Better than Bonnaroo?

31 Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be happy! Let the nations say, 'The LORD reigns!'

32 Let the sea and everything in it shout! Let the fields and everything in them celebrate!

33 Then let the trees of the forest shout with joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth! This is a fabulous picture of whole systems being joyful together.  Sky/earth/humanity The sea and everything it holds The fields and everything in them The whole forrest system One praise act after another in a continuous glorious concert! 1Chronicles 16-31-33

I Need a Do-Over!

Am I the only one who finds it comforting that Moses seriously messed up something as huge as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, and God gave him a do-over?


Deuteronomy 10

1 “At that time the LORD said to me, ‘Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. Also make a wooden Ark—a sacred chest to store them in. Come up to me on the mountain, 2 and I will write on the tablets the same words that were on the ones you smashed. Then place the tablets in the Ark.’

3 “So I made an Ark of acacia wood and cut two stone tablets like the first two. Then I went up the mountain with the tablets in my hand. 4 Once again the LORD wrote the Ten Commandments* on the tablets and gave them to me. They were the same words the LORD had spoken to you from the heart of the fire on the day you were assembled at the foot of the mountain. 5 Then I turned and came down the mountain and placed the tablets in the Ark of the Covenant, which I had made, just as the LORD commanded me. And the tablets are still there in the Ark.”

If God Almighty has patience enough to allow second chances on something as important as the 10 Commandments, maybe I can give grace to my neighbors and sisters in faith who need a do-over. Maybe I can accept my own do-over with humility.

Mess up your chances of an education, years ago? Maybe it's time to try again.
Ruin a relationship? Perhaps forgiveness is the next step toward a new beginning.
Give up on good healthy habits? Today's a new day. Try again?

I'm convinced that God is a God of second chance. Just ask Moses!
Praise God for second chances!

The Best Beginning in History

I had my own private Easter sunrise service. Just me and Pandora on my iPhone set to “Third Day Radio” in the wet Oklahoma morning. He is risen indeed.


This morning I contemplated Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she stood at the foot of the cross and watched Him die. Church tradition has it that Joseph, her husband, had already passed on by then.

Now Jesus.

Some of His last words, as He struggled for each agonizing breath there on the cross, were to her. Directly to her. To make sure she was cared for. (John 19:26)

This Easter you, sweet sister, may find yourself a woman alone at the foot of the cross.

There are plenty of reasons.

You are not married. You are widowed. You are divorced. You husband recently left you and your children. Your husband travels for work and is often on the road. He is deployed in the service of his country. He is in prison. He is injured or ill.

In the first chapter of Acts, Mary the mother of Jesus was named in the company of believers who waited in the “upper room” after Jesus rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven, leaving instructions for those He loved and left behind. Life was not over for Mary at the foot of the cross. The cross was not the end; it was the best beginning in history. And she apparently didn’t miss a minute of it.

Be encouraged, friend. You are not abandoned. You are not to be pitied.

You are loved, treasured and honored. Jesus provided for you on the cross. He continues to provide for you.  His resurrection is your victory too.

Put on Your Stompin' Boots

If you were a princess, would you see yourself as THIS kind of princess?





Or THIS kind of princess?




Which one does Psalm 18 describe?

LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.


In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.

For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?


God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe.


He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights.


He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze.

You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.


I chased my enemies and caught them; I did not stop until they were conquered.


I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet.


You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.


You made them turn and run; I have destroyed all who hated me.


They called for help, but no one came to rescue them. They cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer them.


I ground them as fine as dust carried by the wind. I swept them into the gutter like dirt.


I totally, by God's grace, want to be the warrior princess type in that first picture! I want to have muscles and fierceness and courage and be able to stand for the protection and prosperity of the ones I love.

A word about who this enemy is that we're kickin' to the curb...

Ephesians 6 says, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.


Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere."

Put on your boots, sisters, and pray for your children. Buckle on that belt and stand in faith for yourself and those you love.

In my imagination, I see the Journey women in army boots more than I see us in stilettos. I see our time spent together in fitness training more than just social fun, although the social fun is fun, because you all are fun to have fun with!

SO, how can we stand as warriors this week?

I plan to pray for the health of all our children, little and big, since we seem to be beaten down by sickness these days.

How about you?

You're Invited to the Next Bible Study

The next Journey Bible study will be Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 10:00 in the morning. We'll meet at Angela DeLong's house in Bethany, 6904 NW 32nd, Between Rockwell and Mueller.

We'll talk about chapters 3 and 4 of our study book. See the details to the right if you don't have a book. Study along with us and send an e-mail or make a comment if you can't join us! We love to hear what you have to say.

There's not a lot of parking at Angela's so you might want to park at the Grace Living center to the west. IN FACT... I have arranged for us to bring some valentines to Grace Living Center/Bridges Rehabilitation, at the end of our study time. There are about 90 residents in the nursing facility, so bring a few valentines. We'll make a some at church this Sunday with the kids, but feel free to bring some more!

Don't forget to keep praying for babies (Megan, Lindy) and for work/finances, (Neva, Christina, Diana, and sooooo many more these days).

Love ya!
Shari

There's You. And then, there's me.

A poem to start your Monday morning.


You, mysterious You
Remember
Me, pitiful me.

You heal me.
You hold me in the dark.
You hear me when I cry.

You, magnificent You
Created
Me, broken me.

You wove my inward parts.
You repair the fractured places.
You admire Your design.

You, marvelous You
Wait
For me, reluctant me.

You miss me when I'm gone.
You're never short of patience.
You come looking when I'm lost.

I, humbled I
Worship
You. Forever. You.


Shari Z. January 09

Have a blessed week!

Journey Women Rock!

The Journey Fellowship women's Bible study continues this Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10:00 in the morning at Angela DeLong's house. ('cause she doesn't have kids, and her hyper husband is out riding trails or creating trails, etc. on Saturday mornings!) The address is 6904 NW 32nd in Bethany, between Rockwell and Mueller.

Good times, y'all!

We'll talk about the first two chapters of Being Yourself. If you can't come on Saturday you are welcome to join in by e-mail or by commenting on this blog.

Would you like to pray for a friend?



Keep praying for Lindy and that sweet baby boy of hers. If you want to help with meals or cleaning you can sign up at www.lotsahelpinghands.com. Amanda has all the info and directions for getting to the right part of the web page and getting logged in. Call Amanda or e-mail scrappygirl2@gmail.com if you need help. I can help you get there too, so call or e-mail me at shari_zimmerman@yahoo.com.

Neva asks us to keep praying for her, especially for a good job. She has lots of marketable skills as an EMT, a personal trainer, life guard, and generally eager-to-work woman!

If you didn't get Carisa's e-mail, she says,
"Hi ladies. I just wanted to let you know I will not be able to come to Bible study this weekend. I have a family birthday party to attend. I will apparently be hanging out with Lighting McQueen and Mater. Be jealous.
Hope you have a great time studying His word together."


Love you all,
Shari