Rebuild the Temple!

The first part of my devotion today was focused on taking care of your body. The focus verse was 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God: You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

In the devotional part, Tony Dungy said something that really gripped me. "The truth is, your body is still a temple, whether it's run-down or not." That just hit me as so profound. We always hear in church that our bodies are temples. Over and over and over until it's like yeah we get it. I'm a temple. But it never occurred to me that my body in its current state could still be a temple to God. I immediately thought of the story in the Bible when the Jews were rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem. They were worn out and didn't want to continue. But Nehemiah urged them forward and they rebuilt the temple of Jerusalm. 

Right now I feel like my temple is a bit run-down. I haven't exactly taken awesome care of it. But lately I'm trying to change that and I'm turning it around. Rebuilding the temple God gave me one piece at a time. There are days when I'm discouraged, but then Jesus urges me forward and I know that I can do it! I also kinda feel like Solomon. Building the temple from scratch. I can't imagine the portable temple wasn't a bit worn after being used and moved so many years. But my new temple is going to be glorious. One of splendor and talk for years to come!!! Moving forward....

Encouragement Anew...

Few quick thoughts from my devotion time this more:

1) First of all, check out the beatitudes from the Message:
         "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. Now only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

I absolutely love the fresh wording of these verses. We've all heard these a bazillion and one times. Thought I would share a new perspective on them.

2) Apparently it is the year of the wedding. One of my closest friends recently got engaged, along with 4 other people I know. This my dear friends makes me terribly impatient and annoyed! I want it to be MY turn already! Yes, I am selfish and greedy in this area! However some encouragement came from Romans 8 this morning. Again from the Message:
           "This is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along."

Granted I have never experienced the waiting of pregnancy, but I can imagine what it's like. No I've never felt it, but I've been around plenty of pregnant women and listened to their sighs and groans for the baby to hurry up and get outta there and into their arms. So I can identify with the metaphor. However, the longer the wait, the more joyful the expectancy. It's been a long journey for Bryan and I. One that began and exhausted me long before I ever met him. However, I know that God understands my "pregnant" condition, and is working out all the details into something amazing that I will be able to cherish and hold close in due time. He understands my groans and sighs and isn't frustrated with me. But I imagine he smiles a bit while I'm throwing a mental tantrum.....because he knows the awesomeness that is just over the horizon. That I will soon call my own! Ahhh I CANNOT WAIT! Haha :)

PS God is totally amazingly awesome!!!

A New Year

So like everyone else in the entire world, I made some New Year's resolutions. Some goals to work towards in this fresh start of 2013. They were pretty typical too: 1) Have a daily devotion time with God everyday. 2) Get in shape and finally lose some serious weight. 3) Dedicate at least 1 hour to writing daily.

Nothing big or fancy right? But that doesn't make them any less important. So in typical Eowyn fashion, I started a little late. Apparently the new year doesn't start until the 8th for me. What can I say - change is terrifying for me. Even little changes. Nevertheless, I woke up this morning with a dedicated mind and decided today was the day to begin.

So I pulled out my copy of "The One Year Uncommon Life: daily challenge" by Tony Dungy. Yes the old head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. The man is amazing and loves God and has awesome character. One reason I initially fell in love with the Colts, and one reason why I became disenchanted last season. But that's another story for another time. Anyway, since I started a week late I'm having to do two daily challenges until I get caught up. No big deal. So my plan is to read the one-page devotional by Mr. Dungy, then read the chapter that the core verse is taken from in the Message. (I have to read the whole chapter mainly because in maddening fashion the Message has no verse numbers. Thus it's quite difficult to find the single verse.) Then having done that, I read the verses in my Women of Faith Study Bible and any little side devotion related to the original passage. Seems complicated but it's really not and trust me, I NEEDED an outline. Otherwise I sit and stare and drool and accomplish nothing. After reading, Jesus and I spend some time in conversation. Simple. Easy. Great for habit forming.

So I started today and the first devotional dealt with self-discipline. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Verses I've heard and memorized a bazillion times, yet today they seemed new and fresh and just for me. I need some serious self-discipline people - physically and spiritually. That is my challenge for today. Run from self-indulgence! So that was pretty cool that the first thing was directly aimed at my new year's goals. 

Then day two. Focus on God's promises for a good future. Revelation 21:1-5. My favorite parts of these verses come from the Message. I actually highlighted them in my Bible. Yes people! Understand what just happened! I wrote in a book! It's utter craziness I know, but I really couldn't help myself. Here are my favorite parts: "God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women....He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good - tears gone, crying gone, pain gone - all the first order of things gone...I'm making everything new. Write it all down - each word dependable and accurate." He's making all things new! I can't accurately express the excitement these words brought me. It's a season of change for me. A new chapter is just on the horizon. I can see glimpses of it in my dreams. I cannot wait! 

God spoke directly to my heart about the two things that I needed to hear the most. He's with me on the journey and he's taking me toward the new great things he has been planning for me before I was born. He knows the desires of my heart and is moving to fulfill them. He's completely awesome and totally amazing!!!

Be prepared people! He said to write it all down! Which happens to be resolution number 3. So this blog should be overflowing. :)