Check out my new blog!

Hello friends,
I realized that those of you reading over here may not be aware of my new blog, Nourished by Grace, where I have been writing for a few months. My apologies, but delay no more! I hope you will jump over there, take a look, and be blessed by this new direction that God is taking me. Think of it not as a totally new direction, but rather a slightly more focused approach to how the Gospel applies to self-care, relationships, and overall health. These are ideas that I've often written about here, but I hope that this new focused approach will make the Gospel as it relates to these areas a refreshing balm to your soul, as it is to mine.

Blessings to you!

Ruth

Why Lent is not about trying harder

The scene we witnessed as a student team was both beautiful and haunting, watching a devoted follower crawl through the streets of a large Central American city on hands and knees, a bleeding, thorn-crowned, impersonation of Christ. This happens all over the world this time of year, and we might find this both shocking and moving. Recently, we also saw 21 martyrs answer the call of Christ to face death rather than turn from him. These dramatic events cause us to tremble, and look at our own lives. What sacrifice am I being called to? Is daily faithfulness just as important and sacrificial? Perhaps God is not calling you to something that appears to be as difficult as these examples, but the daily surrender to grace can be difficult as well.

The idea of 'giving something up' for Lent is relatively new to me, coming from a church background that was not especially liturgical. But the idea fits my personality quite well, being the over achiever that I was for years.

This year, I arrive at the Lenten season tired. Can you relate? The year has just started, but do you look at your goals for the year and sigh, knowing you'll never quite meet them? This is the perfect storm for many of us to approach the Easter season with a works-righteousness mindset, myself included. Coming to Christ needy, rather than with something to offer, is just plain uncomfortable.  Does this mean that God might still be calling you to sacrifice greatly this year? Yes, of course, but our response should be obedience more than sacrifice. I often find myself signing up for more than God is ever asking of me. Like my goal to read through the Bible this year - not a bad thing, at all, but why? Motivation in all our actions is key. I'm not going to say my motivation in that goal was bad, but why then have I resisted the Spirit's prompting to let go of that goal, and rather just focus on one passage? One. Not exactly what this goodie goodie wants to hear. I'm finding comfort in that one passage, in this book, and in the resources listed below.

What is God calling you to this Lenten season? Is he calling you to give up worry (like me), to find rest for your soul? Is he calling you to give up consumerism, for the joy of simplicity and contentment? Is he calling you to really just give in to his love, rather than giving up in general, like you might be tempted to do? Can we see the joy of what he is offering, rather than the contrived self-sufficiency that only serves to make us weary?

May we all find relief in his sacrifice this Easter season, rather than striving for righteousness in a way that leads to death rather than life, guilt rather than glory, unnecessary pain rather than purpose, misery rather than marveling at his grace. Because it really is all about him, isn't it? Let go of your need to feel good about yourself with self-imposed deeds of righteousness, and instead, find your worth in having been chosen as the focus of his sacrificial love, before all time and eternity.  By HIS stripes we are healed, not our own.  That's where I'm camping out right now, and the view is amazing.


Additional resources to fill your soul, cover you with love, and release you from guilt...

Resources from Ann Voskamp for Lent (and why failing at Lent could be better)

Ann's weekly Multivitamins post - don't miss this!! Sure to delight and inspire.

She Reads Truth Lent series

The Fringe Hours - Finding Time for You (what if God is calling you to give up busyness, to better care for yourself?) and online book club to go along

Emily Freeman's blog - a space for your soul to breathe

Emily's podcast and Art of Simple podcast (both are fun and refreshing)

Beautiful Enya video - Perhaps the grace of our Savior will keep you singing?

(Photos from some lovely friends at our church in Florida - really missing the sunny people and weather up here in the frigid north...)

Why wellness matters (but the Gospel matters more...)

Falling asleep to crickets instead of careening vehicles is certainly one of the blessings of growing up on (and visiting) the family farm.  Summertime brings an abundance of sweet corn, watermelon and as many tomatoes and cucumbers as your heart desires (while also being entertained by silly cows)!  But a belly full of home-grown goodness pales in comparison to a soul full of love, wise counsel, and passionate discourse on many topics.  Sprinkle in lots of belly laughs, practical jokes, hard work, and board games, and you get a small picture of what we enjoyed as kids.  Going home provides a good body-mind-soul reset!  

