This was the title of our sermon last Sunday by our guest Pastor. Basically we all have a front stage and a back stage - the front stage is what the public sees, the back stage is private, the soul.
The front stage is always doing, going, performing (not meaning that in a bad or false way). The back stage is a state of being, resting, and restoring ones self in the Lord (or should be).
We are to live our lives inside out, meaning, whatever we put into us will come out of us. So am I putting good things into my life so that good things will come out? Am I clinging to the branch so that I can be a vine that produces good fruit? Am I creating time to sit at the feet of Jesus? Can I hear His voice?
As I am having my year of "journey", I wonder if I am the one doing all the talking to God or if I actually have any time to hear Him, listen to that still small voice, slow down enough to breath?
I got together with a group of women that I know for a challenge to read the entire Bible over the course of this year. While I am not good at doing this every day, I must say that it is something that I look forward to every day and when I miss a day, I truly miss being in the Word. BUT it is strange to me how much I am retaining it, I mean like, how many verses can I say by memory? I have my verse of the day and I do cut some out and tape them to my bathroom mirror, but how many have I memorized - ah - not one of them yet.
I drive to work for about an hour each day, on the way into work I take time to pray. I truly enjoy that time with the Lord, lifting up prayer requests and such. BUT how much during the day do I take to listen to Him? I can see Him working at the Center and am truly blessed by watching Him at work - BUT how much of the work that I do at the Center is through His power or my own? Would I really know the difference?
A beautiful point the Pastor brought out was how Jesus got up early to be with His Father, spending time with Him before ministry. He was being filled up so He could pour out. This is what I want to do. Spend my time with Him being filled up so that I can pour out.
I am starting to feel bold in Christ, feeling the freedom to speak the words that He wants me to speak. Although I do need to slow down and hear Him more.
This past week I have seen CPS (Child Protective Services) Clients (I have 2 couples right now). I truly enjoy this, meeting with them, talking about parenting skills, hearing their stories, all of it. I am starting to use the principle of being filled up so that I can pour out, speaking truth in love to them. Trying to slow down, listen to them so that I can hear from the Lord and speak back to them.
You see over the past couple of years I have filled my life with going and doing, not being. So after this past Sunday's service, I have felt that conviction of slowing down.
So this is what I feel I need to start doing: create space (don't always just be on the go), slow down, hurry less, being in the Word more, by doing this I will be able to hear His voice.
If I can begin to manage my back stage well, then my front stage can keep going. I will be able to perform the ministry that He wants me to do, be on the path that He wants me to be on. Clinging to the branch so that this vine can produce good fruit. After all God is my anchor!
Funny how life is, still not sure where my journey will take me, but being in the back seat, taking care of my back stage sure makes a lot of sense. What an interesting journey so far and just think, June is here, in 6 more months I might just know where my path is leading me!! :) Thank you for joining me, Stacy
Friday, June 1, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Daily Devotional
A volunteer at the Center shared this with me the other day. She doesn't read my blog or even know that this is my year for my journey - a journey to see what God wants me to be when I grow up - lol.
Just thought I would share this with you, it was the May 1st daily devotional in a book called "Jesus Calling":
You are on the path of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life. Here and Now comprise the coordinates of your daily life. Most people let their moments slip through their fingers, half-lived. They avoid the present by worrying about the future or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator, who walks with them only in the present.
Every moment is alive with My glorious Presence, to those whose hearts are intimately connected with Mine. As you give yourself more and more to a life of constant communion with Me, you will find that you simply have no time for worry. Thus, you are freed to let My Spirit direct your steps, enabling you to walk along the path of Peace.
The recommended reading is Luke 12:25-26 and Luke 1:79
It is amazing to me how much the Lord loves us. He places people in our lives, gives us multiply blessings and loves us unconditionally.
As I continue to seek my path, I can rest in this; I am on the path of His choosing. I also want to communion with Him not only daily, but deeper. Seek Him more and hear from the Holy Spirit.
It is so comforting to know that He is not limited by time or space, even though I am. Which is a good thing for me - lol.
As I continue this journey, walking with Him, He will show me what my life is and how my life should be. Praise be to our God!
Thank you for joining me on my journey - Stacy
Just thought I would share this with you, it was the May 1st daily devotional in a book called "Jesus Calling":
You are on the path of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life. Here and Now comprise the coordinates of your daily life. Most people let their moments slip through their fingers, half-lived. They avoid the present by worrying about the future or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator, who walks with them only in the present.
