Wiser

One of my favorite podcasters - Andy Stanley of North Point Ministries - often shares a series called "The Best Question Ever." I believe it is also a book, but the 6-part sermon series is available for free on iTunes.

Anyway, the BEST QUESTION EVER (because I know you want to know) according to Andy Stanley is:

What is the WISE thing to do?
(in light of my past experiences, present circumstances, & future hopes and dreams)

He argues that if we apply this question to every decision we have to make (how to spend our time, where to spend our money, etc.), it will help us all avoid the many pitfalls and traps Satan has laid out for us to sin.

In the part I just listend to (Part 4: Time Bandits), Stanley challenges his listeners to jot down what is MOST IMPORTANT to them in 4 areas so they can start spending their time in the most important things. I'm going to make a valid effort to do just that!

Physically - train for 1/2 marathon, eat less junk.
Relationally - always rember that Eli is my priority relationship, don't let old friends slip through the cracks.
Spiritually - continue my daily devotional time, but also read more Christian books.
Professionally - learn more! stay positive!

Win an ESV Study Bible!

If you don't know, I'm a HUGE Mark Driscoll fan (check out my links on the left to listen to his podcasts) - he's a scholar of the Word, a dynamic speaker, and a missionary to the world. A few months back he published a post "Six Study Essentials" and #1 was Have a Good Bible - his suggestion: an ESV Study Bible. Since then, I have been looking for a good one...

Now, one of my new favorite bloggers, A Boomer in the Pew, is giving away a free calfskin ESV Bible on March 16th!

So read, Mark Driscoll's post, then head on over to A Boomer in the Pew to register to win your #1 tool!

Go Jump Off a Cliff

For the past few months, I have been going to this great class on Wednesday nights at my church. It's a class on being a godly wife. It has been challenging and rewarding, and so fun to get to know some of the wonderful women in my church (in all age groups).

The workbook has been locally published, so unless you are in the St. Louis area you probably haven't heard of it, but I think you can get a copy online. It certainly has the potential to go bigger someday though. It is called "The Cry of the Hidden Heart - Finding Real Love in your Marriage" by Karen R. Bacon (with the Sarah's Daughters). The original group called themselves the "Sarah's Daughters" - after all, if "Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham" then I suppose Sarah had a few daughters as well - and I am one of them! ;-)

Anyway, I digress. Here's a quote from the workbook (pg 131):

God's promise "that they will be my people" (Jeremiah 31:33) is our assurance that we will be a suitable Bride for the heavenly Bridegroom. Joan tells the women she disciples that "you have to just jump off the cliff" into the arms of Christ Jesus. Abandon your fears (What if my husband never changes? OR What if he makes a terrible mistake and our entire family is counting on him? What if I fail my husband? What if I get into his boat and our boat sinks?) Abandon your need to have some control over your life because to a large extent, you do not anyway; abandon, detach yourself from the things (other than God) that you think give you life because they will always disappoint. Jump into the Everlasting Arms. Remember, dearly beloved, when you are in despair, that you belong to Jesus Christ; He knows what your real need is. He lives to intercede on your behalf before the Father. (Hebrews 7:25) He is the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25) All that is His, He makes available to you.

All to often I want control of my life! Control of my schedule. Control of our future plans. Control of who can affect me, who can hurt me, who gets too close. However, every time, I make plans, GOD shows me how much greater His are! Unfortunately, I don't usually understand this at the time that my plans are being crushed. Hindsight is 20/20 and sometimes I don't see how awesome God's work in my life is/was until much later. But when all the pieces fall together, how beautiful it is. How beautiful to simply follow... even if the path is unknown. It wouldn't be a cliff if we knew what was at the bottom. Take the leap of faith. I know Jesus is going to catch me.