WordFilled Wednesdays ~ Psalm 71:14-15

Psalm 71:14-15

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

For this week's WFW, I am inspired by the verse that Tricia selected for use her blog from Psalm 71. As I worked on her design, I kept thinking about this Scripture, which was very unfamiliar to me. The part that struck me was "though I will not know its measure." I've wondered if it is referring to righteousness or salvation, yet in either regard, it is true. In my little human mind, I can hardly fathom the righteousness of God nor the power of His salvation in it's fullest measure. This verse leaves me awed, of God. I am thankful to the Lord that He brought Tricia's blog into my life to work on, and left me with a new perspective of Himself.

Thanks for stopping by WFW.

Head over to Amy's to visit more posts about God's Word!

A New Day, A New Design...

I just finished a Blog Makeover for Tricia, which she won through a contest sponsored by Joanne at One So Blessed. What blast this design job has been! Tricia picked the picture and in a blink (or that's what it felt like), the Lord inspired me to create this design. Head over to say hello and bless sweet Tricia today!

It's All About Him

Another Word on Marriage: Generation Next Marriage

Tricia Goyer has delivered well in her new book, Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping It Together. Reading this books feels like sitting down with Tricia while sharing a hot cup of coffee with a dear friend. She passionately looks at the state of marriage in our culture and challenges us to do it differently.

Goyer shares not only her thoughts on what it takes to keep a marriage working, but also statistics facing our generation as well as opinions of others, especially those from Generation X. Page after page, I was encouraged and comforted to know that I am not alone and that much of my marital experience is universally shared with my peers, which stems from the response of our own parents to the culture they were deeply influenced by.

Tricia gives plenty of opportunity to laugh and chuckle at the lessons we're learning, too, like this one about dating...

And yes, John tromped through the mall with me for hours at a time and wore the new clothes I picked out for him. After all, he was just like one of those birds that display its brightly colored feathers, strutting its stuff, as part of its mating ritual. John was on his best behavior.

As Madonna sang, "It's all brand new...I'm crazy for you." But often times we discover that the things that make us crazy-in-love are the very things that make us insane during marriage. Can anyone give me an amen?

The format of this book is unique. Divided into 19 different chapters, Goyer lightly considers theoretical aspects of culture and relationships combined with the practical application of how to communicate better and resolve conflict. What stands apart is how each chapter is packed with quotations from others, so that it feels like you're part of a bigger group considering the dynamics of marriage. There is also a discussion guide at the end of the book that points to specific Scriptures to study further as well as questions.

If you're marriage is in need of a energy boost, or if you are looking for a small group discussion guide on marriage, this is a worthwhile read. Tricia has put together a relevant and worthwhile resource that should become required reading for everyone belonging to Generation X.

For more information about Tricia, visit her website: http://triciagoyer.com/

Click here to order Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping It Together

Is there a woman in the home?

I heard a bit of a great sermon series from Chip Ingram in the car the other day and just finished listening to it. It is profound! I hope you can listen, too. They are about 30 minutes each.

Here's the link: http://lote.org/listen/listenDaily.php

Look for House or Home? Is there a woman in the house? Part 1 and then Part 2. And if you have the time, listen to the one about men first! It was very convicting to me!

8 in 2008: May 8th Check In

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD and
he will give you the desires of your heart.

I say this every month, and I just have to say it again -- can you believe how quickly time goes by? Aren't you shocked how the accountability of checking in monthly makes January plans relevant five months later? For me, 8 in 2008, has been critical in keeping my eyes focused on what the Lord is doing in my life and ears attentive to hearing Him speak. I hope and pray you are experiencing the same blessing!

So, here is my check in...

1. To keep before me a theme the Lord has put on my heart to Live like Romans 12:1 declares, to Love the 1 Cor 13:4-7 way, and to Laugh as did the woman in Proverbs 31:25. To learn more about this theme, click here!

I finished, A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss, by Gerald Sittser this past month, which led to a new understanding of God's Sovereignty and the power of His love. Although my grief has been very different than Sittser, I felt comforted when he said, "My loss joined brokenness and love together. Brokenness drove me to love, and I found a source of love that I could not find in myself. I found it in a community, and in the God who creates and sustains community for broken people like me." (p. 167). I am indeed, learning to love in a way I never knew was possible, through the power of God's healing touch.

2. Host 8 new people (either new friends and/or their families) to my home for coffee or a meal!

To be honest, I can't remember if we had anyone over this month. It is all a blur! But I've been noticing that God is calling me more and more to be hospitable and friendly with those I would have been afraid to make myself vulnerable with.

3. On the 8th of every month, I'll pray for 8 people whom I care for deeply and have yet to know the Lord.

Yes. And I find myself thinking and praying for these people more and more.

4. Memorize 8 verses, which is so hard for me! These are the first five I know the Lord wants me to know backwards and forwards: Rom 12:1, Eph 5:33 amp, 1 Cor 13:4-7, Pro 31:25, 2 Cor 10:5, added Phil 2:13, Phil 2:1-4, added Ephesians 5:21

Nope. My test is whether I can recite them right now. I'd have to go look most up. So I'll focus on that this month!

5. Read thru Bible in a year, not giving up no matter how far behind we fall. I say "we" because we're doing this as a family--the girls are sure to keep us in line!

We're still plugging along. Thank you, Jesus, and thank you for everyone's encouraging comments last month!

6. Get all photos updated ~ my goal is at least 8 pages per month, even if it means scrapping the scrapbooking in order to get caught up!

Found a few more pages to scrapbook that were overlooked, and I think the move will motivate me to finish! I hope!

7. Be able to run 8 laps by October.

My back has been out and I've been in PT again, so that is a clear reminder that while running is great, a total body workout is more important. I'm focusing now on endurance, with walking, and strength building, and will grow into the running in time!

8. Weigh _ _ 8 by July 8th! And keep it off rest of year! The process is all about submitting to the Lord, which really is the desire of my heart!

I have about 8 pounds to lose to get to my goal. I've lost around 4 pounds and have kept it off. I'm reading through, "Never Say Diet" (compliments of Waterbrook Press) and that is reshaping my thinking about health in a very good way. Stay tuned for a full report when I finish the book!

Be sure to link up your post using Mister Linky. Continue to spread the word to your readers, encouraging them to join in. It is never too late to start! Here's the link to the first post, for those that would like to read about the purpose of 8 in 2008.

Remember our commitment, too -- We'll praise Him no matter what, for the successes and for the lessons learned. We'll walk in His extravagant grace and begin again with His mercies that are new every morning!

Here's a Word of Assurance, for you to take forth this next month of 8 in 2008...

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers we are dust. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
Psalm 103:8, 13-14, 17-18 NRSV.