When we make the choice to be still before God, recognizing our great need for restoration, we open ourselves to knowing God more deeply. As you get to know Him in stillness, your heart and mind will gradually transform and His love, peace and joy will begin to characterize your life. His voice will guide you, not just in times of stillness, but as you live each day. You will begin to walk in peace as you rely on God’s strength, wisdom and direction rather than your own. Learning to rest in and be transformed by Him has a profound healing effect on every part of your being.

God is concerned with our complete restoration—spirit, mind and body. Walking in His peace is the pathway to your personal restoration and will bring noticeable change to the way you live. People will begin to see something different in your life—God’s light in you—and He will use your life to greatly impact those around you. When God restores your life toward wholeness, His work is not done. He will use your restored life to help bring healing and restoration to others.

The time is now. Turn to Him. Rest in Him. Draw near to Him. Be transformed by Him…This is being still with God. It is such a simple practice, but it is often a difficult discipline to develop. Yet God is waiting, arms open wide, for us to turn and face Him so He can begin to bless us, to heal us and to free us. You can experience His transforming presence and find healing from your dark valley.

The exciting thing is that it only takes a small change of focus to practice stillness with God. Make a simple choice to take minutes, hours or even days to be still with God, presenting yourself just as you are. God is waiting for all His children to be still so He can speak wisdom and direction to them. He wants to bless you with love, joy, peace, comfort and healing. He wants to heal and restore you.

If you desire to follow along and have new blog posts from this Be still and know that I am God, Psalm 46:10 series sent directly to your inbox click here.

Be Love, Give Love

Abby

His thoughts on Be Still and Know That I Am God.  Psalm 46:10

To begin the journey towards being still and knowing God two things have to be realized.  One is there is no formula for this and two this is a process that will be ongoing throughout a person’s life. These are not all-inclusive, just two that are high on my priority list. “Be Still” is how God chose to start this verse. This is, for me, the hardest part of the process. I’ve never been known for my being still… EVER! So when God began to speak to my heart on this verse I was very agitated. To make matters worse I didn’t realize why I needed to be still so that just added to the frustration.

Be STILL!  What does that mean?  Several things it doesn’t to start with. It doesn’t mean “Do nothing” it also doesn’t mean you have to sit for hours without moving. This refers to something internal more than external. There are two realms of consciousness to be noted. The natural realm is where we live, where we see and touch with our eyes and hands. The other is the spirit realm where God exists. The unique thing about humans is that we are the only natural creation of God that can go between the two and exist in both at the same time. Stillness is an inward place. It does help to be still in the natural while learning this process. As the process is mastered it’s more a place to abide inwardly no matter what goes on around you. God is Spirit so to truly have intimacy with Him it’s essential to learn this.  The “how” part is kind of like falling in love… you really don’t know how it happened but know that it did. Jesus said seek and you will find. If you seek stillness you will find it’s a realization that sneaks up on you before you figure it out with your head.

“Know” that I “AM” God! Knowing refers to experience here not just something you were told or read about. I pastored for 10 years with this truth eluding me, approaching God with my head and not my heart. This led me to legalism and emptiness. I could do the whole ministry gamut, but lacked the deep abiding relationship that produced fruit in my life. As I caught the stillness I began to experience God on ever deepening levels. Life began to be fruitful and filled with the Joy and Peace of the Lord! Experiencing God is a journey too!  His depths are unending and always just far enough out of reach to keep us hungry. Just when you think He can’t be any more satisfying His fragrance wafts in with a new aroma that entices us to seek again and taste and see that He is good!

Enjoy your journey! It truly is the great adventure!

BIO:  My name is Mike Brown.  I’ve been in pastoral ministry for over 15 years but have only learned the intimacy of relationship in the last 5 years.  For me ministry used to be about being doctrinally correct, but now it’s about relationship with Jesus and others.  It’s the greatest adventure I’ve ever experienced!

