Friday, March 21, 2008

My Dear Sweet Friends

Oh how you have blessed my heart.

To those of you who sent me comments and personal e-mails in response to my desperate cry for help yesterday, I want to thank you. I feel so surrounded by love and support. Thank you for responding and encouraging me. Some of you gave me such wonderful suggestions on how to help combat my fear and trust the Lord. Thank you for all your ideas. Others of you made yourselves available to listen as I poured out my heart in greater depth. Thank you for caring so much - for me - just a girl on a blog to many of you. You have no idea how you have spoken Christ's love to my heart. I am overwhelmed....thank you.

Just to let you know...I actually ate yesterday AND slept last night. The fear didn't dissipate completely, but it was manageable. In Mark, Chapter 10, it says, "those who followed were afraid". You know what encourages me there? Yes, they had fear...but it didn't keep them from being obedient. They followed in their fear and regardless of their fear.

I'm praying that this step of faith, springing from a fearful heart, will be testimony to those who know me, of radical obedience. I desire my life to shout to the world what God can do with a life totally surrendered to Him.

Love you all so much....and keep praying...you're so much a part of this journey with me!

I'm forgetting those things that are behind and pressing forward - so - I'll be back later to post another writing that I trust will encourage your hearts. Have a blessed Easter, my friends, BECAUSE HE LIVES!

5 comments:

Catherine said...

Praying, praying for you dear friend. I'm here if you need me....24/7. Just call anytime.

Love you so much. God will bless you for your faithfulness.

Surrounding you with lots of (((hugs))) and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Obedient all the way to Calvary, my friend. May our feet know such obedience as we find our way to his cross this day.

You are everything to him! Praise his holy name.

peace for the journey~elaine

Yolanda said...

I have GOD SKIN, and you know why? I was asked for the first time in my entire life, to facilitate our Ladies Community Bible Study. And I knew that I had to as an act of obedience to my Lord and Savior.

AND I WAS SO SCARED AND SO UN-WORTHY.

But I remembered Beth Moore saying once, what ever God calls you to, do it, DO IT AFRAID.

Love to you!

Michelle said...

I am so sorry I missed your post yesterday Joy. Holding you up in Prayer my Friend, you are an inspiration to me!

Love You...

valerie said...

I came across your blog when I was visiting Lelia's.
You will continue to be in my prayers. I pray that you will have a peace that passeth all understanding. You will be so glad you went to this conference.
A few years ago my sister told me something that I really hadn't thought about, for myself. She said her son was in college and she was praying for him to have favor with God and man in a certain situation. Luke 2:52 talks about Jesus growing in wisdom & stature and favor with God & man and also in Proverbs 3:4...so shalt thou find favour and good understanding (good success) in the sight of God and man.
I have prayed that so many times since she shared that with me.
My mom, sister and I just took a trip to NYC. I prayed that prayer and asked God to show us favor with God and man. NYC is so fast paced and people had told me that they aren't friendly, but they were to us, for the most part. We had a few cab drivers who didn't even speak, but when we had a question they were nice & answered in a helpful way.
We were in the Grand Central Terminal and were walking toward an exit and my sister asked me if we were going the right way and a nice gentleman heard her and he stopped and asked if we needed help with something.
I could see God's favor all over our trip.
I am praying this for you too. I'm praying that you will be able to relax and enjoy this wonderful experience and that you will remember that God hasn't given you the spirit of fear but of power, love & a sound mind. (II Tim. 1:7)
I didn't mean to preach you a sermon. :)
It's nice to "meet" you. You'll have to check out my blog. We just got back Fri. night and I'm posting about my trip a few days at a time.
Blessings to you today,
Valerie