I have Favor.

So, I had this whole New Year's Eve post typed out, and the more I kept writing, the more I decided to delete it. It was pretty bahumbuggy (it's a word in my dictionary thank you) anyway! 

  Instead, u get my coffee shop meditations:

I can't help but be amazed by the Favor of God in my life. This has been something that has always blown me away, and something that always baffles me as to...'why me?' But God is faithful, and gracious and loving, that because He loves me, and has called me to Himself, of course I will have favor with Him, because ultimately, my desire is in fact to please Him. And that desire only grows stronger as I get older. I am not deserving to be able to feel and experience the incredible presence of God everyday of my life, I am not deserving for my prayers to be answered almost immediately sometimes, I am not deserving to have the heart of my Savior revealed to me and to feel His love for me and to love others in return....I am not deserving...in and of myself. But Christ's sacrifice (blood) and imputed righteousness gives me favor. Favor where I can receive freely all of these things and more. Where I can have peace that passes all understanding, where I can have an unconditional love, where I have joy unending, I can have an eternity with Christ to look forward to and His Holy Spirit to live inside of me right now.

      I just love Jesus. I love God. And I love the Holy Spirit. 

 

May the peace of Christ rest on your hearts my friends. 

✌️

For The Honor.

I love times in the presence of God, no matter where one is at, when your heart just feels like exploding. Complete gratitude, complete awe and wonder, reverence, fear, love...these times leave me weary. But if weariness can be a good thing, than it's that kind of weary! 

I want to share this lyric video with you of this song...for the honor by elevation worship. I first heard this song at a conference OTW was apart of at another local church a few months ago, and the first time I heard it, I cried through the whole song. And that same thing followed the other few times of hearing it too. 

  There are some songs that just resonate with out hearts in an almost indescribable way, and this song is by far in the top 2 for me. Every word in this song, my heart just wants to cry with it and proclaim. I believe every word, and the beauty of God in this song is just overwhelming to me...hence one reason for the tears.

I hope this song resonates with your heart too.

And I sure do hope that someday God will inspire me to write such beautiful lyrics and music that will resonate with the hearts of His people as this song has for me.

http://youtu.be/EBuMMrFghVc

I took a walk

Walking is extremely good for you.

  I find that whenever I am taking the time to take walks (outside), I am much more inspired, if feel better physically and emotionally, I am more joyful, I am praying more....

A few years ago in the summertime Walking everyday had become a habit. I would up to 8 miles some days. This summer, not so much, due to a hurt foot. But even after a time of healing for my foot, I still did to get myself back in the habit. So last night, after the Family Christmas festivities, I had the urge to go for a walk, in the cold. So I had my new fleece leggings, a fleece, and my wind-proof jacket and a headband and off I went, and I kept asking myself..."why have I not kept this up?"

    I know that walking for me, keeps me healthier in all areas of my life and I thoroughly enjoy it because it's incredible time with my Savior.

At the start of our Off The Wall year this fall, we had a retreat. And at that retreat the main theme was "are you with us?!" The word WITH is an extremely powerful word. I am more WITH God, when I am physically walking with Him. I am more aware of Him when I am physically walking With Him. I am more WITH Him when I am walking WITH Him!

So i encourage you today, that whatever it is that makes you more WITH God, however simple or however unique, take the time to do it. Even if it's just for 10 minutes a day. Because your Savior is Jealous for you and wants time WITH you. And time spent with Him, should be part of our acceptable worship to Him, for all He has done for us and in us and through us!

"The LORD bless you and keep you; 

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

"Good morning starshine, the earth says hello!"

I used to strongly dislike mornings. 

Now, the mornings where I am up the earliest, are the ones that get me excited for my day. There's more Jesus in my day on those mornings.

Like this morning for instance....I woke up at 5:30am quite groggy...and just wanted to go back to bed. But I needed to drive my Amish girls, so I put on my sweats  and a big sweatshirt and put my hood up and snow boots on and off I went. I have about a half hour in between some of the girls, so I usually use that time to read the Word, but this morning, I was so tired all I wanted to do was nap, so I tried, and there was worship music on and I just couldn't help myself, so I just had some incredible worship time. And then when I was driving, the sunrise this morning was absolutely a stunner! And I once again, couldn't help but worship. And then my last girl, gave me a little donut (which of course I have already eaten) and an adorable handmade card and some hot chocolate! How could I not be grateful and smile and once again, worship my Awesome God?

My day, is already made. An it's only 8:30am! My day has been full of joy and worship to my Creator, and it's only 8:30am. Back in the day, I would still be a grump at this hour or asleep. But the older I am getting, I am realizing there are more important things to life than lots of sleep and being in grumpy moods.

So, I exhort you today, to worship in th big and the small. To fall in love. To see the beauty of God. To walk with Him, in grace and joy! And even if all your body wants to do is go back to bed....live for Jesus, not your body. That's what I'm going to try to do! 

