Top 10 Tribute Tuesday ~ LifeGroups!!

Today's tribute post goes to LifeGroups, small Bible study groups that meet in people's homes or coffee shops!  ...I've been a part of at least 10 at this point, so this is my "Top 10" list + a few thoughts on Biblical community!

1.  OKC Singles, 2004 -- It all started in 2004 with a coed singles group in OKC -- I'm sure we had a group name, but I can't remember it now.  I do remember going to watch Robin's ballet perfomance, some of our meetings and cookouts, and doing micromissions with Lee, Trisha, Jessica, Robin, Aaron, and Sarah (she now lives in Tulsa and is engaged to Milo, who I know from the BattleCreek choir... small world).  Picture below = Trisha and Lee (now married) and Aaron and Sarah (brother and sister).

2.  Bible Babes, 2005-2006 -- The first women's group I attended was at Rachel's house in Midwest City.  It was the first group I really connected with deeply.  I remember Eva (pronounced "Eh-vuh," like Kanye's "foreva-eva, foreva-eva" line) because she was full of Godly wisdom and passion that inspired me!  Our leader, Rachel, was bubbly and kind, and she got me out of my comfort zone.  This was the first group where I risked praying out loud with people I barely knew, and I gradually became more comfortable with that.  Gwen was 10 years older than me at the time (so my age now), and she was an awesome and encouraging mentor - she gave me wise advice on Josh (if only I'd listened more carefully) and she basically had a Joyce Meyer library of tapes in her car and would give me a new one every week to listen to ("Beside the Still Waters" was the first ever, and may be my favorite to this day). Valerie was always friendly and encouraging. :)  A great group of fun, Godly friends for my 21-year old self!  Picture = Rachel, Gwen, Eva, and Valerie!

3. "Changie" Group, 2007-2008 -- This was the first group I joined in Tulsa, led by Chad and Angie (who were engaged at the time and are now married with two kids)!  I found them online, and the very first meeting I went to was at Trent's house ...I got sick halfway through and ran out and threw up in his yard... epic!  But I dared to go back, and they became an awesome support group that quickly became my only Tulsa friends in 2007-2008.  It's the first group where I broke down crying (while talking about Blake, and Angie cried with me, which meant a lot) and the first group I really shared my own struggles with.  And this is where I met K-Lamb, Bobbi, Angie, Natalie, Mark, Cassie, Dave, Kim, Scott, Alli, Caleb, Chris, etc.  A lot of great connections - some just for that season, and some that are going strong today!

4. Ruth's Lifegroup, 2007-2013 -- Ruth, Charlotte, Kimberly, Faye, Colleen, and McKayla ~ a group of mothers and grandmothers that treated me as if I fit right in... they accepted and loved and helped mentor me, and I quickly grew to love them, too!  I was set to start going to this group on June 12, 2007 (the day I got the letter), and I remember driving halfway to Ruth's place in Owasso and then turning around... but I went a week later and had a really great talk with them - sharing your heart can be so natural in a small women's group, and I love that.  We've done many Beth Moore studies together. :)  We've celebrated holidays, taken a Big Cedar trip, and prayed over the major and minor things in each other's lives and families.  This was another very strong support system for me, and we keep in touch today and have mini-reunions here and there.  I feel especially close to Ruth and Charlotte, and I am very thankful God brought me to this group, and grateful for their love and their prayers!!

5.  Daniel & Breaking Free Study, 2008/2009 -- I hosted and led two short-term women's groups through Beth Moore's Daniel and then her Breaking Free study. It was nerve wracking but good for me to branch out and try hosting and leading... and I got to know Kristin, Tara Lynn, and Bobbi a lot better during this time!  Picture = my Daniel Bible study girls (+ the Gilmore Girls joining us in the background)! ;-)

6.  Diving Deeper, 2008-2010 -- Kristin, Bobbi, and I co-founded this LifeGroup when we realized we were among the only singles left in the Changie group and we needed a fresh start!  We brainstormed group names and I threw out Diving Deeper and a few others, and "Diving Deeper" was the one that stuck!  We always met at Bobbi's place... she was a great hostess, and it quickly began to feel like home.  This was my first time leading a coed group (through John Eldredge's Walking With God study) and the first time I helped organize micromission projects (Eugene Field cookout and Christmas parties)!  This is also where I first met Chet Lee, Bill, Liz, Carl, Nathan, Jay, Michael, Chesley, Morgan, etc.

