Good Morning Girls

Fixing Our Eyes On the Unseen

Courtney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:30:07 +0000

I remember the day I ran my very first race – it was a 5K (3+miles). And it was an agonizing run with big hills, temperatures in the 30′s and high winds.

I knew I would not be the first to cross the finish line (especially when I saw all the young college students arriving and I was this middle aged homeschooling mama!) but – I ran my hardest! I gave it my all. I ran at my max level for 28 minutes and pushed myself as if I was running to win.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Paul says “Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

On race day, I didn’t gingerly jog along aimlessly. I had a goal – to keep my eyes fixed on the tall blond with long legs in front of me – which was quite a challenge since I’m short and squatty! lol! (The blond is Kimmy, a close friend and a part of my GMG group for years)

My only goal was to keep her in eye sight – and as I ran, I ran with my eyes fixed on her.

She ran the first mile at a pace that I could barely keep up with. I found my side hurting and a desire to stop and walk – but I didn’t – I pressed on and I stuck with my goal – to not let her get out of eye sight.

As the second mile began, we were also about to climb a hill – I knew I couldn’t run that hill. We had practiced on the hill previously and at the pace I ran that first mile – I didn’t really have it in me.

So – I walked…

but then I realized she was not walking – she was running – and slowly slipping farther away from me.

I saw my goal slipping away – and I picked up my feet… and ran – I ran harder and faster than my mind and body wanted to – but my goal kept me going!

In the end, we crossed the finish line only seconds apart from each other. I had reached my goal!

I learned a spiritual lesson that day about how powerful “fixing your eyes” on a goal really is.

Paul says, in life “do not run aimlessly!”

“Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

“I make my body my slave so I will not be disqualified from the eternal prize!”

How are we living our life for God – are we running aimlessly – or are we focused on pleasing God.

Are we making our body our slave – so that our sinful desires do not disqualify us from heavenly rewards? Or are we a slave to our bodies and all it’s fleshly desires for pleasure and fun.

The Christian life can be intense with stress, exhaustion, and pain. But we must not give up! We must discipline our body to press on – exert all the energy and strength we have to please God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 are some of my favorite verses (and were Tuesday’s SOAP verses).

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Do not grow weary, do not lose heart. Fix your eyes on the unseen.

God will pull you through those hard times.

RUN TO WIN

“God is an anchor in the midst of the difficult chaos of this world.”
~ Jennie Allen

Walk with the King!

, WomenLivingWell.org

Let’s Talk: How do you keep your focus on the unseen? Do you have a favorite verse or passage of scripture you turn to when you need a perspective shift? Share it with us!

ANYTHING: Download your {FREE} materials for our summer session here: 1. Study Guide-Anything: Online Bible Study with GMG 2. Reading Plan- Anything: Online Bible Study GMG 3. Anything for Kids 4. Dear God for women 5. Dear God for girls 6. Dear God for boys

{Week 3} Dreaming To The Glory of God!

Courtney — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:57:15 +0000

“The very thought of doing anything demands everything. We have to face our fears.”pg.53

I’ve never been a big dreamer. I’m more of a planner and I try to be realistic. I like to plan to do things that I am able to do. For me, dreaming is scary…

dreaming takes faith.

This October 1st I have a book coming out through Thomas Nelson publishers titled, Women Living Well: Finding Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids and Your Home.

Some may think this is a dream come true for me –to be a published author.

It’s not.

My husband told me about 10 years ago that he believed one day I’d write a book. I laughed.

It wasn’t even POSSIBLE back then. There was no such thing as blogging…and I was leading small group women’s Bible studies in my church and happy as a lark in my comfy life! I did not even have a sliver of a dream to write.

Then I started reading blogs and I thought I’d take a stab at it. I started blogging in 2008 and I never dreampt I’d get to blog along side some of my best friends here at GMG or write a book! Unbelievable!

I have NEVER had any concrete dreams or goals for my blog. All I’ve wanted to do is to glorify God and spread his word.

