At the Dawn of Redeeming Grace

You're worth all of me

2011-12-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

Afraid to love, something that could break,
Could I move on, if you were torn away?
I'm so close to what I can't control
I can't give you half my heart, and pray it makes you whole

You're gunna have all of me, you're gunna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing every fear
You're gunna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start.

I won't let sadness steal you from my arms
I won't let pain keep you from my heart
Trade the fear of all that I could lose, for every moment I share with you
You're gunna have all of me, you're gunna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing any fear
You're gunna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start.

Heaven broke into this moment, it's too wonderful to speak
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

You're gunna have all of me, you're gunna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing any fear
You're gunna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start

You're gunna have all of me,
Cuz you're worth every fallen tear, you're worth facing any fear
You're gunna know all my love, even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts, giving you all of me is where I'll start
It's where I'll start

~Matthew Hammitt "All of Me"

What would it look like if every Christian offered all they had to the Lord? God declares that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He wants nothing less than all of you and all of me. He does not want to share you with the world. What would it look like if we started letting go of the brokenness of the past, the hurts, the scars, the walls, and started believing that the greatest Lover of all could work through us? We could start anew. C.S. Lewis says in the Four Loves: " To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

God is Love. To Love the unlovable and the lovable, is to be the hands and feet of Christ. May this be an encouragement to not only love God with all you have but to also love others through God's love with all you have.

If you see a Soldier today, say thank you

2011-08-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

Uh, tears hit her cheeks, like Tyson's glove,
Pain hit his heart, as she fights for love,
She says don't go, but the call came,
It's time to deploy, and they called his name,
Close to zero five-hundred, her mind starts wanderin
Butterflies, tummy starts rumblin,
Queezy, uneasy, tryin to hold it all together,
She doesn't want their last moments here to be
unpleasent,

The car ride is quiet, outside it's hard to fight it,
Inside it's like she's dyin, that's when she started cryin,
He tries to comfort her, "Baby, it's alright" "Liar!"
That's what she screams louder from the thoughts of
fight,
They pray, it's okay, "I'll promise that I'll be safe" uhh,
That's what he tells her as he looks her in the face
and as he walks away,lookin in her eye
Last kiss as they say...

Chorus Benjah
"I pray this is not our last goodbye...... Goodbye" (x2)

Verse 2 Tedashii
Uh, graduation; her nine weeks are done
Hoorah, Hooplah, now it's time to move on
Leavin' out of basic, she just got her assignment
She's headed off to war and it's hard for her to face it
(or face her), the daughter that she's leavin
It's hard to come to terms with the truth, no one
believes it
And even when it's starrin in ya face, you don't
receive it,
She hears mommy, and it's just like her heart
stopped beatin
(beatin...beatin) inhales heavy breathin
Worried when she leaves she may not be back to
see them,
Her baby girl, and the family that she loves
Tryin to hold back the tears right now is
tough
She fights to stay strong, gotta hold on
She says a prayer, just tryin to find a calm
Thoughts of eternity, then back to reality
And then she tells her family...

chorus Benjah
I pray this is not our last goodbye...Goodbye(x2)

I don't want to be alone, I dont wann...I dont wanna
be alone..No (x8)
I can't live without you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYYQh2_QJt8

81 things I learned in a year @ IWU

2011-07-12T14:34:00.001-07:00

A year at IWU:
(Fall 2010-Spring 2011)

The things I experienced, applied, learned, and enjoyed in a year at Indiana Wesleyan University.
1) You cannot love God without truly loving others. You cannot love others without truly loving God.
2) "Augustine" is not (A-u-g-u-s-teeeen). It is "A-g-u-s-tin"
3) We build up walls that are supposed to protect us from being hurt, but really they cover up our authenticity so people cannot see us for who we are.
4) God is ever faithful no matter the sickness one bears. He is always fully encompassing and wrapping his everlasting arms around his children.
5) God is faithful no matter what.
6) GOD IS FAITHFUL
7) Athanasius, an early church father, once said that God is Love- thus, he had to provide a way for salvation because he cannot go against his very nature
8) God is my first love- no one can ever supersede or break that
9) Community makes all the difference, for we were never meant to be "independent"
10) A community is a body of wisdom with self-giving love
11)Friends make a good day better. Friends make a bad day spectacular.
12) One who is task-oriented needs to find a balance in order to be equally relationship oriented
13) Leadership is: Taking action to effect change while mobilizing others to accomplish a shared vision.
14) Your Love never fails me.

15) He makes all things work for my good because he is molding me into the likeness of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28-39)

16) God is good. All the time, even at 2am.

17) Love people for who they are, where they are. For it does no good to try and change them.

18) Solitude- a time of quiet reflection is healthy for the body, mind, and spirit. It also is how God can speak to us, if we let him.

19) The kingdom of God belongs to children of all different ages and races regardless of their behavior or anything that people find "annoying". They are the ones that have the joy and faith that disappears in so many adults.

20) 1^st Semester- God’s faithfulness; 2^nd Semester- God’s goodness; Hopefully, I will learn a fruit of the Spirit each semester.

21) Anything more than 16 ounces of coffee in one day will make you sick L

22) I am a coffee addict- I get migraines without a cup a day

23) I am passionate about leadership- specifically the structure within the Church and making sure that the top leaders are servant leaders equipping the Body in the greatest way they are capable

24) Academics are a priority, not a life mission. They come second to God and third to others.

25) “God won’t fix things through prayer what can be fixed with sleep.” Coach Drury

26) When was the last time you woke up in the morning and asked God for the impossible? For an adventure? C.S. Lewis)

27) Great Commission- Matthew 28 go into all nations - Greek for ethos- over 2000 ethnicities- go into all races, cultures, of every ethnicity- through power of Holy Spirit in relation to Acts 1:8

28) If I am 100% comforting and 99% managing, the question is not how can I choose one over the other, but rather how can I incorporate both so I am managing and comforting to others for the glory of God?

29) Economics is 2 gazillion times harder than asking for forgiveness

30) One can get caught up in “doing things for Jesus” rather than “falling in love with Jesus.” Ephesians 3:16-19

31) Ephesians 4:11-13- Goal of Pastoral Ministry

32) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

33) There will always be people that are in a worse condition than you are. No need to complain.

34) Not only has God been sparing me of the heartaches in trivial relationships, but he has been shaping and molding me into the wife I am meant to be as I trust him that I will meet the right one. First and foremost, he has been molding me into his daughter who wants to be captivated in the love of Christ where no relationship can break or hinder the relationship I have with God.

35) Making time for God first and foremost is the best way one can start their day

36) Psalm 27:13-14; waiting on the Lord for the desires of our heart should cause us to be expectant and be strong in Christ’s strength

37) In our weaknesses we are strong because God’s grace is sufficient, for then God is the most glorified.

38) Sometimes our “daily bread” comes in the form of rocks. But your Father will transform the rocks of life to bread for they may just be blessings in disguise.

39) I love to beatbox in my free time

40) I want to start a ministry at a church for soldiers who are home from the war because I have a passion for the military

41) Rap is relaxing. I listen to it when I am stressed or frustrated. If I am running and listening to rap- you know it’s really bad!

42) I love the band Jesus Culture

43) I made lots of new friends and lost and kept some old!

44) I grew in my love for God with my heart, mind, soul, and strength

45) Learned that God’s love truly never fails

46) Naps are good

47) Running clears the mind and prepares it for exams

48) Stressing out does not change your circumstances, joy does.

49) 1^st night of finals every semester, ever student on campus opens their window for the Midnight Scream!

50) I was known for the one in the room with the “bass cranked up” or walls vibrating

51) Late night chats are some of the best

52) Intercessory prayer is an ability to be in tune with the Holy Spirit

53) Being on your knees is the most beautiful thing before the Lord

54) Reading the Bible in 7 months is more difficult than you think

55) Taking a Sabbath is remarkable creating immediate and long term effects ((when one finds time)

56) Learned that in Evangelism class- authentic relationships are desired more so than anything in this generation.

57) I can now exegete since I wrote an exegesis.

58) Sometimes you just have to move on….let God take care of the rest for both you and the other person.

59) Friends are those that care for you when you are sick, love you despite your weaknesses, take you to the hospital, clean your room for you even though you’ve been sick and germy for days, buy you treats when you’ve had a bad day, make you laugh when you are frustrated, pack your bag in the middle of the night to send you home, have long chats over coffee, prank people in their dorms for no reason, hold you when you cry, dance with you when you are learning how to swing dance, make dance videos with you at 1am, and most importantly pray for you.

60) I learned to get out of my comfort zone meeting new people by being more open to people and more open to God about myself.

61) Learned that the best Leader doesn’t take a seat at the head of the table, but rather chooses another to be the most important guest

62) Learned to be happy and content with what I had

63) Learned to be thankful for the little things, like being able to afford gas

64) Learned to rely on God for EVERYTHING. Rarely is anything in our complete control.

65) Writing papers with the Holy Spirit is the best way to go. He leads, I type.

