Book Review: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

Greetings Friends,


Today I wanted to share a read with you, the book Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.  Periodically, I will review a book and give my honest opinion on it, so here it goes.

Fervent was released alongside of the motion picture, War Room in 2015. In today's climate of uncertainty, this the perfect time to reacquaint ourselves with the power of prayer.

This book gives the feel of an intimate meet up with your older sister.   Priscilla draws the audience in by her warm conversational style. A very easy read, the text implores you with passion to return to the Lord and fight!

From the first chapter you are whisked away in conversation to the battlefield. Priscilla's words act as a firm push in the right direction without condemning or guilting you into action but more of a voice of reason that provides clarity and reminds us of the importance of prayer and God's true role in all of this.

"We have an enemy", it is one thing to say that but another thing to truly know and live like it.   No matter if we fight or not, the enemy is trying to destroy us.   Priscilla uses scripture throughout the read to bring truth and illuminate the pathway back to fervent, intentional prayer in the midst of war!

Pick up your weaponry ladies, this read it worth it.  The book is broken up into 10 strategies that address major areas that paralyze us.

Strategy #1: Your Passion

Strategy #2: Your Focus

Strategy #3: Your Identity

Strategy #4: Your Family

Strategy #5: Your Past

Strategy #6: Your Fears

Strategy #7: Your Purity

Strategy #8: Your Pressures

Strategy #9: Your Hurts

Strategy #10: Your Relationships

This book is rich enough for the seasoned Christian to be reignited in prayer and simplistic enough to draw in someone curious about the faith.

Personally,

This book was a sweet reminder and confirmation. Recently, the Lord reminded me that I am not fighting like I used to and how desperately I need to get in position to succeed spiritually. The first time I read the book, I read the hardcopy but this time I listened to the book on Audible so I could hear the words and let them soak into my core.  It was a great refresher.

At the end of each chapter you were challenged to apply what you learned and immediately pray- I loved it.  The instant call to action, eliminated the excuses if you truly received the information in your heart.

Thanks Priscilla, for being candid and transparent. You spoke to my heart and revived my love for battle.

Now excuse me, I'm going to war.

Libby

Alignment and Refinement

Hey there,

What have you been doing with yourself lately?

I must admit with the state of the world being on pause with many quarantined, I have been thinking a lot about my foundation.

The heat of today's climate revealed that I have some structural issues.

It's funny because I feel like I live in a perpetual state of repentance, always on the search for truth.  I used to feel guilted about always being at Jesus's feet searching for truth- now I have learned that you are deceived if you are not.

I don't know about anyone else but I am grateful for this time of reflection and quiet.  I chose to maximize my time while on pause and felt that I am getting a much needed reset.

Redirection

A reminder, anyone else agree?

The message was clear to me to check my foundation and make sure that it is fortified.  Get clear with God and ensure that I am hearing Him clearly.

I need to major in the majors.

Live a holy life.

I need to check my character, search the scriptures, and stay in a place of prayer.

I need to be available for the Lord to use me for His glory- beyond my comprehension.

I need to stay in prayer and in the presence of God- allowing space and room for open communication.

I need to take that power into my everyday life.


Real power, a death to the desire to be more than God requires. The ability to pass on being "someone" here on earth and be only who He wants me to be- whatever that looks like.  An internal agreement to the ordinary to allow God to be Himself, extraordinary.

This is a challenge for me because if I am honest with myself, I wanna be great.

Real greatness is death- murder to what I want-the desperation for validation and acceptance. Having that place of emptiness satisfied.

I have to trade in that burning for a cement like faith that  believes that 1 Timothy 2:4 is true and that our all powerful God deeply yearns for us to come into the knowledge of the truth and be saved. Finding trust and peace in His character, consistency and love.


I thank Christ that He bridged that gap for us.  That beyond our mistakes and internal struggles He is faithful to forgive and fill. Lord we give all of ourselves to you. We wanna real know you in this lifetime and know by your Word that it is your desire as well. Help us not be consumed by the noise of the world. Clear our eyes and ears and will us with you as we seek you. As we develop, thank you Holy Spirit for being living, active and a constant reminder of Your love for us. Help us drown in you, transform us God as we soak. Expand us to deeper depths and higher heights. Give us a sound mind that clings to your ways. Allow us to reflect your light as we die.

