Realigning Our Thoughts...

Try it...take three slow deep breaths. I aim to encourage you to take a time out today for yourself. Realign your thoughts. My hope for you is to experience the love of Jesus as described in Ephesians 3:18-19...I pray that you would be able to grasp how long and wide and high and deep the love of Christ is for you and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.

Here's where the attention to detail comes in...let's challenge ourselves to receive His love that surpasses our understanding. May His abundant love resonate into our deepest soul holes. This may take time, even extreme effort. The result i long for is to be so fulfilled with His love that we begin to pour it out onto ALL of those around us...

What is limiting you from receiving His bottomless love? Tell Him, He's listening!!!

August 1st Memory Verse

My family and I returned two days ago from Marco Island, FL. A much needed vacation. Serious relaxation! Serious play! This explains why I am late with this post. Thank you for your inquiries as to where I was and why I had not made an update. Your inquiries keep me inspired.

Here goes...

Job 27:4-6
4 my lips will not speak wickedness,
and my tongue will utter no deceit.
5 I will never admit you are in the right;
till I die, I will not deny my integrity.
6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it;
my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.

For now this is the Scripture that I find will be easy to memorize and somewhat harder to live out. I am in the latter half of a seven year battlefield with my neighbor. Yes, my NEIGHBOR! Not a pretty position to be in. Let me also let you in on something almost funny!! On one side is the home/office of my beloved friend and pastor, and on the other is the opposite thereof. And then there is me and my family in the middle. Oftentimes I have to remember when my husband and me drove up in the driveway in January 2001 with our 9 month old son, this house screamed HOME. There was no doubt in my mind, this is where we were to live. Go figure!?!

I have to practice and recall Galations 5:22-23 when bombarded with the chaos this stirs up when preparing for trial (or any difficult situation for that matter). I memorized the Galations Scriptures last month on top of I Corinthians 2:9...not only word for word but in sign language too! I found the sign language portion to be an AMAZING experience; using my very hands to cite God's Word was a form of worship I had never experienced. I encourage you to try it when the opportunity presents itself.

On the plus side, being refined is a part of life that I embrace. Even when life events don't pan out as you hope or expect, the one thing that NEVER EVER changes is God. His love for you and loyalty to you. This soothes my soul.

Mid-July Scripture Memorization, 14th Verse

I wish you could hear the excitement of my fingers as they type over the keyboard today.  Together we have made it midway thru the year memorizing the very word of God that keeps our minds guarded from our old habitual way of thinking.  Praise Him!  I don't know about you, but this has been one of the single most productive exercises I have ever experienced.  I know some weeks can be challenging, but fear not, you can keep your selected verse in que until you get it down.  Then continue on, every 1st & 15th.  You can do this, I believe in you!

1 Corinthians 2:9
"No eye has seen,
  no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
  what God has prepared for those who love him."

Rejoicing in the lazy, non-structured days of summer...

Paul pleads with us to live it out...

In I Timothy 6:12 Paul urges Christians to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

'Your good confession' references the time in your life when you believed with all your heart and confessed with your tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. (Romans 10:8-10)

I love Paul's passion to live out the faith, to fight the good fight because we all need spurring on from one day to the next. I hope this post brings you to a place where you pick up your cross and persist to live out your faith in Christ Jesus. Your discipline and obedience will be rewarded to you in the heavenliness! Remember, HE is our power and strength in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). Now, onward Christian Soldiers...Love you!!

July 1st Scripture Verse, 13th verse

Happy FOURTH of July to you and your families. FREEDOM...such a beautiful gift to our country. I hope you find yourself striving to keep God's Word planted deep in your hearts, minds, and spirits.   Regarding my last verse, we did receive a good showering of rain in ATX a week and a half ago and even a few sprinkles yesterday close by!!

I have to say, I am beyond words with the accomplishment of following through with the Beth Moore Jesus the One and Only study!   I did it solo, so it was a long winded journey; an impressionable one though,  through the book of Luke and others.  Summer.   It has been complicated thus far.   Brysen (a.k.a. "BT", 10) has had two injuries due to broken glass and two sets of 5 stitches each in less than 30 days.   You don't understand;  this child was not even horsing around.   He and his friends were having good ole clean fun at the lake both times.   His inner strength and courage came solely from the Lord.  He is a sensitive boy, most cuts and scraps have him on his knees.  Of course, Todd was out of town on both occasions.   First the foot, now the arm.  All together this has definitely been a humbling experience.   No golf, baseball, or swimming.  Poor child!   Ava Lauren is as peachy as she could be.   A sweet little smile with two less front teeth and the prettiest golden-white-blonde streaked hair I've ever seen!   Love that summer sun!   I need to get out more and get me some of those natural highlights!!   Todd has been traveling, burning the candle at both ends most times. Good news...we booked a vaca today for Marco Island, FL.   It's been a few years since Todd and I have been and our first time to take the kiddos. We are all beginning to count the days!