66) Doing homework with Jesus makes time fly

67) I have a great mentor who is “gangster” like me

68) When God says, “Your bodies are a living sacrifice.” He means for you to take care of it. So, if that means rest, rest. If that means take a break, then take a break! Watch a movie. Have fun. Enjoy life. Seek first His kingdom and all these things will be added unto you.

69) College is the most selfish period of your life, go serve somebody.

70) For the first time in my life, I have understand the despair that Job experienced when life seems to collapse around you.

71) I’ve learned to grow Rhino Sin (thick skin)

72) I’ve learned to not take things personally

73) I’ve learned I can’t fix everything, and I certainly can’t “change” other people no matter how hard I try.

74) I’ve learned I’m a leader. I am passionate about relationships, and I think I am gifted in relational leadership.

75) I’ve learned people won’t always treat you the way you deserve. Love them and pray for them, hoping they will come to a realization on their own.

76) Do your best and let God do the rest.

77) Reflection is key to being stress free. A time of processing is so good for the body and mind.

78) Fully depend on God and when you feel you can go no longer, lean on Him- He’ll hold you up.

79) There’s a difference between humility- knowing you can do nothing without Christ, and being humble- being open to what God is doing, even if it is unseen

80) Become a vessel for God to do his best in your weakest moments.

81) I LOVE IWU and the JWHC

Incredible wisdom- taken from Kelly Needham's blog

2011-07-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

I found this blog today that my friend had sent me. It is Jimmy Needham's wife.
(www.kellyneedham.wordpress.com)

Our poor little girl had her first cold and boy was it rough! For about 5 nights in a row, I was up almost every hour trying to get her back to sleep because she couldn’t breathe. The frustration followed into the next day because our sick baby was now a tired, sick baby. Then top that off with constant pain from teething and the fact that we are not at home with all her regular toys and Baby Einstein DVDs…. And wow. I felt like I was just trying to make it through one hour at a time.

It’s amazing what a lack of sleep over multiple days does to you. I had checked-out emotionally and spiritually. Discouragement began to set in as I wondered if this was ever going to end. As I drove around Nashville waiting to pick Jimmy up from a writing appointment, I noticed this license plate in front of me. It read: 2COR610. An acute awareness of God’s sovereignty causes me to take these “coincidences” very personally as if God were sending me a message to read 2 Corinthians 6:10. Though it didn’t mean much to me as I quickly glanced at it in my car, I decided it was worth a more in depth look later.

Thankfully, Lively soon fell asleep in the car seat as I drove giving me a precious hour and a half of time to myself. I found a coffee shop and claimed the small nook in the back as my own to sit with this chapter of the Bible and a much needed cup of caffeine… I mean coffee. I began reading from earlier in the chapter: “But in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger…” Wait a second!! “in sleeplessness” Those words were balm to my soul. The moment I read them my eyes filled with tears as God’s Word ministered to my soul. In just a split second God spoke so many things to my heart.

First, just seeing the word sleeplessness let me know that God was aware of my situation. Sometimes just to know that He sees me and knows what I am going through brings such comfort. Then, sleeplessness is listed next to imprisonments, beatings, and hunger to name a few! In this I felt like my struggle became legitimate, that it is truly difficult to function without sleep. In the same way our bodies need food to function, they also need sleep to function. Finally, the main point of this whole passage is that even in sleeplessness I am to commend myself as a servant of God. What renewed purpose this gave me to know that I am to serve God in my sleeplessness. Not just get through it, but serve God through it.

I glanced down at the little feet sticking out of the car seat next to me. This little girl was not the burden or inconvenience that she seemed to be this past week, but a blessing that I had the honor of caring for as my service to God. I am to be HIS SERVANT even in sleeplessness.

Oh the Bible! How I love it! It’s pages always bringing such refreshment and renewal to my soul. It is like a never-ending fountain, allowing me to discover new mysteries each time I open it. Wherever you are at today, find time to sit with God in His Word. You might not be a new mom dealing with sleepless nights, but there is fresh wisdom, comfort, and encouragement for every situation in the pages of this precious book.

“How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Psalm 119:103

Wow! There are plent of times I wrestle with sleeplessness during the school year. Yet, we are to still to be His servant amidst it all.

Ralph Emerson Challenge

2011-07-07T06:10:00.000-07:00

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.”

What is one thing you can do that would make today worthwhile? What’s stopping you from getting started right now?

- A personal assesment in order to discover and re-focus: what am I doing? where am I going? and who am I becoming?

I think these questions should always be consciously checked to make sure we are on the right track. Erwin McManus says "You need convergence. You need to bring together all of your talents, gifts, passions, intellect, energy, time, and resources and harness them in such a way that you focus on the mission God has given you for your life. Self-awareness is one of the most critical characteristics of personal effectiveness and productivity." ~ Wide Awake, 141

Restless Until You Remember

2011-06-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

"I'm restless until I rest in You." Audrey Assad

I've been thinking a lot recently about what a wise old man at the nursing home said to me this week: "God never leaves or forsakes us, but how easily we forget it."

It is so true. I don't know about you, but I forget so easily some of the things the Lord speaks to me about. I forget some of His promises on my bad days. I forget that I am the daughter of the most high God. But, I wonder why? Why do we forget? Why is it that the first thing we think of in the morning is often a t-do list or a planned agenda of our day rather thing waking up to "His mercies that are new each morning" or "Do not be discouraged or afraid today". Or maybe you aren't task oriented like I am, maybe you are relationally oriented, and the first thing you think of in the morning is all of the people you need to get in touch with. My devotional this morning said "My children teethe on the truth that I am always with them, yet they stumble around in a stupor unaware of My loving presence all around them. How that grieves Me."
Do you wake up or go to bed in a stupor (apathy caused by stress or shock)? Do you feel dull at times?
Do you think it has something to do with knowing God's promises in your mind and knowing God's promises in your heart? The Word says to "Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." (Prov. 4:23) How is your heart today?

Maybe the reason we so easily forget is that the promises, declarations, teachings, etc have not reached our heart. We haven't given them a chance to marinate, to stir, or to develop our hearts.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does he prospers." Psalm 1:2-2

Trees planted by water are rich and fruitful.
Hearts that meditate on God's word are more than knowledgable, they are deeply rooted in the promises of God.
Knowledge can come and go. The byproduct that is produced in our hearts is there to stay.
Same goes with knowing and doing. I can know all I want about a specific topic, but unless I am acting based on my knowledge, that knowledge runs the risk of disappearing. I can know all I want about what it means to be compassionate, but unless it is acted out compassion won't mean a thing to me.
"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8

Are you forgetting some of the most important things in life that are from the Word of God? Have you forgotten what your First Love once spoke to you about?

John Eldredge seems to experience the same thing:
Forgetting is no small problem. Of all the enemies our hearts must face, this may be the worst because it is insidious. Forgetfulness does not come against us like an enemy in full battle formation, banners waving. Nor does it come temptingly, seductively, the lady in red. It works slowly, commonly, unnoticed. Such is the work of forgetfulness. It cuts us off from our life so slowly, we barely notice, until one day the blooms of our faith are suddenly gone.

I encourage you to forget not the promises of the Lord today and all He has done for us. May you bear fruit, grow in thankfullness, and may your heart dwell in the goodness of God as you remember and not forget.

Getting Beyond Your Daily Life and Into God’s Plan

2011-06-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

Getting Beyond Your Daily Life and Into God’s Plan

Galaxies- Owl City

2011-06-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

What an awesome song! Listen to the song and read the lyrics. I love how OC has a way of taking the ordinary things around them and putting them into songs that awaken their hearts!

Call back the cap-com,

Tick off the time-bomb,

Let felicity fly!

Armour the airlock,

Blanket the bedrock,

And kiss the planet goodbye!

Dear god I was terribly lost

When the galaxies crossed

And the sun went dark!

But dear God you're the only North star I would follow this far..

Fight back the flight deck

Bring on the breakneck

cue the solar eclipse

summit the sunset

Dubtail the dragnet

and blow your backbone to bits

Dear God I was terribly lost

when the galaxies crossed

and the sun went dark.

But dear god you're the only North star I would follow this far.

Oh telescope, keep an eye on my only hope

Lest I blink and be swept off the narrow road

Hercules you've got nothing to say to me cause you're not the guiding light that I need.

For He is the saving grace of the galaxies ! ( x2 )

Dear God I was terribly lost when the galaxies crossed and the sun went dark

But dear God you're the only North star I would follow this far

The Wedding Prayer

2011-06-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Wedding Prayer

Create in us a love, O Lord.

An eternal love …

Your love.

A love that forgives

any failure,

spans

any distance,

withstands

any tempest.

Create in us a love, O Lord.

A new love.

A fresh love.

A love with the tenderness

of a lamb,

the grandeur

of a mountain,

the strength

of a lion.

And make us one. Intimately one.

As you made a hundred colors into one sunset,

A thousand cedars into one forest,

and countless stars into one galaxy …

make our two hearts as

one,

Father, forever …

that you may be praised, Father,

forever.