Be seen in us God.

In Jesus' name I pray,


Amen

P.S. Rest in Him in these times of uncertainty friends,  get established in the Lord.  Trust in the process friends and let all around you burn that is inauthentic.  We are in this together, let's get solid!

https://youtu.be/UGFCbmvk0vo

Be still and know He is God- and THEN be obedient!

Hello Friends,

I am at it again, moving in haste.  For some time I knew I was suppose to move and begin writing again but the second I started, I just kinda jumped in and forgot that I'm not steering this ship anymore.

So after a long phase of nothing, I wrote a blog, meaning that after years of being paralyzed, I just kinda jumped in the deep end and I just thought I could resume swimming but quickly after I jumped in, I realized that the current has changed and instead of the shallow end I'm used to, I found myself in the ocean.

As I wrote an arranged a blogpost yesterday, I found myself struggling for air and picked up this weight that was pulling me down like an anchor- and I found myself at it again, human effort. As I moved in myself, I was helpless.


So I stopped again

I stopped writing

and tried connecting.

Connecting the dots and connecting to God.  So I feel led to let you know that as I develop a buoyancy and walk in obedience to this thing, my largest commitment is to God.

I will write but I will be led, focused and available.


Like a game of Uno, God threw out the reverse card/ my life vest- I saw it clearly, "Go back and do what I told you".

Study

Mediate

Share

So excuse me while I refocus and sit in the book of Jeremiah for a while, I believe something is there for us.  I am not going to approach this blog nor writing haphazardly anymore but make a commitment to be intentional about the path that I'm on. I believe the same for all of us.  With the real captain at the wheel we will have true fulfillment.


Lord,

Help us make you Lord over our lives and allow you to steer the ship. Help us grow in trust and wisdom.  Protect us from outside factors that speak haste and quick movement but allow us to be at peace knowing that you know all.  Forgive us for ever moving without you and thank you for quick correction to stay the course.  Help us all grow together.

In your matchless name I pray,

Amen



Friend know that its ok to begin again..........and win!

Slowcooked Salvation- What are you doing with what God gave you?

Hello my friends,

It as been years since I have posted. To be brutally honest, a sharp criticism of the blog had me stop posting all together and question everything. The discouragement led me to think, why write anyway? I questioned myself, about how many mommy bloggers, lifestyle bloggers, Christian bloggers can exist in the world?  Surpassing that, the women that I admire are simply dynamic.  It's crazy to think that I could share space or have a seat at the table. Comparison crept in and took up residence in my heart.  I went from being so passionate about the art of writing and reflection to total defeat by mere words.



You know my friend, it's funny how a simple comment can drive a dream into the dirt, like a coffin never to see sunlight again.  It was Elementary, I allowed the words of an acquaintance to strip me of community and connection to God.  How stupid!  Months ago I would have probably been ashamed of all the time that I believed was wasted as I left my writing on the back burner but after years of living and soul searching I have realized that you can always pick up where you left off and sometimes better than before.  I am a firm believer that God knows every aspect of our lives and if I believe that truth I must believe that He is omniscient and truly knows all.  He foreknew that comment that would derail me and every moment that would follow.  He knew how long the journey back to dreaming and back to Him would be and just like Hansel, he left breadcrumbs for me knowing that I would find my way back one crumb at a time.

Since I stopped writing a lot has changed,  I am a wife and a mother of a blended family- 3 bonus adults and 2 preschoolers.  I can honestly say that nothing has made me want to pursue God more than family.  We will get more into family and daily life as we walk on this journey together but for now, let's sit and talk about dreams.

Dreams.........

They start so small but when ignited, they are like little sticks of dynamite that can take out an entire mountain.

Dreams can be so sacred that we hide them from the world hoping that no one stumbles across our treasure until we are certain of what to do with it.

Dreams inspire us to live bigger than we ever imagined and can take us right to the doorstep of success.

Yet the human mind and heart can sabotage itself  by comparison and the desire to manufacture the dream before its correct timing.