My July 1st Verse...Psalm 63:7-8, "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."



In an effort to stay consistent with MITI, I am also praying Scripture over BT & Ava this summer and thought I would share them with you...


Luke 2:40...May Brysen & Ava grow and become strong, filled with wisdom. And may the favor of God be upon them.


Philippians 1:9...It is my prayer that your love may abound within Brysen & Ava more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.


I Peter 5:5...Brysen & Ava, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposed the proud but gives grace to the humble..

I hope you are enjoying true Freedom in Christ!  (Galations 5:1)

Why memorize Scripture?

The answer is the four letter word hope. In the Greek, the word hope means confident expectation.

Romans 15:4 reads "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us; so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Romans 15:13 reads "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Let us choose to live it out with confident expectation!

June 15th Scripture Memorization

So time flies by in the summer!  Here I am trying to get acclimated to no schedule...not pretty, at first!  For nine months we live a pretty structured life around our house, so we get into a routine.  I am certain, this is the case for most families with school aged children.  That first week was extreme chaos.  For no other reason other than adjusting to new activities like a moms and kids CrossFit class, tennis, golf, baseball, and just plain ole down time!  Usually I don't plan a thing!  But with my 10 year old son, we are in dire need of keeping him active to keep him as even keel as possible!  This brings me to a state of gratitude...I am thankful for his athletic abilities and interests.  As for my sweet baby girl, albeit 7, she is so easy to please and is taking interest in tennis.  Oh, I can't forget the tutoring, both are being tutored over summer break.  I have learned the average child looses 3-4 months of knowledge from the previous school year if there is not summer academic maintenance.  It sounds like were busy, but really these activities are scattered all over the week, so it is highly manageable with plenty of time to play until we fall into a deep slumber at nightime.

I trust you too are getting acclimated to the summer months and find time to study God's word in the midst of your every day.  I am rapping up a Beth Moore study titled Jesus the One and Only.  How about you?  What is God placing before you this summer?  I know this google account response is a bit inconvenient.  Please bear with me.  All emails are welcome at ltrenasty@hotmail.com .

Now, down to business!  Kudos to our SIC, Teri from Florida, who has picked another wonderful verse this month.  I am taking this one on too for more reasons than one.   Here goes...

Psalm 68:9 (NLT)
"You sent abundant rain, O God,
    to refresh the weary land."

Love you and I hope your summer brings refreshment to your soul!

Goodness vs. Sin

Do you ever toggle back and forth on why you need Christ? I encourage you to read what the apolostle Paul says regarding the human struggle with goodness. Romans 7:18-25 NIV reads...

18 "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

This Scripture reminds me that any goodness in me stems from Christ and Christ alone.

HE gives us the Holy Spirit to stand up against the wages of sin. And when we fail, HE is with us reaching out to us with compassion and forgiveness. Now that's something to cling to. And celebrate!

June 1st Scripture Memorization

One and a half days until summer is official!  If you and yours have reached vacation mode, I am a godly jealous!  For three weeks now I have struggled finding true, uninterrupted time to be with God and read His Word.  This has put a damper on my Spirit.  Big time.  If it wasn't getting my family ready for a trip to southern Germany, it's been triathlon training, end of year school needs, paperwork, errands, so on and so on.  I have been a creature of habit. With my routine getting out of sync, re-prioritizing hasn't happened easily. I have been neither an early bird or a night owl lately, so that's been out.  The good news...God continues to draw me near.  He is longing for me as much, if not more, than I long for Him.  He is gracious.  Full of compassion. (Isaiah 30:18, Feb. verse!)  For this I am thankful.  I hope you have been a better steward of your time lately.  With all this being said, I long for regaining my intimacy with Him....come on summer, come on!!

Without further to do, let's talk radical empowerment.  Memorizing Scripture.  We are at the half way point, Sisters!!!  Need motivation?  How about GNO...a girls night out with food and fellowship?  A half day at the spa?  If there is enough of us we can qualify for a major discount at Lake Austin Spa?  Or, how about taking a road trip to Houston to celebrate with fellow Sisters and The Living Proof Live Ministry (aka Beth Moore). To qualify we must keep up the good work and memorize, memorize, memorize!  This discipline has been my savings grace! Let's get out those spirals!! Do share and spur one another on.  Your loyalty will be uplifted.

Psalm 25:20-21
"Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame for I take refuge in You.  May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You".

May 15th Scripture Memorization

Notebook time!!   You CAN do this!  I know this is a hectic time of year as the school year comes to a close, but you can do this.  Keep up the incredible work the Lord is doing in your heart, mind and soul.  You all inspire me to do the same.  Any verse will do, pick one that speaks to you directly right here, right now...

