an endless list

I just got back from an amazing weekend at the Women's Prayer & Evangelism Conference. God is so good and I was able to hear from some gifted women who have encouraged me to renew my personal prayer life in fresh ways. So...when I got home tonight, eager to begin with my new prayer journal, I wanted to begin with praise, preparing my journal for exciting reminders of who God is. God quickly gave me the idea of pulling out magazines I had around the house and starting on a "collage" of words that portray names and descriptions of who He is. As I turned the pages again and again, it was not difficult to cut out an abundance of words that describe our Heavenly Father.

The reason this was easy, however, was because advertisements use so many descriptions to describe their products that are actually words meant to describe the One True God. I was convicted again. How many times am I sold on products to make me better, prettier, etc., things that can easily become idols in my life? Ask God to reveal to you what people or things have taken His place. What words do you use to describe insignificant things that should maybe be reserved for worshipping Him alone? Believer, be renewed today in your definition of who God is. If you have yet to know a relationship with God, read the following list, knowing that God wants to become these qualities in your life! The capitalized words are the ones I found (in just 3 secular magazines) to just begin to describe God. Let me know what names God has given you lately. How has He revealed Himself to you?

God is....

the PERFECTOR of our faith
standing with ARMS WIDE OPEN
PERSONAL
longing to be your DAD
our ROCK
saying "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND"
LIFE
waiting to be your EVERYTHING
CLOSE to you at all times
JOYFUL as He sings over you
still in the work of SAVING those who are lost
FLAWLESS
longing to SATISFY your every desire
AVAILABLE to CALM every stress, every fear, every worry
waiting for you to see his VISION
THE KEY to ETERNITY
the ONLY true answer
MASTER
the FREEDOM you are longing for
MORE than you can ever imagine
I AM
EVERYWHERE, watching and listening 24 HOURS, 7 days a week, and he NEVER SLEEPS
WATER to our thirsty, dry bones
STRONGER than our strongest moment
a JUST God, DIVINELY ruling His creation, and always RIGHT
waiting for you to COME AS YOU ARE
coveting a RELATIONSHIP with you
LORD over all
the only One who truly RADIATES WARMTH
to be TREASURED greatly
THE ONE, THE ONLY
still doing works BEYOND our comprehension
POWERFUL
wanting to speak to you through His LOVE LETTER
AGELESS
our SOLUTION
in CONTROL
ULTIMATE
our GUIDE
ready to COMMUNICATE in a PERSONAL way with you DAILY
BEAUTIFUL
the One who CHANGES EVERYTHING
STRENGTHENING
a God of HARMONY
offering you REST
RESTORATIVE
wanting to be your CLOSEST FRIEND
able to claim VICTORY in your life
LORD
a SHINING light
your ROCK
FULL of AMAZING grace
asking you to seek His HIDDEN mysteries
calling you to TRUST in Him
HIGHLY exalted, the ROYAL king
wanting to be our FOUNDATION
FABULOUS
able to TRANSFORM our biggest messes
ready for you to celebrate His GOODNESS
MIGHTY
wanting to be your BEST FRIEND
a healing DOCTOR
PERFECT
offering you a FREE GIFT of his Son
one of whom we stand in WONDER
BEAUTIFUL, beyond description
in CONTROL!

Pray these descriptions of God this week. Stand in awe of who He is and ask for His strength to stay pure in a world that wants us to use these words to describe temporary things. He has a PLAN for you and wants to make Himself CLEAR to you as you seek His face. He will indeed show Himself to be WIDER and more PERFECT than we can even begin to COMPREHEND. Praise God for He is limitless!

playing catch up...

I feel like I'm always playing catch up on laundry and cleaning....so why not on my blog? (on which I am way behind!) Well, the laundry and cleaning is under control for the moment (as much as it can be), so I've made it to the computer tonight to actually catch up on a few blogs and I thought I might write a few words of my own.

Things that really matter:

I'm up way later than usual tonight...mostly because I am so excited about what God has done!! Long story short...I was asked to counsel with a woman (friend of someone I know) who has been contemplating suicide. I have been praying all day about tonight...for the Lord's wisdom and guidance...and (long story short again)...despite the ridiculous barking of my dog (since we had to meet at my house), my extreme deficiency in counseling, and Satan's attempts to interfere in other ways, this woman prayed to receive Christ tonight! I'm ecstatic and I'm sure I'll share more about this later! Please pray for her. God is so good!
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Things that ultimately do no matter but seem to make up my days:

I have to gripe for a moment...

Here's my shopping scenario from last week:

1. Justin and I walk into Old Navy to look for some maternity clothes for me (translation- I go to the maternity section, he goes to the men's - it's best for everyone around!)