7.  BattleCreek Community Group, 2011 -- I went to BattleCreek for around a year in 2011, and I joined their choir and a singles "CoGro" where I met Brittany Bolt, Amanda, Clayton, Anna, Sarah, and Emily Burton!  (We actually teamed up with the Diving Deeper group for a Joplin road trip to help Brittany's sister's family and others after the major tornado.)  I was in a summer small group with Brittany, Anna, Sarah, and Emily, so they're the four I know best.  Brittany was also my roommate for a little while... my time at BattleCreek was worth it if only for getting to know her - she's encouraging and so wise, the type of friend who prays with you immediately and really sharpens you spiritually! :)
(*This was the year of Mom's cancer, my parents' wreck, and a few other issues... and I found myself leaning more and more on my old friends from LifeGroup, which was what led me back to LifeChurch in the end!)

8.  Diving Deeper South, 2011-2012 -- After my random stint at BattleCreek, I joined the Southside Diving Deeper group (they multiplied and had a midtown and south location at that point). We met at Blake Manor (Blake Bland's mansion-like home), and later moved to Steve and Caleb's place.  It was the first group where I wrote out and shared my personal testimony and how God has worked in my life - I loved sharing that and hearing others' stories!  It disbanded at the beginning of 2013, and I was sad to see it end.  I really loved this group and the depth of our conversations and studies - plus it felt like coming home to me being with some of those people again.  I vividly remember times when we'd stand in a circle holding hands and praying together.  The group included Chettles, Karli, Tall Kyle, Steve, Caleb, Frank, Alisa, Mindi, Jessica, Amanda Wille, Jennie, Blake, Blake, etc. :)

9.  Diving Deeper Women's Group, 2013-Present -- I'm currently in this women's group, led by the lovely Kelly Marie!  We rotate who hosts the group, and it's always a fun part of connecting getting to see where people live. :)  We've done several great studies together and have a pretty solid group right now.  We've shared our testimonies, prayed with each other, studied God's Word, celebrated birthdays and holidays together, and had a lot of fun girls' nights!  We are doing a dinner or prayer night every fourth week right now, and that's been great.  This is where I first met Tiffany, Angie, Lindsay, Elizabeth, Hayley, and many others! :)

10.  Lindsay's Lifegroup, 2013-Present -- This one is also a current group for me, because one women's group just isn't enough. lol  This group meets every other Wednesday, either at Lindsay's house or Panera.  And it includes Lindsay, Talhia, Linda, and sometimes Alyssa and Terri.  The small size of the group is nice for me, and we've had some really great discussions about all sorts of topics.  Lindsay is one of the funniest people I know, and I always love hearing her stories! :)  She's a wonderful hostess and leader for us, and I love that she's always very transparent about what she's going through!  Linda is possibly the most disciplined and balanced woman I've ever met, and she inspires me to be a healthier person.  Talhia and I have become good friends over the past couple years, and I love our deep talks over fro-yo. :)

I could not overstate the importance of these LifeGroups in my life!  People are obviously not perfect, and close relationships can be really messy and hard, but I HIGHLY recommend LifeGroups (or any regular weekly meeting with other Christians).  I know it takes a bit of courage to branch out and make new friends, but it's worth it to have a weekly place to connect and hang out, to build friendships where you know, love, pray, and fight for each other!!  Even when your backgrounds have little in common, there's a sense of unity that comes simply from being part of the body of Christ.  So if the first one you try isn't a good fit, keep trying. (There are at least two groups I didn't mention because I only went 2 or 3 times before moving on.)  Over time, you build your inner circle and begin to love and trust them deeply.  Since I started fresh with a clean slate in 2007, these groups have been the source of all my closest friendships.  Even the friends that didn't come directly from a LifeGroup came through an LG connection:  I met Laura and Tara through Kristin, JEM through Jay, Sarah through Chet Lee, etc. With a few exceptions, these are the people who will pray with you, encourage you, spend their weekend helping you move, drop whatever they're doing to be there for you when you're grieving, and genuinely challenge you to be all God calls you to be... and vice versa!! #thankful

Okay, LifeGroup sales pitch over!  ;-)  Happy Tuesday!!

