Thursday, November 29, 2012

Let the redeemed of the LORD say, Hallelujah!

 

The last couple of days I’ve been in conversations that have made me look at how I used to be 10 years ago…to even just a year or more ago.
This is such a humbling thing, as well as a really great thing!
It’s been cool to reflect and see how drastically God has completely molded and shaped and defined me over the years.
He took a completely broken, self-loathing, insecure, moody and mean little girl…and made her into a confident, set-apart, loving woman…

It’s amazing what the LORD can do with our lives and how He turns them, and us, upside down!

                        HALLELUJAH

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

cant think of a creative name

 

http://embracingalife.blogspot.com/
my newest post, and something that came out my date time with Jesus yesterday, that I really need to start putting into my schedule again.

I’m just learning a lot right now. Life is rich. Lessons are rich. I love where I’m at. I love the lessons. There may be some discontentment at times, but I wouldn’t change this season at all. I’m so grateful for it and all it’s done, is doing, and will continue to do.
God is so so good.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32

Monday, November 26, 2012

Sovereign God

 

I love God’s timing.
We live in a world where you want something…you go and get it.
We need to be willing to wait on the Lord.
When we aren’t willing to wait…we waste time.
We miss out on precious gifts and blessings and lessons by not waiting and taking things into our own hands.
God’s timing is perfect.
I find tremendous peace in this!

 

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.”
John 7:30

Sunday, November 25, 2012

fulfillment

 

Jesus fulfills. He is the Bread of Life. Where are you receiving your fulfillment?!
your (day)dreams? your significant other? your family? friends? words? food? movies? ..etc

I absolutely LOVE that Jesus fulfills us. He fills what feels empty inside of us. He fills our deepest longings.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
John 15:4

Thursday, November 22, 2012

fresh air

 

I’m really realizing how valuable pairs are.
I’ve been quite sick this whole week….and in all honesty, I praise God that it came over the Thanksgiving Holiday and not a week later, because I was actually able to rest this week, which rarely happens. But I wasn’t alone…I’ve had Sara with me all week. to be sick with, to eat with, to watch movies with, to laugh with and even sleep with (been sleeping on the couches).
and I was thinking this morning, how if I were home alone this week sick…my attitude would be completely different than it is. We need company. God has placed people in our lives for a reason. We are not meant to live this life alone. and I know i seem to blog about PEOPLE often…but this year, it’s been a huge year for me, in learning that I really do love people, and learning that I really do need people and do want people in my life. People affect us, positively and negatively. But they affect us, and are meant to.

So i’m really grateful that I have had Sara with me all week.
I love how God orchestrates things! His timing is actually perfect.
and I’m actually thankful for being sick this week…because it made me slow down…made me rest and relax. which apparantly, I needed.

God is good!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

laughter sparkles like a splash of water in the sunshine

 

One of the worst things for me, when being sick, is not being able to sleep at night…I typically have absolutely no problems sleeping…apart from when I get quite sick. hence why I am blogging at 3:30 am.

but I must say, yesterday was my first legit sabbath in months! and it was incredible. I had my quiet time in the morning, and just sat around and watched 3 movies with the girls all day and just chilled. didnt leave the house. just laid on the couch! it was bliss. ive needed that. and it was nice not to be alone. there were numerous times of laughter. which is always good medicine. :)

I’m thankful for a week that is going to be most restful than most, really looking forward to it. and I’m so thankful that God gives me laughter. I love how God works things out and knows just what we need and that we can go to Him for any little detail and He will help us figure this life out.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name!”
Psalm 103:1

Thursday, November 15, 2012

show me your heart

 

i tend to be more pessimistic, than optimistic.
so in discipleship, a lot of times all I see is the brokenness, and character flaws, things people can work on…and tend to not to see the changes that are going on right in front of me.
so sometimes I need people to point out the positives to me. and when they do this, all of a sudden I start being blown away and encouraged greatly because I can see the change and start that I have been wanting to see and praying for….I just needed a new perspective. I need to see people’s hearts being molded into the likeness of their Savior. and I’m starting to see that now, and its beyond encouraging.

I need optimistic people. I need people to point me to the greatness of what is happening a lot of times. and to hold onto those things, and not forget them or let them go.

I’m thankful that God does give me those people and those conversations and moments, when I most need them. I don’t realize that i need them, until after they have happened! I love that God works like that. that He just shows us, what we need to see, when we need it. :)

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Peter 2:10

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

conversation

 

Today has started out with really great conversation, and ended with really great conversation. and what I mean by really great conversation, is conversation that cares about the people in my life, conversations that have meaning and build relationships, conversations of concern, conversations of what we hope God does, conversations of observations, conversations of what we are praying for, conversations of what we think is right and wrong, conversations of honesty about real issues and things in life that are relevant, conversations that  are uplifting and building up of the church and her people, conversatoins of how we’ve seen people grow, of what is being processed, of how God is challenging us.…those kind of conversations.

