How often do we say "I love you" to friends and family in a day?
How often do we tell our Lord that He is our everything?
How many times in a week do we make plans to hang out with people?
Do we have a set time in our daily life to spend time with our Abba Father?
How frequently do we say "thank you" to one another?
When, in the day, do we express our gratitude to our Savior?
When we observe great art, we compliment the artist...
How habitually do we praise The Artist when we look outside?
We might get excited when someone has texted, left a voicemail, or sent an e-mail to us...
Do we jump for joy at the possession of a love letter written to us that has 66 books and 1189 chapters?
What do we look forward to at the end of a work day or week?
Are we constantly waiting for our blessed hope in the appearing of Jesus Christ?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Again
It seems like yesterday I was saying goodbye to my friends and family as I headed off on a new adventure to a new school in a new state where I knew no one. It was hard being the first to leave. The first to initiate goodbye when the time came.
I didn't cry because I was scared and I didn't cry because none of my friends would be joining me.
I cried because I was worried.
I was worried for what I might miss.
What if something terrible happened to the ones I was leaving? I would not be right by their side.
Needless to say, God is so gracious and allowed me to adjust well to my new life. The things I was fearful would take place either didn't or were not as bad as I expected. In fact, I began to be OK with the idea of not returning.
But God had a different plan in mind...
Here I am today in the same situation as one year ago. Thankful for the opportunity to go to yet another school, alone, in another state. Yes, I am so sad about leaving my family and friends, but this time I have a peace.
Many things have changed since one year ago. I am so grateful that I now know more than ever who will be there for me through thick and thin no matter what the distance. God has graciously provided a way for all my worries I had last year to fall away. Amen!
But that doesn't mean this year will be a piece of cake.
Not by a long shot.
This year will bring different lessons. A whole new season that I am eagerly anticipating to see unfold. In every joyous and grievous situation, the Lord never ceases to show me His undying love for such a sinner as I.
~~~~~~~~~
Psalm 9:1-4, 9-12
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before Your presence. For You have maintained my just cause; You have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment...
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your name put their trust in you, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds! For He who avenges blood is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
I didn't cry because I was scared and I didn't cry because none of my friends would be joining me.
I cried because I was worried.
I was worried for what I might miss.
What if something terrible happened to the ones I was leaving? I would not be right by their side.
Needless to say, God is so gracious and allowed me to adjust well to my new life. The things I was fearful would take place either didn't or were not as bad as I expected. In fact, I began to be OK with the idea of not returning.
But God had a different plan in mind...
Here I am today in the same situation as one year ago. Thankful for the opportunity to go to yet another school, alone, in another state. Yes, I am so sad about leaving my family and friends, but this time I have a peace.
Many things have changed since one year ago. I am so grateful that I now know more than ever who will be there for me through thick and thin no matter what the distance. God has graciously provided a way for all my worries I had last year to fall away. Amen!
But that doesn't mean this year will be a piece of cake.
Not by a long shot.
This year will bring different lessons. A whole new season that I am eagerly anticipating to see unfold. In every joyous and grievous situation, the Lord never ceases to show me His undying love for such a sinner as I.
~~~~~~~~~
Psalm 9:1-4, 9-12
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before Your presence. For You have maintained my just cause; You have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment...
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your name put their trust in you, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds! For He who avenges blood is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
So Blessed
"A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother."
~Proverbs 18:24~
Yes, I am so blessed to have many friends and family and wonderful people in my life. Every single one brings sunshine to my day in their own special way and I am so extremely grateful for them.
Out of all the friends and acquaintances of mine, there is one particular fellow who stands out. Some people don't understand our friendship because quite frankly, it is truly odd! In ways we are complete opposites. He is tall, listens to KOHO, and is going to school to study really smart things like medical terms I don't understand! I am short, listen to country tunes, and at school studying music. Yet we are much the same. In what ways? Besides some similar interests in outdoor things and the like, I have no clue!
I never could describe our friendship until I read Proverbs 18:24. He is my big brother, yet keeps me in line when I need a correcting hand. When I'm troubled or confused about something, all he has to do is say: "It's not rocket science", "You're over analyzing this", or "You're going to be just fine." He's encouraging too. He reminds me all the time that it's not about what other people think, but about what God thinks and how important it is to seek and shine His light and no other. It's a true blessing when you have someone in your life who reminds you to "just do everything in love." I'm so thankful to have him in my life. No one could ever ask to have such an amazing big brother and friend in the Lord!
but there is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother."
~Proverbs 18:24~
Yes, I am so blessed to have many friends and family and wonderful people in my life. Every single one brings sunshine to my day in their own special way and I am so extremely grateful for them.
Out of all the friends and acquaintances of mine, there is one particular fellow who stands out. Some people don't understand our friendship because quite frankly, it is truly odd! In ways we are complete opposites. He is tall, listens to KOHO, and is going to school to study really smart things like medical terms I don't understand! I am short, listen to country tunes, and at school studying music. Yet we are much the same. In what ways? Besides some similar interests in outdoor things and the like, I have no clue!
I never could describe our friendship until I read Proverbs 18:24. He is my big brother, yet keeps me in line when I need a correcting hand. When I'm troubled or confused about something, all he has to do is say: "It's not rocket science", "You're over analyzing this", or "You're going to be just fine." He's encouraging too. He reminds me all the time that it's not about what other people think, but about what God thinks and how important it is to seek and shine His light and no other. It's a true blessing when you have someone in your life who reminds you to "just do everything in love." I'm so thankful to have him in my life. No one could ever ask to have such an amazing big brother and friend in the Lord!
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