But this lack of vision is really just a nice way of saying – I’ve had fears. And fear has kept me from dreaming.

Every time I start to dream –it seems so closely related to self-promotion that I shrink back and pull the rug out from my dreams. What if I dishonor God with my dreams? What if my dreams fail? What if I face public embarrassment as a flop? What if I lose some of my friends because of the words I write?

What if?
What if?
What if?

And the prayer Anything requires =Everything.

Everything includes my fears, embarrassment, even flopping in front of watchful eyes.

It requires humility.

Jennie writes:

“Are we truly willing to completely and finally forsake this life? To yield ourselves to God without restraint? If anything has “buts” it wouldn’t be anything.”pg. 57

And so today’s video touches on my anything –which includes my writing…and wanting to give up at times…

(If you cannot see this video - click here)

God has always given me a desire to take his word to the world. I originally attended the Moody Bible Institute with the plan to get a degree in Missions. I eventually changed my degree to Evangelism and Discipleship when I realized that my soon-to-be husband was not feeling this call to missions too.

That was my first dream dashed in my life. There would be more dreams dashed to come…but I can now see that each dream dashed was because God had a different road for me. He had a plan that I could not even imagine! He had an Ephesians 3:20 for me:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

Within the body of Christ, God has different plans for all of us. Would you like to lose your little toe today? NOPE – we need our little toe just as much as we need our eyes, our ears, our mouth, our hands, our heart and our lungs! Each one of us has a VITAL role to play in living out God’s plans for His body of believers!

But we must surrender everything to say anything.

We must be brave and dream to the glory of God.

This week’s Challenge:

Have you been afraid to dream to the glory of God? What dreams has God placed in your heart that he wants you to prayfully pursue. Some dreams are not meant for this season of life. (God had me in a “waiting perioud” for over 10 years between college and blogging…until his timing was right for me to write.) Are you in a waiting period? Write out a dream you have –and pray over it today. Like my dream to be a missionary –it may not be the exact dream that God has for you, but it’s a starting point.

Pray today – God, you have my everything – now use me for Anything.

Walk with the King!

Courtney, WomenLivingWell.org

Week 3 Memory Verse:

Week 3 Reading Plan

Got A Question For Jennie Allen? The Author of Anything

Angela — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:46:36 +0000

This coming week Courtney, Jen, Whitney and I are going to record a video conference call with Jennie Allen, the author of Anything, and we would like for you to participate in it as well!

As you’ve been reading Anything, have you thought, “I’d really like to ask Jennie …” Well here’s your chance, girls! If you have a question for Jennie, please share it in our comment section here on the blog! I can’t guarantee we will get ALL your questions answered, but it sure will be fun to hear her response to some of them! So ask away sweet friends!

Hey, and if you have a question for one of the GMG contributors (Courtney, Jen, Whitney or me) feel free to ask it as well!

I think this video is going to be a blast and I can’t wait to share it with you!!!

Love God Greatly!

Resting in God’s Sovereignty

Jen Thorn — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:01:28 +0000

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1

I love the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. It is my anchor when the days are hard and life seems dark. It gives me comfort knowing that there is someone outside of time that loves me dearly and has complete control.

But the sovereignty of God is only beautiful and peace inducing if we learn to rest in its truth. Without faith it can be a scary thing. The realization that we hold nothing in our hands, that God not only determines how we are made and where we will live and when we will die (Ps. 139 ) but also how many hairs we have on our heads (Lk. 12:7) and the course of all of human history (Prov. 16:4) can be hard for some of us to accept.

Divine sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the exercised pleasure of One who is infinitely wise and good! Because God is infinitely wise He cannot err, and because He is infinitely righteous He will not do wrong. Here then is the preciousness of this truth. The mere fact itself that God’s will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear, but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.—Arthur W. Pink

He will not do wrong! Do we believe that? If we do we will be willing to surrender ourselves to his plan, including the events, people and places he puts in our lives. But embracing this doctrine by faith doesn’t just snap into place. Such faith grows.