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Friendships

Sometimes I get really overwhelmed with gratefulness.

When I take time to see how incredibly blessed I am, that's when it hits me. 

I love friendships. 

I love my friends.

Now a days, I think we throw that word around and call even acquaitenances friends, and depending how you make friends, it may very well be true, but for me, friendships take a while. I can be your friend, way before you will be my friend.

But there are also different levels of friendships. And I'm not blogging to go into all those details.

I'm blogging, to say that I am thankful for the friendships in my life. Especially the ones, that have been a journey full of pot holes and wrong directions....because those are my strongest.

I'm thankful for the friends who know how you think and work, the ones who speak truth to you even when you don't want to hear it. The ones where you just laugh and laugh and laugh. The ones where you can not see or talk to that person for months and then whenever you do see or talk to each other, it's like you were never apart. The friends who will just pray for and with you. The friends who randomly send you encouraging text messages or emails. The friends who get excited with and for you. The friends who know your fears and weaknesses and still love you. The friends who are faithful and loyal no matter how ugly you may be at times. The friends who keep you focused and can bring a light in the dark. The friends who just with their presence can bring peace and joy. The friends who will do anything for you. 

Friendships are beautiful. Old and new. I enjoy them greatly. 

Don't take them for granted.

Don't be afraid of them. 

Embrace them. 

✌️

Welcome to springtime

It clearly is winter outside (being December)....but inside of my heart and soul, it is Springtime. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and there is a sweet smell in the air.

For the past 2 years I've been between winter/fall spiritually. It was like this huge weight that never left and my vision was clouded. And now all of a sudden, since about 3-4 weeks ago...that weight and cloud has been lifted. It's really difficult for me to explain what exactly is going on and what I'm feeling, but know that it is freeing and exciting. 

It's like I had forgotten what my relationship(intimacy) with God was like for the past 2 years and now all of sudden, things are back to how I know them to be. 

  The intimacy and presence of God that has always been so strong in my life, is here. My eyes see the complete love that The Lord is always lavishing upon me, I see once again how He is working out every little detail of my life and things around me. I am constantly being blown away and awed each day by my Sovereign Creator. The joy of The Lord truly is my strength.....and so much more...like I said, it's hard for me to explain and put into words for you. 

The best way to put it, I feel free. No more weights, no more clouds, just the relationship I have with Jesus is redeemed, back to where I know it to be and even stronger and better! 

  And all I can say, is Praise The Lord. bless His Holy name! 

  

Presence of The Lord

I've always assumed a happy feeling and happy emotions with the presence of God. Until just the other day, when I felt a way that was in all honesty, dreadful. But as I was journaling and processing, I began to wonder why the presence of God should feel happy....His presence is an incredible gift. And when He is mightily moving and the enemy is trying to stop what He is doing, of course that presence is not going to feel happy. It's going to feel heavy, scary, and frankly quite dreadful...

      My point....the presence of God is some light happy thing....it is a gift, that is real, and scary because God is so unbelievably Holy, that to be in the presence of Him, is a big weight at times. A weight that may not always feel the greatest, but one that I never want to take for granted; that the God of Creation, would come and live inside of me and live among a sinful people, and greater still, live inside of me.

"And an angel of The Lord appeared to them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear." Luke 2:9

"But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Isaiah 8:13

"Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!" Psalm 33:8

"For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods." Psalm 96:4

Falling in Love....

This is going to be short and really simple...

Falling in love with Jesus is one of my most favorite things to do in this world. And it's one thing that will last all of eternity. Yet I sometimes forget that I am being wooed by this amazing, Holy Creator, so I forget that I am falling in love with Him because I am overwhelmed by the weight of the world and the attacks of the enemy and my own sin.

UNTIL.....

I spend time with Jesus. I give Him my attention. I sit with Him. I worship Him. I walk with Him. I pray for others.....and the list could go on.

I forget, until I do the things that cause me to love Him more. Things that get my attention off of me, and onto what He is doing and who He is.

So I entreat you, brothers and sisters, figure out what causes you to fall more in love with Jesus Christ, and DO those things. Protect those times. Those gifts. Those relationships. Whatever it is.

Loving Jesus, and being loved by Jesus is the greatest gift anyone can ever receive. 

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and send His son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

I took a walk...

My favorite thing about taking walks (with Jesus), is seeing people on the street. Whether its just a smile, or a hello, a shoutout, or a hug and conversation from people u know. 

God's timing, is the best timing, and my favorite timing. God has got some pretty impeccable timing!