From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)

________________________________________

Alternative Paths- 30 Day Challenge

2011-06-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

Alternative Paths by Jonathan Fields

When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name; the way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The world buzzes about goals and visions. Focus. Create a vivid picture of exactly where you want to go. Dream big, then don’t let anything or anyone stop you. The problem, as Daniel Gilbert wrote in Stumbling Upon Happiness, is that we’re horrible at forecasting how we’ll really feel 10 or 20 years from now – once we’ve gotten what we dreamed of. Often, we get there only to say, “That’s not what I thought it would be,” and ask, “What now?” Ambition is good. Blind ambition is not. It blocks out not only distraction, but the many opportunities that might take you off course but that may also lead you in a new direction. Consistent daily action is only a virtue when bundled with a willingness to remain open to the unknown. In this exercise, look at your current quest and ask, “What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing?” They’re always there, but you’ve got to choose to see them.

(Author: Jonathan Fields)

I've never been the type of person, to seek out the unknown. I do when I am told to or called to, but I often do not do that of my own choosing. I wonder what it would be like if I truly did explore my passions. Could it lead to my ultimate dream ending with a final destination of my passions being in line with God's passions? It often surprises me when I do something out of the blue. Jamaica, is a good example of this. It has surprised me both times that I have been to the most rural parts of Jamaica that I followed through with it despite my fears. But, it has also somehow surprised me that it is here where I know that my passions truly were in line with God's passions. My passions for traveling, meeting people, combating poverty, encouraging neighbors, and doing hard manual labor were all tied into this one trip.

For the future (5-20 years)my dream would be to be able to have accomplished these things:
- Get married; have a family- big or small
- Visit Sydney, Australia for longer than a week's vacation
- Learn from/intern at Hillsong Church
- Be a pastor of a church
- Get a doctorate in relational leadership

- Go to Princeton Seminary

- Be a part time missionary- that partners a foreign 3rd world church with an American church

- Visit a little girl named Wenddy in the Dominican Republic

If there are alternative paths that I am not seeing, my eyes will have to be opened. But, I look forward to what faith brings: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

New 30day Challenge

2011-06-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

I started a few days late, but I think this is an awesome challenge. This challenge causes individuals to "look within" as Aristotle once said.

There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

5 years ago, I would have been a "tweenager." I would say to my 14 year old self that I love the passion and the fire that I have for Christ as I laid down my purposes, my plans, and my life. That passion radiated off of me onto other people. To the 24 year old, I would say, are you still living with that passion and fire for Christ, if so, what have you done to externalize that passion?

He always knew...from the beginning

2011-05-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

As I was reading Galatians 3 today, I came across the words "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed(v16). Then, I remembered from NT class that the word seed is very important here because later on it declares that "Scripture does not say 'and to seeds,' meaning many people, but 'and to your seed,' meaning one person who is Christ." The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his lineage that would lead to Christ! There is a law and a promise, but Scripture tells us it is not either/or, but rather "the law was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come" (v19).

This chapter found all the way in the NT is based on a pending promise all the way in Genesis. My prof once stated that he believed Genesis 12:1-3 is the "hinge of the Bible" because the New Covenant and promises fold out of this promise to Abraham: The descendants and the nations would be blessed. "All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you!" (Gen. 12:3) No wonder why! Christ is the seed. All people will be blessed for those that truly believe in Christ!

It is incredible to think that God planned this all along even in Genesis when we are just beginning to learn what happened from the beginning of humanity's time. Genesis 12 is right after Genesis 11, right? We all know that Genesis 11 is when the Tower of Babel incident occurred. They were trying to "fix things" on their own by "making a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:4). Babel was a human initiative, the wrong way. Abraham's promise was a divine initiative, the right way and a significant moment of God's initiation.

Who would have thought that by Genesis 12, God was already proclaiming, "No, no, I have a better plan because Christ is coming soon! Christ is the Seed, and He is a part of Abraham's lineage!" What Good News found all the way in the Old Testament.

God truly was knowing and destining as Romans 8 says, all the way from the beginning.

I Lift My Hands

2011-05-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyYWWKJt-Hs

I Lift My Hands- Chris Tomlin

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/chris-tomlin-lyrics/i-lift-my-hands-lyrics.html ]
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me

So let faith arise
Let faith arise
Open my eyes
Open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever

Lenten Advice

2011-04-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

From Source Book of Wit and Wisdom and written by Arthur Lichtenberg, a past bishop of the Episcopal church. Fast from criticism and feast on PRAISE. Fast from self-pity and feast on JOY. Fast from ill-temper and feast on PEACE. Fast from resentment and feast on CONTENTMENT. Fast from jealousy and feast on LOVE. Fast from pride and feast on HUMILITY. Fast from selfishness and feast on SERVICE. Fast from fear and feast on FAITH. .

My heart

2011-04-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

I wish I had the heart right now that the Lord desires me to have; one that is healthy, spiritually driven, and cheery. But, sometimes, it feels tired, hurt, and dull. I know what I need to do to make my heart right, but that decision is one that will alter my lifestyle. The Lord has been speaking to me about being my first Love, no matter what. It is truly beautiful, but I wonder how deep it would soak in if I let it. Maybe if I wasn't so busy trying to be the perfect friend or the perfect student or the perfect Christ follower, then I could truly explore what the Lord is doing in my heart. I know He is at work in my heart, and I know He is good and ever so faithful, but if we were all to be honest, when was the last time we set aside our work schedule to hear the Lord tapping on our hearts- not when we have time in our schedule but when the Lord says, I am at work right now within you, come and listen.

It's not that I feel spiritually dry because the Lord is speaking profound fundamental things to me that will ground my life, but maybe it is true like my friend said, have I been too in love with doing things for Christ, that I have not taking the time to fall in love with Christ?

Love is patient, love is kind. He knocks on my heart far more than I answer because I'm too busy thinking I'm glorifying Him with my work rather than with my time.

The beauty of love is that it is exciting. It is refreshing. It was designed for us to enjoy, but my task oriented personality seems to put love on the side when I have time. Could it be that we get too caught up in praying for Jesus, or worshipping for Him that we lose sight of just living and relishing in His love day in and day out? Or could it be that it's not that we lose sight, but rather he calls us to balance our lives focused on Him first.

The beautiful thing that the Lord has been teaching me is that He is my first Love and no one can ever take that place. I used to think that I have never had a boyfriend because He was protecting me from the superficial relationships that are so common today. Though I think that is true, I now wonder if maybe the Lord says, I want to ground you first. I want to be your main priority because I Am the most important relationship you will ever have. God desires to be the wedding band underneath the marriage band, so that it is grounded in Christ before it is grounded with a spouse.

Oh there is so much joy i life, in the little things, in the smiles, in the laughter that I do not take time to reflect on. No wonder why I am stressed all of the time. I do not reflect or process what is going on in my head. Thus, it turns into a word scramble up there!

Though it is difficult I wonder what would happen if I surrendered not just the "important things" in life, but rather surrendered my time, which encompasses all of the important things. I wonder what would happen if I listened to the knocking on my heart more frequently? I wonder who I would be if I tapped into the constant joy and peace that is from the Source by surrendering my time instead of "prioritizing every moment".

I feel at peace already, and I can't wait to see what the Lord will do in my heart...

Lord, may I surrender my mind- through rest , reflection, and processing my days

May I surrender my soul- by responding to You not just when I have time

May I surrender my heart- by giving you the hurt of the past, the desires of the future, and the feelings of the present

May I surrender my strength- by knowing I can do nothing on my own, and I am completely dependent on You.

May you transform my heart to be more like Yours everyday.

No matter what...

2011-03-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

No Matter What:

God is good all the time.

God is faithful all the time.

God is loving all the time.

God is caring all the time.

God is forgiving all the time.

God is a friend all the time.

God is a Father all the time.

God is a Shepherd all the time.

God does not change. He is who He is. And He is good.

Suffering

2011-02-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

Suffering is a time when the world seems to stop, or maybe not the world, but our world for that matter. Suffering causes internal focuses which can then lead to internal prayers. Suffering can take our eyes off of God when he so desperately may be allowing this in order to refocus our attention back on Him. How easy it is to push aside the feelings and ignore them rather than reaching to the core of what Christ is sometimes trying to speak to us about.

I was reading Philippians today and came across Paul's words when he was going through the same thing. May we never lose faith. May we never lose hope, for that is what we are living for and hope does not disappoint us (Romans 5:5).

"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." (Philippians 1:12)

"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." (v. 19)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love God and who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Take heart to the direction God is leading you, even if he is leading you into suffering, for there is hope, that hope doesn't disappoint us. And His plan reigns far greater than what we know is possible or even imaginable.

Gratitude

2010-12-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a blog from Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church.

There are few things more important to God than gratitude. It’s the highest level of living because it’s where you realize everything you have is by the grace of God. It’s the eternal state of Heaven, and it’s something we can experience here and now.

