Sunday, September 25, 2011

As the leaves change...

    Fall is on its way and I am so excited! It's my favorite season--the best weather, colors, clothes (boots and sweaters), coffee (pumpkin spice lattes), and then all the fun holidays trail behind it. Everything begins to change and, to me, the outdoors are absolutely breathtaking. I've witnessed this change every year of my life and so its not much of a surprise anymore--I know what is coming and am able to fully enjoy it every part of it along the way. Like with everything, it's never the normal things that happen in life that cause stress, but always the new changes (or even the NO changes) that are hard to fully accept.
     In the past year there have been many hard and/or surprising changes in the normalcy of life that I've had to learn to adapt too and trust God in. If anything, trust has been and will always be a learning process. It has not one time been easy to hand life over, but it has always (I've found the hard way) been necessary. Necessary because every single time that I held on, I missed out on the joy and peace the Lord wished me to have in knowing that He has every bit of it. I've never had control of my life for one day, but sometimes I pretend that I do. What a crazy concept when I would so much rather know that the Almighty is in control instead of myself. It's a sad thing knowing how much time was wasted instead of being lived fully in those moments. Change is inevitable, but change is not change to God because He is sovereign and "knows the plans He has for us." There is only a question each day to whether I will be like His faithful servant Mary and say "Whatever you say, Lord" or will I choose get in the way. One way or another His purposes will be accomplished just like His way will always be determined the best. Maybe it will not be the easiest route at the time, but it will save so much heart ache and pain in the end. He desires what's best for us--always--and I must keep that in mind. Wherever I am and whatever situation I am facing (good or bad), the God, who is always good, has given it to me. Elisabeth Elliot said, "This is what He has given us to do, this task here on earth, not the task we aspired to do, but this one. The great discrepancy between what we envisioned and what we've got force us to be real and God is our great Reality, more real than the realest of earthly conditions, an unchanging Reality. It is His providence that has put us where we are. It's where we belong. It is for us to receive it--all of it--humbly, quietly, and thankfully." Wherever I am in life, trusting in His ways is necessary to live the life God intended for me to live. Joy doesn't come from a life of easy living, but from a life that knows the goodness of God in us and in all circumstances. 
      On of my favorite quotes is by Jim Elliot who said, "Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living." We accept and thank God for what is given not allowing the not given to spoil it. Whether it's a  hard change or it is waiting patiently for something, each involve a tremendous amount of trust. A servant would not be a good servant if he didn't trust his master. For those who desire to be His vessels, we have to understand that we cannot pick how, when, or where we are supposed to be, but we must continually live for eternity by deciding that we will bring Him glory in whatever He calls us to TODAY. While we are patiently waiting, we should be working. While things are changing, we should be accepting and trusting. Sometimes it's so difficult, but there is no doubt that it is so worth it. Life is truly a vapor and these temporary trials only last for a time. Through them we are only being refined (sometimes by the fire) and I'm learning to thank God for that.
      I breathe easy tonight knowing my God is in control---my God who is always good is in control---my God who works for my good---my God who is for me----My God who knows me, intimately---My God who loves me, without condition---My God who never leaves me or forsakes me----My God who desires to guide me---My God who gave His son to die in my place that I might know Him and be able to breathe easy tonight. 

All I can say is great is His faithfulness towards us.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Peace, Love, and Group 23!