Every moment is alive with My glorious Presence, to those whose hearts are intimately connected with Mine. As you give yourself more and more to a life of constant communion with Me, you will find that you simply have no time for worry. Thus, you are freed to let My Spirit direct your steps, enabling you to walk along the path of Peace.
The recommended reading is Luke 12:25-26 and Luke 1:79
It is amazing to me how much the Lord loves us. He places people in our lives, gives us multiply blessings and loves us unconditionally.
As I continue to seek my path, I can rest in this; I am on the path of His choosing. I also want to communion with Him not only daily, but deeper. Seek Him more and hear from the Holy Spirit.
It is so comforting to know that He is not limited by time or space, even though I am. Which is a good thing for me - lol.
As I continue this journey, walking with Him, He will show me what my life is and how my life should be. Praise be to our God!
Thank you for joining me on my journey - Stacy
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
All About the Ranch
Just thought I would take a break from my journey writings to let you see some pictures of our wonderful vacation. It is truly a great place and if you like the desert, golfing and horses, it is a place for you!!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
A Wonderful Weekend
This has been a wonderful weekend (well, a bit longer than a weekend) with my hubby and cousins. It is so much fun to be here in the desert air and sun - just enjoying all the beautiful scenery and just amazed at how God creates so many beautiful things and areas. Just blows my mind! He is so awesome!
The past 2 days I have been able to ride and able to think about my horses and what it all means. I love horses, love riding, love exploring and love the wide open spaces. So while riding and thinking it occurs to me that I need more than a journey or path in my life. I have to have some balance!
Driving in the car for over 2 1/2 hours a day (to and from work) has put me out of balance. While I do enjoy structured time and knowing what I am going to do (checking things off a list) I also need to balance out my life. The pressures of the Center can become overwhelming. Am I going to bring enough money in, how can I help this client, what articles do I need to write, what about making the deposit. All of this can be draining and adding traffic to it just makes it worse. Like joy is stolen from me - well, more like just sucked right out of me.
It is harder and harder to wake up in the morning, life has moments of joy, but not most of the time. Life seems to be more about checking things off my list than actually living. Like I have this pressure to preform and get things done. Which I like, but for some reason this is different. Not sure I can explain it all.
So, how can I have balance? What is it that I need to cut out? How do I change my thinking? Being on the back of a horse can change your thinking. This is for sure! The beauty of it, the feel of a horse, talking with the horse; it is all so calming and so fulfilling. Just amazing! It is so amazing how God created these majestic creatures! As you can tell I love horses. I need to ride more, but how do I fit it all in??
Which brings me back to balance. Where do I get it? What do I give up? How do I create more time in my day? What does all this have to do with my journey?
Well, these are all thoughts that I will be pondering over the next couple of weeks - will need to get some balance in my life soon - that is for sure!
Thank you again for help me on my journey! Stacy
The past 2 days I have been able to ride and able to think about my horses and what it all means. I love horses, love riding, love exploring and love the wide open spaces. So while riding and thinking it occurs to me that I need more than a journey or path in my life. I have to have some balance!
Driving in the car for over 2 1/2 hours a day (to and from work) has put me out of balance. While I do enjoy structured time and knowing what I am going to do (checking things off a list) I also need to balance out my life. The pressures of the Center can become overwhelming. Am I going to bring enough money in, how can I help this client, what articles do I need to write, what about making the deposit. All of this can be draining and adding traffic to it just makes it worse. Like joy is stolen from me - well, more like just sucked right out of me.
It is harder and harder to wake up in the morning, life has moments of joy, but not most of the time. Life seems to be more about checking things off my list than actually living. Like I have this pressure to preform and get things done. Which I like, but for some reason this is different. Not sure I can explain it all.
So, how can I have balance? What is it that I need to cut out? How do I change my thinking? Being on the back of a horse can change your thinking. This is for sure! The beauty of it, the feel of a horse, talking with the horse; it is all so calming and so fulfilling. Just amazing! It is so amazing how God created these majestic creatures! As you can tell I love horses. I need to ride more, but how do I fit it all in??
Which brings me back to balance. Where do I get it? What do I give up? How do I create more time in my day? What does all this have to do with my journey?
Well, these are all thoughts that I will be pondering over the next couple of weeks - will need to get some balance in my life soon - that is for sure!
Thank you again for help me on my journey! Stacy
Friday, April 27, 2012
My Mind is Crowded with ALL sorts of Thoughts!
