El Shaddai

You may have weaknesses, but God has strength.
You may have sin in your life, but God has grace.
You may fail, but God remains faithful.

El Shaddai - YOU are the all sufficient One - God Almighty.

God is the all-sufficient source of all our blessings. He is all powerful. Our problems are not too big for God to handle - what an amazing promise we can hold fast to. YOU have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand...Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mery and truth go before Your face...Psalm 89:13-14.

Psalm 90:2 - Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting ... You Are God!

This past week I participated at a She Speaks conference to study and learn more about the art of speaking in front of others. While reviewing my notes I had written down, I came across a note to myself about the personal ability to control results of speaking to an audience. It made me consider that you and I must always partner with God, and recognize HE is the One who needs to be large and in charge while bringing conviction where conviction is needed, comfort where comfort is needed, and change where change is needed. I must be willing to complement and support what is doing, so that God can advance the gospel message in HIS creative glory. It is only in this manner that He can use my voice to share life experiences and current circumstances as part of your good and my good. For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose! Romans 8:28 (NIV 1984).

In our workmanship of His purposes and plans - we can be confident in our El Shaddai.

Quick Refresh

A few months ago, my dryer finally not only quit, but burned up in a few internal areas to make sure the message was loud and clear... it was NOT repairable! It seemed logical that probably the washing machine was not in very good shape any longer either after so many years of use. So, after shopping around a bit, I now have a fancy silver and grey washer and dryer! I have been learning how to use and program the various cycles, spin levels, temperature levels and which laundry detergent works best for us in this new learning curve of operating both the washer and dryer. After arriving home from She Speaks 2012 I dutifully unpacked my suitcase and added it to the ever growing pile of laundry that was to be washed and dried. The last washed load went in to the dryer last night fairly late in the evening and my tired mind was reminded a few times - don't forget to hang up certain items before I went to bed - to avoid the dreaded iron and ironing board tomorrow morning. Well, you know what happened. In the midst of the early morning routine...I stepped into the garage to get dog food first thing for the "puppy girls" and remembered the clothes left in the dryer overnight. Of course the black dress pants and jacket were in just a wee bit of a twisted, wrinkled mess. My first thought of course was oh no - I don't have time for this! And, today I am meeting "so and so" and I want to feel comfortable and look my best...well, I really wanted these two items available to wear. But then, I remembered a new button on my dryer - one which my son has asked me a few times as to whether or not I had used it yet - called "quick refresh." Well me and quick refresh had a very successful 12 minutes learning together its powerful workings! The end result was clothing I could hang up with a fresh scent and with no more wrinkles in my garments. Quick Refesh! Wow! What a wonderful feature on my dryer. The best "quick refresh" I know however, is the Word! Isaiah 50:4 was my quick refresh this morning; "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak a word in season to him [or her] who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning." (NKJV). Now, who would not be quickly refreshed in knowing our God has awakened us this morning! That He has provided a Word, every moment in due season to be encouraged from any weariness or dismay. God, the one who is speaking voice into our lives that we no longer have spot or wrinkle - through both the "quick refresh" when we need Him at a moments notice, or in those long extended sweet quiet times we have. Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gently and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light" (NKJV). Rest in the natural and spiritual "quick refresh."

Living the Glory Supernaturally

"Let your glory come down Lord."

It is amazing that God "in us" is also His glory from heaven, that enables the supernatural in not only our lives, but to impact the lives of other as it is perfected and displayed. He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love...to the praise of His glorious grace. Ephesians 1:4-6 (NRSV). Grace is but glory begun...and glory is but grace perfected! Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. \o/