Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith

Fulfilled Study - Week 1

Welcome! This week we begin our study of Fulfilled...Learning to Live the Life God Promised by Danise Jurado. (For more information on the online study, click on the Fulfilled Study tab above.)

I'm trying to keep it simple, so that it can fit into anyone's schedule. On Mondays, I'll post the reading for the week and some questions to consider. On Wednesdays, I'll post my reflections on the reading.

Everyone is encouraged to interact in the comments sections, but if you prefer to read and visit quietly, that is perfectly alright! No pressure.

To begin our study, I'm happy to have author Danise Jurado here with some words of encouragement for all of us!

As you journey through the pages of Fulfilled, I pray that God’s compassion and unfailing love captivate your heart in new and inspiring ways. May the promises found in His truth call to the depths of your soul to bring healing and freedom to places in your life that only God can see.

I vulnerably share my own personal stories with you, hoping that they will encourage you in your faith. Our God is always good; even during the times in life when we don’t understand. Over the ten years it took me to write this book, little by little God helped me write each sentence straight from my heart to yours.

You will find many practical steps in the book that came from life lessons God taught me. I have been sharing these steps throughout fifteen years of pastoral ministry to help many others discover freedom, restoration and the Fulfilled life God has promised.

I would love to connect with you. All my contact information can be found here: http://www.danisejurado.com/contact/

Thank you so much Laura for hosting the first Fulfilled online study! May God shower you all with His beautiful blessings.

Love Danise :)

Thank you Danise! And now, for this week's reading...

Week 1: Read the Introduction & Chapter 1—Forgiveness

When you finish reading, consider these questions:

What did you think about Danise’s conversation with the senior pastor on page 3 (specifically what he said to her)? How would you have responded?

Do you find it difficult or easy to extend forgiveness? I can relate to the “stuff it approach” Danise describes on page 7. Are you in the habit of using this approach? How does it work for you?

How did you feel about the forgiveness homework? Did you make that first choice to try it? If you did, have you continued with it?

Have a great week!

In Christ,
Laura

[Image credit: Danise Jurado]

I Want to Be Frustrated With God

Last week I wanted to be frustrated with God.

I’ve grown tired of one-step-forward good days being followed by three-steps-backward bad days. And I want to know why.

Why God?

I told God I was frustrated with Him. And as I stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes, I asked Him, Where are You?!?

At that moment I saw new purple flowers had bloomed on the African violet that sits in my kitchen window. Five perfectly formed violet flowers with tiny yellow centers…and I saw Him there.

It’s not where I’ve been begging to see Him, but it’s His beautiful work regardless. And, it reminds me that His ways are not my ways, and His time isn’t mine.

I want to be frustrated with God, but somehow I can’t be. My emotions say I am, but my head and my heart refuse to agree. Because I know better.

I know it’s what the enemy wants—for me to think God is not for me, but against me. That assumption can happen quickly when discouragement and anger grow.

I look at the purple blooms and realize it’s not God I’m frustrated with, but rather life and our humanness.

It’s illness and disease.

It’s strained and broken relationships.

It’s trauma and tragedy.

It’s that we often turn to God as a last resort, instead of our first thought.

I don’t understand His ways or His timing, but it’s not for me to know. He’s working on things I can’t even imagine, and I can only see what surrounds me.

What I know is I believe in miracles and the impossible…because that’s where God works.

I know I believe in Hope because I believe Jesus died for our sins and conquered sin and death when He rose from the grave.

I believe Jesus is Hope.

I want to be frustrated with God because He knows and sees it all. He is in control.

But, it’s really life and this world we live in that I’m discouraged with.

I know I can’t be frustrated with God because He does know. He sees what we’re going through and He cares. He is in control, and through Jesus, there is Hope.

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: FreeImages.com/African violet]

Linking up with #RaRaLinkup, Give Me Grace, #SmallWonder, Playdates with God, #TellHisStory, #SDGGathering, Coffee for Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Faith Filled Friday

Heart Cleaning

Earlier this year I did some spring cleaning, and as I did, I realized it's not just the stuff around us that piles up.

It's the stuff on the inside too...things like

...regret we keep reliving

...anger we won't let go of

...and unforgiveness towards others—and ourselves.

I am honored to be featured this week in LifeNotes' Find It Only Here On Friday Series. Would you please join me there? It's where we're doing some Heart Cleaning.

*****

Beginning Sept. 7, you're invited to join me for a 6-week online study on Danise Jurado’s new book Fulfilled…Learning to Live the Life God Promised.

For more information, click on the Fulfilled Study tab at the top of the page (or click here).

You can find Danise's book on Amazon (both paperback and e-book).

In Christ,
Laura

[Photo credit: Free Images.com/Broom Shadow]

Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday, Weekend Whispers

There is Strength When Light Exposes the Darkness

I recently heard a presentation in which the speaker compared digital photos to pictures taken with a camera and film. Instead of instant images, the roll of film remained in its own little container until it could be developed in a darkroom. If the film was exposed to light, the pictures would be ruined.

The speaker stressed…the film could not be exposed to light.

And it made me think of Satan, who thrives in the darkness. It’s where his lies take root and grow like weeds. He loves the dark, and he wants us there with him.

Because when the schemes of the devil are exposed to light, they are ruined. The light enables us to see him for what he is—a liar.

I can imagine Satan marking his plans with a warning label…Do Not Expose to Light!

For Satan’s evil plans to work, they require the cover of darkness. And we live in a dark world.

But God…

I'm excited to be sharing with Deb Wolf at Counting My Blessings today! Please join me there to continue reading.