Monday, September 21, 2020
Friends, as we navigate these difficult times in the world, I thought I would share with you one of my e-courses. Click on the links to read the weekly newsletter for the course, “Cultivating an Inspired Life”. Feel free to print it out and privately work through each weekly study. Remember, this is copyrighted material, so please do not share on social media without my written permission. This is a special preview just for my subscribers.
The past year has been really challenging for me and for my family, with many ups and downs with various health issues with loved ones. It’s been a hard season, but we are getting through it. Presently, I am giving all of my energy to complete the next workbook, “Faith, Hope & Healing” and therefore, I have fallen behind on my blog posts and social media. So many Christian women in my circle manage to write consistently, post stories, videos, participate in podcasts, interviews, reviews, maintain their own websites, run online businesses and stay healthy–but for me–it’s just a bit too much. I have worked on simplifying my life this past year and stepping back from the overstimulation of social media to pursue a holy contentment and life review.
I chose to take a step back when my daughters illness progressed. It was a tremendous eye-opener, as if God were trying desperately to get my attention. We choose what we allow into our minds, we choose what to make count in our everyday lives, we choose whether or not to be fully present with loved ones and we choose to give the gift of time to the people we hold dearly. I will probably never meet most of you and I’m not sure I will be preaching before large crowds again in my lifetime. However, when I can–I will devote time to be fully present with you, thinking about you and praying for you as I write my books and occasional posts. In the spiritual world, it’ always process over perfection. We get to choose the level of engagement in our process, do those things which make us feel whole, alive and fully connected with God and our circle of immediate influence. Being a woman in Christ, He has made me to NEED quiet time with Him. My body, my mind and my spirit require that I spend time in solitude and prayer, connecting with the Author of hope. I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through the HARD things in my life without a close relationship with Jesus.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“It is written: You shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
So, in the midst of these observations and while stepping back to let go and let God, I have been prayerfully writing about cultivating good things into our lives and mindset. Mind you, these weekly assignments are not fluffy. They require work because spiritual maturity requires us evaluate our hearts, dig into His word and seek Him daily. Others cannot do the work for us. The process of spiritual growth is something for which we hunger, we seek and choose for ourselves as we mature in our faith.
These are merely exercises to help bring our attention to God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we must avoid the temptation to think that we get to heaven by going, doing or hustling in ministry on His behalf. He chose YOU. He knew you while you were still in your mother’s womb.
Click on the links in the text to read:
Cultivating an Inspired Life E Course Week 1
Cultivating an Inspired Life Week 2
Cultivating an Inspired Life Week 3
Cultivating an Inspired Life Week 4
I pray that you enjoy the free preview of my e-courses! Last, but certainly NOT LEAST, I have a new workbook coming in November! I hope you will pre-order a copy for yourself and perhaps for someone else that may need to focus more intentionally on his/her faith, rather than fear with everything that is happening in the world. Through meditation of God’s word, prayer and developing an inner-spiritual strength we become more grounded individuals; sure of our walk, sure of our salvation and sure that regardless of world events, God has us. He will never let us go. We are His creation!
You can pre-order now and we will ship a signed copy to you when the books arrive in November.
As always, I give thanks for you in my life. I give thanks that the Lord has given me an opportunity to serve you and so many others throughout the world through the internet. I never dreamed while standing in front of 800 people each Sunday, that God had a much larger ministry for me ahead. I could never in my wildest dreams envision this for myself. Thanks be to God. All glory to Him.
I am praying about the future of my ministry, how it might look and how to continue to reach thousands of people with the message of Hope through Jesus Christ while simultaneously stepping back from the distractions of social media. Will you add me and our ministry, Hope-Filled Living to your daily prayers? If you have any special prayer requests, please feel free to message me or comment.
Peace and Love to YOU!
Mary