More Squirrel-ly Thoughts

I received this word yesterday after I posted on Turtle Tuesday. Day's powerful . It proved true all day. I have missed signs like this before. One day I saw Bstories. Can you believe I smiled quickly and passed by those words without capturing the moment? I have regretted it ever since. Sometimes the word 'DUH' goes off in my head like a fire alarm!

God wanted B, the turtle to tell her "Rock Your World Squirrel" story yesterday. Evidently, He spoke to some of you in it based on your comments and personal emails to me. Yesterday the Lord let B know she needed to share MORE on this. Instead of waiting until Squirrel-ly Saturdays, she knew the time was now.

After B, the turtle got over the initial shock of how the Lord spoke to her, she started pondering the meaning of His words to her. She went to the Lord in prayer about the whole scenario. "Lord" she said, "Are you calling me a squirrel?" B sensed a loving 'yes' to her question. To b a totally truth telling turtle, I have to tell you this....my neck stiffened a little, well, maybe a lot, over being referred to as a squirrel. I know I am a turtle, but to have some squirrel in me was a bit much for me to take. When was I ever going to get this 'walking by faith' stuff right?

I travel home from work that day and saw this. A squirrel in the middle of the road. This time Rocky saw me approaching. He ran back and forth across the yellow lines, not being able to make a decision on which way he was going. Earlier, in my encounter with Rocky, he did the same thing. Rocky couldn't seem to commit to crossing the road. He was stuck in the middle, going nowhere.

B, the turtle understood MORE from the squirrel-ly message.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. EPH 4: 11-16

The Lord wanted B to Grow up. He wants the same for ALL of you. Your calling has not changed. It doesn't matter whether you feel it today or not. If He has told you something, BELIEVE IT. His name is Faithful and True. I want to leave you with a SIGN today.
Capture this moment for yourself. KEEP MOVING FORWARD...Squirrel, even if you do it at a turtle's pace.

If you do, God is going to ROCK YOUR WORLD. Walk in His love for you today!

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Part 2 Growing Up to B His Girl

Not to worry, this is the B log. You were probably expecting B, the turtle but sometimes the UNEXPECTED happens! Something out of the wild blue yonder! B shares that kind of thing today in a fluffy tale about Growing Up To B His Girl.

It was raining cats and dogs that day as B, the turtle, finished her errands and returned to work. Trying to avoid getting soaked, B positioned her box over her head and dashed up the steps for cover. When she reached the door, B saw she was not the only creature seeking shelter from the rain. Rocky, the squirrel was hanging out there also. He was startled by B's appearance and began to run nervously back and forth in front of B. He clearly did not know what to do in a moment like this. B did not either. What if Rocky climbed her leg like a tree? The thought of him scampering up B's leg sent her into a complete tizzy! Jumping up and down, screaming to the top of her lungs, is not typical type B behavior. However, her coworkers thought it was very entertaining.

After B recovered from her 'incident,' she continued her work. By the afternoon, the rain stopped and B was preparing for an after school program for little turtles. A coworker had informed B earlier in the week of a sermon he downloaded. As soon as I heard it he said, "I KNEW it was a message for you B." Hmmm. A message especially for B. Really? B had forgotten all about his words until he asked if he could play the message while B was waiting for the little turtles. She questioned in her mind if this message was REALLY for her. (B can b a little skeptical at times.) Sometimes she forgets God is not in a box like her.

B listened closely as the sermon played over the speakers throughout the office. The message was by a well known pastor, speaker, and author. He said his message was for dreamers. So far, so good. B qualified as a dreamer, more than she dared to reveal. The passage was Ex. 14:13-15
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still,
and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for
ever.
14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the
children of Israel, that they go forward:

The pastor talked about the challenge of moving forward in your journey despite all the obstacles ahead. B had glimpses of mountains already on her path. She knew there would be many things and even people who would discourage her along the way. Then, out of the blue, came these words out of the pastor's mouth.

"I have a word for you today from the Lord. If you will keep moving forward.....God's getting ready to ROCK YOUR WORLD SQUIRREL!"

B's eyes grew big. Her coworker came into the room with her mouth hanging open. She witnessed B's out of the blue moment. Yes, this well known pastor said "ROCK YOUR WORLD SQUIRREL". He really said "SQUIRREL!" This was a WORD for B. She knew exactly what the Lord was saying to her.

B's story, 'Growing Up to B His Girl' is about Walking by Faith. She is feeling a little motion sickness now as she types this for you. His hand is on baby b's cradle and the ROCKING has begun. It' time.

B His Girl

P.S. Notice the 'fault' line in B's shell. It runs deep. The Lord is not put off by her imperfections. He will shine through them. Thank you Jesus. B loves you!

Turtle Tuesdays: Growing Up to B His Girl

Today on Turtle Tuesday, B shares a 'new beginnings' photo from the family scrapbook.

Meet baby b, the turtle. Isn't she just the cutest little turtle you have EVER seen? Never mind her odd shaped head and wrinkles. She's still the apple of her Father's eye. He will iron out her wrinkles as she grows and make any adjustments if stiff neck syndrome becomes a problem. After all, little b is His girl. B is happy to say she has grown a little since this photo, although she's still a shade of green with some baby fat to walk off (by faith of course: ) April is a special month for her. B celebrates the new life she experienced when she encountered God in her box 9 years ago.