It's been a full couple of weeks for Paul and I, visiting churches and praying about where God might have us next.  But the support of family and friends along the way has been invaluable. As my sister jokingly reminded me, we have enough family stops to keep us going for a while. It has been a blessing to stay in numerous homes and find the encouragement we need for the journey ahead, especially considering this road trip won't be over for at least another two weeks! :)  

Being on the road makes it harder to squeeze in exercise time, but it's certainly not impossible.  Taking walks with Paul and using whatever floor space I can find to do a yoga routine has been a fun challenge.  Though it's been an adjustment to shift my focus from my wellness ministry goals to the greater goal of finding a church to serve in as a ministry team, it is well worth it.  I'm reminded of 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 : "On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (NASB) Our passion for Gospel ministry is greater than my desire to encourage women in body-mind-soul wellness, but that God-given passion is still important.  I want to sit with women and encourage them in their marriages, visit them in the hospital, help them set up their homes, pour over Scripture, and hold hearts and hands as we laugh, pray, and weep through life together.  But I also want to encourage them to care for their bodies as well as their mind and soul.  Caring for our bodies may not seem to have lasting eternal value, but I know from my own experience, that when I have NOT properly cared for my body, I am limited in my ability to serve God and others.  It is certainly very important to remember as well that caring for myself physically honors God because I am His daughter and worthy of that effort and personal sacrifice of time and energy. 

This time on the road is also giving me a good opportunity to pray and consider how I'd like this wellness ministry to take shape.  Shifting this blog to more of a wellness focus is easy enough to work on away from home. But again, the overall direction of my future ministry depends on where we end up, and what God is calling us to there.  God (and my sweet husband) are reminding me to take things one. day. at. a. time.  Isn't that always the battle?  But a battle worth fighting.  

Just a couple of weekends ago, my favorite preacher spoke on Romans 12: 1-2: "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (NASB)  

It was a special blessing to my heart, not only because I think he is the best preacher east of the Mississippi, but also because God put this passage on my heart as I have been thinking about wellness ministry.  As we've pursued God's leading for our next assignment, both Paul and I had been thinking about this passage, and didn't know it!  

Our desire separately and together is to glorify God in body, mind, and soul, and offer our entire lives for His service.  What that will look like exactly, we don't know, but we know that sacrificing our desires for the sake of the Kingdom is always the right choice.  Sinking my teeth into some oh-so-good, farm-fresh peaches, berries and melon reminds me that spiritual fruit tastes even sweeter.  I won't be surprised if God has a nice big farm waiting for all of us Perrys in heaven, filled with fruit that lasts for eternity.  

Praise for His Everlasting Love {Day 8}

"When Israel went to find rest the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you."  Jeremiah 31:2b-3 

This is one I have learned to accept by faith when I don't 'feel' God's love.  Does that mean He doesn't love me?  Of course not!  Trusting and praising His love is a discipline at times.  Make that choice today.  But don't be afraid to be honest with God if you're struggling to believe He loves you.  I'm right there with you!

In His Everlasting Love,

Ruth

Resting in His furious love...{and a look at my bookshelf}

Life for me, these past few weeks, has been a series of layers....layers of my heart being peeled back by my Savior, as I give up fears, insecurities, and desires, in exchange for His plans, purposes, and rest for me.  It has been difficult, incredible, and unexpected.  I didn't suppose that I'd find myself in a restful state, as life swirled around me, threatening to pull me into the fray.  It's really quite a miracle, nothing I could have accomplished on my own.  Several books have led me down this journey, and I will share them with you here....