This past week I had an incredible privilege of being a pi chi for Auburn's sorority recruitment. I got to be 16 girls "mom" for the week and help them through the process of deciding if sorority life was the right choice for them. I was blessed to get to know 16 girls precious hearts and, hopefully, be some sort of encouragement from someone who's "been there and done that." Recruitment week can be a fun time--making friends and starting college-- and also a very hard time--considering the fact that sometimes the girls they meet and like don't ask them back the next day. Even though the Lord perfectly works it all out in the end (He ALWAYS works for "our good and His glory"), it is hard as women not to take these sorts of things as a personal rejections. Being on the other side of recruitment again was eye opening. As women, we are constantly in battle with the enemy. He uses our fear of abandonment (rejection) to tear us down. We start thinking we are either too much or not enough in some kind of fashion. He strategizes circumstances everyday that play on our fears. He hopes to turn our attention from the true Lover of our soul to temporary worldly satisfactions. Simply, he uses them to make us less like the women we were MADE to be. Because of that, we trade in a beautiful outcome (one we had to wait patiently and trustingly for) by wasting where he has placed us at this moment instead of living joyfully and thankfully in what He has given us today.
Women, we were made as God's workmanship-- pieces of His beauty, His compassion, His kindness, His softness, and His love. We are to be God's women by showing who He is by who we are and what we do. The only one who can satisfy you, make you whole, heal you, and love you fully, is your Creator.
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17 
Wherever you are in life know your God DELIGHTS in you--accomplishments and failures and all--He does!  He is good, faithful, and does NOT make mistakes. Live in His light today ladies--you are loved greatly.

These are most of my group 23 girls fist pumping because they were done with recruitment--they made it! I was so blessed by them and their trust in His plan for their time at Auburn. May God use them to impact His kingdom in big ways. Love these sweet girls.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Short synopsis of what the Lord has continually reminded me of over the past few years (well one of the many!)
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way an the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3

We have all been through or will go through "rough waters" at some point in our life. Most of the time we are so confused about where to turn with our troubles--we usually lean on ourselves to handle them. God did not allow us to suffer or endure pain so we could handle those things by ourselves. Simply, we can't even in our best efforts. Run to the One who made you, the one who knows you by name, the one who holds your hand in the deep waters. He is our Abba, Father, whose "everlasting arms" are so ready to wrap around us. He cares so deeply for His children and He will provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34). He is FAITHFUL to do that and He will not for one second let go of us. When Jesus left he gave us peace that the world could never give us. Take advantage of that special gift and like elisabeth elliot said,  "Pray to show the world what genuine faith is--the kind of faith that overcomes the world because it trusts and obeys, no matter what the circumstances. The world does not want to be told, it needs to be shown." Praise Him in every season of life--embrace Him.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Desiring Him Alone

Check out this song: Matt Jackson -Healer
Eye opening lyrics:

You are my source
You are my light
and I'm seeking you till all the mysteries are known
I want the healer not just the healing
I want the giver not just the gift
I want the real thing not just something
I want You
I want You

Falling in love with God requires we seek Him for Him.  I am and will always continue to be learning to know him and I have realized how much more He is than I ever imagined...the benefits of Himself are just a wonderful extra. He has changed my life from the RELATIONSHIP not all the perks. Yes, God can/will do truly extraordinary things for you...He saves you, He re-names you as His child, He gives you life abundantly, but those things do not come without loving God truly for who He is. THAT is when a life changes and a persons finds the incredible purpose of glorifying God and doing His will.  Looking back, I found those precious things he gives us through seeking Him and finding Him. God's not our genie in a bottle--He is the Almighty....the 'I AM' that wants a relationship. With that relationship flows beautiful blessings...things we may not have considered as a blessing until then.

Reality Check: Is your upmost desire only Him?

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep His commands." Deut. 7:9

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

In the quiet, In the stillness, I know that You are God.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15


Finding stillness and quietness in my day is one of the hardest things to do. Honestly, I don't really like being still. I love living life with things to do and people to see. I enjoy "going with the flow." God made me with that personality, but with that, I continually have to learn to be obedient in it. We all know that God commands us to be still and rest in His presence, but when do we do it? Do we rush through it? Do we pray in the midst of chaos actually thinking God will answer those prayers right then? I know I don't feel peace about anything when I'm rushing around--even praying while I do. Its frustrating not hearing from God, but truthfully I am the cause of my own frustration. I am not still. Straight up--He commanded us to do it (He never said try or if you want to be still). Therefore, it is for our good and for His glory. After "Be still" God added "and know that I am God." Being still allows us to know who He is. Knowing who He is allows us to hear Him-- which allows us to follow Him--which allows us to become more like Him. We must be obedient in this if we are praying for His will to be done in our lives. I have learned that mornings are best to me--the world is quiet. It is truly amazing what He can show us when we are finally still before Him! The worlds chaos cannot compete with it.


