Progress Over Perfection

The Lord is not as concerned with our perfection, as much as he is concerned with our progress.

By Rebekah Page

My 5 year old son asks me today, “How do people become blind?” I begin to tell him that some people are born blind. He asks, “Why?” I say, “God sometimes will create hardships to draw people to him.”  But of course, I am not convinced that that was the “right” answer.  It is however, something I am learning and want him to know before he’s in his 30’s.  

You see, I see my daily struggles has hardships.  My struggle with _______. My predisposition to _______. My emotional reactions to _______.  These struggles consistently make me turn to Jesus, his word, his spirit, his hope.  Left to myself, I STRUGGLE.  Relying on him, I have PEACE.  His spirit trumps any emotion, any pain, any battle. As I hang onto my sinful nature, it get’s comfortable and takes up residence in a space normally occupied by the “spirit”.  The last two weeks have been particularly eye opening to me because I was being “dragged away by [my] own evil desires and enticed by my flesh.  I was cramming  two or three days of my beloved #first5 app into the evenings or reading and praying haphazardly. “ I am not perfect, I am not effective, and my prayer life is in shambles”, I thought.  Although I was “into” reading Paul’s story in Acts and all he went through, I missed some of his story.  More importantly, I missed some of God’s story and what he had available to me these last two weeks.  A redo of my past, is not an option, but I can recalibrate my today and say,  “My mornings belong to the Lord, they are sanctified and holy to the Lord.” And I pray the same for you. With the Lord's help, we will never miss a day.  But when we do, we’ll keep persevering in the knowledge of the truth, using resources like the #first5 app to progress in our knowledge and love for the scriptures.  I know more about the Bible, the Lord and his story than I ever did before I started the  #first5 app.  Now that’s progress. Not perfection. But progress!

So as I was feeling sad for not being 100% consistent these last two weeks, Dr. Vernon McGee reminded me and I’ll paraphrase, [The Lord is not as concerned with our perfection, as much as he is concerned with our progress. ]

The #first5 app is a very practical way to get your WORD ON.  And, we just started learning about Numbers this week. What a great time to start!

Quote from the first 5 app today was, “God puts every detail in place to move His people forward in faith.” - #KristaWilliams @kristawilliams_

More Information on Dr. Vernon McGee:

Dr. Vernon McGee’s ministry is Thru the Bible and their Bible studies are available in 80+ languages on their TTB app and their website is here.

While teaching in the book of Hebrews, Dr. McGee said, “The only way you and I are going to stay close to Jesus is to stay close to His Word . . . that’s why we’re spending time in the Word of God, and the reason I read letters from people on the air.  They say ‘for the first time I found out about the joy of the Lord.’ The Christian life has been a yoke on them; all they knew was duty and discipline.  But when you spend time studying the Bible, you can’t help but be drawn to the Person of Jesus. That’s what you should listen for in the letters we read—listen for the joy of walking close to Jesus.”

The First 5 App

Transform your time with God using the First 5 app, developed by Proverbs 31 Ministries. We believe in giving the Lord our firsts! So it only makes sense for us to give Him our first thoughts of each day. First 5 was specifically designed to wake you up with a short teaching in God’s Word first, before you get distracted by social media and everything else screaming for your attention. It will equip you to better study and know the Word of God.

Features
• Alarm Clock Functionality: Avoid distractions by using our built-in alarm clock. Set your alarm in the app and choose a custom message.

• Daily Scriptural Teaching: When you turn off your First 5 alarm, you’ll go straight into a 5-minute Teaching.

• One verse a day - We unpack books of the Bible using one verse per chapter per day. So, instead of your verse of the day being random, with First 5 you’ll start to sense real progress in your understanding of the Bible.

• “My Moments”: Reflect and respond to each day’s First 5 teaching. Visit the “My Moments” menu item to see your collection of responses from previous teachings.

• Share and Engage: Connect with people all over the world who are also giving their First 5 minutes to God by commenting under each First 5 teaching.

• Weekend Wrap-Up Video: Each Saturday, you'll receive a 10-minute video from the First 5 writing team with additional teaching from that week's passage of Scripture.

• Mobile Backgrounds: Stay connected to what you’re learning and keep God’s Word front and center in your life by using our designed lockscreens. They’re free and easy to download!

