YES to GOD study: Chapter 3

I am so glad you have come by for

Oh what a time it has been since we last met to discuss this awesome book by Lisa Whittle called "Behind Those Eyes" .

I apologize for being so late.

This morning I had to accompany my husband to meet with his surgeon in Omaha which is an hour drive away. Then this afternoon when we finally got home I had to go pick up our son. Then, when I finally was able to get on the computer to post, the computer problem I thought was fixed is still a problem. So, I came over to my parents' home to use my Dad's computer.

Whew! Was that enough excuses? If not, did I mention that my teenage daughter is pregnant..again???

Oh, yes, I did already tell you that last Thursday. Oh well, I tried.

Ms. Perfection is in the bathroom having a meltdown blubbering something about "I wanted to have the YES to GOD post up and running by 12:01am so the early birds could link their blogs..." while Ms. Confidence is at the door trying to reassure her that blog world did not fall apart because she is posting at 5pm instead. I should've read ahead to chapter 5 so Ms. Spirituality could be praying over the two of them.

Anyway...I'm glad you're here. Shoot, I'm glad I'm here.

Let's get started.

Remember, anything in blue is a quote from the book.



CHAPTER 3: MS. CONFIDENCE

I really enjoyed the story of the woman that Lisa and her friend met with and how the story ended. It would've been so easy for Lisa and her friend to just walk away from this woman, but their response to her was so Jesus. This woman displayed confidence from head to toe. She did it for as long as she could stand, then crumbled in a mess of tears and showed the side of her that needed these women to embrace her and pray for her and these two women of God did just that.

What do we expect a confident woman to do? Wear a big neon sign that says, I Need People?

Ms. Confidence, and those under her tutelage, would not get caught dead wearing a sign like that for fear of blowing their confident cover.

We choose to portray a confident woman with it all together in order to save ourselves the pain that might come with people seeing our vulnerabilities.

I got a lot out of the section titled "TRUE CONFIDENCE".

Confidence is not something merely worn.

Confidence can't be layered on with our clothes for the day, and it can't be taken off or removed by anyone else when it is truly present.

Lisa pointed out to us that we were not created to live in a completely self-reliant state.
We need to be completely attached to Jesus to make it day by day in this life.

We have to be.

True confidence come from only one Source-and it cannot be bought, sold, put on, or manufactured.

I loved the poem she included, especially this section:

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...

But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...

But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.


Oh,that's what I'm believing in this journey me and my family are on at the present moment. I believe that the grace I choose to extend to my daughter and the faith I have in every step of this journey will make me stronger. My confidence, faith and focus has got to be on Him and Him alone.

Jesus gives us the answers to every spiritual dilemma, and confidence is no different.

Last Thursday when I shared with you how our teenage daughter Alyssa is pregnant again, I had included a a verse in 2 Corinthians that I had never read before in this particular version (The Message). Sunday when I was reading my chapter, out loud, I said "wow" when Lisa had the same version of the verse on page 54...

My grace is enough; it's all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

I always think when I read something back to back or hear a message over and over God is trying to tell me something.

I got it.

I need to stay out of His way, put my confidence in Him, because in my weakness His strength will come into its own!

Oh, I just love that promise!

I loved how Lisa closed out the chapter with what she termed new definitions for the buzzwords for Ms. Confidence. I'll just share my favorite one...

Emotionally Healthy: The desire to please only one source--that is, Jesus Christ; the opinion of anyone else pales in comparison to what He thinks of us.

You know what ladies? This past few days my emotions have been really up and they have been really down. I have felt proud of my daughter for not even considering an abortion to really embarrassed that she wasn't using birth or self control. I have cried then laughed, yelled then unable to speak and have felt joy turn to deep sorrow. I have been angry with her, myself, my husband, the guy, God, but especially Satan. I have asked forgiveness of God, my husband and myself. I have wanted to tear her apart and love on her all in the same day. I have felt compassion and fury back to back. So much that I just feel like walking away. I don't want this. Then I read about Ms. Confidence. I feel none of her right now. Our family looks like a mess. What do I have to be confident about?

God.

I have God to be confident in and about.

Despite all the craziness swirling about me I can be confident in God.

When Pfizer tells us after November 10th you won't get another check from us until March 2009 I can rest in the confidence that GOD not Pfizer is our Provider!

When my daughter's impersonated confidence crumbles and fades away, which it will, I put my confidence in the God who is her Savior and instead of kicking her when she's down, I remind her how much He loves her and is crazy for her.

Confidence in a King is amazing.

Last night I wanted to just leave. Too much pressure for me, but then Lisa's words of not being made to be self-reliant came back to me.

I was never created to handle all of this on my own. Never. I don't have the shoulder's of a King. These burdens are His to handle, not mine and in Him I put my full confidence. It's going to be okay and right now He is forming my 2nd grandchild in my teenage daughter's womb. Breathtaking that He is creating as I type and breathtaking that she'll have two kids at age 19.

Oh Lord. Oh Lord.

Please answer this challenge question in the comments whether you are reading the book or not:

Is it hard for you to admit your vulnerabilities to others? To God?

Remember...if you have more to say on your own blog then sign up under Mr. Linky so we can visit you. HEATHER PRESSLEY: Your blog is set as private. E-mail me if you need help undoing this. We'd love to read what you post, but can't.

You all are such a blessing. I wish we could just have one big slumber party.

Oh, let's do it!!

Friday night at Lisa Whittle's house!!

Wear your PJ's and I'll bring the popcorn!

~Many Blessings~

Next week: Chapter 4: Ms. Happiness. Oh boy...