Sudden Joy

I was flipping through the pages of a book this morning on Amazon.com, and realized again with great joy what exactly God has called me to do with my life.  It is that thing that makes your heart grow warm, that makes your soul pulse with life, and elicits a deep and profound "yes!" with every fiber of your being!  It is that incredible sense of knowing that "this is the best!" and that "this is what I could do for the rest of my life...even if I never got paid to do it!!!" 

Sometimes we are reminded of these truths simply from a book, or a comment made by a close friend.  Often it comes unexpectedly... but when you sense it, you "just know that you KNOW..."

Christian leadership. Spiritual formation. Knowing God. Serving God. Following Jesus.  Helping others to follow Jesus and to know Jesus. Learning how to do it well.  Allowing yourself to be transformed into what God has designed.  Can it get any better than this?  Being God's servant.  Serving His people.  Loving His people.  I am going to get this book, but it will not amount to the joy felt in this moment, and the re-affirmation of what I am created to do.  Praise be to God, and to his Spirit, and to his beautiful Son, Jesus!!!

New Year! Same me...but making new choices

Don't panic. I'm with you.
   There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
   I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

The above scripture verse is from Isaiah 41:10 taken from The Message.

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
(from NIV - for comparison)

This year I plan to follow along with Beth Moore's siestas Scripture memory group.  We have made the commitment to memorize 24 scripture passages in the year 2011.  How exciting to look forward to the ways God will work in making changes in my heart for a new season! May these changes help to form me into the person God has created me to be.  So many people in this world will try to make you think otherwise.  A good friend and mentor once said to me, "Don't listen to the voices that say 'you don't measure up'... but listen to the voice that says 'you can.' "

I have committed to memorize this verse and will carry it with me for the next 14 days.  If you would like to be a part of this, here is the web-link:  http://blog.lproof.org/2011/01/2011-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-1.html/comment-page-77#comment-153086