I live day by day, living to serve a risen Savior. Praying like a 6 year old and praying to the one who is bigger then my problems.
God gives new grace every morning, although some days feel long and boring and others feel short and sweet. But what all these days have in common is how I choose to live them. The long and boring days are the hardest. Get up do homework, laundry, write a paper, go to a meeting at work, and walk the dog. Pretty boring right?
Wrong, I think it is all about perspective. If we look forward to the longer days as a chance to catch up on stuff, i.e. laundry and use the oppertunity the day brings to spend that much more time in prayer and quiet time how much could that turn the day around from wasting time to cultivating it?
God gives new grace and mercy every morning. How am I choosing to use it is the bigger question. To look for the small joys in everyday life, such as, the sun shining, going running, reading the Bible a few extra minutes, and making pancakes.
Then all of a sudden long, boring days turn into short and sweet days. And even when the short and sweet days come we can praise God for those as well.
So my days are becoming days where I pray like a 6 year old, dance like I am 9, and live to serve a risen Savior.
Psalm 5:1-3
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Squares
I am coming to the realization that every square is hard. At first I thought after square one that it all became better, no problems, it would fit together beautifully. But we are a fallen people and we need a Savior to rescue us from our sin. Contrary to my previous thinking, the sqaures after one have their own problems too. And this is just another reason we need a Savior. For those who don't know, I am referring to relationship squares.
The difficulty and blessing in square one, and every square is that you are totally trusting God for the future. You know His promises and you trust in them. Although this doesn't help you not cry at night some times and wonder "why do you have me here God?". You ask and wait. Knowing that when you look back on this time in your life you will wonder why you ever doubted God.
Square two. Even though it seems like a step forward in the relationship squares where God says "maybe" it can also be a step back. for girls: A guy has voiced feelings for you, and you like him back, a lot, but because you don't know each other that well you have agreed to get to know one another as friends for a little while longer and then see what God has. You then treat your "special friend" as a friend. Although both of you look at the other and know the story that is unfolding in front of you but is invisible to those around you.
Never thinking that square 3 would be where problems also arise, a friend told me in an email that her heart was hurting over a strained relationship with her boy friend. She is now wondering if this is the right path to be on. The realationship started so well and now she finds herself having second thoughts. My dear friend, she is on my heart daily.
So the lesson to be learned is that no matter what square, circle, or hexagon you find yourself in, trust God. With everything, come before Him on your face daily. He is in control and sees the bigger picture. Why do I ever doubt him? He is Lord of the universe and yet he cares about my petty problems.
Thank you dearest Lord.
The difficulty and blessing in square one, and every square is that you are totally trusting God for the future. You know His promises and you trust in them. Although this doesn't help you not cry at night some times and wonder "why do you have me here God?". You ask and wait. Knowing that when you look back on this time in your life you will wonder why you ever doubted God.
Square two. Even though it seems like a step forward in the relationship squares where God says "maybe" it can also be a step back. for girls: A guy has voiced feelings for you, and you like him back, a lot, but because you don't know each other that well you have agreed to get to know one another as friends for a little while longer and then see what God has. You then treat your "special friend" as a friend. Although both of you look at the other and know the story that is unfolding in front of you but is invisible to those around you.
Never thinking that square 3 would be where problems also arise, a friend told me in an email that her heart was hurting over a strained relationship with her boy friend. She is now wondering if this is the right path to be on. The realationship started so well and now she finds herself having second thoughts. My dear friend, she is on my heart daily.
So the lesson to be learned is that no matter what square, circle, or hexagon you find yourself in, trust God. With everything, come before Him on your face daily. He is in control and sees the bigger picture. Why do I ever doubt him? He is Lord of the universe and yet he cares about my petty problems.
Thank you dearest Lord.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Real Deal
Some people go to other countries to witness. Which is great. But this spring break God decided that I needed to witness and minister in my own state.
Monday my friends Nicole, Carmen and I went up to visit our friend Abbie in Ft Collins. On the way we planned on stopping by the 16th street mall, take the train down there and walk around a bit, since it was on our way. We got down town and talked to a man who knew the gospel but understood a twisted version of it. At first it sounded like he knew the truth. But the more we talked to him the more lies were revealed of his shallow understanding. He said that we were all going to heaven, believer or not, and faith had nothing to do with it. He believed that we are God. And that satan himself was going to heaven. There was no such thing as spiritual death. He had a twisted understanding, so after over an hour of challenging him to show us scripture to back up his arguments, we invited him to church and told him we would be praying for him.
