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Fervent by Priscilla Shirer:  A book review

11/27/2015

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Seven out of ten...  Yep, seven out of ten.  That's the number of ways the enemy digs his claws into me, shoots his arrows straight to the place I am not covered over; seven out of ten ways he gets to me.  It's a little scary how well the enemy crafts his own strategic plan to get between me and God, me and others and me and the rest of the world.

In Fervent by Priscilla Shirer, she sheds light on the enemy's dark and sinister plan.  She exposes the enemy's plot and teaches how to craft a personal battle plan through fervent, specific - targeted prayer.

Not only does Priscilla expose the enemy for who he is and what he does, she points directly to scripture for the truth... Of who we are, how God loves and sees us... She gets down to business.

Fervent helps me take back my life - through prayer... Strategic - targeted prayer!

In this eye opening book I see how the enemy gets into aspects of my life and creates havoc...  The enemy comes to kill and destroy - and against me he aims his arrow:

 - Against my focus
 - Against my identity
 - Against my confidence
 - Against my calling
 - Against my rest and contentment
 - Against my heart
 - Against my relationships

Those are my seven...  But God...  To quote one of my favorite phrases in her book; We have hope and reassurance... Reassurance that always points directly to God.

In one of my many favorite parts of the book Priscilla reminds us "that the enemy has boundaries and limitations" -  did you read that?  The enemy has boundaries (he can only go so far) and he has limitations (he is limited, unlike God).  I needed to read her words...

   "The enemy cannot be everywhere at once (only God is omnipresent)
        The enemy cannot read your mind, (only God is omniscient)
     He is an illusionist, using cunning trickery to deceive and mislead
        (only God can work flat-out, unmistakable miracles)
     And last but not least the enemy is running out of time (only God is eternal)"


All of that reassures me and I am so thankful for her words! I know these things, I do, but sometimes when I am in the "thick" of life's deepest muck I need to remember that my God is bigger.  He has no equal or opposite.  There is no better time to remember this than during my prayer time - Praise God!

Prayer is so much more than saying Grace before a meal or praying your kids to sleep with request of sweet dreams. It's our direct communication line to God. It's our specific and focused conversations with the Almighty for our needs, our families (husbands and children), our hearts, our fears... Praying on the full armor of faith found in Ephesians.

So regardless of where you are with your prayer life; at the very beginning, where you never pray out loud or a seasoned prayer warrior - this book will expose the ways the enemy targets you.  It will help draw you closer with God and craft your own strategic battle plan...

Now, pick up a copy and head to your WarRoom!

