Paul is one of my favorite writers of the New Testament. Paul knew he had to deny himself to follow Christ. I have to let go of my own ideas, thoughts, and preconceptions to let God work in me.

When I hold onto what I know to be true, God cannot show me who he really is. I need to relinquish control of every area of my life to God and fasting helps me do this. If I fast and don’t spend time with God then I am only hungry and cranky. Prayer and fasting need to be paired together. Fasting helps me to deny myself, while prayer is conversation with God. Being still and listening is part of conversing with God. If I am always talking he can’t say anything to me because I won’t be quiet long enough to listen.

I plan on spending time being still and quiet over the next 21 days. I hope you find time to be still and know that he is still God.

We have made a change in our homeschooling and it is scary and exciting all at once. Last week we joined a Classical Conversations group. It is a completely different way of schooling my children with many facets for me to learn.

Several mom’s saw my glazed look and took me by the hand and helped me. Those same moms gave me their contact information and offered to help in any way. One mom even gave me her book with all the lesson plans because mine was on order.

Classical Conversations has a different method and many times feels like a secret language. I was scared and so was my son, but because of the support we experienced today we both know we can do this.

I imagine how I felt today is how many people feel when they walk in our churches. They don’t know anyone and it seems they are coming in right in the middle of something. We have a secret code language and sometimes even a special secret side hug. They feel awkward unless someone takes them by the hand.

• Why am I doing this?

• Who am I doing this for?

There have been times in my life when I was so concerned with others thoughts of me, I was paralyzed. I was making decisions based on what I thought others wanted me to do, not on God’s plan and purpose for me. I am not a pawn to be moved around because I am scared to be me. God created me with all of my uniqueness, and he didn’t ask me to be someone else.

Jesus Christ gave his life and took my place. He exchanged all of my sin and shame for his grace when he went to the cross, died, and rose again. He is the only one who really matters. If I am doing and being who he has created me to be, then I am following my purpose.

I wasn’t placed on earth to perform for those around me. I know I might be entertaining by some of the funny things I do, but my purpose isn’t to perform for others.

Being a pastor’s wife is a different lifestyle with unique challenges. When most people are off on the weekend, this is our busiest time. Events are usually planned around others schedules not ours, so sometimes are weekend can be very full.

I can see these challenges as a mountain or a molehill. A mountain can take days, weeks or even months to climb. It can cause injury, extra resources and most are exhausted when they reach the top. A molehill and be hopped or stepped over with little effort.

I choose to take the molehill approach and make it a game. What molehill are you hopping over today?

Thanks to Leading and Loving It, I’ve been able to expand my community. Through virtual groups, online forums, and chats I have met many women online. I have connected with many and shared my heart with a few. They have challenged and encouraged me and today I have the honor of meeting some of them.

I honor Lori Wilhite, for stepping outside the norm and working to connect women in ministry. She and her team have worked tirelessly to make this happen. I am excited to be in the presence of so much estrogen for one purpose: connection.

Today, one of my dreams is coming true.

If I don’t believe my prayers will be answered, then why do I pray? Is it because I think I should or because it’s what I’ve always done? God may not answer my prayers how I want, but he will answer.

Many times God has already spoken for me to do something, but instead I keep praying. Why? Do I think God is going to change his mind? When he speaks I need to act on what he says and that’s it, no excuses. He is God and he knows what is best for me and sees ahead what I cannot. If I truly believe he is God why would I not follow what he says?

Over the summer, I slowly digested So Long Insecurity: You’ve Been a Bad Friend to Us By Beth Moore. I learned a few things through the process.

• I had been comparing myself to others, and God made me to be me.
• Every woman has insecurities.
• My weakness can be my strength if I rely on Christ.
• God made me in his image and I am exactly what he wanted me to be.

Since reading this book, God has allowed me to overcome fears in a few areas of my life. I volunteered to share a message, August 1st, with our congregation in both services, while my husband was recovering from surgery. I have had terrible stage fright in the past, but not that day.

I am thankful to Beth Moore for sharing the intimate details of her life to help other women like me.

God has given us instructions in his word for an overcoming life. This doesn’t mean there won’t be heartache or trouble, but being a survivor won’t do.

John 10:6-10

^6-10Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

There is a ceiling of possibilities I can accomplish in myself, if I let go of my expectations things change. God is all power, all knowing and everywhere. When I completely submit myself to him then my limits come off and it’s all him. When Jesus went back to heaven, he told the disciples he was sending another, the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit came to not only be our counselor, comforter and teacher, but when we invite Holy Spirit to fill us, he empowers us. His power is not for our gain, pride, or glory. He wants us to have power to overcome our weaknesses.

You may be willing to keep making the same mistakes over and over again, but I’m ready to settle some issues. I am ready to move on to the promises of God through his power in prayer.

2 Corinthians 4:7
We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.

1 Corinthians 1:18
The message about the cross doesn’t make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God’s power at work.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

1 Corinthians 6:14
God will raise us from death by the same power that he used when he raised our Lord to life.

John 15:26
I will send you the Spirit who comes from the Father and shows what is true. The Spirit will help you and will tell you about me.

This post is based on the book by Stormie Omartian The Power of a Praying Woman.

Even though I am a Christ follower, I will still experience sorrow, pain, sadness, and hurt, I am not exempt. The difference between myself and a non-Christ follower, I have the power of Jesus Christ to overcome the situations and circumstances that come into my life. Many times the overcoming is a process and a path Jesus takes me on.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting a gracious woman who had prayed for her husband for many years. She had loved him, honored him and watched him almost destroy his life. He told me how God took him to the edge of death and gave him the opportunity to see how he was living. He gave his life to Christ and has followed him for a year now.

His wife had a copy of “The Power of a Praying Woman” with her. The cover was worn and tattered and the pages were coming loose from the book. She shared with me how she had prayed this book over her husband and how it had changed her life.

For the next 31 days, including Saturday and Sunday, I will be blogging from The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian. Join me as I examine different areas of my life.