P-E-R-F-E-C-Tion

I woke up this morning still feeling like a giant turd! Embarrassed that I get caught up in these forms of idolatry. Does anyone else struggle with that restlessness in their soul? This morning I took a peek at tomorrows devotion. (I know...cheater!) It goes like this: Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young

"SEEK MY FACE,  and you will find fulfillment of your deepest longings. My world is filled beautiful things; (which I see all the time) they are meant to be pointers to Me, reminders of My abiding Presence. The earth still declares My Glory to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear.  You had a darkened mind before you sought Me wholeheartedly. I chose to pour My Light into you, so that you can be a beacon to others. There is no room for pride in this position. Your part is to reflect My Glory. I am the Lord!" Psalm 105:4; Psalm 19:1-2; Isaiah 60:2

This is exactly why I think we need to link arms more and walk together! I would love to hear your comments on this. What are some of your struggles? The things that take our eyes off God are numerous! I think many times unintentional, but it happens. One week I am on fire for the Lord and the next week I have fire alarms going off in my mind! I can't wait for our bible study to start! I know I can't just scooby along day by day without accountability.

(My email is rmaggart@yahoo.com I would love to hear from you!) I am not sure if the comment piece is on my blog so if you don't see one~> shoot me an email! Lots of LOVE, your sister in Christ)

Tangled Beauty~

You should know that writing is one of my greatest fears! My second fear is exposing myself, but it is something that seems to come pretty easy aside from my internal thought wars! Summer is here and I have to admit that I have been obsessing about the bathing suite. I always laugh and tell people months leading up to summer that I am preparing for my unveiling. I usually miss my own personal mark. I have one sweet friend who hasn't missed any marks for her unveiling this summer. She is one of those girls you could look at all day long. I mean she is striking! Before I go on about the outer package I have to tell you that she is equally beautiful on the inside! (drats! just kidding) She is truly lovely and I have been beyond blessed by her friendship. So what's the deal with "tangled beauty?" I think I may have gotten tangled up in her beauty. By default I was wishing I could reach that level of awesomeness. I started feeling frustrated about the change purse I carry around on my belly and the lack of something up top. How does this happen so fast? How can we be walking along and then slip so suddenly?  I guess the best news is that I am having a bible study at my house this summer. Beth Moore's ~So Long Insecurity...you've been a bad friend to us. I will be sure to let you all know the secrets we unlock to loosing our insecurities. I know this thought process is a waste of time and may seem pretty shallow to you. I guess in many ways maybe it is, but I also think I have a thought closet full of lies and many I believe. How do you change those thoughts? I often feel stupid in my writing skills. I never did well in school when it came to writing papers. Teachers often drew red lines through my work and sometimes rewrote it for me. I just can't help but feel stupid deep down inside. Sounds like I am tangled pretty bad! I am! I have to say that I am pretty good and tossing myself overboard:) Does anybody want to join me or are you already out there? We need a lifesaver!!! HELLO God! Amen!

I often cheat and read the next days devotional. June 5th seemed to match up nicely. This is from Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young:
"REMEMBER THAT YOU LIVE IN a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy. I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly  pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the deepest desire of your heart. Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection."  Exodus 20:3; Psalm 37:4 

AWESOME!!! Perfect right! God is always eager to fill us with His truth and wisdom! I know perfection is probably at the center of my frustration. I can't stand it when I don't get it "right."  I am a giant weenie! The consumption of WASTE must come to an end for me:) The time is here and now for all of us to throw ourselves overboard for God! I  will see you when you make a SPLASH!!!! 

The Last Song*

This happened a couple years ago and I was laughing about it this morning. I was thinking I should probably share the laugh with you guys! It was one of those Sundays where you are rushing and dragging your kids out of the house in order to make it on time to church. Ryan was working, so after checking my kiddos into the nursery I headed into the main sanctuary for the Sunday service. Rob Renfroe was preaching that day. I wish I could remember the entire sermon, but I think the main juice of it was when God moves~>YOU move! We are all called for something greater than what the world claims as great! Once the sermon was complete and a prayer covered us all, the band kicked in high gear! I was sitting by myself, innocently listening and taking mental notes of the sermon when it hit me like a waterfall! My heart starting beating so fast and I have to tell you that I pleaded with God to not do this. This was really going to be weird! By the second song I had not other choice other than follow those heart beats. I left my seat and headed straight for the front where the band was playing. You should have seen our pastors face as I traveled the long path to the front. I could tell he was wondering what in the world I was doing!I grabbed one of God's best clappers from the front row and swung him around to face the massive crowd. The stranger and I raised our hands high and clapped until the song was finished. I started crying afterwards and then made it back to my seat. It was to say the least...overwhelming. I not only felt amazing for doing it, but I felt retarded and embarrassed! I have to say that I do LOVE these moments. God just gets me! He knows how to reach me all the way down to my core! He moved in me that day, so I decided to MOVE with Him! When was the last time you MOVED? I think He asks us all the time...Are we listening? (I told my husband about what happened and he said he would have tried to tackle me down. We have such different walks with the Lord! Don't we all?)

In the beginning~

 I just found this on my family blog! This is how it all started! Some of you may remember my evite inviting all of you on a prayer walk~> This is why!

What has God been telling me lately?

Life works better living it His way.

The ingredient of time~Practice every day.

I can do anything through Him who gives me strength.

Try your best. And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men. Col 3:23

Read to my kids Proverbs at every opportunity.

Cherish the good times! Thank God profusely during those good times.

I need to pray more for those walking with Him and those who don't know Him.

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27

Never give up~Pray all the time especially for others.

Dearest Sherry,

Thank you so much for sharing the OnCall Prayer journal. These are just a few nuggets of what He has been sharing with me! I love you!

bc,

Nicole