Here are the five observations on gratitude:
1. Gratitude is never invisible or silent. There is no such thing as silent gratitude. If you’re really grateful for something, you’ll say it and show it. Unexpressed gratitude is a lost opportunity to give God praise.

2. Gratitude sustains joy and blessing. In the same way that you can relive an offense through bitterness, you can relive a blessing of God through gratitude. It is possible to relive the joy of yesterday’s gifts with today’s thankfulness.

3. Gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends. To keep a high sense of gratitude, you must keep a low sense of entitlement. You can’t be grateful for something you feel entitled to. And the truth is, you’re not entitled to anything.

You woke up this morning. Someone else didn’t. They thought they would, but they didn’t. You received a standard Christmas bonus. Someone else is still looking for a job.
If that wasn’t enough, for the Christian, anything short of hell is God’s miraculous, overwhelming, and sufficient grace. We’re not entitled to salvation. It’s a gracious gift that demands a grateful response.

4. Grateful people can find a blessing, enlarge a blessing, or create a blessing in almost any situation. The opposite of this point is that negative people can find a burden, enlarge a burden, or create a burden in almost any situation. It might sound crass, but some people are crap factories. It doesn’t matter what you put in them, it just comes out crap. They’ll always find a reason to complain. They’ll always find the worst in every situation.

But then for other people, they find crap, put a seed in it, and let it grow. Who do you think possesses more joy?

Your situation doesn’t need to improve for your gratitude to increase. Gratitude sees the best and the potential in every situation.

5. Gratitude increases favor and creates opportunity. Gratitude will make you magnetic for miracles. Joseph preserved his gratitude even after unjustly spending over a decade in slavery and prison. And God used him to save a nation and preserve His people.

If you want the favor of God to flow through your life, keep a grateful heart.

Over My Head- Starfield

2010-05-13T05:26:00.000-07:00

These are beautiful lyrics....

Lost for the words to sayI'm left here in disarrayWaiting for You, waiting on truth I've thrown reason overboardKnowing that there's still moreI don't yet believe, I can't even perceive I can't seem to understandCan't seem to find my wayIt's over my head, it's over my headLearning this mysteryTrust what I cannot seeIt's over my head, it's over my head The wonder of all You've madeFoundations Your hands have laid Bringing me back to my knees, to my kneesI'm lost for the words to say Lost for another wayBringing me back to my knees, to my knees I'm lost for the words to say Lost for another way Ruined for anything other than Your loveI'm desperate to know You, LordDesperate for what's in store Finding my hope in only You, in only YouTake me beyond this doorLead me to something moreOpen my heart up for more of You, more of You

Unstoppable- Rascal Flatts

2010-05-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Yeah yeah yeah.. Hey So, so you made a lot of mistakes Walked down the road a little sideways Cracked a brick when you hit the wall Yeah, you've had a pocket full of regrets Pull you down faster than a sunset Hey, it happens to us all When the cold hard rain just won't quit And you can't see your way out of it
You find your faith has been lost and shaken You take back what's been taken Get on your knees and dig down deep You can do what you think is impossible Keep on believing, don't give in It'll come and make you whole again It always will, it always does Love is unstoppable Love, it can weather any storm Bring you back to being born again oh, it's a helping hand when you need it most A lighthouse shinning on the coast That never goes dim When your heart is full of doubt And you think that there's no way out
You find your faith has been lost and shaken You take back what's been taken Get on your knees and dig down deep You can do what you think is impossible Keep on believing, don't give in It'll come and make you whole again It always will, it always does Love is unstoppable Like a river keeps on rolling Like the north wind blowing Don't it feel good knowing Yeah

You find your faith has been lost and shaken You take back what's been taken Get on your knees and dig down deep You can do what you think is impossible Keep on believing, don't give in It'll come and make you whole again It always will, it always does Love is unstoppable Love is unstoppable So you made a lot of mistakes Walked down the road a little sideways Love, love is unstoppable

It's Never Too Late to Call....upon God

2010-03-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

The bridges have not burned down
I hope you come around
And how far you fall
It doesn’t matter at all
It’s never too late to call.

Can’t stop your world from spinning in circles
Now it’s caught up with your life
I’ll pray from a distance for the tears that you cry
In need of forgiveness, we all stand the same
I still remember when you lost your way
Time stood standing.The darker your night, the brighter your day

Love will light your way
Heaven waits the same
We were the best when we stood side by side

* Article One

Little is Much ~ Downhere

2010-03-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

What is the measure of a life well-lived
If all I can offer seems too small to give
This is a song for the weaker, the poorer
And so-called failures

Little is much when God's in it
And no one can fathom the plans He holds
Little is much when God's in it
He changes the world with the seeds we sow
Little is much, little is much

Who feels tired and under-qualified
Who feels deserted, and hung out to dry
This is a song for the broken, the beat-up
And so-called losers

Consider a Kingdom in the smallest seed
Consider that giants fall to stones and slings
Consider a child in a manger
Consider the story isn't over
What can be done with what you still have

Just beyond the edge of the woods...

2010-02-24T06:26:00.001-08:00

Just beyond the edge of the woods was the brightest light that was beckoning a girl to follow it. It was made up of so many different colors of the rainbow like pure white, lavender purple, and neon yellow. The light was blinding. It was stunning and was brighter than any sun light that has ever aroused. What was it? The girl was being pulled towards this light by some force that was uncontrollable. As she followed the light through the large oversized leaves of the forest, she could see that people and animals were being drawn to this light as well from all over. What was it?
The closer she got towards the light, the more she heard sounds; the most beautiful sounds. It was like a symphony being played, an orchestra being strung. All of the music was in unity and perfect pitch. The music was coming from above not from below or behind the girl. As she reached closer she was blinded by the light. It struck as she was forced to shut her eyes, not being able to bear the pain of the light. The music was loud, but peaceful to listen to. As she stepped closer and closer, she began to fall to her knees. It wasn't out of nervouseness, but rather out of reverence. She trembled and wept at the pure white light, wondering where this glory was coming from and could this be happening right here and right now.
"Yes", she told herself, "this really is happening, and I get to be a part of it." As she awakened from her trance of peace on her knees she rose to her feet and just as she was looking up to the heavens, a face appeared to her that was calling her name and reaching out their hand. A face that looked so gentle and so appealing, full of grace and agape. The hand was reaching out to lift the child up, to escape her from her troubles, fears, and iniquities.
The face that shined so brightly was the face of Jesus that was surrounded by the trumpets playing within his realm of glory. The people fell to their knees crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty." And as she was in awe of seeing her Saviour, Jesus Christ, she reached out her hand to grab a hold of Him. His hand covered her cheek as he softly wiped away every tear she had ever cried and welcomed her into a place of eternity to find rest and peace and everlasting love.

Just beyond the edge of the woods...

2010-02-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

What Are You Waiting For?

2010-01-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

Walk On The Water lyrics (Britt Nicole)

You look around and staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder
What if i'm overtaken
What if i never make it
What if no one's there
Will you hear my prayer?
When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that he won't let you go

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water too

So get out and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait
And don't you turn around, and miss out on
Everything you were made for
Gotta be, I know you're not sure, more
So you play it safe, you try to run away
If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water too

Step out, even when it's storming
Step out, even when you're broken
Step out, even when your heart is telling you,
telling you to give up
Step out, when your hope is stolen
Step out, you can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid
So what are waiting, what are you waiting for

A Christmas/ New Years Wish For You...

2009-12-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

This christmas season I wish you joy The wonder In every girl and boy. I wish you gladness To Have good friends And familygathered near
May Children's laughter In falling snow Rekindle Those sweet scenes from long ago. May every carol, each candle bright remind you why angels sang that night.
If trouble finds you this is my prayer:
May peace come into your hearts and make you strong
And i wish you luck the kind to last all year long...

~Michael W. Smith

6 Words to describe your life class assignment

2009-10-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

In communications class we were asked to describe our lives in 6 words only. Then we created a video for it. Here is mine. Enjoy!

What Faith Can Do ~Kutless

2009-10-26T11:48:00.001-07:00

What Faith Can Do ~Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

Be Honest

2009-10-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic video that a couple of students put together. Make sure you watch it the WHOLE way through...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC1k930APXM

Jesus is life!

2009-10-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

My friend just introduced me to the coolest song called Jesus is Life by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Here are some of my favorite lines. Listen to the song!!

Imagine the deepest sea without a drop of water
An infinite galaxy without even one single star
That's how I would be...so absolutely empty
Without Jesus' life in me there'd be no life at all
More than just a part, He's the very heart of everything I am

Jesus is life, yeah, oh, oh, oh
The air I'm breathing
Why my heart is beating
Everything I'm needing

This is my position concerning my condition
This is my position my life by definition

I don't know about you, but I want my position of life, living because of Jesus' life, to be my life definition.

Until the Whole World Hears- Casting Crowns

2009-10-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Watch this awesome video of Casting Crowns' newest single release.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6BW_5WosgA

Everything has a reason...just a reminder

2009-09-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8)

"As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:11)

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us

Fearless - Max Lucado

2009-08-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

"We cannot go where God is not. Look over your shoulder; that's God following you. Look into the storm; that's Christ coming toward you.

