Memory work...

I took this picture back in the fall when I was in Colorado.  I loved this picture and I wanted to remember it, so I made sure to put it on my computer where I could find it.  I like to tuck things away on my desk, in my Bible, on my computer, in my office that will be reminders of special things I've seen or heard, or someone sent me.  Memories or treasures that provide hope, remind me of a special time of love, or a much need laugh!

What do you commit to your memory?  Once again I was challenged when I received my update blog post from Living Proof Ministry with Beth Moore about memorizing scripture in the new year.  I've never been a person that like to memorize anything.  I got myself in big trouble when I was in high school and we were suppose to memorize some William Shakesphere see I don't even know how to spell the mans name right!  Anyway, I struggled terribly with it because I didn't apply myself and I didn't like it so I refused to do it!  I do have a very stubborn streak and it cost me big time!  My grade showed I did not memorize and well let's just say Mary and Howard were not happy with me!  I wasn't either deep down I knew I could have done it, but I didn't really because I didn't want to.

When I got this blog posting from Living Proof I decided I wanted to take this step this year and put some scripture into my heart.  Scripture that I can cling to on that difficult day when I need a little hope, scripture that I can grasp when I have nothing else to hold on to...God's Word that will fill that empty spot in my heart!  Now don't get me wrong I do know some scripture by heart, but not nearly what I feel I should know.  So I'm off beginning tomorrow learning a new scripture each week!  Yes, hopefully by the end of 2013 I will have 52 new scriptures added to my memory bank to cherish, to treasure, and to refresh me!

My first one was shared by a sweet friend of mine on the JOS Facebook page this morning from Proverbs 16:9 and I decided to memorize the NIV version of this scripture.  It goes like this ~ In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.  It was so appropriate for me to begin with this verse since I talk about shoes a lot with my ministry about wearing our own shoes and not someone else's!  WE need to also let the Lord determine our steps and He determined this one for me about memorizing more of HIS Words!  Want to join me well it's time to pick one and begin the journey for 2013!

Treasuring God's Word by studying His Word reading the Chronological Bible and also memorizing His Words that is my excitement for the new year.  What is your excitement?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Are you ready? Ready, Set, Go...

The ending of another year and the beginning of another, but are you ready?  What resolutions are you making or do you even make resolutions?  I don't, because I don't seem to keep them other than one I made about five years ago now and that was to read the Bible through in a year.  I kept it and it forever changed my life!

I tell you that with all honesty!  I was already a Christian.  I already worked in the local church and loved my walk with Christ, but I wanted more and the more was Him.  I wanted more of Him and the way to have more of Jesus is in His Word, so I encourage you to get ready, get set and go with me again this year through God's Word.  Allow Him to transform you even more through an amazing journey of His Words forever changing you for the better!

We (JOS) use the Chronological Bible New Living Translation and it is awesome.  Order it through Amazon, go to Lifeway, or we have them at JOS office (will be closed until January 8) just make arrangements to join us for this race that you will definitely be a winner in the end!

Winning because of God's Word changing me everyday,
Debbie

So excited! It's almost time...

It's almost time!

Did you hear?  

Journey of Sisters is about to begin another awesome time in God's Word daily throughout the new year!  We are going to read together each day from the Chronological Bible the NLT to see what God wants to share with each of us and I can't wait! I get so excited about how God speaks to me and then to someone else so differently on the exact same reading!  I think it is because we realize that each of us are truly unique and special to Our Savior.  He so desperately wants a relationship with each of us and it is so special to watch Him develop the relationship designed just for each one of us!

Join us beginning on January 1 right here!  Get your copy of the Bible and join us on this spectacular journey right in the comfort of your own home.  Now for the next part and it is important too!  Please comment back so that this isn't just Debbie it's each of us sharing, because God may use one of you to speak to me or someone else!  He wants to use all of us, not just me!

So join me here on January 1 for the trip of a lifetime shared with your girlfriends!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Anticipation!

Oh the excitement in the air!  The children are so hyper and ready for Santa to appear and leave behind all these wonderful presents that were on each of their long list.  I listen and wonder do any of us really get the point of Christmas anymore?  Do any of us remember the reason for the season?  Oh, of course we adults do, but do we really?  Almost since Thanksgiving everyone has been in rush mode to make sure that the right gifts are purchased, the right food is cooked, the right parties are attended, and that everything is just right.  I'm just as guilty as the next person, so I'm just asking that today we all push pause and remember the true meaning of Christmas.  Give thanks for the gift that came into this world to save each and everyone of us!  Take a moment and read the story of the baby in a manager.  