The First 5 App

Proverbs 31 by Jenny Colon

Guest Illustrator Jenny Colon

 Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

11 

Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

12 

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

13 

She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

14 

She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

15 

She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

16 

She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 

She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 

She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 

In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 

She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

21 

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 

She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 

She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

26 

She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 

She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

29 

“Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.”

30 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Free Online Summer Bible Study - The Armor of God

Are you interested in finding a Bible Study this Summer but don't really have the availability to physically attend one? Lifeway has a solution for you! Beginning on June 9th, they are offering a free online Bible study. It just so happens that they chose Priscilla Shirer's Armor of God study which I was so fortunate to study this Fall. It's free and in the comfort of your own home. That means that you can work it in around your schedule. Although I have already been through the study once, I am thrilled to go through it again! Should you be interested in joining the 20,000 plus women who will be suiting up in the Armor of God this Summer, please go to the here to sign up.

Catalyst Leadership Conference, Atlanta, GA 2014

Please note, I am not an affiliate of Lifeway in any way. I just love God and adore Priscilla Shirer! I have had the pleasure of hearing Priscilla in person on a few occasions. Most recently, she was in Mt. Pleasant, SC on her Fervent tour.  As much as I love these pictures that I cherish with my girl Priscilla I have to admit that alas, I do not personally know her, have connections with her or have her on speed dial, lol. Although I wish all of these things were so, unfortunately all I do have is the ability to stand in long lines to meet her and tell her what a blessing she has been in my life!

Fervent Tour, Mt Pleasant, SC 2016

We are thrilled to announce that our online Bible study this summer will be The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer! This study has already had an impact on the lives of many of you and we can’t wait to see even more of you learn how to suit up!

The study will begin on June 9 and go until July 21. We’ll post a video here every Thursday during that time and ask you to participate by answering questions in your group or on our blog or on the private study Facebook page.

To participate in the online study:

1. Go to your email and add “womensministry@lifeway.com” to your contacts. This way, our emails are less likely to go to your spam folder.
2. Fill out the form below to be added to our email list. You will receive a welcome email, but weekly emails will not begin until June 9. The emails are simply reminders to come back here and check the blog.
3. You’ll need to grab a copy of the The Armor of God Bible study book. You can purchase that here or at your local LifeWay store.

Then you’ll be ready to go!

Our hope for the online Bible studies is not that they’ll replace community in real life. Grab a friend or two or ten and do this study together, using the online videos as a fun addition to your study! If you are studying alone, that’s okay! We are so glad you’re here and hope you find friends and fellowship here.

A note about the Bible study videos: The Armor of God is a video-based Bible study, so there are videos available when you purchase a Leader Kit from your LifeWay Store or lifeway.com. Individual-use videos are also available to purchase for download from lifeway.com.  The videos for purchase are not the same as the free videos available here on the blog. The videos for purchase are longer (around 40 minutes each) and dive deeper into the topic of each session. They are the videos that go with the viewer guides in the Bible study book. We recommend them if you want to hear more of Priscilla’s teaching and learn even more about the armor of God.

Before you ask (because this is the most frequently asked question): The videos and study pages will stay up forever. We have no plans to take them down. So you can participate any time! If you can’t join in now or get behind, no worries! Come back when you can.

Guest Blogger: Rebekah Page

I hesitate to even write this.  I am not worthy. I am a broken and leaking vessel. I am lying in bed riddled with guilt from the day.  It is not every day that my heart is broken for how I have behaved or thought.  But tonight is different.  The spirit is leading me to tears yet my sinful nature is angry and bitter at the same time.  Good and evil are raging inside with a mixture of love-remorse  and guilt-and-sin.  

I trust in the spirit and stop and pray.  

“Lord, I know this __________ is still inside of me.  I see it.  I hate it and I am asking you to take it from me. Restore my soul.  I know that without you, I can do nothing good. Every good and perfect gift is from you.  I know that I need you to help me be more loving, caring, gentle, patient, and kind.  I need to be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry.  I do not want to think or feel this way, in Jesus name. Amen.”

But you see, without my brokenness and your brokenness we would want to glorify ourselves. Our brokenness is one way we are drawn to Jesus, who is our breakthrough. Who is the creator and perfecter of our faith.  Who chose us to be the first fruits of all he created.  We are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that he prepared in advance for us to do. Brokenness make us reliant on him and not on on our own good works.  For apart from him we can do nothing! Refreshing breakthrough does not come in my strength to do better, and think better, but by my willingness to listen and respond to his good pleasures and purposes.

