Wednesday, September 8, 2010

It's Fall Ya'll

I love the fall - it brings a new school year (even though in Texas we begin in August and it's still, usually, over 100 degrees!)...it brings new things to sign up for (classes, kids activities, opportunities at church and in the community) and usually some "new" clothes (can't wait to wear the warm, comfy, sweats from last winter!).

We started a new bible study at my church this week...it was crazy for me to organize it to begin the day after Labor Day weekend...I was alittle stressed from having the family all here and receiving emails all weekend from women that forgot to sign up but wanted "in", etc. So - Monday night I spent some time getting "right" (with God) about the start of the study - and wrote out the prayer below. God prompted me to share it/read it with the women that came to the Morning and Evening study - and a few asked for a copy, so - decided to leave it here. It might not mean anything to those that aren't involved but - just my thoughts on starting "another new study"...from a girl that has participated in her share - and hasn't always gone in to them with the right mindset.

What are you doing this fall? Have you prayed about your committments and what GOD would want you to say "yes" to?

Keeping it real -
Lori

September 6, 2010

Lord:

So many thoughts are running through my head about starting the Tuesday morning and evening bible study tomorrow…first – NEXT YEAR, please remind me not to do this the day after labor day! :)

My heart’s prayer tonight is that we, as a group of women gathering at Chase Oaks, will seek after you, and TRULY engage in your word over the next six weeks. That we will choose to make spending time with you a priority and that your words would leap off the page to the women who will be bold enough to set aside time – maybe for the first time ever. For those women (including myself) that might feel “too busy” during the week – will you prick our hearts and call to us…and allow us to hear your voice and turn our attention to you. For those of us that might be stubborn and still not get it…May our cable go out, our computers not be able to log on to facebook (ouch) and opportunities that only you could orchestrate happen – in order to get our attention.

For those of us that have done study after study – Father, will you pierce our hearts anew with your words. Lord - we have had so many to choose from, been given so many opportunities to learn from great teachers and great material, and now the freedom to AGAIN gather as a group of women to share what YOU will teach us. I pray that we would not take this for granted…that we would not just check this study off a list or add it to the rows of other studies we have done. I pray that THIS would be life changing and that a year from now we will look back and remember the truths we learned at THIS time.

Lord – you know how I’ve grieved as women (in the past) have signed up to participate, only to fall away in a few short weeks. I pray that the women will have an eagerness to be here – that their hearts would be so full of what you have shown them, that they can’t wait to gather to share their thoughts and the truths they found hidden in your word. I pray that those that might struggle will come to be encouraged and that we might love-on and support each other as you would want. Lord, I pray that I would be a woman of my word – one that would keep the commitment that I made when I signed up - to be here/listen to others/spend time with you each week and then come back to share. I pray the same for my friends.

God –forgive me for the times I’ve taken WAY too lightly the gift of the Bible. I know it must grieve you when I casually throw it in the back seat after church…and way too often find it in the same place the following week. Lord, I believe your word is truth and life changing. I believe I’m WAY too careless with the instruction and wisdom you preserved for me – written so many years ago, yet so applicable for my life today. I know that I have much to learn about how to treat your word from people in other parts of the country and world that, if given the chance to own a bible, would cling it to their chest and read it daily...and possibly all night. I know that I mistreat your word – for that I’m deeply sorry.

Lord – I feel you have guided me, as a leader, to this study – in order to bring it to the ladies at Chase Oaks. I thank you for that. Because it is truly YOUR words – straight from the Bible – I know it has the power to transform our lives. Thank you Lord for free-will, that you give us the freedom to choose to make this a priority or not…but oh how I pray that we, that I, would make it a priority the next six weeks. I pray that we would be begin each day asking you to be more real to us than the day before.

I offer you all glory and honor of what will be.

Love, Lori

2 comments:

  1. Lori, your journal entry brought a tear to my eye. I have been (okay AM) guilty of taking the Bible for granted and not seeking Him with the passion He wants me to. AWESOME post!!

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  2. Sarah: Thanks for your comment/thoughts. Totally understand where you are coming from...I'm there too!
    WHEN CAN WE GET TOGETHER??? :)

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