In the last week and a half God has been calling me to radical obedience.  It started on a Saturday morning as I was reading the book I am studying for my small group.  I felt Him asking me to give up something and then I felt Him asking me, with a rather stern and serious edge, to obey Him in a greater way in an area I was already working on.  With a somewhat reluctant heart, I'm sorry to say, I finally surrendered.  Then...two days later....He went a little further in His request.  Now I wasn't sure.  I sat for what seemed like hours at my desk.  I was asking Him "Seriously?  You are asking this of me?"  "First, the push on Saturday and now you want to push me with more intensity?"  "I'm not sure I can do this Lord."  "In fact, I KNOW I can't do this....without You right by my side...reminding me You are there.  Reminding me of "the why."  

Gratefully, God has shown me why my obedience is so important in this situation.  Without the "why" I'm not sure I could comply with His request. But unfortunately He doesn't always show the "why".....sometimes it's just the calling to obey without knowing why He is asking.  But in my small group study book, When Women Say Yes to God, by Lysa TerKeurst, she talks about how God knows IN ADVANCE what our obedience will produce.  We can't see the results. Only He can. And instead of asking the question of "what will happen if I obey?"  We should be asking the question and be more concerned about "What will I miss if I refuse to obey?"

This past weekend a friend of mine's daughter had a baby and had to make the grueling decision to give the baby up for adoption.  My friend's daughter knew God was asking this of her. God had not been silent and had shown His hand throughout her pregnancy. Due to circumstances, it was best for the baby, but this knowlege didn't make the decision any easier. God was asking for obedience. He knows what the act of obeying Him in giving this little one up will produce.  Not only in the baby's life, but in my friend's daughter's life.

Radical obedience is essential for God's perfect will to be accomplished in our lives. Radical obedience is hard. When we don't know the "why", it's even tougher. But we serve a Radical God. And He promises He will NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!  He spoke those words to Moses (Deut. 31:6) and then again to Joshua (Joshua 1:5) and now He speaks them to you and to me!

Everyday I am reminding myself  what God is asking of me. I am setting my eyes on Him, for He is my constant Help. I am confident He knows what He is doing and my obedience to Him, is getting me out of the way so His perfect will can be accomplished.

I encourage you today not to be afraid to answer God's call of obedience in your own life.  You never know where it might lead you next!

In Him,

Elizabeth

"When you are passionate about who you are, it brings honor to God...that's when God will breathe in your direction and the seeds of greatness in you will take root and flourish."

You were made in God's image according to Genesis 1:26.  You were made in His likeness.  You are "like" God.  Cool thought.  Kind of hard to wrap our brain around.  God is crazy about you. Everything about you.....was His idea.  Your body shape, your hair color, your eye color, the shape of your nose, the way you see the world, your personality, your talents and gifts, your likes and dislikes.  

We can sometimes be our biggest critic.  The person we are hardest on and hold to the highest standards is ourself sometimes.  God thinks you are awesome.  You are His workmanship.  Ephesians 2:10 says "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  When we dislike ourself we are basically saying to God.."I don't like what You created."  If we are distracted by our disdain for ourself...we are not focused on the "good works" we were created to do.  The enemy loves this.  It is his goal to ruin us...lie to us...get us totally convinced we are unworthy to do anything great for God.  

Listen to me....you are beautiful.  Beautifully created by a God who loves you and gave His Son up for you.  You have great purpose on this earth. Recongnize the enemy's lies and stop believing him. Be passionate about who you are...feel the breath of God on your life and let the seeds of His greatness that lie within you begin to take root and sprout into the beautiful life God has prepared for you.

In Him,

Elizabeth

I don't know about you but I have many areas of focus on any given day. I focus on exercise in the am, work during the day, dinner/family/home duties/growth group at night. Really that list could go on and on and it changes depending on the day of the week! Do you feel like that sometimes? I've also come to realize that many times I'm present, actually doing the activity, but I'm not present in the activity. I'm not present because I'm already thinking about the next task, next conversation, next meal, next acitivity that we all need to attend or the next day! Does that sound familiar?

A recent study, looking at other cultures, found something that intrigued me. They found that there are several other cultures where people are living well into their 100's actively! Now how is that when Americans are getting more and more diseases earlier in life? Americans are becoming sedentary earlier, sicker sooner, and degenerative diseases are skyrocketing.....why is that?

The study noted that these other cultures had a few habits in common. The one I want to share for today is that of "changing our focus." Other cultures such as the French and Japanese share a love for food and being at the table with family and friends. They savor the moment....not just the food. They linger, not to eat more but to spend time with those around them. They actually enjoy rich, hearty foods and drink but in moderation and in much smaller portions. They have a completely different focus!

So, the next time you think you should grab a meal on the go, or sit at the table with technology in hand.....change your focus. Invite God to be in your midst, to bless the food and conversation. Take just 20-30 minutes to shut everything off in your world and mind except those who are sitting at the table with you. Don't just eat but savor the food, truly enjoying every bite.....slowly. And be present within the conversation. I believe you will be amazed at how great you will feel as you all go your seperate ways into this busy life.

