Are You Bowing Down?

Do you ever have times when you just feel emotionally exhausted?  Well, that’s where I’ve been lately.

In the last six months...

1.  My husband came home and told me his company downsized and he was no longer employed.

2.  I have a long-term chronic illness, and the pain has greatly intensified.

3.  My dad passed away.

4.  My mom just had emergency heart surgery.

5.  I caught a viral ear infection from our sweet granddaughter and it left me with some significant permanent hearing loss.  {Who knew?!}

6.  My car needs extensive repairs before it will pass inspection. 

Yep, this is just an abbreviated snapshot of the last six months of my life. 

When I saw a picture of this tree, I could so relate.  I saw a tree ravaged and battered down by the storms and winds of time... A tree on the verge of breaking.  Yes, that’s exactly how I felt. 

And then my loving Abba began to open the eyes of my heart and helped me to see as He sees.  Everything that He allows in my life can be used for His sweet, glorious purpose. 

I bow down in humble adoration when: 

He shows me He will make provision for us. 

He teaches me to praise him in the midst of pain. 

He shows me that He controls life and death. And that He's 
holding my sweet dad in His loving arms.

He shows me how much He loves my mom by helping her to trust Him. 

He teaches me patience and trust through hearing loss.

He reminds me to trust Him for my everyday needs, like transportation.

  

Now, I look at this picture with new eyes.  I no longer see a battered-down tree.  I see a tree bowing down in humble adoration to its magnificent Creator.  I see a tree that’s been made so strong by the storms and winds of time that it can bend and bend without breaking.   A tree that is being formed, shaped, and fashioned just as the Maker intends.

Yes, today I bow down in humble adoration to 

the One who is able to use all things for my good and His glory.

I love to see the 

fingerprints of God on your life.  

Is your baby keeping you up at night?

Are your children tap dancing on your last nerve?

Is your relationship with your husband in a tough place?

How is God teaching you to bow down in humble adoration?

Living in His grace, 

  Mary

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Extreme Worship

I was recently reading about a fairly new trend in churches advertising “Extreme Worship”.  The article was describing the Extreme Worship services as venues that boasted several mega-screens, synchronized computer-driven light shows, full volume hard-hitting music, and my favorite... mood enhancing fog machines.  Personally, I’m fine with these technologically savvy services.  I know several fine churches that excel in the techno-service and provide a forum where hearts connect with God. 

Yes, worship can be infused and enhanced with a beautiful song, a fabulous synchronized light show, and {she says with a chuckle and some trepidation} even some machine-produced mist... I mean really, God can use whatever He chooses to draw us into to communion with Him.  I’m beyond thankful for the Sunday worship service, but it's important to remember that worship is sooo much more.

We must remember that worship doesn’t depend upon the venue; it’s a matter of the heart.  Worship doesn’t depend upon mega-screens, stained glass windows, candles, 

altar pieces, soundboards, fog machines, music preferences or ‘order’ of program.    

Extreme Worship is a matter of our hearts beating in intimate communion with our Lord.

Extreme Worship is surrendering our hearts, minds, and will in obedience to God.   

Extreme Worship is living out the love of Jesus in extravagant ways in the lives of our families, our neighbors, our co-workers, the cashier at Wal-Mart, the homeless man on the street corner. 
 

Extreme Worship is forgiving the spouse that betrayed your trust, being patient with the child that’s throwing the temper tantrum, showing grace to the sister that has spoken lies about you.  

Extreme Worship is allowing ourselves to be changed into the holy character of God.

 Living in His grace, 

Mary                           

Are you presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to God?

What does your worship look like?

Please leave a comment!

  

I'd like to ask you for two quick favors.

1.  Please go to the block of Google Friends over in the right column and click Join this Site. This doesn't subscribe you or obligate you to anything. It's just a way to let me know that you visited Woman to Woman. If you're reading this by email, you'll need to click Here to sign in. 

2.  Please click the Facebook Like button in the right column. (I love seeing your beautiful faces!)

Each woman who stops by

(I'm talking about you!) is so precious to our Lord and to me. 
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments, emails, and FB messages. 
 It's always so good to hear from you!

 Picture 1