So the Lord restored my soul tonight with that prayer.  I was reminded that I do not have to be perfect, to be loved.  I am a work in progress.  I can write this post confident I am who he created me to be.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created in His image to bear much fruit.  And though I mess up, I will run to him.  He is my true redeemer and friend.  His yoke is easy and his burden in light.   My spiritual walk is not measured by how good I was today or this week, but by how fast I run to Jesus to restore my soul and cleanse me from my sin.   I will turn to the truth, cling to the what is true, right, lovely, and worthy of praise.  I will cast off sin that so easily entangles me and the lies that deceive. I choose to walk in a way that is worthy of the calling to which Jesus Christ has called me. And he has called you.  He wants to walk with you and carry you when you need it until you BREAK FREE and BREAK THROUGH from whatever is hindering you.

Thank you Holy Spirit for leading me and thank you Jonathan Shanks for your sermon on Sunday that was inspiration for this post.

I’ll close with two acts of worship: (A Painting and a Prayer/Song)

• My Month of May painting of Matthew 11:30.

Using paint to infuse my heart, mind, and soul with truth.

• A Prayer from the song “Oceans” by Hillsong United  

“I pray that you would lead and we would follow. We are looking forward to going farther than our feet could ever go on their own.  We pray we would go into unchartered waters with you by faith, and because we were obedient, you will come through.  We know you will follow-through for you are our breakthrough.   Thank you Jesus for conquering sin and death.  Amen.”

Read the full lyrics at:

Hillsong United - Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Lyrics | MetroLyrics

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior”

Scripture References from the Post to Dig Deeper in Truth with Me:

Psalm 139:24

Psalm 80:19

James 1:17

Galatians 5:22

James 1:19

Ephesians 2:10

John 15:5  and John 15

Matthew 11:30

Hebrews 12:1

Philippians 4:8



Thank you so much Rebekah for sharing this important message about relying on Christ and His strength to help us "Break free and break through" our struggles! I know I need to break free and break through many things DAILY! I look forward to many more teachings from you on this blog! Just like God put a word on Rebekah's heart, I know He is stirring in many of the hearts reading this. If you are ever interested in being a Guest Blogger or Illustrator on One 39 Fourteen, please let us know!

What I Love Wednesday!

It's Wednesday! Half way to the weekend is a reason to celebrate by introducing you to some neat products! This year I learned about the Be Still Clothing Co. through my son's first grade teacher, Mrs. Carroll. I loved her t-shirt one day so I went home and googled what it said. Up popped the Be Still website! I love the positive, life giving messages on their products! 

I absolutely love these three from Be Still Clothing Co! Here are the few I have below:

This one is my very favorite.

Here is a little more about the company in their own words:

You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bestillclothingcompany

How Reading the Bible is like Going to the Gym

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Today I had a great epiphany while in a step class at the gym.For me, going to step class for really the first time in 2 years, was in many ways an illustration of how my life feels to me whenever I get out of the habit of reading the Bible.

The class begins with a basic march in place and I'm feeling great, I got this! Then we do a few other basic moves and again, I feel like, I've got this. Now, comes the actual choreography. Suddenly, I don't feel like I've got it and somehow the class has shifted on some kind of crazy turn-around-step and now the whole class is facing the back of the room. Meaning, I'm now at the front and the instructor is in the back. Two problems here. One, I can no longer see my teacher so I don't even know where to begin. Two, I'm now front and center displaying my lack of understanding to the whole class.


I had two choices quit or smile and march it out. Though I wanted to quit, I decided to humbly march it out while accepting that...I am confidentially uncoordinated and for the first time in my life I was actually comfortable with that.


The truth is I need to see my teacher every step of the way. I need to hear her voice telling me what to do next. And, even with seeing and hearing her steps and commands I still find a way to misstep and look awkward. In her sweet and patient way, she continued to encourage me in the midst of my missteps and marching while the rest of the class was managing pretty well.


This silly little situation illuminated my relationship with Christ many times. The more I go to the gym, the easier the class becomes and the more I recognize the steps and commands. With Christ, the more I seek him, the more I find him. The more I find him, the more I love him. However, in seasons when I am not reading His Word nor interested in seeking His guidance I find myself making many missteps and struggling to keep up with the music of life.

