Two Edged Sword

The Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword.  The Word of God is living and active. The Word of God is quick and powerful.

This verse has been on my mind a lot this last week. I've been repeating it to myself, and thinking about it's meaning. 

The two edged sword is especially fascinating to me. My Bible, the one I carry around in my back pack and have beside my bed. The one that's got packaging tape on the pages to keep them from falling out. The one that's all marked up. This Bible, is alive and sharper then any two edged sword.

As I was driving yesterday and thinking about this sword; it occurred to me that this Sword has the capacity to cut out, really cut out, what I do not want.  This Word lives inside of me, because the Word is God. So, as I pray and ask for the power of this Word in my life, I can also ask to be cut by the two edged sword. 

With this powerful strategy I may bleed, but I will also be more and more active and living. As the Sword cuts, the Word discerns and divides. My thoughts become more and more like the thoughts and mind of Jesus.

I think its bazaar. Odd. Crazy.

But, so true.

It's incredible to think that this Word is that powerful. 

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

Jesus, Say That Again!

Bliss!

So, I'm going to just come right out and say it: grandchildren are wonderful!  We've been blessed with another grandson. Our oldest son and his beautiful wife have delivered a miracle. It's truly amazing to hold him.

The night she was in labor was a sleepless night for me. I could hardly contain my excitement. And, then when he entered the world, my emotions went crazy. I couldn't stop crying or smiling. Oh what an amazing God we serve to bring to us this little miracle!

We have been given five incredible children, and our three oldest are now fathers. They are so impressive. 

Our son came for a visit this evening and brought his newborn son with him. They went out for a drive. My heart soared just watching him with his son.

The journey of life sometimes grabs me in unexpected ways, and I feel overwhelmed with all of it. Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself, because here I am with this huge family and I cannot begin to explain the love I have for each of them. 

Today as I prayed for them, for my new grandson, I felt hesitant to give them all over to God's will. I noticed that there was an element of fear inside of me, WHAT IF, God's will brings a pain that I do not understand? I want all of them to be spared from any pain, I want my sweet children to live in bliss.

This was my confession to God today.

And, He whispered to me; "Bethany, my will is bliss for I am life and your eternity."

Oh Jesus, hold my family in your hands and bless this new child!

"My will is bliss" Say That Again!

Release in me

Today is another cold and rainy day. It is gray. It makes me feel quiet, and I find it hard to come up with anything to say. I want to be by my fireplace with a roaring fire and a good book.

It was like this yesterday too, my son and I listened to an audio book for hours. And, we had a fire. It was nice.

I've been thinking about the Holy Spirit a lot. I've asked myself questions about his power in our Body. Why is there evidence of him in some places, and not so much in others? What do I have to do to have more of Him?

I recognize that there is a continual work within me that breaks down my outer man, flesh desires. My Spirit is longing for more of Jesus, for a release of his Spirit within me. As I continue to pray for an alignment with him, I pray for less of me.

Still, I sometimes feel old feelings of rejection, fear, jealousy, pain pop through. And, I hear him whisper his love and remind me that his Spirit is within, I have all things through him. I have every spiritual blessing available to my spirit. Every.Single. One.
The book I'm reading right now is about releasing the Spirit. It's all about being broken before God. That fleshy side of myself coming before him and admitting that I desperately need him. I need him now. I need him everyday, only him.
To walk with God; it gets messy. And, so beautiful. I've noticed that in that state of prayer, he brings me to recognition that I am unable to do life without him.
It brings me to a place of quiet and a place of humbleness before him. I am nothing,  but with him I am his everything! His love for me is so great, intense, amazing, and full, that I am filled with his greatness. It makes me cherish the days by the fire. It gives me hope for sun tomorrow. It gets me through the rough spots when I start to feel something other than blessed.
And, sometimes I feel that way.
Oh God!  Release in me, all of You!
I want to Say That Again, and again. 

The Word - An Agape Celebration Event

Sisters

Yesterday was a full day. It was fun. My Sister team met in the morning to paint the living room of my daughter in-law. We painted fast and the job was complete in less than two hours. I enjoyed being with my sisters in Christ. 

We celebrated with lunch by the river. I found it beautiful there, and thanked God for His provision and the time spent with those I love. We talked about the upcoming Agape Celebration Women's Retreat, and the plans we have to make it enjoyable for those that come.

I'm looking forward to what God is going to do, and it's exciting to watch an event come together in His way.

I was blessed to spend some relaxing time in the park with another sister, as we discussed more plans for the retreat. The sun was warm, the fellowship was sweet.

We are working on a video, and yesterday I also had fun listening to the comments of others as my husband recorded. There was laughter, and good things to say.

This morning as I opened my Bible to read in Psalms, this verse was popping out at me:

But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. Psalms 86:15

This verse reminded me of yesterday. God has covered me with His immense love, and he has brought tenderness and kindness into my life. It is good. Sometimes, I become stressed and I don't recognize it as easily. 

But, God never quits in his love towards me and he brings into my life women, like my sisters in Christ, to remind me.

He pursues me like a Warrior of Love, and puts within my heart to do the same for others.

Today, I am thanking Jesus for his love. The love he brings though others, and his love for all of us. He continues to demonstrate beauty to me, and it is very good.

Say That Again, sweet Jesus, you are tender and kind and immense in love!