Released May 23 "Sip, Savor, and Drink Deeply"

I started Session 4 of "Sip, Savor, and Drink Deeply" last week, but hadn't quite finished it. This morning, I pulled it out to finish reading, and oh did it ever speak to my heart?! I even went back to reread from the beginning of Session 4. My cup is so overflowing with so so many blessings!! But I think in this 1st world country, I get so distracted with the unimportant. We certainly learned on our mission trip to Honduras that they have have so few material blessings, but they are so happy with the little they have and they are so blessed and highly value relationships. (When we came back, we saw a survey that showed Honduras is one of the top 5 happiest places on earth probably due to relationships and climate!!) 
Over the weekend I had some attitude issues! UGH. I woke up this morning wondering how I was going to get out of my funk, and my soul was richly blessed with the words of Session 4 "Trust the Lord and give thanks." Exactly what I needed!! "Sweet cream in a bitter cup."
Psalm 13:5-6 (ESV)
"But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me."

Thank you, Lord, for speaking so directly to me through your Word and this Bible study today!

I am previewing this exciting new Bible study. Loving it!  Today is the last day to pre-order & get 25% off.  

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Sip, Savor, and Drink Deeply: Receive God’s Overflowing Gifts by Deb Burma

Sip, Savor, and DrinkDeeply: Receive God’s Overflowing Gifts Bible study calls women to take a break from the daily grind and find their rest in Christ.

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Cut It OFF!?!

“Cut it Off?!”

When I am afraid,    I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

   What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

“Cut it off! Cut it off!” screamed the third grader in room 4 of the Emergency Room.

Earlier that day, my 4 boys and several neighborhood children were happily climbing on the play structure in our backyard.  I briefly stepped away from grilling the pork chops,and into the kitchen. Just as I commented to my husband, that the kids were all playing so nicely together, my oldest son came rushing in from the back yard. “Colin just fell and broke his arm.”

“Right, Eeyore.  I’m sure you can just tell by looking,” I contended.

“Go look for yourself,” he replied.

As I dashed outside, I saw Colin lying on the ground with what looked like 2 elbows, as a bone protruded from the middle of his lower right arm.

As my husband loaded Colin into the suburban and dashed to the ER, I called my neighbor to come over to watch the kids, so I could head to the ER, too.

Walking into the ER, I heard my son’s scream of agony and pain coming from room 4. (And I quickly requested more pain medicine for poor Colin!) Eventually the surgeon arrived and assured Colin that he would fix his arm not by cutting it off, but in surgery.

What pain causes you to plead with God to “cut it off” today?  What worry? What situation?  An illness personally or an illness of a loved one?  A relationship issue in your marriage, with a co-worker, or someone else? A difficult financial situation for you or your grown children?  Can you turn it over to the Savior? Just like Colin had to trust the doctor, can you trust in the Savior to provide exactly the care you need?  Can you trust that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows and understands more than you?  Our God, who cares for you so much more than the doctor who cared for Colin, loves you with an everlasting love. “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting Ps.103:17.”  God loved you enough to come to this world to be your Savior.   Put your trust in God who so incredibly loves you! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Ps. 46:1  Do not be afraid. Trust in God. Depend on the Savior.

Colin is now working on an awesome vialamp to bring light to the world. VIALAMP Read about it in the previous post or by clicking on the vialamp link above. I'm sure it is so much easier to complete his work with both arms and I'm sure he's so glad the ER staff did not listen to his pleas to "cut it off".