Well, there it is, in black and white. I often ask God to write on my mirror or in the sky, His Words. Today, He did....kind of ;o)

I have been worried about many things that have been keeping me up at night. I've moved my office from Keller Williams to the new revamped home/radio studio which is great, but not totally functional yet. Boxes are still in the garage waiting for me to pour through them. Printers still are not functioning. My assistant decided not to stay since the drive would be too much.

So my hats have not changed, they are just slipping off of my head ;o) and I fear I will forget something critical.

I have a full day today, driving to WV to meet with the ladies who are now gearing up to promote our EXTREME event in a little over a month! Please pray that God will speak to them through these lips today, and His Spirit will pour in me and onto them.

Now, as I read my devotions today, Jesus Calling was PERFECT!!! In bold capital letters the first line read:

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW!
This is not a suggestion, but a command.

I've been staggering under the load this week. Today I am throwing off that oppression with total trust on the One who placed me right here, right now.

How about you?

Do you worry about many things? What if we just decided to replace every single worry with prayer for someone else?

What would that look like?

I'm trying it and here is a EUREKA moment for me!

BEFORE -- AFTER

Get orders placed -- Pray for the girl who fills my order who suffers from depression

Get banking done -- Pray for the girls at the bank who are struggling

Drive to WV -- Pray for each woman I will have the honor of hugging today

The overcrowded list -- Pray for the Encouragement Cafe team, the Proverbs 31 team, the
real estate team, the Bee Sweet customers, the vendors, etc.

Lord, take control of my agenda today and my life. Prepare me to be used to the fullest for Your glory. Teach me what is on Your priority list. Father, I lift each woman who stumbles across this blog today and feels overwhelmed. Lift her spirits and pour Your Spirit into her, I pray. You provide all we need, we just get our needs and wants confused. Be our portion today, in Jesus' name, amen.

Stop by Encouragement Cafe or the Encouragement Cafe facebook page if you get a chance. The girls are chattering away!

Thanks for stopping by today! If you read the devo today on Encouragement For Today, and decided to pop over to get acquainted, welcome! We love sharing life with friends who 'get us' don't we? The girls and I over at Encouragement Cafe share life daily. Stop in for a latte with us!

Let me be honest, I am a flawed character. There is no sense trying to hide it, you'll find out soon enough. However, when I pick up God's Word I discover that I am not alone, and neither are you. Flawed characters are what God specializes in! Take a look at the crew He hand-picked to be His disciples!

First, let's realize that each one had already traveled down the road of life. Peter had a wife and a grueling job. Matthew went into the corporate world of tax collecting and may have been climbing the ladder of success. Each one was a character who brought with them baggage. Hot-tempered, greedy, doubters surrounded the Son of God and yet, He never gave up on them because He knew what they could become.

He knows my every weakness. He watched me cut off the ear of the guy who cut me off in traffic and almost made me crash. (well, I cut it off in my thoughts!) He heard me grumble when things didn't go the way I had planned. He hears the cry of my heart.

The disciples were no spring chickens, they were seasoned, baked and broiled by life. So if you think you've come to a spot in life where you are past being used for His glory, think again. He loves taking what the world says is 'over the hill' and placing them on a path to the mountaintop.

Two percent of people do something great in their youth. More, many more in the later years of life, who give God the smallest yes, watch Him turn it into a feast for not only their soul, but countless others.

Are you ready to use the experiences you have behind you as an offering of praise for what He has laid out before you? Me too!

Notice God didn't stick one guy out by himself, he gave them each other.

Welcome to our group! We're happy to do life with you ;o)

We all need it. Accountability. It is not something I've cherished in my life, I'll be honest. I have feared with accountability I would "let somebody down" because I know my tendencies. Therefore, it is easier to resist committing. But easier is NOT the life God has mapped out for my life, or yours.

Last year God was whispering to my heart,

"TRUST"
because of the journey He was taking me on with Encouragement Cafe...

this year it's

"ORDER"

Now I need to get truthful with you.

He made me, so He knows that I am a great starter, but a lousy finisher. It's true. When I look in the rear view mirror of my life I see a pattern of half-done things. When I analyze my record I find that the things I've done really well, were SPRINT-like projects. I'm great at spotting the need and D-I-N (my kids know that acronym...DO IT NOW).

However, if you glance at the long-term items that require stick-to-it resolve, I'm an 80lb. weakling. My attention span is thwarted and I become like the cat in this clip from BOLT, the movie.

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Since I have my hands in so many different things, God has provided accountability partners on all fronts. He knows me ;o)

In Encouragement Cafe, I have Ramona, who keeps me on track. Cheryl, who keeps us financially sound. Dawn, who helps direct the ship.