It all started with the book, Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul .  Author Jennie Allen takes us down the path she traveled when she and her husband started praying that they would do 'anything' that God led them into.  It is a scary thing to pray, but also a wonderful journey of surrender on which to embark!  However, something in my flesh rose up and motivated me to 'do more' as I read this.  Instead of seeing this as God beckoning me to more joy in Him and the adventure He has planned for my life, I started dreaming of all I could do for God, and hoping He'd ask me to do something amazing.  Underlying that was a desire for my own glory, rather than His.  I am also reading Don't Waste Your Life , by John Piper, which heightened my desire to see God glorified, rather than myself, and brought on much confession, but still I felt a need to 'do more'.  I continued reading these books, but also picked up Holley Gerth's, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be .  I found this to be a huge encouragement, as I realized God was not asking for more of me, but He was awakening what He has already put inside me, to use for His glory, and not my own.  I don't have to try harder!!  As I reflected on the end of my school year, I picked up Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching , and realized that I can break free from the negative thought life that often plagues me....oh what sweet relief...but again, this can't be done in my own strength!  God and His power, sufficiency, and perfect timing must all be the motivators.

The book that is really ministering to me now, however, is one I have read before, but turned to again these past few days as I've grieved over losing my grandmother so suddenly--Brennan Manning's, The Furious Longing of God .  I've struggled with self-imposed, false guilt that I could have done more for her, that somehow I had not given enough, despite all the affirmation I've received from friends and family to the contrary.  I shouldn't find it surprising that this book is changing my understanding of Jesus and His Gospel of Grace, as prior to picking it up, I was praying that God would deepen my understanding of the Gospel.  Oh, how He answers!  One particularly moving section refers to the story of Don Quixote and Aldonsa (also known as Dulcinea) as He compares this to the healing power and love Christ offers us....which, once experienced, can flow into the lives of others and profoundly mark their lives.

I am thankful for summer days, in which I can linger over words, listen to beautiful piano music, relax by the pool, and enjoy the company of friends and family.  But more than that, I am eager to see how God uses these days of rest to impact the busyness that will resume when the weather cools and life gets back to 'normal'.  Walking closely with Christ always transforms, and I'm thankful for the ladies I'm walking with through this journey in our Anything book study, one-on-one times with dear friends old and new, and of course heart-to-hearts with my love, and life companion, sweet Paul.

Thanking Jesus for Grace....Resting in His love...and wishing the same for you....

Ruth

{The book links in this post are 'affliate links'; if you purchase any of the books using those links, I will receive a small portion of the sale.  Thank you for supporting my writing efforts!}

If I were 90, looking back....

Hertha Kuehn (Oma) October 1918-June 2013

UPDATE:  I had no idea that Oma would pass away just two days after I wrote this post.  We are celebrating her union with Christ!  This fact makes the following thoughts even more real to me....

Have you ever thought about how you'd feel looking back on your life?  I know, I shouldn't ask questions that make you squirm, or should I? :)  Several events of the day brought me to a place in my heart where I really needed to sit down with my journal, a cup of my favorite tea, and a desire for the Lord to speak to and encourage my heart.  I find myself so easily distracted by daily life, my own selfish desires, and the practical needs of keeping a home (as well as major decisions that my sweet hubby and I are making)....so there's a lot spinning through my mind right now.  To be honest, I certainly wasn't expecting my encouragement to be a list that could turn into something burdensome!  However, as the thoughts came to my mind and flowed out onto the paper, it was strangely comforting to help me keep things in perspective.  What would you hope your life had looked like if you were 90 looking back?  How could that ground you, give you perspective, and help you to be free from distractions?  I'd love to hear an item from your list in the comments!

If I were 90 looking back, I'd hope I had....

~followed the Lord, holding nothing back...like I'm reading about in this book!
~trusted God's timing for children
~was willing to let my man lead
~thought about others more than myself
~really loved well (1 Cor. 13)
~thought more about the presence of the Holy Spirit to 'make our home' than my own home-making skills.
~reached out to the poor, needy, hurting people, but not out of a need to 'feel good' about myself
~was willing to rest, enjoy life, and laugh more
~looked for every chance to affirm Paul and any children we'd been entrusted with, by resting in God's love for me
~was not afraid to use my gifts and creativity to follow God, even if it didn't fit my picture of what life was 'supposed to look like'
~treasured the Word and face of God in Christ above all things (Lord, help me!)
~surrendered to transformation by the Gospel, lived a life of humble obedience and repentance
~was honest with God and others and did not run from trials
~cared for my body, His temple, but not in an idolatrous way
~found my worth in Christ's love for me alone
~made others hungry and thirsty for God
~opened my home to many, as a haven of rest, joy, encouragement, and conviction to know and follow Christ
~laid up treasure in heaven more than in our checking account
~dreamt God-sized dreams

Oh Lord, help us to see life with your eyes, not a list of things to do, but the fact that it is all 'DONE' in Christ.