This morning I wanted to go on my walk earlier than I intended, but because of someone working in the basement of the house that I wasn't intending, I ended up waiting to go on my walk later. And on my walk later...I ran into people I don't see often at all and was able to talk with them and even walk a little ways with them. It seems like the smallest thing, but it is one of my favorite things, and if God hadn't worked it out for me to go on my walk later, I wouldn't have seen them on my walk and that just made my morning! 

So like I said, God's timing Is the best. It's perfect. In any and every matter of our lives. So whatever you are waiting for, HOPE and TRUST in the LORD'S timing! 

Fear of the LORD

It surprises me, that I still get surprised and chuckle at God when He answers my prayers. I asked him the other week to give me more of a fear of Him, because I feel like this is one area that I lack often, having a fear of God.

So here are some instances that are reminding me of how Powerful God really is, which has caused an utter awe and even a fear of Him...
   My pastor's son just passed away, I had just seen him a week before he died. The realization that God can and will take us whenever He see's fit, for whatever reason that we may not even know. One minute we are here, one minute we are not.
  Last night we had a big thunder storm. I sat outside beside the rain came pouring just watching the lightning and hearing the thunder. I jumped a couple times...once outside, once in my bed, and once in the middle of the night a clasp of thunder startled me in my sleep. I love absolutely love thunderstorms, but to be honest, I don't ever remember being this 'afraid' during a storm. My heart was beating so fast, I felt paralyzed and unafraid to move and I was wondering if I would even be able to sleep (but of course that was no problem for me in the end). I was SURE that there was going to be a tree down somewhere near my house by the sounds of the lightning striking something and the feel of the thunder under my feet and even inside my chest. Needless to say, I was in awe and made to see that God is ALL-POWERFUL and Sovereign over absolutely everything. The weight and depth of this, is penetrating my soul and causing me to fall in love with God so much more and to see him in a newer, more respected, more revered light!
   Then this morning, Im sitting on the porch (I really love to sit on our porch!) reading my John Piper devotions and what is it about....you guessed it....FEAR OF GOD! As soon as I read the title and the first verse, I just started smiling and chuckling!

This Fear of God, is a fear that draws us in to Him. It should not cause us to run away from Him, but to run TO Him!


'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." Exodus 20:20

"Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!" Psalm 33:8

"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, fear before him, all the earth." Psalm 96:9

"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26

"The fear of the LORD tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil." Proverbs 19:23

"The fear of man lays a snare; but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe." Proverbs 29:25



His creation responds to His Sovereignty, to His Power, His Words....and we are a part of that creation. How do we respond?

It has been quite a while since I have been on here....mostly due to the fact that my computer is failing me so I havent been able to use it for about 2 months...so now I get to hijack my generous roommates computer!

The past couple of days for me, have been incredible days. They have been productive, and full of Jesus, and joy. I have felt more of God, seen more of God, learned more, and experienced more joy in the last 2 weeks than I have in the previous few months.
   I had thought that the season that I was in was just hopeless, and me just being worn out and selfish...and it was partly that. But I'm realizing more and more, that there of course was a purpose and a goal in that season. What, I do not know. But I'm finally at peace and truly grateful for the past year, which I have been waiting for, for quite a while it seems. I feel like God is restoring the joy of my salvation, reviving my soul. I feel alive and warm, and not almost dead and cold. My perspectives are changing, my attitude still needs some major work, but i can see that changing as well. God is growing me, He HAS BEEN growing me, just in a way that I wasnt wanting and that I probably have been fighting.
  I love that life happens in seasons. And there are those seasons that are not so much fun...that feel really dry and you have no clue what's going on. But you just have to keep going, you have to endure. And then God breaks through. I needed to learn to endure, I still do, but I actually am starting to feel stronger. I know this is just the beginning, and these things take baby steps, but I just want to say again how grateful I am for each and every season of life. The good, the bad, the frustrating, the happy. God is good through it all, and Sovereign and LORD over it all. And I always have things I need to learn and areas I can grow in!

Life is exciting. Jesus is exciting. Love is worth enduring for. God's Kingdom is victorious.

This passage has been my go-to passage for this year. It is a very popular one, but it has meant so much to me this year, and its words go deep into the depths of my heart and into my intimacy with the Holy Spirit.

      The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23

Prayer Room Chronicles

 

I’ve been slacking. I have tried to write on this blog once or twice, and honestly it was a bit difficult. I have been in this weird funk recently, that seems to have lasted quite a long time. And I honestly think, I just have some healing to do, and some reflecting to do on the past year or two. Change and business have affected me more than I ever could have thought. And not just me, but my relationship with Christ as well.

So I’m excited to say that I’m ready for a bit of a weekly schedule break. To not have as much going on, and to especially have my wednesdays where I just spend an hour dedicated to prayer and talking to God about all that is heavy in my heart and hopefully even realize and have more clarity on what is even going on in there!

