There is so much power in prayer.
This is an ongoing list of requests. Feel free to visit often, add requests in the comments section, and pray often.
I will Stop, Drop and Pray for you.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "I Have Heard You Calling"
And, yes, it was "in the night!"
Frequently, I wake up in the middle of the night (well, technically very early morning) and feel like God wants to spend time with me. Lately, I have not had that feeling as often.
There are times I get up and go to our upper room (room set aside for sacred time with God) and pray and spend time with God: There are other times I just shut my eyes and pray that I fall back asleep.
This morning, at 3:42am, I woke up and I was wide awake. I didn't feel that there was any way I'd be going back to sleep any time soon.
I felt like God wanted to spend time with me.
I felt like I didn't want to get up.
I felt like God had something to say to me.
I felt like I wanted Him to wait and tell me later.
I felt God gently wooing me to a still, quiet place.
I felt I had not had enough beauty sleep to go there.
Then, I felt a song enter my spirit...
"Yes, Lord yes, to your will and to your way. Yes, Lord yes, I will trust you and obey. When your spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree. And, my answer will be yes, Lord, yes!"
I have not thought or heard about that song in I can't tell you how long.
I was raised from the bed!
Okay, not literally raised... but I did rise on my own will! : )
I could not deny the gentle, sweet Spirit of God. I could not bear to be disobedient and miss the blessing.
* I'm not always the sweet little angel mentioned above. ; ) There have been PLENTY of times that I disobeyed and bore the pain and inconvenience associated with such rebellion.
Anyway, I obeyed this time and God had a sweet surprise waiting for me in the upper room.
Tucked away in a corner all our own at 4ish am (I did manage to snag water, a banana and a bathroom break... plus there was all that arguing that I did), God and I had and early breakfast together.
I bet you can't guess the topics I found in the devotional, bible study book and book my pastor friend loaned me. They're all unrelated in title and physical place from which they came. I was drawn to all 3 of them separately, but they each had the same message...
TRUST AND OBEDIENCE
Frequently, I wake up in the middle of the night (well, technically very early morning) and feel like God wants to spend time with me. Lately, I have not had that feeling as often.
There are times I get up and go to our upper room (room set aside for sacred time with God) and pray and spend time with God: There are other times I just shut my eyes and pray that I fall back asleep.
This morning, at 3:42am, I woke up and I was wide awake. I didn't feel that there was any way I'd be going back to sleep any time soon.
I felt like God wanted to spend time with me.
I felt like I didn't want to get up.
I felt like God had something to say to me.
I felt like I wanted Him to wait and tell me later.
I felt God gently wooing me to a still, quiet place.
I felt I had not had enough beauty sleep to go there.
Then, I felt a song enter my spirit...
"Yes, Lord yes, to your will and to your way. Yes, Lord yes, I will trust you and obey. When your spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree. And, my answer will be yes, Lord, yes!"
I have not thought or heard about that song in I can't tell you how long.
I was raised from the bed!
Okay, not literally raised... but I did rise on my own will! : )
I could not deny the gentle, sweet Spirit of God. I could not bear to be disobedient and miss the blessing.
* I'm not always the sweet little angel mentioned above. ; ) There have been PLENTY of times that I disobeyed and bore the pain and inconvenience associated with such rebellion.
Anyway, I obeyed this time and God had a sweet surprise waiting for me in the upper room.
Tucked away in a corner all our own at 4ish am (I did manage to snag water, a banana and a bathroom break... plus there was all that arguing that I did), God and I had and early breakfast together.
I bet you can't guess the topics I found in the devotional, bible study book and book my pastor friend loaned me. They're all unrelated in title and physical place from which they came. I was drawn to all 3 of them separately, but they each had the same message...
TRUST AND OBEDIENCE
***
The story continues on our journey!
Stay connected for more info on our Breaking Free Bible Study which starts May 3rd! See past posts for more information or contact me via e-mail at photogssc@yahoo.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "I'm Blessed and Overwhelmed..."
by the response to the Breaking Free Bible Study!
In order to allow more women to join us on the journey, I am moving the start date ahead to May 3rd. So, there's still time to make preparations!
Visit the following links for more information:
Who, What, Why
Where, How
The When is answered above: May 3rd! ; )
If you have already signed up (for free) and chose to purchase a book (at your own cost), then prepare for the journey by reading the Preface and Introduction.
Also, please pray for the women who wish to BREAK FREE!!!!