A faulty understanding of the Sovereignty of God will produce fear.

I want God to use us me in many and mighty ways, I am sure you do too, but most of the time we are just too afraid to submit to his plan. Our fear of the unknown is often stronger than our faith in the truth that we do know. This fear brings to light a number of hidden (or not so hidden) sins. It shows us that we are filled with pride thinking that we can control our lives better, that we have more wisdom than God, and that we have a superior understanding of what glorifies Jesus. This fear brings to light that we do not know our Father as well as we think we do, that we do not understand the extent of his goodness and kindness, or how vast his compassion and wisdom are.

The hard truth is this, no matter how tightly we try to hold on to our plans or how hard we work to build our lives a certain way, and no matter how fiercely we fight against the things we may think are unpleasant, God controls it all. (Proverbs 19:21). The better we know God and the more closely we walk with him the more easy it will be to trust him when our plans are obviously not his plans.

Do you really believe that “God holds in his hand your very life and all your ways (Daniel 5:23)?

A right understanding of the sovereignty of God should give us a sense of security and a resting place for the heart.

“To bow before the sovereign will of God, is one of the great secrets of peace and happiness.” A.W. Pink

This seems to contradict what the world tells us. We are told over and over again that we are in control, that we determine what kind of life we are going to have, that it is all up to us. We are told that we can pursue anything we want as long as it makes us happy. But Jesus is not as interested in us having a frivolous, giggle filled life. He is much more interested in our souls, in maturing us in our faith and ultimately in making us look like him. This is where we will find contentment. This is where true happiness lives. This life is like our breath that we see on a cold day. It hangs around for a second and then vanishes. God is using this short time here on earth to prepare us for something much grander and far longer lasting.

Is this scary? It can be because we don’t always know what God will allow. But the what God will do, or is doing, is overshadowed by the why. God is not like us (this is a good thing – Is. 40:26; Rom 11). He is all wise. He is all powerful. He is so good that we cannot even wrap our brains around it and he is so generous that we have a hard time believing it is true. We have this assurance that he is good to his people in all his ways, and his purposes in what he does (the “why” behind the “what”) is both his glory and our good.

Understanding the sovereignty of God will free us from ignorance of who he is, error in how we think about life’s stresses, and the anxiety and fear of feeling the need to be in control. The truth of God’s absolute sovereignty enables us to live life confidently and peacefully, for He is the Lord and his ways are best.

Looking to Jesus,

Anything {Week 2} ~ Embracing the cost, to look more like Jesus…

WhitneyD — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:13:23 +0000

Her husband had just lost his job unexpectedly, and she was reaching out, asking for prayer.

“Oh friend, I know how you feel…”, I began to type, as the memories flooded my mind.

Her words could have been mine just a few years earlier. What was supposed to be an exciting time in our lives as we prepared to welcome our first baby into the world, turned into a time of grief and uncertainty as we suddenly faced an unknown future.

I knew something was wrong the minute he walked through the door, much too early for it to be the end of the work day. The baby was due in two short weeks, and with great joy and anticipation of becoming a mama, I had just quit my full time job the week before. Where would we live? How would we pay our bills? Topics like health care and diapers became sources of tension instead of blessing.

“But, God…,” I prayed. “I like this town. These friends. This church. This humble little house that we’ve made our own, with this just-finished nursery.”

God, please don’t take me from this place.

And just like that, I’d confessed where my security lay… in the familiarity of landmarks and living rooms, instead of in the matchless God who has held my every tomorrow in His hands right from the start.

”But God often seems unconcerned with helping us maintain same, simple lives where everything fits and works. I don’t know what God’s plans are for you, but I do know that we don’t hear from him until certain things die. He doesn’t compete. And when he does speak, it typically costs something.” {Anything} ~ pg. 47

The reality of real, messy living sets in when we least expect it. No wonder we turn from idealistic dreamers in our younger years, to weary skeptics the longer we live in this world. That reminds me of that game we used to play when we were in elementary school. Remember the one where you start by ranking your favorite “dream” future in a list: the places you want to live, cars you want to drive, what your house will look like, how many kids you will have, etc.? If I would have known any better, I would’ve written down a minivan with the bumper still attached and a house full of children who obey, instead of the beach-front mansion in Florida (Hawaii being a close second, of course) and that cherry red Lamborghini. Heh. I must officially be a grown-up.

