Failure Can Be A Stepping Stone...

For all my Woodlands Church Journey friends, PLEASE MAKE NOTE, this is no longer a private blog.  While my intentions were good, they have proved fruitless, and the privacy seems silly and pointless.  Not that anyone else will read this, but my intention is to have a place where women can share their Wild Goose Chase.  It is an amazing journey, that has personally rocked my world.  The fabulous women I am privileged to meet with weekly, have layed their hearts out on the table many times during this process.  We have laughed, cried, prayed and hugged our way into each other's lives.  We come from all different backgrounds, ages, walks, etc...  Our strories intertwine in ways ONLY God could manage. He has blessed us through each other and we are amazed weekly.  If you join us online please read the first post for the guidelines remembering that this in NO LONGER PRIVATE!  What you share here is available for anyone on the internet to see.
With all this being said....

WEEK 5 THE CAGE OF FAILURE:

As a self-professed control freak, the worst part of having a control complex is that I have to take the blame when things fall apart.  And they always fall apart when I try to take control.  The difference between my failure and a God planned failure is the outcome.  My failure takes me out of God's will.  While I can return to His will, the consequences of my failures can be huge and lasting.  God planned failures prepare us for His purposes.  They test our faith and our obedience.  They also provide the framework to showcase His glory in our situations.
Where are you most at risk of taking control?
What can you do today to let it go?

Be Blessed!
TerriMike

Guilt? Not Me!

So here it is Friday night and I am just sitting down to write this weeks blog post.  I realize no one is really  reading it, but I said I would do it, so I will keep it up until the study is over.  This week is the cage of guilt.  Do you think maybe this cage pertains to me?  I feel guilty for not getting this up two days ago.  I feel guilty for not having my homework done.  I realize this is a huge cage for me and my message today from the "God's message to you today" said it was time I forgave myself.  Tonight we had a lively discussion in our small group and I feel guilty for upsetting one of my friends.  This is going to be a challenging and hopefully freeing week.  I pray for you as we go forward that God will use this week to give you freedom from your past so that you can experience God's absolute best for you!

Be Brave and Be Blessed!
Terri

The Obedience That Comes From Faith

Good Morning Ladies,
This morning God gave me a scripture to share with you in Romans.  In Paul's address to the Romans, introducing himself and his mission he states: Through Him and for His name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.  And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (RM 1:5,6)

The obedience that comes from faith.  I think this is what this study is all about.  While obedience seems to embody all the cages, it is the obedience that comes from faith that frees us to follow the Holy Spirit.  We already have it in us.  It is the hope that propels us when all of our circumstances seem hopeless.  In submitting to the obedience that comes from faith we are strengthened and renewed to persevere to the victory He has in store for us.

Be Blessed,
Terri Mike