In order to allow more women to join us on the journey, I am moving the start date ahead to May 3rd. So, there's still time to make preparations!
Visit the following links for more information:
Who, What, Why
Where, How
The When is answered above: May 3rd! ; )
If you have already signed up (for free) and chose to purchase a book (at your own cost), then prepare for the journey by reading the Preface and Introduction.
Also, please pray for the women who wish to BREAK FREE!!!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "Give Peace a Chance Today"
During my sacred time with God this morning, "peace" was the underlying message in the unrelated devotional book (Jesus Calling entry for April 13th) and bible study (Ch. 12 of He Speaks to Me ) I am currently reading.
Do you think God is trying to tell me something? : )
In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young invites the reader to "be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face" (pg. 108).
What a beautiful reminder of Psalm 105:4 (which Sarah Young also references)!
When I look upward to God instead of outward at my circumstances, I gain a different perspective of my life and my day.
When I make the right decision based on God's Word and not fleshly desires, I feel a sense of peace instead of turmoil and unrest.
When I listen to the Voice of Truth instead of the voice of lies and deceit, I find peace and tranquility.
When I seek His face, all is well with my soul.
Have you given peace a chance?
*** More info on the bible study Breaking Free by Beth Moore
If you are interested in doing the online bible study, Breaking Free by Beth Moore, with me... just send me an e-mail (photogssc@yahoo.com) with the subject line "Breaking Free." You can also post a comment to this blog entry (below) with your information. I will reply with full details and will add you (upon your request) to my mailing list.
General info:
The study starts on April 19th and goes thru June 14th, 2010. While that may seem like a long time, I have included several breaks in the schedule.
You don't have to purchase the book to participate, but it will be the basis of our discussions and will prove to be very helpful. You are more than welcome to visit the blog and simply read the posts to glean from what other people are saying.
There will be an on-going, discussion of the book on my blog and we will meet online, periodically to have "live" discussions. The dates/times for these discussions will be determined by a group vote.
This is the kind of study you can do at your own pace and your own timing.
I look forward to Breaking Free with you!!!
Do you think God is trying to tell me something? : )
In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young invites the reader to "be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face" (pg. 108).
What a beautiful reminder of Psalm 105:4 (which Sarah Young also references)!
When I look upward to God instead of outward at my circumstances, I gain a different perspective of my life and my day.
When I make the right decision based on God's Word and not fleshly desires, I feel a sense of peace instead of turmoil and unrest.
When I listen to the Voice of Truth instead of the voice of lies and deceit, I find peace and tranquility.
When I seek His face, all is well with my soul.
Have you given peace a chance?
*** More info on the bible study Breaking Free by Beth Moore
If you are interested in doing the online bible study, Breaking Free by Beth Moore, with me... just send me an e-mail (photogssc@yahoo.com) with the subject line "Breaking Free." You can also post a comment to this blog entry (below) with your information. I will reply with full details and will add you (upon your request) to my mailing list.
General info:
The study starts on April 19th and goes thru June 14th, 2010. While that may seem like a long time, I have included several breaks in the schedule.
You don't have to purchase the book to participate, but it will be the basis of our discussions and will prove to be very helpful. You are more than welcome to visit the blog and simply read the posts to glean from what other people are saying.
There will be an on-going, discussion of the book on my blog and we will meet online, periodically to have "live" discussions. The dates/times for these discussions will be determined by a group vote.
This is the kind of study you can do at your own pace and your own timing.
I look forward to Breaking Free with you!!!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "Be Transformed"
Romans 12:1-2 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. It was a co-catalyst for the "Holy Makeover" I experienced last year. More on that later...
For now, I must share with you that I visited the blog of Glynnis Whitwer today for the 1st time. She is with Proverbs 31 Ministries and is offering a scholarship to She Speaks. The scholarship offer is how I was directed to her site.
On a whim, I read her post from April 8th. I felt like God was speaking directly to me. The post is so beautifully written and provides a great set of guidelines for discerning the will of God.
Instead of writing my own post regarding Romans 12:1-2, I decided it would be best to just provide a link to her post.
Enjoy your visit and don't forget to check out She Speaks if you have ever felt that God may be calling you to speak, write and/or lead a ministry.
If you are visiting today to find out more information on the Breaking Free Bible Study, please come back tomorrow. In all honesty, my life took a detour today when I read that Glynnis was offering a scholarship to She Speaks. I spent the entire day praying and preparing my article to enter into the contest.
Now, it's time to be still...