Making the Most of Life

At Lifegroup this week, we studied the "Parable of the Talents" in Matthew 25.  (In this story, the master gives three men a portion of his money, but each man receives a different amount.  The two who were given the most invested it wisely and earned more, but the one given the least simply hid the money until the master returned and failed to gain any reward.)

The Holy Spirit helped me see this in a new light that night...

I think we all have areas where we feel "less than" those around us -- where we compare ourselves with others and feel inferior.  Comparison steals our joy and often causes us to devalue ourselves, to miss God's unique gifts to us.  I have felt this a little lately regarding my personality... truthfully, the world is full of people who are more outgoing, funny, expressive, bold, dynamic, driven, intelligent, and naturally eloquent than I am.  But that shouldn't matter - because God created me just the way He wanted me to become who He called me to be.

Jesus' parable teaches that each person is only responsible for what he is given.  

There's usually a mixture of highs and lows, but whatever God has given you, you play the hand you're dealt to the best of your ability.  It's between you and God in the end, not anyone else, so you don't ever "fold" because someone else has a better hand...

God made you who you are on purpose, and you're responsible to make the most of your life here.  When you look around, it might feel really unfair at times... but Satan does all he can to keep us focused on things we cannot change so that we will fail to change the things we can.  Even if others seem to have five or ten times more than you, you can always make good choices with what you've been given.  

Everything we DO have is a gift from God.  And He wants each of us to make the most of our unique story, personality, spiritual gifts, and talents!

Happy Thursday! =)

"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away."  ~Matthew 25:29

Just a girl with a sword...

...and a Lion beside her.

I love this scene!
The enemy army is on the move, coming in for a major attack.  A cavalry of armed soldiers charging forward, and Lucy (all alone) comes out of the woods and steps toward them, boldly pulling out her sword.  Aslan walks up behind her, coming to stand close by her side.  The army stops for a moment when they get to the bridge, startled to see only Lucy and Aslan standing guard on the other side.  They laugh about that for a minute, then they push forward, ready to kill them.

Not knowing what's about to happen, Lucy stands calmly and stays close to Aslan.  Strong.  By the time most of the army soldiers are on the bridge, Aslan roars, causing the bridge to collapse and the river to surge dramatically and drown the enemy.

..."If God is for us, who can be against us?"

God's Word is our sword, and we combat Satan's lies with the truth of Scripture!  Remember God's mighty power when you feel weak.  Dwell on His love when you feel alone.  Be bold and strong, knowing He is with you.  When the enemy approaches, remain calm and stay close to God.

Sometimes people distinguish between the spiritual world and "the real world," but the spiritual world is very real.  Physically invisible to us at the moment, but just as real as the material world around us. Our spirits can "taste and see" that the Lord is good, and our hearts have "eyes to see" and discern what is going on in the spiritual realm, as well as "ears to hear" and follow the voice of God.  It's far better to be blind and deaf physically than spiritually.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you..." 
~Ephesians 1:18

"The eyes of your heart."  It  is very real.  When you feel like you are standing alone against the lies, temptation, and attacks of Satan, disheartened that your Christian brothers and sisters aren't standing with you... pause, and see with the eyes of your heart that God is right here beside you.  His angels are here backing you up.  And when you stand with Him, no matter how outnumbered you may feel, He is stronger than everything coming against you.  Following Him will not always be easy, but He is the only true source of Life and eternal hope.  He is sovereign and powerful, and He is good. "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, for I want to see You." 

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart, and my Portion forever."
~Psalm 73:25-26

Happy Monday! =)

This has been an better-than-usual Monday! :)

