Pages

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Summer YES to GOD study with Liz Curtis Higgs!

WELCOME

to


Hello Ladies!

So glad you have come by for a visit.

Last week we wrapped up our time with Ms. Micca Campbell and her book, An Untroubled Heart. When I first started the book, my thought was that I was fearless. Tough as nails. I learned much about myself in the weeks of reading together. The only time I lacked fear was when it came to God. I feel I really didn't have the depth of reverance and still don't that I need to have for Him. He deserves my respect. All of it and that is what we learned in Micca's book is called healthy fear.



So, I am learning to apply what I learn which really makes a difference when I do it. Lord knows though that I have a really long ways to go until He has me where He wants me. Rumor has it that it's going to take as long as I'm alive. Bummer.


The last few weeks I flip-flopped of whether I was going to take the summer off from doing a YES to GOD blog study and start back up in the fall. When I decided that I was going to take it off I felt I had made the wrong decision and then started getting e-mails asking about the summer study. So here we are.



Over time I have received many comments about how much grace I show my teenage daughter. The daughter that has made me a Grandma twice over in 14 months time before she turns 20 and I turn 40.

Very sweet comments, but honestly my daughter has not walked around in a gown of grace woven by her grace giving Mother. Instead I would wrap her with grace in my quiet times with God, but face to face has sometimes been a different story.

Somedays, I chose to drape her shoulders with disgust or disappointment. Her same burdened shoulders that were already hoisting Shame into the air. I did anything but consistently embrace my daughter with the grace I gave her glimpses of having for her.


But then it hit me the other day...how can I expect to show my daughter grace and embrace her with grace if I don't embrace it and clothe myself in it?



That's where our 6th YES to GOD study steps in as we dive into a book by
Liz Curtis Higgs, best known for being the author of the best-selling book series,
Bad Girls of the Bible.

When in Kansas City visiting Kelley recently, Liz's little book Embrace Grace caught my eye.
Perhaps it was the apples on the cover that made me hungry for this book.

Or maybe it was the title itself and the subtitle that made me toss it in my cart.

I mean what woman with a past as ugly as mine wouldn't want a book on her shelf that says

Embrace Grace

Welcome to the Forgiven Life.

I read through chapter one and let me share just a little something with you from the
heart of Liz...
Wherever you are spiritually, whatever you have been
through emotionally, you are already wrapped in the Lord's
embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands. Enfolded in the
arms of One who believes in you, supports you, treasures you,
and loves you.

He is waiting for you to embrace Him in return. To accept

the gift He's offering you. To listen for the whispered words

you've longed a lifetime to hear:

You are loved. All is forgiven.


This is just what I need this summer.

8 chapters.

3 questions at the end of each chapter.

145 short pages.

Join me this summer as I learn to embrace the grace that God has for me. For you.

I know I interfere a lot with the work God is doing in my life and yet my desire really is for God to be completely unleashed to have His perfect way in and through me.

So Lord, this invitation is extended first and foremost to You, my King.

Please join me next Tuesday, June 23rd as I dive into Liz's penned walk of her heart with You. Teach me so that I can pass what I learn on to my daughter. So I can teach her how to embrace the grace You have for her also. And that when You say I have plans for you , that means her too. Plans I hope she'll give You permission to live out within in her when her head isn't hanging from shame.

If you are planning on joining me next week for the summer YES to GOD study then grab the book, order the book or borrow the book, but don't steal the book because that just wouldn't be godly.

~smiles~

Have chapter 1 read by next Tuesday, June 23rd so we can discuss it right here.

I'm excited about what I think won't be a "deep" summer study.

Somehow, I think God has something else up His holy sleeve.

Sign up below if you plan to join me in discussing Liz Curtis Higgs' book, Embrace Grace.

Here is an e-mail from Ms. Higgs' that I wanted to share with you. I was blessed she took the time to get back with me when I let her know her book is the one for the next YES to GOD study.

*****************************************

Dear Lelia--

I am THRILLED, DELIGHTED, and OVERJOYED that you are going to be discussing Embrace Grace beginning Tuesday, June 23rd! It is truly a book of my heart, and one I hope will speak to the hearts of those in your online group.

I would be happy to stop by on the 23rd if you'll just tell me how to do that. :>)

Please give everyone a HUGE cyber-hug for me!

Your sister in Christ,

Liz

*******************************************************

Be ready Ladies.
God is invading blogland through these different authors.
Let's let Him have His way within our hearts and become the women He has created us to be.
Let's learn to return His embrace.
See you next Tuesday...and invite a friend or 2!

~Many Blessings~






9 comments:

Paula said...

I'm in! The book arrived yesterday...super fast delivery and I'm delighted! xoxo

Stacy said...

thanks for letting me know about the post. hope the game went well. looking forward to this study.

Paula V said...

I love what you said about how you believe your daughter will allow God to live out His plan in her when her head is not held in shame. For some reason that spoke volumes. How many people are unwilling to live out His plan because of shame, of feeling unworthy of His love.

I think you are right Ms. Leelee. You plan for a light summer study but nothing is ever light when we study God. It may be short book but the lessons I'm sure God has are anything but short, light. Everything is rich and deep when it's about Him.

Mucho lovo,
Paula

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that I ordered this book....i haven't finished the last two book studys...but the portion that you posted from the book just "grabbed" my heart...

"Wherever you are spiritually, whatever you have been
through emotionally, you are already wrapped in the Lord's
embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands. Enfolded in the
arms of One who believes in you, supports you, treasures you,
and loves you."

May be if I don't "sign-up" under Mr. Linky I will actually follow through...may be...

Deb said...

Hi Lelia,

Ended up here somehow...don't know exactly how I did that. Just glad I found you.

I think I clicked on Mr. Linky and that must be for those who plan to study the book with you. I would love to, but I don't have a copy. Sounds like a great study. Sorry if I goofed on that.

I appreciate your transparency. Sometimes,being honest hurts.

Laura said...

I am so going to miss sharing this with you all! but I'll follow along and learn through your wisdom!

It sounds like a really good one, Lelia!

Joyfulsister said...

Hey, Sis,
I love your honesty, and courage to be real!!! it's not always easy to give grace to others, and why is it even harder for our own loved ones. I find at times so it's so much easier to say ..Oh that's okaay to others, we all make mistakes!! But when my older ones were still at home I remember how heard it was to say that to them, I guess it's because I expected more from them. jsut pndering on this, I love the photod of the girlz meeting each other for the first time.. So Precious!!

Hugz Lorie

Sharon said...

This sounds like a good study, gonna go to the christian book store to get book this weekend!
I love how you talk about and to your daughter, it's so real, you have a beautiful heart my friend.
Hugggss and Love, be blessed

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

I don't have the book yet but will make it my priority this week. I am doing another 1:1 bible study on women and church leadership with my co-hort in our church's "Women of Grace" but this will be great for my schedule! You know I am all baout Grace!! I will be on summer break during July and August from our community bible study and from the college so it will be good to re-connect with you my friend!

In His Graces~Pamela