Process - 

• "a systematic series of actions directed to some end," 
• "a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner,"
• "the action of going forward or on." 

I've never been a fan of "process," but I've decided that process is the best place to be. Since we never "arrive" until we reach heaven...our entire lives are a process. It can't be all that bad if process was God's design for us.

None-the-less, process can be down-right frustrating!

The first part of the TRUST lesson was Trust God! Trusting God is hard, but it is worth it!

Lesson #2 - Trust the Process!

I've got to be honest...when my counselor threw this in as number 2...I had to have given him that look! You know! The one that says... "Whatchu talkin 'bout Willis?" (If you don't understand that phrase...then you really missed out!)



Trust God! I got that! I mean... I will... eventually! But, I know that has to come first. Trust the process?? I don't think I fully understood that until about 2 months ago. (I takes me a while!)


Even as I write this...I think I still truly struggle to understand fully. 

In the beginning of this process, I didn't know who I could trust. I had a hard enough time trusting myself. When we are thrown into a ... situation ... one that we don't understand- much less choose- we (I speak for myself...but I'm kinda thinking that others do this too!) oftentimes make decisions in a hurry. We make decisions in order to protect ourselves. Our loved ones. 

I remember speaking with a trusted leader immediately following the revelation of information that would forever change the trajectory of my life. Basically, he said, "Whatever you do, don't make any decisions right now. Take some time and be sure you are making the right decisions." I have to be honest, in that moment, had I made the decisions that I really wanted to make....life would look a LOT different for me right now. Things would look very different. Not only that, but I'm not sure I would have learned things about God...and about myself that I was meant to learn. That, my friend, is process.  

From time to time, process is fun. It's exciting! Change is happening, you grow in ways you never thought possible. You learn new things. Expand your boundaries to include greater perspectives and knowledge. I look back on my time at seminary as one of those times. It was fresh, new, exciting! I met some of the MOST amazing people there. Life-long friends; women and men who shared perspectives and knowledge, but mostly - they shared of themselves. 

I looked forward to the three times a year I attended classes on campus. Also, I really enjoyed the reading and learning, ok, most of it! From the first class (that rocked my world) to the second (that did the same), and so on; each class seemed to build on the next. This process shaped me probably more than any other to that point! I have to say, it was at this time that I started to enjoy the word "process" since many of my previous processes were negative. My perspective had changed. 

This time, however, the process I was facing was not fun. It was unpleasant. It wasn't exciting! It was terrifying. As a matter of fact, when I tried to look ahead and see the light at the end of the tunnel...there wasn't one. The tunnel was as black as night and just as frightening. Quite honestly, I didn't want to take one step toward the tunnel. This was not a process of my choosing. Or was it? 
I had a choice to make. I could begin this process and see where it leads, or I could chose a different process. But, either way, I was choosing a process. 

When you come to a fork in the road, you really have four options; go right, go left, stay put, or turn around and go back the way you came. I was not about to go back the way I came. It wasn't good...take it from me. Oh there were most definitely good times, but it had led to this, and this was not good. So, that was not an option. Staying put? Not an option. Life had just upended. I didn't like it one bit...but I was not about to stay put. I wasn't dead! (Though somedays I felt like it!) I was desperate for change. I knew that somehow God would bring good out of all this. 

Esther, one of my favorite Bible heroines, had to travel down a road that I'm certain she would not have chosen for herself. She endured months, even years, of a process that would eventually put her on the thrown as Queen, married to one of the most powerful, and ungodly, men of that time. Yet during her time of "process," God shaped her into a powerful leader. One who, in a desperate situation, chose to walk into the dark tunnel ahead of her, depending on God to light the way. She saved her nation. 

This left me with two options, right or left. I believe that neither would have been wrong for me at that time. But, only one way would be right. (That's not a pun!) I could choose a process that would protect me from further pain...maybe. Or, I could choose a process that might cause more pain, but could potentially produce a beautiful ending. 

Look up "process" in a thesaurus and you'll find a plethora of words to replace it with. The one that I like is "way." A simple little word. 

Most people know this story, but if you don't, this is a short recap. Job was a follower of God. He practiced humility, was a great business man (he was very wealthy), and treated people well. He had it all. An awesome wife, children, land, livestock. He had friends and was respected among them. Satan asked God if he could take Job's life because he believed that Job was only following God because of everything good God had given him. God wouldn't allow Satan to kill Job, but he did allow some suffering. Ok, a LOT of suffering. Job lost everything. Even his friends and wife told him he would be better to curse God and die. His life had turned into this pitiful existence. 