“Following God is flat costly. It always has been. It doesn’t make sense to us, but since this life, these few years, are not the climax from God’s perspective, he’s okay throwing a little wrench into the short plans we have here to be normal.” {Anything} ~ pg. 47

In our young marriage, that job loss seemed devastating initially. From God’s perspective – and eventually ours - though, it was an invaluable time of refinement and growth. Something that we wouldn’t go back and change now even if we could. We learned to evaluate what were truly needs and what we could do without. We grew less impressed with ourselves, and more impressed with Jesus and our great need for Him. We identified and painfully surrendered idols in our lives. God tore down walls of false security. Our appreciation for simple things, for the miracle of a new life, and for one another grew and filled us with joy, even in the midst of uncertain days. I found myself clinging so close to Jesus during that time that I often found myself praying…

God, please don’t take me from this place.

Don’t take me from this unstable place that provides such sweet, stable communion with You.

Because of Jesus, there’s more to this life than what we can see. Through each trial, each costly bump in the road, God is writing our stories. And He wants us to lack nothing (James 1:4) in His process of making us more like Him. Why would I ever dare to think that my man-made plans could top that?

Settle in, friend. Don’t rush the work God is doing. Rest in the hope that only He can give. And rejoice in knowing that you’ll look a little more like Jesus coming out the other side.

Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—

not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen,

but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” ~ Hosea 1:7

At His feet,

Let’s Talk: Has there been a time in your life when earthy cost has brought you closer than ever to Jesus? We’d love to hear your God stories in the comment section today!

They May Not Wear Capes, But They Are Super Heroes To Me…

Angela — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:25:17 +0000

I like to think of them as Jesus “side kicks”…

Today I’d like for you to meet some of my real life super heroes. Now don’t be fooled, they aren’t wearing any capes and they don’t go around in bright colored spandex body suits….at least I don’t think they do, but don’t be mistaken God is using these women to change the world!

I’d love to introduce you to these wonderful friends just in case you haven’t met them already. Although the way they’ve been “flying” around GMG, answering questions and offering an encouraging word….I wouldn’t be surprised if you know many of them already.

Amanda- her super powers include being a wiz on the computer, stunning photography skills, a rocking mentoring program and a huge heart set on serving God.

Edurne- Not only is she our Spanish translator but Edurne has taken her translating skills to a whole new level by starting her own branch of GMG for our Spanish speaking sisters. You can visit them at buendiachicas.com and on Facebook at: GMG Espanol. Ohhh and did I mention she lives in the jungle of Venezuela with her husband and 3 small children as missionaries to the Yekwana and Curripacos tribes? Yeah, she has some super side kick skills!

Katja- was the first person to translate our GMG materials into another language! Now, 3 years later we have over 15 GMG translators! Way to help spread God’s Word through out the world, Katja! Katja has also started a GMG German branch and you can visit them here.

Martha- is a warrior in disguise…her weapons of choice? Prayer and super smooth organizational skills. She is a watch-keeper at night, answering questions when the rest of the world is sleeping. A forum leader, enrollment guru who specializes in group placement.

Rosilind- her super powers involve her contagious passion and enthusiasm for others to know Jesus. Rosilind has a tender heart for God and desires to reach and unify nations with His love. She also helps lead our Children’s Resources Team. Like Edurne and Katja, Rosilind has started a GMG branch……this time for our Croatian sisters. You can find them at http://dobrojutrodjevojke.blogspot.com as well as on Facebook at: Dobro Jutro Djevojke This session we have seen God do miracles through Rosilind’s groups and we give Him all the glory!