Much to Peter's credit, he took Jesus at his word.'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So, He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus (Matt. 14:28-29).

Peter never would have made this request on a calm sea. Had Christ strolled across a lake that was as smooth as mica, Peter would have applauded, but I doubt he would have stepped out of the boat. Storms prompt us to take unprecedented journeys. For a few historic steps and heart-stilling moments, Peter did the impossible. He defied every law of gravity and nature; "he walked on the water to go to Jesus."

Matthew moves us quickly to the major message of the event: where to star in a storm. " But when Peter saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' (v. 30)

A wall of water eclipsed his view. A wind gust snapped the mast with a crack and a slap. A flash of lightning illuminated the lake and the watery Appalachians it had become. peter shifted his attention away from Jesus and toward the squall, and when he did he sank like a brick in a pond.

Give the storm waters more attention than the Storm Walker, and get ready to do the same."

Matthew 15:32-39

2009-07-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

It is a familiar story; the feeding of 4,000, which is a separate story than the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) shown in Mark 8:19-20.

It starts with the great attribute of Christ: Compassion. After thinking about what compassion really is and wanting to be able to have that same attribute, I have come up with this. To me based on the acts of Jesus, compassion is always prior to a faith filled action. If you have compassion, it seems that you cannot not help somebody or turn the situation around. It would have been much different if Jesus had looked at all of the hungry people and said, "wow, I wish I would be able to feed them. Why is the world so hungry?" and then moved on. That is NOT compassion. Compassion is how Jesus acted instantaneously to the hungry. He had compassion on them; therefore, he HAD to act on their behalf.

Here is the literal definition of Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Notice, the "accompanied by..." part of the definition. Think about what we can do with our strong desires to alleviate suffering. All it takes is faith. Compassion is always prior to faith filled action. When it comes to serving and helping others you wouldn't have faith filled action without compassion...nor would you have compassion that is not followed by an action of faith. That would just be nonsense.

I just have to wonder what the disciples were thinking when they were passing out the 7 loaves and a few small fish. "Does the bread keep growing?" or " I fed this family and it looks like I hardly took out a chunk!" Perhaps, one of the disciples yelled out, "This is an everlasting loaf of bread!" Then, just maybe, God said..."Yes, they got it! I Am the Everlasting and you have witnessed my Son, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

What faith can do is remarkable because the result isn't in our power but God's.

Mourning Dove

2009-07-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

Recently my family and I have become fascinated by birds and the birds have become fascinated with us. We find the most beautiful birds of all different colors in our backyard taking a bath on a daily basis. Last week, I found a mother Dove sitting in our driveway. My first thought was it was hovering over a baby, but it wasn't. It just sat there and looked at me. It wasn't injured or anything. It was just relaxing. I was literally 3 feet from the dove, and she didn't move.
2 days later we found her nest. She has a baby dove now. It has become part of our daily routine now to look for the baby dove and the momma.
Doves can represent the symbol of peace and the presence of God:

Maybe the doves are around us to help us remember the God is always with each of us.

Maybe the doves choose to sit side by side on our front porch steps looking out at the world to remind us as an invitation to go cuddle with our Father and be amazed at Him and what He has done. That is really all the baby dove does besides sing. The dove sits and takes the world in. She looks all around her for at least a half hour just waiting patiently and enjoying what she sees. She takes it in as a child does. I think I have forgotten how amazing and blessed the Earth really is after living here for 17 years. Maybe I should take time to take it all in again.

Maybe the doves sing together because that's all they know how to do to give God glory through their acts of praise.

What if in the midst of my fears or stresses at the completion of each day, I just lay there and fall asleep taking it all in just like a child who is privileged and blessed to live each coming day.

Join your Father, family, and friends today while you take in the newness and grandness of the whole world. It's all around you...peace...love...and I AM (God with us)

A Jesus Manifesto

2009-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

Snippets from the blog: A Jesus Manifesto. I recommend reading it and forming your own opinions due to the fact it is very deep and intense.

Jesus Christ was not a social activist nor a moral philosopher. To pitch him that way is to drain his glory and dilute his excellence. Justice apart from Christ is a dead thing. The only battering ram that can storm the gates of hell is not the cry of Justice, but the name of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Justice, Peace, Holiness, Righteousness. He is the sum of all spiritual things, the “strange attractor” of the cosmos. When Jesus becomes an abstraction, faith loses its reproductive power. Jesus did not come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live.

It is possible to confuse an academic knowledge or theology about Jesus with a personal knowledge of the living Christ himself. These two stand as far apart as do the hundred thousand million galaxies. The fullness of Christ can never be accessed through the frontal lobe alone. Christian faith claims to be rational, but also to reach out to touch ultimate mysteries. The cure for a big head is a big heart.

The meaning of Christianity does not come from allegiance to complex theological doctrines, but a passionate love for a way of living in the world that revolves around following Jesus, who taught that love is what makes life a success . . . not wealth or health or anything else: but love. And God is love.

More @ http://ajesusmanifesto.wordpress.com/

The Lost Get Found

2009-06-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Watch this brand new song by Britt Nicole. It is a really important message that can't be extinguished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZacdiLazFks&feature=related

Wisdom and Truth

2009-06-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

Sunday night I attended this new bible study that is primarily focused for 12th graders and college students. After the 2 hours, I knew why. It was so in depth that I felt in awe of God's intellect because I knew that I couldn't even compare to it. The Bible Study was called the Truth Project. It is a tape of a professor at New Geneva Seminary and the president of Focus on the Family who is teaching his students about this lesson of Truth.

Truth: What is Truth?
Have you ever asked yourself that question? How do we know what truth is? Do we really know what is true when everyone has their own opinion of truth? Dr. Del Tackett, the professor, states that if you ask random population more than half of them will answer "i dunno" to the vital question of truth. I mean really think about truth or at least try and wrap your noggin around it. We know as Christians that Jesus stated "I am the way, the truth, an the life. No one comes to the father except through me." (John 14:6) I believe that completely, but have never thought about it outside of any other context. The Truth is Jesus.

Truth: Why did Jesus come to the world?
Answer found in John 18:37- to testify to the truth. He came not to only save us, but to establish the right way. To establish the Truth so that we don't have to live or suffer with lies. Christians don't belong to lies any longer because He has already established the Truth.

Truth: Where is Truth?
Found in Jesus Christ. Truth is having faith in Jehova Jira, the God who provides. We don't have faith in faith or hope in hope. Have faith in Truth. Have hope in Truth. As Christians do our lives really prove that we believe that our belief is really real?

Wisdom: "Does not widsom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. To fear the Lord is to hate evil. " Proverbs 8

Wisdom: knowing what is true.

"Maybe to fear the Lord is to hate evil" is saying, to follow the Truth is to reject the lies since that is what he has come to testify.

2009-06-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Lord,

I am asking for you to give me your eyes. I want to serve you whole-heartedly for the glory of You.
May you teach, and I learn.
May you show and I'll go.
I am in this for you whether I get to see the results of the impact or not.
Here I am. So, please fill me with that fire that can't be quenched. Fill me with hope to give and love to show. Just so that they will know...
I don't know what is in store, but you always know before.
Send angels that will surround. May I remember that you will be with me at 6 am as soon as I awaken, you will join me in the mud and sweat, and you will certainly be there when I decide to rest my head after each day.
May I hear you whisper softly to my heart throughout the day.
May you show me the way.

Give Me Your Eyes...or maybe a blindfold??

2009-06-02T14:00:00.001-07:00

Interesting title, I know. But here is what I was up against today. You know when you get the feeling that the world needs such help that even a rope that could wrap around the Earth wouldn't be long enough? Well, I have adopted this song to my lifestyle: "Give me your eyes for just one second.Give me your eyes so I can see.Everything that I keep missing.Give me your love for humanity.Give me your arms for the broken hearted ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten.Give me your eyes so I can see".
This song is what spoke to me to go on an International mission trip. This song got me more involved in my community. It also is the same artist who was sung at church when I was the guest speaker.

Today, this song took a new spin on my life. Let me warn you, if you are asking for the Lord to show you what He sees so that you can better help and communicate from others based on where they are coming from...you better put on the shield of faith and the belt of truth (Ephesians 6) because I realized that over the past few months and especially just recently, we don't want to know how others live. As Christians it can seem scary, unnerving, or uncomfortable. So, I have to clarify what I am actually saying. What I saw in Jamaica was amazing and it blessed me. The love and welcome coming from the Jamaicans taught me a lot. I needed to learn that I don't need my "wants". But since then I have come across people in my path that live desperate lives and because of Christ's compassion I have wanted to help them. They know that Christ is the priority and the purpose in my life. But to be able to understand where someone is coming from when you are feeling great and redeemed through Christ can be difficult and painful. Sometimes you don't want to see what people go through. At one point it bothered me. It made me afraid. I was confused why they had to go through such things ore even why they chose such things.However, I realized they came to me, and I had a responsibility to endure the situation and just listen and show the love of Christ.

