TGI Wednesday

Thankful for: Mark (the book), my Mom, Jayme (b/c I want to grow up and be like her ;), Ashly (for being excited :), the 2nd cup of coffee, three year olds that sing about socks, a sneak preview of this weekend's sermon, annnnd the list goes on... =]

ha, I wonder how weird it seems that I suddenly have so much to say? Except I don't think it's all of a sudden, because I have three full journals from 2009 that would indicate otherwise. I'm so grateful for Mark 4 today, because it's helping settle this quandary for me...

²¹And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure or under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand?
²²[Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known. ~(Mark 4:21-22, AMP)

*muchas gracias to Jayme, for pointing out that this is a season of writing =) I've tucked away His promises in my heart for quite some time, and He is causing it to spill out now.
It's also a season to increase my prayer life/habits. From Dutch Sheets, to Beth Moore, to Sarah Young, to my small group, to my dance company, to my co-workers - God has ceased to be subtle! Fortunately, journaling can also be coupled with prayer...which, a lot of the time when I'm writing it turns into praying, but I'm not being intentional, specifically praying about something in particular. (haha! Did that make any sense? It looks so vague..) hm, God must mean it when He says to pray continually.

PLUS! Encouragement from my Streams in the Desert today (via my amazing Mom):

God places Himself within our reach through His promises, and when we can actually say to Him, "You have said," He cannot say no. God must do as He has said.

Jesus desires that we would be very specific in our requests, asking for something definite. "What do you want me to do for you?" (Matt. 20:32) is the question He asks everyone who comes to Him during trials and affliction. Make your requests earnestly and specifically, if you desire definite answers. It is the aimlessness of prayer that accounts for so many seemingly unanswered prayers. Be specific in your petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will be cashed at the bank of heaven when it is presented in Jesus' name. Dare to be specific with God.

"I seem to see more clearly how all the peace, happiness and power of the Christian life hinges on one thing. That one thing is taking God at His word, believing He really means exactly what He says, and accepting the very words that reveal His goodness and grace, without substituting other words or changing the precise moods and tenses He had seen fit to use."

God has been faithful to point out how I've been able to trust Him absolutely in certain areas of my life, but then choose to waver in the midst of other circumstances. (ie, 'God, of course you can heal my body, but there's no way You can get me through this quarter of school!') Yikes. How prideful to think that a season God Himself ordained, is too much for Him to handle...thank the Lord for daily (shoot, hourly!) grace, because I can get so sick of myself!

This I know, that God is for me.
¹⁰In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
¹¹in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

¹²I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
~Psalm 56

Believe it - God is for you!
And to pursue this calling to pray specifically...

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
~Philippians 1:9-11 (The Message)

=) Doesn't that just make you smile?
Pass it on; pray it over someone else.