The Women Behind The Words September 2023 |
|
|
SCRIPTURE FOCUS: (Psalm 139:17-18 NLT). |
|
|
How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, You are still with me! |
|
|
Do we believe the Scripture above? Do we own its truth? Do we think about how much Jesus thinks about us? |
|
|
I do. I definitely do. Throughout the writing of my book, Holy Interruptions, my heart ruminated on this truth–––Jesus’ thoughts about us are precious and innumerable! |
|
|
More deeply than ever, I’ve recounted God’s mercy and reflected on His grace poured out on a broken girl who had no hope. Then one day Jesus opened my eyes to His love for me. Writing my book caused me to reflect on just how amazing God has been, even in my hard days. My awareness of His deep love for others and for me continues to come in layers and waves. His love never grows old in my heart. So, as I wrote my story and the account of 12 biblical women, and as I read it still, I recognize its deep value. Because there’s something about reading or hearing an actual account that makes an impact on hearts––––even on the writer or the teller of that story. |
|
|
If there was ever a time we needed to hear and tell stories that leave an impression on hearts, it’s now. Now is the time to recall and recount all the Lord has done for us, carrying God’s love and hope to others by sharing our life message. By opening our hearts with others, we can alsoencourage ourselves in His love and truth as well. Memories shared are strengthening to all! |
|
|
Jesus loves each of us so much. I sense a heaviness because I’m seeing dear ones lose sight of who Jesus says they are … of His love for them. Of His longing to draw them near to Him and lift their hearts and carry their burdens. Many have lost sight of God’s plans and purposes for their lives-–––plans that include them sharing their memories of God’s faithfulness over the years in their own lives even in the storms that came their way. God is still the God over the waves and the winds in our lives and the waves and winds still know His name. Trials and heart-breaking times don’t mean the Lord has abandoned us-––even when we can’t see Him, He is there writing our story, being our Brave when we have no brave of our own. |
|
|
Do you know someone like that? Someone who’s lost hope? One shrouded in confusion? Believing distorted truth? Missing joy? Feeling deprived of peace? Forgotten the vision that once burned within them? Maybe, they’ve even lost belief in the Lord they once loved. How does this happen? And what can we do about this, considering the dark days that are swirling around us. We see frightening changes. How do we make a difference this side of Heaven? |
|
|
Are you familiar with someone (maybe even yourself) … and you recognize that their life message would make a lasting impact on others lives … yet you see they feel incapable of telling their stories? They believe they’re less than, still wrapped about with guilt or sorrow or rejection or deep wounds and they’re unable to view themselves the way Jesus sees them. In their own eyes they’re failures. |
|
|
I was one of those people. My life was so dark, I’d never be able to help anyone else. I, myself, was desperate for help. And then Jesus came. And He loved me right where I was. I didn’t have to clean myself up. He did that for me. I didn’t have to be someone else, because now I was His own. He called me Daughter. We don’t have to be somebody the world recognizes to be amazing in God’s eyes. We’re already His treasures-–––cherished and valuable to Jesus who made us, and we can rest in the truth that He’s so enough. We don’t have to have countless degrees with letters after our names to make a difference in the lives of others. He is our Enough. |
|
|
So now, wrapped around my heart is this joy-pain, this excitement-burden, this calling that won’t let me sleep many nights. Sometimes I lay in bed, and I cry out for those who have turned back. There are nights, in the stillness, I just smile because I sense Jesus is up to something big in my heart. Sometimes I weep with burdens for the hearts who don’t recognize how significant their lives are–––how much their life matters. It’s been an interesting journey. A with-God journey. Agoing-deeper journey and I knew needed His direction. |
|
|
For years my personal mission statement has been to inspire and encourage women to live deliberately for what matters to Jesus. |
|
|
This is a flame burning inside me. It’s what drives me. It’s my passion. In these past several months in prayer for next steps, God has birthed and named a podcast in my heart, The Women Behind the Words. We’ll be able to peek into the hearts and lives of the writers and speakers we love. Their everyday moments. The calling God has given. The struggles, the trials, the amazing faithfulness of God … accounts that will clearly show howfaithful God is and always has been. Shared memories that will make a difference this side of Heaven. |
|
|
My guests have said “yes” to opening their hearts for all to hear so others can find hope, and courage, and fresh wind. I love fresh wind. |
|
|
In this new venture I trust God’s call will be fulfilled and many will embrace the truth that their life is significant. That time is short, and we only get one go-around at life–––what we share with others will make a difference-––Jesus will use our stories to change the course of history which will affect the outcome of eternity. One heart at a time. |
|
|
Launch Date for The Women Behind the Words is September 26th. I will send links and put it up on social media and even send it to your email early every Tuesday morning. I’m hoping you’ll join us and soak in the stories that will be shared each week. I know you won’t be disappointed!As always, prayer appreciated. |
|
|
I’m happy to share Bobby has been improving, slowly, but never-the-less, improving! His MRI showed a few abnormalities but nothing that alarmed the doctors. The consensus is he may have had Lyme Carditis, but it didn’t really show up by time the test was done because he had received 5 weeks of Doxycycline. He’s been diagnosed by the doctors in. NY capitol district as having chronic Lyme. He will be going to an infectious disease doctor in October in Manhattan. Prayer appreciated. |
|
|
Bobby sends his love and thanks to all who have prayed for him. We are grateful for all the kind words and prayer on his behalf. It’s such a joy to see him pulling weeds and lighting up his gardens at night again. |
|
|
With the help of a few of our grands, Nora, Soko, and RubyJane, he built a long, long, long bench using a slab of wood cut from a tree dropped from our own property that he’s been saving. It’s a slab (live wavy edge) of white oak long enough to sit a multitude on it and it will be put to use for the first time on our Family Harvest Gathering in a few weeks. Pics to follow in October’s newsletter. |
|
|
I hope this season finds you back in the flow of life with more of a schedule. School starts, Bible studies resume, and routines become a welcome sense of comfort. Even for those of us retired not homeschooling or putting kids on a school bus anymore or rushing off to work, we still have a sense of a new season when September rolls around and it’s comforting, isn’t it? |
|
|
In this new season, of course I’d be grateful if you’d look forward to my podcast and join me each week. My prayer is your take-away will be one of encouragement with the excitement and willingness to share what you’ve heard with others. But also a deep knowing you are called to recount your stories about what the Lord has done in your heart and life. |
|
|
I’m praying for Jesus to bring the people your way that He knows need to hear about Him through your personal life message. All of us, His children, have stories to tell. If you think you have something to share that will encourage and strengthen and bring hope to others, contact me and maybe you can join me on The Women Behind the Words. I’d love that! |
|
|
On this journey together, Deb |
|
|
|
|
