Here's looking at you...

Here's looking at you, you wonderful woman of God,

When you asked how to connect, I wasn't sure how to answer. So, I did some research, because, everyone needs a friend. Especially us moms. :)

As it turns out, when I created my blog, it was not correctly set up to fully convey my thoughts in a Facebook friendly manner anyway. So, obviously, this HAD to be remedied. *wink* Because, Facebook is where we meet, right? Well, yes. But, now there's another way... :)

In the right hand column, just above the social buttons, there is a new way to stay connected. In fact, when the blog is updated with a new post, you will receive a copy in your email inbox. Hopefully you'll read, have your own thoughts, and continue the conversation. Of course I'll still share with Facebook, and we can chat there, too. But, just in case you miss it on the timeline, I'd still like to create a space for community.

So, if you're loving the subject matter, or just want to stay connected, there's a way to do that!

All my Love,

Dottie

Keeping it "REAL" - (in)RL 2014 highlights

I remember the knot in my gut when I heard the gentle nudge of the Lord - "host a meetup in your home." The words were clear, and He didn't pose it as a question. Immediately, I knew that God was up to something. 

Something was changing (in) me. But, to be honest, I have been feeling the change quite a bit over the last several months. Is it even possible for an earthen vessel to "feel" when the potter implants new clay, and some blood and water for better malleability? Or can a flower "feel" itself bloom and bud, and experience the life giving flow running through it's members? 

If that is the case, then that would be me. I really wasn't kidding when I said that this was OVERDUE. Sometimes you just need to feel a sense of "normalcy", and this was just the breath of fresh air that I needed. 

These ladies were so fun to be with, to chat with, and share my home and a bit of my heart with. Looking back, I can see that God had all the details in His hand, and the meetup was a glorious success. 

I am so grateful for all the ways that Father God pours His grace and mercy over us each day. The platter and pitcher will serve as a constant reminder to stay engaged with my world, and live to point out His grace in my everyday life. 

God has birthed a desire for community among the daughters of God within me, and it is my hope that this event will only be the first of many, and will become a healing salve of God-given grace poured over those whose hearts are weary, or who just don't want to walk this sod alone. Let me be a part, Father. 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, 

who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together 

by what every joint supplies,according to the effective working by 

which every part does its share, causing growth of the body for the 

edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15

(in) Real Life 2014 - This is PAST DUE for me...

Calling all ladies!! Are you ready to have some fun? 

Me, too... in fact this is WAY OVERDUE. :) 

So, here's the lowdown... A few years back, the ladies over at (in)courage took note that quite often we ladies typically DON'T get together to encourage each other on a personal level, for a host of different reasons. 

While we are so very good at connecting with each other via social media, it's easy to sit behind the computer screen, and be safe to type (rethinking many times what you're going to say, so it sounds just right) and maybe edit those posts, afterward, to be sure that they are "encouraging". 

I don't know about you, but I know that my human soul longs for face to face interaction...  And, I'll go out on a limb here, and say that if you're a living human, then you need community, too. :) We all do. It's how we were built.  

To meet this need, the (in)courage team had a BRILLIANT idea to offer a FREE annual Women's Conference that comes to you! It's called (in) Real Life. When I heard about it, I was all in... because, I mean, what woman doesn't LOVE hanging out with her girlfriends, catching up, and share her life stories? 

I love this idea because EVERYONE HAS A STORY, and we never know if our story will be just what is needed to encourage someone else who is currently walking where we have already been.  

So... with the blessing of the Full Life Women's Ministries, I will be your humble host for the first annual (in) Real Life Women's eConference on Saturday, April 26th @ 4:00 - 6:00pm.  Click here to register & view the agenda and speaker list!

There will be food, giveaways, I have heard about a possible craft that (in)RL is putting together for us to do together, and of course the conference (via webcast on the BIG SCREEN).  Oh, and CHILDCARE (W/SNACKS) WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE CHURCH. 