In Daniel 10, Daniel is forced to be still and wait faithfully. Daniel prayed and fasted fervently for 3 weeks unable to hear an answer from God concerning a dream about a great war. Finally, an angel came to him in a dream on the 24th day. The angel had been detained from giving the message to Daniel because he was fighting a heavenly battle against enemy forces. These enemy forces were fighting to prevent Daniel from receiving God's answer --keeping him unable to do the will of God. Through Daniel's unceasing prayers, God sent more of heavens forces to win the battle so the messenger could go to Daniel. Daniel didn't want to do anything out of the Lord's will so he consistently waited patiently, faithfully, and quietly. Of course, the Lord was faithful to answer. "And this is confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3. A quote from a book I am reading said, "Heaven could be waiting on you." Pray about everything and expect an answer (it definitely could be no), but if its His will --learn to accept it even though its hard. His will and desires for us are always perfect. If I have learned nothing else through difficult times, it is that. 


Elijah heard God's "Still small voice" in 1 KIngs 19:12. Praying for that today--I always desperately need it.





Monday, June 13, 2011

Just a Thankful Day

"No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best: therefore many things that God would gladly give us, things even that we need because we are, must wait until we ask for them, that we may know whence they come: when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things." -George McDonald

Learning to pray for each and every situation and am forever working on "praying without ceasing"...it is such a hard thing for our minds not to get wrapped up in the world around us! But I have found lately that once I start learning the first... my eyes look to Him countless times more in everyday situations. Through that, I have become so much more thankful for prayer with my Father...I have and still do take that gift for granted much of the time. It makes me so sad I don't always take advantage of time with Him.

Still wanting to see Him in ALL things--praying for my eyes and ears to become accustomed to His "still small voice".

Monday, June 6, 2011

Truly Listening and Seeing

This caught my eye today: "God teaches us to ask so that He might answer our prayers. This reminds us of the source of our blessings." Elisabeth Elliot tells a story of how she got lost in the city when she had specifically asked God to keep her from getting lost. Her new prayer then was to be found by the young exchange student that was living with her at the time. Doubting that it would happen...she prayed anyway. God allowed her to be rescued within 5 minutes by that student. She said, "the answer to my prayer not to get lost was No--in order that I might be specifically blessed in the way I was found." All the glory goes to Him.

I love it when God surprises me--it reminds me of His greatness and His interest in every little detail of my life. He uses His people, the "wow" of His creation,  and those crazy things that you know are "just God"to speak into my life ---those are the things that truly change my life. We have a God who cares and goes to great lengths to show us just how much each and every day. He did not stop at the cross---the ultimate act of love (first for His glory then for us) ---which would have been more than sufficient for us, but He continues to pour out His blessings and acts of kindness on us. I overlook them too much of the time --especially in the busyness of the day.
"Those who have ears, let him hear. Those who have eyes, let him see." Yes we have ears and eyes, but honestly...are we using them correctly? Jesus calls us to be to be seeing (focused) and listening not just looking and hearing to find Him in the small and (sometimes) big things in life.

Praying to see Him in everything today...especially the small details. He is faithful to be there.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

My Name

A friend shared this with me today--

What is your name? Like most people I would say my name is Katie. If you asked me what I or other people thought when "Katie" came to mind then I'm sure a multitude of answers would be given--to some my name represents the Katie people knew in past years, to some a first impression of me, and to some who I am now--there would be characteristics, appearances, and experiences behind most of the answers. I'm sure a mixture various answers (flaws and all) depending on when that person knew me.

But who am I really?  Who is Katie? None of the answers that people give actually describe who I am. When the Lord took over my life, He gave me a new name and all that comes with it. Your circumstances, past, failures, or even successes don't determine who you are--- He does and already did when Christ died on the cross. This is who I am:

I am God’s child (John 1:12)

I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)

I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)

I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)

I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)

I am born again (I Peter 1:23)

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am delivered (Colossians 1:13)

I am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)

I have been brought near to God through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 2:13)

I have peace (Ephesians 2:14)

I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18)

I am a member of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19)

I am secure (Ephesians 2:20)

I can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17,18).