So today has been a rather productive day actually, with work, with prayer and time with Christ, and with blogging, and getting a letter done, and hopefully weeding tonight before going to record more of my cd! This makes me happy, because I feel like I’ve been unproductive for the past few weeks! So Praise God!

God is good and is always moving, always at work. Ive been reminded that sometimes, we just have to be looking out for Him!
  Be thou my vision, LORD!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Oh taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8

Surprise!!!!

 

oops, uploaded a couple days late!

 

I’m not one to enjoy surprises. I love surprising others…but I really dont like being surprised.

But tonight, God surprised me! I had my night planned, and to be honest I was in a rather weird mood, a pretty down mood and just wanted my Jesus time in the coffee shop to just sit and read and pray and journal all the heaviness on my heart away.
But that wasnt what God had in mind! Instead, he worked it so that i would spend time hanging out with people I rarely ever hang out with or see for that matter for a while. and then ran into another friend at the coffee shop and had a quick catch up chat!
   I guess that is exactly what I needed….sometimes I just need fellowship with people that I don’t get to see often. That is sometimes just the remedy you need, and who God will use greatly to lift your spirits. Just sharing life and laughing together. I love it.

I’m feeling very blessed and very loved right now. Which I needed that. Because let’s face it, I’m extremely hard on myself. so getting together with some different people is quite a relief for me a lot of times.
Thank You God!
I love that you surprise me. I love that you know exactly what I need. I love that you pay attention to me and don’t want me to stay in a weird funky mood. I love that you want me to feel loved and to know and believe that I am loved and found in You and no one or nothing else!

THANK YOU MY KING!

 

Verse of the Day:
”Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4

reminiscing

 

I love God’s Sovereignty and how He knits people together.
Tonight as I’m sitting in a coffee shop, supposed to be working on quite a few different papers….but I guess God has other plans as Natasha and I keep distracting each other and just chat away. Reminiscing on the people we know, and how God has knit us and others together and worked in different relationships.
   It just blows me away that God is so Sovereign and that He knows the people we need in our lives, consistently and every now and then. and how even when people are not consistent in our lives, the bond that can be made is incredible. And the memories are life-long!

This just makes me happy, and love Jesus so much more!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11

Thank You God for Saving Me

 

Yesterday during church all of a sudden this realization hit me…
  If I were to die right now, at this age, in this season of life, I would be completely content with that, simply because I’ve known the Love of God.

Some of y0u probably know that this past year has been a rough year in many different areas, but one of those areas has been singleness. Ive struggled with it like never before, and its probably due to a lot of my friends getting married, therefore I hang around couples on a regular basis, as well for females entering into their mid 20’s…..its just not fun!
But i realized, as much as I desire to have a husband in the future, or right now, I’m completely content. I’m not living for that desire. I’m living for my desire for God. and if I were to die without ever knowing the bond and love of a husband….THATS OKAY! I’ve known the love of God, I have the love of God which is enough for me!

Your love, O LORD, is enough for me.
I hope and pray that the love of God is enough for you too. and if your not at that point, that you will get to that point. because God is faithful, and is jealous for you. no matter your gender, your history, your story, your hurt…He is jealous for you!

 

P.S.
(this is not a morbid post, but a Praise post, because I’m grateful for the love of my LORD!)

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
2 Corinthians 5:15

lets keep things simple

 

I’m extremely grateful that Christ is ever present with me. That I always know that the Holy Spirit is with me, and I can talk to Him whenever, worship Him whenever, see Him working constantly….

I just want more of Jesus, and the great thing is, I can have more of Him! Because He is always with me, whispering to me, wooing me, I just tend to block Him out unfortunately more than I want to.

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake  you.” Hebrews 13:5

be encouraged

 

This morning Ive been spending time with Jesus, and through some things that I’ve been reading…I just want to share them on here. So this will just be random and sporatic. I’m not going to put my own thoughts in them, I’m just going to quote them and hope and pray that the words minister to you like they do to me.

 

“..that there be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If on member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-26

“Diversity leads to disunity when the members compete with one another, but diversity leads to unity when the members care for one another.” Warren Wiersbe

“Diversity does not suggest inferiority.” Warren Wiersbe

“Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude, it does not insist on its own way, it is no irritable or resentful…Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is enduring and what it produces will endure.” Warren Wiersbe

“…strive to excel in building up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12

“…let all things be done for building up.” 1 Corinthians 14:26

“For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, for star differs from star in glory. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 15:39-42

“It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:43-44

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Sing It Out

 

“And I’m falling on my knees, offering all of me, Jesus your all this heart is longing for…”

Sometimes, I sing so that I can believe. So that my heart can look to Jesus and say that He is all I need, and that He is all that I am longing for, because when I’m not singing, when I’m not praying, when I’m not reading His word…my heart is longing for other things. And sometimes even in those things that keep me focused on Him, my heart still longs for other things apart from Him. which I don’t think are a bad thing, our desires and longings become a bad thing when we start longing for them more than we long for Jesus.