You may have noticed that the conference is 4/25 & 4/26. The conference IS a two day event, but the Friday session will be available at different times for you to view at home, whenever is the best time for you. So, you can be in your PJ's, eating chocolate, and no one will know! 

I love this... I'm thinking of retreating to my bedroom that evening, and letting daddy have a movie & pizza night with the kiddos in the living room! :) 

God has challenged me with transparency this year, and I'm so looking forward to spending my afternoon with you, getting to know you better & learning who Jesus has been in your life! 

Won't you come? I would love to see you there! 

A New Kind of Lightning Storm

I was awakened, at just after 1 AM, to a storm that I was sure would rip the top off of my roof, exposing my family and I to all the elements that raged outside. I got up and checked the children's rooms to ensure that they were still sleeping soundly, and safely. And, indeed… it was JUST ME who had been awakened by this storm.

Pop and flash after pop and flash of lightning. Boom after boom of thunder, and a wind that roared with ferocity… such elements can bring the fear of God into a soul. I found myself seeking cover for my family… cover from the noise, protection from whatever destruction loomed at my doorstep, seeking to bring my family harm.

I remembered the Word I had digested the day prior. A familiar story about when Jesus calms the storm, and brings a great calm. The great calm has always stuck out to me. So, I uttered a simple prayer, reminding God that He was able to still any storm with just a Word, and calm the winds with His voice. I also asked to be under the protection of His wing.

Then as I listened, the storm began to dwindle. Within minutes, the lightning had subsided, and the booming thunder was no more. "Whew… that was crazy. Thank you for peace, Jesus." Then, I retreated back to my bed to get some rest.

At 5:30 AM, my phone serenaded me, and the first thoughts on my mind were concerning that storm, and how I was the only one who heard it. The one who experienced it. Everyone else just slept through it. And I knew that I wanted to tell you that I now understood what the disciples felt like when the nasty storm arose, while they were on their way with Jesus to the other side. But, the story really speaks for itself, and I didn't feel like I had much to say other than, "Jesus can still calm ANY storm, no matter the ferocity. The winds STILL obey His voice…"

****

And I thought that would be it for today, my little nugget of truth for those who walk with me along this crazy, epic journey of grace. So, I jumped over to the IHOPKC PrayerRoom for a bit of worship. When I checked in, they were beginning an intercession segment, specifically for the young people in their community, and the prayer leader at the mic announced that they would be entering a time of "rapid-fire prayer".  Immediately my mind went back to that storm.

Let's revisit, how the storm awoke me. Boom after boom of thunder, and flash after flash of lightning.  And as I meditated on that, I remembered a teaching I recently heard on God's ministers being a flame of fire, and how the words "flame of fire" actually meant "flash of lightning." Hebrews 1:7 Wow.

And it got me thinking…  what if all it took to awaken our lethargic culture were a God-sized "prayer storm"?  A flash after flash, boom after boom encounter with the King of the Universe and His ministers? And, what does it really look like in the supernatural realm when God's children assemble to pray for such a thing? Definitely something to consider when the enemy of souls approaches daily in the ear, demeaning your purpose and minimizing your place in the Kingdom of God. So, again, I utter a simple prayer. Even simple prayers can prove quite "electric." Would you pray this simple prayer with me?

Father,

Flood the eyes of my heart with light, 

so that I can know and understand the hope 

to which You have called me, 

and how rich is Your glorious inheritance 

in the saints (His set-apart ones), 

And what is the immeasurable and unlimited 

and surpassing greatness of Your power

 in and for us who believe, as demonstrated 

in the working of Your mighty strength, 

which You exerted in Christ 

when You raised Him from the dead 

and seated Him at Your own right hand 

in the heavenly places,

Amen

Ephesians 1:18-20

Repeat. After. Me. I AM A FLASH OF LIGHTNING. Oh, Father, let the supernatural lightning storm begin.

