Hello all! It sure has been a long while since my last post this summer. I can't even believe it has been that long! Time flies when you're living life!
I'll try to catch you up with life in my next few posts... but for now, enjoy!
There are many things in life that make me cry. MANY, MANY, MANY things... a good movie, a well-written lyric, hellos, goodbyes, and on and on. I am what my friends refer to as a "major weeper". We can cry over many things- but how often do we weep over our sins? How often do we shed a tear about breaking the God of the Universe's heart? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Once in a blue moon?
This year- I am praying that my heart truly breaks over what is breaking my God's heart every day, and I pray that you do the same. Let us strive to be more like-minded with He who made us.
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thinking on Him...
Do you ever just sit and think sometimes? You know, just really get lost in thought? Sometimes it amazes me how much God really reveals in thinking. I think one thing and the next thing I know, God has carried me on a thought adventure that is nothing short of riveting and breathtaking.
My "New year's resolution" this year, or really my promise to God and myself this year, was that I would try to be more intentional about living in the moment. Taking each breath, each second, each blink of an eye and making the most of it. Just really being present and not thinking about the next thing on the agenda. Making much of Jesus with every chance that I get. It is such a mystery and an amazing complexity to me how while so much can be going on in my life in just one instant, even more is going on in another's life and another and another. God is SO busy and He never gets tired or weary. Imagine that! I can't even comprehend what that would be like!
A favorite line from a Meredith Andrews song says this:
The thought of You is baffling, my mind can’t wrap around You
This human cup cannot contain Heaven’s glory flood
God is so endless and matchless that our human minds cannot contain Him. He is the mighty and living and sovereign GOD! Can I get an amen?!
So here's my advice, from me to you... Find a thinking place. One place that you can go that frees your mind to just think and let God lead your thoughts. I assure you that it will be one of the best things you have ever done for yourself and your relationship with God. It's just a time for you commune with God and say absolutely nothing. Sometimes we Christians get so caught up in talking at/to God that we forget to be still and listen.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
My "New year's resolution" this year, or really my promise to God and myself this year, was that I would try to be more intentional about living in the moment. Taking each breath, each second, each blink of an eye and making the most of it. Just really being present and not thinking about the next thing on the agenda. Making much of Jesus with every chance that I get. It is such a mystery and an amazing complexity to me how while so much can be going on in my life in just one instant, even more is going on in another's life and another and another. God is SO busy and He never gets tired or weary. Imagine that! I can't even comprehend what that would be like!
A favorite line from a Meredith Andrews song says this:
The thought of You is baffling, my mind can’t wrap around You
This human cup cannot contain Heaven’s glory flood
God is so endless and matchless that our human minds cannot contain Him. He is the mighty and living and sovereign GOD! Can I get an amen?!
So here's my advice, from me to you... Find a thinking place. One place that you can go that frees your mind to just think and let God lead your thoughts. I assure you that it will be one of the best things you have ever done for yourself and your relationship with God. It's just a time for you commune with God and say absolutely nothing. Sometimes we Christians get so caught up in talking at/to God that we forget to be still and listen.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Have you seen YOUR need?
Can I let you in on a little secret? Are you sure? It's a pretty big one! Well okay... if you insist... No one person is perfect or sinless except for Jesus. That's right, I said it. I am a sinner and I am far from perfect, and you, my friend, are in that same boat with me. No matter how many times we give our hearts baths in the Word of God, at the end of the day we are still sinners. The key thing about this is how we respond to this fact. We must respond by recognizing the reality that we are sinners and we need a savior. That savior is Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. There is this song that I love called I'd Need a Savior by Among the Thirsty. It goes like this:
How many names
Can I use to explain
The love of my Jesus
The life that He gave
And so many times
Will I praise You today
I lift up my life
Cause You're always the same
And my offering
To you I bring
Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend
You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew
That I'd need a Savior
How many songs
Can I sing to proclaim
Your wondrous love
Oh and beauty so great
Oh and, What would I say
If You brought down the rain
And everyday I walked through the pain
My heart would still say…
Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend
You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew
That I'd need a Savior
All the days of loss, and to the cross You knew,
That I'd Need a Savior
Well, I'd need a Savior
You're what I hold onto
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross You knew,
That I'd need a Savior
I'd need a Savior,
I need You Savior.
This song reminds us that we need a savior but in Jesus we have hope!! I am so thankful for the truth of John 3:16 and how it impacts my life everyday! I pray that as you read His Word you see your need for Jesus, the Savior! Let Him in and let Him rule in your heart!
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful.
How many names
Can I use to explain
The love of my Jesus
The life that He gave
And so many times
Will I praise You today
I lift up my life
Cause You're always the same
And my offering
To you I bring
Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend
You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew
That I'd need a Savior
How many songs
Can I sing to proclaim
Your wondrous love
Oh and beauty so great
Oh and, What would I say
If You brought down the rain
And everyday I walked through the pain
My heart would still say…
Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend
You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew
That I'd need a Savior
All the days of loss, and to the cross You knew,
That I'd Need a Savior
Well, I'd need a Savior
You're what I hold onto
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross You knew,
That I'd need a Savior
I'd need a Savior,
I need You Savior.
