​You are who you are for a reason.
You’re part of an intricate plan.
You’re a precious and perfect unique design
Called God’s special woman or man.
 
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
HE knit you together within the womb
You’re just what HE wanted to make.
 
The parent you had were the ones HE chose
And no matter how you feel
They were custom designed with God’s plan in mind
An they bear the Master’s seal.
 
No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into HIS likeness you grow.
 
You are who you are for a reason.
You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!
 
Poem By Russell Kelfer

In a theatrical production a dress rehearsal is the final rehearsal before the live show in which everything is done as it would be in the live performance.

The simple definition is a practice exercise for something to come.

I couldn't help but think that maybe this life on this side of Heaven (as i like to say) is just one big dress rehearsal in our human form?  It's a practice exercise for something to come.  Peace with God now.  Eternal life in a new place later.  Spending eternity with Jesus!

With that said, as we continue our 2019 journey, let's continue to put our faith in God.  Rest in HIS promises.  Enter HIS rest as we are being prepared for the real thing!  What is to come.

As they say in the theater, go for it.  Break a leg!  It's all good. 

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM,
Liz

...The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people.  God HIMSELF is at rest.  And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.  So, let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest...  excerpts from Hebrews 4:8-11 MSG

OUCH!  When I saw the knife that was my immediate thought.  My husband has quite a few knives.  I guess they are called pocket knives.  Maybe it’s a guy thing but most of the time he either has one in his pocket or one strapped to his belt.  To me, there is nothing special about them so when he told me our nephew recently gave him yet another knife I thought nothing of it until he showed it to me.   With enthusiasm plastered all over his face he presented the knife.  That is when I quickly noticed it had a two-edged blade.  That is what made me think, “Ouch! That thing will have an impact going in and coming out.”

For the WORD that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [ of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP.

Many of you know that I am a very recent recipient of a right ear cochlear implant.  One could say my right ear wasn’t quite operating effectively.  To implant required surgery and an incision was made behind my ear.  The operation resulted in a needed process to heal.  Both internally and externally. 

You know for years I had regularly scheduled appointments with my surgeon.  At each appointment he talked about the positive impacts of implants.  My doctor empathized with my weakness and wanted me to be healed.  He knew what I needed but for years I resisted.  And for years he waited patiently.  

As I struggled with understanding what my future would be like possibly without hearing, I continued to spend time with Jesus.  Interestingly enough, not because I was looking for healing per se for many times I did not come hand clapping about my perceived destiny.  

Little by little the Master Surgeon operated and healed.   Little by little I developed confidence in knowing and trusting the Master Surgeon.  Little by little I learned to think differently about my circumstances and trust that no matter what I would be okay.  Jesus knew what I was going through because, again, like the doctor, HE empathized with my weakness and knew what I needed to be healed.   I kept coming to the appointments, one could say, to meet with the Surgeon, and walked away with TRUTHS.  Of promise.  Of hope. Of peace.   Then one day I realized that I was no longer bound by my circumstance but I was free in letting go and knowing God was in control.  Not just with my hearing but with my life.  It came about by daily spending time with HIM in the Word.  Allowing HIM to operate as only HE can do. To me, it was like I finally could push past the ouch in my life. 

My prayer today is that we go beyond the surface and allow Jesus to operate as only HE can do.  Daily spending time with HIM in the Word.  

After all, the surgery is not for HIM.  The WORD is not for HIM.  It is for us.   For us to be healed emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.  All because HE loves us.

Don’t you just love it when Jesus weaves HIMSELF into our every day lives? 

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM,
Liz
 

I recently ordered new coffee mugs for my kitchen.  I wanted to spice my kitchen up a bit, so to speak.  So I painted the walls another color,  changed the kitchen cabinet knobs and handles, and purchased new electrical plates.  I also bought a new cup holder tree.  Now, we couldn’t buy a new cup holder tree without new coffee mugs, could we?  


The mugs came in and as I inspected them I noticed one was slightly blemished.  A little imperfect one might say.  Oh, how I can relate!   As I looked at the coffee mug, and debated whether or not I would send it back, I thought about my personal struggle with my own mug: my face that is.  See, it’s far from what the world would call perfect.  Being born with a cleft lip and palate allows me to have one of the most unique faces you might ever lay eyes on.  Every day I am reminded of it whether I am cleansing it, moisturizing it, applying make up to it, or just checking to see if it looks presentable for the rest of the world.  


My thoughts then brought me to a women’s conference I attended a number of years ago.  One of the keynote speakers had the audacity to incorporate what I like to call “The Mirror Experience” into her message.  The sheer mention of us looking into a mirror caused me to shudder inwardly.  Though the exercise definitely seemed fruitless and somewhat vain at the time it turned out to be a life altering moment for me.  For it was that message, on that weekend, looking into the mirror, where the LORD healed me of my insecurities related to my outward appearance and freed me from the guilt and shame of so many senseless life decisions made as an underlying result of my mug.  And let me tell you there were many.  


The seed which took root so long ago and grew and developed like a vine out of control had finally been plucked from the root and allowed to die that weekend at the conference.


Funny how a slight imperfection on a coffee mug could cause all this to surface.  


In the end, for me, the question on whether to keep the mug (the coffee mug that is) came down to whether or not it served its intended purpose.  So, let’s see.   I purchased the mugs in different colors to give the kitchen a little splash of color but also I wanted an inspiring message for the users of each mug.  And of course the mug had to be functional.  Meaning it could hold liquid whether hot or cold.  Splash of color. Check. Inspirational message. Check.  Functional. Check.  Intended purpose to be served. 


So there you have it.  All mugs considered, we are ready to serve our intended purpose.  For me, strengthen and encourage women across the globe.  For my new decorative mugs,  provide fuel with a dose of inspiration to fire you up at any point in the day.   And for you, my friend, from this day forward confidently live knowing you were purposefully designed by our Creator.  No doubt about it!  For we are all made for a purpose and who knows, your purpose could be staring you right in the face.


Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM,
Liz

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose….Proverbs 16:4 AMP
For we are HIS workmanship [HIS own masterwork, a work of art]…. Ephesians 2:10 AMP