I rescued a dog this morning... kind of.  I was backing out of my garage to go to work and noticed a big dog on the porch by my front door. I realized pretty quickly that it was an Australian Shepherd (full grown) and that she had a collar and tag on, so I got out of my car...staying right next to it... and called her over to me.  Such a sweet dog, and a little timid... she slowly came over toward me, then immediately kind of crouched down at my feet.  We became friends in no time. lol  Her name is Laynie. :)  After petting her and talking to her a minute, I was able to read the tag and call her owner (thank God she had a tag on - I've got to make the girlfranz wear those now).  She lives 3 houses down from me, and they've only had her for a week and had no idea she'd gotten out.  He was at work, but gave me the garage code, and I let her back in to their house (making sure their Beagle didn't get out while I was at it -- hooray for friendly, non-threatening dogs).  I was impressed that she just walked right beside me the whole time and went right in the house without any issue - that would never happen with my dogs. lol  My drive to work after that was really nice... I was so happy I was able to get sweet Laynie back home, feeling like I'd done my good deed for the day (or week - lol)!  And to make it even better, when I came home at lunch, her owner came over and introduced himself and brought me a dozen cupcakes to say thanks! #awesomesauce

A good Monday for kind neighbors and friendly dogs and sugary treats! lol

(I failed to get a pic, but she looked a lot like this.)

In other news, I went home (to my parents' house) this weekend for Father's Day!  Friday night, we went to Hideaway for dinner with Bill and Jill.  They told us all about their Alaskan cruise, which sounded amazing, then we started planning our Niagara Falls/NYC trip in 2016... staying at this hotel!  #epic

I LOVE waterfalls and could just watch them all day long, so I'm pretty excited about this trip, even though it's almost a year away.  I'm also happy to finally have a reason to get a passport! Yay!!

"There are some pretty spectacular selfies of me, but I'll spare you those... they're mainly for framing and hanging somewhere later!" ~Bill (while showing us some of their pics from the cruise).  They're always so fun and funny! :)

Saturday morning, we went to JoBug's and celebrated Father's Day with Grandad!  We had Chick-fil-a and cookiecake, then Mom and Grandad and Babah came out to sit under the umbrella and watch us swim for a while.  Mom took several pictures, and this is one of my favorite pics of Grandad... he hardly ever poses a smile for the camera, so you have to catch him in a real smile. :)

(After having some blood work done a couple weeks back, Babah fainted and hit her arm and the back of her head.  They've done x-rays and she's fine internally, but still in the process of recovering, so prayers appreciated!)

Kristin and Diesel joined us, and it was his first time in a pool - cuteness! He seemed to really enjoy it :) ...but being in the sun that long kinda wore him out. #metoo

Kyndal Faith was in a mood through a lot of this weekend, at least with me. lol  But I find her adorable even when she's saying, "Nooooo" and pointing her tiny index finger! lol

In other news, I said "totes" unironically this weekend: "Oh gosh, I totes could've opened that door for you."  All the words that I start off using with sarcastic disdain end up coming out naturally at some point.  Like "presh," for example.  It's a staple now. lol  And hashtagging - I used to mock that, too.  #whatevs ;)

Anywho, here's one last swimming pic of Carter pulling K-Faith. :)

We had dinner with Charlene at Cheddar's on Saturday night.  Always fun to see her!  When we got home, JaceMan announced with great enthusiasm, "Lindsey, Bob Barry, Jr. was in a motorcycle crash and died.  Died, died, died.  He went bonk!" then he proceeded to crash himself into the wall a couple times for dramatic effect.  (He has no idea what that really means, obviously, but picked up on the dramatic tone when he overheard Rach telling Josh, and was eager to be the first to share the big news!)  Very sad, obviously, but Jace's delivery was still entertaining.  (And apparently was repeated for his LifeKids class the next morning.)

Church was good on Sunday, then we went to Father's Day lunch with the Parrish fam and Charlene at Texas Roadhouse, where it was an absurd battle to get Jace to try mac n' cheese! #stubborn #missingout

Here's a Father's Day pic of Josh and all four kids before their water balloon fight! lol

I got the puppies ready and we headed out right before Sunday afternoon naptime.  Bad decision - I was soooo tired on the long drive, and I took a nap as soon as I got home! =)

So there's my weekend recap.  Work was semi-boring today, and training with Melissa was intense but good tonight. The highlight of the day was definitely meeting Laynie! :)

I'll leave you with this gem... Peace out!

Beauty after Brokenness

This post = encouraging "Words of Wisdom" from Godly women, with the common theme of finding beauty, hope, and strength in God after a season of feeling broken.  So many shallow words and hollow promises are spoken by people whose faith has not truly been tested, but those who have fought through their own despair or darkness have more grace and a far greater impact in urging the rest of us to fight, to press on in Christ, and to define our life and identity in Him!

