Life Today is a daily program I watch occasionally, usually when Beth Moore is on.  Yesterday, Kathy Troccoli was in for the James and Betty Robison.  Liz Curtis Higgs was the special guest.  She is the author of Bad Girls of the Bible.  http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com

Liz was talking about her favorite "bad girl" Leah. Leah is the girl Jacob received first after working 7 years for Rachel, twice as long as a customary bride price.  She went on to say that Leah was unloved, unwanted, and probably despised because of her and her father's sister switch trick on the wedding night.  And because of this, she was very lonely.  Seeing this loneliness, God opened her womb and gave her 3 sons with NO change in status with her husband after each.  After having her 4th son, Leah said she would "praise God" and named the 4th child Judah, which means "praise." 

As you know, Rachel had Joseph.  You know the story of the coat of many colors, his being sold into Egyptian slavery, and ultimately saving his family from starvation after enduring years of oppression and rise to power in Egypt.  God is so good.  Liz pointed out that God used Leah, not Rachel to provide the lineage of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus is from the tribe of Judah.  It was Leah's faith in God and her leaning upon Him for fulfillment which lead to our hope of salvation. 

Isn't that remarkable. God can use any situation you get yourself in to reveal His Purpose and Glory. I've gotta read those books!

Whoopi!  I found some free online course work for Bible Study.  Well, most of it is free. It is Christiancourses.com.  I'm SO excited.

My daily Bible study consists of reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  I read it long time ago, but forgot the contents, and she has updated it since originally writing it.  I do want to be a woman after God's own heart.  My Bible Hero King David was a man after God's own heart.  It is so easy to say, but actually accepting God's will sometimes may not be in harmony with personal will.  Here is where it gets hard, setting aside personal will for God's will.  So, I've purposed myself to be more in tune with God.  I'm a hard headed person by nature, so it goes against the core of my being to not "have it my way."  Although after having children, "not having it your way" gets easier.  Still, God's will can be awe inspiring which could be a little intimidating at times.  But, His grace is sufficient.

Walkingthewalk sent me a flyer regarding Soul Spa, a women's mini-retreat at Heritage Baptist Church.  She is going with her mom.  I miss not having my mom here to go with me.  You can't imagine how much.  Here is the link for anyone interested.  WTW, I hope you don't mind me sharing it  http://www.hbcm.net/clientimages/36311/soul_spa_flier.pdf

Most of my life, I've been blessed with surroundings which edified God and encouraged God's presence.  Praise the Lord, it began by growing up in a Christian home with parents who loved the Lord with all their Heart, as God commanded.  Both became Christians in their adult life.  My Daddy, or Dutzy, as I called him, was a deacon who loved the Lord, loved his family, and encouraged the same for his children.  Momma was active in missions.  I can remember from the earliest helping to prepare the WMU study course materials, posters and whatnot.  Then there was Louise, my second mom, my babysitter, who was a Godly Christian woman also.  One of my fondest memories with her was going to a Missionary appointment service at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.  Ms.  Helen, another dear friend of my mom's continues to encourage me in HIS walk with emails and phone calls.  I am SO blessed to have such mentors in my life.  Fortunately, God placed me in working environments such as the Alabama Baptist State Convention, Morningview Baptist Church, Gulf Shores Assemby of God, and other Christ centered organizations. Other mentors arose from these places; Edd and Kathy for one.  The icing on the cake in church attendance was participating in the congregation services of John Hagee and David Dykes.  These are wonderful preachers as have been all of my pastors.

Lastly, I am truly blessed to have a husband who loves the Lord and tries to walk the walk not just talk the talk.  Johnny, I love you dearly!  I pray, my feeble attempts at raising my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord have created an eternal love for God the Father, His son Jesus, our Savior, and His Holy Spirit. 

I am so blessed to be born in our country, one founded on God.  I could have been born across the ocean in the middle east, or some other place where God does not reign supremely and another form of god, an idol, is worshiped.  Thank you God, thank you for my parents, my country, my home.