Spiritual Cleansing: A Journey that Never Ends

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Thank you Lord for loving me so! Thank you Lord for your provision of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the desire to know you more. With every season of my life, you have guarded and guided me in your ways for your glory, there are no words to express my love for you. With humility I have fallen to my knees, with faith I have sought you, with love I have cried unto you, and with joy I have worshiped your creations. Keep me on your path of truth... show me the way... strengthen my walk for your glory, my Lord and Savior.

There are seasons meant for growing in our understanding. Forgive me for being quiet during this time of growth. I have been on a journey which included pruning the old growth and fertilizing with new understanding. As with any season of growth, learning to shut the door to our past is not necessarily easy but so blessed. Becoming "unchained" from past deceptions, hurts, and oppression's has created openings within my mind... heart... and soul. Areas prepared for new inspirations and stronger "rooting" in God's Will for my life.

Although my journey is not unique, there are so many facets in which our Lord has reached down and ministered to me that I'm overflowing with joy about some of the resources I've used. So here is a few of those that might bless you:

Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman: ISBN: 9780310339649. Okay, this book is all about learning how to have a gracious and kind mouth. A tongue that speaks truth, yet doesn't destroy others. A manual for being unchained from "victim-hood" without being less than Christ like. Have you ever read a book that you have marked up? This book is one of those that you will return to time after time.

To Know Him by Gloria Copeland: ISBN: 9780446511247. As with any resource that is designed to bring you closer to our Lord, Gloria's straight forwarded faith inspires you to put God's words in front of you every morning, evening, and those in-between times. Yet, there is so much more to a relationship with our Lord! It also means rebuking the deceiver; speaking/praying scripture into your heart; learning to obedient to God's word; and listening to His will for every decision in your life. With pen in hand I found my journal filling up with scriptural passages, God's promises, and prayer-filled pronouncements. One section a night blessed my evening prayer.

66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild: ISBN: 9780718087708. Beautifully crafted. Perfected for me, yep, this book is designed and formatted as a quick touch of joy. Just like a pick-me-up snack during your day (if only it replaced food cravings), these two page love reminders will keep you walking in His Love. How would you measure an overflow of loving reminders from our Lord? Beginning with God's first love-promise in Genesis, you will discover the joy of embracing His promises with renewed determination. Every promise comes with an open invitation to embrace, stand on, and re-read these proclamations of His love. A must have for every moment that arises in which you need to hear that you are loved beyond measure.

Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly: ISBN: 9781942611929. Choosing happiness and God's Will for your life. Why is such a simple, Yes... Here I am Lord, so daunting? Feeling overwhelmed is never a good or healthy avenue for me. It leads to a spiral that I just will not accept. I wasn't always that bold, but now there is only one choice when those feelings try to deceive me. That choice is to go back into this book and get re-fueled before I take my next step. Once again this is a book I have marked up with hi-lights, notes, earmarked, and underlined. It has become my "go-to" when I need step-by-step redirection. My favorite "booster-shot" came during Matthew's description about his "Greatest Books" book shelf (thirty-seven books hand chosen for his moments of need). He has placed upon this shelf, books that have had an enormous impact on his life. Books of various formats and areas of study, yet, all of them have been hand chosen and placed "eye-level" on this self because they have provided the greatest spiritual and inspirational guidance during his life's journey. Wow, I know I have those books all over my home and in my classroom, and yet, his decision to have them "at the ready" reminded me that I am not walking through this season on my own. So... guess who is creating that eye level shelf!

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst: ISBN: 9781400205875. Living loved, what does that look like? The journey within these pages is a "power-walk" in which you become revealed, exposed, and unchained. Only Proverbs has had such an impact upon the "who" God sees in me. Feeling less than and left out has haunted me since forever. Once upon a time I would declare that I was that person who could feel left out in a room full of friends and family (empty church pews and book stores excluded). This book was given to me, hand chosen, for this journey. Becoming free from past hurts, trusting in God's fullness and plans, and seeking His mercy while being pressed, transformed, and messy is uncomfortable... and yet, it is the season of His unending desire to "grow" us up into a newer relationship with Him. This is one of my 37 books upon my book shelf!

31 Verses to Write Upon Your Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs: ISBN: 9781601428912. Transformation begins with the graphing of a new attitude. For me the journey with these verses became my nightly appointment with God. Within my prayer closet, I would re-read the previous learning from my journal. Thanking Him for the ways in which I was strengthened throughout the day. Then came the verse for the day, I would read and hi-light its teaching and begin entering the teaching into my journal, allowing the teachings to take "root" within me as my pencil noted God's passages. Finishing the entry, I found that I needed to write a prayer-filled declaration to our Lord. Wow, insightful and inspiring. This book became a "pass-it-forward" experience to a precious co-worker.

Study Gateway. Link We have a "smart TV" so we have access over our ROKU connection. I have spent every weekend morning in a bible study from this sight (anything Max Lucado inspires me). I have revisited their Women of Faith sessions. Anne Graham Lotz has introduced God's word at a deeper level. Plus those women from Proverbs 31 Ministries have book sessions that will take you beyond their daily posts.

Yes, this is a season for change... Yes, it takes time to be changed, improved, and guided... Yes, our Lord is worth even more of my day!
I hope you have discovered a resource....
Blessings,

Walking in Love

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,

 an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

Ephesians 5:1-2

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

This is the day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad. I can only wonder how this day will unfold. I accept Your will for I know that you will see it through to completion far better than I could. I thank you for all of the ways in which You are guiding me. My heart sings praise unto You for Your loving mercy and grace. I stand on Your promises, upon Your blessings, and with much gratitude I accept all of Your tender pruning.

Walking in love is one area in which I once thought I was doing well. During my absence from this blog, our Lord has been tenderly instructing me in what His love is, how to be humbled by His gracious obedience (guarding my tongue), and in ways of intercessory prayer. 

While my faith walk is forever an opportunity to grow, there are times when our Lord calls and all we can do is hold on to His promises. It is a season of learning, a season in which we tuck ourselves under the shadow of his wings and we listen and learn from His word. Thankfully, we live in an age in which there are some amazing resources for our walk. When this season began I was learning how to walk away from shame (Unashamed by Christine Cain). At the same time, I was watching a series about the women in the bible (Twelve More Women of the Bible). With much joy, I had spent some time gaining strength from a woman of faith (The Longing in Me by Shelia Walsh). And then came the revisiting calling to guard my tongue and stand in humility, which leaves one opened to those in control viewing you in what ever judgement they choose (A Lesson a Day and Keep it Shut).

Graciously, our Lord is always merciful. His strength is always available. And, His manifestation of peace and comfort through the Holy Spirit is... always... at the ready! Today is the day that joy overflows. It's a moment in which you sense the seasons changing. They say that a praying warrior (an intercessor) never ceases until the Holy Spirit confirms the break through. Well breakthrough is just one moment away. With much gratitude, those whom have been on this journey with me have been an unbelievably gracious, kind, supportive, and strong. Being a phone call away, gathering for a house church filled to overflowing with hope, and joyfully sharing supporting words of wisdom (God is good... all of the time... and all of the time... God is Good!).

My today is filled with learning about walking in love (Copeland Ministries;  Matthew Kelly; Lysa Terkeurst; Liz Curtis Higgs; and leading into 66 Ways that God Loves You.

Blessings for each of you as you walk in love,