life-giving truth & accountability

For the last two and a half … or is it more like three years{?}, I’ve joined a group of beautiful ladies each morning. Beautiful women who desire to bury God’s Word and truths deep into their hearts.

We rise early. In jammies. Grab coffee. Bibles. Notebooks. Highlighters and pens.

We pray.

We study.

We absorb.

Then we grab our computers and share with each other what life-giving truth we glean each morning.

Via email.

‘Cuz we live as far apart as South Dakota to Florida!

I’ve found it’s so important to have an accountability partner, or group to keep me in the Word each day. I know when I step away from my study … even for a few days, or weeks {ahem}, it begins to show in my attitude and character.

But having someone to check in with, to pray with, to learn and grow with … it keeps me accountable for being in the Word of God.

And as awesome as it is to have this accountability group of amazing women … even more {yes more!} awesomeness abounds when a larger “umbrella” group is found that encourages women to gather and hold each other up in the Word.

There are two of those groups I’d like to recommend; the first is Good Morning Girls and the second is Hello Mornings Challenge.

Both are basically groups of women that put together different studies, set a time frame to complete them {usually 12 weeks}, and encourage women to sign up and join in!

With either of these groups, you can join in the study they’ve picked out, or you can do your own study, but just chime in on the accountability part of it.

I participate in both Good Morning Girls and Hello Mornings … they’re different for different reasons, and I enjoy them both. I really encourage you to take a few minutes and explore each of them.

Right now with Hello Mornings, we’re doing a study called, “Love Like Him … Learn to Love Like Jesus.” We’re studying through 1 Corinthians 13 … and I think I’m even going to memorize it!

Anyway … I feel like I’m rambling. My purpose is just to encourage you to be sure you’re spending time in God’s Word … in His life-giving truth. And to encourage you to grab a friend {or two} and think about joining in one of the challenges above. If you decide not to join an organized study, at least grab a friend and make a commitment to be accountable to each other for being in God’s Word every day.

I promise … time in His Word is one thing you’ll never regret!

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wordless wednesday :: the word

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he’ll put it back together

My sweet cranky-pants Hunter worked so very hard on beading a necklace for herself. You know when little hands painstakingly work each bead onto a string that wibbles and wobbles and frays? But she didn’t give up and reveled in her accomplishment as she asked me to tie the string for her. Just one last step and her necklace would be complete.

And then.

It slipped.

And tiny beads scattered all over the floor.

Her precious face and accomplishment fallen.

I immediately swooped her up and held her something fierce. I thought the closer I held her, the more I could absorb her pain. I repeatedly reassured her, “I’ll help you put it back together, I’ll help you. We’ll put it back together.”

And then God spoke.

“I’m holding you.

Tightly.

I’m trying to absorb your pain.

I’ll put it back together.”

Has something fallen apart in your world? Something you painstakingly and lovingly put your all into? Can I reassure you today that our God is holding you. He’s loving you. He’s trying to absorb your pain. And He WILL put you back together! Those are His promises.

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every moment a gift of love {392 – 410}

“God makes love with grace upon grace, every moment a making of His love for us.”
Ann Voskamp, one thousand gifts, page 216

Every moment we are given is a gift of God’s making … a making of His great love for us. It’s up to us to pause and recognize the beauty in each moment. Are you counting?

392. date night with the teen
393. surprise Mother’s Day mail
394. the power of blue nail polish
395. hidden toads
396. Psalm 71:20-21
397. pain meds for the kid set
398. my girls encouraging others with scripture
399. the dog groomer
400. before bedtime family walks
401. salted caramel bars
402. freshly painted toes
403. freshly made bed
404. massage certificate from my girls
405. a massage
406. a card from a friend
407. a new Bible study
408. two weeks ’til school’s out!
409. how to miss a childhood {I’ll be reading this numerous times}
410. she knows I love her for who she is

How are you finding Joy? Are you seeing God in the small details of your life? Dare to join me in the Joy Dare?

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happy mother’s day!

{Dear Mothers}

Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with {your children} in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace …

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

{Because dear mothers} it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. {So mothers} do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

~ Ephesians 4:2-3, Ephesians 5:1-2 & Philippians 2:13-15

{A dear friend wanted me to be encouraged this Mother’s Day and sent these words along with a handmade necklace. Thank you Jess, you have definitely encouraged me!}

Happy Mother’s Day dear friends! Praying you are spoiled & blessed!

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