Days 24 & 25

So I am back to the cocoon for a while and quite frankly very happy about that.  I am looking forward to this next week to see if this last trip away kicked me out of the slump I was in last week.  Lots happened on this trip and I feel so empowered like never before.
Had a conversation with one of my daughters' friends who was trying to get me into a religious argument, was able to stay pretty calm for most of it, then the WORD stepped in and the peace that took over was a miracle to me!  I could actually feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as I was talking about something in the WORD to her, like I have never felt before.  You know how I keep talking about "the smokescreen"....can I even imagine how much I have missed in this lifetime?  Listen to what Beth Moore said yesterday....The most effective means the enemy has to keep believers from being full of the SPIRIT, is to keep us full of ourselves.  Smoking definitely kept me from being full of the SPIRIT!!  Do you know how much time it takes to have a habit like this?  For me, it was planning when I could have a smoke, and keeping track of that plan throughout the day.  So full of my self!!
I did walk into my house today and thought about when would I have a smoke?  When do these thoughts go away?  Is this something I will always live with?  One of my dearest friends is on day 5 (praise the Holy One of the universe!) and she is listening to a meditative cd about quitting smoking.  It is telling her to keep repeating certain phrases like 'I am a non-smoker' and others.  Not a bad idea and I am going to try that.  Oh, and by the way, she got the post nasal drip and is actually being able to tell people, "Oh, pardon me, I have post nasal drip because I quit smoking!"  Not fair she got to steal my line!!  Too, TOO Funny....we have been laughing pretty hard over this!
So the last couple of days have been pretty great all around and my readings have mostly been in Proverbs...the proverb that is most affecting me is Prov 8:32-36.  This version is from The Message...
 ^32-36 "So, my dear friends, listen carefully;
   those who embrace these my ways are most blessed.
Mark a life of discipline and live wisely;
   don't squander your precious life.
Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,
   awake and ready for me each morning,
   alert and responsive as I start my day's work.
When you find me, you find life, real life,
   to say nothing of God's good pleasure.
But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul;
   when you reject me, you're flirting with death." 

This whole proverb is talking about wisdom...enough said!


Day 23 & 24....faced some tough areas and conquered some fears, didn't sleep hardly at all, drove 1200 miles, laughed hysterically and cried hysterically, .......rest of life??? wiser and wiser, clearer and clearer!!

Blessings on your life, seek Wisdom in your every day, which is the WORD.  Keep praying for me, I need it so badly and remember, today is the first day of the rest of your life.  Make it count, love yourself to your fullest capacity and praise the KING of KINGS for what HE is doing for you.  I love you all so much.

Jules