What is your Idol?

About two weeks ago I hit this feeling that something was missing. I didn't feel plugged into anything, in fact I felt alone. I spend most days at home working on learning about how to support my clients and how to better myself, yet I'm sitting at home alone! So I saw a friend post on Facebook about the upcoming Ladies Bible Study. It is both in the mornings and evening. I struggled to figure out if I could make that work. I might have a sub job on a Tuesday (kind of unlikely but it could happen) so that would mean I miss that week...and the evenings meant time away from TJ--but maybe that's what I need?! So since my friend was in charge of the evenings, I decided that's what I needed. So I signed up two days before it began! Monday I get an email from her asking if I would be interested in leading the discussion at my table. Woah! I had to stop for a minute...that meant I would be the one they were looking to to guide through the discussion, and I'm not really an outgoing person around people I just met. I was nervous and felt slightly uncomfortable, but I also felt God has placed this on my heart to go and led her to ask me to lead the discussion. So I said yes! Last Tuesday we met for the first time and did some ice breaker things which was really fun! I only have 4 other ladies at my table (the smallest of the bunch) but that's ok! This is the first ladies bible study we are all doing, so its awesome!


So now getting into the study. It's from The Living Room Series and called No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. I really didn't look into what we were doing, I just knew I needed to go. So here I am this first week digging into the study and it hits home. The first day or so is about what really is an idol...which it's not just a statue you worship! It's anything that you put before God...allowing Him to be the God in your life. It could be your cell phone, facebook, blogging, twitter, fantasy football...anything. So what was my realization? It's ME!!! I'm my idol! I want what I want and don't allow God to speak and live through me....so the next 7 weeks are going to be interesting. I had a great conversation last night with my mom and hope that every week maybe we can talk a little more about it. She's a very very wise and Godly woman!

Camping!!

Ok so this weekend was the first time that we went camping together. I went during 8th grade on a wilderness trip, but other than that I have never been! I must say I had a BLAST! The first night sleeping was tricky, especially with the dogs. We have learned we need to get another bigger air mattress so that they can get under the covers with us. I guess they got cold?! They behaved really well, which makes me really happy that we can do this more often with them and it's fairly inexpensive, especially with Take Shape For Life! I have 5 meals already for me so we're just really cooking one meal a day! It was AWESOME! I even lost 2.6 lbs last week! WOOT!

In other news, I'm excited that slowly but surely I am gaining clients and helping people become healthier! If you know anyone (or maybe it's yourself) that is wanting to shed little or lots send them to www.TeamOgroske.com. There's alot of information and stories about the program! I am hoping by the end of the summer that I will not longer have to work at Starbucks! I love it there, but I'm ready to say farewell! Not sure how the job hunt is really looking for next year. There is a possibility at the school I sub at, but won't know more till May. Maybe I won't need to work ;) and will just sub again.

In other news for me, still hoping that someday soon I can say we are adding to our family. Trying to not get frustrated and just let God be in control. It's hard when you tend to be a control freak for things to not happen when you are ready. I think about everyone I know is also posting about having a baby whether its they just had a baby, are in their pregnancy, or just found out they are pregnant. I need to ignore it, be happy for them, and just allow it to happen at some point! I know I'll be a mom someday, just not sure when God has that planned :)

The simplicity of salvation

I have been trying to have a morning devotional every morning (and at 4:30am sometimes that is hard), but I have been doing pretty good about it. Today I got half way through before I had to go before I was late for work. I am working through the book by Beth Moore: Paul-90 days on his journey of faith. I just finished day 24 and let me tell you, it's really good and convicting. I wanted to share two of the points that came out from today cuz it hit a nerve, in a good way! The scripture reading was Acts 15:1-21. Here Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem seeking the answer to the question of having to be circumcised to be saved...aka Moses Law. Beth gave three mistakes that  had been made, two of which struck a nerve.

The first mistake was, they drew a universal standard from their personal experiences. While this is true for some, the bottom line was there is only one way to be saved, by grace through faith in Christ. The second is, they tried to make it harder than it is. Here Beth asked some hard questions that made me stop. "Do we make it difficult for people around us to turn to God? Do we have a list of rules and requirements that turns people away?" She continues to say, "part of the beauty of salvation is its simplicity. Any man, woman, or child can come to Christ with absolutely nothing to offer Him but simple faith--just as they are." The last is, they expected of others what they could not deliver themselves. Here is where the really tough questions came. "Do we have almost impossible expectations of other people? Do we expect things of our mates we wouldn't want to have to deliver ourselves? Do we expect near perfection in our children and tireless commitment from our coworkers? Are we yoke brothers just looking for an unsuspecting neck?" OUCH! This is where I was nailed, and thankfully Jesus was nailed to the cross to forgive me! How many times do I leave the dishes or the laundry saying, "I'm not going to do that, TJ needs to chip in, he can put his own clothes away." Or getting frustrated at work thinking I'm the only one doing things and someone needs to do something too, is it really my place to worry about them? I need to concentrate on myself making sure that I am glorifying God in all things that I do, and not judging someone else because of what they are doing/saying...ouch again. I love how she states this at the end, "Let's return to the simplicity of salvation. Not adding to. Not taking away. When we paint the picture of our salvation for others to see, we may use different colors, textures, and shapes on the edges of the parchment. But in te center can only be a cross. Anything else cheapens grace and cheats the believer."

God has definitely given Beth Moore a talent and wisdom. I am constantly being challenged through this study, which I love. If you are looking for something for quiet time, I recommend any of her 90 day studies...they are reasonably quick, but heartfelt and make you think. Let me know your thoughts!