So i sing, to remind my heart, that Jesus is my ultimate longing over all these other things my heart is looking for in the meantime. Because my heart is an idol factory, constantly looking for something to idolize, to long for, to place in a high position in my mind…but when I sing….I can’t help but look to Jesus. When I pray, I can’t help but look to Jesus. when I read, I can’t help but look to Jesus. when I put others before myself, I can’t help but look to Jesus.

I want my heart to always be longing after Jesus, more than all the other things my heart longs for. because Jesus is the One who will ALWAYS bring satisfaction and worth. His love, is like no other. His grace, we cannot comprehend, but we live in it!
Thank You Jesus!
I love You.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
1 Corinthians 10:24

Gratefulness

 

Sometimes (unfortunately, not always!), I can’t help but be so extremely grateful for the Love of God, and for the sacrifice of Christ and for the power of the Holy Spirit. And for all He has done in me, through me over the years, andwhere He has my life in the current moment, because it is pretty incredible…and so many other things.

I love when I can feel my heart smiling, and this happens quite often i must say. It’s good to just sit and think about all Christ has done, all you’ve been blessed with, and just to say Thank You, and not make the thoughts turn to your own downfalls, your faults, your unworthiness…but to keep your thoughts on all that Christ is and has done and can do! That is a grateful heart, a heart that looks at Christ’s doings, and not our own. That is a heart seeking Christ, a heart full of love, a heart of faith, a faithful heart, a generous heart…fix your eyes on Christ. Any chance you can get. and be grateful.

and smile lots. because you have an eternity of things to smile about.

 

“No place I would rather be
No place I would rather be
than here in Your love
here in Your love.”

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2

reflections

Sometimes I tell God that He is just way to good to me. The love, the joy, the blessings, the grace…that he lavishes me with never cease to amaze me. And I am soooo grateful, because its an incredible reality to live in.

Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege to go with my Mom to visit her Uncle, who lost his wife 8 months ago. He is a lonely man. But He is also an extremely well known man in our area. Im really glad that I went with her because it was really cool to just hear him talk about him learning how to deal with his wife’s death and grieving, and then to hear him talk about the people who he runs into (mostly highschool/college age kids), and how they tell him how much of an impact he has made on their lives. and to hear him talk about these people and how blown away he is by the love they show him and how great of a ministry and impact for Christ he has to these sports players. He just loves on them. He is the grandpa to many of these players who don’t have grandparents. and He receives that!

There always seem to be times in life where certain topics or themes just keep coming up everywhere, and right now for me its FAITH and that God truly does use us to make a difference/impact in people’s lives.
Do you know what kind of impact you are having on people?
Do you know that you are even impacting people?

God is so good. He uses us. to build His Kingdom.
What a privilege.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10

Hallelujah, Holy Holy

 

I love corporate worship. Sometimes, when I can hear numerous voices singing as one, i ask God what that sounds like to Him? It has to be so much more beautiful than I can even imagine. Those are my favorite moments in times of worship, when everyone is singing as one and you can just hear voices being lifted up as an offering and praise to Jesus, and I can only imagine what those moments are like in heaven, with the cherubim, and the angels, and all creatures with one voice praising God crying Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!

We think its amazing now…just wait….it only gets better!
#pumped
(yeah, i just hashtagged in a blog…)

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and mighty forever and ever!.’”
Revelation 5:13

Are you disciplined?

 

Yesterday morning, I woke up earlier than what I typically do on a normal day. And what I found…was that i was so much more full of the joy of the LORD. My day was really incredible actually. And I know I had a really great Jesus time at the coffee shop Tuesday night, which was much needed, so that may have played a bit into it, but this spurs me on to want to become more disciplined in waking up early.

For a while I was quite disciplined in my mornings, but recently, I’m just always so tired, that it’s become super difficult to wake up sometimes and all I want to do is just lay in bed. But there is something special to getting up early in the mornings, and spending time with Jesus.

Discipline helps bring joy. and I need more discipline, I’ve allowed myself to get lazy in the things that are important to me, which is not okay.
So right now, I’m thankful for discipline, and the practice of it. I also love that God, in the midst of it, when we say we want to commit to something, will hold us to it, then it’s up to us whether we allow Him to continue to hold us to it or not. This morning, He had me awake before my alarm, which makes it a lot easier to get up and which also rarely happens these days, but I’m hoping and praying this is going to become my new normal. Because i like it a lot.

