selah...

One of my resolutions this year was to read through the whole Bible - front to back. I've read some part over and over again throughout the years, but I really wanted to dive deeper into the Word.

I discovered a great website/podcast called the Daily Audio Bible. It's a daily podcast with a section from the Old Testament, New Testament, then part of a Psalm and Proverb. I've been behind on it, since my work schedule was crazy -- but I'm loving the God time I've been getting in my car.

I'm currently in the March episodes (I know, waaaaay behind!) - and we're reading out of the Amplified Version of the Bible. What's struck me is how the Psalms have been ending...

Psalm 3:4 (Amplified Bible)

4With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Don't miss that.... "selah - pause and calmly think of that!". That simple phrase has become almost a mantra for me - just pause, reflect on what I've heard. Powerful, isn't it?

What does that mean to you? How can you bring that into your life? I challenge you this week to take time to pause and calmly think on the word of God.

Being wanted...

The funny thing about being wanted is that when you most desire to be needed, you're expendable and not necessary. No one bats an eyelash.

But when you're in a place of being more or less satisfied, people seek after you with a passion. I've had two ministries approach me this week asking me to be involved. Both are wonderful ministries that really have a need.

This puts me in such an interesting position. I've always felt that if there's a need, I should fill it -- even if isn't always my forte. It was only after I severely burned out last year that I realized this isn't the healthy route to take. My ministry heart cries out, but I have to focus on what my passion is. I turned down one of the ministries yesterday and it broke my heart to do so. I love their passion, but the specific need wasn't where my heart is. The leader was such a blessing, and we chatted about other ways I could be involved that was much more in tune with my vision.

The other ministry hasn't formally asked me to be involved, but they've been very persistent in getting to know me -- and I can tell they're eager to have me aboard. It's my main focus in prayer to see if this is where I need to be aligned.

In other news, it's Halloween today. I know some of you celebrate it and some stay far away, and both are valid ways of thinking. For the first time, my brother and I are going trick-or-treating this year. It'll be a fun time of bonding for both of us - and I'm praying the weather holds. We've been very blessed the past week or so with beautiful warm fall weather. I adore my brother, and as he's growing up we're growing closer. Tonight will be a blast!

What's love got to do with it?

A lot apparently!

Both of my reflections for this week were about love. When this happens, I figure God's trying to send a strong message my way!

First: "Love is a product of habit." -- Lucretius
Second: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34 (NKJV)

If that isn't a knock on the head, I'm not sure what is! My life has been very interesting the last week. Being a 'homemaker' has given me a lot of time for pondering where I'll direct my life next. Even though my last interview for ministry didn't work out as planned, I still feel strongly that ministry is somewhere I'd fit in well. I'm not quite sure where that will be.

But again, having so much time to think has brought back to mind some painful memories from my past ministries. Each person who serves in a ministry is fallible and human, and I have had my share of poor experiences. For the most part, I've always been able to move beyond whatever hurts I experienced... except one. It was the oldest and deepest hurt for me. The funny thing is that the person had no idea the impact they had on me. It changed my life though. If things had been different, I'm convinced I'd already be working in full-time ministry, probably with youth. Until this week, that whole situation has been hard for me to speak about. Even thinking about that other person choked me full of anger.

But then these two reflections came up - and again, I've had ample time to meditate on them. It's been so unhealthy for me to hold on to these hostilities. Although I've never received a face-front apology from this person - I have heard that they do regret what happened. It'll do. The most important thing for me, and for those around me is to show love.

Want to know something cool? Almost as soon as I resolved to move on from my issues, I came across a new ministry that (so far) sounds very much like a match to what I'm looking for. I'm even meeting one of the pastors of this ministry to see how we could work together. It's so amazing how God works sometimes...

I'll keep you posted!