'Fresh' Strawberries

In Psalms 123, I learned that the psalmist is totally devoted to God. I planted myself there for a while and began thinking and studying about the words totally devoted. I learned that devotion means 'the state of being ardently dedicated'. Well, that didn't help me much because I wasn't exactly sure what ardently meant! (Did I tell you guys that I home school three of my children!). So, in the spirit of the Heath Family Academy,(that's what we call ourselves), I began to dig harder.
Ardent means -impassioned;felling typically expressed in eager, zealous activity.
For me, totally devoted means-the state of being impassioned, eager and zealous for the Lord. That, I understand!

The question then should be, 'Am I totally devoted to the Lord?'

In order to be devoted to something or someone, you have to have confidence in them.

I was reminded of 2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may STRONGLY SUPPORT those whose heart is completely His."
Are you kidding me! This verse is incredible. Who doesn't need support? This kind of verse just continues to entreat me to run after Christ.

Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him."

Please don't misuse this truth, but the reality is when we cooperate with God, his best can come into our lives! Pleasing God has benefits to my life. Look at the story of Cornelius in Acts 10:1 or Mary the mother of Jesus; or Anna the phophetess in Luke 2-she got the reward of seeing Jesus in the Temple!

His benefits are many. In my own life, they have come sometimes in material things; sometimes in receiving comfort; and sometimes in stability. Psalm 112:1-6 says "blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. -For he will never be shaken." I looked it up and 'never be shaken' literally means that I can be 'stable in adversity'. That, is an incredible benefit to being totally devoted to Christ!
I said in an earlier post that life is happening 24/7. So inevitably, I am going to be 'hit' with something. The point here is that it is possible for me to be stable in adversity! I don't HAVE to crumble.

In getting ready for my class last week, I was listing examples of all the above mentioned 'benefits' to being totally devoted to Christ. One of the examples that came to my mind was a story involving my oldest daughter Alex. She was a month away from her 16th birthday and we were discussing the fact that we probably were not going to be able to buy her a car for her birthday. Now, you have to understand that She is the kind of kid that always 'blooms where she is planted'. Seriously, when she was a little girl and I put her in time out (which was so rare), she didn't get upset, she would just sit in her chair and play! When she was a little older, I sent her to her room one time and instead of pouting or crying on her bed, she was just sitting there reading a book. How can you be mad at someone like that. Anyway, she was disappointed in the car thing but said she understood.

A couple of days later, she and I were driving and she said, " You know Mom, I would really like a Toyota Forerunner." I said, "Yea, me too!" And then she said, "And I like that color right there." As one past in front of us.

As the day approached, I could tell her disappointment was deepening. I went to her room one evening and reminded her of Matt. 6:33 "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." She already was a stand up Christian in her school and every where else so she understood this was not a 'magic potion' verse. It was simply a reminder of what she should focus on.

I returned to my room and got down on the floor by my bed. I began praying and just asked God, "God, I believe there is nothing too difficult for you. I also know that you see Alex and know her heart. If you would, could you just bless her with a car. We will praise you if you do or if you don't. I am just lifting up my heart to you."

Two days before her birthday, I was driving to pick her up at school and my phone rang. It was my husband, Bo. He said, "I think I may have found a car for Alex." He is the finance guy at an area dealership here. I said, "Really, tell me about it." I thought he said, "It's a Ford Explorer and . . . ." I was thinking that would be pretty good and then he said it again, " The Forerunner . . .". I asked again, "What did you say?" He said, "Forerunner?" I said, "Oh my goodness. What color is it?" (like that mattered, but I was just checking to see how close God wanted to get!) He proceeded to tell me the color that Alex had pointed out to me several days earlier. I shouted again, "That's it!"
He said, "I'm not so sure."
To which I replied, "Are you kidding me? That's it!"
He was not aware of the conversation she and I had previously.

My heart was pumping so fast. I couldn't believe it. Would HE really do that? I didn't pray for a Forerunner in a specific color, nonetheless, but here it was. Are you kidding me! Two days before my girl's 16th birthday, a man 'just so happens' to drive into my husbands car dealership and trades in his car that 'just so happens' to be a Toyota Forerunner and 'just so happens' to be the color AND 'just so happens' to be at a cost we can afford!!! No way. God placed it right in our laps.

On her birthday, we took her out to dinner and gave her a letter we had written and a small box which she opened to find a hot wheels mini van. She laughed and said, "ha, ha". When we left the restaurant, her Daddy said he needed to stop by the office. We got out at the gate and walked across the lot and he unlocked the glass door. When she walked in, the Forerunner was parked on the showroom floor with a big red bow on top. She looked at him and me and said, "Are you kidding?" And then went to her Dad first, not the car, and hugged him!