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Remember, after you get the May 15th's verse down, go back and recite from the beginning starting with January's verse everyday.  It sounds worse than it is.  Remember to call upon the help of our Lord.  He can work wonders!  Love and hugs!

May 1st Scripture Memorization

I'm really excited to kick this month off with Psalm 27:14.  One of our Sisters (Teri, FL) suggested it!  Get out your spirals!  You won't be disappointed.  The Word, embedded in your heart and mind, is vital in keeping your form from the edge and/or the slippery slope of 'the pit'.

The Psalms is a compilation of poetry to express praise, worship, and confession to God.  Psalm 27 inparticular, written by David. offers help for today and hope for the future.  This verse will no doubt bring us confidence and remind us to fully surrender and allow God to be in the driver's seat.

"Rely on the Lord!  Be strong and confident!  Rely on the Lord!"  Psalm 27:14 (NET)

Choose any verse you want.  Make it personal; it will be easier for you to memorize!!

Sweet blessings to you and your loved ones.

Have you heard...Jesus' love for you is radical...

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)

I trust this Scripture brings hope alive in you today. You are His. Please let this resonate with you today...Jesus wants to be your Savior; your Redeemer each and every day you draw breathe...in ALL circumstances; big and small!

Abiding in HIS radical love today. Please join me...He's waiting!

The Cross...

For all the Christ-followers out there this is going to be an emotional weekend.  God's 'only begotten Son' was judged, ridiculed , hated on, and tormented all the way to Calvary...on our behalf.  Our sinful behalf.    Jesus Christ was the perfect, One and Only Son of God.  He was flawless.  And He was nailed to a wooden cross to redeem mankind and to save us from our sins, because He loves us.  I trust we, as the chosen people, will take a time out to resonate on this moment in time.  Remember, he was forced to carry his own cross up the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem to Calvary, where he suffered indescribably.  His mother, Mary, was an eye witness.  This day is now referred to by the Church as Good Friday.

In order for us to get to the celebration of Easter we must first remember the cross.  When I envision Jesus' body hanging on the cross for days, beaten and bloody, I have sympathy on Him.  It reminds me that we too, as Believers, will be judged, ridiculed, and sometimes hated on.  We are to stand firm in our faith for Jesus Christ's sake.  Most of us will never meet this level of severity.  I find it hard to complain about any such level of mockery.  Who are we to complain about such, when our Saviour took all the heat.  For me, the cross puts it all into perspective.  We have a choice to make.  We can take life's distractions and let them bring us down (the enemies ultimate purpose), or we can lay our distractions down at the cross and let God be our Guide.  Psalm 48:14 (NIV) says, "For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."  We need to choose to trust Him in all situations and in every circumstance.  James 4:4 (NIV) reads, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Now for the celebration!!!!  The Risen King!!!  Three days later an angel came down from heaven and said, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.'  Now I have told you."  (Matthew 28:1-7)    Ultimately, God shows His power and authority by Jesus' resurrection; victory over death.   Sing Praises!!!  This Easter weekend I trust you will honor and recognize Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, and His glorious promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him.

For a celebration to remember right here in Austin, Texas click here...http://www.serveourcity.com/site/
Shalom, Love and Easter Blessings to you and your loved ones!  Share God's Word!!

April 15th Scripture Memorization

My prayer for each one of you is to have a heart, mind, and soul that is fully surrendered to God as you live this life out with Him as your Guide; one who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising. Because God's Word is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, and judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12) I trust you are able to recall His Word at various times throughout your days and nights to rebuke any negative thought-life patterns that the enemy so desperately tries to manipulate us with. God's Word is stronger and penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. Let it shape our lives! Amen.

My verse for the latter part of April is...

"For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent."
Psalm 91:11-13 (NIV)

Remember, as you learn and recite your new personal verse(s) go back and start at January's verse and recite all the way through to today's. You will be kept safe by being armed with God's Word...the sword of the Spirit. For those of us who stick to it, we'll celebrate at the end of the year...Promise!!

April 1st Scripture Memorization

We are well on our way to arming ourselves with our seventh Bible verse!!!! What an amazing journey. I am so happy the Lord has given me the desire to study and memorize; without Him it would never be possible. Like many moms, after child birth and rearing children, my memory is limited and usually goes in at least seven different directions at one time!! I hope and pray you feel the power of God's Word penetrating your inner being and over turning your thought-life towards Him and His will for your meaningful and purposeful life.

Without further to do, let me introduce you to my April 1st Scripture. I have not memorized or truly broken down this in great detail, ever. So for me, this is a first. I look forward to it's fruit.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
FATHER, HALLOWED (holy) be your name,
YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give me TODAY my daily bread.
FORGIVE me my debts,
As I also FORGIVE my debtors
And LEAD ME not into temptation,
But DELIVER me from the evil one.