In Chapter 23, Job wonders (out loud) where God is. He just wanted to go before God to remind Him that he was a good man. Job wanted to plead his case. He knew that if God was his Judge, he would surely be exonerated of whatever crime he was paying for. In the middle of his moaning, he says, 

"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. BUT, he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." Job 23:8-12

Even Job realized that though he could not "find" God, He was at work. God was working within the process. God knew the way Job was taking, and though it wasn't a way of Job's choosing, Job kept to God's way.  That's a lot of "ways."

Job realized that this wasn't an easy process. He lost everything, including his children. Get that. It wasn't just material possessions he lost. Life would not look the same from this point forward. But God was working.

Like Job, I knew that as painful as this way, or process, looked, God was at work. There was a lot of work that needed to take place within me. This wasn't the way I would have chosen, but in trusting God, I had to learn to trust the process; the way He had laid out for me. I've learned so many things. I've met people I never would have known before. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Most definitely! Is it bright enough for me to know what it will look like when I emerge? No. But God knows the way I take. I want to do my best to keep to His way.

Trusting the process is really understanding that within the realm of trusting God, I hold on to the truth that God is working within the process. He is working in my heart. He is a work in the hearts of those closest to me. I will not emerge the same person that went into the dark tunnel.

I will come forth as gold.

The past few months have been ... difficult. Painful. Some of the hardest months of my life. Yet, I would be lying if I said they were absolutely awful.

Even in the darkest times in our lives, God has lessons He wants us to learn. In the seasons when we feel the most abandoned, God is working in the unseen.

Since writing has become an outlet over the past several years...and I'm no longer in school...I've decided to share my journey with you. In sharing with you, it allows me to deeply consider what God is doing/has done in my life. So, here's praying that some of the lessons God is teaching me will benefit you in some way. 

Lesson #1 (part 1) - Trusting God is hard!!

When I say hard, I mean ... HARD!

I thought I was trusting God. And, I was... I mean... things were pretty good. Not great! But, definitely manageable. By manageable... I mean, I could manage. Or, at least, I thought I could manage. 

Basically, I was in CONTROL. I was managing the easy, every-day situations. The more difficult situations I talked about with God and my girlfriends. You know, you tell your friends to pray...but you are really just venting and getting things off your chest. You hope they pray. Many times, they tell you they will, but they don't necessarily take the time to pray with you at that moment. (I'm not dissing any of my friends...I am guilty of doing that very thing.) Let's be honest, you may not even want them to pray because you are angry! And you tell God, because really, you're just angry and want Him to know how angry you are about said situation! (That's a lot of anger!) 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

This verse doesn't say "in some of your ways" it says ALL!

I wasn't trusting God with ALL!
I wasn't really trusting God. With anything. 

I was managing the manageable...and FREAKING OUT over the unmanageable. That freaking out caused a lot of sick days. Migraines, tummy troubles, negativity, complaining, general grumpiness. All this, in turn, caused more things for me to manage. Wow! Not good!

This came to my attention when faced with something I couldn't manage. My friends couldn't manage. I wondered if God could. Because, really, I hadn't really trusted Him with much in my life... It's hard to trust someone you haven't practiced trusting. (Did I mention I've been a Christian "all my life" and I'm a licensed minister...who's been in ministry for several years?) 

My very wise counselor taught me that in order to trust anyone else, I had to learn to trust God first. I hope this helps you in some way. (I wrote this in Sharpie on my mirror!)

TRUST GOD
TRUST PROCESS
TRUST SELF
TRUST OTHERS

All of the sudden, I was facing a situation in my life that I couldn't manage. I couldn't trust myself to make wise choices. I couldn't decide what to make for dinner. I could barely get out of bed. Trust was a BIG problem. I didn't know who to trust. What friends and family could I trust with my deepest hurts? So, I did what I had always done. I talked about my problems to nearly anyone who would listen. It was my coping mechanism. It was how I was trying to manage. But, was I willing to place my trust in the God of the universe? The One who created me? Who knew me best? Was I willing to trust in the Lord with ALL my heart? Could I lean on Him instead of on myself? One thing I knew for certain...my pathway was all sorts of crooked. I needed Him to straighten things out. 

