Liz's Letters

Lies. Dishonesty. Eliminating information. Lack of Integrity. They all fall in the "untruth" category in my opinion. But some people seem to believe that leaving important information out of communication is not exactly a lie. Is it? I don't feel that I have to tell everyone everything, but there are some relationships that require the whole truth. For example, my husband. If I went shopping and to lunch with a friend but told him that I only went to lunch - eliminating the shopping - I would consider that a lie. He probably would too. I find myself thinking about this "idea" quite a bit the past few weeks. My son recently had to fill out paperwork for security clearance to get an internship with a federal law enforcement agency. I found myself asking him if he left anything off. Had he given all the information? If anything had been left out, I was concerned it would look like he was trying to cover up. But isn't that why we leave out information, generall...

Always be PREPARED to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 PETER 3:15 Prepared Now that's a thought. What do I do to be prepared? And be prepared for what? Exactly. What? To give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have! Has anyone asked you that? Has anyone asked me that? Can anyone see our hope? Or do we hide it? Maybe you don't even have hope? hmmmmm Think about it. Where is your hope, if you have it? If you don't know... I know where you can find hope, because I have hope. Sometimes, my life is a mess. My marriage takes a lot of work. My kids require a lot of energy. My work demands so much of my time. I don't understand why some people are in the trials they are in. I don't understand why I am sometimes in the trials I am in. But I have hope. The hope of knowing that the Almighty God is sovereign. That means He is in control of everything. And I am at PEACE with that. H...

How G reat is your G oodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19 Today I am Grateful for this verse. He has stored up His Goodness for me. My refuge is totally in Him. His Goodness is revealed in the way He cares for me. The word He teaches to me. The sleep He brings to me. The ones He sends to me to surround me... in love, in prayer, in hope, in understanding, and in encouragement. His Goodness is revealed in the beauty of the earth, the comfort of my home, my health, my joy, and even my sadness. His Goodness is Great! For more ABC's of the word visit Grey Like Snuffie

It's Thursday! I love Thursdays because I take special time to ponder and pray about the verses in God's word that have meant a lot to me as I walk with Him. I was excited to get to "Y" because of of my very favorite scriptures begins with "Y", using the word "Your" as we talk to God about how wonderful His love is. This particular scripture is one that I go to whenever I feel that I have wondered away from Him and it is a song (by Third Day) that I sing when I want to praise Him for how deep, how wide, how big His love really is! More than I can imagine! Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV) For more ABC's of the Word visit Grey Like Snuffie

Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:9, 10 Ok, I am having too much fun with my scripture memory. I chose the second part of my first memory verse because I felt I have verse 8 down pretty well. These verses speak to my heart and helps me know that I am not alone. His guidance is promised in these scriptures and that is something that I strive to do...follow Him. Visit Beth Moore's blog to see almost 1500 women memorizing the wonderful word of God!

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:38 I love this verse. Living Water... I ponder... What IS that, living water. But I know because I have it. It gives life It is life It is Him Living in me. For more ABC's of the Word visit Grey Like Snuffie

It's that time again...Yes To God Tuedays, hosted by Lelia at Write From the Heart . The book this time is Self Talk Soul Talk and even though I am a day late in posting, I am excited to be working through this topic with my bloggy buddies! The beginning of this book stirs up things that for so long I thought that I could not control. Years ago, I remember asking my husband how he controlled his thoughts (it seemed to me that he was fairly good at this) and he said he chose not to think about thoughts that were not beneficial. The answer seemed good, but I still couldn't grasp what he was talking about. When he tried to explain further, he used the illustration of a bird flying by, that you just watch it fly over your head but don't let it make a nest. Hmmm. I have managed to do better with this thought control, but have yet to really get a good handle on it and I think this book might just help me with the next steps. It is the stuff in my thought closet! The thoughts tha...

I am so far behind on my Behind Those Eyes post that I was tempted not to do it. Funny, though because I have enjoyed this study so much that it just seems as if I should post nothing else until this one is written. This is the final chapter in what has been a wonderful, thought provoking, friend making, attitude changing and freeing study. When I first decided to participate, it was healing that I was hoping for. So, I love the chapter title, The Truth Heals. I saw that title when I first flipped through the pages of the book, before reading it. I have to admit, I was a little nervous. It was a truth - but a false truth - that had my feelings in the pit, and my authenticity in hiding. I was afraid of the truth because in my mind, "the truth hurts." Recent hurting truths in my life: the broken relationship with the one who I called "best" friend, the death of my father in law, the death of a dear friend day before yesterday, unexpectedly. She was only 51 and had com...