Mike Brown’s Blog:  The Journey

If you desire to follow along and have new blog post from this Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 series sent directly to your inbox click here.Be Love, Give Love

Abby

Blossoming out of the Valley – Announcing a New Online Bible Study

My friend Jennifer White and I would like to announce the introduction of the newest Facebook Bible Study we’ll be hosting in 2012.

We’d like to welcome you to Blossoming out of the Valley, written and led by Christian massage therapist and stillness expert Abby Lewis. Before you sign up for yet another study, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I want peace in my life?
2. Do I want to be free to live and love?
3. Do I want simplicity in my life?
4. Do I want restoration?
5. Do I want a healthier mind and body?
6. Do I want to be more aware of God’s unconditional and unfailing love?

In moments of stillness, God gives us the courage to look beyond our problems, fears, pain and insecurities—our dark valleys—and empowers us to make real and lasting change. Whether we have one primary struggle, or many, there is always hope for greater freedom and deeper peace. In Blossoming out of the Valley, Abby shares her journey from the chaos of anxiety, depression, addiction, physical pain and broken personal relationships to a life full of the love and blessings of God.

Jennifer and I will be co-hosts with Lewis, as she leads the weekly study online.

Here are the details:

• Order your book today
• The study starts Thursday, March 1st
• Join the Facebook study group here (Group is private)
• Study notes will be posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and there will be open discussions throughout the study
• Order your book (Just in case you forgot to do so above)

Don’t forget to invite your friends. Share this post with anyone wanting to find peace in their lives.

Here’s what a recent reader said about Blossoming out of the Valley:

“Blossoming out of the Valley” is compassionate and compelling, as Ms. Lewis conveys the love God has for you, and the grace that is ready to be poured down into your life. The author takes you through “first steps” in learning to walk with God. The message within the book brings you to a place, at the foot of God’s throne, where there is complete transformation from the inside out . . . leading to healing for the body, mind, and spirit by learning to receive all that God has to offer. After reading this treasure, you’ll be more aware of God’s unconditional and unfailing love for you-you’ll learn to draw near to God, so that He might draw near to you.

Check out more reviews on Blossoming out of the Valley here.

We can’t wait to get started. See you soon!

Sundi Jo

Be Love, Give Love

Today begins my new blog series:  Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10.

I hope you will stay with us over the next couple of months as myself and many other guest writers will come together to inspire you to be still and know that God is God.

If you desire to follow along and have new blog post from this series sent directly to your inbox click here.

Let’s Begin…

Have you ever experienced a moment of complete peace and stillness with God? Have you heard God’s voice whispering to you, offering you strength, wisdom, direction, clarity and peace? What is keeping you from taking time to be still with God? What changes do you need to be willing to make to begin a practice of stillness?

God desires to heal and restore all of us, no matter where we are on our journeys or how deep we are in our dark valleys. Learning to be still before God is the foundation of our delivery and our freedom. When we truly begin to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10), our lives will begin to transform. We cannot rest in the presence of God and walk away unchanged—He specializes in our complete restoration. And, we can approach God with confidence that He will respond to our seeking. God assures us in Scripture that He “will be found by you” when “you seek Him with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:14, 13). We are encouraged to “come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8). Come rest in His presence, and allow Him to reveal to you His transforming power and love.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Be Love, Give Love

Abby

Be Still and Know That I Am God.  Psalm 46:10

I have asked several people from all different backgrounds to join me in inspiring you to be still and know that He is God…Authors, Pastors, Former Pastors, Moms, Dads, Counselors, Singers, Doctors, Community Leaders and many more.

Starting Feb 1, 2012 my guest writers will be posting their thoughts, stories, personal insights and experiences that will encourage you to practice being still in God’s presence.

If you desire to follow along and have new blog post from this Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 series sent directly to your inbox click here.

Stay Tuned.

Be Love, Give Love

B-eing  U-nder  S-atan’s  Y-olk 

Is your life busy? 

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Take a few moments to watch this short video

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Click here to view the embedded video.

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

Do you remember the birth of your child?  Do you remember the transition part of the labor, the part just before you get ready to push?  If you had a natural childbirth like I did, then you can remember the transition in great detail.