Shonda- is dedicated to answering your questions on the main fb page, and directing women just where they need to be. She equips women to be able to utilize GMG to the fullest by updating our Bible Study links on our blog.

Sunu- super power skills include knowing how to fix pretty much anything on our blog when they aren’t working. She is also the wonderful leader for our International GMG community. Sunu has a huge heart and is always eager to help and serve. She has “saved” the day many times.

Mandy- if the gift of encouragement can be a superpower (and I believe it is)….then Mandy has it. She “flies” around GMG encouraging our leaders, our women and all of us on the Leadership Team. She is also a prayer warrior, super awesome mama and cheerleader to so many of us! You can’t help but feel encouraged and loved when you are with Mandy.

Krystal- super powers include equipping others to serve well, leading by example and encouragement. Krystal is also an amazing motivator and organizer of teams. She heads up our Media Team and runs circles around all of us with her organizational skills.

These women make up our “Dream Team” or should I say “Super Hero Team.” They are armed with Ephesians 6 armor, and ready to sacrificially serve. Believing God to take us into the “phone booth” of His grace, and transform our ordinary into His extraordinary!

Ohhh and did I mention everyone in GMG volunteers all their time? Yeah…I know, I think it’s pretty incredible too.

The beauty is seeing the Body of Christ coming together. Women around the world, each gifted in unique ways by our Father, all coming together to serve Him wholeheartedly out of their love for Him and their love for YOU.

Besides our Leadership Team, we also have many more women I’d like to personally thank. Without each and everyone of them, we would NEVER be able to reach as many woman as we can. GMG is NOT a one woman show, we are made up of women from around the world who volunteer their time, talents and love to serve you and our Lord! I am personally so very thankful for each and everyone of them…

If you’ve been personally blessed by these women, would you please take the time and encourage them today?

GMG Children’s Resources Team:
Edurne Mencia
Catina Pendleton
Bethany Grove
Linda Wells-Harr
Nikki Hinkle
Rosilind Jukic

GMG Media Team:
Rachel Brosnahan
Jill Jarvis
Krystal Dennill
Angela Perritt
Bonnie Beardsley
Amanda Buhler
Kristin Bush

GMG Leadership Encouragers:
Julie Gerkey
Sherry Roberts
Martha Xenias
Whitney Daugherty
Mandy Kelly
Heather Wolcott
Kerri Lowrie
Amanda Buhler
Betty Daley
Veronica Tigue
Ellen Ragsdale
Krystal Dennill
Ann Munson
Jessica McCulley
Kesha El’Shone
Carly Danielle
Shaun Nearpass
Nikki Brewer

GMG Mentor Leaders
Amanda Buhler
Julie Gerkey
Martha Xenias
Sherry Roberts
Krystal Dennill
Veronica Tigue
Heather Wolcott
Ellen Ragsdale
Mandy Kelly
Kesha El’Shone
Nikkie Brewer
Ann Munson
Shaun Nearpass
Jessica McCulley

GMG Enrollment Team:
Martha Xenias
Renee Morrison

GMG Prayer Team:
Martha Xenias
Greer Proctor-Dickson
Jessica Reno
Terri Bettis
Amy Weurdig
Jen Devine-Manginelli

GMG Translators Team
Lenna Rivera- Russian
Katja Heigl- German
Jerine Coetzee- Afrikaans
Edurne Mencia- Spanish
Viola Bolbas- Hungarian
Francine Diaz- Portuguese
Crystal- Chinese
Snjezana Abramovic- Croatian
Febe Haryanto- Indonesian
Sandra Giraud- French
Kate Svensson- Swedish
Rafaelle Brevet- Dutch
Cathy Rose- Finnish

Love God GREATLY!

Anything {Week 2} ~ The process of abandoning, so that Jesus can have first place…

WhitneyD — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:58:35 +0000

Good Morning Girls, and Welcome to {Week 2} of our Summer Session!