I was placing my trust in my ability to fix the problem...to talk through it...to manage it. I was placing my trust in a very.broken.me. But, I couldn't trust me! That is when I realized...I can't trust me without first trusting God. Believing that I could fix the problems better than God, placing my broken self above His perfect ability, was idolatry. OUCH!

Who am I to think I know more than God? Who am I to think I could control anything? Who am I? 

"Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?" Job 38:1-5

Did Job love God?
Yes!
Did Job serve God?
Yes!
Job's life was manageable!

And, then, disaster came! An unmanageable situation! I'm sure Job wondered if God could be trusted to fix all this. Why would I wonder that? Because God stepped in! Just look at the conversation starter! Can you imagine being questioned like that by God? But, God loved Job enough to stop him in his tracks. God loved Job enough to tell him the truth about the situation! God loved Job enough to remind him who was in control! 

Lesson #1 (part 2) - Trusting God is worth it!!

I see now how trusting in my perfect God should be so much easier than trusting the imperfect me! Believe me, I've not got this trait nailed down. I'm not sure I ever will. But the more I place the control in His hands...the easier it is on me. The more often I default to trusting God...the easier it will become. 

Job's situation made a turn for the better when he acknowledged that God knew it all! 

I've learned that God is trustworthy! He really can be trusted. He loves me more than I can fathom. I've learned that I stress less when God is in control. When I give my problems to him, I can trust Him to take care of me. 

Today is Throwback Thursday!

Instead of posting pictures of days gone by, I decided to pull out an old blogpost that speaks to me still!

I hope you enjoy it!

Ask BIG! God CAN!

Dreaming Big~

Kristi

This song rattles in my head tonight after a message I heard from Jim Cymbala.

I'm developing something right now...a ministry. This ministry is my baby. Let me explain.

When you conceive, a new life begins inside of you. As you carry that baby in your womb, you develop a relationship with him before you even know who that baby will be. You love that baby and care for him by caring for yourself. You eat right, stop eating chocolate bad habits, you know the routine. And, if you are a follower of Christ, you pray that Jesus will protect your baby and keep him healthy and strong. You trust that He will make and form that baby. On the day you get to have a sonogram (2D--no fancy stuff) you see the small image of your child. You see the heart beat, and if you're lucky, you might find out if baby is boy or girl. If you are pregnant today...you can have a 3D sono and get some really great images of your child. You can see exactly what they look like.
I remember when I had my 2D sono, I could see the little noses of my boys and knew they had their dad's nose. It was just a glimpse of what they would look like. 9 months of living by faith...

When we chose to adopt, we prayed for the little girl we were to be matched to. We had no pictures, no information, nothing. Just the trust in God that he had the perfect little girl planned for our family. We prayed over every aspect of her. The day we got her picture, we knew she was ours. We had loved her from afar and lived by faith for 2 1/2 years.

About 11 years ago, God planted a seed in the womb of my heart. I had no idea what that "baby" would look like. I prayed that God would show me ... oh, how I prayed He would show me. Even just a glimpse. I could not for the life of me figure out what this was going to be.

In 2011, I went back to school. At 37 years old... what was I thinking!?

Friends and family asked what I planned to do after school. My honest answer, "I have no idea!" I only knew school was what I was supposed to do.

I thought the ministry would involve ministry to women. That's all I had ever wanted to do. I enjoyed ministering to women. So, I kept trying to make "my ministry" fit into God's plan for my life. All the while, I loved this "baby." But, I hadn't had a sono so I just tried to guess. I tried to conjure up an image of what this would look like. And since ministry to women was what I enjoyed, that was only natural, right!? I mean, what else could it possibly be?

In October of 2011...after 9 years of wondering...I got a 2D glimpse into what God had planted deep within me. WAIT! God, this isn't what I had planned!  How could I work ministry to women into this "other thing" that's growing within me? For a year, I prayed over a 3X4 index card on which I had written what I felt God had birthed within me. When I wrote it, I distinctly remember forcing myself to write in ministry to women ... because again ... that surely had to be in there. somewhere. even though God was clearly moving me in another direction.

In September of 2012, while attending a conference, God spoke so strongly to me. (Nearly a 3D sono experience.) After 10 years ... I finally knew. I had trusted God patiently for so long.