God is good folks. He speaks, He moves, be disciplined enough to hear Him, to see Him, to spend time with Him, because He is jealous for you and desires to be with you.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:13-14

Quality Time

 

Sometimes I get really inspired by certain people. But this inspiration, only comes by spending time with them.
This year so far, I have been able to spend more time with the guys and girls in the ministry than I did last year, and I honestly have no clue why that has changed, because I don’t think my schedule has really changed. But without understanding it, I am extremely grateful for it, because I get to see what God is doing in their lives and see how He is molding them, and even be inspired by their gifts and hearts for God.
It makes me love God so much more, when I can look at the people in my community, and love and appreciate them more and more each time I’m with them.

It’s amazing God’s capacity of love, unconditionally…and when we semi-understand it because we will never fully grasp it in our earthly limitations, and live in that love, its amazing the capacity we can allow God’s love to control us and flow through us! and what we can feel, and choose to do for people simply because we love them, because God first loved them!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

God, our Sustainer.

 

This past weekend OTW went to Michigan for a retreat. We did the speaking, skits, and worship. I was involved in the worship part of it. And one thing I realized….is that worshipping, with all you’ve got, back to back can be extremely tiring. Especially when your not feeling good. But what spoke to me most this weekend, was how much God sustains us in those moments!

When we feel so tired, and have no energy. But as soon as you step up to go and worship Him (whether that is through song/music, or through speaking, or acting and being silly or serious, or talking to people), God will sustain you and be your energy. Because it is not about us being tired or weak, it is about Him receiving glory! And I saw that alive this weekend. And I’m extremely grateful that God is jealous for His name, and that when we are out serving Him, He sustains us! For His name’s sake!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2

FAITH

 

God is answering my prayer to become a woman of faith.
  I love that God hears us, especially when what we want and what we are praying for, is aligned with what He wants for us. Of course He wants me to be a woman of faith, so of course He will make me one when I ask to become one!

Ive been absolutely amazes this last week at how FREEING it is, to have faith.
To truly believe God at His word. Everything that His Word says, you believe wholeheartedly. I can honestly say this is the first that when I read the Bible, and see and hear the promises of God and all that He is and all that He has for us as His children and all the truth about me and my fellow brethren, that I BELIEVE with all my heart. And that in that, there is absolutely no pride.
I can confidently say who I am and what God is doing in and through me and not feel bad about it, because its true. that is believing God with all your heart. when your heart does not condemn you.

and its so freeing.
My prayer now is that everyone can get to this point of faith and belief. Because I see so many people like me, who think and say they believe, but are still so bound by unbelief and doubt.
I love  God, and that he has given us faith, and that we can grow in it. So thankful. And the thing that baffles me is, faith is so key to salvation, yet it seems that we cant even start to understand it until we’ve come to a place of utter reliance and focus on Christ, and lay ourselves down, realizing that we truly cannot do anything.
Faith is a gift from God.

I believe that faith grows with spiritual maturity.
And selfishness lessons with spiritual maturity.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”…for if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:8

*are you bearing fruit?
*are you effective for the kingdom of God?
*do you have the qualities verses 5-7 talk about?!

sabbath

 

I love how songs can just say what your heart sometimes just doesn’t know how to say. I love how God has gifted people with being able to write such things down, and has even given us in His Word songs to sing!
I love that music without words, can even be a worship experience.
God has created everything good, sin has just corrupted it.

I love that God has given me a heart of worship, and numerous ways to worship Him. I especially love the vehicle of music, for worship. Tis a privilege and a special part of my relationship with Christ!
I’m also thankful for times to just get away, and be with Him. To read, to blog, to listen to music, to study, to email, to reflect, to sing, to chill, to talk.
Thankful that God is with me always, and that He is so personal.

I love God’s relationship with me, and never want to stop falling more in love with Him.

GRATEFUL. and IN LOVE.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
Romans 14:13

Love is a choice

 

Love is a choice. I forget this often.
And once you choose to love, you accept people for who they are.
And when you do that, you see with new eyes.
And with these new eyes, you see potential. you see yourself. you see hurt and pain. you see joy and peace. you see hearts intentions. you see love.

love those you are with. for you will not always have them with you.

 

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23

its really windy outside

 

When you reflect at the end of a day, where is your attention? What are your reflecting on? On all you did wrong? On all Christ has done for you? On how you’ve fallen in love with Jesus today? On the conversations you had? If you gave God glory?

 

Talking about Jesus. Your struggles. Your convictions. How amazing God is, and who we are in Him. Being real. Good worship music. Scripture. Praying. Reflecting on Christ. Baked Oatmeal with vanilla yogurt and banana. Rain. 60 degree weather.

It’s nice to see the people you are surrounded by, be thinking about ‘falling more in love Jesus’ when thats what your all about too! :)

God is good. no matter what trials there are.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
1 John 3:21

lets have a heart to heart

So I realized this week that I really hate the question “how are you?”
Its a super general question to me, and my intial repsonse without even thinking is “good” even if im not good. So basically, I dont give people a proper response because its so general, and I usually am doing good at the moment I am asked, but then a few moments later I can be struck with the struggles that go on daily in my life. So if you ever truly want to know how i am…ask me specific questions.