Today is the letter A Quiet Spirit On my heart With God's help I'll do my part to let his spirit work through me and a quiet spirit my beauty be ~Liz For more ABC's of the word, visit Grey Like Snuffie

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 This verse brings deep breath, sweet aroma, and the feeling of knowing that all is well in the world... in my soul... in my life. PEACE What a wonderful thing to have. During times of loss (like now) During times of not understanding (like then) During times when we don't know what to expect (like tomorrow) No trouble in my heart today. My God has it all under control. For more ABC's of the word, visit Grey Like Snuffie

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. For more ABC's of the word, visit Grey Like Snuffie I almost missed "O". Some of you know that I had to take a test at work today! I have been studying for 4 weeks and today it is over! I passed! Hooray!

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10 I know, I know...I couldn't help but think of this passage for "N" week. I tried and tried to think of something else, but I continued to come back to this verse. Was it me? I doubt it. I have an accountability group and they are praying for me. This week I asked them to pray that I would please God in my marriage. I think it might not be a coincidence that verse continues to roll around in my mind as I have pondered which verse to share today. It seemed like a good idea to look up the definition of the word "noble". After all , it is not a word we frequently use in our conversations today. What I found made the verse even less appealing for my post today. 1. Of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence. 2. Very impressive or imposing in appearance; stately; magnificent. 3. Having excellent qualities or abilities. 4. Of an admirably high quality; notably superio...

Because your L OVE is better than L IFE, my L IPS will glorify you. Psalm 63:3 For more ABC's of the word visit Grey Like Snuffie

Oops! I somehow forgot that yesterday was Thursday but I do not want to miss out on my weekly posting of God's word. This week represents the letter K. I am looking forward to reading all the verses posted yesterday, I have not looked at them yet. The word that came to my heart and mind when I realized that I missed the weekly dose of alphabet scripture was KEEP. A few definitions that speak to me are: to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own. to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc. to conform to; follow; fulfill Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble he will KEEP me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 34:13 KEEP your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they who KEEP his statutes and seek him with all their heart. KEEP A word that brings me both comfort and challenge from God's precious word...

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. Psalm 26:2 I know what it is to be deceived and manipulated, so do you. We see it played out on television and in the media. I have experienced it first hand, so might have you. So I guard myself from being taken advantage of by others. But what many of us don't realize is that the most destructive deceit comes from ourselves. I found that I like to convince myself that what I do in life is okay. I hear others do the same. Self-deceit is one of the ways we try to rationalize our own behavior. It's one way we deal with our sin. We pretend that it never happened. And before long we believe ourselves rather than understanding the truth that our sin has a consequence. There is one person we can never deceive. God won't be tricked by our justifications and rationalizations. Sin is sin. And it needs to be dealt with radically if we are going...

Shout for j oy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into j ubilant song with music; Psalm 98:4 Joy and Jubilant J words from God's word that just jump out at me. enJoy! For more ABC's of the word visit Grey Like Snuffie

God's mercy and love is so much bigger than what I can understand today. As I prayed the He would bring to mind the things from His word that He wanted to to be aware of, to learn about, and to be challenged with, He brought me the words I share on this blog today. I must admit, when I first began to contemplate my "H" verse for the week, I thought I wanted a "Holy" verse. I remembered verses about being holy, and looked them up in scripture. They were all beautiful, but God kept putting "healed" back into my heart. So, healed it is. I am in great need of God's healing. Without Him, I am a broken, pathetic person, who hurts and who hurts others. With His love, His Spirit, and my desire to turn my life over to His care and guidance, I can be healed of all that icky stuff in my heart and become like Him...HOLY. (Oh, cool...I did get to use it! 1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy") I remember today, that He is the One...

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 This is the first verse that I ever memorized. I loved it then and I love it even more now. Whenever I think of this verse, whenever God reminds me of this verse (like He did today), I know there is always purpose in my life. I am about having a relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am a teacher of what that means. And no matter what, if I shine bright with His light or stumble and fall in the darkness, my God is always with me. For more ABC's of the word visit Grey Like Snuffie