How to navigate Hands Wide Open :
The blog is categorized through the tabs at the top of the page, just below the picture.
TESTIMONY: If my life were a novel (which I have great aspirations to write someday, even though the only reader would probably be my mother), this section would be considered the prologue.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...--Jeremiah 1:5BIBLE STUDY: Here you can keep up with the current studies I am involved in...sometimes one, sometimes two, perhaps even three! These can include studies by Beth Moore, Lysa Terkeurst, local women from my home church, Sunday sermons...or maybe I will simply close my eyes, flip open my bible, and see where the pages fall! (Ever done that? Warning: It can be a bit dangerous. It's kind of like daring God to teach you something, and I don't know about you, but I'm not sure that daring God to do anything is a good idea...)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~2 Timothy 3:16-171000 GIFTS: Have you read Ann Voskamp's bestseller book, One Thousand Gifts? It is one of the most beautiful and profound books I've had the opportunity to experience (and it is an experience, because it will change your outlook, if not your life). Here, I am taking Ann up on her dare to live fully right where I am through the process of making my own list of blessings given by God. Let's see how long it takes me to reach one thousand...
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18SERVICE: It is time to not only be a receiver of God's love, mercy, and blessings, but to give love, mercy, and blessings! This is where I chronicle the journey of stepping out the safe haven of my easy life and actually put feet to my faith and dare to do something!
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? ~James 2:14PRAYER: I am stubborn and prideful. I resist praying to God because I want to handle things on my own, or I think that He doesn't want to help. Or (are you ready for this confession?) I don't think He can help. When I saw these words on the screen, I recognized the absurdity of it and I hung my head in shame. But then I realize that instead I should bow my head in humility. In the same regard, instead of holding my hands tightly closed during my conversations with my almighty Father, I choose to hold them wide open, as a symbol of pouring out myself to God and allowing Him to pour Himself right back in to me.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. ~James 5: 16So please join me as I hold my hands wide open, through the study of His word, naming the blessings He freely gives, demonstrations of His love, and humbly seeking Him with my head bowed low.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." ~Jeremiah 29:11-14
