This weekend I had the honor of attending my oldest Neice's wedding. As my brother-in-law talked to the young couple and presented a family Bible to them he talked of a heritage from our family. The Bible that was passed on to them that day had belonged to our great, great, great Grandmother. As I sat there, I was so grateful for the heritage that has been passed down from generations of Christ followers in my family. What I loved about the Bible he handed to them was that it was USED! It was held together by a bow.....just to keep the pages from falling out. Yes, the many years have taken it's toll on the book but most importantly, it was worn from use.

As we traveled back home, I've continued to think of that Bible. I've wondered about what type of heritage I'm leaving for my children and their children and hopefully someday my great, great, great grandchildren. The Word tells us that God will honor our devotion to Him throughout our children's lives and their children and so on. I want my heritage to be full of Jesus and His love and grace! When my children see my Bible I want them to know it has been my compass, my guide and I hope they share that for generations to come!  I want to pass on a heritage that's all about Him!

Live Well,

Tracie

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In a recent sermon series we have been encouraged to become men and women of the Book. I love that! I truly believe the Word of God can be ALIVE in our lives. It has all we need - it is sharp, it is a soother, a counselor, a guide, an encourager, a love letter to us!

I want this love of the Word to run through my children as well. I want them to know it's where to go for solace, answers, encouragement and peace. I had an opportunity to share this with Emma this past week. The past two weeks have been state testing.....and she does not like them. She is not particularly found of science and math. One day I heard her, several times, state how hard science was, how bad she was at science and how disappointed her teacher was going to be with her scores.

It finally dawned on my to stop her, acknowledge her concern but walk her through finding help in the Word! I talked to her about speaking positive, good things over herself. We talked about doing our best etc. The next morning as I was praying for her I went to one of my favorite small books...."Praying God's Will For My Daughter" by Lee Roberts (you can get them for all of your family members) and I found all the scriptures I could about encouragement and confidence. While she was eating her breakfast I began to read the scriptures over her outloud with her name in them. I wanted her to hear the Word with her name in it, just the way God intended it - as a love letter just to Emma Moss! So she can see the value of becoming a girl of the Book!

I encourage you to get in there this week - read your love story - place your name in there or your spouse or your children and see how the Book can come alive!

I would love to hear some of your favorite scriptures!

Live Well,

Tracie

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For the past few weeks, I've been enjoying The Voice version of the Bible.  If you've not heard of it, I encourage you to check it out.  I love the freshness it gives to the Word.  It is a translation, but written in a screenplay format. In several verses you will find words in italics. This indicates words not directly tied to a dynamic translation of the original language. These words may contain information that would have been obvious to those originally addressed in the Gospels or letters and are meant to help the reader better understand the text. 

This week I was reading in Matthew 14 where Jesus calls Peter to come to Him as He is walking on the water. Peter, full of faith, steps out of the boat, believing Jesus when He said "Come." Peter, I believe, didn't even think of fear...the only thing on his mind was to reach Jesus. All of a sudden, doubt swept in, and down Peter went. We know what happened next, Jesus reached out and saved Peter. In verse 31, Jesus said to Peter....

 "O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following me and heeding fear?"

Notice what is in italics. This hit me like a brick. Yeah...why do I do this? Why am I filled with faith one minute and then doubt hits me and I dance back and forth between fear and belief? Why am I so easily moved? Have you ever struggled with this? Please tell me I am not the only one! I want to trust God with everything, always believing, never doubting....but that feels like a pipe dream on some days. 

But what Jesus is saying here tells me it is possible to overcome doubt and be steadfast in our faith, even when waves are crashing up against us and all we see is deep, dark ocean beneath. If it weren't so, He wouldn't have questioned Peter.

What are you believing God for right now? Have you been dancing back and forth between faith and fear? I want to encourage you to hear what Jesus is saying....."I am bigger and stronger than your doubt and I have overcome this world so that you can live victorious lives....abundantly blessed beyond your imagination. Sickness cannot overtake you, fear cannot be your friend, depression cannot steal your joy, addiction can not own you. You are Mine, bought with a great price and My blood covers you and you can do ALL things through Me Who strengthens you!"

Let's together stop the dance and stand firm in our faith, believing that all we need is Jesus and His everlasting love and power.

In Him,

Elizabeth

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I wish I had ____ like she has; I'm not as fashionable as she is; I'm not as strong as she is; I'm not as fast as she is;

or how about this.....I wonder why she wore that; I would have made that differently; I wouldn't say that EVER; her kids are _________....

Honestly, a few months ago I would have told you that I'm a really positive person and I think on great things almost all of the time! But God has been showing me an area of my mind that I have not fully disciplined and brought under obedience to Him. Hmmmmmm That smarts! The scripture in 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." So, I've asked the Holy Spirit to bring it to my attention EVERY time a thought needs to be taken captive and put in it's rightful place. I must admit......it's been a lot!

