Dancing with Simplicity

Simple Living, Walking by Faith
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Are You Walking in Faith?

  • March 25, 2015 11:51 pm

Walking in faith. It’s the other half of this blog’s title, but last doesn’t make it least. It is the key. It’s the missing part of the equation. It’s the piece of the puzzle that you may struggle to place. When it is placed correctly though, you see the whole picture as it was meant to be.

Faith is inexplicable, but without it, it’s impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith requires you to step out. It requires you to walk forward when you cannot see exactly where you are going.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

You may have faith that a chair is going to hold you up. Do you have faith that God is going to do the same? You may have faith in the love of a parent, friend, child, or spouse. Do you have that confidence in the one who died for you? Maybe your faith is in a weekly paycheck, your health, even your location.  What if those things crumble?

Hebrews 11:13-16 (NKJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

If you need to know more, please visit my page Steps to Knowing God (click on the sidebar). Read Hebrews 11 for a glimpse into the heroes of the faith.

In addition, if you want some help on the journey, Proverbs 31 ministries is currently registering women for the next OBS (Online Bible Study).  All you need is a book, and your internet connection. You decide how many activities you want to participate in, and it’s all free of charge (except for the book.) Did you notice the title of the book?

Note: They have registration open now for the study’s conference call series (available for a small cost) and Facebook small groups.  The groups may be full, but they do keep a waiting list.  I’ll see you over there when the study begins.  Visit the OBS link for all the latest news and registration.  #WalkInFaith #P31OBS

 

WIF_Inbound_Book_Cover

Keep walking in faith.  And as always, I welcome your questions and comments.

Quick note: It was a great study. There are archives available, all you need is a book to follow along. This quote from Lysa really moved me:

However distant your dreams may seem, God is working things out & today is an important part of that process.

Lesson Learned:  there is a place between now and my dreams. A place of growth. The waiting is often long, but the now moments need to be utilized, nurtured and not wasted. Between here and the dream there is much to do and accomplish.

 

 

 

What’s So Simple About Diabetes?

  • March 13, 2015 11:26 pm

When I started this blog, my theme was simple living, and living by faith. My desire was to get myself and others back to a more simple life. That life was to be centered on God, and the study of His Word. Along with that, my thoughts were toward family, crafts, cooking, and things that just felt less techno.

Of course, it was pointed out to me that blogging is technical, and so was owning anything like an iPad, Kindle etc. Social media was not simple.  Oh well. So I did not entirely make the transition to simple living. I’m still working on what that looks like.

One thing that isn’t so simple is my life with Type I diabetes. Diabetes is not simple or easy. After being diagnosed in 1970, I can honestly say that while technology has helped tremendously, it still has not been an easy journey. Where an insulin pump has made life a tad easier, it still requires patience and a life of constant adjustments. It gets in the way of some of those simple things I want to be doing. Diabetes presents a constant invasion of numbers, and musts and have to’s. It is not simple.  It marches in and over anything that requires my attention.  Activities and moments of real creativity and fun, end up trampled on at times.  Because diabetes is a real time snatcher, but that time is a necessary investment.

I hope if I toss this into my journey of faith, dancing with the simplicity of Christian living that you won’t pass by my blog. If you are a PWD (person with Diabetes) of any type, you know it isn’t simple.  You might shake your head, and walk away. Upset that such a topic might even make it into this kind of blog.  You might be angry with God, or with your circumstances. I for one believe that many people live in countries where diabetes care is less than perfect, and technology is not there to assist.  I don’t ever want to forget that.

I could not make the journey of faith without God, because I could not do the diabetes thing without God.

Psalm 119:114 (MSG) 114 You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.

My constant rock and source of strength through all that is diabetes, is God.

I can’t give you medical advice, but I can listen and share my own story. Yes, even in a blog about simple living by faith.  Diabetes can show its face, but it cannot win. It can build courage and determination, but it cannot take over.  It can cause your focus to shift to numbers, and meds, and carb counting and the like.  But your ultimate goal and focus can be built on faith in God and His call on your life.

We may live in different parts of the world, and our resources for dealing with diabetes may be quite different.  I hope to see you on the path of hope and faith.  He’s got your back through it all. Feel free to comment……..