Bless you, friends,

Ruth

His character, our comfort

Lisa-Jo and friends are posting over here today on the word COMFORT.  Grab a pen, keyboard, iPad, wherever you write....for five minutes....and link up with the rest of us!

It's been rolling around in my head, this desire to choose 'character over comfort'.  But knowing is never the same as doing, and I've gotten a lot of practice at one over the other (hmmm...which do you think?) Just yesterday, I sat with a lovely woman, sharing stories and tears and the Word of God.  We both confessed we weren't crazy about the idea of suffering.  But really, who is?  Good question.  God is.  And as I sit here, it all comes into focus, the answer, this beautiful reason to say yes to God at every turn.  God- He was crazy enough for you that He chose to suffer. To choose character over comfort.  To look into your soul before you were you, and know that you would need Him to be crazy in love with you.  I feel the pulse of that love flowing through me as I write.  This desire to know the sufferings of Christ and be united with Him in that choosing....that wanting....that living through dying.

I find that there are a million-and-one reasons to choose comfort over character.  It's so natural isn't it?  Too natural.  Human-nature natural.  Therein lies the essence of the battle we face.  It's not so much that we need to try harder or work smarter or pray longer.  The real battle is looking to Christ, really fixing our eyes on Him and His perfection.  What a comfort, true comfort.  It's not the type of immediate-gratification comfort that comes, sadly, when we choose our own desires over His, over others'.  Over what's really even best for our own souls.  We're deceived.  I'm deceived if I believe that thing I want so badly, whatever it might be in the moment, is worth more than the eternal joy of obedience, of choosing to walk right into the fire of trial and pain and every hard decision you've ever tried to avoid.

I'm cheering for you, sister or brother!  Keep fighting the good fight.  And may His perfect, sacrificing, crazy-for-you character bring you the comfort you need to choose holiness every time.

Ruth

Five Minute Friday: Cherished.

Five minutes and....GO!

My God, and my husband, have convinced me:  I'm a princess!

The memories are deep, of the days when I felt my worth was equated to my good grades and good behavior.  But it's been years now, of walking in freedom from that prison, and knowing I am cherished.  It's a deep knowing of the love of God....the height, depth, width, of all that amazing Grace...and somehow it's burrowed into the very depths of my marrow.  So much so that I can't see where God's love starts and my insecurities end.  Certainly, I still falter many days, and forget my worth...but the rebuilding, the redeeming of my soul's foundation is a work that can never be taken from me.  Words fail me, but the taste of heaven that is mine can be yours too.  Relinquish all your fears, open wide your heart to the Lord...let the Gospel of Christ embrace you, as it has me.  For in the darkest moments of failure, we can most fully know our worth in God's eyes.  When the answers don't come, and the circumstances confuse, and the doubt rages....He brings knowledge of His unfathomable love, rushing river pouring through my soul, and clearing out all the debris of doubt.

It all began with a plea that He might redeem me, make me whole.  And how did He do that, how does He?  He proves His love to us, over, and over, and over again.  You are a princess in His eyes, dear one.  A valuable treasure worth shedding precious blood.  His cherished child.

The vow, and the reality

If you live by the passage, 'let your yes be yes, and your no, no,' you realize that your word is a solemn promise between you and whomever you speak with, share life with.  My husband can tell you, I have a lot more words in a day than he does.  :)  Thankfully, he's a wonderfully patient listener.  He could also tell you (though he won't, because he's too kind), that I've made a promise that I don't always keep.  A little over 18 months ago, I made a promise to Paul to love and cherish from that day until our final days on earth.  Pretty hefty promise!  Hard to make, even harder to keep.

Over the past few weeks as I've been silent on this little online corner of the world, God has been working in my heart through a marriage seminar, a bible study, loving friends and loyal husband.  I've seen that not only do I need to grow as a wife, but I need to grieve my sin towards God and my husband.  (And yes, lest you begin to believe that I hold Paul up on too high a pedestal, God has also shown me my idolatry in placing him higher than my Savior at times!)