Those of you who know me should be very scared of that title - lol! I think I have gotten myself into trouble - how - well, by trying to read 3 books at the same time! "Change Your Questions, Change Your Life", "Total Forgiveness" and the newest one, "When Pigs Move In" - and no - that one is NOT about pig farming. :)
As I am on my journey, I have found that I have issues from my past to deal with. Evidently I have some sort of unforgiveness in my heart and I need to have that plucked out - not sure of what that is just yet - but while reading my "Total Forgiveness" book I felt that sting in my heart and I know I have things to work through because of that.
Last Sunday's church was also very good. Talking about God's timing and how His plans don't really revolve around timing - He is timeless - anyway, the example was Moses taking the Israelites into the promised land, how stubborn they were, and that they didn't trust Him so therefore the first generation didn't get to go in - they all died off. Then the 2nd generation was able to receive their inheritance and go into the promised land. We also learned how important it is to mediate on God's Word, that it's not about me, it's about God and to receive His promises. His words are true and He is faithful!
Ok - so how does this all fit together - see - my mind is spinning!
And oh, not to mention, as I was driving into work this week I see a semi-truck that used to have a logo on it about "Feed the Children" - it was all faded - like they took it off - but I could see it. Actually I had to blink a couple of times to make sure I was reading what I was reading. I was like, really God, what are you saying to me!
Well, this much I can say I know for sure! 1) God has a plan for me 2) All circumstances are under God's control 3) His Word is my direction and 4) I need to live a life devoted to Him.
So many puzzle pieces that I am just going to let Him put them all together. Some days I really love my journey, some days I am really confused about it and some days - well - I just don't like it. BUT I am ready to see where this year takes me and what God has for me. And can you believe this year is already a 1/4 over - man!
Oh, and get this, my newest addition of Horse and Rider Magazine cover says, "Got A Goal" - really??!!
Truly my mind is crowded with all sorts of thoughts! Hopefully it will be less crowded soon - lol! Thank you for joining me on my journey, Stacy
As I am on my journey, I have found that I have issues from my past to deal with. Evidently I have some sort of unforgiveness in my heart and I need to have that plucked out - not sure of what that is just yet - but while reading my "Total Forgiveness" book I felt that sting in my heart and I know I have things to work through because of that.
Last Sunday's church was also very good. Talking about God's timing and how His plans don't really revolve around timing - He is timeless - anyway, the example was Moses taking the Israelites into the promised land, how stubborn they were, and that they didn't trust Him so therefore the first generation didn't get to go in - they all died off. Then the 2nd generation was able to receive their inheritance and go into the promised land. We also learned how important it is to mediate on God's Word, that it's not about me, it's about God and to receive His promises. His words are true and He is faithful!
Ok - so how does this all fit together - see - my mind is spinning!
And oh, not to mention, as I was driving into work this week I see a semi-truck that used to have a logo on it about "Feed the Children" - it was all faded - like they took it off - but I could see it. Actually I had to blink a couple of times to make sure I was reading what I was reading. I was like, really God, what are you saying to me!
Well, this much I can say I know for sure! 1) God has a plan for me 2) All circumstances are under God's control 3) His Word is my direction and 4) I need to live a life devoted to Him.
So many puzzle pieces that I am just going to let Him put them all together. Some days I really love my journey, some days I am really confused about it and some days - well - I just don't like it. BUT I am ready to see where this year takes me and what God has for me. And can you believe this year is already a 1/4 over - man!
Oh, and get this, my newest addition of Horse and Rider Magazine cover says, "Got A Goal" - really??!!
Truly my mind is crowded with all sorts of thoughts! Hopefully it will be less crowded soon - lol! Thank you for joining me on my journey, Stacy
Friday, April 13, 2012
Question Everything
This is a quote attributed to Albert Einstein and is in a new book that I am reading, "change your questions, change your life".
In the first couple of chapters you meet the character, Ben, who was the "answer man" at work and now he finds himself as the person who has no answers.
He is going to a mentor of sorts, per his boss's request, and now he has to Question Thinking.
The thought process here is that you have to find the right questions to find the right results. One example of this is back in the days when nomads walked from water hole to water hole, living in tents and constantly worrying about where they will be getting their next water for their livestock and their families, their question was, "where is the water?". Well once they changed their question to "how do we get water to us?", cities where born, crops were grown, life was different.
Ok, how do I apply this to my journey, my path. Well, I am not sure as of yet, only on chapter 3 - lol - but I am excited to see where this book will take me.
I have found my strengths (although I need to go and review them), I have seen what a good general does (although I need to read more of the book, "The Art of War") and now this book.
Also this morning in my Bible reading, God challenged me to defend the defenseless and stand up for the underdog. This is what I want to do. My question is HOW?