In life, I am learning that the best things in life are like pot roast, yes, pot roast. Pot Roast takes hours to be made in the slow cooker and each ingredient is added at just the right time, at just the right temperature for a taste like no other.  It's crazy because when I prepare pot roast usually it is being prepared for the next day.  I can anticipate the meal but if I cut corners to eat it that night, I would have forfeited the process that would give me the result I desire.  Simply saying friends that short cuts  don't work so let's enjoy the process and be optimistic that the dream isn't dead, it's just marinating or slow cooking until we are ready to approach it the right way.  You would be surprised at what the Lord will teach you in the so called "wilderness experience".  It's the place where faith is birthed- and regardless of how traumatic the delivery, the birth of the baby makes everything a distant memory.
What have you neglected or forgotten about?

What dreams have you put on the back burner?

Today I want to inspire you friends to take a step of faith and grab at the breadcrumbs that God has left for you.  Pick up where you left off and watch God work in this place. Let me pray for and with you.


Lord,

Thank you for your love and consistency. Thank you for your long-suffering and patience with us.  God we come humbly asking for your forgiveness as we left the valuables for the enemy to creep up into our minds and try to steal the dream. I thank you that you are greater and mightier than can even comprehend and that you are an all powerful God that isn't moved by the inconsistency of your children. Please show us the way and reignite the fire that ice burned and this time with newfound wisdom and knowledge. Let the gifts, talents, and passions developed all be used to bring you glory and reflect your unfailing love. Thank you Jesus, please give us an appreciation for patience (the art of slow cooking) as we marinate on your Word and rest in your presence.

In Jesus's name I pray.

Amen.


What are you going to do with the dream?

Taking the Risk

 Throw back  blog never released- as we tackle the mind,
 let's overcome our fears-  LET'S GO!!!

Will you join me to KILL all that hinders?

After what it seems like a century, it's time to move forward. No more crutches, no more fear! Face to face with the thing that has terrified me for years, progress. Funny how I wrote a blog about control and used the movie analogy- it was a movie that was used to break me tonight. As I perused through Nexflix, I came across a movie that acted as a beautiful interruption to my program of procrastination.  The movie was about a guy trapped in his past to the point that he suffocated God given gifts, blocked love and fought to be content with mediocrity. After the guys talents were discovered, he was forced to undergo therapy to deal with his fears so that he could face his future. Every attempt failed until the young lad met an unlikely candidate that was just as gifted, life also had taken its best punch at his soon to be mentor as well. The mentor, acting as the wounded healer coached the young man to reality and hope in his own future- within the assignment something supernatural happened. The mentor who also was pained found his own sense of healing and new found purpose. The outcome, a beautiful symphony to where both parties ministered to each other.

The movie broke me, it lead me to wonder what happened to my fight. There I was, tears streaming down my face and I came to the realization that I was spiritually paralyzed. The fear of failure and repeating the horror of the past, left me in a place where I stopped moving. Even when I felt I was making strides in pursuing the goal, I was still protecting myself and working within a box of comfortably- allowing myself to be protected from vulnerability. Just like the young man, here God was again showing me His desire which leads right smack through my fear- this is a road I must cross to get where I am going. Its funny, I am terrified but a little excited.

There is a beautiful place in the wilderness where you are broken down to vulnerability, when you have nothing else. The place where there is nothing left and there is nothing to hide behind. In this place, no excuse is relevant, you see truth. I guess this is clarity given to the cliche "being naked before God".

Now, join me as we embark on a journey into the word. Family, let me be completely honest with you when I say that moving forward is a task- even completing this blog came with its share of distractions and deterrents but God is faithful and can and will carry us through anything if we only trust Him. Let's walk this thing out together!

Lord,

You are awesome, almighty and everywhere! Help me remember that and give you due praise in every situation. Allow me to properly discern the season and adjust fire with my response. Forgive me Lord for my cowardice approach in the face of the fear of failure, the worst thing imaginable is death, however, for your children, you have already conquered the grave- so I have NOTHING to fear!!! Give us new confidence and strength in who you are and who we need to be to glorify you rightly God. Overpower us and awaken us to your love, you pour out sooo much God- allow us to receive it. Transform us totally to look like you as we live to be your tools on the earth and your children in intimate relationship. Thank you for life, love and growth- in Jesus name. Amen

It's in your Head

How long will we grapple at straws? What's in your head?

