Gettin' Smart!

So as many as you know, I re-enrolled in school in November to continue the pursuit of my bachelors in Christian Counseling and I must say, this go round I am really enjoying my time in studies! Last time I attended school I loved the material but I was in a constant overload mode with my schedule, my personal life and my studies so... it was a HUGE burden and guilt trip and the feelings of defeat were endless ..... it seemed no matter how early I woke up or late I went to bed I never had time for my studies!

This time around I am really enjoying it and I am proud to say I have time to study and do everything else - I am actually turning in my assignments 2-3 weeks early!! (Go Me!) I have 4 classes left to being at the 1/2 way mark to my degree! That is one of my BIG mile markers I am going to celebrate when I get there - to me, it is a very big achievement!

At this moment, I am in a class called prophetic books about the prophets and I am really loving it! This class gives me a lot to chew on and to mediate on, it is challenging me as a leader and I love it! I know as a leader there is always room for improvement.
Going back to school was such a big decision and at first I thought, "Oh man, I can not commit to that failure again." but, I really felt the Lord tugging on my heart about it and since he orchestrated it - I was obedient and it has not been a burden at all! I am so happy that I did it and I look forward to my time in my daily studies. Last night I couldn't wait to crawl in bed unwind and dive into this ->Scott and I are in a very different season of ministry right now so, it could not have been at a better time! God is always right! He is always faithful and he is always trust worthy!

Have a wonderful day today!
Missa

Life in Macro

Macro "Close-up"!

Macro photography is just that, when you get a really good close up. Lots of people love Macro photography, myself included. I love that you can take a picture of something in macro and have it magnified so that you can see the fine details all of the tiny things that may go unnoticed by the natural eye. Macro allows you to see the beauty that may have escaped your attention..... I love to take pictures in Macro and though they may look nice on the LCD screen on my camera the best part is when I load them on my computer and see them on a larger scale - The images comes alive! I can see grains of sand... veins in flowers.... water droplets.... fine, fine details. It's awesome! I often find myself saying "I didn't know that was there."

Now as cheesy as this may sound I love Macro for this reason: It exposes me to the beauty that I would otherwise miss - it shows me so many fine details that I could never notice in the rush of life - it reveals more that surface beauty.

I was thinking about this last night as I lay in bed reviewing some photos I had taken - and I said to the Lord: "Lord, let me live my life in Macro" what I mean is I desire a focus permanently set to bring out the best of Life and to continually see beauty in everything and everyone.

To a point that when problem or a struggle surface I step back and I take a magnified look at it. To see what is truly going on and that I focus in so much on God that through the problem I see behind it to the very promises of God! It is a great way to live; looking for opportunities to see beauty! So today I challenge you to see beauty! Take time to compliment someone, thank someone,compliment yourself. Stop and admire a bed of flowers, watch the trees lose their leaves (I personally love to sit and watch leaves drop). Just take the time to stop and see beauty in Life. Magnify it. Key in on the wonder of it all.

Of course naturally if Macro magnifies the good surely it will do the same for the "no so pretty" stuff :) But, I will accept that as well being that it will help me stay accountable to what I need to change within myself so I pray "Lord help me to keep watch over myself as your word says, help me to keep myself in check" And as I take a look at myself in Macro I see areas that need change. For instance, thanks to the genes of my father I need a dye job badly! I'm seeing a few too many signs of "wisdom" for my comfort so that is on my list of things to take care of soon. But deeper than that I see some things on the inside that I'm working on, mainly doubt and fear.

Doubt is such a faith killer! Lately I have been battling doubt... not to a point of doubting God or doubting my calling but just one area particularly. You see I know that I heard the Lord on something and it has yet to come to pass so it seems like the enemy keeps telling me "Did God REALLY say that" and then if I'm not careful -> I find myself saying "hmmm, did he or was that wishful thinking" then thats when the fear kicks in.. "what if things don't work out and you put yourself out there and get your heart broken you know, people can be mean?" So, see people I'm normal, I have my issues too. One thing we all have in common though is that fact that we have a Father God who cares about us and though I may not have all the answers I know he does and I can fix my focus on that! He is all that I am not and like his word tells me, his ear is inclined to the cry of the righteous - in him there is no shadow of turning and with him all things are possible! I'll put that in my macro lens and stay focused on it!

So either way, I can trust God and today after work I'm gonna grab my camera - find a park and focus on the beauty of life. I might even take some pictures!

Choose to live your life in Macro, focusing and magnifying beauty!

-missa