2. I take 4 pairs of pants into the dressing room, come back with none. At this point I'm done shopping at Old Navy (since I don't think I've even been in there in about 3 years).

3. Justin picks up two pair of 34/36 pants that he is excited about because he can never find them that long and he doesn't need to try them on because (of course) they will fit perfectly.

4. We walk out of Old Navy with clothes for him (not pregnant...still super skinny) and no clothes for me (pregnant...and craving pants with "bendability!)

5. Why every time we go shopping am I more prone to buy him clothes anyway because it's easier than shopping for me!? No fair!!!
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I've joined The Grocery Game and I'm already addicted and saving money. Check it out...$1 for a 4 week trial...tell them I sent you! More to come on this, too!
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We're addicted to The Office again! Just two more weeks (September 25th!) and season 5 begins! In order to prepare we have purchased season 4 and are enjoying a laugh even as I am writing this!
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September 25th is a big day for us....The Office season premiere and (hopefully) we will also be learning whether we are having a boy or a girl!! Can't wait to feel like I can make some plans...
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We are still on the search for a "family friendly" house...getting pretty close...please pray for this!

baby blakley is a plum!

...or so thenestbaby.com says!

I'm at 12 weeks with 194 days to go! It just doesn't seem real, and I feel like I'm cheating my poor baby out of precious pregnancy memories I could be writing down or something. When I first found out I was pregnant (from a pregnancy test at 4:00 in the morning!) I could hardly wait to sit down and start writing about my thoughts. Now, 2 journal entries and about 7 weeks later, I'm at a loss for words. (I mean, I'm not really gonna share about the constant peeing or the ridiculously sore boobs in a journal for my child!!) I guess I'm not really feeling overwhelmed about having a baby (at least not yet) since I've been feeling pretty good and since I feel like I've seen every pregnancy video imaginable at LifeLine to prepare me. But I just need some inspiring ways to spend this special time in my life or ways to start knowing how to plan for the baby. Even though I work with pregnant women practically every day, I seem to be clueless about how to spend time during my own pregnancy! I'm honestly just waiting for the "nesting period" to kick in so I'll start seriously cleaning our house - that would be a productive aspect of pregnancy!

Alright, you moms out there - any suggestions for how to most enjoy and take in these special nine months?? Let me know! You'll be proud...I'm at least going to "enjoy" this time today and actually go workout for the first time in about 3 months! Unbelievable.

one word meme

I love when I am given things to blog about (thanks to the two people who tagged me with this, knowing I've been struggling with the blogging!!!)

1. Answer the questions using only one word.
2. Tag four others. (Jeni, Terra, Kelly, Rebecca)

Where is your cell phone? purse
Your significant other? amazing
Your hair? looong
Your mother? lovely
Your father? supportive
Your favorite thing? laughing
Your dream last night? many
Your favorite drink? tea
Your dream/goal? change
The room you’re in? old
Your hobby? Justin
Your fear? unsure
Where do you want to be in 6 years? mommying
What you’re not? perfect
Muffins? blueberry
One of your wish list items? house
Where you grew up? concord
Last thing you did? rehearsal
Favorite gadget? ipod
Your pets? wiggly
Your computer? portable
Your mood? blah
Missing someone? friends
Your car? small
Favorite store? lerner
Like someone? yes!
Your favorite color? brown
Last time you laughed? tonight
Last time you cried? week

church family...

...is one of the greatest things in life. I just left praise team rehearsal tonight, and every time I leave I am so thankful to be around believers and people who are focused on taking time out of their week to prepare for upcoming worship services. There is just nothing like the fellowship of the Church. I love that I get to work with Christians each day - I know that everyone does not have that work environment. I love that you know you can share prayer requests that others will take seriously and have compassion on. I love that I know others who are working behind the scenes in church each week, not ever expecting to get any recognition. What a privilege to know people who truly love the Lord and it shows!

I am so saddened when I hear people say that they don't go to church because of the hypocrites that they know in church. Of course, everyone in church is not perfect - we're human. But I'm thankful to be a part of a church where I daily see the genuine love and grace of those around me. What a great testimony to those around! If you are reading this and have been hurt by someone in church - I'm sorry. If you are not connected in a church, I urge you to keep looking for a church that is welcoming and where the preacher is real and true to the Bible. Don't quit looking if you haven't found that yet. Church is an essential element in a Christian's life. There is nothing like having a supportive, God-glorifying church family.

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Side note: Happy 100th post to me! It's been a long road to 100 - not as celebratory as I'd hoped it would be, so I'm working toward a party at #200! Stick with me :)