Pleasing God! (It may be easier than you think!)

Good Morning!

Did any of you do anything fabulous for New Year's?  Any new resolutions out there?  Any old resolutions still on the list?  I was so excited for 2011 to roll around (I had a lot of bad health in 2010), that when New Year's Eve was here and I saw that 2011 on the TV, I felt so sad.  There were so many more things that I wanted to do in 2010.  What I came to realize after doing last night's reading is...do them this year! (When possible.)  And, if it is something that you can't re-do...like my missing my Grand-son's birthday, because I was ill...just do a "make-up" for it this year.  Do something special with that person. Spend time with him/her.  It took all of the anxiety and loss out of things.  Consider it, OK? It gave me a lot of freedom.

I am SO excited to share with you today.  I am reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, so slowly.  It as is if it is a giant present...and each page holds a special gift for me.  This book is by Zondervan.

"The Lord takes pleasure in His people."  Psalm 149:4

Please read this section from paragraph from Chapter 8:

"You were planned for God's pleasure.  The moment you were born into the world, God was there as unseen witness, smiling at your birth.  He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave him great pleasure.  God did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment.  You exist for His benefit, His Glory, His purpose, and His delight." 

I love that last sentence.  I think that is worth printing out and sticking on my mirror, or closet or anywhere that I may feel "less than."  That is what I am going to do.  If the Lord delights in us...how can we really tear ourselves down with the "nots?" "I am not thin enough."  "I did not Witness enough."  "I am not well versed enough in His Word."  Yes, there are things we can sometimes do for these things.  But, isn't it great to read that last sentence, and know He is delighted in us?!

I am going to only share one more line of this book today.  It is a lot to take in.
It will tell you the purpose of our lives...each of our lives...get a paper and pen..."Bringing enjoyment to God, living for His pleasure, is the first purpose of life.  When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant."  OK--it was two lines!

We will learn the other ways together. Maybe we will come up with them together.  It is a wonderful awareness.  This book is excellent.  Even if you have read it before, please read along with us here at The He IS Able blog.  We are going to break it down, and see just how we can better please Him, thus being on the path He has for us in life-together. And, you may be surprised at some of the ways we think of!  I would welcome your insights and awareness's in the comment section so that everyone can see...anytime.  Or, if  it is private...feel free to email me at TraciStarkweather@gmail.com

Isn't it great to know you are THAT important to God?  Wonderfully amazing!

I hope that you will leave a comment right now...so that you will be eligible to win the delicious "Card of the Week Give-Away" by Deb Saaranen of the Dream in Color Blog.  She puts such elaborate work into her cards.  We are blessed to have some of her cards to give-away.  Please take a moment and check out her blog.  She is one of the kindest, talented people I know.

To be eligible for our 6 Month Anniversary Give-Away...please scroll down to the post from Wednesday, December 29th...the day before our anniversary...and leave a comment, and post a card or item to the link located directly under my signature.  The give-away is growing.  More info Wednesday!

 Also, there will be an announcement later this week telling about a new activity that will be found on The He IS Able blog.  It is bound to be exciting, empowering, and creative.  So, please stop back by!

Help Needed:  Does anyone know how to look all the way down the side-bar, and "lift up" the information that seems to have fallen down the side bar...where we can't usually see it?  I would really appreciate someone with that type of knowledge to step forth, and email me, and I will give you my temporary password.  It would be wonderful to have it showing! Thank you for Serving the Lord in this unique way!

Wednesday, the "Winner of the Card of the Week Give-Away" will be announced, and I will tell you about an amazing Scripture study I am participating in, that you may want to consider doing on one of our Sister-in-Christ's blogs.  I hope to see you there.

If you aren't signed up as a "Google Follower" yet, and you like what you read, please sign up.  We would be glad to call you "FAMILY."

I would like to thank each of you who have read the blog, left a comment, signed up as a "Google Follower", emailed your prayer requests, prayed for the blog, or myself, participated in a challenge, shared the blog with someone, learned one thing from the blog, written about your Testimony or some other important part of your life in Christ Jesus.  Perhaps you donated cards to the blog...or posted our badge on your blog. Thank you from the heart for ALL of the things you have done in 2010.  2011 promises to be an even better year of Scriptures, sharing, excitement and community.  Thank you for being here!

He IS Able,
Traci S.

I want to share one of my resolutions.  I currently do not belong to any other Design Teams.  I am not sure, at this point, that I want to try to be on a Design Team, with a few exceptions.  Since, I do not have any deadlines put on me by a company or organization, I feel that I do not need to push myself  to be the first blog posted for the day.  I am still disabled.  More seriously, actually.  And, when I get sick, it lasts for months.  I need to have the freedom to take care of myself...and post as soon as I can...as long as it is on the proper day.  I would encourage each of you to keep yourselves as healthy as you can, too.  If the day comes when I accept a DT position, with deadlines, I will weigh them out, and see if I can do them.  But, for now...I will not be getting up at 4am to post this blog. I am on so many very strong medications...that I can not function if I need to wake up early.  I need to let my body wake up...and it is usually around 11am Eastern.  It is not that I do not want to be obedient to the Lord. I am so grateful for this blog, and the special activities I see coming into this year. I am putting my 100% into the blog...just maybe on different hours.  I am taking care of myself, the best way I can.  I hope you will all understand. If you want to discuss this, or anything, please leave a comment or email me.  Love, Traci