Shelly Says ~ "We're Off To See the King!"

The wonderful King of the Universe!

How often do you remind yourself that, as a Christian, you're on a journey from earth into eternity?

Psalm 84:5 says, "Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage."

Are you happy? Is your heart set on pilgrimage?

As a child, I once heard that heaven has streets of gold. I think that's in a song I heard at an early age. As that image came to mind this morning when I read Psalm 84:5, I thought about how our journey together is much like the movie The Wizard of Oz. In the movie, Dorothy and her new friends are companions on a journey seeking that which is lost by gravitating toward The Great Wizard of Oz: We are companions on a journey seeking that which is lost by gravitating towards The One who died for the lost.

Do you feel like you've lost your mind? Have you lost heart in areas of your life formerly fueled with passion? Have you lost courage in the face of fear? Have you lost your way and are looking for the road that leads home?

Then let's keep up the pace! We're off to see the King of the Universe and He will restore us. He will make us whole again. He promises transformation by the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2). He promises that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13). He promises us that He will be with us and we do not have to be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6). He promises to be our Tower of Refuge and strength... a shelter no matter our circumstances... our home base (Isaiah 4:6).

I could sing of His love forever!

Your former life may have seemed like a black and white nightmare: But when you became a Christian, I hope you felt like your world became alive with living color for the first time. I can just see you setting your cute ruby red slippers (or comfy flip-flops if such is the case) on that first gold brick and beginning a journey to see your Saviour. {smile}

Have there been many trials and tribulations along the way? Have you made new friends and learned of their plights as well? It's all par for the journey, dear friend. It's called life on Earth. Thank God for friends!

The good news is, our life doesn't end here. Christ died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! O' Happy Day!

What grabbed your attention today in the reading of Chapter 1? How did you answer your study questions? I am excited to hear from you today. Don't forget to Stop, Drop and Pray today. Add your requests as well.

Keep your eye on the prize, Sweet Princess of the One True High King and watch out for flying monkeys!

Shelly Says ~ "Our Journey Begins!"

I thought this day might never come! It's the first official day of our Breaking Free Journey!

Whether you've signed up to follow along with the book or you just want to read the blog posts each day, I believe God will do amazing and wonderful things in and through you as you yield to Him and yearn to break free from that which binds you.

I have been praying for each and everyone of you and I'm SO excited that you are joining me on this journey to freedom! Grab your Bible, Breaking Free book, journal, water bottle (or coffee ; ) and a snack (or breakfast ; ).

Let's GO!

I first read the preface and introduction of Breaking Free on March 24th of this year at the Flying Biscuit Cafe in Charlotte, NC. I knew I needed to break free from something that was still holding me back, and I knew I had just the right bible study to help me discover freedom in Christ. I was ready to begin the journey alone when I felt God speaking to me about inviting other women to join me.

What? I could do this on my own; however, God had a different plan (see 3/25 blog post for more of the story).

If you have been following my blog and/or in recent contact with me, then you know I wanted this bible study to begin on April 19th. I had "the perfect plan" laid out for how I would study each section. I wanted the study to perfectly coincide with the personal retreat I felt led to attend in Mid-May. I was jumping the gun to get the ball rolling when I felt the tug to include others. When I obediently followed the tug, I expected 2 or 3 of my closest friends to join in and begin with me on April 19th. That was cool with me... I like small groups.

Wonderful plan, right? Not! Look more closely (if you haven't figured it out). There's a glitch (to the tenth power ; ) in the plan.

I this... I that... Me, Myself and I

While I did feel led to begin this study, I don't believe God led me to do all the planning. He already had the plan: All He asked me to do was facilitate (to know me is to know that I like to plan, so it's no big surprise that I jumped right to this task).

God let me do the planning for a while, and I imagine that He was amused by my efforts. Then, things started changing.

Some of you wrote to tell me that you were interested but couldn't get the book quickly enough or were concerned that your book wouldn't arrive in time. THANK YOU for writing! Those e-mails made me stop and question my "perfect plan" and forced me to look up and seek God's Perfect Plan for our study.

After a lot of prayer and thought, I felt like May 3rd would be a good start date. I kept questioning God... asking Him if we could move it up to maybe April 26th or the 29th... May 3rd seemed so far away.

Long story shorter, May 3rd stuck and here we are!

I can already see the good in God's Perfect Plan.

As I sat down to pray over the schedule for this study, I felt that it was important to spend extra time on Parts 1, 2 plus extra special attention to Part 3. As I laid out the schedule on the calendar, I saw a perfect fit! The part I felt led to spend the most time on fell right in line with my pre-scheduled personal retreat! Even the break I intended to take afterwards falls right in line with Memorial Day AND the study ends the Friday before the 1st July 4th holiday week!!!

It's amazing what God can do when I set aside MY agenda, get still and trust Him!

Here's another cool thing: I have a beautiful journal that has pre-printed Scripture on each page. On the page where I started writing the above story, there is an appropriate Bible verse...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV

How true! How poetic! That God!

He is working for your good as well. He has gone before you, preparing this journey just for you. He has called you to this journey, and He won't leave you at the beginning to set out on your own. He will be with you all the way through and beyond. He has prosperous, perfect plans for your future (see Jeremiah 29:11).

I really like how Beth Moore explains that our journey will be a process. Things may not click right away, but be patient. With any process there is a multitude of feelings and experiences. I don't expect our journey to be any different.

So, let's press on... toward the goal for the prize that awaits us... FREEDOM!

Keep your eyes forward, on the prize, and don't stop to look back unless you hear a sister calling for help. She may have fallen and can't get up ; ) .

What spoke to you most in the preface and introduction?

Do you see yourself in any of the lessons that Beth describes?

What lesson do you think you need the most? The least?

What did you want to underline or highlight but were afraid to for fear that someone might pick up your book and find out too much about you?

What lesson do you think you need the most? The least?

What are your answers to the study questions in the back of the book?

Feel free to answer any of the questions above in the comments section below. You are also welcome to comment on anything, anytime. Don't forget about our prayer requests. Stop, Drop and Pray.

I look forward to the journey ahead! Let's BREAK FREE!!!!!!!!!

Shelly Says ~ "Stop, Drop and Pray"

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.

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

***

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

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!!!!

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!!!

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...

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!

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