To A Friend (3)

(I wanted to post a fashion post and the pictures are here on my computer, but Flickr is mucha tootsie-slow tonight, so it'll have to be later.)

(credit)

Pause for a moment and remember that God is with you. Seriously. Close your eyes and remember that he is right there in the room with you and his constant love has not abated for a minute. It didn't even blip when you made your stupid mistakes. The main thing is not reconciling your view of yourself, but understanding God and his view of you. He loves you.

If you care to top that thought, remember that he planned every situation and event in your life. Maybe you can't see how your failure could be worked for good, but remember, 'our good' is becoming more like Jesus. Plus, maybe your failure in other people's lives is teaching them to rely more on Jesus. I know that people's 'failures' to me made me go to God and rely on him.

I'm feeling very much where you are. God doesn't necessarily design our lives to be happy and funny. Explosions are common. You can't control your life or 'be a good enough Christian' so they don't. Trust God with where you are.

Love you! Be well. I'm praying.

R<3

To A Friend (2)

When I write these 'To A Friend' posts, I hope you know I'm humbly sharing things that have blessed me, with a profound sense of gratefulness to God for all He has taught me from His word and all my amazing mentors and friends. So many have taught me. Everyone to whom much was given, much will be required*.

*********

I have a word from the Lord for you. No, seriously, I went to sleep praying for you and when I woke up, I began reading in 1 Kings 18*. Here's what God told me. (Disclaimer: not an audible word from the Lord, of course, but what I felt like He was wanting you to hear.)

When we are in times of need spiritually, that is a proper time for extended prayer. Elijah was persistent, humble and believing. He got down and prayed, bowed down low, for what must have felt like forever. God answered him in the seventh time. The sky grew black, rain fell and the drought was over.

Is 50:10

Let him who walks in darkness

and has no light, trust in the name of the Lord

[his names are Savior-Messiah, Abba-Father, Forever Near, Lover, Keeper, Restorer and Irresistible Light]

and rely on his God.

So make time, intentionally cross something off your schedule and borrow little times throughout the day to seek God. It's okay if you don't know what to say. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding on our behalf*. Satan will try to tell you it's not important enough, that you're too busy or you're too guilty. Don't listen to him. I love you!

R<3

Listening to Christy Nockels - By Our Love

Sisters, we were made for kindness

We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us

We'll come reaching, with a song of healing

They will know us by our love

To A Friend

Jesus, you are strong enough to hush wild waters and make the high winds cease. Please be with my friend. Speak to her heart with a tender, yet firm, "Peace! Be Still!" and replace apathetic numbness with a warm, alive, falling-into-you kind of peace. You are able to make her the woman you want her to be. Rebuke us too, Father. Why are we so afraid? Why do we have so little faith?

''God is on our side. We should be neither discouraged nor dismayed. We have an Almighty helper, even Jesus the Captain of our Salvation, who is ever with us and assures us that we shall eventually be more than conquerors though Him. Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on "looking unto Jesus" and though long and stern be the conflict, sweet will be the victory and glorious the promised reward.''* -Spurgeon

I love you, dearest. Be strong. God is with you.

R<3

hanging out at imperfect prose

Emailing A Friend, Talking To Myself

Hey babe, I saw your status. I love you and I'm saying this to you
because I love you. You are lying to yourself. You are not listening
to God and all his lavish promises of love. He loves you. You can't
rely on people to love you. They'll always let you down. God loves
you. He loves you the most and the best. He always does what is good
for you. He has a plan for you. He wants you to be free from relying
on people.

Love you, babe. Take it easy.

Ruthiey