Think about such things

I am re reading a book called the 4:8 principle by Tommy Newberry it is an easy read and really when taken apart you already know everything it is saying but it is something that I should probably re read every year! It is based on Philippians 4:8 which reads:

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

And that is the premise of the book, how to keep your eyes on things that are praiseworthy and not concentrate on the negative which is something my brain seems able to find very easily!

At this time in my life we have been facing many challenges and are facing new ones now and there is one new one that could really trigger my worry "gene" as a mom and I need to keep God in my sight very clearly and know his word and his promises to me and to my beautiful son.

It is so easy to get overwhelmed and miss the forest for the trees. It seems easier when you are helping a friend with a problem to see the solution or to look at the "big" picture for them and see how everything will be alright but when we are in the middle of it ourselves the problem can seem so huge that is clouds our vision. But when we step closer to God and get quiet things clear, you may not see the solution or have an aha moment but I always find a peace knowing he is with me and at the end of the day all will be well at least with my soul if I keep walking forward with his guidance.

OK that was a little preachy sorry it was meant for me and you got to listen in :-) the point is this is a good book for how to stay positive in life's storms and also just in our day to day! It is a much better way to experience all of life!

Amazing Prayer

From the book Across All Worlds:

Father, in the freedom of your endless love and in the safety of your embrace, I acknowledge to you that something happens to me and I get lost in the darkness. Instead of living in your joy, I get crippled inside. I change. Instead of receiving your love, my soul is disturbed. I become needy. I shut down and withdraw. I become self-centered, angry and frustrated. In my pain I hurt those I love. I waste time and life. I am embarrassed. I am scared to look at myself. Forgive me for blaming others for my problems. Speak to my soul, Father. Tell me again that there is more to me than I know. Help me believe that my existence, my life, my future is part of yours. Help me see that facing my life and my hurt means liberation and fullness, not death. Jesus, give me your eyes. Help me to see myself as you do. Holy Spirit, bear witness to my soul that I belong to Jesus and his Father forever. Show me where and when and how I am not receiving Jesus' Father's love. Show me how my fear is attached to people and places, events and smells and things. Transform the triggers and associations of evil into sacraments of Father's love. Forgive me for what I have done and said, and for what I have not done and not said to your children.

Read this book people! Seriously the whole book is this amazing!

The Shack

I just finished an amazing book called The Shack. If you are looking for a life changing book I would highly recommend this one! I just read it in 2 days, I couldn't put it down (it helped that I am very sick and could not get out of bed :-) I know "life changing" sounds very drama, but it is actually a really good description.

I am not sure how to write about this book, it gives you an amazing picture of Gods love and his desire for a relationship with each of us. It also shows you the freedom we are meant to have through our relationship with Jesus, and how that relationship can free us from so much of the baggage we are carrying that we were never meant to hold on to. Honestly there is so much to say about this book! I am going to start a second pass through it tonight more slowly this time, the first time I just could not put it down. There are so many ideas that just blew me away and gave me much to think about. I am sure I will be blogging on this book again in the weeks to come, because I did not do it justice this time! But I wanted to spread the word! There is a website about it and if you want to order it, it is available at amazon.com and everywhere I think. Here is a link to the website enjoy!

Michele

http://theshackbook.com/index.html

Survey

Women’s Career Life Group is thinking of ways to re-design or re-format our life group to better meet the needs of women who work outside the home. We need your suggestions so we have a better idea of what you need and what would help you become more involved. We would like to see the women’s career life group expand but to do so we need your help. We appreciate your help in helping us figure this out J

Do you currently participate in the OLF Women's Career Life Group?
If yes, what activities do you enjoy?

If you do not participate, why not?


If you do not participate in the Women's Career Life Group, are there factors that would cause or encourage you to participate?


What format would you like to see the Life Group take e.g. weekly/bi-weekly/monthly personal meetings; Bible study; continue as online book club; weekly or biweekly activities which would include spiritual discussions e.g. cooking classes, decorating classes, dinner out, scrap booking & card making, etc.?


What would you like to get out of your participation in this Life Group?


Do you believe this Life Group should focus on specific areas e.g. work-life balance, marriage, parenting, career growth & success, general spiritual growth, etc.


What suggestions do you have for improvement of the Women's Career Life Group?

