My last blog entry was 245 days ago! The time to be silent is over! God has been doing great things in my life! I am amazed at how different my life is since January 8, 2008. I was just beginning a Bible study on "surrender". In my last blog entry, I asked myself, "What is my Isaac?" And the answer is:
Control
If we are all honest with ourselves, we know we really aren't in control of our lives, right? And yet, I continue to break a sweat trying to take charge and be "in control" of everything possible. The very idea that I would think that I knew better and what is best for my life is actually pretty funny! God has been gently wooing me to lay it down on the altar. And so, I am learning. Bits and pieces of me are getting burned away a little at a time. Sometimes...the stench of burned flesh is still in the air, and He points out another piece of me that needs to go on the altar.
Praise God He is long suffering, merciful and full of unconditional love - along side me all the way.
On January 30th the ladies in the our Bible study group wrote a contract with God. Here is mine: "Because You are God; because You have bought me; because You are trustworthy; because I know how much You love me; because I live for Your glory and not my own independent, self-promoting pleasure, I will let You fill in the details of my life. I give it all to You - my family, my frienships, my past, my present, my future."
I am in awe of what God has been doing in my life in the last 8 months:
- God gave me a directive to pray for certain people - but not just pray for them - but to go to them and say "I was told by God to pray for you and over you." Because I obeyed, He has opened doors that continue to lead me down a path He designed - inspiration from a book on prayer, praying at Winter Camp and being blown away by our youth, starting an evening prayer group, and attending an intercessory prayer conference in two weeks - God is unfolding His prayer ministry, and is allowing me to come along side Him. God is continually giving me ideas - and even though, I'm scared that I will fail, I am trusting Him that in His power and His glory it will succeed His way.
- In March, He provided an opportunity for me to lease the horse I was using for horse lessons last year. In June, I was given the opportunity to purchase her. As of August 26th, I am the proud owner of Dancer, a Bashkir Curly mare!
- God has given me a clear vision for a horse ministry. My vision was to work with young girls and women who have been emotionally and/or physically abused. Then God gave me 5 names - 4 out of the 5 are boys! Go figure!
- I am starting a new blog site just for this new horse ministry "Nevertheless Ranch" It's still under construction, but will be up and running very soon!
- I completed 2 out 16 coaching classes at Western Seminary. I have a long ways to go, and not sure how I will pay for it - but I'm not worried. I'm on the right path and God will provide all that I need to do what He is calling me to do.
- Through the coaching program, I am involved in a coaching trio every two weeks. Not only have I been gaining experience coaching, but have reaped the benefits of being coached myself. And have been blessed by the brother and sister in Christ who speak in to my life through our bi-monthly coaching calls.
- I am actually coaching 4 people outside my coaching trio!
- I attended Financial Peace University over the summer, and I am on my way to living debt free and building wealth...not for me, but for the Kingdom!
I have read and heard testimonies of people who surrender whatever it is that keeps them from God's best, and how the Spirit of God takes control of their life, and it takes off, in a crazy, miraculous, unbelievable way. That is the path I am on!!
My Daddy is making HIS dreams for my life a reality. It is so much more than I could ever imagine - and it's just the beginning! I am hanging on, and enjoying every minute!