Imagine perhaps being in the shoes of the shepherd as the angel appeared to them and in Luke it says the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  Imagine it for a moment and then suddenly a great company of heavenly angels praising God singing Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Imagine being Mary or Joseph and looking down on this beautiful baby boy that you wondered how you could ever be a parent to Jesus, the Messiah.  And yet you were chosen to be the ones to parent him and show him and protect him until his time to begin ministering to the world.  Imagine the shepherds suddenly showing up and telling these new parents what they witnessed and were told about this special little baby.  We are told that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  

Today practice what Mary teaches us through this story in Luke treasure what matters and ponder them in your heart!  Treasure Jesus every moment of every day and share Him and this amazing gift with all that you love and those that might not yet know Him!

Merry Christmas!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Tic Tock! Tic Tock!

Well, it is time to fess up!  Yes, I've been in a major crisis mode for the last several months.  People that know me well knew, but others I think I was wearing my masks pretty well! Yes I would wear a different mask for different people.  Am I alone in this or perhaps you do this as well? I was pretending everything was just rosy and well actually it wasn't!  There I said it and I feel so much better!

Nobody needs to know details other than for me to say it was something God was working on with me, individually.  It was some major reshaping that I wasn't really enjoying.  I am beginning to feel the new shape and allowing Him to do His masterwork on me ~ even if it is difficult!  It is very difficult!  Saying no to the world is not always easy and honestly we must make this choice daily!  Even if it is just to say yes and no to the world and spend time with Him!  Busy work that we call for Him is sometimes a cover that needs to be uncovered for a honest look at what might be going on.

 I purchased Beth Moore's Bible study on the book of James when it first came out.  I've had it right by my desk at home for almost two years (I know it came out in 2011 not sure of month) well it's almost 2013.  Did I open it?  Not until the last six weeks and I must say there is absolutely nothing like God's timing!  He knows when to give us exactly what we need and when.  I love it!  When I finally decide to pick up a study to take a closer look that I order knowing that God will tell me when it always surprises me!  Why?  Because God is God and well I'm just little old Debbie plugging along filling in my calendar, working on my to do list and zap...God rocks my world!  Thanking Him for rocking my world!  Reminding me just how HUGE HE IS!

Today, all I wanted to share is I'm thanking God for His amazing timing, His discipline out of His love, His Amazing Grace, and His love beyond measure!  Thank You Father for giving me exactly what I need when I need it and for opening my eyes to see, my ears to hear even when it is painful.  I love you dearly!  Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Mary or Joseph? Who amazes you the most?

Never will the amazing story of Jesus impending birth stop being a wow moment for me and for this I give thanks!  Stop this morning and ponder it for yourself and give yourself an amazing present to begin another busy day during this Christmas season.  A time that we celebrate the birth of Our Savior is a time to really look at the story and exactly how God worked the whole timing out for everyone.

A young girl perhaps 14 years of age is visited by Gabriel and told that she is going to give birth to Our Savior.  Imagine this wonderful news for a moment, did she view it as wonderful the whole time even in those quiet moments that had to enter her mind of whether she might die from stoning in the process?  Did she view it as wonderful when the people whispered loudly behind her back?  Did she truly realize that she was going to be the mother to Our Savior and her own?  Only God could work these things and so much more out in a 14 years old mind or anyone's for that matter!

Then you have this wonderful man by the name of Joseph.  Joseph a simple carpenter who loved Mary.  Are we told he loved her?  No, but in Matthew we are told that when he heard this news he did not want to publicly call her out no he wanted to divorce her quietly.  You know he had to be a little mad or angry, but yet something kept him from loudly declaring anything.  Once again an angel appeared on the scene to explain things to Joseph and he accepted this huge responsibility of being an earthly male figure in the life of Jesus.  A man that would teach the Savior about things here on earth and you know he did not want to mess up his role in the life of Jesus.  Joseph was indeed a special man!

It is hard to pick which one of these special people amazes me the most.  I love them both and their willingness to be obedient to God's plan for their life knowing in their heart that He would work it all out for them to just accept it and move forward.  Let's learn from these two amazing people about obedience and acceptance moving forward with the plan that God indeed has for each of us.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie