WiP...life and writing

L-WiP (Life Work in Progress):

Last week I posted about my one word. Secure.  I recounted how that my security was already being tested by the elevator news.  I have an update on how that turned out already!  The day after I posted about it, a sign went up letting us all know that it would happen March 2-21. I have a month to get ready for it mentally and physically (not days like I had originally thought). Then, just a few days ago, the noticed came down. Our guard let us know that the building managers had changed their minds. The elevator would be replaced at a different time. I'm not sure when, but I'm elated that it isn't going to be happening within the next few months!  

I feel like I've been swirled around with my word this week. I have a group of college friends (9 if you want to know how many) that I'm still tight with. This week we've been sharing with each other the ins and outs of our lives.  I'm always amazed by them, have been since the first day I met them. All godly ladies who seek the Lord. 

But, again, through their emails and through a Bible study on Ruth by Kelly Minter I was reminded of a Psalm that is so fitting.  This same Psalm was part of a study I did a year ago on Esther by Beth Moore.  (You'd think I'd get the clue then, eh?)

Anyway, I want share it with you now. It has been a comfort for me when I'm feeling like all is out of control and I'm not sure what God is doing in my life personally.  

Psalm 16:5-6, 8 (NIV)

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

* note that I added the bold for emphasis.

The whole Psalm is great. But, see that word is there....secure.  I  think I found my verse(s) for the year.

WiP (Work in Progress)

I've "finished" editing Chapter 1-2 of my novel. I say "finished" because it is just the first round. I plan to go over it again today while Jie Jie is in ST before sending it to a few people to give it a look over.  So, this class is going to end.

I have not worked on any short stories though, which is something that I will focus on after the editing. =)

So, question for you?  How is your L-WiP coming along? Do you have a verse for the year? How about your writing....do you like to edit?

Lessons from Esther

The "Esther" Girls

This past school year my Bible Study group finished "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman" by Beth Moore.

"The whole school year? Isn't that study like 9-10 weeks?" I hear the questions coming from those die-hard Beth Moore fans.

Yes, to both of those questions.

But, I love it that we took a 9 week Bible study and turned it into a 9 month one. We broke up the weeks into months, so that we had time to finish it and watched the videos together. If you've never had the chance to do one of Beth's studies this one is really good. Any of them are great, but I really enjoyed this one.

Anyway, here are a few of the lessons that I gleamed from the life of Esther...I'll only give a few from the end of the study, otherwise, I will just be writing her study (and like I have time to do that, right? NOT!).

1. "God has my lot secure."

Esther 3:7 lets us know that a lot was cast to determine the date when all the Jews were to be annihilated; but in Esther 9:22 we see that the tables were turned..."sorrow was turned to joy and their mourning into a day of celebration."

Psalm 16:5 says, "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure."

Just as God had the Jews' lot secure, he has mine as well. So, whatever comes my way, He will give me what is needed....He is not surprised or shocked....He has it held together. As a mother of a special needs child, this truth keeps me sane...because God not only has my lot secure, he has Matthea's lot secure as well.

2. "Beauty in God's realm is not a treatment. It is a destiny." Beth Moore

Esther 2:12 we see that they girls had to undergo a 12 month beauty cycle before they were allowed to see the king. Beauty is all about looks...not much has changed since the days of the Persians, eh? Just look at any magazine in the world. I was reminded of this fact as I sat at a beauty salon a few months ago to get my hair washed. I was given a Chinese magazine and, of course, couldn't read it. BUT, it didn't matter. I saw the beautiful, the glamorous, the knock-out bod on each magazine.

God is more worried about our character than our body. Although, he does want us to take care of our bodies properly.

Ecc. 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time." That includes you and me.

But, this got me to thinking about my other daughter who will be a fashion police in about another six months time, I'm sure. A 6 year old fashion police is a very scary thing to have in your home...trust me. Especially when fashion is NOT your strong point.

But, seriously, it made me think about what she watches and sees on TV...do the characters care too much about their looks? Do their body types look like the norm or like the super-star bods that we all desire to have? What about what she sees from me?

She IS only five...but I want her to grow up with a healthy outlook of her own body and more importantly to care about her own character....that she would desire to be like Christ.

OK, so here's a question for you....

If you've done a Beth Moore study, which was your favorite?

AND/OR

What have you learned lately from studying the Bible?