Friday, June 19, 2009

Immeasurably more...

My heart is so full! I'm a little behind posting a memory verse for the second half of June, and I've decided to just continue to commit to memory one of my very favorite all-time passages. Here it is in it's entirety:

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:17-21

I worked on the first half earlier this month, and as I work on this second half, I'm struck by how well it describes my feelings of overwhelming love and gratitude - yes, He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine - and He chooses to do it! Not only that, He does this magnificent, immeasurable work "according to His power that is at work within us!" He can do what He wills, and He chooses to exercise His power within our lives - that's amazing to me!

I love how The Message puts it:

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us."

What an amazing God!

Well, this has been a full month - to put it mildly! My firstborn, my daughter, is now a married woman! If you don't believe me, check here for photographic evidence! The whole experience was beautiful and I'm eternally grateful to God for His work in her life and the life of her wonderful husband Joe, and in the lives of our family and friends.

I'm also prepping to teach 7th and 8th grade girls Bible study for a week of Cross Camp - so please pray for me! I'm immersing myself in the Beatitudes and feel completely humbled to have the opportunity to share these truths with these girls!

Meanwhile, some women are going to journey with me through the book "Me, Myself and Lies" as part of a summer Bible study orchestrated by the one and only Beth Moore - we'd love for you to join us! Check it all out here.

And, things on the farm are WIDE OPEN! Cotton, soybeans and corn are growing and we're watering around the clock until God decides to bless us with some rain!

So, that's the crazy month of June around my place! What's up with you?


Monday, June 1, 2009

It's June!

June.
My baby girl is getting married in just a few days.
It's hard to put my feelings into words.
Gratitude.
Love.
Excitement.
And just the slightest twinge of sadness.
I read something the other day that made me pause - "Raising a child is the only relationship you have where, if you do it right, it will end in separation."
I'm genuinely happy and thrilled for my daughter, and our family, and trusting that we'll navigate this new season with some grace. (Lord, let it be!)
So, my scripture memory project for the first two weeks in June is an old favorite passage which I've never completely committed to memory. It's my prayer for our family - and yours!


"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19

I love The Message translation of these verses also:

"And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
"

Reach out and grasp the love of Christ!