It's not that it was this great car, it was greatly used in fact. It was the timing and the detail in God's blessing! I don't know why God choose to do that exactly, except that he choose to speak our language at the time so we would hear him loudly!

I didn't pull God out of my box and rub his belly and make a wish for something that I wanted for her. I know God doesn't work that way. It is more simply, that I did believe that 'nothing is too difficult for God', and I had believed that "God is a rewarder of those who seek him". I choose to live my life 'running hard after God', several years ago. That requires making the adjustments that he asks of me. It isn't always an easy road. As a matter of fact, 'dying to self' is painful. I have resisted a lot. But my desire is to follow what he says of me no matter the cost. I have followed at times with tears in my eyes.

Our obedience to what he shows us is evidence of our devotion to him.

Can I just tell you that every time I have taken even a baby step towards God in my obedience, He takes a GIANT leap towards me! Every time!

-It is hard to forgive when you feel wronged, yet that's what he asks of me.

-It is hard to say 'I'm sorry' to your husband when you think the argument was his fault, yet that's what God asked of me.

- It is hard to step into some one's dirt (because I might get dirty) and walk with them through it, yet that's what God asks of me.

-It's hard to agree with God about the sin that he sees in my life, like not telling the truth or talking about someone, yet that is what he asks me to do. The sweet thing about God (if you will let me say that) is he is all about reconciliation. It's His Thing! It's what Jesus died for.

Here's the thing:

God is just looking for a reason to bless us and obedience IS that reason!

Let me share on more thing with you. Tuesday morning, I prayed and thanked God for the great stories I have to tell about what he has done in my families life, but I asked him for a 'fresh' story. Something new I could share with my bible study class. Later that day, my youngest daughter, Sydney and I were sitting at the table. She did something that I thought was wrong and I told her how I felt. Then a few minutes later, she did it again. This time, I was mad. I blew my cool and yelled, loud. I proceeded to tell her why I was so angry and she was crying. She left the room. (Did I say that I had just finished my bible study and PRAYING?) During the night, I woke up and was suddenly convicted. God showed me my wrong. It was like watching a movie play out before my eyes. I started crying because of my sin and was brokenhearted. I asked God to forgive me. I got out of bed and went upstairs to Sydney's room. It was about 2:00 in the morning. I wanted to get her up and do something grand, instead I just kissed her and told her I loved her while she was off in dreamland.

The next morning, I knew God wanted me to confess to her and ask her to forgive me. I went up to her room. (Sometimes it is the hardest to tell the ones who live in the same house, you're sorry. Did I say that obeying God is hard? Here was my opportunity to obey) I shared my heart with her and asked her to forgive me. Afterwards, I said, "Hey, why don't you get dressed and get your bible and bible study and I will get mine and let's go to Panera for breakfast!" Of course, she was all for that. Did I tell you she was ten?

When we arrived in the parking lot, we checked our money to see what we would purchase. (We are watching our money and besides I never have any anyway!) We decided we would split whatever we bought. We walked in with our bibles and bible studies in hand and stood in line. A man approached us and said, "You guys here for coffee?" I said yes and he said, "It's free this morning," and handed me a coffee cup! I looked at Syd and she looked at me with big eyes. Then, a lady tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Would you like a free breakfast sandwich?" I smiled and said, "I certainly would!" Syd and I were almost laughing. She found us a table in the back corner and we sat down and she began reading to me from her bible study book. A few minutes passed and a young lady came over to our table (in the back corner) and asked, "Would you guys like to have a strawberry parfait?" We were smiling from ear to ear. I said, "Why, Yes we would!" I looked at Syd and said, 'God is a rewarder of those who seek Him!'

Strawberries are Syd's favorite!

As soon as the girl sat the 'gift' down on our table, it was like God saying, "HELLO! Here is your fresh story!" I said, "I get it, God."

Blessings,
Bekita

May I suggest a good Counselor!

Do you need answers, or at least advice?
Wouldn't it be great if we had our own personal advisor available anytime we needed him/her?
We do!

This past Sunday, my pastor shared with us a passage from Isaiah 9. It is a passage we usually read or hear about around Christmas. The part that grabbed my attention was in verse 6. The bible calls Jesus the Wonderful Counselor. In my mind, I went to John 1:1. It says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." We know that the Word with a capital W is the designation for Christ. Then verse 14 of John 1 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us".