Please know that you can pick up where you left off or if you're just getting on board, WELCOME!!!! We like to write our verses on a 3x5 spiral notebook and/or you can use the 'notes' section on your iPhone or iPad, not to mention a free download from the App store titled 'Living Proof Ministries Siesta Scripture Memory Team'. I look forward to 'Comments' or e-mails from each of you on your chosen Scripture. Remember, God's word says "you are fearfully and wonderfully made"...Psalm 139:14.

My heart is for you to be content...

I have been thinking about each one of you a lot this week.  I hope you are putting your eyes on the Lord.  Contentment with what God has placed before you is what I so desperately want all of us to experience.  I have become to trust God in the midst of my confusion, uncertainies, and various other trials by practicing Thanksgiving in my prayer life.  I have been advised to this before, but cannot say I was at a level of spiritual maturity to grasp the full understanding, therefore did not put it into play.  I believe humility can bring thankfulness during life's challenging times that result in finding favor in the eyes of our Lord.  My heart's desire for you is to give all your worries and anxieties to the Lord because He cares for you.  He promises to lift you up in due time.  (I Peter 5:6-7).  Let this inspire you to not only give Him thanks for the positive situations in your life, but to come to a place where you can give thanks during trying times too.  In doing so, we give Him the opportunity to refine us while subsequently building our trust in Him.

Phillippians 4:4-9 reads...
4  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!    5  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.    6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.    7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.    8  Finally, ...sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.    9  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Shalom. (Peace be with you)

March 15th Scripture Memorization

The good Lord is mighty and awesome in power...Amen?!  The habit of memorizing scripture has certainly pulled my head out of the gutter so to speak...aka "the pit".  God's word is clear..."For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12)  Thank you, Lord, for blessing my mind with the capability of memorizing Scriptures this season.  I pray for all my friends who are graciously joining me in this venture, that you would also bless them with self discipline and a heartfelt desire to continue to hold their minds captive with your powerful and moving scriptures.  In Jesus' beloved and righteous name, Amen.

Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV)
Commit your way to the Lord;
     trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
     the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Wishing you a blessed Springtime of new spiritual growth!!!  Peace, Love and Jesus

March 1st Scripture Memorization

Psalm 43:3...O God, send forth your light and your truth to my life. Let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

I hope this day finds you able to enjoy the blissful sunshine. Thank you for encouraging me in my memory verse challenge by posting or e-mailing them to me. You are all so wonderful!! Keep up the good work! You can chime in anytime...

We do not go unnoticed...

Praise God! I find it super-comforting to know that we do not go unnoticed by Jesus. I hope you were able to read Psalm 139 from yesterday's (2/27) post. Here you will find that God is all-seeking, all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present. He is with us from sunrise to sunset and everywhere in between. When was the last time you feared you were going unnoticed by God? In Luke 8:46-47, there was a woman who reached out to Jesus for physical healing. She was bold in her faith.  She was in the midst of a very large crowd. She reached and touched Jesus' cloak.  She was hoping to go unnoticed by Him. Of course, Jesus being the all-knowing Son of God, asked the woman to identify herself. This dear woman fell to His feet trembling. In verse 48 He says to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." (NIV).

What an awesome sight!  Jesus was able to use this broken woman in a very public testimony.  He asked her to make herself known so that He could use her faith in Him as an example to others.  I hope that each one of us would carry out such great and mighty faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and expect Him to heal us from our brokenness, quandaries, sins, and cycles of self destruction and believe that He comes to our rescue.  Let's acknowledge Him, believe in Him, and expect Him to restore us so that we can experience true freedom in Christ.   Then we can share the good news...we do not go unnoticed!  Keep the faith, Sisters...it's imperative.

Building our faith...

I have found myself back at the foundation of the true purpose and mission of Jesus Christ. I pray to Him often (sometimes it seems like every second of every day). I don't always focus on His purpose or mission. Lately, He has seemed so vastly great to me that I found myself in need of taking a time out. A time to sit back and absorb who He is and what He's capable of. Do you get side tracked in your faith? Do you find yourself in a rut with your routine of bringing Him your life and forget who He is and what He's capable of?

Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) says:

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor (those who are with utter hopelessness).
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners (sinners)
and recovery of sight for the blind (those who are blinded by the enemy from Jesus Christ),
to release the oppressed (the broken)
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Jesus's ministry brings me to my knees. God sent His One and Only son to set you and me free from all of our hopelessness... worry, anxiety, need for perfection, fear, loneliness, exhaustion, relational struggles, etc. Anything that takes our attention off finding complete peace in Him needs to be prayed about. Let's build our faith together by (1) acknowledging we need Him in all areas of our lives (with the many hats we wear), (2) submitting all of our control to Him, and (3) expecting Him to act.

Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Read Psalm 139 for jaw-dropping wonders! Love you!