It's amazing how God shines the light into the dark places of our soul, the places that we'd rather hide than deal with.  But when He shines the light, and cleans out the sin-sickness, He also fills us with His joy, His presence.  A much better option than the slavery of our sin!

There are many things that I have been learning, and hope to share with you over the course of this month.  Perhaps God is speaking to your heart on a certain topic, something you can't avoid any longer.  What is it?  How will you respond this time?  Have you repented and need to accept His grace?  It is all-sufficient.  He longs to welcome us all back into His arms.

This past Saturday, I welcomed my husband home from a business trip and realized that my heart had been changed.  A deeper respect and appreciation was there, for his kind and patient nature, his wisdom, and yes, his quirks :) .  I had prayed earnestly for his safe return, trusting I'd have more opportunities to show him the love and respect I've promised.  As he drew me into his arms, I realized again that we love, because He first loved us.  What a solid foundation on which to build our often imperfect promises.   

Here is a song we used in our wedding, that reminds me to make Christ central in our home.  It also reminds me to make others feel welcome in my heart, especially my husband.  Am I cultivating a heart where others feel safe and loved with me?

Bless you, in your marriage journey!  Ruth 

Celebrating freedom {in Christ}

I trust you had a wonderful 4th of July with friends and family!  We were able to relax briefly today; we also had front-row seats to a great fireworks show!  A large part of our day was spent packing up for our move, as well....but in between all this...

Source

A topic started rolling around in my head last night {spiritual freedom}  as hubby and I did our evening reading.  J.R.R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit was the impetus.  But first, some back story....Bilbo Baggins is the main character in this delightful story, and at the start of the book, he reluctantly agrees to embark on a treacherous journey with some new acquaintances, 13 dwarves, and a wizard, Gandalf.  The goal?  To claim the treasure that has been passed on to the dwarves--if they can make it through Mirkwood forest and past the dragon.  At many points along the journey, Bilbo wishes that he never agreed to this.  But {spoiler alert!}once he acquires the ring, and learns that it will provide invisibility, he becomes quite a leader among his fellow travelers.  He is able to help them through many a pinch, and the incident we'll discuss is no different.  The problem is that the dwarves are not that excited about his method of escape from their current dilemma:  capture by the Elvish King.


"Bilbo saw that the time had come to explain his idea, as far as he could; but he did not feel at all sure how the dwarves would take it.  His fears were quite justified, for they did not like it a bit, and started grumbling loudly in spite of their danger.  'We shall be bruised and battered to pieces, and drowned too, for certain"' they muttered.  'We thought you had got some sensible notion, when you managed to get hold of the keys.  This is a mad idea!' 'Very well'! said Bilbo very downcast, and also rather annoyed.  'Come along back to your nice cells, and I will lock you all in again, and you can sit there comfortably and think of a better plan--but don't suppose I shall ever get hold of the keys again, even if I feel inclined to try."


Perhaps you see the corollary?  At times, I see myself in the same situation as the dwarves....hearing the Lord's voice leading me out of a current entrapment with sin...{whatever that may be for you, put yourself in their place too}.  Isn't it easier to remain trapped, than it is to risk freedom, and the treacherous path to get there?  We choose the comfortable, but deadly route, when freedom is right around the corner, beckoning us to come near.  I have chosen my imprisonment far too many times.  


As Christians, we are all moving from death to life, through the process of sanctification; here in our home, a new season of growth is on the horizon.  Though it is not what we had in mind for ourselves, it is going to bring challenge and blessing in ways we have not expected.  There will be hardships, for sure.  But these very trials and joys will be a part of the training ground our Father has planned for us.  What about you?  What lays ahead for you?  On this day, in which we celebrate the freedoms that have been granted through the courage of our forefathers, may I challenge you to turn your mind to the battle that Christ won on the cross?


Galatians 5:1:  "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."