The questions began to roll through my mind. How? How do I do this? How do I fund this? How do I..."

In the four years since our adoption, I have encouraged families with this statement, "It's not about you! When you follow God's call on your life to adopt, it has everything to do with that child! It's not about you!"

So, back to the song lyrics. Living by faith...

Right now, that is me. I have more questions than answers. But, God used Jim Cymbala to remind me of my own sermon. "It's not about me!"

This is when I have to trust. To walk by faith and not by sight. To know that if God planted this seed and watered it and caused it to grow... He alone will bring it to completion. God, use me! Use ME! I have no idea how to start this...but He does! I have no idea how to fund this ... but HE does! I am just little ol' me. But HE is GREAT BIG HIM! And so, I'm living by faith.

I don't need all the answers. I just need an unwavering faith.

What do you need faith for? What has He planted within you?

11 years is a.long.time.to.wait. Don't give up! Live by faith. In His time, He will show you.

Where to start...

It's been a long time. I would like to say that a lot has changed since I last wrote. And so I will...

After living with an exchange student for 8 months, Ira left us to travel back home to China. He is now attending school in Maine and plans to come back to visit us during Spring Break! We miss him!! He brought something to our home that was different...authentic Chinese food! HA! Seriously though, there are many things about him that we miss. I think Mason really misses having him around!

After living in the same town as my parents for fifteen years, they decided to move...away! They decided to resign their job in order to get closer to my sister and their destination for retirement. We miss them. It was great to have Grammi and Grampy near. They had always been around our kids and very involved in their lives. That's very different now.

After being a "youth pastor's wife" for the last fifteen years...I'm now the "pastor's wife." (More on that later... When my parents resigned their position as lead pastors, Tim and I were elected. It all happened so quickly...I think I'm just now in a regular breathing pattern. It's a whole new ball game! But we are loving every minute of it.

During our crazy transition time...did I mention all the above happened within 2 weeks of each other?...we experienced another transition. We had the privilege of having a young lady in our home for a few months. We knew it to be a "God-thing" and wouldn't change our experience. It taught us all a lot. She moved back in with her grandparents the first of November. So, we are back to a family of 6! We quite enjoy our loud, crazy family. I wouldn't trade any of them! Even the one who has grown over a foot in the last year in the last eight months! Or the one who still loves to cuddle...shhhh...don't tell him I told you! Or our little Diva who is in school now and loving every minute of it!

I'm still in school and thrilled to be in my final stretch. I attended a women's conference called Designed For Life. During that time, I really felt that God was telling me this was my time to move on some things I believe He has called me to. So, as we enter this new year, I'm excited to see what happens. I have great expectations for this year.

I pray that I have the wisdom and strength to face all that is headed our way. With the economy and our world on shaky ground...I'm so glad I know who holds my future in His hands! I hope and pray that you are holding onto Him today! So long as we do...we're headed into an exciting future!!

Dreaming Big!
Kristi

Memories...

3 years ago, my family had been home for a couple of months and was settling in to a new life. Life with a beautiful baby girl...all the way from China! If you haven't seen our video you can follow the Adoption tab at the top of this page.

Our lives were forever changed...for the better. And our hearts forever drawn to adoption. Though we have decided that we are officially "done" adding to our family, we will always advocate for orphans and those who need a forever family! Many of these precious children are special needs children! God loves them so much that He has created an amazing group of people who adopt, advocate, and share adoption in order to get them home.

We have some friends just like that.

They are in a word...called!

Called to adopt!

How many...the total remains to be seen...but currently...TWO!!! Now, mind you, they already have 3 beautiful babies at home! Natural born...but loved no more or less than the little boy and girl awaiting their arrival in China!

If you've ever adopted, you've quite possibly heard, "born in our hearts." It's true! Though these children are not birthed by us in a natural way, God births them in our hearts in a supernatural way!

We have had the privilege of walking through the "process," "paper chase," and heart-wrenching wait. We have watched them grow in their faith and trust in a God who can call you a world away to love children that you do not know...have not held. And they aren't the only ones who love these kids. I can't WAIT for them to get them home!!!