Tell us about yourself –
Single; single with children; married no children; married with children; divorced; divorced with children; single but in relationship; other, that we did not think of


If you have questions, or would like to make other suggestions, feel free to contact:

Michelle Huff, at m@huffcc.com, or 913-764-2567
Kori Carew, at carew@bscr-law.com, or 913-254-9793
Michelle Thomsen, at mthomsen396@yahoo.com, or 913-721-3135
Debi Winchel, at debo_win@yahoo.com, or 913-397-6298

Thanks guys for your help :)

God Loves Everyone!

We went to Topeka Kansas 2 Saturdays ago to rally against the evil that prevails there. Fred Phelps and his cult like family are spreading an evil message and I am very proud to be part of a church with the courage to stand up against it.

I must say that this day was one of the best days of my life! The feelings coming from the thousands of people who drove by us that day were absolutely amazing! It was heart changing, I know that sounds extreme but that is honestly the truth. People stopped and got out of their cars in the freezing cold to hug us and even bring us hot chocolate! There was so much love in that place.

I am so proud to be a part of Olathe Life Fellowship! I just know that our church is going to make a difference in this world!

Prayer

This is how I feel lately when I pray, like a child. I am reading an awesome book on prayer by Phillip Yancy called Prayer and I must admit my prayer life has just been getting better and better as I keep my time with God more in the "to do" column than I had been for awhile. Not that I didn't pray, it is just that honestly I didn't do it on purpose, if that makes sense. Like spending time with my husband or my boys.

But even more than the changes that my consistency have had on how I feel during my prayer time, the decision we have been trying to reach about adopting a baby from Ethiopia has had huge impact. Which is why I feel like a child, it is at these times in life when making such important decisions or going through hard times that I always drawn closer to God, it has always been that way in my life and I think some of that is normal, but this time I am seeing it clearer and it makes me sad that when I want guidance I am more faithful in my prayer time and when I feel like I am doing just fine on my own I still pray but it is more like something I am supposed to do it and it should be like why I spend time with my husband and boys because I love them.

Chapter 10 Surrendering Your Daily Life To God

1. Does Surrendering to God frighten or excite you?

2. How do you feel about this general concept? God owns all creation, including you and me. Our lives are simply on loan to us. We are stewards of what is on loan to us.

3. Describe some modern day idols that seem alluring to you. (Idols include anything that takes a higher priority than God in your life - anything you hold tightly in your fist.)
What are some ways to overcome such idolatry?

4. Read the story of the angel Gabriel's visit with Mary in Luke 1:26-38 (see page 179) Discuss any insights and applications about surrender that you gain from this scripture passage.

5. Why do you think it is important to surrender what you dream of doing for God?

6. How does the spiritual practice of surrender prepare you for your future assignments from God?

7. In what way is waving a white flag of surrender to God a victory?

8. When did you first realize that surrender was a distinct, tangible, assigned purpose for today? What impact does that realization have on you?

9. Talk about a time when you or someone you know surrendered something to God and then had the Magnificent Counselor guide his or her next steps.

10. Would you still love God and follow him if he actually took everything that you surrendered to him?

11. Which of the following action steps would you like to take this week (pages 175-177)? Why?

• Seek the truth
• Do your footwork and homework
• Count the cost
• Think with the mind of Christ
• Publicly give up control of your will
• Prayerfully begin
• Take a "one-day surrender challenge"

Chapter 9 Expect The Desires of Your Heart

We are going to try something different for the last few chapters. I am going to post the questions from the group discussion guide for everyone to ponder and comment on. We are hopeful this will make it easier for everyone to comment and feel a part of the conversation. It seems like is always easier to answer a question atleast for me :-)

1. What is your understanding of the meaning of Psalm 37:4? Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Read the context of David's' words in Psalm 37: 1-6.

2. In what way do you struggle with any of these feelings?

• I don't deserve to receive the extravagant reward of living passionately.
• Passions are one of Satan's traps to coach me into wanting secular rewards.

3. What is your overarching view of God: Intimidating ruler of the universe? Righteous judge?Powerful king? Abba/Pappa? Other? How does your view of God help of hinder your ability to live with healthy passions?

4. What response would you give to someone who asked you these questions:

• Why would God allow me, a serious sinner, to do what I love doing?
• What if God doesn't approve of my deepest, healthy desires?

5. How do healthy passions help protect you against addictions?

6. What do you believe is the connection between a woman's healthy passions and God's purposes in her life? Discuss on of your passions and any connections you see to God's purposes for you.

7. Which of the following action steps would you like to take this week (pages 158-160)? Why?

• Use some basic hints from chapter nine to get started
• Guard against jealousy of others
• Daydream
• Go for it - experiment