2024: Starting Fresh

Starting 2024 with a new planner. It's basically a notebook which I'm modifying each week to be a planner. Trying to hold myself accountable... key word: trying. Began re-reading "Win The Day" by Mark Batterson. For 2024 one of my goals is to read a book a month; basically aiming for 15 minutes of reading a book per day. Might not sound very lofty, but it's better than not reading any books, right?

What are your goals for 2024?

Troy and Carson graciously put together my new desk this morning. It's one of those fancy electronic desk which allow me to stand or sit while I work. It's will be great, now that I'm working from home. Speaking of working from home, it has been a bit of a transition. Overall I am enjoying it. Usually I stay so busy that realistically I don't have time to think about being alone. Also, I'm on the phone with potential patients all day long. 

My thoughts today are circling around faith/hope/visualization are basically mind over matter. Learning how visualization can help overcome strongholds, setbacks, and hang ups. It's a new concept to visualize in my mind's eye evidence of events or results of things hoped for. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." It's equipping ourselves to see what isn't there (yet), so that when it happens, we'll know with certainty that Christ made it happen. One step in the process of building faith.

God With Us

Read:

Revelations 21:3 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

 

Meditate:

Exodus 29:45
I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God.

John 1:14   
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matt. 1:23

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

 

What is the significance of God living with me?

Does He make a difference in my life, in my home, in my workplace, etc.?

 

This is the constant question circling my head: How is God's presence obvious to me, and how to do I help others to recognize Him?

Pray:

Thank you for making Yourself known to me. Thanks for impacting me with a wonderful friendship, supplying all my needs and even most of my wants. You are gracious and kind, a good listener, and a great counselor. May You equip me to share how wonderful you are with others around me. May You open their eyes and their hearts to hear and see Your goodness. May You place others in my path who needs to hear about You. Open opportunities to share Your truth.

Listen:

How do I notice You?

How does my worldview impact my vision of seeing You?

Who draws my attention closer to You? Who distracts my attention of You?

Reinforce the importance of daily quiet times with You.

What are steps to learn to recognize You?

Sabbath

Read

Hebrews 4:9-10

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.

Meditate

Matthew 12:8

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

Deut. 5:12

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.

“The people are in need of rest—to stop hard work (shabbat) and be present with God (nuakh).”

“Sabbath rest is an invitation to practice for eternity in God's presence. It is an act of regular and intentional trust of God's rule on Earth. We shabbat in order to nuakh—when we stop working, we can truly rest in God's presence.”

“When followers of Jesus observe the Sabbath, we live as if this restoration has already taken place. We take a break from the broken rhythms of hustle and hardship to set aside a time to honor Jesus’ rule, enjoy his presence, and extend rest to the world around us. When we trust God’s invitation to come to him and truly rest, we become places where his presence can dwell.”

https://bibleproject.com/blog/keeping-the-sabbath-is-it-still-relevant-to-christians-today/

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

Isaiah 58:13-14
"If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the LORD honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Pray

You are Lord of the Sabbath. Let me respond wholeheartedly to Your invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Teach me to be present with you on the Sabbath. I surrender this time, the 7^th day, to be holy. May You show me how to be open and present with my family and friends.

Listen

Sit…

Breathe…

Give to Him all your stress.

Allow the Holy Spirit to fill your lungs, mind and soul with Himself.

Feel how settled and centered you become when the Holy Spirit moves.

Faithfulness

Read

Psalms 119:90

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Meditate

Song: He’s Always Been Faithful – Sara Groves

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Hymn)

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Deut. 7.9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Psalms 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

“God is good.” “All the time.”

“All the time.” “God is good.”

Strongs (H530) Definition of faithfulness: Firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness

How have you personally experienced the faithfulness of God?

What area(s) of your life are you expecting God to be faithful?

Is there a specific promise in God’s word which you hold tightly on to?

What is the connection between God establishing the earth and God’s faithfulness to all generations?

Pray

Father, Your faithfulness continues through all generations. You are faithful in keeping Your promises. You are good and Your love endures forever. No matter what comes my way, You are good and You are faithful. Because of Your faithfulness, I can rest and not fret. May You encourage me when my fears and doubts crowd my vision. I’m holding onto Your word which says, “through all generations”. Over the hearts of this younger generation, I ask that You open their hearts to receive Your love and salvation. Let us experience your faithfulness.

~in the Name of Jesus, Amen

Listen

Allow yourself a few moments for our faithful & creative God to enter into your thoughts, heart and soul.

What do you hear the Him speaking to you?

What images flood your mind?

What do you sense in your spirit?

 

Be sure to write down anything you sense is being spoken to you.

Before Me

Read

Isaiah 45:2 NIV

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

Meditate (what parts jump out? think on those parts)

Kari Jobe - I Am Not Alone 

"I am not alone, I am not alone, You will go before me, You will never leave me."

 

'break down gates of bronze'

Google says,"What breaks down bronze? Exposure to chloride will cause a damaging corrosive tarnish called bronze disease that will pit and eventually destroy the metal."