Hello my friends, I have missed you.

While I was away, I have been living, thinking, attempting, failing, winning, remembering and falling in love all over again. I am seeing the simplicity of life and learning to enjoy it.

Silence used to be the most frightening thing to me, no noise,  just thoughts that would come and overwhelm me like a huge wave crashing on the shore.  A loud voice inside of me that speaks movement and life, success and the admiration of others.  The voice would tempt my core,  speaking "you want these things, naturally you NEED these things". This voice convinces that I had a right and was entitled to my desires. So on the inside I have an endless hunger that can never be satisfied. In addition to the inner turmoil, the art of comparison acts as lighter fluid to my enflamed heart as I would parallel myself to others. Breeding nothing but disappointment, this illusion also began to affect my relationship with my love. I expected a knight and shining armor and I was never rescued from the danger, instead I stood in the midst of chaos and the war rages.

Enough with the poetic symmetry.

I was angry folks, to the core. The war raged and I allowed it to, being moved by the things of little importance in comparison to the BIG PICTURE. I wanted change and a peace to calm the catastrophic battle inside.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

I understand how you can suffer as a "do gooder" and find no relief.  The brain is such a masterpiece and if uncontrolled can create an existence all of its own. I have seen first hand the terrors of the mind that is free to roam to any and everywhere it pleases. Interestingly enough, as complex as the war appears,  the silence that acts as a mortal enemy can also be your friend.  I was utilizing the tool incorrectly and fearing that which I needed most, space for God to speak and rest in me- this requires active listening for the voice I needed to hear God's, NOT my own.

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6

I have been asking the hard questions. I have been digging down underneath the surface to see what lies there. In freedom and true deliverance, you need silence to hear the voice of God. You also have to fight using his tools to keep space for God. Unattended, the mind, will and emotions get flooded with garbage. So I am going to do something different. I am going to digest the scriptures based on the mind asking the Spirit of God to break down His word and equip me with His knowledge to live well- I will share with my friends and hope you will do the same. 

Thinking for eternity produces a different character- I want to be changed to be like Jesus.

Jesus, 

Thank you for who you are. I confess I have not always used my spiritual resources well and I have allowed my mind to wander. Father, lead me to your well spring for my soul and satisfy my heart. Produce good fruit on the inside that you find pleasing and allow me to be a blessing to those around me. Set my heart ablaze for truth and righteousness. Take my mind and occupy that space, give me your mind and intentions and let my motives be pure. Lord please, change me from the inside out- in Jesus name Amen.

* NEXT BLOG- BRAIN STORMING- HIS WAY*

Enough Already, I Don't Need Control........

Hi - remember me?  Just in case you forgot- My name is Liberty.

Ka-Pow, that's me*

One thing you may not know about me is that I love to escape in a great movie. At any given moment when I have free time you can find me perusing Netflix to discover a good foreign film. If not Netflix, you can find me head first in the discount bin at Target or Walmart. Classics for 5 bucks- what a steal. (My last purchase was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin) Yet it does not matter if its Netflix, Redbox, or the discount bin- once I get home and settled, its a guarantee that I skip the previews, go straight to the menu, sometime even skip the play option to opt for scene selection and travel to the exact point of the movie I want. In some instances, I skip to the halfway point because there is a particular part I want to see. Thank God that life is not set like a Blu ray- boy would I miss out.

We can watch Superman but let's not try to be him. Let Christ be the Superhero.

The last time we spoke, my life was unraveling- for the better. My Kung Fu type grip of control that I thought was letting up, maintained the same strength and hold that it always had. I was really fooled, I thought things were improving but I still managed to manipulate myself and hide behind different walls. As the floor underneath me crumbled, reality set in. I thought to myself- how long does it take for a person to hit rock bottom and really see the truth- geesh. I need to drop the remote and let my movie play.


Over the past year, life seemed to scream louder than ever and things are a bit clearer. Painful yet eye opening, I choose to carry my cross through life's challenges. I have had good moments and tough moments but one thing remained- God was faithful. As the challenges would arise My awareness was peeked, I would discover new points to explore internally.

