Chapters 3-12 Playing Ketchup :)

I know I've been absent from blogging about the book, but I'm back on track now. I've been reading but havent been blogging. Emily and I have been dissecting and reflecting on the chapters up to this point. Now, I'm back to doing it with just God.

I'll catch you up so far on my journey...
Chapter 3 Discusses what drives you. I found that I am driven by my need for others approval and fear. I stay within a little box, or as some would say, I build a wall out of fear. I am working on making God as the person that drives me.
Chapter 4 This chapter made it crystal clear that we were put on Earth to live for God but that the time here is very brief and that it is preparing you for eternity. One thing I decided to stop doing was depending on facebook and texting to entertain or fill my alone time (its a work in progress, its been very difficult. I'm still trying!) And I decided to start making a set time to be with God, committ an hour to him a day for prayer and thanksgiving.
Chapter 5 and 6 These two chapters go together to explain the 3 ways people should look at life on Earth. First as a test, second as a trust and third as a temporary assignment. This past year has definitly been a TEST! God has given me many obstacles to overcome and deal with. I have had difficulty on severaly occasions trusting him and letting go of control. But it wasnt until this past weekend did I truly understand... It's not about me, its about God. Its about the choices I have made and how they honor Him. I want Him to be able to smile big when I am standing to get into heaven and He is looking back on my life on Earth.
Chapter 7 This is the chapter when I realized it was about God and not me. It was like a slap in the face... It was like God said, "Hello Elizabeth!! What I have I been trying to tell you all along?" It also talks about bringing glory to God and that being your purpose. We can do that by worshiping Him, loving others, becoming like Christ, serving others with our gifts and telling others about Him. Those 5 ways are what the rest of the book are split into. By the end of this chapter my choice was to live for the glory of God. Now it was my turn to believe and receive in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 8 Bringing God pleasure by worshiping Him is what this chapter was about. Worshiping God in everything you do and making it a lifestyle was the main idea. I've always thought of worship as a way to show God your love for Him but never really thought about it outside of church or mass... This chapter was talking about making Him apart of everything you do, down to brushing your teeth. Living life almost as if you were in love with God, and He was constantly on your mind. I want to be in love with God!
Chapter 9 The smile of God is the goal of my life. To make God smile there are 5 things that you must do... 1. Love him surpremely. 2. Trust Him completely. (which is VERY hard for me to do) 3. Obey Him wholeheartedly. When He asks me to do something to I obey or do I partially obey to make it fit into my life?? 4. Praise Him and thank Him continually. I always think of the scripture that says "pray without ceasing." I am working on making prayer more apart of my life. 5. Use our abilities. God gave of specific gifts and talents, He wants us to use them.
Chapter 10 This chapter was probably the hardest for me to read and swallow. The first line reads, "The heart of worship is surrender." Giving all of myself, surrendering ALL of me to God out of love is a very difficult task. There are so many barriers up that it almost seems impossible, but I know with God everything is possible. Fear, pride and confusion are the 3 barriers talked about. Love casts out all fears if we can just understand that God loves us and trust that with a realtionship with Him. Pride is admitting we are not in control and allowing God to take the raines. Confusion about what it means to surrender, "You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things our instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda and control the situation." The best example of surrender is Jesus Christ. Enough said! "Surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposed." Romans 6:13
Chapter 11 and 12 Last night I read these two chapter together because they seemed to go together with one another. Nothing is more important than a relationship with God. And what I realized is that my relationship could use some serious work. Chapter 11 suggests to be in constant conversation with God along with prayers of breathing. This past school year I would "breathe in God (inhale) and breathe out Jesus (exhale)" which was a very helpful tool and it strengthened my trust in God to get me through tough times. What I need to do is be thinking of Him through ALL times, good and bad. Chapter 12 talked about different friends from the Bible that God had and what made their friendship with God so special. After reading that chapter I knew I needed to start my prayer journal. I started writing to God my prayers at night. What was truly amazing about God, is that after I got done reading the chapters and was about to start my prayer journal I heard a wind chime outside... It may not mean much to some but in the past it has been a way He has spoken to me. I smiled and thanked Him for letting me know He is here.

Ok, now that we are up-to-date. I will start blogging like I was, a chapter each blog. Thank you for listening and coming along on this journey with me. Feel free to respond or share your walk with God. I know He will smile! :)