For My Mom...

To remember my heart for her on this Mother's Day. {May 13, 2012}

Inspired Scribe

While at a Gateway Leadership event in January, a man who was there to speak prophetically over the group said these words before delivering the word God had given him, "Never devalue the Word of God given to you." Basically, he was saying to put value to every word God speaks to you, whether through Himself or through others. Never let it fall to the wayside because you haven't seen its fruit yet or because it doesn't fit for your "right now" life. (and that's with the understanding that you have already taken said word to God to confirm that it really is for you.)

With that said, I am taking the time today to record the various Words God has purposed to speak to me through various people. They'll all be housed under the label of Prophecy, so if you're interested in reading God's heart for me over the years, choose that label.

Today, at our last large group meeting for this year of Titus 2, each set of Small Group Leaders had a prophetic word for each person within their specific small group. A word they had sought God for earlier that week. Here's mine:

Babs: Inspired Scribe

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, But water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that is may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

As I prayed for you I felt the Lord was saying, "You have a story to tell about Me. It's one of great adventure, mystery and a love that never fails. It's different than what you're used to doing. This story, about Me, will change hearts for My kingdom. I've set the stage. By My Spirit, you are inspired with the details."

God has been speaking to me [directly] about my writing since I moved to Texas. Actually, my first Word about writing came from Him in the summer of 2007. I had already been blogging because I've always been one who journals, just never consistently. Back then I assumed it was about my blog. That people would be drawn there for inspiration because I'm very transparent about my life, the ups and downs, the flesh of me and the spirit. But in the past few years God has expanded His reach through me via Destiny In Bloom, a women's online magazine. And in the past year He has spoken quite a few times about a future book that I will write.

As a matter of fact, during one of my first few small group meetings for Titus 2, one of my leaders, who at that time really knew nothing about me, "prophetically punched me in the arm" (there's a story behind that) when another member mentioned her ability to give free radio publicity for anyone who needed it, like if they had a book to the word out about. That's when she punched me (it didn't hurt) as a reaction to what her spirit sensed about book writing and me. She said that that word was for me and the book I would write. What??? She didn't know a thing about me and yet still delivered that impression ... that was obviously strong enough for her to react physically. :)

I don't know what God wants to write through me when it comes to a published book, but I know (because of another Word I received at Titus 2 in our large group meeting), that if He opens the door, the only way I won't walk through it will be because of direct disobedience to Him.

So, I'm a writer. It's time to get disciplined and sink into my scripture verse for 2012: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. [Hebrews 12:11]

Team KK

I am an avid reader of Karen Kingsbury's books because, as a fiction writer, she has an incredible knack for using words to pull you into her stories and make you feel as if you know her characters like family. She just posted another opportunity to become part of Team KK, and both Teighlor and I posted our submissions for a chance to win. Below is the info and my response (because I thought it would be fun to have this post on my blog and look back if I get chosen):

TEAM KK NOTICE: It's that time again!!!
I will choose 30 of you to win an ADVANCE COPY of LOVING for the purpose of REVIEWING it for our FACEBOOK FRIENDS here in my virtual living room!! I will also choose 30 of you, whose comments I will publish in an upcoming book.
HOW TO ENTER: Write 1-3 lines describing me as an author or the way you feel about my books. Also include 1 line about why you want to be on TEAM KK. I will choose 30 of you whose comments I will publish in an upcoming book. OR I may choose you among an additional 30 people to be on TEAM KK. If you are chosen to be on TEAM KK, you will receive the book next week and you will need to submit a 250-word review by Friday, March 9. NO SPOILERS, of course :) Please only enter if you are able to do this :)
You will receive a private message tomorrow if you are a winner.
Submit your comment about me or my books below this post. You could win by having your comment selected for a future book, or by being selected as TEAM KK, to review an advance copy of LOVING.
Entries can be submitted through 8 a.m. Friday (PST).
Here we go!!! Love you all :)

"In a world inundated with writers who fill pages with hopeless violence, excessive indulgence and unnecessary promiscuity, Karen always captures my heart with characters that become family members and story-lines filled with hope, redemption and the transforming power of God's love. Her books are shining lights in a dark world."

"I want to be on Team KK to get even a small chance to be a part of Karen's ministry through the faithful use of her God-give gift with story-telling would be the opportunity of a lifetime for this devoted reader."

Team KK gets chosen this week. I'm hoping that both of us get picked, but if I had to be honest, it would thrill me most if Teighlor was chosen because she lives and breathes Karen's books, even to the point of reading some multiple times.

God, would you bless Teighlor with this special opportunity? Love, her Mom

I Got You

I just got through reading this on Kate's blog,

"... and I thought about how God had heard my prayer. He had my back. He was and is working it out. He’s not tired. He’s not going to abandon the project before He’s brought it all to the complete redemption He’s meant for it. And none of this is because I’d been having regular “quiet times”, or praying as much as I could have, or being a particularly good anything. It doesn’t make sense, really. But He has me in a way I can hardly wrap my mind around…and He loves me. He is the same every day - faithful and true to His word - regardless of where I’m at."

and I had these thoughts:

• Do I always believe that God's got me, that He really has my back?
• What is about me that so firmly believes, without doubt, in the redemptive work of God in the lives of those I know, but I struggle at times to hold onto that for myself?
• How often do I stop to consider the fact that God never sleeps, even when He created me to?
• How long will it take for me to become convinced of who I am to Him and that He requires nothing of me except to abide in Him?
• Is it remotely possible to understand the depth and height and width and sheer volume of God's love for me ... even just a teensy-weensy bit?

As I write that last bullet point, the song "Let's Worship" by Deluge & Kari Jobe is playing; and I am reminded of how I wrestled with the concept of that song over a year ago in my closet for hours on end (especially the line "I will sing from the overflow of love in my heart"), playing it on repeat over 30 times before I got up. Coincidence? I think not. I digress...

"And none of this is because I’d been having regular “quiet times”, or praying as much as I could have, or being a particularly good anything." (Italics mine)

That line caught me in my heart as soon as it passed through my mind. And I immediately thought of my kids. And I understood the depth of that thought. The sheer volume of love weaved throughout it and wrapped all around it.

Do I require anything of my children in order to love them; to take care of them; to protect them; to provide for them; to pray for them; to help them; to meet their needs ... and even exceed them? 

No. And neither does my Daddy-God.

Although I wrote the above question as I thought of my children, I could just as easily go back and hear God's voice speaking it over me. After all, I think this thought because He thought it first. I love because He first loved me; and I've learned how to take care, protect, provide, pray, meet needs ... and even exceed them ... because He did (and does) it all first.

"I Got You."

That simple sentence is abounding in strength and swimming in fierce tenderness all at the same time. It makes me exhale in peaceful and smile at its sweetness. He's got me.

Beauty Redefined

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Babs on Pinterest

"I am weathered but still elegant ..." Song of Solomon 1:5 {TheMessage}