Often times, the thoughts are about myself....criticizing, comparing myself to others, tellling myself negative things about who I am etc... Not long ago I was exercising with Kim, my accountability partner. I was not having the best day physically and just tearing myself apart as we ran. As the thoughts were swirling around in my head I could literally feel the energy being zapped....I just wanted to stop and cry! Once I realized what I was doing, I began to pray and stating that I was going to take captive every thought. So, everytime a negative thought came my way, I stated the opposite to myself and I began to thank God for my body, for Kim helping me, for my strong muscles etc...

Along with thinking and being aware of "my thinking" I have begun re-reading a little "quick-read" book that I keep close by.....It's The 4:8 Principle by Tom Newberry. The whole premise of this book is to think on the Godly, good things mentioned in Philipians 4:8 and to change our mindset to the things of God.

Today I encourage you to ask God to examine your heart and mind. Is there any part of it that you haven't fully given over to Him? If so, just ask Him to begin to make a change in you....remewing your mind.....making it all obedient to Him. I promise He'll do His part and He'll guide you to do yours!

Here's to being amazing Jesus Girls and loving ourselves and others with a new mind!

Live Well,
Tracie

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I love seeing kids loving on Jesus and worshiping Him.  This year I have had the privilage to volunteer in the 3rd grade at my daughter's school. To be honest, I wasn't all that excited when I got assigned to the third grade..I wanted to be in the high school getting to know Elin's friends, but God had other plans in mind for me. 

What He taught me this year was that children can understand Him and His ways in a much deeper way than I ever thought was possible. We had "assembly" each morning where the kindegarten through 4th grade gathered together to have worship time. The gal who leads this time is in her late 50's and is a genious in the way she interacts with the children. She talks to them emotionally as children, but treats them spiritually as mature and expects them to hear from the Lord just as an adult would. 

My favorite time would be when the children were invited to come up to the microphone if they had a love song of adoration to sing to the Lord. The sweetness of their little voices as they would sing things like "Jesus, you are my righteousness" or "God, thank you for being my Shepard" or "You are my Shield oh Lord" or "You are my Rock" would make me see Jesus in a whole new light. These kids didn't just make up these descriptions of Jesus...they heard them from their parents and from their leaders at school and church. They listened as they sat in on worship services. They responded when they were given the chance to sing their own song to the Lord. They actually experienced Jesus in these ways. 

I want to encourage you today if you are a young mom...your kiddos are watching you and listening to you. They will mimic you as they listen to you sing songs of worship and pray. You have a huge, huge influence on your children and their ability to respond to Jesus. Give your kids opportunity to pray out loud in your home. The next time you don't feel well, ask one of your kids to pray over you. Have them pray over the dinner meal instead of always doing it yourself. When you hear of a need, ask you child to pray for the person and their need.  Put worship music on in your car and encourage them to lift their hands and voices in praise to Jesus as you drive. Bring Jesus alive to them. Make Him the most popular person in your home. 

You will be so blessed as you see your kids grow in their love for the Lord. Their prayers will touch you in the deepest place of your heart. We want as parents to breathe life into our kid's relationships with God. This, afterall, is the most powerful task you will ever perform as a parent. 

What a blessing.

In Him,

Elizabeth

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Have you noticed the number of needs in our midst these days? At every turn I hear of someone needing prayer for one reason or another. Sometimes I feel as though I'm praying over and over the same thing.  "Lord, heal them." "Lord, provide for them." "Lord, touch them." I want my prayers to be powerful and meaningful, but frankly sometimes I feel they are very weak.

I have begun to pray a little differently lately for needs. I have begun to ask God to give the person His revelation in the area of their need. The other day I was praying for a friend of mine who struggles with depression. She had asked for prayer for her Dr. to find the right medication as the one she was on was not helping anymore. As I was praying I felt like I was asking for something God didn't want to do. I felt He wanted to do more for my friend than just provide the right medication...I felt He wanted to heal her and set her free from depression. I knew this was not something I could just call my friend and share with her....it might come across as a little insensitive and I would not hurt her for the world. So I began to pray for her heart to become very sensitive to God and what He was wanting to do in her life. I asked God to give her revelation of the root of the depression and where it originated in her life. I asked God to give her the revelation that He wants to set her free and that freedom is possible!

Revelation is what will free us. Truth about our circumstance.  A word from God. People can talk to us until they are blue in the face but until we hear revelation from God, it doesn't come alive as truth in us. We must stay in a position of humility and prayer to receive revelation. We need to be intentional in our pursuit of it.  Revelation comes when God knows we are ready to receive it because sometimes, along with the revelation, are action steps of obedience God wants us to take.

