Strengths!

If you happened to stop by last Friday, you’ll remember that I wrote about some God-sized dreaming and a challenge to step out on a journey.  I’m still plodding along and letting God use each day as a way to get to know myself and Him.  Today’s post talked about strengths.  Ohhhh, yes, some of us cringe at the thought of revealing those at risk of sounding…prideful.  Myself included. I don’t like to run around spouting off my strengths. Before going there, read yesterday’s post and then take a look at this:

Strength: a personal characteristic that can be used on behalf of God in service to others.

and then this:

Service – Does it help me serve God and others?

Time – Has it been present throughout much of my life?

Relationships – Do others see this?

Energy – Do I feel energized when I’m living this way?

Natural – Does this come naturally to me most of the time? OR do I know God has intentionally developed this in me even though it doesn’t?

Glory – Does God ultimately get the glory from it?

Trials – Even in hard times, does it usually come through somehow?

Heart – Does this really feel like a core part of who I am?

Takes on a fresh, new feeling doesn’t it? Because, really, God designed us in unique, strong ways so that we can fulfill His purposes. Check out the post for a list of strengths and take a minute to reflect with God on your own.

As for me…some of my strengths include thoughtful, calm, and hardworking.

What about you?

Thrive Africa

Ever since starting to read this blog, I’ve been thinking about missions, adventures, where God has called me, and how that looks.  Little did I know, that this post had been written a couple of weeks ago and that a follow-up post would be written for me to read today.  All of that translates to: PRAY for me 🙂

A Few Points to Ponder

I’ve read some great posts lately so I thought I would share:

How many more coffee cups are being thrown away today??

I’m skipping along in life without stopping to search for and see the beauty within.

I haven’t felt “safe” with someone for a while.

I am so thankful that I have a great culture to go to each day.

I am not content.  Time to shake things up a bit.

Daring Bakers…

So maybe I’m just good at baking the things I know…Maybe this was just a little too advanced for me.  Maybe I’m not really cut out to be a “Daring Baker.” For those of you who don’t know what this is…I found a fun little group that all bakes something once a month and then posts what they made.  This was my first month.  I’m really hoping next month will go better or maybe I’ll retire my “Daring Baker” aspirations and stick with Banana Bread (I can make that well at least!).  Without further ado here are my “lovely” pictures of what should have been an Opera Cake.  

😦 No good…

I probably should have spent my time reading out here 🙂

p.s. It might have helped if I had flat and not warped jelly roll pans and if I actually had a candy thermometer 🙂 Such is life!

Romans

Apparently not having roomies around turns me into a blogging fiend.  I’m quite surprised with how many posts I have posted so far this month.  Crazy!  Anyway, onto some biblical thoughts tonight 🙂

Romans 7:22-24

“For in my inner inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work.  What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Reading through Romans has opened my eyes to everything that we have said in our series at Hope.  The series is titled “Be Killing Sin or Sin Will Be Killing You” or something to that nature.  This verse reminded me greatly that it is WAR and who will come to my rescue? Jesus. Plain and simple.  Jesus will rescue us from this body of death.  

Romans 8:5

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…”

What am I setting my mind on lately?  Am I thinking about what the Spirit desires or am I thinking about my desires?  Do I constantly seek God or has God been put on the back burner as a nice warm cup whenever I feel like it?

Romans 8:26

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

When I am weak and ready to give in, normally I call a friend.  Yes, friends are awesome, but my first cry should go out to God.  For some things, I have become dependent and thankfully friends don’t always answer so I am forced to choose between fighting by myself or turning to God.

Romans 8:28

“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.”

Thank goodness!  Notice the *ALL* things.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I absolutely love this verse.  So much so that on the bottom of all my pottery you will find 12:2.  If I had to pick a “life verse” this might be it….or maybe Ephesians 5:2.  Love that too.  

 

p.s. While writing these verses, I kept wanting to write down the whole book because let’s be honest.  Most people get a LOT more out of the entire book in context than a few random verses.  As such, I encourage you to go read Romans 🙂  I like it, maybe you will too.