Fervent is available from BHPublishing Group, Amazon or may be found in your favorite bookstore.


 ~~~ I received this book from the publisher.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review if this book as part of receiving it. ~~~
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Things Unseen

11/26/2015

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That is what I am thankful for this year, things unseen. 

Several years ago I was listening to a radio station, it was the new year of whatever year it was... The beginning of January, the station challenged their listeners to come up with a word for the year to focus on, maybe something needing attention in life... something that keeps coming up... after weeks of thinking about it, praying about it - my word became real. 

Real relationships, real people, real tangible outreach...  Real me.  Transformative and yet so simple.  I have tried other words in the years proceeding but none have stuck like real and sometimes I go back to real when I feel myself saying "yes" to things not needing a yes, when I allow myself to get sucked into a situation which doesn't require me... when I have slid away from real in an attempt to fit into someone else's mold of real. 

I am "real"ly me.  I cannot be undone or changed by someone else's version of me... I want and desire real relationships and I want real tangible outreach - I still don't fit into a box but all of that might be for another blog... 

This time is meant for Thanksgiving... real Thanks... 

Thanksgiving
is defined as the act of giving thanks, a prayer expressing gratitude, a public celebration of divine goodness.  My personal favorite definition, An act of giving thanks; an expression of gratitude, especially to God.  

Expressing gratitude, especially to God.

Eucharisteo
, of Greek origin, meaning to be grateful, feel thankful and to give thanks.

The first time I heard this word was at a Women of Faith Conference, Ann Voskamp was speaking and I was riveted.  Her story was real and I sat on the edge of my seat.  Eucharisteo, thankful in all things, for all things... grateful in all things and for all things.  Joyfully thankful and grateful.  These words, now hang in red in my kitchen. 

Thankful, grateful and joyful in all seasons at all times, giving thanks... even when it's hard to do.  I can think of a few times since that conference when giving thanks didn't make sense... like my husbands sudden job loss, my broken ankle and subsequent surgery, the loss of a friend...  finding joy in those moments for more time at home and organization, the joy in someone sending an unexpected way to pay for groceries, learning how to trust our community of "real" people or celebrating the life of someone so beautiful who touched so many... 

This week, this day,  I am thankful for the things unseen.  For walks and talks with my children.  For being privileged to be their mommy and hold their hands while they make me laugh and cry. 

Thankful for relationships which surpass understanding, those relationships which remain solid when the rest of the world passes judgement and says it's time to throw in the towel... thankful that my husband and I remain faithful and true to our vows beforefore God and have stuck it out.  

Thankful and grateful for the dozen women whom I consider my "porch-people"; those friendships which don't make sense... the women who don't want to "one-up", "climb-over" or "walk-on" someone else to get ahead.  The women who come along side, bear-burdens, hold hands and hold me up when I need it the most and most importantly, allow me to do the same.  Those women who I do life with... locally and across the miles - you know who you are and I love you, am thankful for you and feel blessed. 

I am thankful for my little church and the body that make up the church, we are few but we are mighty.  We do life a little differently than most and it's hard sometimes and messy sometimes but its amazing all the time.... Joyfully thankful and grateful.   

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I say rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to all men, the Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   Philippians 4:4-7
Back to Eucharisteo, the word, meaning something a bit more.  Made up of the word Eucharist, breaking bread - synonymous with the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.  Remembering Christ's sacrifice for all mankind on the cross.  Something which would cause Jesus harm and pain, though he blessed, broke and gave thanks... 
And as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat: this is My body."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  For this is my blood which is shed for many for the remission of sins."   Matthew 26:26-28
Most of all, I am considering myself thankful with all joy... that I have been lost and found.  That there is a God who loves me, who never leaves me.  God, who listens to my prayers, who answers them, in His time.  God, who created me, sought after me and a God who has prepared a place for me.  My God who works actively in every detail of my life and the lives of all people.  A God who makes the impossible possible... who molds a life I could have only dreamed of into something He saw all along --- ever present, never ceasing and as I live and breathe, more love than I could imagine.
Then He said to Thomas, " Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side.  Do not be unbelieving but believing."  And Thomas answered and said to HIm,"My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to Him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not see and yet have believed." 
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Recognition...

11/8/2015

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I have never asked my friends how they'd classify me or what word or phrase best describes me... But I know they would agree I am an outgoing person, I am friendly and dependable... I am generally a happy person... I can be moody and sometimes crabby but I am not ever depressed.  

I don't suffer from depression and I am not someone who can understand or empathize with those that do. I have friends who do suffer with depression, who battle it daily.  Who want to hole up and never go out side.  Who weep for no reason... Those souls which just grieve; I listen to them, I love them, I pray for them... But having never felt that way... I just cannot wrap my head around those feelings.  

But...  

Yes, but... 

But yesterday... 

The weather has just changed in the desert, it's getting cold... Cold for us at 66 during the sunny day requires a jacket, possibly a scarf and definitely boots.  It's beautiful and crisp and it's my favorite time of the year... When the weather changes I begin looking forward to all the end of the year has in store.  

Something has been different this week, something has fallen over my spirit.  Something weighing on me, pulling me down, whispering in my ear and laying on my heart.  It's nothing I recognize. 

Not enough, nothing is enough,  I am not enough... And it's more than that. It's doubting all my abilities.  It's assuming all my tight-knit people groups are conspiring against me and despite words of affirmation I cannot let go of this feeling.  

Whispering in my ear says...  

"They will know you are not as good as you seem."

"Sure, they replied to your email and it says "great work" but look at how it's said - "they think your dumb" "they don't really agree" 

"Just give up today..." 

"Why are you trying..."

"Who are you that you think you can make a difference?"
I went the entire week with these thoughts... I went to bed with these thoughts... I woke up with these thoughts.  I met my best friend for coffee with these thoughts and I never once realized what was going on. 

Depression had settled over me... Self doubt creeped into my heart.  It chipped and chiseled away at me until I was becoming someone I wasn't recognizing.  

Driving home last night I was allowing it to take hold, I let it envelop me... Dictating every thought, feeling and action.  It was winning... After only a few days.  

Sneaky!  Depression... Sucks! 

I drove home, with tears in my eyes... Trying to think of anything to stop the pain...  Rather than going down the slippery slope of darkness.... 

Darkness... 

What is happening to me?  Why do I feel this way? There's no reason to think these things.  My life is good...we live in a nice place and have food to eat.  We are healthy, our kids are healthy and amazing.  

Who am I?  

I am...  Loved. These people love me and value me.  I know this.  

I am smart and funny... People tell me so. I have a great job and amazingly fulfilling hobbies. None of that matters. 

As I tears come down my face...  

Back to basics - I am the Daughter of a King! He loves me and knit me in my mothers womb.  God formed and fashioned all the days before me. In Him, I live and serve.  The enemy cannot hurt me...  My God is bigger.   

With that the veil lifted... 

I recognized a strategic, calculated, pointed attack... The enemy comes to lie, cheat, steal... He comes to demolish... And he is crafty!  He waits till your alone, he waits till your defenses are down... He's waiting for someone unsuspecting.  

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    Me:

    i am a Jesus follower.  i am a wife, mother, home-maker and event planner.  life is crazy most of the time but i wouldn't trade one minute.

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Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.