Learning to Live: January 2012

Sunday, January 29, 2012

1 Peter 1:22 (NIV) Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

I have been thinking about this verse the last couple of days. THEN God put it on my heart to have a very BIG SCAREY conversation with someone I love very much. I did NOT want to have that conversation but it went so well, and my love was purified. God is so good. I love following Him. He is such a good leader and teacher. ♥

Friday, January 27, 2012

Whew, 2011 was an interesting ride! And since I got laid off from my fun job that made lots of money (for part-time) I am going to try and start blogging again since I have more time and it is free! Hope to have something more deep and spiritual to share soon...

About Me

First of all, I am God's. He has lots of work to do in my heart and my character, to make me more like Him, but I have given myself to Him and He will do with me what He will. I am so grateful He will have me, He is my hope. Second of all, I belong to His people. I want to live my life for Him and for you. I am not very good at either of those things, but it is my greatest desire, to serve Him and His people, until the day I die.

This blog is me, trying to make sense of life, and learn what it really means to love God and love His people. I write it mostly for the people I know in real life, but feel free to join in the conversation, I welcome you.

May God Himself, teach His people how to truly love ~ Him and each other.

Books I Liked Lately

Longing for More ~ Ruth Haley Barton
Fresh Power ~ Jim Cymbala
The King Raven Series ~ Stephen Lawhead
Looking for God ~ Nancy Ortberg
Celebration of Discipline ~ Richard Foster
The Chosen ~ Chaim Potok
Sacred Rhythms ~ Ruth Haley Barton
The Life You've Always Wanted ~ John Ortberg
What difference do it Make? ~ Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Crazy Love ~ Frances Chan
Wild Goose Chase ~ Mark Batterson
Elijah ~ Charles Swindol
Tramp for the Lord ~ Corrie ten Boom
Soul Talk ~ Larry Crabb
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire ~ Jim Cymbala
Holy Listening, The Art of Spiritual Direction by Margaret Guenther
The Twighlight Series
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn (Very eye-opening)
The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis
A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken (Loved reading it right after Same Kind of Different)
Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall (True story, very interesting)
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders, updated version

Books that changed my perspective, my life. ♥

Joy & Strength by Mary Wilder Tileson (My favorite devotional book)
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
The Confident Woman by Anabel Gilham
The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey
Desiring God by John Piper
The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoffer Dietrich
The Pusuit of God by A W Tozer
A Fresh Brewed Life by Nichole Johnson
If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg
Beth Moore Bible Studies
Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManis
Men and Women in the Church by Dr Sarah Sumner
The Wisdom of Tenderness by Brennan Manning
Uprising by Erwin McManis
The Mind of Christ by TW Hunt
The Final Quest by Rick Joyner

What is Unity?

Colossians 3:13-14 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Psalms 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:2-4 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—

Jesus Prays for All Believers
I pray not only for these,
but also for those who believe in Me through their message.
May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us,
so the world may believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me.
May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Philippians 2:1-3 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.