Doctors and Midwives say that the transition is the hardest part of the entire delivery process.  So why is that?

Looking back on my son‘s delivery, during the transition time, I thought to myself:  there is no way I am going to be able to make it through this, to finish, to get to the end and I remember saying out loud,  “I can‘t do this anymore.”  My midwife and nurse had prepared me before hand that once I hit that moment where I say I can’t do this anymore, then I should take comfort in knowing that I am almost there…almost finish….that I have just a little bit further to go and before I know it I will be holding my precious child.

Tim and I are in a transition season of life right now.  God has been doing a work within us the last two years and we know the birth…the fruit of our labor is just right around the corner.  Right now we are persevering like never before, pushing through what seems to be the hardest part.  At times we become weary, frustrated and we think it is never going to end…that all the work we have had to do the last two years is for nothing.

But we regain focus.  We know what God told us and even when all things seem to be working against us…we are certain we are on the right track.  So despite it all, we choose to stay focused on God, we choose to stand up under the pressure, we choose to press on while holding tight to one another and we continue onward…trusting and hoping in God‘s plan for us.  We know it is just around the corner, the birth of the baby, the fruit of our labor.

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

Abby

What word would you use to describe YOU?

Ponder this:

If you could use only one word to describe yourself during this time in your life what would it be?  I want you to be honest with yourself.  Don’t describe yourself as others see you.  Describe yourself as you see you.  Take off the mask for a moment and look within.  What do you see?  How do you feel?

For years I lived with a mask on.  It was too painful to look underneath my mask, so I kept it secured tightly…until, I hit rock bottom 10 years ago.  The word I would use to describe myself  back then would have been chaos.  Now, 10 years later, the word I would use is blessed.  I have a powerful testimony of how God healed me from all the chaos and I share it in great detail in my book Blossoming out of the Valley.

So think about the word you used to describe yourself….peaceful, chaos, fear, love, depressed, noise, hurt, pain, joy, beauty, transformed, trapped, lonely, free, blessed….what word did you used?  Are you happy where you are?  Do you want to move forward?

It is time to take the next step so you too can Blossom out of Valley.

Be Love, Give Love
Abby Lewis

#1 book reviewer for Thomas Nelson Publishers, Cherie Hill, reviews my book, Blossoming out of the Valley.

5 Star Rating~A Treasure

Abby Lewis is a woman after God’s own heart. With beautiful transparency, she walks you through her journey from darkness into Light. “Blossoming out of the Valley” is compassionate and compelling, as Ms. Lewis conveys the love God has for you, and the grace that is ready to be poured down into your life. The author takes you through “first steps” in learning to walk with God. The message within the book brings you to a place, at the foot of God’s throne, where there is complete transformation from the inside out . . . leading to healing for the body, mind, and spirit by learning to receive all that God has to offer. After reading this treasure, you’ll be more aware of God’s unconditional and unfailing love for you-you’ll learn to draw near to God, so that He might draw near to you.

As if the book were not enough of a blessing, Lewis’ Cd, “A Breath in Stillness” is absolutely remarkable. I didn’t expect to experience such peace and calm while listening to it. I was captivated by Lewis’ beautiful voice that sounded as if I were hearing from an angel sent straight out of heaven.

Lewis’ book and CD are treasures from Heaven and her sacrificial life is a blessing poured out to all of us.

Obviously, I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Check out Cherie’s website  www.scripturenow.com

Be Love, Give Love

Abby

As the year comes to a close, I am always intrigued to know what is in store for me for the next year.  For the last several years I have made a point to sit with God and just ask him this question.  So instead of sitting and making “my” new year’s resolutions, I take some time to be with God and listen to what He has to say about the upcoming year.  He always manages to share with me something that will cause me to grow and step out of my comfort zone.  Each year, as I follow His leading, I am molded and shaped to be more like Him.  What a blessing it is to begin a new year with Him.

I encourage you to take a few moments right now and ask God this question….What do you have in store for me in 2012?

May you have a blessed and fruitful year!

Be Love, Give Love
Abby Lewis

Photo By: Chiaralily’s Photostream