Friday, March 7, 2014

Friday Randomness (Vol. 18)



Scripture speaking to my heart

"I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul." ~ Psalm 139:14 (Voice)


A Lenten Journey

My Lenten Journey: read here if you missed my post.

Scripture: "If He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things." ~ Romans 8:32

Reading: "Our life's purpose is to give God glory. We do that by reflecting His image to the world through our worship and our service to His kingdom. By His death He justified us, and through the refining fires He sanctifies us for the work of His purposes. But this refining is a process. You can't hurry the holy." ~ Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of Refinement, by Kris Camealy

Quote: "Pluck idols. Plant Christ." ~ Jennifer Dukes Lee
Just read here and here.. She has started something beautiful and God is using her in mighty ways. It's a beautiful thing to watch unfold.

JOY-filled quote

"Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands." ~ Elisabeth Elliot

A few of my favorite blog reads 

"But, deep inside, in my secret heart of hearts, I've always wanted something I could never quite keep a hold of — not long enough to make it my everyday home.  For my soul and for the me that wanted to be free.
I've always wanted to know who I really could be — if I was free to rest." ~ Dare To Rest. Dare To Be Real, by Bonnie Gray

"No matter how far we run, hide our face, stop our ears, squeeze our eyes shut, and plead the cursed words away--we come back in order to live. Once again a story is setting sail and so we are willing to take it by force, rather we drown or thrash, we do not care." ~ When Storytelling Is Saving Your Life, by Tammy Hendricksmeyer

"I have used my own voice to beat myself up and to doubt what God says about me.  I've spent way too much time listening to the voices in my head....
It’s time to take back the voices: The ones that lie." ~ When You Give A Girl a Red Marker, by Amy Breitmann

My favorite, favorite blog read

"My biggest frustration with the world of writing and platform building and influence is that what it requires seems so far removed from a life that bears the fruit worth reading about—a life of depth and stillness and meaning." ~ In the End, Three Things Remain, by Holly A. Grantham

The what-if questions Holly asks in her post are very much on my heart.

A beautiful community

There are beautiful things on the horizon for Outside the City Gate. Come be a part of this growing community here and here. I'm so blessed to be a part of their Facebook team. What I enjoy most is working with the talented writers/photographers who contribute their images for the weekly Sunday Scripture post, like Lisa, Amanda, Cindee and Nina. Connecting with them and reaching out to potential new contributors brings me great JOY.

Because I adore her

I drink from the Sweet B mug she gave me every morning and there will be a road trip this summer to visit with her again because it's just a must. If you have not met my friend Lauren of It's A Wilderness Out There...And In Here Too hop over to her place now. The comment I leave after reading her post is usually the same: "You've done it again. I loved, loved, loved this post."

An encouraging friend

My friend Satin of My Heart, His Words has touched my heart multiple times this past week with her encouraging emails. To say thank you to her I thought I'd share her with you.

Favorite new song

Place My Hope, by Ellie Holcomb


I'm finding JOY in a deployment #JoyDare #1000gifts

#138 ~ My husband sending home the book Safe in the Shepherds Arms by Max Lucado. It arrived with perfect timing...God's timing.

#139 ~ Quiet time at Panera.

#140 ~ He collects all my tears. "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." ~ Psalm 56:8

#141 ~ Friends who check-up on me.

#142 ~ My followers who leave loving comments on my posts. I appreciate all of you.

#143 ~ Hope.

#144 ~ A teddy bear from my husband, and a new charm for my Pandora bracelet too.

#145 ~ A second new oven. Thankfully this one works!

#146 ~ Books.

#147 ~ Planting seeds. The Parable of the Sower.

#148 ~ Praying for each other and with each other.

14 comments :

  1. Happy Friday, Beth! Thanks for the recap on the week and some great quotes to mull over! I pray you have a blessed weekend, sweet friend!

    Love, Joan

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  2. Always love your Friday randomness. Such great treasures that you share with us. I pray you have a blessed and joy-filled weekend, my friend. Much love.

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  3. Hi Beth! I love the Breitmann quote. I have struggled with negative thoughts and ideas in my head. Not fun! And not true either. God wouldn't talk to me that way, and I wouldn't either. Throw that stuff out and start listening to the God who finds me precious. His special creation.

    Oh my, I do love Panera. Is it the same one where you waiting for help with the flat tire? (Or was that Starbucks? Hmm...well, I love that place too!) To have your husband send you such a special, spiritual book must feel so wonderful. Bless you both :)
    Thank you for your Twitter encouragement. I appreciate it!
    Ceil

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  4. Hey there friend! I love all your randomness; there's always something (or things) that make me smile, grunt in agreement, or sigh at the beauty of it all. You did not disappoint this week at all! Loved Holly's post and her willingness to be vulnerable and achingly honest. God is in the midst of it all. Happy weekend, Beth!

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  5. Beth, you are such an encourager. Dang! I'm so glad I know you. :)

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  6. Beth - I am so glad you shared some posts I missed. I just poured a fresh cup of coffee & will spend some time reading. Have a blessed weekend! You bless me!

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  7. Loving your randomness. Such good stuff. Have a beautiful weekend.

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  8. Oh Sweet Beth- so glad you stopped by and took me out of the mayhem to rest in your beautiful place:) some of those quotes stopped me in my tracks- so good and true. I love the joy you share every Friday- even if I can't read it until the weekend. Love you, Dear Friend!

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  9. Oh Beth- you are amazing, brave, and dedicated. I love your words here. Love you friend!!!

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  10. Hi Beth,
    The quote of Elizabeth Elliot is lovely, and your post in gerenal - I want to click on to these encouraging posts and read deeper!

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  11. Love your Random Friday posts, Beth - it's like having a cup of coffee with a friend and learning about their week, and being introduced to new friends. Thanks for this. Lifting you in prayer today.

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  12. You are so sweet to mention me in your post! Thank you so much my friend! Praying your week is filled to the brim with JOY! Hugs to you! ♥

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  13. Beth,

    It is such a blessing to me when you link up at Beauty Observed! I love reading your encouraging words and hearing about your journey. <3

    I hope you'll be back this week!

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  14. Love, Love, Love Ellie Holcomb!

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Much love to you.