Two ARE Better...

Okay… it's confession time.

It's been 8 days since my last post. I know, I know. I didn't say I was the MOST consistent person on the planet.  *wink*

One would think that for someone who is trying to break into the "blog-o-sphere", an 8 day writing vacation would not be the smartest way to do it.

Thankfully for me, that's NOT what this call to blog is about. What this IS about is an intentional unveiling of the "skin" I wear on a daily basis, that keeps me separated from the community God has placed around me. The daily choice to connect myself "again" with others. To be a part of the wall. Because honestly, we are ALL a part of the Wall. And, we all have others God has placed around us to encourage us, and keep us sharp.

Case in point: Yesterday, I was approached by one such "wall woman", who gently rebuked me for taking an 8 day leave of absence from writing, because she was intentional on reading my thoughts everyday, and was missing them.

She reminded me that what I have to say is important, and that even on the days when nothing is leaping from my heart to the page, the connection between myself and others MUST TAKE PLACE no matter what my life looks like, or the distractions that may pull.

I was reading a post from http://www.incourage.me the other day, and here's what jumped out at me:


"I used to think I needed to be more before I could do more.

This is a lie.

God wants you today, right where you are, with what you have. He isn't waiting for you to clean up your mess before you say yes.

Your yes matters. And the best part is size doesn't matter. Your small yes to God is enough." 

~Kristen Welch (www.wearethatfamily.com)


Man, that hit me like a ton of bricks. My yes, even a small yes, is enough to change my whole world.

So… today, I'm saying YES. Again... yes. Yes to the call to be transparent. Because that's what this is REALLY all about. It's God's way of showing me that NO one person has it all together (although us ladies try hard sometimes to do just that) and that He NEVER meant for any person to be an island.


And, today, I am saying THANK YOU. Thank you to the WALL of women who have allowed me into their lives, to call me friend. Sister. You know who you are. You, who are courageous enough to look past the "rough" places in me, and get to know me. You, who have learned that the "tough" that others see is just a protective layer, and that a truly malleable heart lies within.

I am truly thankful for the encouragement God has placed in my life because of You. You lift me up. You keep me sharp. You challenge me to live as He has called me to live, and not succumb to what this world says I should look or act like. You have been INVALUABLE to me.

So, for all of the wonder you bring to my life, and this world, I count YOU as gifts. I truly would not be who I am today without you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

When I get where I'm going...

"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil."  

Proverbs 4:24-27

I have been guilty of wresting your Word, Lord. And I don't want to anymore. I want the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to be pleasing to you.

Help me to see that you have ordered my path, and find never ending joy as I discover the things that you have planned for me in the walking out of this path that is life. 

When I committed to this writing journey, my intention wasn't to be funny, or to tell a story, or even to present an "image of myself" that others could admire. It was to intentionally tear down the walls I build around myself on a daily basis. To choose not to be an island. To live in community. To share Joy.

Why? Because you created community. And on the paths you've ordained for me, I NEVER walk alone. Even, when I feel like it's just me, there's always You. You never leave. I'm thankful for that.

So, today I'm pondering the paths of my feet, wondering why it has taken me so long to to admit that it's okay to be loud, and evangelistic, and unwavering. Qualities that make up who I am as a person. But, there are times when even loud people need to find quiet, when even the passionately persuasive need to listen to another perspective, and when the unwavering need the ability to be flexible.

The paths of my feet are ordered by You, and You delight in my way. You delight in the steps you've planned for me. Even the hard places. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. even in this place, You help me remember that, though death is present, it's Your light that casts a shadow, and who ever said that death in the light of Your presence was a bad thing? After all, if any man would see Your face, he must die. 

So let me die... as I walk with You, the Shepherd of my Soul, let me die to the earthly bonds that seek to be my counselors. Let me hear only Your voice saying, "This is the way, Walk in it." I am the Way. Walk in Me. 

So, today I remember. I walk with you... in You.