Jesus himself was described as "despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief."  I am sorry He went through that pain, but I'm so thankful that He understands not only the temptations we face, but the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain we endure.  He has suffered through rejection, loss, and grief.  He knows the depth of it, He feels compassion for it, and most importantly, He knows how to press in and follow God with hope and patience as you walk through it.  I'm seeking a closer friendship with Him, and I'm learning to trust Him more deeply, and it's exciting!  I'm realizing more and more that it is a gift to feel things deeply and to have this unquenchable desire for lasting connection - it draws me to God repeatedly as the only true Source of unfailing love.  ...And it really is such a hopeful thought to me that God is willing and able to redeem my past and use the hard things in my life to bring hope and strength to others.  I love knowing that, despite my own weakness, the life and light of Christ inside me is something that darkness cannot overcome!!

“In Him was life,

And that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness,

And the darkness has not overcome it.”

~John 1:4-5

Anyway, I hope you're encouraged and strengthened by these words...

"Over the past few years in my own journey I found myself in an unknown place, a place where a heart could break deeper and wider and in more directions than I could have imagined possible. Mom has walked alongside me on this road further than any human could be expected to walk with another... carrying my burdens and helping me shoulder the grief that felt too much to bear.  Mom is tender and she is strong and she is not afraid to look pain and grief and loss dead in the eye. Even more, she is daring enough to hope against hope. To see in others, even me, the beginnings of life and growth and health and wholeness where others might only see brokenness and death. She has shined the light of Jesus on me more times than I can count."
~Beth's daughter, Melissa (FULL POST HERE)

"As we face the most terrible, gut-wrenching, hurtful parts of our lives, we grow powerful and strong.  In our weakness, Jesus' strength is made strong.  Facing the pain refines us.  It makes us a beautiful, broken vessel Jesus can refurbish into something magnificent.  Something more beautiful than what we started out with... Every day that I face those thoughts, that breath-stealing pain, I turn my thoughts to God.  To my heavenly Father whose love is overwhelming.  Whose heart is kind, loving, gentle.  Who has a plan for me.  Who is my friend and provider.  Who has loved me with an everlasting love.  That's what gets me through those painful moments.  It doesn't get easier.  God just makes me stronger and a tiny bit wiser in how to deal with it each day and each time I am faced with the reminders.  It's hard to be emotionally healthy... I understand looking at things through that one lens that colors everything differently.  It's hard.  But Jesus is making us stronger!"
~Sarah Elizabeth (Part of what may be the longest and best text message ever! lol)

"What do we do when the very thing we think defines us is ripped from our grasp?  [It] left me broken to my core, as it is with the loss of all things in life that we hope for, plan on, define ourselves by. During this time in my life, the nights were especially dark, but the most important thing was I found that when the sun of a new day would shine through my windows, I was still me.  The pain was there, and the hurt was real, but the light that God was shining on me with each new day was revealing something new.  I was beginning to see the beauty that can only exist among the broken.

As the sun comes up with the gift of a new day remember that you are still you.  Remember that God is still good. Do not let what you think you need, or the brokenness you are sitting in, define who you are... What was once a broken mess can slowly, over time, become the beauty you have been longing for all along."  
~Heather Avis  (FULL POST HERE)

"In a day-in-age where we’re sometimes told that a real woman is someone who has to look flawless and have the personality of Oprah, it was refreshing to reflect on the real, raw beauty of women around me. I came to the conclusion that a real Proverbs 31 Woman has some of the following attributes:  

She’s been through hardships in life but doesn’t give up. Her life has never been and still isn’t perfect, but she’s an overcomer.  

She’s a giver. She’s constantly looking for ways to help others and enrich others’ lives. 

In every season of life, she loves the Lord. Some of the women I sent letters to were young…I think the youngest was 20. The oldest was my 90-year-old grandmother. Despite the 70-year age span, each woman had something in common: she seeks the Lord in her daily life and tries to do what pleases him."