 

"We are each given many opportunities to serve others, to worship, to show our love for God and for our neighbor each week, if not each day. And at each moment when this opportunity presents itself, it is as if God is knocking on the door of our hearts, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the king of glory may come in.” In our minds and hearts, there are two choices—either open the door and let Him enter, or keep the door closed."

excerpt from OCN

 

What mountains in my life need to be "leveled"? What are some "bronze gates" or "iron bars" in my life: possibly fear, past abuse or deep hurts, unsatisfied longings, addictions, unanswered prayers, etc.? Take a few minutes to turn these hurts, hangup and habits over to the King of glory.

 

 Pray (turn scripture into your prayer)

Open up, ancient gates of (______ name your "gate": addiction, hurt, pain, etc. Be specific)! 

Open up, ancient doors (______ name your "door": anything distracting you from a peaceful mind), and let the King of glory enter.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle.
Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven's Armies -- He is the King of glory.

Psalm 24:7-10

 

Listen (just sit still and listen)

 

Allow yourself a few moments for the King of glory to enter into your thoughts, heart and soul.   

What do you hear the King of glory speaking to you?

What images flood your mind?

What do you sense in your spirit?

 

Be sure to write down anything you sense is being spoken to you.

 

Self-Protection

 "Uncertain that God will protect us, we proactively protect ourselves. To avoid further emotional and theological pain, we lower our expectations, edit our dreams, and shrink back from God through fear-driven planning, endless worry, hypervigilance, or the numbing of hope. With each choice to self-protect, another layer is added to insulate our hearts from attentiveness to God's presence."  

~Dr. Alicia Britt Chole in her book, "40 Days of Decrease"

There's times when I read a book, and the words simply jump off the page. This is one of those books. It's set up like a devotional designed for the lenten season. Each day the reader is challenged to decrease in certain areas of our lives. Here are a few examples from the book: regrets, stinginess, rationalism, isolation, spectatorship. Honestly, I could use much less of each of these in my life. 

As the chapters keep ticking away, my heart is reminded of the disciple John, when he said, "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30) John is speaking of Jesus, and how Jesus should be number one in our lives. John understood the greatness of Jesus, and he's trying to communicate that truth to anyone who might listen. It's as though Jesus Himself is saying, "He who has ears, let him hear." (Matt. 11:15)

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Let us throw off self-protection, and allow the God of the universe to handle our daily issues. Let Him bear our burdens of broken relationships, lost dreams, & lost children. He's plenty capable of managing all of our problems. In Swahili, one could say, "Mungu anaweza", He is able. Let's allow Him to show His power in our fragile lives. Hear the voice of the Lord when He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) The prophet Isaiah resounds with the same message this way, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:29)

So, what's keeping each of us back from allowing us to experience the reckless love of God? Let's strive to draw near to Jesus as we experience our daily stresses.

4 Years: A Journey to Texas

What a trip! From the last post until now, let's take a little journey down memory lane. The Lord has a funny sense of humor. He basically sold our home in Woodstock, GA, within 24 hours. He opened the door for a great house in Burnet, TX, to be available for us at exactly the right time. It's been over 4 years now since we moved out west. Carson went from being a Kindergartner in Georgia to a mighty 5th grader in Texas. Our oldest joined the Air Force and our middle son joined the Marines. Troy and I recently celebrated 12 years of marriage. Troy reached the half of a century mark, both older boys are in their twenties, Carson is double digits, and I'm in my middle forties. If that isn't a strong dose of reality, I'm not sure what is?!?

It's sobering to realize how much can change in a few short years.

So many thoughts are crossing my mind as I reminisce.

But the main thought, "God is so good." He keeps leading us and providing for us so beautifully. He hasn't let us down, though I have fallen short more times than I care to recall. Reminds me of this quote from T. J. Addington,"Our life is a journey of shedding those things that are part of our sinful nature and adopting those things that are from God." We're all on the same journey.

Just today I was thinking about Joshua 1:9. The NIV says it like this: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." This would be my translation, "Hold on a minute. Haven't we gone over this already?" (That's when I look into His eyes, and He places His gentle hand on my shoulder.) "You ARE strong, and you ARE courageous. You don't need to be afraid, Tanya. Stop being discouraged. You know that I will be with you wherever you go. I got this. You can trust Me. Now, let's go."

A little trip

Good morning, welcome back from turkey coma. Hope your holiday was filled with memories and a new insight into where God is leading you.  My heart is filled with thoughts of a new adventure for you. Can you feel it? What's next for you?

In Mark Batterson's book, Wild Goose Chase, he says this, "We start dying when we have nothing with living for. And we don't really start living until we find something with dying for. Ironically, discovering something worth dying for is what makes life worth living."

My prayer for us all is to find that holy passion, and to have to courage to pursue it.