We have already established that we are studying God's word so we can know Christ.

If through the word, we know Christ, then doesn't it make sense that when Isaiah calls him the 'Wonderful Counselor' it implies that we receive counsel through His word?

There it is right in my hand, anytime day or night, night or day, MY counselor! How great is that!
If you are God's kid, (I like to say because it makes me feel young), there is an incredible resource available right at our fingertips!

On the side bar, you can see the name of a blog I have recently read titled, bring the rain. In one part of the story, Angie learns the possible fate of her unborn baby, she says she traded her baby books for scriptures! She saturated herself in God's Word. She went to the Wonderful Counselor! And the neatest thing is, she stayed there!

The bible says, "My sheep know my voice." How better for us to know His voice then to listen to Him speak. He speaks through His word.

If you want to know what He sounds like, read His word. His word reveals His heart!
p.s. Our counselor is also the Holy Spirit that lives inside us. It is kind of like our conscious but better. But you have to know this, when we receive counsel from the Holy Spirit, it will ALWAYS be in agreement with scripture. ALWAYS! As great as the Holy Spirit is, we can't touch it or see it unlike the Bible-the whole counsel of God. Please don't mistake what I am saying. We need the Holy Spirit in our lives to move and speak! But the two always work in agreement. For example, the Holy Spirit, through your heart, will not suggest you do something that is in opposition to the whole counsel of God's word. Again, that's why it is so important to know his word so that we can discern correctly who we are listening to. I hope that makes sense.

I really didn't mean to get that deep (maybe confusing)! It is SO my desire not to lead any of you astray. I hope we are all looking up!
Blessings,
Bekita

music note

Hey guys,
I checked on itunes and the CD I have by Brooklyn Tabernacle choir was not available. It is called Hallelujah! The very best of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. There are several versions of Psalms 121 but none of them are this version. I am working on making several copies of the song Psalm 121-My Help, to have next week in class. If you want one let me know. (They may cost 1.00).

Keep singing
Bekita

Getting off the low road

Don't ya just love Beth Moore! I am right there with her when it comes to music having such an impact on my life. It really does change my heart. Remember her challenge: whenever you are tempted in ANY way, run out to your car, if necessary, and put the praise cd in FAST! Watch what happens to that temptation- it fades away. It really is remarkable. Why does that happen? Because praise songs are really scripture set to music. There is power in God's Word.

In Psalm 121- One of my favorites- we learned that God is no slouch! He is
- attentive-around the clock-24/7
- he answers (Psalm 120:1)
- he helps me
- he created everything around me
- his right hand -my human need is covered by him
-keep you soul - security (John 10:28-29) We can not lose our salvation.
-guard - Psalm 139:5-6 - he has me hemmed in!


Psalms 16:8 - His (God's) position of protector and defender (in our lives)
Psalms 91:1 - we have a refuge

Does this mean that bad circumstances/hurts/accidents/disappointments won't happen to me?
NO! It means that God has my life in his hands. He will not let go of me! It doesn't matter where I go or what I do or what I am going through, He is Present!

Jude 1:24 Says that He is Able to keep me. Assuring me again that He will not let go of me NOR will he send me away if I fail Him. Read Psalms 145:14. I looked up the word in the original Hebrew and in verse 3 of Psalm 121, "he will not suffer they foot to be moved"- means he will not send me away or I can not fall away from him (even because of my own sin).


To sum it up, keep in Psalm 121, is the hebrew word shamar. It means:
to keep in the sense of tending; to take care of; also to keep as in the sense of watching over;
to keep in the sense of retaining. SO, it means that He is tending me, taking care of me, watching over me, and also retaining me.

Oh my goodness! HE IS ALWAYS HOLDING ME!

Now, sleep on that-
Blessings
Bekita

Bowing Low

I prayed for you this morning (in a heap on my bed)! Are you trying it? Does it feel strange or awkward?

You know, in other parts of the world, getting down low is a sign of respect for the person in their presence. It is not unusual to see someone sit on the ground, instead of in a chair when they feel like they need to recognize that they know 'their place'. I have a friend named Charity who is from a tribe in Africa that is looked down on by the other tribes in the area. They are not really better than her but it is an accepted belief where she lives. I have watched her sit in the back of an assembly and even sit on the ground when the others were sitting on a bench so she could show respect to them. They didn't force her, she choose to. In America, it has been so instilled in us that "All Men are created equal" (which is true by the way), that we can take it to the extreme the other way and get puffed up and begin to believe that we are much too dignified to bow down to the ground in front of anybody. Because of being in the American culture, I think we have these conflicting thoughts with what scripture or God may be asking us to do! I am glad to be an American, but I have to remember that I have dual citizenship! Eph 2:19 (Day 5 of week 1)"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household." Choose to 'get low' (no matter how awkward it feels) today before the One who deserves to be respected above all!

