Introducing Joy Beyond ... my friend Brenda's new book :)

Hello friends,

I'd like to share with you about my friend Brenda McGraw who has written a book called, Joy Beyond.  I met Brenda at church where she was one of the adult Sunday school teachers in a class Chris and I were in.  She has a heart for the Lord and is using her story to help bring others closer to Jesus.  I had the joy of helping edit parts of her book and she even shared one of my blog stories.  I am happy and proud to share with you about her book release, Joy Beyond.  Check out the link below to read more. 

 http://www.askgodtoday.com/2014/03/28/joy-beyond-release/

Be quiet and listen

Those of you who know me well, know that I put great emphasis on prayer.  I think it's the most important thing we can do for each other.  You can pray anywhere and at any time, and about anything.  Anyone can pray.  So as a woman who values prayer I started re-reading a book I've had for years called, Becoming a Woman of Prayer, by Cynthia Heald.  Yesterday while waiting on Olivia to come out of school I read a page that really made me think about how I approach my prayer time. The writer suggest that we quiet ourselves before prayer time and do as Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God"  Hmmm, I thought, do I do that? Do I have a time of quiet before I pray?  I'd have to answer that most of the time I am not quiet ...  When I know who and what I want to pray about  I usually just jump right into prayer time. Below is what the writer suggested.

 Well, my daughter came out of school and it was time to start the car and go home so I didn't think to much about what I had read ... Fast forward to my quiet time this morning.  The scripture reading was Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord

Hmmm, then I got over to the devotion page and well you can only imagine what it had to say:

It said to "Be still and know that I am God"

 

 

   I kind of sort of think the Lord is wanting to tell me something with this. I guess I better be still and take notice. What does the Lord want to show me? What does he want to show you? The above exert is from my daily devotion booklet titled In Touch found at www.intouch.org You know in sharing this with you I don't want you to think about me; I want you to think about how this relates to you and your prayer life. I am a sinner saved by Jesus grace. There is nothing special about me. I am just trying to do the best I can with what I know. As I get older I realize that there is still so much for me to learn. I am a work in progress.  I make mistakes.  I don't have all the answers. I am simply Susan. A wife, a mother, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a sister in law, a daughter in law, a niece, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend. All of those titles carry with them great pride and responsibility.  I admit I strive to be the best wife, mother, relative and friend that I can be.  I like to help people when I can and I want to be an encourager, but my most honorable roll is that as daughter of the most high King.  If I can live my life to do His will, seeking Him first, then I know I'll do ok at my other roles in life.  No I won't ever be perfect on this earth, but by seeking to learn how to pray, how to love, how to give, how to serve at least I'll know I gave it my best.  So if you are reading this and you don't currently have a prayer time let me encourage you to start right now.  If you'll sit quietly for a few moments and think about how wonderful the Lord is and how much He loves you, then ask Him to join you in prayer. Talk to the Lord and be quiet and listen ... I know I am.

 

 

 

Go be a blessing . . .