So I think I’m going to use this entry, to be totally honest with where I’m at in life.

I also think I’ve been more introverted. I’m not forced to talk about whats going on in my life a whole lot anymore, so its hard for me to super open in the midst of trials. Ive been asked a few times this past week with how I am, and i havent given specific answers. So here you go, to those who have been wandering.

The last 2 weeks have been super tough. Life is super tough. Responsibility is hard. Leadership is becoming even harder. My life, yet filled with such a great community and friends and an especially incredible group of men to look out for me, is lonely and that only seems to be increasing. And the reality that part of that loneliness just comes with leadership is really kind of depressing, yet apart of me gets excited because it just means even more dependence and realiance on my Savior and Companion.
Yet at the same time, life is incredible. My heart is truly grateful to God and I have joy. But honestly, my heart is overwhelmed. My heart is hurting. My heart gets jealous. My heart is yearning. My mind is racing, and thinking of things that drive me nuts. My desires, and me not wanting to wait for them, is making my struggle with sin difficult.
My heart used to sing no other name but Jesus fairly easily, where now that is becoming a bit harder.
I know I can wait. I want to wait. I know God has great big plans. I know God is preparing me for whatever my future is. I know I am willing to endure whatever, but the midst of it, is ridiculously difficult, especially when you feel alone.
And yet there are so many great things going on around me, God is completely at work. Im so proud of the girls in the house and how they are growing and falling more in love with Christ. I’m excited for what God is doing in my friends lives, and the relationships that are growing there. I’m grateful to have women who can speak into my life, I’m super pumped with the direction our church is going. Love my job. and the people I get to work with. I’m more excited than ever about worship, and singing to my Creator and giving that back to Him.

I think this year God honestly just wants to grow my faith. and I’m excited for the outcome. I also know that my intimacy and reliance on Christ will be stronger than ever. and I will have a better understanding of His peace. The peace that passes all understanding.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God MUST BELIEVE that he exists AND that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6

helpers

I’m super grateful that God gives us helpers (aka, people) in this journey called life. We need help. There are things that we have no clue how to do in this life, whether practical or not, that sometimes we just need someone to look out for us in and teach us and show us how to do.
And then we also just need people to walk life with us, and speak truth to us, and to pray for us and with us, and to encourage us and to listen to us and to hear and to see all that God is doing.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12

Spiritual maturity is not an age thing.
You must set the example and the expectations that you expect from others.

table talks

 

Its great to sit around a dining room table reading the Word of God with 2 other people. Unplanned. I love random, unexpected times.
   Those moments when you had expectations of something different but God clearly had other plans! and you get to fellowship and bond in a deeper way and share on a deeper level.

greatness!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10

that special place

 

I love being at my church by myself. I’m there quite a lot by myself, with working there and all. And sometimes I will just go and sit in a pew, or sit at the piano and play, or even sit in the middle of the stage and just sing and pray and talk to Jesus.

Last night and today was one of those moments, where its just precious precious time to me spent with Jesus.
I have so much to be thankful for. A ton of my life has been spent in little old Countryside. It has become a special place to me. and always will be.

It’s my special place when my heart is heavy. When my heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy. When I need some fellowship…

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

sometimes you just need tears

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love On display for all to see
You are light, You are light When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life, In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I'm running to Your arms,I'm running to Your arms The riches of Your love Will always be enough Nothing compares to Your embrace Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God Of all else I'm letting go

My heart will sing no other Name Jesus, Jesus

I love times of worship. Especially when your heart is heavy and your praying and tears come, and then a song that just makes everything okay follows! :)

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end…”
Lamentations 3:21-22

‘i feel pretty, oh so pretty…’

 

This may seem a bit odd, but, I think girls will definitely relate to this.

There are some days, when you just feel really pretty. You feel good about yourself. Whether its because of what your wearing, how your hair is…i don't even know!
I can be wearing my favorite outfit and not feel pretty. It all depends on the day for some reason, and I'm not even sure what exactly accounts to this feeling in all honesty.
But there’s just days when you feel pretty. and it’s a great feeling. I like those days. There’s just more confidence than the norm.

I’m thankful that God has made me who I am. That He has made me beautiful in His eyes, and that ultimately, the reason I feel beautiful and am beautiful is due to Him.
Praise the LORD.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.”
Psalm 34:2

My heart is safe with Him.

 

this week, has been a bit of a stressful/emotional one for me thus far.
I havent had the time or energy like I wish i would to spend reading, but verses that I have been reading this week, are completely convicting me and sustaining me.

I’m extremely grateful for Truth. That God is with me through it all. That He sees every tear and hears every whispered prayer. That He knows my heart, and is the one who is holding it!

