A Head Start On Surrender

All day I had in my head the many things I felt I was to blog about, and then I got "the call". It changed the order of the day, my emotions, and we're working on finding our balance as we still stand on the rock of Christ who remains solid ground.





I titled the below Head Start on Surrender because there will be an Open House July 7 at http://www.takerootandwrite.com./ I will have a monthly column the third Wednesday of the month about finding freedom and victory through surrender. As always, the writer learns right with the readers.





Thanks for reading the link below.








http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/2008/06/head-start-on-surrender.html



Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09.

Starting summer 2008, Julie will be a columnist the third Wednesday of each month on finding freedom and victory through surrender over at http://www.takerootandwrite.com/.

To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at:http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20
To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.

A Welcome Mat/Garage Envy Update

I know it looks like cheating, but this is one of those posts that seems so mundane, yet I can feel God in every word. One of the last lines about the mirage and the reality hit me hard, and were too creative to truly come from my mind. They are His truth He wants to pass on, and not just to me.

Please, pack your bags and go on a quick trip with me as we "paws" and look at my garage envy update (second link below).

In a way, this is an update to my earlier confession here about the Welcome Mat. http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/03/welcome-mat.html

Go ahead, you know you're curious...
http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/2008/06/lets-paws-for-garage-envy-update.html

Those Broken Places

In my last post, http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/06/beautiful.html, I wrote that "my" words were what God wanted to use, and that by being obedient with them, I'd see people find His words and me beautiful, no matter what my pant size is that day. This truth is a daily struggle for me, but I felt like today I'm meant to share what my words were during my time in Upstate NY.

Scholarship presentation given to a young man who lost his dad last year: This boy didn't just finish school, he won awards and is scheduled to start college this fall. His obedience honors his dad, and when he voiced the "hope" of finishing school and doing well, God's loving boldness interjected. I encouraged him that he will do fine and we all look forward to hearing about his progress. I love, love, love when God gives me a message of hope to share.

The Father's Day prayer: At the church we used to attend before moving I was back with the kids. We shared communion and then the pastor asked if there was a woman, maybe a woman with a son who could pray over dads in the congregation. I call it the burn in my belly but when the Holy Spirit has something for me, the words are there and I can't rest until I get them out. Since my husband wasn't with us, I went forward with the kids and God encouraged the men with His love for them. The exhortation that they would seek Him first. That their wives and children would believe in their men and show them with affirmation. That men would trust God to provide for them, and that the burden would not be for the men, but for their big God. Thanking God for these leaders with so much worldly responsibility to be still and know He is God, an abundant God that wants to shower blessings on them.

The Broken Places Testimony: After the prayer the pastor asked that we remain up there to give an update. I thought I was going to say well this is our son, his age, etc...but God stopped me and switched it up. I started by saying for those of you that are new, when we left here four years ago, we were broken. I re iterated each broken place: a chronically ill baby, financial distress, job change, single parenthood for a season with a new job in another state, death of parent, grief of family, selling a home, buying a home in another state. Those that were there remember, but in those years they missed what God blessed us with our obedience. I also was aware that some families since our move went through similar stressful situations and I know from experience you reel from the emotions. Trusting God is not easy. I let them know that those things were never a cruel joke, never torture from a Father God that crosses His arms, but opens them. I am better for those things that nearly sank me. It was a refining season that gave me a ministry to encourage others today with speaking and the written word. Whatever God does for them through change and stress, it is never without purpose. I explained maybe you won't be called 300 miles away like we were, but God will ask you to obey and it's worth it. I call those seasons those broken places.

What was neat was after the presentation and the testimony, people stopped to share how those words affected them. For each person that shared with me, God used that time just for them. One person shared how since our move God called him to Africa and I could tell, this is a changed man. He said he was afraid but did it, and was so glad he did. Another family was besieged with health issues that were very close to home for me. I remember when it was me recalling each moment with tears and torment, thankful for a mostly happy ending but scared to death to exhale from the ride.

Like I said in my last post, not one person said wow, looking chubby today. In fact, I heard the opposite. Folks shared how great we all looked and were very specific on physical aspects on me (hair). But there was one that saw past the outside and noted what a transformation he saw in my public speaking.

I've been a public speaker. But on this trip, it was more than that. They were opportunities to show off God's broken places transformed into a beautiful, cracked vase called my life in His hands and it's ok to hand those pieces off to Him.

Is there anything in these words that is God's love message for you today?

What a Friend!

