thoughts from my devotions...

Okay ladies, just had so share this AMAZING book that I am reading for worship, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. I just wanted to share a few thoughts that I thought may encourage some of you... including me. I know that many of my DEAR friends are going through some struggles, changes, loss of job, home, & sickness just to name a few. So with that in mind I just had to share some of the things that have touched me so far.

"What is it about us women that creates such a desperate need in us to always "know," to always "understand"? We want an itinerary for our life, and when God doesn't immediately produce one, we set out to write our own. "I need to know," we tell ourselves. "No," God answers softly, "You need to TRUST."

We can bring our needs to Jesus anytime and anywhere. Jesus really cares about what concerns us. Jesus loves us enough to confront us when our attitude is wrong.

WHAT WE WORRY ABOUT
40% are things that will never happen.
30% are about the past-- which can't be changed.
12% are about criticism by others, mostly untrue.
10% are about health, which gets worse with stress.
8% are about real problems that can be solved.

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Here is what Joanna did... "Instead of mentally obsessing about my problems, I began consciously turning my worry into prayer." You see, fretting magnifies the problem, but prayer magnifies God. Perhaps that is why Paul finishes his prescription for worry with one last piece of crucial advice: "Be thankful for ALL things!"

*God's will does not always proceed in a straight line.
*God's love sometimes tarries for our good and His glory.
*God's ways are not our ways, but His character is still dependable.
* God's plan is released when we believe and obey.

"God takes Satan's worst and transforms it into our best. And with each jog and twist, our story grows clearer and richer and more divine. The Author of our salvation really does know what he's doing, even when we can't figure it out."

Now if you can't pick up a copy of this book for yourself, Open up your Bible and read John 11, the death of Lazarus. There is a lot we can learn from this story, especially waiting & believing in the Lord. I am willing to share my copy of this book with you when I am done... or if you would like, we could begin a Bible study and learn together.

Ladies, I am thinking and PRAYING for you and each situation that you are in! Thank you for being such dear friends to me & my family.