~Lindsay Morris (FULL POST HERE)

"When what is most important, most cherished is ripped from your hands, you learn not to clutch onto anything tightly for fear it will be taken away.  The emptiness of your hands slowly shifts from an unbearable weight to a false comfort.  You tell yourself you cannot hurt if you do not love.  You dare not dream because the only dream that can’t be crushed is the one that never existed in the first place.  Expectation is a deadly enemy that must be vanquished.  Surviving—moment to moment, day by agonizing day—is all that matters.  Thriving is for those draped in the luxury of their deepest fear never coming to fruition... 

I’m just beginning to awaken to true hunger and feebly grab hold of a jarring defiance that says ten percent isn’t good enough.  I want the whole freaking hundred.  I want the holiday at sea, the life more abundantly, the what no eye has seen nor ear has heard nor mind conceived.  I want to believe in the possibility of change within me that would require a cracking open of the sky and the transformative power of God raining on and reigning in me.  I want restoration of the years the locusts have eaten, and beauty—redemptive, healing beauty—for ashes."
~Laura Allison (FULL POST HERE)

"I believe that God is making all things new.  I believe that Christ overcame death and that pattern is apparent all through life and history: life from death, water from a stone, redemption from failure, connection from alienation.  I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything is easy.  I believe that loss and emptiness and confusion often give way to new fullness and wisdom.  But for a long season, I forgot all those things... Looking back now, I can see that it was more than anything a failure to believe in the story of who God is and what He is doing in the world."
~Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet

Liar, Liar!

As someone who watches way too much TV, I can usually come up with a quote from Friends, Gilmore Girls, etc. to go along with just about any situation in life! :)  Sometimes random movie quotes get thrown in there, too...

I've never thought of this as one of my top favorite movies, but I've realized lately how often I think of random quotes from Liar, Liar. lol  (Jim Carrey is dramatic enough that they're all really memorable, and I'm sure working at a courthouse has a lot to do with it, too.)

So without further adieu, here's my Liar, Liar Quotables post:

I'm saying this in my head literally before every single Jury Term or all-day Nonjury Trial on our docket... I want them to make up and settle so we'll get a happy free day/week.  (So I've been thinking that this weekend about the trial we're supposed to start tomorrow, which inspired this post...)
"SETTLE!!  Settle, Settle, Settle, Settle!!" 

This comes to mind a lot when we have defendants with 7+ felony cases coming back in again because they've violated their probation...
Greta:  He knocked over another ATM, this time at knife-point.  He needs your legal advice.
Fletcher:

The one time an attorney was held in contempt of court, it would've made me really happy for it to get even more dramatic:

"I HOLD MYSELF IN CONTEMPT!!  Why should you be any different?"

When anyone talks about Boston (Rach and I made fun of Max's accent on this quote, so it's stuck in my memory):

"Mom says we're moving to Boston."

When I'm looking for a black pen but pick up a blue one:

"It's blue.  The pen is blue.  The --- ---- pen is blue!"

When I'm annoyed but trying to be more positive, sometimes I sing this to myself sarcastically. lol

"Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy!  I'm so happy today."

The awkward noise he makes here is something I say or at least think of any time I say something I wish I could take back:

Officer:  Do you know why I pulled you over?

Fletcher:  Depends how long you were following me!  ...Eeee!!

I think of this when attorneys stammer and get kind of awkward when Judge asks "On what grounds?" after they object:

Fletcher:  Your Honor, I object!

Judge:  Why is that?

Fletcher:  Because it's devastating to my case!

When someone gets an unexpectedly good sentence because they owned up and took responsibility instead of blaming everyone else:

AND THE TRUTH.... SHALL SET YOU FREE!

Every time I hear this term, I think of the outtake scene with this, and of Sara Allbritton back in the day! :)

Preeeeenuptual agreeeeements!!

When I can't think of someone's name, even though we've worked at the same courthouse for years... :(

Heeeeey, you're not important enough to remember!

When I see something I'd rather unsee:

When I feel left out of something I used to be a major part of:
Jerry:  Hey, great gift, Dad.
Fletcher:  Thanks, Son!  
...I'm so glad my gift can bring the two of them together.  My plan to phase myself out is almost complete!!

When I'm frustrated with domestic violence victims changing their story and refusing to testify against the arrogant batterer:

Wake UP, sisters... There's nooooooo such thing as a weaker sex!

When I'm annoyed by over-competitive people:

You-wanna-play hardball? I'm game! (mockingly)

When someone states the obvious like this:

Samantha:  You look like you're having a rough morning.