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17,19).

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9,10).

I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38).

I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

I am God’s child—for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being—alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12;).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).


THIS is who I am and THIS is who you are if you are in Christ. Give your life to the One who can love like no other and live like the child of God you are today--He has equipped you to do all things through Him. You are loved, accepted, and so precious to Him. 


Thanking God for this reminder of His grace, mercy, and love today--for in NO way do I deserve to be or have any of these things. May I strive to live like He has made me to live. To Him be all the glory.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

His Child

These are my sweet cousins emma and ella! Don't you just love them already?!


I thought about them today while reading some in Matthew. 

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." 18:3-4

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 19:14


So, I thought, what are the characteristics children have that are so precious in Jesus' sight? 

  • When I think of emma and ella a few come straight to my mind: Children are completely trusting--they have faith and believe anything is possible (There were plenty of times I thought i was superwoman); they are accepting of all (backgrounds and physical appearance don't matter when you need a hide and go seek partner); they are so loving and easily forgive offenses; they are FULL of joy and excitement about life.
I can think of more than a few verses where those characteristics are mentioned as overflow of a relationship with Christ! Don't so many Fruits of the Spirit describe a  child?! Faith is a requirement for a growing relationship with Him--to see God work in our lives and for Him to use us accordingly.


Praying to be humbled to become more like His child today.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Knowing God

I am reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer at the moment (a MUST read!) This book was written to help Christians know God truly and deeply. I'm not talking about the knowledge of God or even having momentous times when a person felt God. I'm talking about the emotional and relational connection a person has with God--a continuing two way relationship in which our obedience to Him comes out of our deep love for Him. It gets so confused with "godly knowledge" or "knowledge about God" and we completely miss the fact that Jesus died to give us a relationship.. not information. The Israelites had information about Him, but they weren't able to know the heart of God and feel His presence in their lives daily as they walked with Him. Salvation is a transformation--the beginning of real hope--the joyous communion of man and God once again--its grace that is poured out like a waterfall. 

Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice. I know them and they follow me." We know God because he first decided to know and love us. 

J.I. Packer said, "This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort--the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates--in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me." -

Don't we feel most of the time that love is conditional? That if others knew this one thing about us, then they wouldn't love us. Time and time again we decide to hide our imperfections and struggles to meet the criteria the world displays. We not only role play with our peers or our family, but also (and unfortunately) with a Holy and Sovereign God.  Because we are so used to sweeping these things under the rug day after day, those pretend roles are etched on to who we think we are... until they are eventually pointed out. We must accept that God in His love and mercy knows every bit of our sin and imperfections (even more than we know about ourselves). We can't trick God--lets not try. He is waiting for us lay the script aside. Humbling ourselves before God-- raw before Him. This puts us exactly where we our meant to be: at His feet, ready to serve, living as empty vessels. Covering struggles or imperfections only worsens the ache to be fully loved. He is our portion and our satisfier. He fills each hole in our heart perfectly and completely. Let that put joy in our hearts and praise in our mouths when we get up in the morning... He loves us in spite of ourselves.. no matter what! What an unimaginable concept to realize that God thinks about YOU (even when your not thinking about Him)--He is with you every second of everyday--watching over you and loving you unconditionally. Lets give our all to truly know the One who gave His most prized possession for us. He is so worth it.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Being at His disposal

We all have times where we are pressured and consumed with future decisions. They happen more times than we would like for them to and its not easy to stop thinking about them. I keep asking myself, "What am I going to do for the rest of my life? Will I actually use my Elementary Education major? Should I be looking into psychology or counseling? And what about after that?!" I'm just not so sure. I am praying for clarity... actually I would really like for God just to tell me straight up, but then again where is my faith in His perfect plan in that. What He has given me right now is a peace. He is not leading me anywhere else and though I question at times, that peace keeps me where I am. He is sovereign and keeps bringing to mind "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." (Matt. 6:34) My major is not my own and my time is not my own and as long as I am willing to be an empty vessel, He will use me where I am and lead me to where I will go. "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strengths." -Corrie Ten Boom