But is that the right question? Is that going to show me my path? What question is it that I am really asking? I know this - God, what is it that You want me to do? Do I continue the path where I am or start something new? How can horses be incorporated in all of this? Are they supposed to be? What is my next step?
I have questions, but don't believe I am asking them in the right way! I am hoping that the Lord will reveal to me what to ask and how to ask it as I read this book. Stay tuned - it may get interesting! :)
On another note, Albert and I are taking our youngest on a college tour today. I am excited to see what path the Lord has for her and to be able to share in this journey with her!
Thank you once again for sharing this journey with me! Stacy
In the first couple of chapters you meet the character, Ben, who was the "answer man" at work and now he finds himself as the person who has no answers.
He is going to a mentor of sorts, per his boss's request, and now he has to Question Thinking.
The thought process here is that you have to find the right questions to find the right results. One example of this is back in the days when nomads walked from water hole to water hole, living in tents and constantly worrying about where they will be getting their next water for their livestock and their families, their question was, "where is the water?". Well once they changed their question to "how do we get water to us?", cities where born, crops were grown, life was different.
Ok, how do I apply this to my journey, my path. Well, I am not sure as of yet, only on chapter 3 - lol - but I am excited to see where this book will take me.
I have found my strengths (although I need to go and review them), I have seen what a good general does (although I need to read more of the book, "The Art of War") and now this book.
Also this morning in my Bible reading, God challenged me to defend the defenseless and stand up for the underdog. This is what I want to do. My question is HOW?
But is that the right question? Is that going to show me my path? What question is it that I am really asking? I know this - God, what is it that You want me to do? Do I continue the path where I am or start something new? How can horses be incorporated in all of this? Are they supposed to be? What is my next step?
I have questions, but don't believe I am asking them in the right way! I am hoping that the Lord will reveal to me what to ask and how to ask it as I read this book. Stay tuned - it may get interesting! :)
On another note, Albert and I are taking our youngest on a college tour today. I am excited to see what path the Lord has for her and to be able to share in this journey with her!
Thank you once again for sharing this journey with me! Stacy
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
My Journey
Ok - so here I am - wondering about my journey - my path - my next step in life - and right now I am cloudy and foggy - don't get it! But staying the course - because that is what I need to do until God shows me what is next.
BUT I do know that I am helping my youngest with her journey - so I like that! She wants to go to college and find her own path - yeah - love that!
BUT another thing has just caught my eye! Yes, another thing! I LOVE watching Food Network and all their shows - but what I didn't realize is that in America (yes, America) we have children going for days (sometimes) without food - WHAT??? How can that happen - aren't we a GREAT and mighty country??? Don't we have programs in place to where people don't have to go hungry? We have food pantries, WIC, food stamps, Shelters and schools that give discounted lunches - how can this be???
So on this commercial they say by 2015 we can end children hungry - WHAT - 2015?? Why do we have to wait 3 more years to end hungry in America???? Sorry, but this just blows my mind!
Ok, so now what, do I do something about this? Do I just send a check, do I check into our area about this - I just don't get it! This (once again) is just blowing my mind!
Every day I deal with women who need help and I have numbers to give them or I can actually help them - why is there this problem? What is slipping through the cracks???
So basically stay tuned and we sill see what happens next on this issue......
Oh, I am also praying for a person to rent a stall - just so you know!
Well, just wanted to share what was on my mind - once again, thank you for sharing this journey with me! Stacy
BUT I do know that I am helping my youngest with her journey - so I like that! She wants to go to college and find her own path - yeah - love that!
BUT another thing has just caught my eye! Yes, another thing! I LOVE watching Food Network and all their shows - but what I didn't realize is that in America (yes, America) we have children going for days (sometimes) without food - WHAT??? How can that happen - aren't we a GREAT and mighty country??? Don't we have programs in place to where people don't have to go hungry? We have food pantries, WIC, food stamps, Shelters and schools that give discounted lunches - how can this be???
So on this commercial they say by 2015 we can end children hungry - WHAT - 2015?? Why do we have to wait 3 more years to end hungry in America???? Sorry, but this just blows my mind!
Ok, so now what, do I do something about this? Do I just send a check, do I check into our area about this - I just don't get it! This (once again) is just blowing my mind!
Every day I deal with women who need help and I have numbers to give them or I can actually help them - why is there this problem? What is slipping through the cracks???
So basically stay tuned and we sill see what happens next on this issue......
Oh, I am also praying for a person to rent a stall - just so you know!
Well, just wanted to share what was on my mind - once again, thank you for sharing this journey with me! Stacy
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