 Live Well,

Tracie

What is God asking of you?  If you have to think about that question, then He is probably not "on you" about something specific at this very moment.  But...if when you read that question your heart skipped a beat and a cold sweat broke out on your forehead....you, my friend, are who I'm talking to!

God is asking me to let go of fear in an area of my walk with Him.  This is scary for me. I want to let go and I realize I really don't have a choice if I want to move fowared in the plans God is calling me to.  What I have come to learn is that God knows when we are ready for change.  We don't.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He wouldn't call us to change if He knew we weren't ready.  This past year I've lost about 25 pounds or so....I had been trying to lose that weight for years.  For some reason, God knew this past year I was ready.  Ready for what?  Well...I was finally ready to listen and do it His way.  Not mine.

I know if God is asking me to let go of fear and move out in courage and boldness for Him, than He must know I am ready.  I'm taking small, timid, baby steps forward to let God know I am ready to do this His way.  I'm choosing to "get on the bus" and go on this journey He is calling me to.  I'm making myself accountable to a few people who will help keep me moving forward.

Let me know by emailing me at lizwinn@kc.surewest.net.  Tell me what God is asking of you and come join me on the journey of change.  I'm saving you a seat on the bus!

In Him,

Elizabeth

For the past several weeks, I have been inviting a spirit of repentance into our home and hearts.  And you know what?  I have seen it at work. It is a beautiful thing to experience and observe.

Repentance is not a popular conversation starter or an exciting topic at a dinner party. I'm not hearing tons of sermons preached on the subject....too bad for us.  I say "too bad for us" because repentance is a wonderful act.  The stirring in our hearts to repent is brought to us by "God's kindness" according to Romans 2:4.  Isn't it just like God to use His kindness to draw us to humble ourselves and admit our sin? God knows if we welcome a spirit of repentance into our life we will stay true to His heart and His desires.

Repentance frees us from deception.  If our hearts remain in a position of repentance, the enemy will have a very difficult time decieving us. When we are tuned into God and His voice then the voice of the enemy will be drowned out.  We won't get very far down the wrong road if we have committed our hearts to live in a repentant state.  

Repentance keeps the pathway between us and God free of clutter and confusion.  When we are searching our heart and asking God to reveal any sin so we can deal with it, God is then able to move freely in our life.  There is nothing hindering Him.  God is free to speak to us because our ears are attentive to His voice.  There is room in our lives for miracles to happen when our life is lined up perfectly with His will and our hearts are clean.  What a motivation to repent when needed!

Repentance also invites humility to be a huge part of our life. In fact, one does not work without the other.  Repentance requires humility to be present. If you are like me and struggle with the sin of pride....then welcoming a spirit of repentance into my life ushers in humility at the same time. When I repent for pride in my life...as I repent, I can feel pride leaving and being replaced with humility.  This is such relief for my soul.  

Repentance keeps our very real need for Christ in front of us.   There is no substitute for His forgiveness and holiness being poured out upon us as we live a repentant life.    

In Him,

Elizabeth

January brings a feeling of new beginnings. We usually make resolutions that don't last too long and we go back to the same routine by March. This year I've decided to try something new with my thoughts on change. I've decided to take the entire month of January to determine my course for the new year. I'm reflecting on Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." and Proverbs 16:9 "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it."

You see, real change can only come from a work of the Holy Spirit. I want to do things differently this year but my flesh will cry out for more of the same.....same foods, same habits, same routine! If I'm going to truly make a change - it has to be something that God has planned and then I have to let Him be in charge of the process. So, here's what I've done so far; I've asked God to show me where I can improve/change in the following areas: spiritual, relational, physical, financial, and professional.

I'm going to pray and seek His guidance in these areas and wait, expectantly for Him to answer and guide me. Only then will I make my plan and begin the process of true, lasting, authentic change. Until then, I'm going to stay in close communicaiton with the ultimate planner - listening and waiting for His small voice. If I listen and obey......I pray this will be a year that I can be used for His Glory in every area of my life!!

Until next time....Live Well!
Tracie

I have been reading in Romans for the past couple of weeks.  Good stuff.  Tough stuff.  For instance....Romans 5:3-4 Paul says "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This suggestion that we should rejoice in suffering is a tough one to wrap my brain around. But God has been showing me that even though suffering is not pleasant, it is necessary for my growth in Him.  If I don't suffer...I won't grow.  I won't learn how to persevere in my faith if everytime something tough happens, God shows up and immedietly makes it all better.  

