Monday, January 26, 2015

What I Want You to Know


I adore you! Gratitude overflows for all the ways you encourage and lift me up. My cup runneth over.

More so than the ways I love and adore you, you are loved by Him. And nothing you do can separate you from His love.  “But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us.” ~ Romans 8:37 (Voice)

^^^ truth worth reminding ourselves of daily.

If you are feeling weary, like me, spend time reflecting on His promises. Jennifer Dukes Lee shares 15 Amazing Promises from God to You and 365promises.com features a promise from the Bible for each day of the year.

Let’s consider the rest of this post somewhat of a “State of My Blog Address.” Actually, I like the way Kristen Strong says it in her post What You Can Expect to Find at This Corner of the Internet.

The New Year has brought a realization of the need to strengthen my walk with Him. I need to be secure in His promises. For me to be secure in His promises, I must have roots deep in His Word.


With that being said, at this corner of the Internet you can expect to find fewer posts. Instead, I am practicing the spiritual disciplines of studying scripture, prayer, fellowship, and observing a Sabbath day to nurture my soul and strengthen me for whatever lies ahead.

Like many Christian bloggers, for the fourth year in a row I have chosen One Word to focus on instead of the commonly known practice of setting New Year’s Resolutions. Previous year’s words have been BELIEVE, LOVE, EMBRACE and JOY, respectively. Except for quick mentions here and there in posts, I have not written about my word for 2015.

My word is SELFLESS. It fits well with my new life verse from John 3:30.

Image created by Traci Michele Designs

It has proven to be a challenging word to date. I sense God will use it to bring much needed growth.

I'm learning God has given me this word not only because of the ways I can be selfish but more so for the ways I allow self-focused thoughts to hinder my walk with Christ. These thoughts are a stumbling block in claiming the victory found at the cross and also in my relationships with others.

Instead of being wrapped in thoughts of being un-worthy and not- enough, I want to wrap my whole self in who God says I am.

Therefore, practice of the spiritual discipline of taking “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) and being "transformed by the renewing of [my] mind” (Romans 12:2) is a must.

“As long as I daily make the choice to be guided by His truth, He replaces my hollowness with a wholeness of love that has no gaps.” ~ Lysa Terkurst

More of my time will also be focused on my husband. After spending ten months apart from him I do not plan to take present and future moments with him for granted.


I intend to practice the art of selflessness on my husband. My goal is to imitate the humility of Christ in my marriage.

"That is what we signed up for. We have told God that we no longer want to live for ourselves. We want Him to take over." ~ Francis Chan, You and Me Forever

Watch week three from the seven week video series on the book "You and Me Forever" by Francis and Lisa Chan // This expresses the hopes and desires for my marriage. It's may be 16:44 in length but it's worth your time.

I do hope you can expect to find me posting on this corner of the Internet at least once a week. And because community remains on my heart, there will be more engagement through comments, both here at my corner and at yours (if you are a blogger). I am giving Twitter more of a try too. It’s where I love to share what inspires me with others.

As for what you can expect to read on this corner . . . how about we let God decide? It could be random. I promise it will be God inspired. It might have more to do with making disciples, which seems risky and crazy. But God never promises what He has planned for us will be easy.

Because I am posting less frequently, I would love for you to subscribe to receive my posts via email. You can subscribe here.


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40 comments :

  1. I love you and your heart! Digging into God's word will affirm who you are and how He wishes to call you in this new year. Thank you for always being a faithful reader at my place and for providing such vulnerability that makes me want to keep coming back here over and over. Hugs and love!

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    1. You are such a blessing to me, Mary. Thank you for being a faithful reader here. I so hope maybe we can figure out meeting in real life this year. Meet halfway maybe? Love you xoxo

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    2. Oh yes we will! I wouldn't even mind driving to you! :)

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    3. This make me so happy!! Let's make it happen, Mary. :)

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  2. I love that you took some time at the beginning of the year to listen, to sit with, to contemplate what God is inviting you to, Beth.

    I'm with you about posting less. It's nothing I planned but seems to be the way God's unfolding my days. Whatever He wants. It's all good.

    It's all His grace, isn't it ...

    Hugs to you, friend!

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    1. Absolutely, Linda. Whatever He wants . . . It's ALL good.
      Grace upon grace.
      Love you MUCH.
      xoxo

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  3. I'm so excited to know you and be a part of your journey, Beth - you are such an inspiration!

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    1. I love journeying through life together, June. You have blessed and encouraged me in so many ways. Love you. xoxo

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  4. I adore you! I am feeling the same pull, to go deeper and simply let God decide when the words will flow. Have a blessed weekend.

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    1. It's the best place to be, Barbie. Love you, friend. xoxo

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  5. I love this Beth!
    "The New Year has brought a realization of the need to strengthen my walk with Him. I need to be secure in His promises. For me to be secure in His promises, I must have roots deep in His Word."
    I think I'm in the same boat as you. My word in intentional - but God is showing me over and over again that He wants me to be intentional in 2015 in my relationship with Him. I admire your obedience and willingness to step back from blogging to focus on Him. Hugs!

