When i first began my journey toward Christ as a woman, then wife and mom, this is who i looked to. I read everything she wrote that i could get my hands on. Here's her devo for today.

Title: Pick Up Your Cross
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Jesus invites us to be his disciples. If we choose to accept his loving invitation, we must understand that there are certain conditions to be fulfilled. One of them is a willingness to accept the cross. Is this a once-for-all taking up of one particular burden? I don't think so. It seems to me that my "cross" is each particular occasion when I am given the chance to "die"--that is, to offer up my own will whenever it crosses Christ's. This happens very often. A disagreement with my husband can cause an argument and harsh words, even if the matter is ridiculously small--"When are you going to get that dashboard light fixed in the car?" I have already mentioned the light three times. It may be time to keep my mouth shut, but I don't want to keep my mouth shut. Here, then, is a chance to die. A decision which affects both of us may be a fairly big one, but we find ourselves on two sides of the fence. One of us, then, must "die." It is never easy for me. Shall I make excuses for myself (that's the way I am; it's my personality; it's the way I was raised; I'm tired; I can't hack it; it doesn't turn me on; you don't understand)--or shall I pick up this cross?
Perhaps my illustration seems to trivialize the cross of Christ. His was so unimaginably greater. What cross could I possibly take up which would be analogous? Just here is the lesson for me: when Jesus took up his cross, He was saying yes with all his being to the will of the Father. If I am unwilling to say yes in even a very little thing, how shall I accept a more painful thing? What sort of practice does it take for a disciple to learn to follow the Crucified? A friend hurts us, a plan goes awry, an effort fails--small things indeed. But then cancer strikes, a daughter marries unwisely, a business folds, a wife abandons her home and family. The call still comes to us: Take up your cross and come with Me. With You, Lord? Yes, with Me. Will You give me strength and show me the way? That was my promise--is it my custom to break promises?

Jewish Passover

I checked the calendar again this morning, as i like to do at the start of each new day. I trudged to it wondering, "what will today hold"? I noticed right away that typed in black on my calendar it said JEWISH PASSOVER. I immediately thought "something we should celebrate". The family talked quickly over Jewish Passover as everyone was preparing to embark on the day. I'm thankful Matt and James are alive and here! They are both first borns and the Jews celebrate Passover each year to commemorate the angel of death PASSING OVER their homes and sparing the first born sons of those who painted blood on their doorposts thousands of years ago.
WOW. How times change and if we are not careful our thinking shallows over time. Can you imagine something like that happening today in the world we live in here in America? What would the response and the reactions be?
I've had a most meaningful Lenten Season this year. I'm thankful God has allowed me to experience new things and gain some new perspectives. I'm thankful i still have a blog, though fb has caused me to neglect it more and more. For me, giving up facebook, for the most part, during this Lenten Season has helped me communicate more with others in other ways.

I pray this Season that God will reveal Himself, His Ways and His plans for you, to you, in a new way this coming week and weekend, especially.

Looks Like ONE day is NOW

I have always said that I would LOVE to run a marathon one day. I have always hoped to accomplish that dream and see if i could train and put my love and gift of running to good use. Well this year, I've finally been successful in training all year for the Nashville Marathon next month!
I am "Running for Life" on behalf of Relay for Life and MMerge Ministries, Inc.

Would you be interested in sponsoring me?
I'm "Running for Life" on April 24th in The Music City Marathon, Nashville, Tn. Proceeds go to Relay For Life and MMerge Ministries(75% of proceeds to Relay for Life). Donations of any amount are now being taken. If you sponsor me more than $2.00 per mile you recieve a t-shirt with your business name on the back that runners from McMinnville will wear on race day. The T-shirt designs are being finished up this week and will be posted soon. If interested you may donate here or make checks payable to MMerge Ministries and send to 138 Club Dr. McMinnville, Tn. 37110

It would be awesome if you would give to a great cause and help me achieve a dream! If you don't feel led to give please pray for me as i continue this last month of training. That i would be wise in my eating, training and preparation. Also, that my body(especially my knees) would carry me through!
Thanks!
Myra

March: HONESTY!

Choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do.
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. Proverbs 12:22

This month we will be focusing on the virtue of HONESTY, one of my favorites!
Why is HONESTY one of my favorites? I think because it was a virtue I REALLY had to WORK on growing up :)
As most of us have probably learned in one way or another, HONESTY is VERY important in life. It’s a building block to so many other things, like a brick in a wall that when taken out can crumble the whole wall.

Here’s something we’ll be discussing with our kids this month:Richard Nixon has almost completed his first term as president when members of the team working on his re-election broke into the opposing political party’s headquarters to spy on them. Nixon and his staff attempted to cover up the break-in. Then Nixon denied knowing anything about it. When people found out what had happened, they started a process to have Nixon removed from the presidency.

What do you think?
How was Nixon dishonest?
How might things have been different if President Nixon hadn’t tried to cover up the break-in?
Have you ever had a hard time trusting someone because of a lie they told you?
If you chose to tell a lie, what might it do to the way people think about you?

Taken from March Family Times Pact www.familytimes.org

No Reservations

 

"For all that has been, thanks.  For that shall be, yes"  Prayer of Dag Hammarskjold

 

B. Manning says "Reckless confidence for me is the unshakable conviction that Jesus and the Father love me in a way that defies imagination.  It means to accept without reservations all that the Abba of Jesus has ordained for my life, to have the attitued of Jesus when he prayed in the Garden, "Not my wil but yours be done."

 

Now that is living by faith = no reservations!

Posted via email from MMerge's posterous