Is God messing with you like He’s messing with me already this session? Woah. I have to be completely honest and say that I am confronting areas in the hidden places of my heart that I didn’t even know existed. And something profound hit me this week as I’ve read this book and studied God’s Word on the matter.

There’s a reason why life often feels so crowded, yet so empty.

You see, we want to have it all. We want the world, and Jesus too. And it just isn’t working for us.

“I knew that what was happening was common. As real life and responsibilities pressed in, I felt God being pressed out. Religion, church and Bible study were all in place – but truly surrendered lives – the kind God could use anywhere and in any way He chose, had quickly turned into planned and calculated lives…” ~ Anything, pg. 42

We can only squeeze so much into the deepest affections of our heart. Eventually it gets crowded in there. And while God patiently sits back, longing for an intimate relationship with us, we settle for Sunday mornings and half-hearted prayers and rely on people around us to fill our deepest longings that only Jesus was meant to satisfy.

“She believed that her heart had become ‘entitled.’ I was struck by the word. I was afraid I was about to come across the first roadblock in my plan… my plan to have it all and God too.” ~ Anything, pg. 43

Somewhere along the way, I fear that as believers we’ve convinced ourselves that at least some portion of our peace should come from this world. Anyone bold enough to admit it? We think that if God were really on our side, we should be able to arrive in our accomplishments here on Earth at least on some level. Oh friends, what a dangerous fence we walk on, with one foot in the world, and the other in the kingdom.

Ever wonder why life feels so crowded, yet so empty? So exhausting, yet so unfulfilling? Could it be that Jesus doesn’t really have the place that He deserves in our lives after all?

{If you ‘re unable to view this video, click here.}

“He’ll always feel far away, drowned out by other louder rivers, until every other thing fades away and He becomes the only thing.” ~ Anything, pg. 39

Let’s Talk:

1. Recognizing and naming the idols in our lives is the first step to abandonment. Out of the “everything keeping us from anything” areas Jennie has covered so far in Chapters 1-5 (unbelief, pretending, shame, approval, entitlement), which of these areas do you struggle with the most?

2. After watching today’s video, what spoke to your heart?

At His feet,

{Week 2} Weekly Challenge:

In an effort to fight against the mentality of “entitlement”, spend this week changing up your prayer life. For one solid week, instead of asking God for any physical wants or needs, challenge yourself to daily, intentional time in prayer, asking God to saturate every area of your life, so that He might have first place.

{Week 2} Reading Plan:

{Week 2} Memory Verse:

God our Judge and our Saviour

Jen Thorn — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:01:36 +0000

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift,through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom. 3:23-26)

Sin. It is one of the things that all mankind have in common. It clings to every thought, word and action every single day of our lives. It is the reason why we need to be rescued.

From the smallest roll of the eyes to the slightest wavering of our faith, to the most heinous murder, all sin requires the just punishment of hell. All sin breaks the holiest of laws, and this requires death–and this is fair. But it doesn’t always seem like it, does it?

It doesn’t seem fair that a sigh of frustration because my daughter can’t find her shoes again should result in eternal punishment. It doesn’t seem right that a word said in a moment of anger should require an eternity separated from God. Is doesn’t seem just that I should be deemed worthy of hell because I’d like to control my own life, or does it?

Those little sins are only the tip of the iceberg. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (or the eyes roll). All of our actions and words flow from a heart that is much darker then we can imagine, and much more corrupt than we may appear on the outside.

I used to think I was the most patient person on earth. It was the one thing I really thought I had going for me. But that was taken away the moment I had children. These little humans made me realized that my patience had never been truly tested. All of a sudden I was finding myself transformed into a woman I hardly recognized. I started speaking to the people I loved the most through gritted teeth and with a mean tone of voice.

So that sigh, over misplaced shoes, came because of a selfish heart. That rash word came because of unrighteous anger. We are people filled with pride, selfishness and a lack of faith and are therefore capable of both very small and very large sins. But regardless of their apparent size, we all fall short of the standard of perfection, we all go against the good and perfect law of God, and our sins require justice.