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    1. Jennifer, God keeps using the word "Intentional" to speak to my heart too. I have discovered much in life requires us to be intentional . . . especially in our relationship with Him. Praying for you, friend, as you seek Him. Love you and I am SO looking forward to meeting you IN REAL LIFE this year. xoxo

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  6. Hi Beth! It sounds like not only have you chosen a word for yourself, but you've done some deep thinking about it too. I'm sure you want to make that word 'stick' in your soul and heart this year, and I truly wish you joy and discovery on your journey to selflessness.
    Making a big commitment to you marriage is something that God would heartily approve of, don't you think? He brought you together, and wants you to love and learn together, and from each other. Should be an interesting year!
    Happy Week my friend,
    Ceil

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    1. It's never a wrong decision to commit to our marriage. I am grateful for how God has used our time apart to draw us even closer together. To teach us to not only be intentional in our relationship with Him but also with each other. God is good! Love you, friend. Praying for your recovery. xoxo

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  7. I just love your heart, Beth. Yes to all of this! I look forward to benefiting from the beautiful fruit that will surely be born from your intentional times of rest, prayer, and studying God's Word. Yes, wrap yourself up in His love and promises! You inspire me to want to do the same.

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend. You continually encourage my heart. I so appreciate YOU! Much love. xoxo

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  8. When I read this,Beth - "Instead of being wrapped in thoughts of being un-worthy and not- enough, I want to wrap my whole self in who God says I am" - I thought, "You are so much more than 'Simply' Beth - God is going to reveal layer by layer the depth of beauty He crafted in you - and none of it's happenstance - whatever you think you are lacking - write it down in a list in one column - that is one edge of the "sword" - the negative side. What is the positive side you don't see? Praying you see yourself as we and God see you!

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend, your comment has blessed me immensely this morning. I really appreciate your suggestion to make a list. Sounds like a good one to start on today. God bless you. xoxo

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  9. I love how you are listening to what God is telling you to do in this season. You are such a blessing and light here in the online world!

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth. I consider you a blessing to this online world as well!! xoxo

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  10. Hi Beth! You have a new subscriber here! I'm refreshed by reading your post. Spending more time in the word, prayer, and observing a Sabbeth are wonderful things. I've felt convicted about being more intentional about Sabbath rest too. (I'm writing on that right now!) Sounds like a great decision to post just once a week. Thanks for sharing your heart for your husband too.

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    1. Thank you for subscribing, Betsy. I will be looking forward to reading what you share on Sabbath as it's very much on my heart right now. Especially as I study the Book of Leviticus. Blessings to you. xoxo

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  11. Beth,
    Cheering you on in your decision. I will tune in as often as you feel led to post. I will certainly pray for you in your SELFLESS endeavors this year...I know that God is going to do great things through you!!
    With love and ((hugs)) always,
    Bev

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    1. Love you much, Bev. Thanks for all the ways you encourage, but thank you mostly for your friendship. So blessed by you. (((hugs)))

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  12. Such refreshing, grace-filled truth here. I adore you and this message you're sharing with us. So grateful to be part of your journey. Love you. xoxo

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    1. I am so grateful too, Kristin. And now I'm going down the days until August!! xoxo

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  13. I admire you for choosing Selfless as your One Word! That would prove challenging for any of us. :) But God will carry you through it and teach you awesome things, I'm sure.

    I love your picture with your husband--you look so genuinely happy (no fake smiles here!). I'm sure he'll appreciate your focusing on him.

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    1. I smile every time I see those two words . . . But God! He is so good!! And surely no fake smiles in that photo. That was actually taken right before we met up with our DIL. It has been over a year since my husband had seen her so there was lots of excitement. Blessings to you, Lisa.

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  14. I love this so much! I think it's awesome that you're choosing to post less so that you can focus more on seeking after God. Thanks for the inspiration :)

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    1. Thank you, Brittney. So nice to connect with you today. Blessings to you.

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  15. I agree with the others. I love your word. It's brave and it's trusting and obedient. Loving Him and loving others. Rev and I were talking this afternoon about this very thing. It's so easy to complicate faith and that's really what it's all about. Hmmm. Maybe we all should make selfless our word for the year. Blessings and hugs!

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    1. We do complicate it, don't we? Thanks for stopping by and for sharing, Deb. Blessings to you.

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  16. My week has been crazy so I'm just now getting over here to read your state of the blog post (love that name, by the way!). I miss your words but am so grateful for your example in listening and following. That is a great encouragement to me. Let's catch up soon!! xoxo

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    1. Hello sweet friend. I miss you and would so love to catch up soon. xoxo

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  17. Beth,
    Selfless and the verse in John...oh, my prayer, too even as I'm a little scared because it is painful to die to my self but I'm grateful for Christ's example....I love how we're on the same wavelength w our posts today...it is such a gift to be on your journey with you and how you're seeking to sink deeper roots into Him...((hugs))

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    1. I love journeying with you too, Dolly. It really has bee a delight to get to know you better. Blessings to you. xoxo

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  18. Love Francis Chan and can't wait to read his new book! Thanks for sharing the video.

    I'm SO happy you are reunited w/ your hubs. Love that photo of you two.

    My word for this year is wisdom because I want to walk in His wisdom for my life, rather than relying on my own. Past words have been joy and hope. I love the simplicity of one word!

    Selfless is an excellent word because, like I tell my children, being selfish is diametrically opposed to what Christ did for us on that cross.

    This line was my favorite - "Instead of being wrapped in thoughts of being un-worthy and not- enough, I want to wrap my whole self in who God says I am." If more of us wrapped ourselves in the truth of who God says we are, the world might just be a better place.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Beth. Blessings to you and yours.

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    1. Thank you, Heather, for stopping by and for sharing. I do love your word too. As we seek Him, He gives us that wisdom we long for and need for daily living. God bless you. xoxo

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  19. I love this. It is good to take a step back sometimes, especially when being prompted to do so. I guarantee it will be rewarding.

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    1. Hello, friend. It's always good to see you here. xoxo

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Much love to you.