For now, I must share with you that I visited the blog of Glynnis Whitwer today for the 1st time. She is with Proverbs 31 Ministries and is offering a scholarship to She Speaks. The scholarship offer is how I was directed to her site.
On a whim, I read her post from April 8th. I felt like God was speaking directly to me. The post is so beautifully written and provides a great set of guidelines for discerning the will of God.
Instead of writing my own post regarding Romans 12:1-2, I decided it would be best to just provide a link to her post.
Enjoy your visit and don't forget to check out She Speaks if you have ever felt that God may be calling you to speak, write and/or lead a ministry.
If you are visiting today to find out more information on the Breaking Free Bible Study, please come back tomorrow. In all honesty, my life took a detour today when I read that Glynnis was offering a scholarship to She Speaks. I spent the entire day praying and preparing my article to enter into the contest.
Now, it's time to be still...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "I Will Serve While I'm Waiting"
There is a song that I love to sing: It's called Everlasting God, and it's by Chris Tomlin.
"Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord" is the line that just grips my heart.
In my current state of weakness, God is strong. He is my Strength, my Refuge, my Hiding Place. In my current sickness, there is no way I could even do half of the things I am doing without God.
I know that He has big plans for me... big things in store!
I know that as I patiently, obediently, and faithfully wait for Him to reveal His plan... my strength is rising!
I do not think that He wants me to idly wait; therefore, I am serving while I'm waiting.
My newest project is the Breaking Free bible study that I plan to start on Monday, April 19th.
Check back on Monday for full details!
"Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord" is the line that just grips my heart.
In my current state of weakness, God is strong. He is my Strength, my Refuge, my Hiding Place. In my current sickness, there is no way I could even do half of the things I am doing without God.
I know that He has big plans for me... big things in store!
I know that as I patiently, obediently, and faithfully wait for Him to reveal His plan... my strength is rising!
I do not think that He wants me to idly wait; therefore, I am serving while I'm waiting.
My newest project is the Breaking Free bible study that I plan to start on Monday, April 19th.
Check back on Monday for full details!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "Have a blessed Holy Week"
Today is Maundy Thursday: A day to reflect upon The Last Supper and Christ's command to love and serve one another as He loved and served His disciples by washing their feet.
Tomorrow is Good Friday: The day Jesus was crucified.
Saturday is Holy Saturday: The day the chief priests and Pharisees, in an attempt to prevent Jesus' disciples from removing the body, requested Roman guards be placed outside His tomb.
Sunday is the Resurrection: The day Jesus arose!
I encourage you to take time today through April 6 (the end of Passover) to reflect on what all this means to you, personally.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
O' Happy Day!
*** References: John 13:1-17, 34-35 * Matthew 27:32-51 * Matthew 27:62-66 * Matthew 28:1-10
Tomorrow is Good Friday: The day Jesus was crucified.
Saturday is Holy Saturday: The day the chief priests and Pharisees, in an attempt to prevent Jesus' disciples from removing the body, requested Roman guards be placed outside His tomb.
Sunday is the Resurrection: The day Jesus arose!
I encourage you to take time today through April 6 (the end of Passover) to reflect on what all this means to you, personally.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
O' Happy Day!
*** References: John 13:1-17, 34-35 * Matthew 27:32-51 * Matthew 27:62-66 * Matthew 28:1-10
Monday, March 29, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "21 Days and Counting..."
till we begin our online bible study together!
I have gotten so much positive feedback about doing the Beth Moore Breaking Free bible study with you all via my blog!
This lets me know one very important thing: God has orchestrated our study for such a time as this!
I was a little hesitant to begin the study online... especially being so new to the blogging thing and without the 1st clue as to how I should facilitate an online bible study. Then, I just tuned into the Voice of Truth and followed the call.
As always, God does not disappoint. He has already placed it on many of your hearts to go on this journey together!
He went ahead of me and prepared the way! I have no doubt the logistics of doing an online bible study will work themselves out as I prepare to facilitate, now.
I am SO EXCITED to see what God will do in each of your lives as you break free from the bondage that keeps you shackled.
Stay tuned for more details as April 19th approaches.
If you are reading my blog for the first time, please see the end of my blog from March 25th for more info.
http://shellysc.blogspot.com/2010/03/shelly-says-i-walked-walk.html
I am praying for each and every one of you who want to break free!
ssc
I have gotten so much positive feedback about doing the Beth Moore Breaking Free bible study with you all via my blog!
This lets me know one very important thing: God has orchestrated our study for such a time as this!