All sin will be punished. All of it. From that fleeting negative thought about a friend to that outright act of rebellion against God. Every single sin must be — will be — punished.

But here is the good news. Not only is God just (Rom 3:26) and must therefore punish all sin, he is also the justifier of sinful women. He offers pardon, forgiveness, to all who believe in his son who took on our punishment. Jesus suffered God’s wrath against our eye rolling, our gossip, our pride, and our weak faith so that we could escape what we deserve and receive something much better.

This should affect us in two ways:

1. We should see all our sins as big.

In our lives different sins have different consequences. We have done things so small that no one will ever know about, and yet even these sins are damnable. We should view all our sins as big. Every sin ultimately requires the same consequence, judgment. And for those who believe in Jesus that penalty has been paid. It is finished! It cost us nothing, but it cost Jesus everything. He was beaten for my bad attitude, he was spit upon for my selfish sigh, he experienced separation from God the father because of my disbelief. I agree with Jennie when she said that “it physically hurts to see our pride, to see our sin, to quit playing good, to feel broken and to need God” (Anything) When we come to understand the gravity of every single sin it should lead us to live a life of repentance. Throwing ourselves, over and over again on Jesus who endured hell for us and who now welcomes us with open arms.

2. We should see our Savior as worthy of praise.

“The irony is that Jesus blood takes the least good and makes them the most good. It’s beautiful.” (Anything)

The work of Christ is beautiful. There is beauty in all its goryness because it was done for us. This should make us sing! It should make us joyful despite our circumstances and it should make us the most grateful women on earth.

“Does anyone have more reasons to sing than you? As a sinner who has been forgiven, a slave who has been freed, a blind man who has received sight, a spiritual cripple who has been healed – all by the gospel – you have real reason to be known as a person of song! Song is the natural and appropriate response to the gospel, because singing is one of the highest expressions of joy.” (Note To Self)

Repentance is the first step of us completely surrendering to God, of us letting go of the control that we so desperately think we want. It is seeing how big all sin is but then turning to our God who is even bigger. God’s love is shown in the fact that he is just AND the justifier all at the same time. And this is just scratches the surface of his love, kindness and grace to us. This should fill us with great joy!

Looking to Jesus,

The Importance of Taking Risks

Angela — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:08:49 +0000

In 1994 I traveled with my mom to the Ukraine, my first mission trip and my first time out of the country. I was a junior in high school and couldn’t wait to see what God had in store for me. At that time in my life, I was all about stepping out in faith and trusting God completely with my life. My mom and I spent 2 wonderful weeks in Odessa, falling in love with the people and being forever changed. It was on that trip God began planting dreams in my heart. I remember flying back to the states thinking, “I’m going to live my life forever on the edge!”

Surprisingly, at that young of an age, I had learned when I stepped out in faith and out of my comfort zone … that’s when I really saw God. I had to. I was in a land I didn’t know with people I couldn’t speak to. I had to fully trust in God…and that’s when I saw Him the clearest.

“…many people who study the Bible never find God. Many people who go to church never really know him. The only exercise that works 100 percent of the time to draw one close to the real God is risk…To risk is to willingly place your life in the hand of an unseen God and an unknown future, then to watch him come through. He starts to get real when you live like that.” (Anything, pg. 9)

Last week my husband and I took our family on a vacation and a few of the days we stayed by a beach. As I watched my girls and husband ride the waves, I was reminded of the truth God had taught me back in 1994.

Trust Him.

Live Boldly.

Live in such a way you HAVE to depend on Him.

Life is more exciting when you live it fully engaged.

As I watched my girls begin to “tackle” the waves I learned a few truths through the process.

Dads are always more fun

Knowing your dad is right beside you makes you braver.

It’s okay to start small…we all have to start somewhere.

It’s okay to make mistakes, but don’t let them sink you. We all make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them but don’t let them keep you from getting back into the water.

Mistakes are just opportunities for success in disguise.