"I want my life to b about you" were b's first words as she came out of her shell to follow Jesus. She even pointed upward as those words tumbled out of her mouth. She felt the Lord nod His head, approving of her decision. "I think I can work with that" He said to b with a 'tongue in cheek' smile. Little b met the Great I AM! She still points others to Him today.

B leaves this growing message with you on Turtle Tuesday. "Remain in Me and I will remain in you." It is found in the 'B' chapter, John 15. You have to b attached to the true vine to grow. Without Him you can do nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Next week B's Growing Up to B His Girl story continues ... The Lord told B He was going to ROCK HER WORLD! It is a 'tell' all story only a turtle like B could share.

B His Girl

Dreams

I am blown away by the lady in this video. Her name is Susan Boyle. God has given her a very special gift. The Lord flooded my heart with thoughts of Him as I heard her sing . This video stirs my dream with God. It is alive just like He is. It reminds me all things are possible with Him. Hear I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

I would love to hear your thoughts on this video.
Don't hide your gifts.

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Words of Wisdom

Welcome to Turtle Tuesdays. Each week, I feature a turtle from my collection and share her story. Sometimes we stay on the surface of the water; other times we go deeper. I totally have fun with this! I hope you do too.

Meet B, the hanging turtle . I know she's not a wise owl but she has learn a few things over the years. Sometimes she can't resist chiming in with bits of wisdom. Those kind of things just come to B when she hangs out on the vine. Today she shares a proverb with you. A proverb is a short sentence that conveys a moral truth.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Prov 22:3

The message says it like this.

A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

The Lord spoke this verse to B last year. She was listening to a well known communicator to hear their style of communication, not their message. LOL ! The Lord had another plan for B. He had a word for her. That's His style. This proverb was for B. It hit her right between the eyes and made her drop to her knees. B got her head out of the sand and took action. A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. This word is gold for someone today.

B His Girl

Tattered Faith

One of the things I enjoy in my relationship with the Lord is His communication with me in everyday life. It doesn't matter where I am. I could be driving, grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, or reading my Bible. He is there also, and sometimes He lets me know it in a tangible way.

Last year I was preparing for a retreat on Walking by Faith. I was laboring over the direction of my talk. " What do you want me to say Lord?" I inquired as I sat with pen in hand. When I am working on a message, I often multitask with other mindless chores to take a break from 'seeking and thinking', especially if I feel stuck. Laundry was the job of choice.

My favorite dish towel was in the laundry that day. It has my blog header verse on it. Heb. 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This 'faith towel' had been 'gently used' a lot. During a break, I opened the dryer and my faith verse applique fell to the floor.



I piled the clean clothes on the dryer and reached for the tattered cloth . My 'faith' looked like it had been through the ringer! I deposited the 'remnant of faith' in the trash and moved on. Break was over. Once again, I sat in my comfy chair with my Bible, paper, and pen ready to be inspired. Then my tattered faith hit me like a ton of bricks. DUH BARBARA! Did you SEE what just happened? I knew in that moment what God was saying to me. He wasn't taking a break like me. The Lord was speaking over my pile of laundry.

Sometimes things don't go like we expected or hoped. All of us could write a list.

We didn't get the job, win the prize, or find the check in the mail.

The doctor's report did not confirm the instant miracle we prayed for.

Our children are making choices not consistent with what they have been taught.

The answer was no.

The Lord's 'call' on our life isn't quite matching the layout we expected.

Coming face to face with moments like these challenge us. How we react has everything to do with our trust in God. Some of us might stop walking by faith when our expectations aren't met. Just give up. Others, like me, tend to pout. (In a very grown up way, of course) Needless to say, we are not walking with 'Onward Christian Soldiers' playing on our ipod. Since we cannot see or understand what God is doing, it is easy to become discouraged and lose heart. In times like this, we tend to lower our shield of faith and sometimes even 'trash' it. Our walk can quickly change to curbside parking.

God told me to pick my tattered faith out of the trash that day. I cleaned off the garbage that wanted to claim it. My faith and probably yours has been through the ringer before. God is teaching me what it REALLY means to have my expectations in Him and Him alone. If I can hang on to my tattered faith, no matter what it looks like, God will use it. Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Examine YOUR expectations today. Great Expectations in Him Alone will not fail you!

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: B Remembers

This is Holy Week for B and maybe for you too. She reflects on some of its meaning on this Turtle Tuesday.

Meet B, the spotted turtle.

As you can see B has a variety of spots. They run in the family. These spots symbolize the life of sin she led. She conformed to the the pattern of the world, making the same mistakes over and over. Today she remembers the price paid to remove these spots from her life.

The stick pins remind B that she hasn't always had a soft shell for God. She was hard hearted and stiff necked. She walked in her own ways for years. Now she wants to be like soft clay in the potter's hands. B wants to be available for God to use.

B gets low on the floor today, humbling herself before the Lord. She can never thank Jesus enough for shedding His blood for her. He did the same to wash away your spots too. We are family. He gave me this word for you and me today . 'Remember Me.'

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to
reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by
making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated
from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now
he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you
holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue
in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the
gospel. Col 1:19-23

B His Girl