Freedom is yours, if you will accept the journey....even if reluctantly, like Bilbo :) 


A blessed 4th to you!
Ruth

Recap from The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference: Part 1

I'm struggling for words.  I just attended an amazing conference this weekend, and I wish I could download it all for you right here!  Okay, so I'm going to try, but do yourself a favor and check out the Gospel Coalition website in a week or two, for the videos of every main stage plenary session.  Over the next few days, I'm going to give a {somewhat?} brief summary of what I learned from this incredible event, and I hope it encourages you and helps you see our Great God more clearly, as it did for me!


Pre-conference:  Three great speakers, even before main event Friday evening started....


Tim Keller (senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC) and wife, Kathy, Marriage in Gospel Focus

Marriage is wreck in the United States, let's face it.  Not all marriages, but the large majority have unreal expectations and even if Christian, oftentimes are distorted in their effort to display the Gospel and Glory of Christ and His church.  Tim and Kathy gave some staggering statistics, including one widely known:  the divorce rate in and out of the Church is 50%.  The secular view of a 'me-centered' marriage is devastating, and besides being greatly flawed, it is more likely than not, very unsuccessful!  Tim and Kathy pointed out the incredible impossibility of finding someone who wants to give in to the other's 'me-centered' viewpoint, and even worse, if both have this viewpoint....I have heard it described as having 'two ticks and no dog'... :)  {Thanks, Evan and Bev} The idea of love as covenant is based in Christ's love for us, and is not only legal, but deeply spiritual.  Another point that struck me, was Tim's comment that the 'thrill' of the early days of love actually serves to stroke one's ego, and is not 'real' love....the deeper love comes later, after days, months, years of self-sacrifice.  And this is only made possible through Christ.  Kathy finished with a reminder that BOTH husband and wife get to display aspects of Christ to the other; Jesus displayed submission, through accepting the Father's will, and Jesus showed headship, in providing for His bride, the Church.  She also commented on the great danger we face in marriage, of idolatry to our spouses....This talk left me excited to live up to the calling I have received as a wife, a tremendous opportunity to display Christ's love to both my husband, and the world.

Don Carson:  I missed this talk for lunch {the sessions were jam-packed next to each other :) } but check back on TGC's website soon for the complete video.

John Piper (Pastor for Preaching & Vision at Bethlehem Baptist):  The Search for Joy and the Supremacy of the God in the Gospel

Wow.  I was so excited to hear Piper speak!  My expectations were {happily} met, as he discussed the Good News with great passion and a genuine heart of love for our Savior.  It is obvious that Piper believes what he preaches!  But on to the summary....Piper has one main point, in all his writings, all his talks, and that is the truth that Jesus is our all-satisfying treasure, as seen in the Gospel.  His definition of the Gospel was this:  "the great work of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, in which He destroys every obstacle to our joy, and shows His glory most fully by becoming the object of our joy."  He then went on to lay out 7 obstacles to finding joy in Christ:  the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9 and Gal. 3:13), our alienation from God (Eph. 2:13 and Rom. 5:10), our guilt and sin (1 Peter 2:24), our absence of righteousness (Rom. 3:10, 2 Cor. 5:21 and Rom 5:19, our death from this life (Heb. 9:27 and Rom. 8:11) , spiritual deadness (Eph. 2:4) , and the fact that Satan hates our joy (Col 2:15).  He followed with the question:  how do we know if we have experienced the Gospel?  His answer:  "if we realize that these 7 obstacles are only a MEANS to the Gospel.  So, you might be thinking {as I was} What IS the goal of the Gospel, if it is not these 7 things?  Well in true Piper fashion, he lured us in with these 7 points and came back with his main point {always is his main point :) }, that the goal of the Gospel is "to enjoy, savor, be satisfied in, and walk with God."  "No one praises what he/she does not enjoy," said Piper.  "We are to be filled with happiness in Jesus at the expense of everything else," he said, followed by recounting the parable of the man who sold all to buy a field (Matt. 13:44).  He closed with this:  "We are called to an unremitting pursuit of happiness in Jesus and not the world, or broken cisterns," (Jer. 2).  I came away from this talk with a renewed desire to pursue God as my greatest joy, not as an obligation or duty...what a privilege we have to be called His children!

Blessings...and stay tuned for more on the conference...

Ruth