Hello, blog friends. I have not gone AWOL, but have been very busy and have not had much time for writing a post or reading your precious posts. How I miss reading about what is going on in your lives!! I hope to be back soon.
Today I wanted to tell you a few random things and ask for your prayers. Thank you for always being so willing to lift up others in the body of Christ. What a blessing it is to be part of this wonderful blog community.
First, the reasons I have been quiet are a few. Primarily I am finishing the writing of the Bible study about our legacy as Christian women. I have contracted with CrossBooks Publishing and am trying to do the final edits on the study so that I can submit it to them by the end of May. The end of May is only a few days away!! Every spare moment has been spent on editing and proof reading this study. My working title is From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest: Creating a Godly Legacy. It is our hope that the study will be ready around late fall. To say I am excited is a gross understatement. This is a study that has flowed forth from my life experiences–both good and bad. It walks the learner through the three aspects of our legacy that are crucial~~faith, character and holiness. I have included lots of personal stories and examples in it. My Tuesday morning small group is completing it next week and the feedback has been incredible. I pray that Holy Spirit will use it in the lives of many.
The second reason I have been away is the work the Lord is doing in my heart through several books. I posted extensively about what He has done through UnChristian over the past few weeks. Now, I have read a couple more books that deal with reaching the younger generations and they are kicking my hind end as well. I’ll probably post more about that soon. These books are causing me to do a lot of self examination regarding living out my own Christianity and all too often I am finding that there are changes that need to be made. Uggghhh, change!! Yea, change!! I have a love/hate relationship with change.
Finally, another reason for my silence in blogland is one that I need to be transparent about with you. Over the years I have dealt with anxiety and take medication for it which keeps it pretty well controlled. Yea!! Only twice in my life have I experienced depression. The first time was in the early 90’s when I was laid off from a job. The second time is now. This episode is not as severe as the one in the 90’s because I have recognized the signs and am combatting it with the necessary tools. With all my heart, I believe that this time the depression is a result of oppression from Satan. He does not want this Bible study to be published. He does not want me mentoring the young women whom I am mentoring. He does not want my Sunday school class to grow in the knowledge of the Word. AND He is coming against me to try to stop me.
“Hey Satan, DUDE, you are defeated in Jesus’ name. You have no authority here and I will not listen to you. GET. AWAY!”
I truly understand that not all depression is caused by oppression. I know that chemical imbalances are responsible for the majority of the depression that most people suffer. However, I am firmly convinced that this episode for me is oppression and not chemical imbalance.
So, with all that said, if the Lord brings my name to your mind in the coming days, you will not waste a prayer on me. I would appreciate it so much. Thank you and God bless you, dear friends.
