Clever title here

Blogging is one of those things I have a love/hate relationship with--

like laundry, it's never done
like transparent personal conversations, it can be misunderstood or used against you
like introspection it can become selfish and idolatrous
like high school photos it can be just plain embarassing in retrospect

Most often it's just neglected...

Micah Girl

The key to fighting your spouse

I learned early on in my marriage that when I get into a conflict with my husband that there is one important key--never fight against my husband, but never be afraid to fight for our marriage. My marriage is my number one earthly priority and most squabbles are utterly forgettable. On those occasions when a greater principle is at risk, then I must be wise and fight for the unity of our marriage, while never degrading or disrespecting my husband who means the world to me.

One of my favorite proverbs is Proverbs 14:1-

The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

As a woman, I need to always pray for the wisdom to build up my marriage and my family, to build up my ministry, to build up my friendships, to build up my local church. It is foolishness to tear it down brick by brick by not submitting myself to God and trusting in His work in my life.

Micah Girl

Waiting for my name

I respect the person of the Holy Spirit and His work in my life. I have heard Him speak to me through His Word, in my heart, in my circumstances and through other people. Sometimes, however, I envy my charismatic sisters and brothers who always seem to have a fresh word from God--a dream, a vision, a sign from Heaven. It's not that I feel out of touch with God--just that He hasn't yet spoken to me in that kind of drama.

I have been studying and teaching about Jacob for the last few months. Today I was reading through Genesis 32 which I will be teaching on Sunday morning. I was struck at how God reveals himself to Jacob in this chapter--first through revealing His angels to Jacob and then in a mano a mano wrestling match. Wow. I would like that kind of revelation in my life, although I expect that I, too, would walk with a limp after coming face to face with God.

The other thing that strikes me is the way Jacob names a place after an encounter with God. After wrestling with God he names the place Peniel which means "face of God." I have never named a place or erected a stone monument to an encounter I had with God. Today I was burning with desire to name our next home when we move. But what name? What would it signify? Where would I place the nameplate? How would I tell the story to my visitors?

Jacob also gets a new name--Israel. What is my new name, Lord?

I am awaiting a word from the Lord, a sign that He is directing me to new lands, new challenges, new adventures. I am waiting for my name.

Micah Girl