The routes to my roots were beginning to reveal themselves.

• Hurt from Community
• Identity Crisis
• Forgotten Confidence
• What happened to my innocence?
• Unrealistic Expectations 
• Killing the Labels
• True Success
• Male versus Female- resurrecting from negative relationships
• Recovering from the pit of despair
• Joy Snatchers 
• The Word versus what I experience and so on........

I have questions, history, and experiences but I desire to know truth. Outside of my intellect there is a life that exists and only Christ can reveal it. I did not forget about Joshua 7/8 but I am living it out- day by day (another blog). My story is becoming beautiful out of the ashes it once was. I am seeing the life hidden after death, although I have a ways to go. To some the Bible reads as a novel and for some it's their Hitchhikers guide to life-with the Holy Spirit as the guide. To some Christ is cliche and to others the very reason they live. This year I have been chasing the questions, looking to God to provide the answers. I am growing confident in the woman He has created me to be, slowly but surely. Hurt is inevitable but how we process and progress through the pain is totally up to us. Will we allow the past to cripple us or will we choose to fight through the pain with God and overcome the situation.

*sidenote* Today I came across a blog called Gitzen Girl, there was a wonderfully beautiful blog written on the wholehearted surrender- that's my goal. It was so epically timely and lovely that I have pasted it below: 

http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2009/10/crazy-love-your-best-life-later.html

I have a new outlook on Christianity, faith, struggle and victory. I know what it is like to be terrified of something so much that you can't see past the fear and for God to ask you to let Him into that very area. For people to judge the person you were, are, and who they THINK you will be while you are trying to discover yourself. For anxiety to build every time to come close to progression and to feel more comfortable retreating. To hide while God waits patiently for you to trust Him enough to transform your life, I know. There is something that I have always heard and now believe, the key is going through- with Jesus. To allow Him to go underneath the hood and see what keeps you running (motives, fears, faith), trust in Him with everything and NEVER QUIT! (God has a way with time and strategy that you would not believe)

Allow God to complete the story, every great movie has its climax and every ending is different*

At this phases in life I am still letting God work on the depths of my heart. Some days are better than others but the bible says that "All things are made beautiful in its time" Ecclesiastes 3:11 so I trust that in every moment of difficulty God has a plan and I (as long as I am in His will) am living out my love story to Him. I trust that Christ's resurrection power will speak as I overcome every hardship and my testimony will proclaim Him as King in my life. I am more so now than ever obsessed with getting to "Know Him" Phillipians 3:8 and living to please Him.  No one loves you like He loves you. 

Come with me as I allow Christ deep within, and don't forget to drop the remote.

God, 

Thank you for never leaving me, through the good, the bad, and the ugly you have stood by me and held me up. Thank you for the lot I was portioned and your designed path set for my feet- I trust you know what you are doing. Lord forgive me for speaking out of turn, trying to do you job, and loosing faith in the process. Forgive me Lord for forgetting how great you actually are. I desire to sit with you and spend the intimate time you desire- God put my mind at ease as I seek you with everything in me.

Break the spirit of fear, doubt, and unbelief that try to hinder me in my quest. Protect those around me that I don't hurt others while dealing with my pain. Remind me Father that I don't know everything and allow me to deal with your children in patience in love- while in my own healing process. I trust your will for my own life as I do all that surround me. Holy Spirit, walk with me and please empower me to do what is right and pure in God's eyes. I give up my plan and seek your blueprint.

Lord, allow me to see before and outside of me, allow me to exhibit the compassion of Christ without mummer or complaint. God you are too good for me not to live like it so God help me break selfish ambition or a victim mentality, I am victorious in you. Christ saturate me with your blood, Jesus I need the power of resurrection for myself and others around me. We need to taste your victory Father, please encourage us to stay in the fight of faith with tenacity and courage. Thank you for everything you are and loving me when I find it a struggle to do it myself. You truly are my love. I love you Father, in Jesus name I pray Amen

I pray that you the reader are blessed and that God does amazing things through you as you go through your rough patch with Him. In Jesus name. And it is so :)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20

As He works in us, we believe this more and more.

 Unconditional Love, Unlimited Love, Complete LOVE- that's God.