My advice to you today, spend time in the word with God. Hebrews 12 is keeping my mind where it should be this week.
Also, do something new. Be joyful, and branch out. It’s enjoyable! :)
  

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:5

I love to walk.

 

Who goes for a walk when it’s like 30 degrees outside?! (to some, this may not seem bad…but to me…its freezing).

apparantly I do…this summer it seems like all i did was walk…i would walk nearly everyday. and it was seriously probably one of my most favorite things about the summertime. because it was great time with Jesus!
   i walk more for my spiritual health than I do for my physical health.

But, a few days ago I just felt the urge to start walking again. because I miss that intimacy with Christ that was developed through that time, and those prayer times for the most random things! and the worship times and the quiet times! and just the time with God! It also is a steam releaser for me. I can truly start out a walk being mad or upset, and by the end of it, I’ll be completely joyful and happy and ready for whatever comes my way. So i determined that I need to start walking again, definately at least once a week through the winter…(because i hate winter).

But because I had been thinking about this all weekend, I had decided monday that I would go for a walk, and i had set my alarm early to get up and walk…well…i ended up sleeping an extra hour and a half than planned…oops!

BUT, i had time in the afternoon…and my mind and heart needed to go on a walk. so i just put on some leggings, my coat, a scarf and a hat and my earbuds and went on a walk! it was freezing, but was totally worth it. Ive missed those times.

 

So my advice to you all, whoever reads this, if there’s something you’ve been thinking about that you know will beneficial to you, and will bring you more intimacy with Christ…DO IT. even when you think you dont want to. do it. you will not regret it. and it may just allow you to fall more in love with Jesus!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29

God fills our voids

 

So this is a late one, but the other morning as I was doing my devos,a rush of gratefulness came upon me, and I nearly started crying. Because I realized how God just completely is filling the voids in my life.

I love single life. I really do, there’s so many freedoms to it, and I’m grateful for all the life lessons God brings me through it. But I would be lieing if i said it was always easy, and that there are times when I wish I wasnt single. There are plenty of those times.

The other day I was talking to some godly men in my life, whom I highly value their opinions and advice, and it was great conversation. and it actually made my day. The next morning as I was just reflecting on things, it hit me…God has given me a BAND (a company of persons functioning together, a troop) of godly men who I know love and care for me, and want to see me succeed, and look out for me and will protect and do whatever they can for me. The realization that its not just one man…but multiple and all godly men, whom i highly respect, just made me want to cry. God completely provides for me.

love. it.
thank.You.God.
blessed.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”And He said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.”
Mark 4:24

an overflowing heart

 

I really need to start blogging daily more…becaue there are so many things I could blog about, but I don’t want to overload!

 

“A day without laugher is a day wasted.” Charlie Chaplin

Amen. I love to laugh, i heard it once said it released endorphines! woo!
It’s great how you can completely just enjoy God with people, through laughing hysterically, at what…you dont even know!!

and even in that, it makes me wonder if Jesus ever laughed so hard His stomach hurt, or He fell on the floor from laughing, or almost pee’d Himself…makes me wonder what He would laugh at. what got Him going. I sure hope, and I do believe that He did laugh…because clearly God has given us laughter, so I would think if He’s given it to us, He sure knows it!!

God is sooooo good. I’m just blown away by Him! Nothing can truly express the emotions and love and feelings sometimes!

 

Laughter unifies. Tears down walls. Let’s us enjoy and not be so serious. Feels good!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”  Proverbs 31:30

Church

 

The thing that I enjoy most about Sundays, is how refreshing it is to hear the word of God preached. To have great messages. Today was so rich, 3 really great passages and things to think and reflect on!

I’m so thankful to have a church that I can call home, where I know that I will be challenged to love Jesus more, where I know that Truth is going to be preached every Sunday and where I can be challenged !!

We are free, in the boundaries God has given us!
We are redeemed, and made new!
Are we living to know God for who He is, or for who we’ve made Him out to be? He Is Glorious!

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”  Colossians 3:10

God our Creator

 

I love reading the Creation Story  (Genesis 1-2). It’s so beautiful. and I love viewing God as our Creator, because, that’s who He is.

This week I went to South Carolina to visit a friend by the beach, and then we traveled to North Carolina to the mountains for a day and half. and then on my drive home, i drove through part of Tennessee, and I was completely blown away. I actually pulled off at a scenic overlook, and attempted to even take pictures whilst driving (terrible idea for me i know…), I just couldn’t take in the beauty. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places in my life thus far, and no matter how simple beauty may be sometimes, I’m always amazed.

I know there are psalms that talk about how Creation gives glory to God and sings His praise…and I totally see that and that just makes my heart cry out praise in unison.

 

VERSE OF THE DAY:
”The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”  Psalm 19:1-2