Blessings,
Bekita

Obligation or Opportunity?

I was thinking this week about being in bible study and I thought about you. I was just wondering. Why are you doing it?
Is it because you want to?
Is it because you need it?
Is it because your friend invited you?
It came at a good time for your schedule?
You like studies by Beth Moore?
Is it because you are 'dry'?

I have to tell you why I 'do' bible study.

I am a weak person. When I say weak, I mean 'fleshly'- self centered, self-thinking, materialistic, lazy, mean person (left to myself).

Over the past 15 years, I have either sat in a bible study or taught a class. Really, for about 18 years! I have so many bible study books and folders that they fill up an armoire in my bedroom! No kidding. And even after taking in all that great stuff, I know that if I am not in the Word, I am probably six weeks away from throwing in the towel! What I mean by that is that life keeps happening 24/7. The world keeps spinning and people keep taking my parking place at Walmart! (just kidding). Without 'the renewing of my mind daily' my old characteristics come out-quick! My love for clothes, jewelry, furniture, shoes, etc. . . raises it's ugly head. These are not bad things at all, but in my case, when my focus shifts to them, they begin to crowd God out.

I actually think God likes cool clothes, if I like cool clothes (Psalms 37:4-Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart!) BUT, 'stuff' is my weakness. Being in control is also my weakness. Come to think of it, pride is also my weakness! Well, I won't list all of them here but I think you get the drift! Left to live out my Monday's, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, just 'livin' will get me in a hole fast.

(I didn't mention Sundays because most of us probably go to church on Sundays so we are thinking about God at least for a couple of hours on that day-big whoop).

The point is, I HAVE to be in God's Word! I have to be. 2 Timothy says "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."(NAS)

The Message says it this way, "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."

When I look at life through God's Word, things become clear for me. I don't mean that I understand everything, I just mean I can see things that are coming at me through a different lens.

No I certainly don't mean you have to be literally sitting in a chair in a classroom somewhere to be 'okay' with God. I am just saying that I have to be in the Word in a study either in a group or by myself. (Speaking of the classroom thing-I happen to LOVE actually being in a class!) When that opportunity arises, I take it. Listen to me-bible study leads me to know who Jesus is and love Him. I do not love bible study for study sake! Don't fall into that trap, and yes, it is a trap. The Pharisees knew the scriptures and look what great examples of Christianity they turned out to be! We study the scriptures to know Christ.

Do you want to know if He is really REAL? My husband Bo, was sharing with something he had read on Jack Grahams blog. He is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas. He said most people approach bible reading, and pray as an obligation, but it is really an opportunity to get to know the REAL Jesus!

He is Real and if you want to know it for yourself, make a deliberate, intentional decision to read and pray!!! He is going to 'freak you out'!!!

Blessings

Bekita

Forgive me, please!

Well, if you have read any at all on this site, you will notice my many grammar, and spelling mistakes. I am so bad at writing! I apologize for the pain it causes all of you who are educated and able to write correctly. Please overlook my inadequacies. I hope the content overrides the headaches!

One more thing, I was thinking about something I heard this past Sunday morning at church. Our youth pastor Randy asked a question. He said, "Why do you think more people don't run to God?" Then he said, "It is because of what they think they will face when they get there!" He shared Hebrews 4:16 -"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The Bible says we will find mercy and grace when we turn to Christ!; Not 'I told you so's'. Isn't that awesome. When I mess up, I need mercy and grace, not I told you so's. God is so awesome.

See ya next time,
Bekita

Never thought of myself as a Pilgrim!

Okay pilgrims,
So how is the homework coming? When I get started, I have trouble stopping at the end of one lesson. It's like I'm afraid if I don't keep going, I won't have time to get back to it and then class day will be here and I won't be finished!!!! SO, I do like three days at a time! I'm probably not the best example of how to do bible study, but it works for me. I share that with you to encourage you to do what works for you. Don't get discouraged because you homework time isn't 'consistant' (whatever that is!) It is a joke with my family and most of my friends that I live in 15 minute increments. That means, I have a general plan but nothing is really concrete. I can change my plans on a dime. I guess that is just a survival mechanism that evovled from juggling seven peoples schedules in my house. There is nothing consistent in my whole life, save one thing-that God loves me right where I am. That is somewhat amazing to me. Probably the most amazing thing about God really. In my mind, it is hard to separate the way humans love from the way God loves. Ours is so conditional! If you make me feel good, or do something for me, or do things the way I think is right, then my love is extended. If you do something that hurts me, offends me, or takes something away from me (like a parking place at Walmart), then I withdraw it. Wow, I have so much to learn about love!