In Proverbs 31 Ministries, I have LeAnn Rice/Rachel Olsen/Barb Spencer/Wendy Pope who gently kick my tail to keep me writing/speaking.

In my own Bible study time, I have Weeta, who invited me to the Bible Study Fellowship to study Isaiah, my dad's favorite book!

In life, Carol who reminds me to stay balanced.

In real estate, I have Ify Egbuna (my wonderful Nigerian friend) and the BOLD class that meets every week to challenge my follow-through.

In fitness, my neighbor Diane, an avid runner, who has agreed to let me tag along ;o) Run/walk with her every other day now.

And YOU! Joy, who kicks my tail when I slow down writing on this blog. Lee, who reminds me that sharing does matter. Tiffany and Amy and Margaret and Sherri and Deanna and every single reader who has ever read or commented on this journal of my life thoughts. You hold me accountable.

And I thank you. Here's the deal. Don't give up on me & I won't give up on you, ok? I am so flawed, but love me anyway. There will be times when I let you down, thankfully He is holding us all up.

Love you to pieces! So who holds you accountable?

You have got to visit my friend today! She is launching her new blog She Cooks!

She is a fabulous cook and a dear friend. Paula Dean should watch out. I'm just sayin'

Jump over and tell her Luann said hello.

He spoke clearly this morning to my heart.

I read verses 34 & 35 in this 6th chapter:

Luann, I have called Encouragement EXTREME to WV and TN. I have chosen those cities & the cities who want to hear my message through this event and Encouragement Cafe. Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Get it? That is YOUR role. I've got the rest in MY control. Your temple bears MY name. I will uphold, confirm, support and maintain the cause and course I have set before you! Go, get on your knees.

Will you join me in prayer for these upcoming events and the radio program?

Thanks friend.

God has me in 2 Chronicles the 6th chapter. I am reading about Solomon dedicating the temple. It seemed like a passage that just might shed some new light in my old brain. Doesn't it make sense, since we are God's temple and Solomon was the wisest man (besides Jesus), to dig into this scripture to find some nuggets of Truth?

Well, here is what I found today: Life is fair.

verses 28-30

I discovered the word WHEN. When trouble comes. For some reason we often feel like if we do all the right things, we might get a pass on troubles. Not so. I know in John 16:33 Jesus said, In this world we WILL have trouble - but I really hoped He wasn't serious. Didn't you?

But here it is plain as day saying, WHEN famine, plague, blight, mildew (did they look in my house?), locusts, grasshoppers, enemies, any disease or disaster comes. That pretty much covers about any catastrophe you can think of, don't you think?

So when we look at the news and see the devastation that hits, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, cancer, H1N1, we really shouldn't be shocked.

If it hasn't happened to you, something will. You will eventually be hit with disease or death or disaster. Aren't you glad you came to visit today? Just call me Mary Sunshine.

I think it was refreshing really for God to let this wise man tell us that it's coming. Because then he tells us what to do NEXT! He said, when we are in pain and afflicted, raise your hands and pray to the only one able to rescue you!

THEN, God will hear, forgive and deal with us.

As I wrote all of this in my journal today, His Voice whispered to my heart, "Why are you surprised when pain, sickness or attacks come? No one is spared from trouble. Yet when you realize I AM is the only one who can rescue and you stop trying to be your own savior, reach us to me and plead for help. I will hear and forgive you. Your consequences may remain because I will do what is necessary to pierce your heart."

Well then, now I'm prepared.

WHEN trouble comes - I pray - THEN He hears

Sounds fair enough.

We are God's temple. That is a concept that is easy to forget, for me anyway. I make decisions everyday based on what sounds good, smells good, tastes good and feels good without ever giving a thought that the Spirit of the Almighty God dwells inside this body!

Sometimes I think my mind IS the sea of forgetfulness! Things that enter are sometimes never seen or heard from again.

God has me in 2 Chron. chapter 6 when Solomon dedicated the temple he built for God. I see some parallels. Maybe you will too.

I try to hear God's Voice in the words I read. What is He saying to me, today, through this verse or passage? I'll give you a glimpse into the nuggets I pulled from verses 13-25. You can go read them and then see if He whispered this to your heart as well:

Am I rushing through prayer to move on to my to-do list? What & who have I put on God's throne? What has taken my time, energy, resources and love besides God?

Am I ready to abandon it? And replace it with the Only One who loves me wholeheartedly? Get up from the pit and run the race with all the energy you've been using on everything else!

Why am I anxious or worried about anything? He has carried me this far; He has no intention of dropping me now! Today is a testament of God's faithfulness so far. So trust Him with your tomorrows.

Solomon's request is urgent - NOW - if only says I have a huge part to play in whether God can bless me with His promises - if only I obey Him.