They make me love people more, and realize how appreciative and blessed I truly am. And through that, they make me love Jesus more. and make me see how intentional Jesus was. how much of an example He truly was.

Thankful today that God gives me those conversations, and blesses me with people to be able to have them with!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”For to this you have been called(suffering), because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 2:21

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

they say honesty is the best policy

 

honesty- truthfulness, sincerity, frankness

im realizing how much i really love and appreciate honesty. when things aren’t sugar coated, and people are not afraid to be honest with you and tell you honest things in their hearts, about themselves and even about you.

i respect honest people, because I know what I’m going to get, and i know that they are not trying to impress or please me or anyone else. and I love when I have the freedom to be honest. I love being honest, but I will not lie, it’s hard sometimes because a lot of people don’t receive honesty and/or truth very well. But i do love it very much.

and I’m just really blessed and appreciative when there is honesty in a relationship. God is honored in that. and I love Him for honesty, and allowing me to be honest and others to be honest with me.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13

Monday, November 12, 2012

older, wiser, people.

 

I’m thankful for the people in my life who I can go to for advice. The one’s who have seen me through a couple years. The one’s who have my back. It’s really great to know that God has given me people to help me in this life, in every season, for every season.
God truly knows what we need, WHO we need! and I am becoming so extremely grateful for the people He has placed in my life.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
Romans 8:32

Sunday, November 11, 2012

When God smiles

 

What made my day today, you ask?!
    well..it was by far this morning’s last worship set at church.
what made that so special, you ask?
   well…i love being able to hear the congregation sing. and this was especially special, because the church, was almost louder than the worship team…which is a rare occurrence for my ears. and every part of me, wanted to sob, from sheer joy.

sometimes I can just feel the smile of God. I hope you can to, because it’s an incredible feeling. and a privilege to be apart of a moment like that, when you just know, without a shadow of a doubt that it is all for the Glory of God, and that He is well pleased!!

tis makes my heart smile. tis makes my heart fall in love.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quite you with His love and rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

Thursday, November 8, 2012

people

 

I love great teachers. And being under someone who so loves the LORD and where I’ve been able to see God transform them, even in their older age in the few years I have known them. I love seeing how people react and handle to things, and how they seek after God and desire to learn and do learn and apply all that they learn and then to see that play out in how they disciple those God has given them.

It makes me love and appreciate these people more.

Sometimes, often, I fall more in love with Jesus by falling more in love with and appreciating the people in my life!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:12-15

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Double Whammy

I feel like updating about 2 things today…so because I can….I am.

 

I love purposeful people, and purposeful times. I was challenged by a lady who mentioned to me that their meal times are when everyone unleashes what’s going on in their life to each other. I love this. Because in America, we’ve gotten so caught up in technology and other things that it’s rare to sit around a table and eat together. Or you eat together and sit on the couch or in front of something or with music playing or something to distract you.
So I have just enjoyed last night and a little bit today, sitting together with the people I’m with at the table and enjoying conversation. Whether it’s serious, sharing life and deeper things, or just enjoying each other and talking about the day. Jesus is in it all. and that makes me happy. and makes my day so much better.

 

It’s always nice to know that you are not alone. That somewhere, there is someone who can relate to what you are going through. and when you find those people who understand, in the moment, it’s just so encouraging and so relieving as well. Because honestly, a lot of times, I feel completely alone in my struggles, then to be able to talk to a best friend and hear that they are going through some similar things/stages of life, and hearing another person say that they will always back you up and be there if you need them in a certain area….is just absolutely wonderful.
I love, how God just lets us know in little moments like that, that we are not alone. That He hears ours cries, and gives us people to walk through it with, gives us understanding, and that His peace that passes all understanding, is guarding our hearts and minds!!!!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Psalm 51:17

Sunday, November 4, 2012

He is my constant, even when I am not.

 

“Amazing love, how can it be that You my King would die for me. Amazing love I know it’s true, and it’s my joy to honor you. In all I do, I honor you.”

When writing in this blog, I need to remember the purpose of it…
”Falling in love with Jesus every day….”
What caused me to fall more in love with Jesus today….?
             well, that would be my church family singing with all they are to old hymns. The most joyous part of my day. Listening, and joining in with them, in one accord, lifting up our Savior.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14