John 8:31-32 (NIV) Jesus said "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

If you find yourself struggling with the same issue over and over again, getting relief for awhile, but eventually it creeping back in, deal with it once and for all. Become tenatious in your pursuit of revelation from God about what the issue is rooted in. Allow the Liberator of your soul to drive out depression, addiction, anger, fear, jealousy, pride, lust or whatever torments you. It is not God's will for you to learn to "live with it"....NO...Jesus came so the captive could be free and be free indeed! 

In Him,

Elizabeth

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Would you agree that keeping weight off is as hard as losing it in the first place? I find myself struggling to keep my mindset where it needs to be as I continue practicing the new habits I've established. The problem is, I don't have the reward of the number dropping on the scale anymore. The reward is feeling better physically and emotionally, but sometimes those things are not enough to keep my focus.

Today I thought I'd share some habits I've incorporated into my life and I am hoping you all will join in and share things you do to keep yourself on track. We all could use some fresh ideas in this ever-ending struggle of losing weight and staying fit. So here we go...

+ We all know how important it is we drink water. I found a way to help me get all my water in daily. I LOVE Sonic drinks. I love the big cup, the crushed ice, and the big, fat,red straw! I make a run to Sonic every couple of days and get either a large Diet Coke or ice water.  I then use that cup each day and fill it up in the morning and then again in the afternoon.  I easily get 64oz of water down with not too much effort.  Sometimes I throw in a Crystal Light flaver packet...yum!

+ I try to eat at least one salad each day. I got so tired of dragging out all the toppings for my salad so I got a tupperward container and put all my toppings in it and put it on the shelf in the fridge. When I go to make a salad, I just grab the container and all the salad stuff is ready to go! I keep my lettuce in the crisper, but everything else goes in the container.  What are my toppings?  I'm so glad you asked!  I use feta cheese, cucumber, mini red,yellow,and orange peppers, tomato, avocado, broccoli slaw mix,and black olives. This makes fixing a salad so easy.

+ I love snacks like hot & spicy cheezits and chocolate animal crackers. I eat them guilt free by limiting myself to 1/2 a serving when I eat them.  That means I get 12 cheezits and 8 animal crackers. I have found I don't feel deprived when I eat stuff like this in this way.  

+ I eat an apple almost everyday around 11am.  I find this really helps me eat less at lunch and I know I'm getting at least one serving of fruit in everyday.

+ If you are like me, you find yourself hungry mid-afternoon.  Protein is the best snack!  I eat 1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese and I put my 12 hot & spicy cheezits in with it..(don't knock it till you try it!) This fills me up and also helps me not overeat at dinner.

Okay girlfriends.....now it's your turn...let us know some of your healthy habits! Please don't keep them to yourself..we need one another and I need some fresh ideas!

Live Well,

Elizabeth

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Every day last week ended with me reevaluating the day's events with sober judgment, asking God "what is it you want to teach me?" Each day another event would occur that would bring apologies, acceptance that I'm not always right and that I just might need some constructive guidance, admissions that I don't have it all together and on it went. Painful, humbling and sobering stuff for sure! Have you ever experienced something like my week?!

As I've sought God and asked for forgiveness for my prideful heart, I find He's been quite silent....until this morning. Then I was reminded of our sermon from Pastor Larry where he reminds us that "God will turn over our today in light of our eternity." He will discipline and make things painful until I live in obedience to His call, all of it. Not just the part that is easy or works with my thoughts and goals. I began wondering if that also applies to our daily "ministry".....does He turn over our "today" in light of the eternity of those around us? Maybe I'm particularly at this job to be an invitation to someone where I work, or to my neighbor, or to the team mom, or to the mother of the child I serve. If I don't have my mindset in the correct place.....at His feet, then I will miss the "ministry" opportunity.

I also very clearly heard today......"More of Me and less of you."

I believe God is stripping, molding, disciplining, and putting me through the fire so that all of me is stripped away and those around me will see more of Him. Because that's really all that matters.....that my life is so full of Him that others respond to the invitation to come and meet Him. So, what is He asking of you today.... a renewing of your mind? A new obedience? A view of yourself put into the perspective of others?

I'm praying you will have a great week in Him.....with a renewed mind with more of Him and less of yourself. And honestly, I'm praying for us all that there will not be a Part 3!

Live Well,

Tracie

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Have you ever caught yourself grumbling things like, "I'm the only one around here who......," or "if he would......then I would......." ? Not long ago I found myself rolling these thoughts around in my head over and over. Wondering when someone in this house was going to understand what I needed and act! Honestly, these thoughts were mainly about my marriage and why Kevin wasn't "reading my mind" type of thinking! Now, generally I would like to sit down, have a chat and discuss how I'm feeling, what I'm needing, and how he can help me etc.... But, this time was different. This time when I was praying about how to have a talk about all this I felt the Holy Spirit encourage me to keep my mouth shut and just pray. Hmmmmm that's a task for sure!

