Flip a Coin

Wrestling with God makes for tasty conversations.

The Lord gives us visions of new things for our future. He wants us to talk with Him. He wants to discuss new things headed our way. This allows us to break-through the small things. Small things along the way non-worthy to Him or not representative by His plan for our lives.

Over a two-week holiday break from Bible study, I pondered over new things. One being which Bible study to attend for the new year. Praying over things, even something as small as which Bible study, helps bring clarity. Our vision aligning with His plan navigates our future with purpose. His purpose. His calling. For. Our. Life.

Each week, I meet with a group at my church. The group is called MOMs. You may know of a group similar to this called MOPs. Maybe your church has one or you've heard others talking about it. MOMs and MOPs basically are the same. Only difference: MOMs is geared towards mothers with all age children, MOPs is geared towards mothers with preschoolers only.

One day out of the month at MOMs we meet as a large group for breakfast, worship, fellowship and have a speaker. The other weeks we meet for Bible study.

Semester to Semester - August-December January-May - we start a new Bible study. Leaders often change semester to semester. I even led one semester.

The church has a length approval system for the studies. We might not always know in an orderly fashion which study will be offered. What's the chain of command for approval? I don't have a clue. Trust. Believe. Wait. Patience. Is the name of the game.

Not knowing the Bible study or even the leaders, I begin praying. Praying for God's direction.

I even flipped a coin.

You see there's usually more than one study offered:

A Bible study study (I typically do): Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer ect.
L3 (I have done this once before): a study tool my church offers to help you learn how to read the Bible. A different passage of scripture reading allotted each day. Then you journal, examine, apply to your life and pray.

Proverbs 18:18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

Tails-my answer was L3.
Heads- His answer was the Bible study.

When I flipped the coin it landed on tails-L3. Victory rein in my heart. His voice even louder over my soul, "I already told you, Ashley. You will attend the Bible study."

I wrestled with Him, "Are you sure, Lord?"

L3 would be an easy out for me. 2016 is a big year for my family. My husband and I both turn 40. We will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Our oldest daughter plans to attend a University in the Fall. Adjusting to an only child feeling left at home with my youngest. Somewhere in between, I want to conquer a passion of mine, finishing up publishing my second book.

L3 has a cool blogger/writer in there-
My heart longs to sit by her. I want to sap up knowledge being around her.

L3 has a leader I know. One I adore her leadership.

L3 my mouth waters when I pass their room. That's how it usually is with what we want or think we need, right?!

An announcement email came confirming the new study/leaders. God confirmed loud for the last time, "Do the Bible study." A giddy feeling, like a kid, rushed over my body. I heard Him. Bible study here I come. The study will be one of Kelly Minter's, What Love Is. I can't wait. I am so happy I listened.

Proverbs 16:33 We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

I don't recommend flipping a coin with God. He does not want to argue with us. We are not His powerful opponent. He is the almighty powerful One.

Ways to help seek His vision for our life:

His word-the Bible
Conscience He built in us
Counsel from other godly people
Prayer

We've got to look, listen and be alert for His calling over our lives.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Do you look?
Do you listen?
Are you alert?

I smile, you cry...

One of the hardest
things for me throughout
the writing of Daddy's Briefcase
was how to end the book.

The first twenty chapters,
after long intense all night writing,
came almost like a piece of cake.
My photographic memory just laid
everything out so easy for me.

It was the ending that held me so close to
how I thought others should/would see
my story, take it, be touched by it.

After a further intense thought process,
it came to me. Me sharing my story
was just that, me sharing my story.
It's not my job to determine how others
will be touched by it. What was up to me,
was to fully share my story to the best
of my ability.

And God will do the rest!

It was like taking a paper cutter
and cutting the back end of the book
off!

The Friday after the big announcement
Daddy's Briefcase was now available,
I got a text from my best friend...

that read,

"Got my book in the mail
today!!! Now I have tears
running down my face!! So much
for my makeup job!!! LOL"

Just days before, I already
warned her that the actual book
was so much different than the
loose leaf pages she read months/years
before print.

Getting her text was just one of the
many messages I have already received.
It has been so humbling to watch
and hear how Daddy's Briefcase
has already touched so many people.

I know God promises to use our suffering,
if we let Him, for our good and His glory.

Dear friends, do not be surprised
at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice that you participate in Christ's sufferings,
so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12, 13 NIV

Keeping in mind, she wasn't crying
because of reading it. She was simply
crying because of all I have been through
and I am able to tell about it!

That's kinda how my life goes,
I smile, you cry...

If you already read Daddy's Briefcase,
please leave a review over at Amazon.com.
under the customer review. If you haven't read
it you can still help. Just simply click the
like button at the top of page or one of the tags
at the bottom of the page-all at Amazon.com.

My Strength comes from...

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever."


Psal...m 28:7-9