Perfectionism...hum?!? This one is one that I know far too well. And as hard as it is for me to admit it, I took much pride in attempting to be perfect for far too many years. I honestly thought that if I could physically relate to the world that I had it all together (perfection), the less that I would have to face the fact that I was actually falling apart completely on the inside. Due to my insecurity in EVERYTHING, perfectionism was the one convected goal that my heart wanted so desperately to achieve. The sad fact about trying to achieve perfection is that it is IMPOSSIBLE...as humans we all fall short of the glory (and perfection) of God!!! In my quest in trying to constantly obtain this impossible goal, I created the perfect breeding ground for a life filled with insecurity. Thoughts like..."I will never be good enough, useful enough, competent enough, pretty enough, quick-minded enough,_____, ______, ______ enough..." consumed me each day.
Well, friends, in God's grace, He and I are making progress in both of these areas of perfectionism and insecurity!!!! When He first laid this women's Bible study and ministry on my heart, it took me an entire YEAR before I suggested anything to Bro. Scott because I was waiting for someone else to step up to this plate to do it! When I did go to Bro. Scott and suggest the need for a women's ministry at CrossPoint, I full-heartedly wanted him to suggest someone to me that he thought would be the perfect woman for the job. Well...the person that he suggested was FAR FAR from perfect...and was terribly insecure...and had baggage...and had her own issues...and was pregnant(good grief)!!!! Couldn't God have waited until I had my own act together before He asked me to do this!?! I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams that through this ministry, God would use it as a tool to help me get over myself! He has taught me that those in ministry are a far cry from perfect, but it is He who is made perfect through them! Ladies, it's not about us...it is about HIM IN US!!!
So our question is...
"Name ways a continued stronghold of perfection could be a severe detriment to your destiny."
I am a constant work in progress. And through this ministry, God is pressing from me to become more and more transparent with you. I am a far cry from perfection...but these days, progress is the goal that is far more important to me!!!
Love y'all,
Macki
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Week 4 Discussion Question
Well...I am writing this post with my sweet Mackinzie crawling in my lap and banging my head with the remote control. If I put her on the floor to play this early in the morning, she screams incessantly until I pick her up, so I am going to apologize early for any typos before I attempt to write anymore!
I don't know about you, but this video this week really "got" to me. Especially that part "to identify is to testify." My personal testimony is something that I struggle with sharing. You see, I have "dealt with my junk," but at the same time, I don't especially like to discuss the fact that, yes, I had junk...and at any moment, I may have more junk to deal with again! When Beth discussed, "trying to leave your past trials behind and attempting to forget that this past was a part of you" really hit home for me. I think that we can all relate to God's changing us from the inside out, and we want to live the life of the upward call. But this upward call is a call to transparency. If we can't relate to others, who on earth would want to be a part of this royal priesthood that God has given us. If we can't share God's redemption in our own lives, who on earth will grasp that they too could be redeemed!
So enough with my soapbox...here is our question for the week. It is taken from Day 1 on page 86.
"Has God ever allowed threat of trouble in your life to drive you to your knees. If so, what did you learn through the experience?"
Can't wait to read your responses!!
I don't know about you, but this video this week really "got" to me. Especially that part "to identify is to testify." My personal testimony is something that I struggle with sharing. You see, I have "dealt with my junk," but at the same time, I don't especially like to discuss the fact that, yes, I had junk...and at any moment, I may have more junk to deal with again! When Beth discussed, "trying to leave your past trials behind and attempting to forget that this past was a part of you" really hit home for me. I think that we can all relate to God's changing us from the inside out, and we want to live the life of the upward call. But this upward call is a call to transparency. If we can't relate to others, who on earth would want to be a part of this royal priesthood that God has given us. If we can't share God's redemption in our own lives, who on earth will grasp that they too could be redeemed!
So enough with my soapbox...here is our question for the week. It is taken from Day 1 on page 86.
"Has God ever allowed threat of trouble in your life to drive you to your knees. If so, what did you learn through the experience?"
Can't wait to read your responses!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Week 3 Discussion Question
Sorry Ladies that it has taken me this long to post our blog question. This week has been very challenging for me in finding a discussion question that we can openly discuss over the blog. The homework has been very convicting to me in Week 3, and I hope that all of you have felt the same way. Instead of asking a specific question, I am going to ask you to discuss one thing that was relevant to you in any of the 5 days of homework!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Love Ya Girls!!!
I just wanted to let all of you know how much I am really enjoying this Bible study! I absolutely feel that we have the BEST group of girls for both the morning and evening studies. There is no doubt that God has brought each one of you to this group for a reason. If you ever get overwhelmed with all of the homework, please remember that this group is a safe place and not a place to be intimidated...keep your head up and keep going as best as you can! Though many of you I am just beginning to get to know, ALL of you have become SO SPECIAL to me!!! I look forward to each week getting to see you and having the blessing of studying God's Word beside you. I am praying that all of your days this week are blessed abundantly! Love y'all...Macki
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Esther: Week 2 Discussion Question
When Beauty is A Treatment!!!
Ladies, let's have fun with this one!! This week, the topic is beauty, and no matter how much we would like to admit that it doesn't affect us...let's face it...it definitely does (and we LIKE it!!) I know that I like to "beautify" myself...as well as anyone else around who will let me "beautify" them...can we say "make-overs" anyone? Poor Mackinzie, at the age of 1 she is stuck tolerating me and my beutifications. Each morning, I have to put her piggy-tails perfectly in place and accessorize them with the exact shade of "oh-so-pink" bows to match her equally adorable outfit. And if her curls are not as curly as I like, I even give them a extra spring before she leaves the house! No, we aren't Toddlers and Tiaras...yet...but that's why I have you girls to keep me in line!!! If I bring Mackinzie to Bible Study with a tiara on her head, blue eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, spray tan, and a purple feather boa, that's when you may need to pull me aside for a "come to Jesus"!
So...here's our question for the week:
The Hebrew term translated "beauty treatments" in Esther 2:3 means "cosmetics, beauty treatments , precious ointments, soaps for bathing." If you're home right now, go into your bathroom, look in the cabinets, and make a list of as many items as as you can find that fall under these categories.
Have fun!!!
Ladies, let's have fun with this one!! This week, the topic is beauty, and no matter how much we would like to admit that it doesn't affect us...let's face it...it definitely does (and we LIKE it!!) I know that I like to "beautify" myself...as well as anyone else around who will let me "beautify" them...can we say "make-overs" anyone? Poor Mackinzie, at the age of 1 she is stuck tolerating me and my beutifications. Each morning, I have to put her piggy-tails perfectly in place and accessorize them with the exact shade of "oh-so-pink" bows to match her equally adorable outfit. And if her curls are not as curly as I like, I even give them a extra spring before she leaves the house! No, we aren't Toddlers and Tiaras...yet...but that's why I have you girls to keep me in line!!! If I bring Mackinzie to Bible Study with a tiara on her head, blue eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, spray tan, and a purple feather boa, that's when you may need to pull me aside for a "come to Jesus"!
So...here's our question for the week:
The Hebrew term translated "beauty treatments" in Esther 2:3 means "cosmetics, beauty treatments , precious ointments, soaps for bathing." If you're home right now, go into your bathroom, look in the cabinets, and make a list of as many items as as you can find that fall under these categories.
Have fun!!!
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