Now, I feel I am called to move on. I helped and did what I could with Christ working through me. Now, God has removed that specific responsibility because I already have planted a seed. Now, is the time for the Living Water to rain down.

It's tough. I listened to things I didn't know how to respond. Sometimes it made me hurt that someone could be so empty. Thank God that He gets to see everything and we only see minuscule things because we couldn't handle what goes on daily in 6.8 billion people's lives. That's why He is God. We are his workmanship. He is the Lord.

So I encourage you and warn you at the same time. If you feel called to see the world through His eyes, soften your heart yet also keep that shield up so that you stay strong because that is what the forgotten, lost, and lonely need: someone to look up to and know that there is more to life through Jesus. Sometimes they are just asking for hope. Go tell them there is and overflowing cup of hope waiting for them. If we don't, who will? (Romans 10:14). It's tough, but He will equip you for it.

Everything...I can't even begin to explain

2009-05-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Our God, Almighty, is a God of Everything. He is One of power. A God that chooses to use His power for our good if we believe in Him. A God that never fails in love or His promises.
This week I felt like I was missing something...I couldn't figure it out. I would wake up at the crack of dawn for no apparent reason and start talking to God or reading the Bible. I received amazing blessings each and everyday so much that I started to see a trend. But yet, I was missing a feeling inside. A feeling of unshakable joy. But after today, I think I realized that I was just too busy in my mind to just focus. I wasn't too busy "doing things" but busy "thinking things". I couldn't focus this week and that was my problem. I was thinking about friends and changes in my life and big decisions. I wasn't disconnected with God, but I was disconnected with who I was in God. My friend who lives in Indiana now also felt the same way. After his description of his world spinning, it dawned on me that my world was spinning but not in an uncontrollable way, rather I just wasn't able to focus. I wasn't able to truly take in what God had in store for me because I was focused on earthly things. But I know and have known all along that NOTHING could ever take His place. NOTHING could ever supply me more joy. NOTHING could ever instill dreams and make them come alive, even myself no matter how hard I tried. It is so hard to explain because people say that you don't always get a feeling when you spend time with God or you are doing what He wants you to do, but I do. That is how I know when it is missing.

I encourage you to pay attention to that inner feeling. I encourage you to pursue Him all the more. Find the feeling of contentment, peace, and sometimes a subtle or loud voice from within. It's there. In fact the book I am reading now explains that everyone should be able to hear the voice of God. It should be normal. But, when we aren't focused enough we can miss it.

God never left me this week. That is a thing I was sure about, but I had covered that inner feeling with worldly feelings and I focused too much on a typical teenage life. I am not typical. I am not just ordinary. No teenager has to be ordinary because of this one thing: With a sincere focus, the natural people ( us) + the Super (God) = Supernatural.

Focus. That's what it takes. Focus on the goal.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. " Hebrews 12:1-3

Africa...is but a dream away

2009-05-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when someone mentions Africa to you? Sometimes it is so overlooked that it is considered a country. *It has 52 countries to be exact.
I came across the website that I have become very interested in over the last week. It is called www.mochaclub.org. It is similar to Blood: Water Mission; however, it is specifically directed to all of us coffee fans. Instead of spending $7 a week on coffee send it to them and the will supply education and nourishment for these people.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAB-zJPsJjs

This video explains it all. It explains what we don't see everyday on the news. It explains what we try to put in the back of our minds because it really can't be happening. But, it is. It is happening write now. In fact, if we were to gather a group of 100 people from the world(keep in mind this is 100 out of the world's population, 6.7 Billion!). Then these numbers would follow:
- 16 don't believe in God
- 18 can't read or write their own name
- 50 barely live above the poverty line
- 19 lack basic sanitaition
-16 can't even get a clean glass of water
- And something as light for us as the common cold becomes deadly without any medicine.

I believe that we all have dreams. No matter where we are, whether we can hear it or not. I think we all have dreams. Dreams that may already or not be aligned with the very will of God. I think one of God's dreams for us is to serve humanity rather than a dream of something like skydiving. A dream that is enriched with so much more than a one time rush of energy. A dream of compassion and joy that doesn't come from our circumstances.

Currently, I am trying to find that destined dream within me. The dream where I am so close to God's will that I can't help but say, Here am I. Send me.

If we don't, who will? Find that God destined dream in you to serve humanity in everyway we can from across the world to right where we are now.

1000 Questions

2009-04-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

I went to a conference this past weekend. Here is the video that they showed and I have been amazed by it ever since. Watch this and then read what they said afterwords.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiNBmNl88Pk

Your life was meant to make a permanent MARK. Just as though a 3 year old is hyped up on Redbull with sharpies in a white furniture store.Everyday ask yourself as a masterpiece- what do you need to do, and how can you be used to bring Heaven to Earth?
The statistics out there are scary. I don't think I need to share them with you. But I must ask this just as I was asked.

Do you care? The world is waiting. That is all they can do. Now when are you going to act? Tap in to God's Kingdom

I am moved...to be a hero for my Hero

2009-04-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

I was moved today. Moved in my mind and heart towards something that I hadn't seen before. I knew of the pain in the world. I know of the struggles that we all have, but what I didn't know was that the pain is in the people all around me. I didn't know that I was just inches from people that are hanging on a cliff for dear life. In fact, the weird thing is is that I don't even know the people, my classmates, as well as I should, yet I know about their hangups, failures, and painful scars.

As I was sitting in my American History class today, I was surrounded by desks, literally. I was in the center and had no where to go as other people crowded around me to work in their groups. Now, granted, I did chose to work by myself, but I didn't think I would be blocked in. This blockade is what started it all. As I was reading about cases in history where citizens weren't given their rights, I started hearing all of these bizarre conversations around me. They were bits and pieces until I finally started listening to the full conversations. The conversations were nerve wracking. One group to my left was literally drug dealing before my eyes with cash under the table. I was shocked, a jock mixing in with a drug addict, now becoming one himself. To my right, I experienced a guy who was talking about the mental hospital he just got out of after several trips being admitted into children's hospital for serious cutting. He got warm in the room and took off his jacket. You could tell he was a little ashamed because the cuts were so deep the scars were permanently there for the rest of his life, and the worst part was that there wasn't a 2inch bare block on the skin without cuts. With him, I brought up a conversation about the greatness of the one day when there will be no more tears or pain in Heaven. He knew what I was talking about. He also knew the difficulty of getting out of that rut.

I then went to study hall and this song played on my iPod. I hadn't listened to it in a long time, but it is a moving song. So, I wanted to post the music video for this song on this blog, but when I started researching it, I came across really violent music videos for this song, sadly because that is what these people are going through. The pain is real. No matter what we decide to do about it there are still people with such a deep pain in side of them that they can't see the light. They are so far from Truth that they don't even know what it is anymore. They are too consumed in the mental and physical pain that they don't know there is so much more...

Watch this... I think it is a call to be a hero...to step up and be hands and feet for our Hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNlZz3RQxos&feature=related

I don't know how yet, but at least I am heading in the right direction aware of people's circumstances. Even if it is more than I want to know just like the song lyrics say, "Thinking it's not my responsibility to solve a problem that itsn't about me. This is our problem. This is just one of the daily scenarios which we choose to close our eyes." We can't save them, but let's at least be a hero to somebody...if we made a choice to be the voice.

That's My King! Do you know Him?

2009-04-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

S.M. Lockridge- That's My King

The Bible says
He’s the King of the Jews
He’s the King of Israel
He’s the King of Righteousness
He’s the King of the Ages
He’s the King of Heaven
He’s the King of Glory
He’s the King of Kings
and He is the Lord of Lords

He’s enduringly strong
He’s entirely sincere
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful

He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism
He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion

That’s my King!
He’s the miracle of the age
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him

He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously
He supplies strength for the weak
He’s available for the tempted and the tried
He sympathises and He saves
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captives
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meek

Do you know Him?
My King is the key of knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
He’s the gateway of glory
He’s the master of the mighty

His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy
and His burden is light
I wish I could describe Him to you
He’s indescribable
He’s indescribable
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
I’m trying to tell you
The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him
Let alone a man explain Him
You can’t get Him out of your mind
You can’t get Him off of your hands
You can’t outlive Him
And you can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree
And Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the grave couldn’t hold Him

The glory is all His
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
For ever
And ever
And ever
And when you get through with all of the forevers
Then
Amen

Oreos...or something better?

2009-04-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

Ha, so here's my story..It's long so brace yourself. Everything that I am about to say is an analogy to what really happened to me yesterday. Yesterday was terrible. I haven't had such a bad day in such a long time. Here it goes:

I desired something so badly that I thought God must have my back. It has to be part of His plan. It would get me farther in life. It will help me in my future. I was expecting a lot. But you know when you put money in a machine and it gets stuck? That was me. Let's say what I wanted so badly was a bag of oreos out of the vending machine. Well, unfortunately, my change got stuck. I never received what I wanted. Instead I was so upset all day. How could this happen? It was suppose to go well. I had such a good feeling about it. I was confident about it.