They are also in a mad rush to raise the rest of their funds!! And as you can read on their blog...have had some supernatural interventions. Currently, they have a give-a-way going on...an iPad!!! Oh yeah....I wanna win this!!!  :)

If you would like to help them, please visit their site and share the opportunity with your friends and family! It is such an amazing feeling to help bring these babies home!! Won't you help! Your reward...seeing these children grow and thrive in a loving, Christian home! And you never know how God will bless you!!

Dreaming Big!
Kristi

even though it's Monday...
I know it's Monday, but I have been trying to get this "Sunday" writing in for a while...crazy, busy life...
Mia!

Have you ever asked too little of God?

I had a moment last night when I whispered a prayer under my breath. Something specific.

I almost laughed at myself when I realized for that prayer to be answered wouldn't require a "major miracle" on God's part or "major faith" on mine. It was quite simply, too simply, a small step.

So, I decided right then, right there to ask God for something...bigger...   Gasp! Could God do that?? Would He?

Boldly again, under my breath, I made the statement of what we needed wanted to see happen. You see, I believe that God not only gives us what we need, but sometimes He gives us what we want.

My dad's message on Sunday was all about trusting God. We are in a position right now, where that is our only option. Dad gave a challenge...the 7 Day Trust Challenge. To wake up every day and offer up ourselves to God, trusting Him to do in us and with us what He wanted. Asking God to lead us in His ways.

So, back to my request...my bold request was almost answered immediately! Within moments...literally! And this morning I still see Him moving in our situation!

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Put your trust in Him today! Don't be afraid to ask for BIG things! He is able!!

Oh my goodness...my plan was to try to write everyday....and then something happened.

L.I.F.E.

As soon as we came back from the fun and festivities...I launched head-on into "paper-writing" mode. Though those two papers were on a topic close to my heart, they seemed to drain me of everything I had. Very.Difficult.

I am now in the process of preparing reading for my next class. When I first looked at the Syllabus last October, I was THRILLED with it! The class is "Leading a Christian Organization." Now, I'm not a business-y type person, but it looked G.R.E.A.T. The projects and reading looked interesting.

I don't know what all God's got for me in the Grand Scheme of things, but I feel like every class I have taken has fit so neatly into a puzzle. I'm so thankful I can trust God with the future. I no longer have to see into it (the future)...but instead I just look to God! Keep my eyes on Him...and TRUST!

Trust is such a huge word to me lately. Have you ever been at a place in life where that was your only option?

That's it...trust.

I don't know what my future holds, but I'm ok with that.

As I read through these books...that I'm literally forcing myself to read...not because I don't like them, they're just not "right up my alley"...I'm trusting that the words in the pages hold meaning for my life. That I can learn and grow from them.

As I lean on God for provision at this point in my life...I trust Him. I am NOT afraid. Why? Because everyday, I have looked to Scripture. And EVERY day, without fail...He leads me to what I need for that day.

As I trust God in every area of my life...I am at rest.

Peace.

He is so faithful!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – don’t edit; don’t second-guess.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Must: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

Roar…

Ok, have you ever wanted to yell something from the rooftops? You know, you're so excited about it...you want EVERYONE to know??!!

Have you ever been in that position and you CAN'T tell! You can't ROAR your news?! Stifling, isn't it??

You have really good...no, GREAT news, yet for some reason, you feel like someone has their hand over your mouth!

Think about a time when you needed to scream and couldn't! For instance, with my third son, Jordan, I wanted to scream during labor. And...I did. (I was doing this with no meds!) But it was the middle of the night and my husband sweetly leaned over to me and said, "Honey, can you NOT yell?" Besides the fact that I wanted to "sweetly" smack him...I understood. But, I explained, "I feel like I have a freight-train running through me. It starts at my feet and and comes out my mouth! And freight-trains aren't quiet!!"

I'm in this position right now. There are certain things I want to ROAR from the rooftops, but for various reasons, I can't. Or, I don't feel that I can.

Maybe God is teaching me something...that my ROAR doesn't have to be loud and obnoxious.
Maybe God's trying to teach me that I should just ROAR to Him.

He's always trying to teach me things...but...it rarely comes through a ROAR!
Maybe I should listen and learn...

Today, I had the privilege of writing a guest blog.

Go on over and check it out!

Have a wonderful Friday!!

Blessings!!

Kristi

What holds importance in your life?

I can't believe it's 2012!