We bought cheezeburgers and passed them out to homeless people. It was amazing. On the train ride back we met a man named Joe, who was an atheist. We talked about stuff in general about where he worked where he was from and so on. But then we were able to talk to him about the gospel. To challenge him about what he believed, or didn't believe. He confessed that he grew up with a Christian mother and Jewish father but choose not to believe anything. He also told us that he always seemed to be running into Christians. How wonderful is that? He couldn't go anywhere without running into a Christian?
We had only planned on staying in 16th street for an hour, but God changed our plans. I am learning to not make big plans. To plan for tomorrow and maybe even next week, but not next month or next year. Look what happens when we allow God to change our plans, the gospel is spread for Gods glory.
Monday my friends Nicole, Carmen and I went up to visit our friend Abbie in Ft Collins. On the way we planned on stopping by the 16th street mall, take the train down there and walk around a bit, since it was on our way. We got down town and talked to a man who knew the gospel but understood a twisted version of it. At first it sounded like he knew the truth. But the more we talked to him the more lies were revealed of his shallow understanding. He said that we were all going to heaven, believer or not, and faith had nothing to do with it. He believed that we are God. And that satan himself was going to heaven. There was no such thing as spiritual death. He had a twisted understanding, so after over an hour of challenging him to show us scripture to back up his arguments, we invited him to church and told him we would be praying for him.
We bought cheezeburgers and passed them out to homeless people. It was amazing. On the train ride back we met a man named Joe, who was an atheist. We talked about stuff in general about where he worked where he was from and so on. But then we were able to talk to him about the gospel. To challenge him about what he believed, or didn't believe. He confessed that he grew up with a Christian mother and Jewish father but choose not to believe anything. He also told us that he always seemed to be running into Christians. How wonderful is that? He couldn't go anywhere without running into a Christian?
We had only planned on staying in 16th street for an hour, but God changed our plans. I am learning to not make big plans. To plan for tomorrow and maybe even next week, but not next month or next year. Look what happens when we allow God to change our plans, the gospel is spread for Gods glory.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Redeeming the Time
I know that in the future everything will all fall into place. God will take care of me and provide for me. God gives me peace but I still get frustrated.
I want a godly man. I want someone who doesn't use "lol" and who is tall and handsome. I would love to be a mom one day. To teach my children about how amazing God is. Wipe peanut butter and jelly off their little faces. But is that what God has for me? I am going to look back on this time in my life and wonder why I ever worried about the future. Why I ever questioned God.
So I look at my time now, and see that I need to be living for today. To redeem the time. To sharpen those around me. My friend Sadie really sharpens me. We love talking about God, life, and and everything else in between.
I am redeeming the time. Living for God today. For His glory.
I want a godly man. I want someone who doesn't use "lol" and who is tall and handsome. I would love to be a mom one day. To teach my children about how amazing God is. Wipe peanut butter and jelly off their little faces. But is that what God has for me? I am going to look back on this time in my life and wonder why I ever worried about the future. Why I ever questioned God.
So I look at my time now, and see that I need to be living for today. To redeem the time. To sharpen those around me. My friend Sadie really sharpens me. We love talking about God, life, and and everything else in between.
I am redeeming the time. Living for God today. For His glory.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
In the Valley of the Shadow
"The Valley where we encounter death is transformed into a place of peaceful comfort; it is in this valley that we are more aware of God's presence then ever before". -Nancy Guthrie
In this valley there is a room. In this room there are no windows. I feel alone and sacred. I wonder if anything can ever rescure me from the darkness that surrounds me. But just when I think that I will never see his light again He opens a window. Yes first makes a window then opens it. Allowing a glimpse of His light to shine through.
He promises me that in the dark He will always be there. He will always shine. His glory will be known. And He will open doors one day. But for now it is just a window, and I am so greatful for that.
He whispers in my ear when I least expect it. He gives me peace beyond words. Everything will be ok. He will provide for my every need. His glory will be known.
In this valley there is a room. In this room there are no windows. I feel alone and sacred. I wonder if anything can ever rescure me from the darkness that surrounds me. But just when I think that I will never see his light again He opens a window. Yes first makes a window then opens it. Allowing a glimpse of His light to shine through.
He promises me that in the dark He will always be there. He will always shine. His glory will be known. And He will open doors one day. But for now it is just a window, and I am so greatful for that.
He whispers in my ear when I least expect it. He gives me peace beyond words. Everything will be ok. He will provide for my every need. His glory will be known.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Old Faith in Parking Lots
3-2-2010
Old faith. True faith of Christs time. Apostles, true real Christians, Christ followers.
