Our Mistress of Ceremonies for the Five Minute Friday is Kate over at Heading Home. Hope you link up with us and join the fun.
GO!
"For many are called, but few are chosen." - Matthew 22:14
That scripture used to bother me. Many called but few chosen? But, Lord, I thought you died for everyone. I thought you wanted heaven full and hell empty. Why so picky? Why reject some and accept others?
During my time as a teacher, God revealed the answer. If you look at the passage in context, it mentions a man having a wedding party and inviting others to come. Each blew him off, so he told his staff, "Forget them. Go bring in anyone who will come." Then, there's the one guy who apparently tried to get in on his own terms; he was thrown out.
Like this party, God calls all, but only chooses those who allow themselves to be chosen. Just like teaching, I called on everyone, but only the one who raised his hand and said, "HERE! CHOOSE ME!" could be picked.
God is calling you. Will you say "HERE. CHOOSE ME!"? He will!
Why: Years ago, I started reading this book but felt like I needed to give it to someone. I'd planned to purchase another copy and happened to find one in good condition at the thrift store.
Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags):# # # # What it's about: We all have (or have had) pits in our lives. Whether shallow or deep, God's deliverance is the only escape. Moore takes the reader through a journey from the mire of the pit, to standing firm on the rock of freedom.
Favorite Quotes:
"I believe strongly in support groups, but a support group alone will never get us out of a pit. Somebody in the group better be on the upside looking in. Preferably way up. Otherwise we're liable to keep cheering back and forth, 'That was so good!' when in reality, none of us is doing well. If we keep patting each other on our broken backs, how will they ever mend?" - p. 103
"Never confuse getting bruised at church with getting better at church." p. 116
"Nobody gets the right to keep you in a pit or to shame you for bailing. Not even your mama." - p. 176
What I Liked:
The fact that Moore freely admits that she's not experienced instant deliverance from issues. That brings me great comfort. Like her, I don't recall a time when deliverance was instant. It doesn't mean it didn't come; it just means it came in God's timing. This is important because it takes away the discouragement factor. Some people get the idea that if the answers don't come immediately that either God is holding out on them, or that their faith wasn't up to par. Quite possibly neither scenario is true.
Moore's vivid imagery of the pit life drew me from beginning to end. In other words, she gets it said with just enough finesse so the book doesn't bog down.
There are questions to ponder and confessions included in the book. It would be excellent for a group study.
What I didn’t like:
I really couldn't find anything to dislike about the book. No aside boxes, no platitudes, no thesaurus-worthy rambling. A very solid work.
To sum up: Beth Moore has not published an easy-go-lucky approach to receiving deliverance and walking in freedom. She has made it very clear that this is a process. However, she encourages the reader that they are worth that process.
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today: Sunday, August 2, 2015
Outside my window … The hot sunset of the first Sunday in August.
I am thinking... of not writing what I'm thinking because it would take too long. Maybe next week. :)
I am thankful... that in the nearly three years I've been running/trotting, I haven't experienced some of the horrors I hear from other runners (and don't plan on it). No chaffing, runner's knee, shin splints, IT Band Syndrome, toenails falling off, Plantar Fasciitis, etc. Otherwise, my running career would be over before it started. I'll admit that I did have horrid blisters until I quit wearing cotton socks that were way too big. OK, so I did pee myself during a run ONCE, but that was the City of Weaver's fault, not mine.
In the kitchen... My dear old friend "The Hot Mess Omelet."
From the Workshop... I made an item for myself this week. **GASP** I made a tutu to wear to the Woodstock 5k.
Hey, if you're going to be sweeper/balloon lady, you've got to do it right. The race was so much fun. We had over 1500 people register for the race. I'm already looking forward to running it next year, Lord willing.
Something else I'm working on...
You know, I long to find ways to serve my country. Yes, I know America is in a mess right now, but this place is still better than the alternative (especially for someone like me). Anyway, it's been a dream of mine to do something special involving the military. Sadly, before high school graduation, I had to let the Army band recruiter know that I could never pass the physical to get into the military, so that was out. After being inspired by Gary Sinise the Lt. Dan Band two years ago, I was disappointed to find out one has to be famous (or work for someone famous) to be involved in USO tours that entertain the troops overseas. So, no bass riffs for me (at least for the troops anyway). I ran several Kyle Comfort 5k, but the foundation is disbanding, so no more 5k's for me (at least for the troops anyway).
However...
Through an online crochet group, I found out Caron International (makers of the Simply Soft Yarn I can't stand) are endeavoring to make the world's largest Christmas stocking to raise funds for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. What they ask for are 36 x 36 inch mini quilts with which to make the stocking. Here's my first quilt.
This is made from the blanket the crazy lady wouldn't buy because she was scared of the holes in it, which is a weird story in itself. Anyway, now I have a better use for it. I have more squares that I think would work, as I finish them, I'll post them. I'm not sure when they are due, but the plan is to mail them this month.
I am reading... I'm on the last chapter of Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore. I'll post a link to the review in my next Daybook.
I am looking forward to... The Lincoln 5k. I've never done this race, nor driven to Lincoln, Alabama, for that matter. Y'all pray now.
I am learning… to enjoy getting up at 4:00 in the morning and going to work. The thought of getting up that early on a consistent basis used to give me the dry heaves. After five weeks, I think I've got the hang of this.
Around the house... If I said "I don't know" would you get mad?
A favorite quote for today...
"Men's jeans are sized by length and width and they usually fit, but women's jeans are sized by someone who hates women." - Ellen DeGeneres
RuPaul
On "Kaitlyn" Jenner: "If being a drag queen is brave, then RuPaul should have won the Arthur Ashe award ages ago; he makes a better looking woman." - Me
"Never confuse getting bruised at church with getting better at church." - Beth Moore
"If you'll get addicted to giving, God will support your habit." - Mark Hankins
One of my favorite things... One of my favorite Weird Al Songs:
A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest, the Lincoln 5k, catching up on reading and craft projects.
