'm embarking on this journey (as of last night!) DOES ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME????

I would love to have you join me in reading and posting. My plan is to post here. Each day I will share what particular thing God highlighted for me that day. Then, I'd LOVE for you to share your comments, or just ask for accountability. When we're done, we'll have an awesome log of how God was speaking to us in the New Testament. For such a time as this! It will be great prep for our conference in January! 

I'd LOVE to hear from you! (and know that you're there to hold me accountable if nothing else!)

So.... Here goes...

Day 1 - Matthew Ch. 1-10

I was worried as I read that I wasn't going to have anything to write on the first day! Then I got to Matthew 10:37-39 -

"Anyone who loves his father or mother mroe than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and he whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

WOW..... As a mom, this hit at the heart level. In my mind, I know that my priorities should be 1)God, 2) Family, and 3) work.... Lots of times in my life I had this order messed up (with work as #1) But... if I really check my heart.... I think there are MANY times, when I love my kids more than I think I love God. They are precious to me, and I will drop almost anything to be there for them. To make them smile, and hear them giggle. I've always known that god wants that from me. But.... as I read this, it really stuck out that God says we're not worthy of him.... Thank heavens we have a gracious God! But.... this to me was a great reminder of how we should prioritize. He wants me to be a good mom. BUT.... I will be the best mom I can be if I let him come first and be my center....

"God, I pray that you'll give me gentle reminders of how to prioritize my life. Help me Lord to put you as my first love. You are so good, and gracious! May I find renewed energy and zeal for more and more of you!"

Jen

Come One... Come all... Calling ALL Girlfriends..

So.... Registration is officially open on line....  Woo-Hoo!!!  We're already praying for those of you who will attend!  For those of you who will invite a friend, or perhaps a stranger.  I have a sense that God is going to work in incredible ways this year (Doesn't he always!)  Get signed up early!  We're REALLY trying to encourage early sign up to help us with our planning! 

ALSO.... We're considering doing a weekly blog book study from "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl."  Are you interested?  Would you forward this blog to some of your friends so that they could participate?  Please leave us a comment so we know you're out there and looking at us!  More to come as we get ready to "Be Still and Know that HE is God!" 

Working on it....

Hello all -

Just a quick note to let you all know that we are working hard at getting registration open.  Right now you will get an error message after getting mostly through registration.  Hoping this will be resolved within the next day or two, and then we can start to see which friends will be joining us in January! 

It's getting closer...

So, time is flying by, and January is getting closer!  I'm likely the only person in their right mind that would say, "I can't wait until January!!!"  Needless to say, I'm excited for Lysa to be here in person.

For those of you who have an interest in Lysa, I have been trying to encourage many churches and women's ministries to go through her study - "Becoming more than a good bible study girl."  This is a 6 week (Which would easily be 12 weeks) DVD study.   I think for many of us, it will be awesome to work through one of her studies and then meet her in person.

So, if you have any influence in what material you use, I'd strongly encourage you to give this a try.  It's good practical stuff that you can use to put your faith into your everyday life!  You can e-mail me at tjensand@mtcnet.net and I'd be happy to help you out with details.  The study is available on the Proverbs 31 site and Lysa's site! 

Until next time...  :-) 

Jen