I guess that's why it is so easy for me to love God. I know that He doesn't extend love and then withdraw from me when I disappoint or offend Him. I love, that, even though He loves me right where I am, His desire for me is not to stay there! In the bible study "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby, he states, "you can not move on with God and stay where you are." As we have already learned in the first part of our bible study, Stepping Up, the Isrealites had to move. They had to go on this pilgrimage to meet God.

I never really thought much about the word pilgrimage, until today. When we hear the word pilgrim in America, we usually think of the same thing-The Mayflower and Thanksgiving. The fact is, they were called pilgrims because they were on a journey-moving to a new place, a new frontier, the unknown! The journey had to be at best, uncomfortable. They probably had a thousand different emotions (everyday). I wonder how many thought they had made a mistake? 'This is too hard!'; I wonder how many thought, "I'll never make it!" I wonder how many wanted to go back? Back to the known!

Our spiritual walk is now a pilgrimage! It takes us into the unknown. If you ever think, 'I made a mistake', or 'I never make it', remember, we are not on this journey alone. God is guide and God always leads us to life!

I've been to Africa three times and each time I have had the privilege of going on a safari. Part of the safari was a drive on a vehicle I affectionately called 'chitty chitty bang bang'. I named it that because, it acted like it never wanted to start, when it did, it made many 'funny' noises as we went along, and it looked like it was 100 years old. Our team of women crossed a river on a pontoon boat and then climbed onto 'chitty chitty bang bang' with our guide, Victor (a Zambian). He drove for about an hour and a half away from our lodge into this vast open space over clumps of tall grasses, around termite mounds, through ditches, bouncing up and down on 'chitty'. Then he stopped the vehicle and told us to get out. We did as we were told, he was the guide. He took a cooler from the back and opened it to reveal bottled cokes, coke light (diet) and orange Fanta! That was a surprise and a welcomed sight. He handed each of us a drink and then he said "Watch". We stood there in the middle of Africa, an hour an a half from the closest thing to civilization (and that was about 3 hours from 'real' civilization), holding a glass coke bottle. When we turned around, the most beautiful sunset you have ever seen was setting in the sky! You never forget something like that! Had we not trusted our guide, we would have missed it. He knew how to get us where we needed to go and he knew what we would miss if we didn't.

How about you? We have already picked up on the idea that this pilgrimage is about getting closer to God? Are you a little nervous, unsettled, excited, wondering what's ahead? Me too! But I trust our Guide and I'll just bet, He may stop the vehicle just long enough for us to get out, have a coke (or coke light) and see something spectacular! I'M EXPECTING IT!

The Beginning!

Hello everyone, I'm glad your here! This is all new to me and probably to some of you as well. I am going to spread my wings and try a new thing. In my house, I use the words, 'culture of improvement' to refer to the idea of always looking for new ways to do things, to just get better at what we already do, even! So, here is MY personal exercise in improvement.

I don't know if you noticed but the title of my blog is "All of Me". When I was thinking about what to title it, 'all of me' came instantly! When I thought about it for a while, it made perfect sense. It means that I don't want to hold anything back from God. I want Him to have all of me! For this blog, it also means something else. I want you to see 'all of me'. It may not be very pretty sometimes, but I feel God whispering in my ear, 'do it'.

It's funny how obstacles in your path can actually turn out to be the 'squeeze' God puts on us to move us out of our ordinary way of doing things, into a new way. This blog is one of those examples. I teach women's bible studies. I love it. Problem is, my class this winter is meeting on a Wednesday evening and I have one hour and 15 minutes to teach. Now, you might not see the problem so I will explain. When I say I teach, I mean I use many words! I hope all of these words make sense to whoever is listening but I will repeat, I use many words! The study I am leading this session is also video driven. The video is almost an hour, hence my dilemna. Not much time for words! It's not that I think what I say is so important, it's just that we will have so little time to discuss and ask questions about the things we may not understand.

So, I am going to write a blog for us! Each week, I will 'teach' on what I think stands out and I want to know the questions you have concerning any of the homework. Let's see how it goes and maybe, just maybe we will go places we have never been on this incredible walk called Christianity.
Blessings
Bekita