What promises have I made to you, Luann? Ask me to fulfill them now. "A future and hope."

Present your temple to me holy. Sacrifice striving for other fulfillment and empty yourself before me so my Holy Spirit can inhabit you completely. If the heavens cannot contain My Spirit, there is surely no room for anything else in you besides Me!

So Luann, have you made a practice of getting in My Presence and crying out to Me for mercy or do you arrogantly go about your day as if you were the god of your own universe?

Come to me with a contrite heart. See the reality that I AM God and you are not. Then plead your case and ask for mercy.

Did you catch the day and night part Luann? Yes, always. Hard for you to grasp I know, but understand that I see and know what is happening with you all the time. Your victories and heartache, your cares and concerns, even when you contemplate sin, I see it. I'm here waiting for your cry to help. I won't force my way and will on you, but trust me, my way is infinitely better. I'm here listening. Go ahead, cry to me.

Am I praying? Really? Luann you limit our time together. I am waiting to hear, forgive and supply. You need only ask. You make quick decisions that effect others. Do not make promises lightly. When you say you will do something, do it!

Satan wants to defeat you, Luann. He longs to separate you from Me and my Word. Don't let him. Turn and confess. Pray to me. Don't be stubborn, digging your heels in thinking you can make it right if you're given enough time. You can't. History has proven it. I'm waiting to bring you back but the first move is yours.

Lord, forgive my stubborn heart and controlling ways. Take this day and mold it. Fill my empty places with Your Spirit. Empower me with Your strength. Bind Your Truth to the walls of my mind like graffiti that cannot be washed away. Allow Your love to pour out of me and onto others You put in my path today, I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

God has me in 2 Chronicles lately. Today I was in 6:19-20. I sat quietly after reading and thinking about the lessons God was whispering to my heart. Here is what that still small voice said to me:

So Luann, have you made a practice of getting in My presence and crying out to me for mercy? Or do you arrogantly go about your day as if you were the god of your own universe? Come to me with a contrite heart. See the reality that I AM God & you are not. Then plead your case & ask for mercy. Did you catch the day & night part Luann? Yes, always. Hard for you to grasp I know, but understand that I see & know what is happening with you all the time. Your victories and heartache. Your cares and concerns. Even when you contemplate sin, I see it! I'm here waiting for your cry to help. I won't force my way & will on you, but trust me, my way IS infinitely better. I'm here listening. Go ahead, cry to me.

If you are feeling blue today. If you think your problems are too big. If you have put off doing what you are ABLE to do. If you, like me, have played the victim game in life. Stop. Watch this video and gain:

Perspective
Vision
Choices


May God grab your heart and pull you out of the slump so you can soar on His wing!
I'm here, my friend, crying out with you.

If you came to visit because you read my devo on Encouragement For Today, WELCOME!

I've been digging into a wise guy's life recently, breaking down the verses in Solomon's prayer to God to dedicate the temple. It seemed to me that if the wisest human (besides Jesus) was taking the time to dedicate his temple to the Lord, I might glean some nuggets of insight when I look in the mirror today.

Paul asks a compelling question in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

It's so easy to forget that we are not our own, isn't it?

Solomon said in his prayer (emphasis are mine), "But will God REALLY dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less THIS temple I have built!"

In other words, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? No, not kidding. The God of the universe sent His Son to dwell on the earth and when He left, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell on the earth inside you and me! We are His temple on earth! Whew! That is a hard one to get my mind around.

I understand why Solomon would, in a sense, scratch his head in bewilderment saying, "Really?"

So how do I dedicate this temple to God so it can be used to bring Him glory? I'll admit, I don't many days. But this verse in 2 Chronicles 6:18 made me pause and linger for a minute. After reading it and pulling out the facts and the lesson, I sat still and listened for His Voice.

The facts are clear, you dwell on earth. The lesson is, if the God of the universe chose to take up residency inside me, His temple, how do I dedicate it to Him?

But as I sat pondering this one little verse this morning He overwhelmed me with this thought:
Present your temple to me, holy. Sacrifice striving for other fulfillment and empty yourself before me so my Holy Spirit can inhabit you COMPLETELY. If the heavens cannot contain me, there is surely no room for anything else in you besides Me.

Luann, you know that constant nagging you have about the future? Leave it outside of my temple. Do you see that concern for your kids over here? Yea, it needs to be taken outside. Don't worry about the bills, or the job, or the people in your life. Empty, Luann, I require all the space. Empty all your cares and burdens. When others see this temple they should immediately see that I dwell inside it. Lose your grip on all the things you are holding on to and watch how I will inhabit your life!

Hold that thought!

For more encouragement, (and a chance to win stuff!) visit us over at the cafe....Encouragement Cafe, that is ;o) see you there!

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