Freely Singing!

As I rode to class Monday morning there was a song on my heart...
I will sing, sing, sing. I will shout, shout, shout. I will sing. I will shout. Praise the Lord!

Often there is a song on my heart.
Since I was a little girl I have listened to music. I can still remember how to sing the theme song from "Picture Pages" with Bill Cosby,"picture pages, picture pages, open up your picture pages. Time to get your crayons and your pencils" and that Cookie Monster says, "cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C"! My love for music did not stop at a young age, it continued into my teen years as I would listen to the "Hot 9 at 9" and into adulthood as I would sing along to the radio (loudly!).

All kinds of music appeal to me. You name it. Country, Rock, Gospel, Classical, Top 40.
But during a women's ministry event led by Nancy Leigh DeMoss I felt convicted by the Lord to lay aside all the worldly music I was listening to and turn my ear to music that would direct my attention to the Lord. I wanted badly to listen to the Lord's call and one day as I was riding in my mini-van turning the dial on the radio listening for a new music choice I said, "Lord, I know you want me to do this. Please help me find a station that is pleasing to you". AND THERE IT WAS! His Radio was just becoming audible in our area, although still a little fuzzy. And it has been my radio station of choice ever since.

I truly believe that music speaks to our hearts and minds and that it can mold our thinking. God's Word instructs, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Phil 4:8) I know that is why God led me to change my choice of music. The things I listened to prior to changing the dial were of worldly ways and often sinful. When I tune into music that praises the Lord I find my heart and mind singing praises to the One who loves me. Inspired and encouraged. Now as I sing along to the radio I sing for Joy! And that Joy stays in my heart throughout the day!

"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 96:1

This spring during our Faithfully Fit sessions we are FREE! We are continuing our tradition of free faith and fitness classes. We are celebrating women coming together freely to pray together, study

God's Word together and work out together without fear of judgment. We are also celebrating the freedom we have in Christ when we trust Him to break the chains of sin that otherwise bind us if we choose to live life without Jesus. We are studying songs of praise, songs of worship and praying that it leads us to be free of all that weighs us down from day to day.

This week I am sharing one of my favorite hymns.

It Is Well with My Soul

Come and join us to see why this hymn is so special to me. For those who are unable to join us I will share just this little bit. During a very difficult journey in my life as I was coming out of the valley and climbing the mountain again God placed this hymn on my heart and I knew God was with me always!

Sing with me, Jodie

 



Girl time!

Shopping with my daughter. I think I have been doing it since she was born. Even before then if you count the time she went along for the ride in my tummy. This weekend was a special weekend as my daughter and I headed to a cheer competition for some "girl-time". Hubby was away at what I call "duty"(Army National Guard training to some); my son was playing golf with his grandfather; and my daughter and I jumped in "her" car to go off for the weekend. And because it was just us girls there was a little shopping to be done. And I confess, some eating too.

As we shopped the stores there was a trend emerging. My daughter was gravitating to the swim suits. Ok, it is March...Spring. And we are dreaming of warmer, sunny days with blue skies and sunshine. But I was not in the mood to try on swim suits yet. And then it came. That moment when your daughter says something and all you can do is lower your head and say, "yes, you are right." As I stood there thumbing through the rows of beautiful swim suits, feeling less than beautiful myself, my daughter says, "All beautiful you are, my darling". Oh those beautiful words of Song of Solomon. I know them very well and it was me who taught them to my daughter. I taught them to her and shared them with many women at last years women's conference and I had to agree with her. I knew she was right! The Word is truth, all of it, and I knew that my behavior was not showing my trust in what the Lord sees.
As I spend time preparing for this years conference and spring session of Faithfull Fit I look forward to all the truth that I will learn in God's Word. I look forward to learning. I look forward to sharing. I look forward to living what I learn and what I share. I look forward to more Mother-Daughter moments when my daughter reminds me of God's truth. I pray that I demonstrate my trust in His Word.
In closing I want to share a challenge I issued a year ago to the ladies of Faithfully Fit:
"All beautiful you are, my dear. There is no flaw in you"(Song of Sol 4:7).

Insert your name in that verse. I dare you. Come on ...it's for each one of us. Let it whisper to your heart. All beautiful you are, Donna, Heather, Judy, Connie, Rhonda, Lisa, Jenny, Michele, and your name and your name. When you see yourself as I see you, you are beautiful says the Lord.

 

This spring, as you spend time with your daughters, your friends, your family, let them see that you trust the truth of the Word by living in that truth! I learned so much last spring and I look forward to learning more this spring. Join us in studying God's Word...we are always here and it is always FREE to join us at Faithfully Fit. Speaking of FREE, well, that just happens to be the name of Spring Session 2014! Join us to learn why!