Fletcher:  Ding ding ding! What do we have for her, Johnny?

When someone shows up late for their case that we've already continued when we're almost done for the morning:

Here she comes to wreck the daaaay!!  (in sing-song voice)

Okay, that's all for now.  Here's hoping our trial settles tomorrow! ;)

Strong.

If I were ever to get a tattoo, I think it would simply be the word "Strong."  
Not "Be strong" or "Stay strong," like it's an instruction.
Just "Strong."  

Like it's an identity.  

.....

I'm unlikely to ever get a tattoo, but this is one I'd actually consider, maybe circled with a cross to symbolize "in Christ."  (Simplistic picture below.)  Either way, I plan to post it around my house and at work because I'll need constant reminders to fight for this!  It's a word that has been on my heart lately, and I'm going to pursue it... body, soul, and spirit.

I have wrongly viewed myself as weak in each of these areas for a while now, but I want to embrace the idea of being "clothed in strength and dignity."  I am tired of feeling fragile and focusing too much on my shortcomings and not enough on the power of God that lives inside me!!  And since I have a choice in the matter, I am choosing to believe God and see myself in a new light, empowered by His might to overcome strongholds and conquer new ground.  It will be an uphill battle, to be certain.  But I am determined to push forward and work with the Holy Spirit to redefine myself as a strong woman of God with inner strength of spirit, emotional strength and resilience, and yes, even increasing physical strength!!  

There are so many awesome verses on this topic:

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  ~Joshua 1:9 

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak... those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."  ~Isaiah 40:29

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word."  ~Psalm 119:28

"The Sovereign LORD is my strength."  ~Habakkuk 3:19

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit."  ~Ephesians 3:16

"LORD, be gracious to us!  We wait for You.  Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble."  ~Isaiah 33:2

"This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"  ~Nehemiah 8:10

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength!"  ~Mark 12:30

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."  ~2 Cor. 12:9

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  ~Psalm 46:1

I get really excited any time it feels like God is confirming something... the following is part of a Facebook note Stasi Eldredge posted just yesterday:

"When I talk with younger women there is a burning desire that rises in my heart for them. It is the same one that I have for you, whatever your age may be, and for myself. I want them to be STRONG.   

Strong in faith. 
Strong in spirit.
Strong in their souls.
Strong as their bodies will allow.

I want them to pursue strength more diligently than flawless skin or a perfect figure or the lovely hair de jour. I want them to seek it more passionately than straight A’s or being popular or chosen by others... 

Strength will help us all to stand upright and not fall down when pushed against by the world’s current. It will give us the courage to pursue God and serve Him wholeheartedly...  The kind of strength I am talking about doesn’t roll in on a tray. It is cultivated day by day by a deep and steadfast pursuit of and belief in the King of Kings.

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” ~Isaiah 12:2

We need to pursue strength with our spirits, our souls, and our bodies!  Pursue the heart of our Father with our own.  

I am chasing after Him.  I need God desperately.  Additionally, I’m pushing myself physically this summer because it is all intertwined.  We are body, soul and spirit.  I’m climbing hills.  I’m working out.  I’m cleaning up my food act.  (Well, I am at least, once again, trying to.)  And I’m doing none of it in an effort to become more valuable as a daughter of God or more worthy of his affection.  That is not even possible because He has declared that I already am.  So are you.

For me, being weak in some areas has meant that I am more vulnerable to shame, and when I’m vulnerable to shame, I can too easily succumb to the accusations of the evil one.  I can fall down inside.  And stay down.  And honestly, God is using that too, teaching me about the boundless, endless, fathomless, unconditional love of the Father.  He is using my weakness to draw me to Him.

Because of Him, today, I’m standing up and saying “No” again to the accusation of the enemy and asking for God’s strength to believe that there is nothing I could possibly do to earn more of His love.  I have it.  I can rest in it.  It is because I am so loved that I am choosing to press on where he would have me go and grow.  Or shrink...  I just want HIM. And to be strong in Him.  Don’t you?

...As I walk up, up, up this summer, I will be praying.  With strength.  For increasing strength.

Join me!  #stronggirl

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might."  ~Ephesians 6:10

Song of the Week = Soul on Fire by Third Day