Today, those questions consumed the first few moments of my morning, but as I opened up to read Keep a Quiet Heart the Lord swayed each one of them. Elisabeth Elliot was writing to individuals who had questions concerning their callings. She replied with, "The first thing was to settle once and for all the supremacy of Christ in my life. I put myself utterly and forever at His disposal, which means turning over all rights to myself, my body, my self-image, my notions of how I am to serve my Master." Oswald Chambers calls it, "Breaking the husk of of my independence of God." If our object is to save others, we cannot save ourselves. Being at His disposal shouldn't mean fear--we are under the complete control of a sovereign God that loves us and I could not think of anywhere that would have more joy and peace.

I keep reminding myself of this true statement. Since when has anything ever surrendered to God been wasted? Never. A life surrendered is a life He can use--A life worth of living.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Standing at the Crossroads


"This is what the Lord says:

'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is; and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' 
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' 
I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' 
But you said 'We will not listen.' " Jeremiah 16:16-17

We all stand stumped at crossroads at one time or another. Not just the major crossroads, but little everyday decisions that land us yielding onto a different path--ones that will veer us off the path just enough for it to take some time before it loops back to His original. Sometimes we find ourselves in the crossroads that are very blatantly labeled "GOOD PATH" one way and "BAD PATH" the other and at other times we are ourselves stuck between a "GOOD PATH" and "THE BEST PATH." The latter path is usually the hardest to start walking-- its so easy to settle for the good path and be complacent-- especially when the best path looks like more work...and we think its not too bad because its still says "good" right? The definition for complacency: the experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situtation or accomplishments. Shouldn't that make a Christian hurt on the inside! Sadly, this how the world sees most "Christians" today-- living in bubble--Jesus is for them alone to enjoy. But how twisted does that sound?.. isn't a Christ follower supposed to be striving each day to look more like Christ? Never satisfied in our human selves as we continually strive for the goal and pull other's into the race to run along side us? Unfortunately the best path is not always taken and when the enemy can't get us using the "BAD PATH" then the "GOOD PATH" is an excellent alternative. Can't you just hear the enemy saying--"Hey, as long as they aren't doing much..its all good with me!"

I cringe thinking about how many times the Lord has shown me the the better path and I have said, 'I will not walk in it'. He pretty much screams at me with that trumpet sometimes! Afterwards, I stand back in awe of myself telling the Lord of the universe "nope, I'd rather not." How absolutely crazy is that? That is just when (like the Israelites in Jeremiah 16:19) our heavenly Father punishes us for our own good-- reminding us once again that He is giving us the "BEST PATH" for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory...so that we live our lives to the fullest-- not wasting it on the same old yield signs we are so used to seeing. He will not only be with us on the harder path, but holding our hands and LEADING us. Wouldn't you rather be on a path with your Sovereign God leading you then on a path by yourself? 

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

He is leading us step by step--over rocks, through dirt, and up mountains--lets come together, stay on His path, and strive to look more like Christ tomorrow than we did today. He, in His victory, is holding us... we have nothing to fear!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Went to the Hillsong United concert last night--incredible. I got just a tiny glimpse of what heaven is going to be like--all His people worshiping Him for who He is together. This was just one of the many of their new songs that are awesome. Check out the lyrics!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Just a Little Encouragement

I have been studying Hebrews 10-12 the past few days. Those chapters hit 3 huge areas in our lives--perseverance, faith, and discipline (I encourage all to read them). No matter how many times I have read these chapters, they seem fresh to me each time--reminding me of its holiness as the Word of God. It always amazes me how much a verse, not to mention a chapter, encompasses when broken down and studied. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea unworthiness! But how amazing is it, when we start to feel hopeless in being who He has called us to be, He reminds us of what He has already done. Our only jobs are to be vessels, willing to be molded, loving our Savior, and drawing others to Him. Simple task--not so simple as humans always. But praise be to Him who "planned something better for us" (Heb. 11:40) and who never gives up on us and promises that,"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Phil. 1:6)