“I started craving…a reckless faith, a faith where I knew God was real because I needed him, a faith where I lived surrendered, obedient, a faith where I sacrificed something…comfort or safety or practicality…something.”- (Jennie Allen, Anything pg. 9)

Are you craving that type of faith too? I know I am! I want to get back into the ocean and ride the waves with my “Father”. I want to embrace life the way He intended our lives to be lived…completely surrendered and sold-out to Him.

I want to live on the edge, to live in a “spot” where I have to depend on Him…just like I had learned back when I was in high school. Living on the edge doesn’t mean you have to move to Africa or the Ukraine either, it might mean finally forgiving that person who hurt you or changing your life style so you can be more generous with your money.

Let’s Talk

How about you, do you crave a “reckless faith?” What might that look like for you? What steps can you take today to begin living surrendered to Jesus?

Ohh and just so you know, I tackled my own “wave” on our trip….I had to drive the RV we had rented for 4 hours on our 16 hour drive home,… mostly at night. Yeah…let’s just say I had a lot of time to practice the discipline of “praying without ceasing”. Here I am trying to put on a brave face as I got behind the wheel!

(Here’s a photo of the whole crew, minus my mom who is taking the picture!)

Love God Greatly!

Let’s Get Started…Special Video with Jennie Allen

Angela — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:24:13 +0000

Welcome!

I am so glad you are joining us this summer as we read Jennie Allen’s life-changing book, Anything, and dig into God’s Word together.

Before we get started I just have to say….I believe God has BIG plans for us these next 8 weeks…and beyond.

Did you know we have almost 8,000 women from around the WORLD participating in our summer study? Not to mention all the other groups who are doing previous GMG studies like James, Colossians or Ministry of Motherhood.

Just imagine what God can do through 8,000 women’s lives who are fully surrendered to Him…women who are willing to pray “Anything” prayers. I know what He did thousands of years ago through 12 ordinary men’s lives who were completely surrendered….He turned the world upside down!

I believe we are all here “for such a time as this.” God is calling to us, can you hear Him?

God is calling us to a faith that goes beyond our church walls. An authentic faith that penetrates our whole life everyday of the week, not just on Sundays. A faith that is not limited by our circumstances, our fears or our past. He is calling us to be brave. To put our faith into action in our lives, in our neighborhoods, in our homes.

But like the 12 disciples thousands of years before us, we first have to surrender.

Surrender our worldly dreams, goals and ambitions. And dare to dream new dreams with the Creator of dreams!

Jennie Allen in today’s video says,

“We were meant to live for stories that are bigger than ourselves…”

Sweet sister, God has a very special part for you to play in His story, this bigger story He is weaving in and through our lives…play your part beautifully. I am cheering for you all the way!

These next 8 weeks are going to be exciting, challenging and life changing. I encourage you to be lovingly real in your groups. It’s okay to admit you don’t have it all together….none of us do. Remember, God works most powerfully through broken, messy lives. If these words describe your life, then you are in good company. Love on each other, encourage each other and pray for each other. We are in this together.

If you don’t have a group and are doing the summer study solo, I invite you to join us here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and share with us what God is doing in your life. We would LOVE to hear!

Week 1 Video: Special Guest…..Jennie Allen!

(Can’t view the video? Click here)

Let’s Talk:

1. In our video today, Jennie shares how when we really start living for the Lord, our lives can get kind of messy. Has this been your experience and if so, what have you learned through the difficult times?

2. After watching today’s video with Jennie Allen, what spoke to your heart?

Love God GREATLY!

Week 1 Challenge
What is something you have been holding on to so tightly, it’s hindering you from fully surrendering your life to Jesus? This week, pray about the issue. Ask God to help you release “it” whether its the need of approval, fear of what it might mean to fully live for God or pride. Confess it to Jesus and then take steps to begin releasing it into His hands. If you are studying in a group, feel free to share this with your friends and pray for each other.

Week 1 Memory Verse

(Special thanks to Rachel at The Singing Sparrow for making our wonderful memory verses this session!)

Week 1 Reading Plan