I just want everyone to know that I have the best bloggy friends. All the uplifting and thoughtful comments have put a lot of things in my life into perspective and I appreciate every single comment. I have received wonderful emails from many of you that truly are amazing. It as if you all know me so well and tell me exactly what I need to hear. Does anyone else feel that way when you read other's journey through their blog? It is simply amazing!
So I have been extremely busy with work and no time to read. However this morning when I got up I promised myself that I would spend at least one hour if not more doing something for me. So around 3 PM this afternoon I stopped what I was doing and spent the next two hours reading Crazy Love, Watching video suggestions from the book on www.crazylovebook.com, and watching the wonderful videos that Angie Smith and Jessica Turner have on the Bloom Community. If you are reading Crazy Love and walking with many other women in this journey thru the Bloom Community I would love to know. So if you would leave me a comment.
Now onto my thoughts on the first chapter of Crazy Love:
First the girls (meaning Angie and Jessica) discussed ways on How do you consistently remind yourself of God? I thought that this was a great question. I am no way perfect or think of God every single moment of every day and I use to think going to church on Sunday was good enough that I was doing the right thing. However this changed in me over the past few months I believe that we need to think of God and Be All We Can Be every single day. I have one particular friend that I truly believe is a TRUE example of living and thinking of God every day. This person is someone I admire, I love her strength, and commitment to God. I tell Chad all the time I want to be more like that person (expect I say her name). So over the past few months each day I have spent many long walks thinking or worshiping to God and in this way I feel I am allowing myself to grow and life a more Godly Life. I however loved the idea of journaling each day as a way to remind myself of God. In my journal I would have 4 sections, first section would be prayer requests or people that are on my heart that need pray, second would be verses from the Bible or Songs that have touched my heart, third would be my thoughts as I am reading Crazy Love or My Journey through Infertility, and fourth would be All the Things I love and feel blessed to have in my life. This way on those sad days like many of the sad days I have had this week I can step back and read all the wonderful blessings in my life. So if you would like to share I would love to hear how you constantly remind yourself of God.
The overall chapter was about appreciating the surroundings that God gave us and not taking it for granted. With all the noises and rushing around I do I know for sure that I don't stop and think WOW God created this world for me for all of us to enjoy. He created me and all the details of my life no matter how BIG or small. What do I do I spend the days not appreciating what he has done for me now. As life happens and I forget. I should appreciate and know God as well as he knows me and that is a challenge for me. But I do hope that this journey of reading this AMAZING book by Francis Chan will allow me to grow closer to God.
A touching and thought provoking statement in one of the videos on the Bloom Community that just spoke to me today was, "How can I be grateful for my life and not take it for granted because if I don't than I will think that life is owed to me!" How many of you feel this way? I know that I need to be more grateful of my life because one day the life that I have now could all be gone in a blink of an eye.
I look forward to reading more of this book and taking more time to be with God and think about all that he has done for me. If you have not joined the Bloom Community it is awesome and you will not be disappointed. Have a Blessed Night!
11 comments:
Hi Melissa - I'm reading the book with you. Actually, I'm in NWA with you, too, I believe! :) Like you, I chose to blog my thoughts -- it was easier for me to do it that way than to put it in the forums. I don't know why, but I just get lost in forums. :)
Your thoughts on taking God for granted really resonated with me. I didn't end up blogging about that, but as I read the chapter, it really made me think of the fact that it's those I love the most that I'm most likely to take for granted. I wonder if it's because we know that those who love us will also forgive us? A terrible reason to take them for granted, yet I find myself doing that with my spouse and with God as well. I can totally relate to your words.
I'm glad you took some YOU time to read and journal about the book today. :)
YAY Melissa! Sounds like a wonderful series you have started! I am so proud of you. It is so hard to remember God in your EVERY thought... If we all just remembered to be this way in our lives, the world would be such a more perfect place. I am so proud of you. Sometimes you just have to stop and think about yourself and remember your relationship with God. Something I get so caught up in the wordly "yuck" that I can tend to get in a rut and forget who's really in control... the LORD!
My Chad and I have been reading a Proverbs a day. For example, today is the 15th so we read the whole Chapter 15 and then we pick our favorite verse and share it with each other and why... It's amazing how God works in that little time too! Through ONE verse!
I think about you all the time and love ya! Let me know about lunch times and places for tomorrow! I CAN NOT WAIT TO HUG YOU and LAUGH WITH YOU!!
I am really enjoying the bloom community and crazy love book. The book is always in my mind and one that stands out to me also is the fact that I don't know how to let myself go to GOD and allow him into my life. I take for granted what GOD truly gives to me each day and what life he has allowed me to have. I hope that through this journey I can begin to let go and allow GOD to be in my life like you have. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I appreicate you being in my life. Thanks for walking down this journey with me as we grow together. Love you.
Hi,
I'm reading the book too!! Love it!! It definitely has me thinking about God in a totally different light. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Melissa, I am here for you when ever you need to talk.. I love you very much and don't ever thing that I do not care. I care very much and want to know how you are feeling and I want to know how you are doing. I wish that I had the ability to hold you and take all your worries away. I love yo to the moon and back. If ever you need to talk I am here for you. Have a great day and night. I enjoy reading your blog. You have the ability to express your self very well.
I'm also reading it and cannot get enough! I look forward to reading your thoughts on it chapter by chapter!
I am reading it and want to read faster...Your blog has become very special to me and I am praying for you....and believing with you for your dreams to come true.
Sounds like a great book! I'm going to have to read it! Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts on the book!
I just love reading your blog! You are one amazing lady! I haven't had a chance to read this book--but I enjoy your post about it!
Love ya sweetie!
Tiff
I've been reading your blog for a while and today you just made me smile. You've made me think about God in a different way today. The thought that came to me while I was reading what you wrote is that God must be so proud of you. To see you seeking more of God instead of becoming bitter during your struggles is such a witness to His power. I pray that He will pour out His blessings on You.
Julie
I found your blog from the married w/o children forum from Bloom! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts from the first chapter....hope you keep finding time to read Crazy Love! Don't you just love the book?!?! I do!
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