Anyways, I just wanted to share some verses that have been encouraging to me lately to run this race that we (as Christ followers) have been graciously allowed to take part in.
Persevering: Hebrews 10
-"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is FAITHFUL. And let us consider how we may spur on another on toward love and good deeds." 23-24
-"But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are SAVED." 39
Faith: Hebrews 11 - reminds me that God uses ordinary men and women in un-imaginable ways because of one simple thing: trust.
-"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."-
-(talking about Moses) "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of GREATER value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking AHEAD to his reward. By faith he left Egypt not fearing the King's anger; he PERSEVERED because he saw him who is invisible." 26-27
-(talking about all who had faith)"They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have the opportunity to return. Instead they were looking for a better country --a heavenly one. Therefore God is NOT ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." 13-16
-"The world was not worthy of them" 38
I have had to ask myself this question many times and am being challenged to ask it much more: Right now, am I living in the world or of the world?
Discipline: Hebrews 12 
-"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" 7  (I have to catch myself getting so frustrated with discipline because, when I really think about it, how wonderful and blessed (and so unworthy!) are we that our God treats us as sons and daughters?! Willing to discipline us for our good)
-"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later one, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 11
Lord, remind me of this race daily: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sing that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and PERFECTER, of our faith who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose hope." Hebrews 12:1-3

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Beautiful Days Ahead

It was absolutely beautiful outside today; deep blue skies (not one cloud), a breeze, and 70 degrees. As I was walking to class--I deemed it a perfect day. Funny thing is: last night I was standing outside waiting for a ride from the library in the storm and pouring rain. What a 180 degree turn! As soon as God allowed the storm to pass--He gave us the most beautiful day. Today was even prettier than the days before the storm (or at least I thought so) and that reminded of something. Doesn't the Lord do that in our lives all the time?? We may not see the beautiful day ahead, but because of our hardships--he refines us; making us even more beautiful and Christlike than before the storm. Also, we notice the beautiful days because of the storms...we appreciate them! St. Augustine said, "The very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties." Difficulty opens our eyes to the pleasures we have taken for granted.

Here is a quote from the book I am reading:
"God in His mercy did not choose to remove the dilemmas with which he (Paul) faced [SOME OF HIS GREATEST MERCIES ARE REFUSALS], but choose instead to make Himself known to Paul because of them, in ways that would strengthen His faith and make Him a strengthener and an instrument of peace to the rest of us."

Be encouraged in that! If we are going through something (which every Christian should be)--it is because He is strengthening us in Him and molding us to become a strengthener in whatever He has planned! The best part about it is that He has promised we will NEVER stand alone through it. He is FAITHFUL to "never leave us or forsake us."

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Trusting in The Father

"The only escape from self-love is self-surrender." - E.E

"Whoever loses his life for Me will find it" -Matt. 16:25
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." -John 15:9-11


We are in a constant position to learn how the Father loves. When I have resisted him, I have cheated myself and whenever I have surrendered I have found joy. Our battle is knowing that He will meet all our needs and knows FAR better. Of course, most of us have the knowledge that He is "sovereign" (or supreme) God, but yielding to what that means becomes a different story. It means every desire, every deadline, every missed something, every rejection, every door opened is all about accepting His promising and perfect will. His desires for us becoming ours --at every destroyed hope for ourselves TRUSTING that a most greater joy will be revealed to us. I read this really awesome quote that again re-iterates why we aren't always stuck with what we think we should have or our desires are suddenly thwarted: "Heaven is not here, its there. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His invisible kingdom, where we certainly find what we so keenly long for."

Saturday, February 19, 2011

A Quiet Heart

"Lord, give to me a quiet heart
That does not ask to understand,
but confident steps forward in
The darkness guided by Thy hand.”- Elisabeth Elliot
We live day to day with questions upon questions. I pray that I can “be still” and patiently wait for the answers. I am and will continue to be in the process of learning how to have a quiet heart. He does not work on anyone’s time schedule but his own—let me trust that I will never understand His ways fully, but that I am being led (and am willfully going) by a most sovereign God who works all things out for my ultimate good and his ultimate glory.