Monday, November 3, 2008

New November!

It's November! The calendar has turned and here we are! I have spent the past several days feeling like I am so far behind in so many things, do you ever feel that way? Today is a new day, a new week, a new month, a new start. Last night I stayed home from church to get a little caught up on paying bills, cleaning house, laundry, and meal planning. It feels so much better going into a week when you don't feel like your days behind already. ;o)

Last night I sat down and planned out all the meals for the whole month. Yahoo! It has been months since I have done that. Instead I had been going week to week and that is just not enough planning in this house.

Here is this weeks menus:
Monday: Beef Barley Stew & rolls
Tuesday: Chicken Burgers & salad
Wednesday: Dinner at church (roastbeef & mashed potatos)
Thursday: Chili dinner @ Emma's school
Friday: Spaghetti, bread, and salad
Saturday: Shepherd's Pie & rolls

I also started a new book that I am so excited about. It is called The Uncommon Woman: Making an ordinary life extraordinary by Susie Larson. Here is a little taste:

UNCOMMON: remarkable, extraordinary, exceptional, singular, signigicant, special, unearthly, mind-boggling

We're all different but the same. We all hurt on occasion. We've thrown the spear and we've been hit a few times. We've said one thing and done another. And we've had our heroic moments when no one else was watching. All of us come to the noble path from a different place. But that doesn't matter so much. Where do we go from here? What do we do with what we now know?

Do you long to rise above the petty behaviors that are familiar to most women? Are you ready for a radical overhaul of how you view yourself, others, and your place in this world? Are you provoked by the pain in the world and do you long to make a difference with the life you've been given?

As we shake off the status quo, we will pursue the higher road.

The uncommon woman believes the wonderful truth about herself. Moreover, she has the capacity to view others from this same heavenly perspecitve. Bursting from her heart is the conviction to do something about the injustices in her world. She walks with purity that allows her to see God everywhere. And the Kingdom of God is so strong in her life that everywhere she places her feet suddenly becomes uncommon and holy place-because she's there.
I need a little spirit-lift-revival right now and I am hopeful this may be it. Recently I have seen God moving in a mighty way in several people's hearts, all coming together, without judgment fighting for each other and His glory. It is awesome to me to see a transparency I have not seen in a very long time. It seems like we have been trying to hide our inadequecies from eachother for a very long time which leads us to believe the lie that we are the only one that struggles with parenting, fear, isolation, finances, discouragment, and so on.

Could it be that God is sending a revival? Let it be Lord, and let it begin in me.


5 comments:

Lori said...

Yes. Lord, let it be first with me, then you, Jill.
The excerpt from that book sounds awesome!!!!
I found myself speaking with zeal to the computer in answer to her questions...ha.
I, too, love to God moving in our midst in ways that simply astound me.
Let us be a people of prayer, I say, and watch what mountains can be moved if only we have the faith of a mustard seed.

Jamie said...

Your menu looks terrific and that book sounds like a must read! I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on the book as you continue reading.

Tricia said...

Thank you Jill, I feel the same way and want revival and to do great and wonderful things the Lord calls me to. I think it does start with being open and honest, and I'm thankful for what I've seen these past couple weeks.

It was mentioned today that we need to continue to pray for each other and be honest when asked "How are you?" We need to stop saying fine, if it's not genuine. And if we're on the receiving end to take someone's need seriously and PRAY for/with them. Plus, there is power in prayer. I think satan has blinded us by making us think we shouldn't confess these things to each other. that we should just buck up and be strong. But, the Bible says to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another that you may be healed James 5:16. Our sin does not have to be a "huge" thing, but could be as simple as doubt, fear, confusion. If we would do this at this point, I bet we would see so much more victory in not letting satan get strongholds from taking root.

I would love to read this book, maybe as a group. Shana also mentioned a book you gave her that would be great for a family group (I can't remember what it was called, but it sounded great too)

Wendi said...

Meals for the whole month!!! wow I am truly impressed.

Great post, I know we have talked many times about these things. We need to continue to pray for one another and encourage.
Thanks for the post.

Ginger said...

Thanks for the encouragement, Jill! :0

Also, thanks for spurring me on with my menus. I've been trying to get back to my little ol organized self but am still struggling!