With the New Year Celebration...we hear of resolutions and yearly goal setting. Projects for the coming year are posted on Facebook and other social media sites. We write them in our journals and invite our friends and family to join us in our endeavors.

We pray.
We read.
We fast.
We do.
We volunteer.
We don't.
We lose.
We gain.

Whatever your goals or objectives for the coming year, my prayer for you and for me is that they are genuine.

Don't just tell us about them.
Don't just tell God about them.
Don't just wish it done or not done.

You.must.do.something.

Action must happen to reach your goals.

In the end, be proud of your accomplishments, but don't boast.
Praise God who gave you the courage, stamina, energy or will-power to get the job done.

So, here's to 2012 and accomplishing all that is set before us. May God infuse us with God-sized dreams and grant us all we need to complete our objectives or goals.

Dreaming Big-
Kristi

Why is temptation so hard to overcome?

This past week was so full of temptations...they were everywhere...

For a girl trying to cut sugars (and I don't mean kisses) out of her daily routine,
this time of year is truly difficult. All of my favorites...chocolate clusters, fudge, pies, fruit salads.

I stepped on the scales at my mother-in-laws and decided from the first day there, I had already blown it...so why not indulge. I tried to be good...honest...there were times I just couldn't help myself. Those peanut clusters were SCREAMING my name...every time I walked into the kitchen!! Since December 1st, I've only had one coke! THAT'S A MIRACLE!!! It's just all the other "eating" that seems to be hard to just say NO to!!

Paul talked about a "thorn in his flesh." (2 Cor. 12:7) I've always wondered what that was for him. Though I'm sure it's not important WHAT it was, some believe it to be a sickness, others believe it to be temptation...whatever your belief...it kept him close to God!

Matthew 26:41 says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

God knew we would face them...Jesus gave us a way out. He faced all sorts of temptations...and overcame them. I'm not so great at that...at least that's the way I feel.

Sometimes, our temptations, like food...seem so small.
Sometimes though, we face larger than life temptations...making it near impossible to turn your heart and head away from.
It can be so unbearable at times...you feel like you can't breathe.

What temptations do you face?
Do you put yourself in a position (i.e.: in the kitchen) that makes it hard to turn away?
How much crying out to God do you do to keep yourself free from giving in to that temptation?

Whatever you face today! Turn to God...let Him help you overcome! He is able!

Today, I write about my second born, Evan!He was God's gift to us after two heart-wrenching miscarriages.
(Evan several years ago! Love that little face!)

Go on over to Energizer Bunnies' Mommy Reports to see my latest guest article in her Featured Friday!

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; 
   he turned to me and heard my cry. 
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 
   out of the mud and mire; 
he set my feet on a rock
   and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, 
   a hymn of praise to our God. 
Many will see and fear 
   and put their trust in the LORD. 
4 Blessed is the man 
   who makes the LORD his trust, 
who does not look to the proud, 
   to those who turn aside to false gods.  
5 Many, O LORD my God, 
   are the wonders you have done. 
The things you planned for us 
   no one can recount to you; 
were I to speak and tell of them, 
   they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
   but my ears you have pierced; 
burnt offerings and sin offerings 
   you did not require. 
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- 
   it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God; 
   your law is within my heart." 
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; 
   I do not seal my lips, 
   as you know, O LORD. 
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; 
   I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. 
I do not conceal your love and your truth
   from the great assembly. 
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
   may your love and your truth always protect me. 
12 For troubles without number surround me;
   my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. 
They are more than the hairs of my head, 
   and my heart fails within me. 
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; 
   O LORD, come quickly to help me. 
14 May all who seek to take my life 
   be put to shame and confusion; 
may all who desire my ruin 
   be turned back in disgrace. 
15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" 
   be appalled at their own shame. 
16 But may all who seek you 
   rejoice and be glad in you; 
may those who love your salvation always say,
   "The LORD be exalted!" 
17 Yet I am poor and needy; 
   may the Lord think of me. 
You are my help and my deliverer; 
   O my God, do not delay.


1.) What pit have you been lifted from or do you need to be lifted from?
2.) Do you trust God totally...for everything you have need of? Is there something you need to trust him for now?
3.)Have you figured out God's will for your life? (This is a tough one!) How do you know if you are living in his perfect will? 
4.) God is your deliverer! What do you need from him today!
5.) Thank Him for all He has done and all He will do! He loves you so much!