This past November we lost one of our two cars in an auto accident.  About two weeks later, we lost our other car in another auto accident.  Praise the Lord no one was injured, but the cars sure were! So all of a sudden we found ourself car-less.  Now...in the Winn household we drive old, paid for, only carry liability insurance on, cars.  Our family motto, as the rain is coming thru the roof because the sunroof leaks, is "hey, it's paid for!"  We don't mind this...we like living debt free!  But as we took stock of our situation....we were in a pickle.  So we began to pray.  We knew God was not surprised by our predicament...He wasn't up in Heaven saying "gee, didn't see that one coming..hmmm."  No, we knew He had a plan, so we began to wait and trust.  

God didn't move quite as fast as I thought He would...or should.  Each day got tougher to "rejoice" as we were driving around a borrowed car and wondering where the money for, not just one car, but two cars was going to come from. There were some very "doubt filled" moments where I wanted to take things into my own hands and just go "do the norm"...get a car payment.  But we both knew God was wanting us to trust Him.  He was speaking everyday to us through His Word.  He was not silent...He just wasn't moving as fast as we wanted Him to.

 After waiting and praying for over three weeks,  someone blessed us with some money to go towards the purchase of a car.  Halleluia!  God was moving.  We continued to pray and cling to Him, trusting His plan was better than our plan. One week later another blessing came.  A week later, another.  One week later... another.  In a matter of 3 weeks, God provided enough money for us to not only buy two GREAT (better than we had) used vehicles, but also pay for our son's Spring tuition at college. Suffering produced in us perseverance which produced character which produced HOPE!

I grew through this experience.  It was hard.  It was not fun.  It tested me.  But...I was so close to Him.  I didn't go through it alone.  Next time...yes, I am confident there will be a "next time"...I will remember His faithfulness and it will breathe into me hope and faith and the fight to persevere for His best.  

So...rejoice.

In Him,

Elizabeth 

God is good.  I mean really really good.  He is faithful beyond faithful and keeps His promises time and time again.  I am more in love with Him today than I was yesterday. He has never ever disappointed me.  He has sustained me day in and day out.  He never changes and His love just gets better and better.

The enemy has made a decent effort in the last few weeks to wreak havoc in the life of our home.  He has not succeeded.  All he has done is caused Sean and I to press in harder to God.  God has been so gracious to open our eyes to the enemy's hand.  When we recognize that the hardships are his work....we see opportunity to put into action our belief that God is in control.  This action is not always easy.  Some days it comes easy...other days I have to practically beat my flesh into submission.

 Proverbs 3:5 is one of my all time favorite verses.  In the Message version it says this..."Trust God from the bottom of your heart.  Don't try to figure everything out on your own."  Yeah, it's that "don't try to figure everything out on your own" thing that trips me up practically every time.  Why?  Why? Why would I EVER think I could figure stuff out better on my own, without God?   It's craziness I tell you....pure craziness.

 When we face hard times...frustrating times...painful times...unpleasant times...tempting times....God ALWAYS has the answer.  It's waiting for it that's the tough part.  But when we wait...we press in.  It's in that "pressing into Him" that a sweetness that can't be described with words, comes.  This sweetness sustains us.  But the pressing in and being willing to wait is a choice we all make.  It's not always an easy decision.  It's an intentional one.  It's actually a lot easier sometimes to just move out on our own and handle things.  But what we miss sometimes in doing that is God's best.  This is what motivates me to wait.  I want God's best...don't you?

If you are in a time this Christmas season of waiting and pressing into God....I join you in that season.  You are not alone.  Let's drive the enemy crazy and lift up our voices in praise to the God of Glory who sent His wonderful son Jesus to this earth to be our salvation!  Thank you Jesus...You are the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas...

Elizabeth

What a fantastic time we had at the Miramar Women's Conference in San Diego this past October. We were privileged to minister to many military and civilian wives on the Miramar Marine base. God was faithful and spoke into our lives in a powerful way.  Browse through the gallery below and enjoy the time we shared!

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I have recently become fully aware of another area in our home that needs to come under the control of the Holy Spirit......creating a place of safety....with our words. Proverbs 18:21 states "words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose." (Message) Don't you love how God just says it like it is! I want you to read back over that verse, write it down, post it where you can see it often....and your family can see it often. Just like the other "ministries" Elizabeth has given us....being Jesus to one another, bringing God into everything in our home, and our prayer.....we need to be the model for this ministry in our home too.

Our words should be loving and encouraging, those that lift up and not tear down, those that speak life and build each other up......fruit and not poison. This type of communication should be an expectation for all members in our home. Sibling rivalry is going to happen but our children should be expected to speak kindly to one another, have disagreements without name calling, and share their opinions and resolve conflict with respect. We must be an example in this area of ministry in our home. How do you speak to your spouse and children? Ask God to help you make your home a place of safety; where everyone feels safe and loved.

This area of ministry will become a part of the fabric of our family and then move outside the home to others. As our children grow and become adults it will filter into their homes. You will have created a legacy for your children's home where God abounds and they too have a place of ministry...where your children's children will know the love of Jesus, the power of prayer, and the feeling of a safe, loving, Grace filled home!  

We would love to hear about how your family ministers to one another!

Until next time, live well!
Tracie