I was a little hesitant to begin the study online... especially being so new to the blogging thing and without the 1st clue as to how I should facilitate an online bible study. Then, I just tuned into the Voice of Truth and followed the call.
As always, God does not disappoint. He has already placed it on many of your hearts to go on this journey together!
He went ahead of me and prepared the way! I have no doubt the logistics of doing an online bible study will work themselves out as I prepare to facilitate, now.
I am SO EXCITED to see what God will do in each of your lives as you break free from the bondage that keeps you shackled.
Stay tuned for more details as April 19th approaches.
If you are reading my blog for the first time, please see the end of my blog from March 25th for more info.
http://shellysc.blogspot.com/2010/03/shelly-says-i-walked-walk.html
I am praying for each and every one of you who want to break free!
ssc
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Shelly Says ~ "I Walked the Walk..."
...to Emmaus, that is!
My apologies for not writing sooner, sweet reader, but I have been on a retreat that has changed my life and ushered me further along my "ministry path."
The Walk to Emmaus is a 3-day retreat intended for spiritual renewal.
Retreatants personally experience Luke 24:13-35, which provides the central image for the retreat. Luke tells the story of that first Easter afternoon when the risen Christ appeared to the two disciples who were walking together along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus.
* Information obtained/adapted from:
http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/name.asp
My experience, on the walk, opened my eyes to the fact that there is still something deep down that is imprisoning me and keeping me shackled to my old self. While I thought I was primed and ready for the next step in my spiritual walk, the main thing I realized is that there is still one area of my life that I need to die to in order to live for Christ.
While I cannot put my finger on exactly what is holding me back, I have no doubt that God will show me my faults.
My prayer is Psalm 139 (paraphrased in my own words): Search me, O God! Know my anxious thoughts. Reveal any sin in my heart... any wrongdoing... any old way of thinking that keeps me from You. Lead me in the way everlasting!
Will you pray for me? I want to break free from the chains of my old self, completely, and walk along the path that God has prepared for me in advance!
*** By the way, I "just so happened" ; ) to discover a book on my walk. Breaking Free by Beth Moore.
I am getting the feeling that I am supposed to share my Breaking Free journey with others.
So, while I am not sure exactly how this will play out, I intend to research the how-tos of conducting a bible study over the Internet with the help of my blog! Basically, it will be a book club and we can meet online to discuss our personal journeys and provide support for each other along the way.
Stay tuned! I plan to begin the study on April 19th!!!
If you are interested in Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender, please pick up a copy of the book... not the bible study... but the book!
http://bhpublishinggroup.com/books/products.asp?p=9780805445527
I plan to begin the journey April 19th. Will you walk with me?
ssc
My apologies for not writing sooner, sweet reader, but I have been on a retreat that has changed my life and ushered me further along my "ministry path."
The Walk to Emmaus is a 3-day retreat intended for spiritual renewal.
Retreatants personally experience Luke 24:13-35, which provides the central image for the retreat. Luke tells the story of that first Easter afternoon when the risen Christ appeared to the two disciples who were walking together along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus.
* Information obtained/adapted from:
http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/name.asp
My experience, on the walk, opened my eyes to the fact that there is still something deep down that is imprisoning me and keeping me shackled to my old self. While I thought I was primed and ready for the next step in my spiritual walk, the main thing I realized is that there is still one area of my life that I need to die to in order to live for Christ.
While I cannot put my finger on exactly what is holding me back, I have no doubt that God will show me my faults.
My prayer is Psalm 139 (paraphrased in my own words): Search me, O God! Know my anxious thoughts. Reveal any sin in my heart... any wrongdoing... any old way of thinking that keeps me from You. Lead me in the way everlasting!
Will you pray for me? I want to break free from the chains of my old self, completely, and walk along the path that God has prepared for me in advance!
*** By the way, I "just so happened" ; ) to discover a book on my walk. Breaking Free by Beth Moore.
I am getting the feeling that I am supposed to share my Breaking Free journey with others.
So, while I am not sure exactly how this will play out, I intend to research the how-tos of conducting a bible study over the Internet with the help of my blog! Basically, it will be a book club and we can meet online to discuss our personal journeys and provide support for each other along the way.
Stay tuned! I plan to begin the study on April 19th!!!
If you are interested in Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender, please pick up a copy of the book... not the bible study... but the book!
http://bhpublishinggroup.com/books/products.asp?p=9780805445527
I plan to begin the journey April 19th. Will you walk with me?
ssc
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