What has happened to Christianity? Whom among us is amazed at God? Walk by faith not by sight? real faith?
I was talking with Sadie in the school parking lot about being amazed by God, true faith. Old faith.
She is amazed at how God inspired men across the globe hundreds of years ago to paint, sculpt, write amazing things for God.
I am amazed that cells know what to do and where to go. That some tissue is stronger then steel and yet other are weak and therefore are able to stretch, and yet all these work together for our good and have specific purposes. Anatomy - amazing, the fact that God created it? even more amazing. With one word, he didn't have to spend months thinking about it.
Faith of ages. Faith of a living God.
In the quite and the stillness, that is when God speaks to us. why? Because that is when we are listening and He whispers to us.
And yet when we are on the most spiritual "high" experiencing joy things cut us down, and make us unable to fight. This makes us feel as though we can't fight and can't go on. What then? Admit defeat? Never! Fight on! Because in the midst of this battle God will give us pure joy, that is only from Him. Each day is new, how will we choose to use it?
How will my faith be one of amazement and faith of ages?
Sadie and I are amazed by God in two different ways and yet we both come to the same place of sitting at the feet of our Savior, staring up at Him, amazed at Him. The Him.
True faith, never stopping allowing God to amaze me. Faith of ages.
Old faith. True faith of Christs time. Apostles, true real Christians, Christ followers.
What has happened to Christianity? Whom among us is amazed at God? Walk by faith not by sight? real faith?
I was talking with Sadie in the school parking lot about being amazed by God, true faith. Old faith.
She is amazed at how God inspired men across the globe hundreds of years ago to paint, sculpt, write amazing things for God.
I am amazed that cells know what to do and where to go. That some tissue is stronger then steel and yet other are weak and therefore are able to stretch, and yet all these work together for our good and have specific purposes. Anatomy - amazing, the fact that God created it? even more amazing. With one word, he didn't have to spend months thinking about it.
Faith of ages. Faith of a living God.
In the quite and the stillness, that is when God speaks to us. why? Because that is when we are listening and He whispers to us.
And yet when we are on the most spiritual "high" experiencing joy things cut us down, and make us unable to fight. This makes us feel as though we can't fight and can't go on. What then? Admit defeat? Never! Fight on! Because in the midst of this battle God will give us pure joy, that is only from Him. Each day is new, how will we choose to use it?
How will my faith be one of amazement and faith of ages?
Sadie and I are amazed by God in two different ways and yet we both come to the same place of sitting at the feet of our Savior, staring up at Him, amazed at Him. The Him.
True faith, never stopping allowing God to amaze me. Faith of ages.
Biatholon and Me
2-15-10
In the 2010 winter olympics, one of the events is a Biatholon. What happens is a person skis cross country through a course and then stop and fire five rounds of a 22. First they shoot lying down and then after skiing again they shoot standing up. If they miss one of their total 10 shoots they have to ski a penalty lap for every missed shoot before moving on to the course again.
To me this is almost what God is asking me to do. To "ski" as hard as you can through lifes course then have a time in my life where I have to stop and be still before God. The skiers have to stop and take a deep breath to slow their racing heart before they shoot, so they can fire accurately.
God asks me to stop, in my busy life, in all the craziness and take a deep breath. If I don't stop I will miss what God has for me and end up having to take a penalty lap, meaning it will take me that much longer to get to where God wants me to be. A place where God asks me to stop and listen to him.
Where am I aiming in my life? How often does God call me to stop and be still?
I don't even like skiing. But I love how God uses everyday things to remind me to stop and listen to Him. To take a deep breath with Him. To be still before Him.
In the 2010 winter olympics, one of the events is a Biatholon. What happens is a person skis cross country through a course and then stop and fire five rounds of a 22. First they shoot lying down and then after skiing again they shoot standing up. If they miss one of their total 10 shoots they have to ski a penalty lap for every missed shoot before moving on to the course again.
To me this is almost what God is asking me to do. To "ski" as hard as you can through lifes course then have a time in my life where I have to stop and be still before God. The skiers have to stop and take a deep breath to slow their racing heart before they shoot, so they can fire accurately.
God asks me to stop, in my busy life, in all the craziness and take a deep breath. If I don't stop I will miss what God has for me and end up having to take a penalty lap, meaning it will take me that much longer to get to where God wants me to be. A place where God asks me to stop and listen to him.
Where am I aiming in my life? How often does God call me to stop and be still?
I don't even like skiing. But I love how God uses everyday things to remind me to stop and listen to Him. To take a deep breath with Him. To be still before Him.
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