Although my sinuses are rebelling from weather changes and lack of taking better care of myself, I just finished an amazing weekend with my best friend.

Kim and Maria are great friends that I confide so much in, learn from, and boy do we laugh. What sets my other friend apart and categorizes her as a best friend is this:

Time.

When I introduce her, people actually say "oooh and ahhh" when I announce we have been friends since kindergarten. She let the adult Sunday School class know our ages, so I can assure you, kindergarten was quite a long time ago. Our friendship has seen ups and downs and even a time of rebellion on my part when I wanted nothing to do with the Christian faith she kept talking about. I'm grateful for her obedience because without her following through on the Holy Spirit's nudge, I don't even want to think about where I'd be.

Trust.

Because I've known her longer than anyone else besides my sister and mom, we have a trust. She has seen me through everything. Although my husband is my closest confidante, there are things she knows about my life. I don't think I have skeltons in the closet but she saw first hand some of the pain I had growing up, just as I did with her. She was a catalyst God used to help me start the healing process after a miscarriage. I can share anything with her and I know she's got my back, and vice versa.

Truth in Love

Unfortunately those closest to you aren't always able to say what they are thinking and have it be received well. I don't know how to explain it but my friend can say the same exact thing and I'll receive it, when a family member could have said it ten times before and I just don't get it. She speaks the truth in love, usually in a sandwich way of knowing I need affirmation, but questioning the situation out until I come up with the answer on my own. I tend to be more blunt with her, I think, but she trusts me as a voice God would use to further her walk in Him.

I share all this because with the trust issues both Kim and I wrote about here, being with my friend was a good visual on what I try to share with people who think I follow religion. Last night I watched Another Perfect Stranger and I liked how they tackled religion versus relationship.

What I have in Christ is a friendship. For all those times my friend and I collapsed on a bed sharing our heart, dreams and tears, that's what Jesus does too. Sometimes He has to bluntly tell me something, but it's always wrapped in love. I can trust Him, and as time goes on, our friendship only grows and deepens.

Do you have a best friend like this? Do you liken that friendship with yours with Christ? What makes it the same? Different? I'd love to see your thoughts on this.

Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger and is the Forum's book club facilitator. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09.

To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at: http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20

To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.

Do you trust Him now?

It's a busy week here on the heels of Memorial Day so I don't have anything profound for you, but something I think I'm meant to share. Because even though I feel like it is just me that struggles with this, probably not.





I don't trust God.





It hurts my heart to even write that, but it's true. I can pray and believe in mountain moving faith for basically anyone in Jesus'name, but for me?





It's a struggle.





My most recent experience was yesterday. My mom is in town, son has a concert, there are swim lessons, and other activities after a weekend of illness. I am not a spontaneous person by nature and I get a little freaked when my husband throws a new plan at me. I'm getting better but still, when he greets me with "I have to tell you something" my stomach sinks.





This time he called me on his way to work to let me know he went forward with an idea we'd been tossing around and researched together. We basically came to a decision but I had one more place I wanted him to check out. He did and turned out that was the best deal. So, the people were coming the next day. Sometime between 8-4.





I grew up watching my parents lose time from work because of the cable or gas man coming between that fantasy 8-4 that never came to pass. Oh woman of great faith, you'd think I'd dismiss those memories. I embraced them, wondering the rest of the day and night how I'd fare with my day shot waiting for someone that would never come.





I wake up and casually say to my husband, "Do you think I should call the cable company to confirm they are actually coming?" He gave a kind but emphatic no. He announced, "They will be here."





Right. While I miss a needed work out, a Bible study, writing time (no internet while I wait).





8:17.





The cable guy came.





8:17 AM, by the way.





My husband asked as the man was diligently working on our request what I was feeling. I told him I feel like the Verizon commercial, but God is the one wearing the black specs asking,





"Do you trust Me now?"





My reading today is out of Mark 9 and boy can I relate. With hourly raising gas prices and other things on my mind, I still struggle. I want to trust Him, He should have earned that at the Cross. Like the father in Mark 9 I confess,





"I believe but help my unbelief!"





Can you relate?

Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger and is the Forum's book club facilitator. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at: http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20

To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.

Stepping Over The Line

In my last post I promised to share more about the Summit, the orphaned, and ways to become involved . . . and I will very soon. Today I have something pressing on my heart and I feel the need to walk, or shall I say "write" it out.