This song reminds us that we need a savior but in Jesus we have hope!! I am so thankful for the truth of John 3:16 and how it impacts my life everyday! I pray that as you read His Word you see your need for Jesus, the Savior! Let Him in and let Him rule in your heart!
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Showers of Blessings...
This summer I am a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader, SOUL for short, here at Appalachian State. And might I say, I love it!! Yesterday was Day One of our first freshman orientation session and it was so, so great! I feel super blessed to be a part of such a great team of SOULs and an extraordinary program that Appalachian has in place for new students. What a way to extend a welcome and a helping hand! I am sitting here typing this on Day Two of orientation knowing that I get to do this over and over again... and I'm super stoked :)
You should also know that it is currently raining :) So I feel showers of blessings, indeed!!
Between my RA job, which is arguably one of the greatest experiences in my life thus far, and my current position as a SOUL, I feel so blessed. I know I keep saying that, but I really do. In these positions, God is allowing me to serve Him by catering to the needs of others and being that "go to" person for them. And I pray with all my heart that I am making much of Him in all that I do, both in these positions of leadership and in my everyday life. God calls us each to serve Him in different ways, different positions, and in different places. While I may have thought I wanted to be in a Christian camp counselor position this summer, God had something else in mind. And this "something else" that He had in mind, my SOUL position, has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of. I say all of this to tell you this: God knows what He is doing and He has our best interests in mind ALWAYS. Always, always, always. He is faithful and while we may not always understand why He wants us one place verses another, if we are faithful and follow where He leads, He will reveal to us exactly why He has us where we are. We must be patient and wait on His perfect timing. My God will show up!!
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
You should also know that it is currently raining :) So I feel showers of blessings, indeed!!
Between my RA job, which is arguably one of the greatest experiences in my life thus far, and my current position as a SOUL, I feel so blessed. I know I keep saying that, but I really do. In these positions, God is allowing me to serve Him by catering to the needs of others and being that "go to" person for them. And I pray with all my heart that I am making much of Him in all that I do, both in these positions of leadership and in my everyday life. God calls us each to serve Him in different ways, different positions, and in different places. While I may have thought I wanted to be in a Christian camp counselor position this summer, God had something else in mind. And this "something else" that He had in mind, my SOUL position, has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of. I say all of this to tell you this: God knows what He is doing and He has our best interests in mind ALWAYS. Always, always, always. He is faithful and while we may not always understand why He wants us one place verses another, if we are faithful and follow where He leads, He will reveal to us exactly why He has us where we are. We must be patient and wait on His perfect timing. My God will show up!!
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Is your laundry washed white?
So, one of my very best friends and I were talking last night and came to a conclusion. And in my opinion, it's a pretty neat one :) We were talking about sharing our faith and encouraging the people within our circles of influence, specifically different ways to relate to them. God uses the experiences that we have and our pasts to encourage others in their walk with Christ! I called our pasts our "laundry"; it can be clean or dirty, and sometimes a little bit of both. God calls us to use ALL of the testimony that He has given us! So whether your laundry is clean or dirty, let God use it to bring glory to Himself! And remember, God has washed all of our laundry white by the blood of His only son, Jesus! In this alone can we boast and place our confidence!
Isaiah 1:16-18
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:16-18
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Letting Him lead me forward...
So, I learned something big about myself today. First you should know, I love to take long strolls down memory lane. And I mean long strolls, LONG. I think that's why I'm such an emotional gal. Call me crazy, but memories that pop into my head are constant reminders of how blessed I really am... yes, even the not so wonderful ones :) I have learned by the grace of my God that each and every happening in my life has made me who I am... and I feel SUPER blessed by His grace and mercy. Praise the Lord that I am now new in Him and that He can use my experiences to help me minister to others.
Back to what I learned. I learned that while it is nice and wonderful to remember memories... I also cannot let them be a hindrance in my life in the present moment. So basically, while I have to stay true to what I have learned and experienced, sometimes things have to be set aside so that new beginnings can take place and exceed any expectation I may have. I simply have to look forward and let God lead.
I do not know what God has in store for even tomorrow but I know that we must be open to whatever He has and be willing to be obedient and follow wherever He leads us.
I know that I can rest in this:
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
And...
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Back to what I learned. I learned that while it is nice and wonderful to remember memories... I also cannot let them be a hindrance in my life in the present moment. So basically, while I have to stay true to what I have learned and experienced, sometimes things have to be set aside so that new beginnings can take place and exceed any expectation I may have. I simply have to look forward and let God lead.
I do not know what God has in store for even tomorrow but I know that we must be open to whatever He has and be willing to be obedient and follow wherever He leads us.
I know that I can rest in this:
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
And...
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Planting and Sowing Seeds...
So yesterday I did something really special, something that really made me think. I helped my mommy plant a garden. This was no tiny garden mind you; it is fifty plants plus seeds! While it was a lot of hard work and pretty tiring, it was such a blessings when it was totally finished. Sometimes this is the way our Christian life is. Sowing spiritual seeds is hard work and can even get pretty tiring but we will see the fruits of our labors when we get to Heaven!!
James 5:7-8
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
God Bless!
James 5:7-8
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
God Bless!
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