#SheReadsTruth: A Fresh Start

I'm only four days in to January's She Reads Truth's YouVersion devotional (Fresh Start), and it's honestly one of my favorites yet!



If you've yet to jump in, it's never a bad time! Keeping up with the readings barely takes ten minutes per day and is quite simple via the web, the phone app, or daily email delivery.

Sweet soul-nurturing stuff!

....right here.



There's a community of thousands already engaged in the study, but if you're like me and prefer a little face-to-face with a little more familiar crowd, you could always join us on G+! :)

ALSO, there might be a hint of a whisper of a Raleigh meet-up later next month. We'll have to see how it pans out, but this gem of a girl and I might just have something in the works... And I might just be a little excited about it! ♥

Feelings waver. Truth remains.

I tend to like letting the pictures do the talking around here... because it's faster and simpler for me. (And because I'm quite pleased with the easy record-keeping:) But sometimes I do better to process with words, words, words -usually in a journal, often aloud, and sometimes... right here...

Each weekend #shereadstruth asks us to share what we're learning, how we're changing and growing through daily Bible reading and study, so my thoughts...

My number one:
Truth trumps feelings.
Every time.

Feelings waver.
like a ship at sea
like a kid in his seat
like me when I've made a tough decision.

But Truth remains.
It's solid and sturdy
and quite independent from my flimsy faith.

The truth is always true.
Whether I believe it or not.
And if I want to believe what's true about life and God and myself, I can't trust every whim of a thought or cry of an emotion that crawls through this head and heart of mine.

Reading scripture daily reminds my fly-by emotions where to go and Who to trust.

It steadies my mind on what's true and valuable in this world and keeps my heart from buying into every pretty little thing that comes this way.

I still get tricked and confused and off-kilter at times, but I know Who's got me and that He won't ever let me go. So Hope remains.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1Cor.13)

finishing Proverbs...

Finally finished this sweet wisdom book of Proverbs this morning -on our tiny little porch with the tin roof, rain-drops pinging above and around me on all sides.

...and while I gained good worldly wisdom from this treasure of a book,

it ultimately led my heart to make much of Him.
And for that I am grateful,
and will keep coming back again and again.

My heart says of you "seek His face!"
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
(Ps.27:8)

look forward to seeing what the shereadstruth ladies are reading next!
♥

nuggets of wisdom...

I love the book of Proverbs because of its wisdom-nuggets.

I often feel the need to write through what I'm reading to help it stick.

In this case, by writing down the verses that stick out to me...
(Proverbs 12:4, 6, 7, 10, etc...)

Lately I've been working this little text dialogue system my ninth grade English teacher used to have us do... while reading we were to jot down text on the left side of the page, then share our thoughts/ questions down the right. Perfectly applicable for Bible study... :)

I especially like the second half of Proverbs 12:18
The tongue of the wise brings healing.
(Pretty sure that's why we have a voice. And I certainly want to use it.)
♥

{link up}

Pray until you Pray...

Pray until you Pray.
Love those words Raechel shared on SheReadsTruth this week.

This morning I went through the Lord's Prayer as a model for my own, and it was excellent....

"Hallowed be Your Name"
(Your Name is great... Make it great in/through me...)

"Give us our daily bread"
(We are thankful for your provision... may we continue to walk with and trust you in little or in plenty...)

"Forgive us our sins as we forgive all our debtors"
(My sins are great. You know them all too well... May we be quick to forgive and never be those who hold ourselves or others in bondage to any sort of debt...)

It's only day two and prayer & His word in me are on the increase. I have to say, I love that more than taking pictures! True story.

Thanks for the call to read and pray and worship

 in spirit and in truth. 

Guide and direct us and fill us

 so that as we leak & pour out our lives, 

it's you and your spiritual fruit that spills over. 

SheShares — week 1

#shereadstruth -new devo

still reading truth over here. 

and let me tell you, this community doesn't hurt. not one bit. they are a treasure and a blessing.

journal it, talk about it, tweet it, instagram it, or just hide it in your heart and let it change you from the inside-out.

I'm thrilled that the 'new' plan is titled Prayer.
And that it's all scripture.

How could our hearts & His Kingdom not benefit!
join us?

Soul Detox

This YouVersion devotional 
{Soul Detox}
is happening now.

And personally,
it's refining me.

It is bringing up lies
and reminding me of the truth
in ways I constantly need.

Sure I could have started and worked through this plan on my own, but that's not the story here. It wasn't until I saw it splashing across instagram & twitter that I took notice.

I'm thankful for these sweet ladies
and how they've teamed up
to bring us a community of accountability,
inspiration, & grace...
and a hashtag to keep up with it all! :)

{#shereadstruth on twitter}

Full story over here.
♥