As I began to obey and just pray about things I realized what was happening....a renewing of MY mind! In Romans 12:2 the word says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.....through Him. As I began to pray about what I felt like I needed, the Holy Spirit kept bringing me back to "what do they need" and "how can you serve them." In the days following, I found myself looking at my family members differently. As I would interact with them I would wisper, "Lord what do they need from me?" and then I would listen! Does she just need me to love her today and not instruct? Does she need me to be an encourager and not the task master. Does he need me to initiate intimacy or just be still and be with him? Does he need me to just show respect and trust and not ask questions?

Also in Romans 12 it talks about not thinking more highly of yourself but with sober judgement. Hmmmm another task for sure! I tend to think on myself.......what I'd like, what I want, what I need etc.... But God is asking me to put myself in line behind those precious people He has placed in my care and to love them for Him.  

You see, God's desire is for us to live with a servant's heart within our own home. To be His hands, feet, loving arms around those who need to feel Him. So I'm trying to slow down, ask the Holy Spirit to guide me, and then responding.

So, what do they need from you today? Ask and He'll guide you!

Tracie

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Let me just start off by saying....I hate...loathe...abhor...the devil. Am I being clear enough? My hatred and refusal to lay down for him runs deep within me. I will not succumb to his tactics in my life and especially in my children's life. I have not one pittance of patience for him. I refuse to let him run amuck in my house and by golly he WILL NOT WIN....EVER!

Ok....now that I got that off my chest...let me encourage you today with this...if the devil has been annoying you like a pesky fly, or running over you like a mack truck....have no fear...because Jesus had defeated him already through His death, burial and resurrection! This is my mantra as we enter into the Easter season.....Jesus has ALREADY won the war against the devil. We don't have to worry when we get into a battle with him....remind him...you HAVE ALREADY LOST.....now get lost!

This past weekend the 'ol devil tried and failed to attack one of my kids. Ok..it's one thing to come after me...but don't go after my kids. Nothing, and I mean nothing makes me more mad than to see the devil at work in one of my kid's lives. As I was praying and doing warfare on Saturday, God gave me a picture of what His Word does to a demonic spirit when it tries to attack. I could envision this little imp and my hand around its throat squeezing...everytime I spoke the Word out loud to it the squeeze got harder and the life of this thing got cut off. I literally had my hand in a fist imagining squeezing this thing to death as I spoke Isaiah 54:17 over it..."NO weapon formed against my child will prosper in Jesus name!" and James 4:7 "I submit myself to God....and Satan I resist you in Jesus name and you MUST flee!"  

Breakthrough came....praise the Lord! And also the reminder that we are not to "grow weary in doing good"...don't give up the fight....God is off His throne doing business on our behalf when we are standing and doing our part in fighting the devil.  So...do not despair my friend...if you need help in the fight...go...enlist some friends and family to fight with you.  You are not alone... Jesus and His Word are at your deposal to squeeze the life out of him who is attacking you.

In Him,

Elizabeth

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Proverbs 30:5

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

I love, love, love this verse.  I've read it everyday for the past two weeks.  It makes me want to speak His Word out loud all the time!  As I have meditated on this verse, I can just see His Word becoming this shield around me as I speak it out. 

Why should we put His Word inside our hearts and minds? This is the answer. So it can become a shield around our life....protecting us, restoring us, encouraging us, healing us, giving life to our situations. When life comes at us...the Word, the flawless Word of God comes out of our mouth and we run into it and take refuge.

Don't you just love that we serve a God who is a refuge to us? I do. Where would I go when I needed help? No one here on earth can protect me and keep me like Jesus. This verse motivates me to put more of His Word inside of me. I want the Word to be the first thing that comes up out of me when I am squeezed by this life. I want it to spill out of me onto others so that they can take refuge in Him too.

The beautiful, inspired, powerful, Word of God. Go get some of it!

In Him,

Elizabeth

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What would I do without grace? Who would I be without this attribute of God being poured out on my life almost continuously? 

Paul quotes Jesus in 2 Corinthians 12:9...."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This promise comforts me. It assures me that no matter what comes my way, Jesus will supply His grace in the exact quantity that I need. No more, no less.

Jesus is enough for you today. Whatever you are facing, He has the grace available to sustain you and bring you through to the other side. 

Jesus...I pray for whoever is reading this today and is needing a touch from You.  Would you overwhelm them at this very moment with Your sweet presence?  Please touch their heart with Your tender and strong ministry of grace and let them feel Your hand guiding them through whatever they are facing. I thank You for being more than enough for them.  In Your name I pray...Amen.

Recognize His grace in your life today and thank Him!

In Him,

Elizabeth

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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

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"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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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