After a long time of allowing what had happened to soak in and with much guided help, I have come to this conclusion. I didn't get my oreos (the thing I wanted) because a) the change will better somebody more than myself or b) if I wait just long enough, I will get something that is much better than oreos!

Long story short and moral of the lesson: What we think is part of God's plan, may not be. But don't get upset. Remember, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD"(Psalm 27:14). When things go south instead of north, keep your head pointed towards the north star. Keep listening. Don't shut out the voice of Direction; the Way; the Truth; the Life. Trust. Have faith. A new door will open. I don't know what I will receive instead of oreos...all I can see right now is what would be better than oreos...,but I have faith in the fact that because He knows my best, because He is my God and Savior...a better selection is on the way, and it has already been paid for. He has paved the way.

This song has been playing on the radio non stop...coincidence?...I think not. It's definitely God.

I'm waiting. I'm waiting on You, Lord, and I am hopeful. I'm waiting on You, Lord, though it is painful. But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident takeing every step in obedience.
While I'm waiting, I will serve You. While I'm waiting, I will worship.
While I'm waiting, I will not faint.
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting. I'm waiting on You, Lord, and I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord, though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

Lord, I am waiting. Hoping. Praying...faithfully..maybe yesterday turned into something so much more and magnificent than I thought it would.

Covered in the dust of my Rabbi

2009-04-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

This was the lesson for the Bible Club at school. I thought it was so powerful, why not spread it to others more so than the people that are in this club.

It is based on the video by Rob Bell- Dust. You must watch it if you have not seen it yet.

Take a look at Mark 8:34. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
We separated this verse into 6 parts and dissected the meaning of the words individually.
For Example:
If anyone would- if is a choice; anyone extends the invitation to all

Think of what each word/section of the verse means to you. The point of this lesson was to realize that we can't pin point what it means to deny ourselves and take up our cross. It isn't a simple act. It isn't waking up for the day saying: "I am going to wash my neighbor's car today" because I think that is taking up my cross. I think that taking up our cross is happening all the time. There is so much that defines taking up our cross that it is even hard for me to understand. Maybe it is biting our tongue instead of saying something we will regret; AND washing our neighbors car out of our love for our neighbor AND our love for God. Maybe it is doing things that we do on a regular basis different because we are following Him.

But first of all one of the students shared a devotion about this saying...it requires us knowing ourselves, knowing where we stand and what our talents are. The funny thing is that this message has been "appearing" in everything this club has been doing lately. So, this past week, we seized this opportunity as if maybe God is speaking to the entire club.

In the video it talked about following our Rabbi (Teacher) so closely that we are covered by whatever he walked in throughout the day. We are covered in his dust because we desire to be like Him. We desire to walk as though He walks. Then one of the students brought up the question: Sometimes, it seems like an obligation to walk so closely rather than a desire. She said it was the fact that we are sinners that unfortunately we cannot feel that constant desire to walk so closely to Him. But then again...isn't that what the cross is for? He took up His cross for us. So that instead of out of obligation to follow Him, we may feel a desire to follow Him.

His Love

2009-03-18T15:09:00.001-07:00

His love is wide; His love is long.

His love is hard; His love is strong.

His love has no end; His love I cannot comprehend.

His Agape is Charis and Eirene; His Agape is today.

This Love I cannot see, but I know I have been set free.

For today, tomorrow, and forever, I will stand, for I have seen the love through His hands.

It is something you can't buy; It is something that can't hide.

It is something you can't sell, but surely it is something I can tell.

His love is vast; for it is where my fears have been cast.

His love is courageous as it is outrageous.

He has seen the east and west and because of that I have seen his best, so I can rest.

His love makes me live; His love I want to give.

For you can receive it as I believe it

Or you can ignore it while I explore it.

Today is the day He has made; it is the day we are forever saved.

Do not get discouraged for His love can encourage.

His love is charismatic; His love even creates a static.

His love is not a trickle, nor is is fickle.

His love is steady and fast; it will always last.

His love is pure; it is the cure.

His love...His love...His love...

Just Stop and Think...

2009-03-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is powerful. It is moving, and it is inspiring. It is about a God who relentlessly pursues us regardless of who we have become or what we have done. It is about a God who doesn't need us to survive, yet desires us passionately as his bride.

Watch this:
http://crazylovebook.com/

*click on videos (left column)
- select: just stop and think

Read the book when you get a chance.

Quote for the day...

2009-03-12T15:15:00.001-07:00

"You are valuable just because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are." ~Max Lucado

Crazy Love

2009-03-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

My friend pointed out to me today a excerpt from one of her favorite books, Crazy Love. It reads something like this: 1 Corinthians 13, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." This is a famous piece of scripture because it defines the very nature of God...Love. It defines who He is and everything He is about. It depicts His perfect love for each of us. So, the book tells the importance of the passage and then asks for the reader to replace Love with the reader's name. This author's point is to say that our attitude should be the very nature of Christ's ( Philippians 2:5 ). We can show the world, Godly love.

Try it:
(Your name) is patient. ( ) is kind. ( ) does not envy...etc.

I understand that we cannot perfect this ideal essence of Love, but we can try. We can try to love the world so much that we recognize the desperate need of God's children just as though He saw the suffering and did something about it all the way back in the book of Exodus. If God's spirit is in our very breath...in our souls...we have the ability to love as He does.

His love is something amazing. It is something that never gets old. It is perfect and all encompassing. It is pure compassion. It is "an ocean wide, even when it is a raging sea. " He's stays right there with us, where He says He belongs. And He says this, " it's okay, you can hold on to me. We are going to make it. Don't worry about the past because Love is an ocean wide enough to forget even when we think we can't. "

*quotes from Ocean Wide- the Afters

So, to the world, let's go show the love through our personal stories of the victory and love of Christ. Let us be patient and kind saying to others, it's okay, you can hold on to me until we pass through this tunnel. Let us continue to encourage and Love as though God does for us.

Now, that's CRAZY Love...

Perfect Love-Hillsong United

2009-03-03T04:06:00.000-08:00

The Perfect Love that surrounds us. It casts out all fear. It is always present. Wrap yourself in His Perfect Love for you today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zslw6WulFo

Add some humor to your day today...

2009-03-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

Check out this comedian! A favorite of mine.
Michael Jr.

Watch this: LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRkaXQo6-9E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9v2MIZaShk&feature=related

Hope you got some laughs!!!

Grace is Sufficient

2009-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthinas 12:9). I wish you could know the surplus overflowing grace. It is more than enough. Let your heart be free. I wish your heart was not so heavy. His grace is enough for you. His grace is all you need. His grace is a second chance. Let the past go. Let God handle things. Lift your hands for He holds the key. Be free in Jesus Christ. He loves you becasue He loves you( Isaiah 43:4) . He holds an umbrella of blessings over you. He will protect you. You are a child of the King. Put as smile on for you have everything you ever need and the things that are holding you back from God let go of.

Making a Difference Based on What We are Dealt With

2009-02-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

I met with my pastor this past week and he gave this great quote. I do not know who it was written by, but this is what it means to be called to living for more than ourselves. There is more to life than we know it.

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitations of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done."

Lay It Down- Matt Maher

2009-02-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

One of my friends had this on his blog, and I thought that it is such an important message for all of us that I should post it on mine too so that it will reach out to even more people.
This is a video by Matt Maher called Lay It Down.
Let the chorus resonate in your heart as I let it do so in mine.

I lay it down
I lay it down
I lay it down
At Your feet

Oh pearl of greatest price
No act of sacrifice
Can match the gift of life I find within Your gaze
Oh, what a sweet exchange
I die to rise again
Lifted up from the grave into Your hands of grace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-qz2ZWcvg4

Sometimes we get caught up in our sins, in our problems, and in our hang ups that we forget that we don't have to go through them alone. We weren't created to struggle, yet we are sinners so we do. But, instead of letting it consume our hearts and our minds could we just stop for a moment and lay it down? Let God capture our hearts saying that He wants us to give Him our problems. He has better things in store for us. Yeah, we may still struggle, but at least we have Him on our side, and if "God is on our side, who can dare be against us?" (Romans 8: 31). "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7).

2009-02-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

This song written by one of my favorite bands: Tenth Avenue North. It always gets me on my best days and on my worst days. Take it to heart. Just change your perspective because it is not you singing this song.It is all from the unending LOVE....

I hear You say, "My love is over. It's underneath.It's inside. It's in between.The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.The times that you question, 'Is this for real? 'The times you're broken.The times that you mend.The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.Well, My love is over, it's underneath.It's inside, it's in between.These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.The times you're hurting.The times that you heal.The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.I'm there through your heartache.I'm there in the storm.My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.I don't care where you fall, where you have been.I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.It never ends."

