September Scripture Writing Plan: God Can Make a Way

Happy almost September friends! 

The scripture plan this month is something I've been thinking about 

and studying over the past 6 months: 

God Can Make a Way! 

Have you ever been in a difficult time or situation 

and there seems to literally be NO way out? 

Where you look at the circumstances and think "Nope, it is not possible to fix this"? 

Some situations seem (and are) completely impossible in this world. 

Situations where there truly is no way through or out. 

No way- outside of the almighty and all powerful God. 

Because the good news is....

God CAN make a way where there is no way. 

God WILL make a way where there is no way. 

Many years ago my sweet husband had a heart issue while we were traveling that landed him in the ER. The heart issue was quickly checked out and he was given a clean bill of health but as a result of that episode he became super fearful of traveling. Crazy super fearful. He began to worry that something would happen to him while on the road and he started having panic attacks. Over time the attacks became more frequent and severe and after trying a few medicines and going to see several doctors he got to a point where he wouldn't leave town- at all. No going on vacation, no going to visit family or friends. No going anywhere at all. Ever. As you can imagine this was hard on our family. As someone who doesn't suffer from anxiety it was hard for me to understand- even though I definitely tried. I prayed and prayed and prayed that God would help him overcome this problem but he still struggled.  For almost 10 years he didn't leave our town. At all. 

When I was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2013 and had surgery scheduled in Houston for Sept. at MD Anderson I was terrified. One day my daughter asked me "Is dad going to go to Houston for your surgery?". I answered her honestly saying I hadn't asked him because I didn't want to hear the answer- fearing it would be a no- because I wasn't sure how in the world I would do it without him. One Saturday prior to surgery as I was cleaning out a closet (random fact: before my surgery I cleaned out EVERY single closet and cabinet and drawer in my house- just in case something happened to me I didn't want anyone to have to deal with my mess!) Tony came in and said...."I'm going to take a pill now and see how it makes me feel". He had been given a new medicine to try for his panic attacks but prior to that day he had never tried it. I asked why he was taking a pill and he said "Because you are having brain surgery in Houston and obviously I'm going to Houston with you." (cue the BIG ugly cry tears of relief) along with a look of duh on his face. Long story short- he took the medicine and we drove out of town the next day and he has been driving out of town ever since.  We've taken trips to see family and friends, multiple vacations and he no longer even takes medicine when we travel. What seemed like an impossible situation- one that after almost 10 years of praying for I had grown weary of- was fixed, just like that. 

God made a way where there seemed to be no way! 

Think of all the times in the bible that God made a way where there seemed to be no way….

He split the seat

He moved mountains

He walked on water

He tore the veil

He healed the sick

He conquered giants

He closed the mouths of lions

He opened prison doors

He calmed the raging seas

God is a God of miracles. He can make a way where there is no way. He works in ways that we cannot see or begin to understand. I'm so thankful that God's word is full of examples of how God made a way where there was no way! My prayer is that this month we dig into the many reminders in God's word that He is almighty and all powerful and that He can make a way 

where there seems to be no way. NOTHING is impossible for God!

FYI: I made the plan 31 days and plan to do that with

all topical plans in the future so that they can be done any month-

not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

He Fights My Battles

I'm a fixer by nature. If there's a problem and things seem out of control, I want to find a solution. ASAP. Stat. Immediately. And sometimes that can be a good thing. Have a technology issue or task you are trying to accomplish? I'm your girl. Have a party you want to plan and need some creative, inexpensive ideas? I'm your girl. Have a care package you want to send and need some fun theme for it? I'm your girl.

But other times, when the battle is NOT mine? That tendency? It's not so good. (#ugh). This morning as I tried to mentally prepare for my CASA trial this afternoon, God gently reminded me that the battle isn't mine to fight. 

2 Chronicles 20:15 says...

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Many times I get frustrated trying to fix things (and people!) and fight battles that are not mine to fight. To meddle in things that God is working in and through. To allow Him to work in His mighty and powerful ways. I love this verse so because it's a beautiful reminder that Jesus has already won victory over EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that this life and world can throw at us. He has fought and WON against everything- marriage difficulties, financial struggles, cancer- EVERYTHING.

Today I continued on reading and loved verse 17 which says....

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Just like the verses above say, all we have to do is trust Him, take our positions, and stand firm in His promises, His plan, His almighty power. And then just stand and watch. The battle is His and my job is to trust and believe in His promises- even in the fact of hopelessness and what seems impossible. Because nothing is impossible for Him! My prayer for us today is that we are able to hold fast to this promise. To trust Him, rest in Him, and reject the lies that Satan tries to get us to believe. To sit still and expectant- knowing He will fight for us.

Overcomer (& a Giveaway!)

I've been a fan of the Kendrick Brother movies since the beginning. In our home if we come across any of their movies on TV (Fireproof, War Room, Courageous, Facing the Giants) we always stop and watch them, no matter what part of the movie it is in. We truly love them because of the incredible message in each one- a message that clearly points the viewer to Jesus. I was so excited to hear that they have a new movie releasing this Friday August 23rd, Overcomer!

Overcomer is the story of high school basketball coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team's state championship dreams are crushed. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.

The message of Overcomer is one that will leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?  What a fabulous movie to watch at the beginning of a new school year with your kids!

The Overcomer website also includes tons of great resources including a Family Guide, Team Devotional Guide, and a Parent Guide.

Interested in winning two tickets to go see Overcomer? 

Join me over on Instagram where I'm giving away two tickets! 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No Canadian winners please, Fandango does not reach to our Canadian friends.

If He said it, he will do it!

As a child I am embarrassed to admit that I truly believed that when I was an adult I would know all the answers and have everything (money, relationships, work, etc) all figured out. (Come on, didn't you think that too?) I crack up thinking back to that naive little girl (bless her sweet heart for thinking that) because my middle age self knows now that that will NEVER happen. Honestly I spend most of my days feeling like I am failing the many tasks and responsibilities on my plate. I run around trying to juggle everything (work, family, home, ministry, friendships, volunteer work, CASA, Chrissy's Closet, etc) dropping balls and failing oh so very often. As a reforming people pleaser, type A personality I struggle with not having all my ducks in a row and everything figured out. I so often need the reminder that I don't have to be or feel qualified to do what God is calling me to do- just obedient and willing. If He calls me, HE will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says: 

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." NIV

"The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!" The Message

This is one of my favorite of all verses (it's been on my desk for as long as I can remember) and one that I cling to when I feel like I am not equipped or prepared or able to do what God has before me {which is SO VERY OFTEN- today included!}. There is such comfort in the reminder that it's not up to me!

My prayer today is that we are all able to remember that our job is to be obedient to what God calls us to do, to be faithful in that calling, and to leave the rest (and the results) to God. Rest in that truth today friends, HE is faithful and HE will do it.

People are the ENTIRE POINT

This time of year when things are so busy and hectic with summer ending and school starting, it's so easy for me to get caught up in my daily to-do list and forget that the people God puts in my path are NOT distractions but are in fact the entire point! My prayer today is that we all see those people He places in our way today, really see them and that we don't think of them as irritations or things that deter us from checking off the millions of things on our lists. That instead we view them as hand-placed in our lives by God himself for a specific reason and a purpose.

Romans 12:9 in the Message says...

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.