Troy and I are flying out to Austin this weekend. Found some ridiculously cheap airline tickets and a rental car. We're praying for clear vision and a very distinct

Have a great day. Love you.
Tanya

Mission + Vision

Hello,

Good afternoon. Hope you're having a marvelous Monday. It's a bit cool here, 50 degrees, but sunny.

I'm reading a book, God Will Make A Way by Cloud & Townsend. First chapter talks about the importance of believing God will make a way. Here's a quote,  " No matter what limitation or circumstance you find yourself up against in life, there is a God who can empower you and got you to go past what you thought was possible." chapter 2 is talking about the importance of "Surrounding yourself with with spiritually tuned, well-grounded people."

I'm more than grateful for all of your prayers as insight as Troy, I, and the family seek to discover what the next step may be.

Troy and I both feel a tug towards Austin, TX. I've attached a picture which still makes me smile... God writing a sign in the air for me. Troy visited a Austin in June and loved it. He even told me we might move there. Then I started praying for God to put the holy passion in our souls, and begin with Troy. God had already begun with Troy and I was slow to catch on.

So we are exploring some options. Praying for clear direction and wisdom. "Being open", as our pastor challenged us on Sunday, to what Jesus had for us. 

So, as you continue to pray and counsel me, may the Holy Spirit continue to reveal Himself more and more real to all of us.

love you,
Tanya

Become Who You Are

God is definitely trying to teach me something. Two books I've picked up this week have said the same thing: BECOME WHO YOU ARE. So now I'm delving into this identity search.

A Call To Grace, David Nasser
The Truest Thing About You, David Lomas

Its is well

It Is Well

Kristene DiMarco

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me

Far be it for me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see
And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of sea

So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name

It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

Tanya Brown

crafty

http://www.craftsy.com/lecture/welcome-to-your-free-mini-class/1594.html

Anticipation is building...

Can you feel it? Can you sense the anticipation building? I certainly do.

There's a prompting on my life to pounce on a new adventure. I can't avoid it. Seems like every article, blog, book, radio program, etc., that I pick up focuses on discovering what my  passions are and pursuing those passions. It's everywhere! Literally, everywhere. In the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep, I picked up a parenting book from John Maxwell from 1996 called Breakthrough Parenting. I only made it through page 33, but so far it's loud and clear that I need to keep learning. And to do that, I need to figure out what my passions are. (See the trend?)

So how does one figure out what he is passionate about? 

• Listen to what you talk about the most
• Look at your bank account to see where your money is going
• Peruse your bookshelf to see what interests you have
• Think about which websites you spend the most time
• What would you really like to do in the next 5 years
• If money was not an issue, where would you like to be

Check out this personality test: Keirsey Temperment Sorter or this career test: The MAPP Assessment

Indecency in Marriage

Something about Deuteronomy draws me in. Perhaps it's the legal side of the book - all the "you should do this", or "you need to do it". It's pretty black and white for the most part.

But this passage doesn't seem that way. Take a look.

Deut. 24:1-4

If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, 2 and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, 3 and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, 4 then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the Lord. Do not bring sin upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

At first glace it may seem very simple. But then when you dig deeper, there are some questions which arise. 

What could a woman do that is "indecent"?

Who gets to judge the "indecent" behavior?
And because I'm a modern female in a culture where divorce is so prevalent, can a woman divorce her husband for his indecent behavior?

I don't know these answers.

Malachi 2.16

"The man who hates and divorces his wife, " says the Lord, the God of Israel, "does violence to the one he should protect," says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

Let's skip over to the new testament. These guys called "Pharisees" ask the question of our day.

Matthew 19:3-12

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

4 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

7 "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."

10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

11 Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Apparently men in the time of Jesus considered adultery top of the list of sins. Perhaps the men only wanted the benefits of being married and not the commitment of marriage. What does this mean, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry"? Maybe he was getting at the fact that he would prefer to live with a woman instead of marrying her. How do we know exactly what was in his heart? I think he was being honest about a real question he was struggling with in order to find the truth.

But that's not the end. Jesus goes on to tell this little story about eunuchs. Maybe you can explain what he is getting at... the part about some eunuchs were born this way, some were made that way by others, and some just choose to live like eunuchs for the kingdom's sake.

So which one am I? Can I say that I'm born this way, or was I made by others, or do I choose to live a certain way for the Kingdom's sake? I'm not sure about that answer, but I know for me specifically, I choose to be married to Troy. And I was spiritually reborn in Christ who dwells within me, causing me to actually be born into a committed relationship which hates divorce and loves reconciliation. Other relationships which have endured through decades inspire me to continue to make that decision on a daily basis. Our families support us graciously, and give us lots of babysitting so Troy and I can spend one-on-one time together. I guess I have all little of all three eunuch options within me.

planting seeds

I'm a huge Mark Batterson fan.

Quoting him: "Oh that I could pray that the Holy Spirit would come upon us and put upon us this awesome responsibility to plant a seed and remove this awesome burden to be God."

You can listen to the podcast here.

What seeds are you planting?