Love,
God

The Ultimate Guardian

2009-01-27T16:45:00.000-08:00

My dad received this picture the other day from a friend. Imagine this. Remember the miracle that happened not to long ago on the Hudson River? The one where 150 lives were saved by landing safely with calm waters in the midst of a roaring city of New York; the city we will never forget has now shown the Hand of God, the Hope of the Lord. The winds were calm that day...unusual in the winter for New York. Let me just remind you, as a disciple, a eucharist, a follower, a learner, in Christ... there is Hope. There is a refuge. A safe place. A shelter from the storm. When chaos is swarming around you "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) because we aren't the pilots. We aren't behind the steering wheel of our lives. Rick Warren puts it this way: "Put Jesus Christ in the driver's seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don't be afraid, nothing under His control can ever be out of control". Amen.

Look at this picture and rest assured that He is our Guardian. He will not slumber. He is guarding us now, and He is guarding us always. (Psalm 121 MSG)

Music

2009-01-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

As much as this generations music can allow us to believe opposite things than we are intended to, some of it speaks to me as if it is coming from the voice of God. Take a look at some of Nickelback's newest songs: "I'd Come For You" and "Never Gonna Be Alone". The glory of God is always all around us.

"I'd Come For You"
By now you'd know that I'd come for you
No one but you, yes I'd come for you
But only if you told me to
And I'd fight for you
Give my life for you
You know I'd always come for you

I was blindfolded, but now I'm seeing
My mind was closing, now I'm believing
I finally know what just what it means to let someone in
To see the side of me that no one does or ever will
So if your ever lost and find yourself all alone
I'd search forever just to bring you home,
Here and now this I vow

No matter what, remember you know I'll always come for you

Never Gonna Be Alone:
Never gonna be alone!
From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall...
Never gonna be alone!
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.
And now, as long as I can, I'm holding on with both hands,
I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing a word all day.

We all desire these lyrics..all of these emotions. If we could only show the world...of the omnipresent God...of the Abba Father who holds us ever so tightly...

Be Blessed in His arms today!

Pleasing to You

2009-01-12T14:52:00.001-08:00

"The Devil has so much to say, but the Lord showed me the way. I pray, I will always know the difference...Life's not one for wasting. It would be better if I know what is trash and what is treasure, what is dirt and what is gold. All the voices they get so loud, but one day I will hear that trumpet sound. I pray, I will always know the difference. I pray, I will always know the difference."

- Jared Anderson (Pleasing to You)

God I pray that I will be strengthened by your word and renewed by your voice and yours alone. Sanctify me. Purify me. Make me pleasing to You. Make that the goal of my life. Wash away everything that is not pleasing to you, so I may be white as snow, pure as gold. Jesus my heart must know I'm pleasing to you...

Christmas Traditions

2008-12-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

A lot of people have been asking me what my Christmas Traditions are. Every time, I told them that I didn't really know. Well, obviously I wasn't thinking because my family has a ton. So here it goes...
1) Stockings before presents are opened on Christmas morning
2) A special breakfast with the same dishes every year are made: 2 egg casseroles, sticky buns, and sauteed fruit.
3) Presents are traditionally opened from youngest to oldest and normally last until noon or later depending on the crowd.
4) Christmas dinner is eaten twice. Christmas day with my paternal family and the 26th with my maternal family.
5) Christmas dinner with my aunt usually consists of wacko English traditional games. (ex: Yesterday we wore paper crowns and sung carols with bazookas until we win prizes).
6) A 5 gallon bin of homemade chex-mix is made every year as well as buckeyes, hello dollies, and peanut butter fudge.
7) We go to a late night Christmas Eve service to a friend we know that preaches.
8) On the 26th a toast is made to the greatest grandfather in the world.

Everything else happens just because and we are continuing to make more traditions every year.

What are your traditions?

Prince of Peace

2008-12-26T11:58:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 9:6 really began to rearrange my thoughts from the 23rd on. "He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." He is not just a counselor. He is a Wonderful Counselor. He is a consoler for all who wish to find rest. He is God and he is mighty to save who takes great delight in you, and quiets you with His love (Zephaniah 3:17). He is the Everlasting, ever-reigning One. The Prince of Peace who supplies a constant feed of peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) He most certainly is this and so much more.

Christmas day 2 things made this verse come alive. 1) It was right after our breakfast with the family when my grandma got a call about her dearest friend passed away on Christmas Eve. The first thought that popped into my head was not what a sad time to leave, but what better a way than to be carried away by the Prince of Peace himself on his birthday. The day where chaos is restored into peace filled with hope and joy. 2) This was Christmas day after dinner with the family. I was sitting on the couch watching my cousin with her brand new 3 month old baby boy. He was screaming and screaming after just woken up from a warm, peaceful nap. They knew that he would immediately want his bottle so they were preparing it. Let's just say that is the time when you wish technology was faster than it was. That microwave would not heat up the bottle fast enough for baby Deklon. He would not stop putting up a fuss, but his parents knew what he wanted even though he couldn't express that. They heard his cry. They ached for him to be still and settle down because they had everything under control. They were prepared for him. But, he didn't know it. All he could think of was what was happening right now in his mind and it wasn't looking promising. But, I had to think to myself...wow. Is this how I act when my Everlasting Father knows what I need but all I can think about or see is what is right in front of me? We don't know his plans, but we can be assured that he has it all prepared. In time, at the right time, the microwave will go off, and our plans will be revealed. Deklon was silent as soon as he got his bottle, for the rest of the night. If he only knew that his parents wouldn't let him go, that they had everything under control.
If we only knew, the Prince of Peace has everything under control...

Christmas Song

2008-12-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

She was his girl, he was her boyfriend
Shed be his wife, and make him her husband.
A surprise on the way any day any day
One healthy little giggling, dribbling baby boy
The wisemen came, three made their way
To shower him with love while he lay in the hay
Shower him with love, love, love
Love,love,love
Love,love was all around.
Not very much of his childhood was known
Kept his mother mary worried always out on his own
He met another mary, who for a reasonable fee,
Less than reputable was known to be
His heart was full of love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around.
When Jesus Christ nailed to his tree
Said oh daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be
I came to shed a little light on this darkening sea
Instead I fear Ive spilled the blood of my children all around
The blood of my children all around
The blood of my childrens all around.
So Im told, so the story goes
The people he knew were less than golden-hearted
Gamblers and robbers,
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Like you and me, like you and me
Rumors insisted that he soon would be
For his deviations taken into custody
By the authorities, less informed than he
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Searching for love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around.
Preparations were made for a celebration day
He said eat this bread but think of it as me
Drink this wine and dream it will be the blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
Father up above
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love is all around
Father up above
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, fill me love, love, yeah
Love, love, love
Love, love, and the blood of our children all around.

This song was written by Dave Matthews Band and Tim Reynolds. It spoke to me what I had been thinking of for a few days. Everyone is so cheery around Christmas. People hold doors a few seconds longer for a large crowd of people. Extra errands are ran without a problem. Nice things are said around this time of year. But, unfortunately, most of that dissipates after the season.

I think it could be different. I think I could donate gifts all year round, not just Christmas. I think I can be just as cheery as if it were Christmas all year round. I think I could get in the spirit and mindset of Christmas all year round. Why? Because the gift we have been given lasts an eternity. The gift of Jesus Christ, the gift of a Savior is important 365 days of the year, not just December 24. Let's remember the cheer all year because of the greatest gift we have received. It isn't like gift cards that expire. It isn't something we can forget about. And it isn't something we should store in our closet. Just like it says in the song: " Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, fill me love, love, yeah?" Because He loves us. It's that simple.Because he wanted to give us the greatest gift known to mankind, the kind that will benefit us and Him. The kind that will save our souls for all eternity.

He was the only one that could bring true love, love, love...to this world.

Thank You God...

Believe=Overcoming

2008-12-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Believe. Believe your Father is who He says He is: the Alpha and Omega, Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Lift your eyes up to the Heavens. You just have to believe. Don't second guess it. Believe it. If you don't think your challenge is possible...You better believe it! Victory is around the corner! Feel, smell, and breathe victory. Put on your armor, the Armor of God and fight your battles. Hold your head high. Every thought that brings you down...close the door on it. This is your chance to fight for who you believe in.

Believe. Overcome by the blood of the Lamb and your testimony (Desperation Band-Overcome). Stand strong. Do what you have to do, even visualize it. Change the channel if you are listening to defeat because that is not going to be playing in my head and don't let it in yours. I see victory. I see my Savior. I see Peace. Peace in the midst of chaos. Arene and Shalom in my life. I see rest. I see hope. I see strength. I see unconditional love. I see victory...All because I believe. I believe with my entire being. My body,soul, heart, mind, and strength are all for Him because I believe. Believe and your life will turn around. Just believe. Forget what others think. Forget the doubts. Reach out and believe. Don't waste your present time stuck in a rut, stuck in the ways of this world. You can break the addiction. You can break the habit. You can break the mindset. Just Believe. Jesus did it. He overcame the world and the best news of all...He is inside of you, strengthening you, going ahead and behind you. You have everything you need. Greater is He that is in you than the one in the world (1 John 4:4).

All because greater things are in store for you, if you just believe.