In the midst of all my missteps, I stopped to take a picture to remember how
much I need to hear my teacher's voice and seek my teacher's face.

My eyes must be on my teacher, my God, so my feet will follow. My ears must be able to hear His commands. But seeing and hearing are not enough if I do not know what the commands mean and have never put them into practice. And, much like step is not my physical forte, if I am not in my own lane running the race God has purposed me for I'm never going to find my stride. Sure, step was a great laugh for me today to realize that there was a reason I needed a few libations in college to get out on the dance floor. But, in truth, I'm thankful to find myself really out of place and the lessons I learn while I'm there.

Thank God that in Christ, it isn't about good works, deeds or steps, it is about believing. It is about being still in His presence. Resting in His care is more than enough.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

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Monday mornings can be cluttered with racing thoughts of the week and pressures of the day. Take a moment this morning to remember that the Holy Spirit's power is in you if only you ask. Coffee can only help so much, remember, not my works but His. I challenge you today, to look at yourself in the mirror and repeat these words until you know.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows that full well.  Psalm 139:14

The Comeback

Several weeks ago my heart was heavy and so was the number on my scale. I decided I needed to make some changes in my life, starting with choosing to focus on who God says I am, rather than my own deceiving self image in the mirror. I am thankful that God has started a beautiful transformation in me. After many  months of sleepless nights, dreaming with eyes wide open and a stirring in my heart, God has turned my feelings of "stuck" into being still, to hear His voice.

He has turned my struggles, my hot mess, into a message for His glory. In rebirthing my blog, I hope to connect with and empower others to seek the One who restores all things. The one who uses broken people. The one who allows for rescued people to rescue people. The one whose favor lasts forever, not by behaving but by believing in the One true God whose righteousness is in me. 

For it is written, "Yet this I call to mind and there I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him..." Lamentations 3:21-25

A day after my 34th birthday, I woke up with this on my heart and wrote it down:

"My heart is heavy for this Coastal region and the number of women (including myself) that feel such an immense pressure to have a perfect body. I feel so compelled to speak truth, not only to myself, but to those around me who are healthy and fit yet are unsatisfied with their pant size. I want to speak to those of you who feel a great sense of anxiety with the impending swimsuit season. 

I am certain there are others who, like me, are finding themselves a bit heavier on the scale than you are used too and fighting back in the gym and in the kitchen. However, are you doing it in grace? 

What has the past year dealt to you that leads you to where you are? Be graceful and merciful to yourself. Today at the gym while doing core exercises I felt so weak that I wanted to cry. Than I remembered that I had a hysterectomy less than 3 months ago and I started to rise up inside with a holy indignation at Satan for stealing my joy. My scars reflect strength, not weakness. My weight not does determine my worth. 

I am so tired of talking about weight and body image in social circles. I want to be healthy but more than that I want to be holy. Girls, God has called us to more than a skewed image in a mirror. We are wonderfully and perfectly made. Let's start talking about that. Let's start encouraging each other to be wonderfully made in Christ's image. To be strong and courageous. To be more than we can ask or imagine. I am more than a number on a scale. I am more than any swimsuit I put on. I am more than a conversation about my body or my weight. I am wonderfully and perfectly made. And, guess what, so are you. Let's start spurring each other on towards that."

This was the catalyst for a 21 Day #StrongandCourageousToday conversation on Facebook and Instagram as a way to help women identify strength and courage in each other! In the midst of those 21 days, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to start writing again. I humbly ask that you excuse my grammatical    errors, typos and skipped days. My prayer is that God's words will cover this blog and give many women a platform to share the mighty way that our great God transforms our Hot Mess into something beautiful. 

One 39 Fourteen is a reminder to remember how the God of the universe chose to make you and me, "I praise you because I am wonderfully and fearfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Just as He said

As Easter approaches, I have been reflecting on Christ's resurrection. In Matthew 28:6 "The angel said to the women, "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."

I am so thankful that the Lord does not look at circumstances the way I do. I can see myself along with  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary weeping at the tomb. I can feel their hopelessness and heaviness. Had they not understood that Christ had said he would rise from the dead? Did they not know?  In my life, it too seems as though it takes a violent earthquake and an angel from the Lord to come down and tell me not to be afraid that Christ has already done what He said He would do.

I too, need to go and see the places in my life that lay dead to remember how Christ has resurrected my soul and remember in the moments that seem so full of pain that Christ will do just what He has said.