Wednesday, January 30, 2013

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

Sunday, January 27, 2013

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

Thursday, January 24, 2013

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.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

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

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

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

Monday, January 21, 2013

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

Saturday, January 19, 2013

‘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

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

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

Monday, January 14, 2013

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

Thursday, January 10, 2013

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

Sunday, January 6, 2013

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

Saturday, January 5, 2013

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