Since my salvation experience 2 1/2 years ago the Lord has been working in me as I chase Him, run from Him, and ultimately seek His face. I have been through seasons of joy, awe, peace, doubt, desperation, lonliness, and healing. My time with Him has been like a roller coaster ride and I must admit my favorite part has been the anticipation of His prescence and then going down the first hill with my hands in the air in total surrender. I love the freedom and thrill that He brings into my life! But today is different. Today I am standing on the platform of a new coaster, a new ride, right behind the 'yellow line,' asking myself . . . 'Do I really want to get on? Do I really trust that this is all 'real'? What if this ride is too scary, has too many twists and turns, or it is not what I thought it would be, what then?'

Within the past few weeks I have been at two separate prayer gatherings with two totally different groups of people and had the same words prophesied over me both times. The words were like an invitation, an invitation from the Lord, to enter into a new place of intimacy with Him. A place that is full of depth and love where He will share His heart with me. He is asking me to take His hand and be with Him, spend more time with Him, and truly fall in love with Him. He is asking me to start 'birthing' the destiny He has placed inside me, to trust Him, and not feel guilty or be afraid. But honestly, I am scared to death! In the natural my mind is swirling. Can I truly experience pure, fufilling love in this life that will not be filled with void and ultimately disappointment? Or am I really kidding myself? What if this whole 'Christianity thing' is not really real, then what? What if I make a fool of myself and land flat on my face? Ughhh!!!!

So here I stand on the edge, behind the yellow line, with a decision to make. Do I believe the words spoken over me through God's prophets or do I believe the lies man and the world has told me? Do I believe His Word, the bible, or do I spend my years here on earth searching for fufillment in man made truths in books, self help sections, and material things? Do I remember and give thanks for all the healing and peace He has already brought into my life or do I let the enemy convince me that it is all just a facade and not real? Well, I have already tried the later, so I suppose the choice has already been made. I'm going to step over the line, get in, buckle up, and get ready for the ride of my life. I will keep you posted.

Holding On, Kim

Kim on the Narrow Gate

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A narrow gate . . . what comes to mind? A tall picket fence with a small latched opening, an old europeon style stone wall with ivy growing over the sides and an opening with an old, iron gate that creaks when you open it, or maybe an opening amidst some caves and rocks that is so narrow you have to turn sideways to travel through. How do you feel when you come to it? Are you nervous, uncertain, anxious, excited? Do you peek through first? Do you hold your breath when you pass through? Eyes open or tightly shut? Do you say a prayer before you go? Do you slowly make your way through or do you run through full speed ahead?

Narrow gates, wide openings, life's choices, they are all around us. As children and teenagers we often had to choose walking through the gate of doing what we knew was right or what 'everyone else' was doing. Do we stick up and befriend the child being picked on or do we join in? Do we stop the fight in the hallway or do we stand and watch? Do we say no to the drink, the drug, or sex or does our flesh give in? As children the decisions seemed so big, as adults how do they look now?

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Our choices and decisions as we get older continue to be challenging. Do we study and pursue a career that is true to our heart or one that others talked us into and looks appealing on the outside? Do we wait and marry for love or do we settle for another because we are afraid to be alone? Do we take a more challenging position in the work place that requires us to move and feels right or do we stay where it is comfortable and familiar? Do we leave our 'family's' church and traditions to pursue another or do we stay to keep the peace? Do we adopt an orphan or foster a child or are we too busy and 'happy' with what we have to say yes? Do we stay on the wide, smooth path or do we open the narrow gate? After all, it may creak!

The narrow gate can be scary and feel isolating. You may feel like closing your eyes, holding your breath, and running through. But have you ever passed through and experienced what is on the other side? Inner peace, joy, a sense of accomplishment, and passion to continue traveling on often awaits. Yes the path may get rocky, steep, and cumbersome at times; however, you will find others like you. You may need to call their name, reach for their hand, or sit and have lunch on a grassy spot together. You may even find a coffee shop along the way. And most importantly, there is one who will remain with you always, his name is Jesus. He will guide you, lead you, love you, and if He is calling you through a narrow gate He has already equipped you to pass through.

We invite you in. Come through the narrow gate with us and see what is on the other side!

Kim lives in NE Ohio with her husband and three children. Kim has a heart for missions and a burden to make a difference for Christ for those the world abuses, forgets, ignores or abandons. She has traveled internationally to pursue that call on her life. She also has a heart for adoption. Kim just created a new personal blog of her own at http://divingintohisgrace.blogspot.com/ If you'd like to contact Kim please leave a comment.