Truths for Seniors, Cross before the Crown

Hello beloved,

Well...Inspired31.org just had their last gathering this year, and my last one with a high-school daughter. It was lovely and blessed. Our speaker, Toni Hembree, inspired the girls with her story! The girls just loved it!

I am knee-deep in the final touches for a speaking engagement this weekend, however I have had several requests for the scripture I spoke over the teenage girls at our Senior Send-off Inspired, so here you go. These are some truths I learned while walking through a hard journey that most of us women have walked through, at one point or another. It matters not so much what the details were however, what we learn and take away to make our lives more joyful is what matters. I'll share more excerpts, if you are interested, from my "Signature" message, which describes how I came to the place of writing the book & founding Inspired31.org.

~I am God’s beloved daughter. He has a clear plan for me. A unique plan, like no one else’s.

Ephesians 5:1

~I have an audience of one: God. I am no longer interested in other peoples thoughts of me or what I am doing.

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

~Guard my heart, from it is the wellspring of life. I deliberately allow God to choose the people in my life.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

~Get rid of the business of this world. I am not interested in being culturally relevant. Neither my children nor myself benefit from a ton of skills the world wants us to have spending all day in the car being busy, busy, busy. At the end/day what was Kingdom work?

~I have a specific Mission (I was called by HIM)

Jeremiah 1:9 & 17 ... I have put My words into your mouth...Get yourself ready stand up and say....

~I work for Him

Colossians 3:23 & 24...work with all your heart for Lord, Lord Christ you are serving.

~Knows the desires of my heart. Some of the biggest blessings have come out of the book and ministry. But not the ones you would think...

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Time @ home to prepare: very necessary

Spend time with dear old friends

Ministry, travel & time with Hannah

I am including this because if you are walking a hard journey, I think it will encourage you:

(from the "Signature" message) Before I continue, however I need you to know something. God didn’t suddenly change my circumstances. In fact, he didn’t change it at all, not even slightly. My children are still excluded and my heart still breaks.

The difference was God had truly changed my heart. I no longer cared what people thought of my motives. I concentrated on my audience of one. God knows my heart. I will never please all of those around me, nor do I care. ........

Beautiful truths...more to follow!

Happy Monday! 

       With a senior daughter, my time is flying by this year. It has been filled with many blessings, although applying to colleges wasn't one of them. We're excitedly waiting to hear from some, although one of her top two she is already accepted! 

        There are some very exciting things in the works, including new products, for the "Inspired" ministries. We'll be soon be revealing. 

        I am doing a wonderful triad (3 person small group) and our first meeting put an exclamation point on things I have been learning the last 4 years as a co-author of Inspired Design & co-founder of Inspired31.org (WITH a teenage daughter)and an incredible group of mothers and teenaged girls. So many wise people have given advice as "Iron sharpens Iron".

        I thought I'd share the three most valuable ingredients to maturity, from our study: Vulnerability, Truth of God's Word, and Accountability.  So many of these concepts are in the text of the book. For now I will leave you with the verses are inspiring me now, and 3 pages of the book. I'm sharing a little more of the book via the web as we have a limited amount left and are creating some complimentary products at a much lower price, perhaps even a reprint in paperback, with a study addendum in the back...Just pondering and praying.

       1Corinthians 4:16 "Imitate Me"

        Luke 9:10 Jesus knew his disciples needed refreshment & refreshment following their ministry...

        Mark 3:14 He kept twelve men who would "be with him". Friends & partners working towards the same goal.

         If you need inspiration, go to my Pinterest Boards....there are beautiful quotes, scriptures, pictures of tabletop & inexpensive ways to quote, and bless others....