So for the first day of November I thought I would share what I am most thankful for which is salvation! Hands down! We didn't deserve Christ's gift to us but He lovingly laid down His life for us! Thank the Lord for grace!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Thankful
As November is getting ready to begin tomorrow, I am thinking about fall and Thanksgiving. I fully believe Americans in general are not nearly thankful as we should be. I have seen children with nothing to eat, but even they had help from the government to get food, and while I have never seen been to other countries myself, I know people who has. They come back with stories of families that can't support themselves, that doesn't get help from anyone and are forced to live in mud huts and hunt in the garbage for food and clothes. From the few trips I have been on, I continually try to be thankful and always remind myself that there are people worse off than me.
Soooo, for the month of November, I am going to take at least one picture of things I am thankful for and post it here. I will still have at least the devotions going. I am unpacking and trying to get my place ready to be acceptable to see by Thanksgiving because my brother and sister in law are coming in.
So an introduction picture (that I did not take,except off of Pinterest! lol)
Soooo, for the month of November, I am going to take at least one picture of things I am thankful for and post it here. I will still have at least the devotions going. I am unpacking and trying to get my place ready to be acceptable to see by Thanksgiving because my brother and sister in law are coming in.
So an introduction picture (that I did not take,except off of Pinterest! lol)
Have a blessed day everyone!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Being the Body of Christ
I have a wonderful friend who is always posting amazing things on Facebook. He is such a Godly man and just an all around great guy! I got this from him and kinda expounded on some of his thoughts. Thanks Brian Sawyer for your amazing thoughts!
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV)
There is so much in this passage. Some things I want to point out:
-some were appointed to offices, not everyone. If everyone in your church has a title, then maybe there should be some rediscovering of who we are called to be.
- the saints do the work of the ministry as those appointed to an office teach them
-everything is not placed on the shoulders of the leadership. Some times you need to go visit someone and not expect your pastor to do it. My pastor always says sheep breed sheep. Our pastors are only one person, and they cannot absolutely witness to everyone. It is really every Christian's duty to witness to others, not just the ones in leadership positions.
-all of our ministry is for the body of Christ to mature and to be unified. (I love this point! Couldn't have said it better myself)
-we should be perfect, so we can not use the excuse that we're not. He has made the way by His Spirit.
-ALL things should be done in love.
-we are to grow up in ALL things. Children aren't very wise and can be persuaded to believe anything and do almost anything. Adults grow wiser as they grow older. We have to be spiritual adults as well as physical adults so we can be wise and see when someone is deceiving us.
-if we are lacking in any good thing it could be because we are not properly positioned within the body, or connected with the right people.
-what God has placed in you is crucial for others to reach their potential. God does not anoint with you with whatever He has given you to make you better. He gave you those talents and gifts to bless other people with.
-what God has given you is not just for you, but for everyone connected to you
-it's time to grow up and be who God has called us to be
-without each other it's impossible
-no man is in Christ by himself
-if we are to all come into unity, you may have to spend your time helping someone else get there
-this is a team effort
-we are to grow up into the image of Christ....not your favorite preacher, teacher, or televangelist. Be yourself and concentrate on the life of Christ.
-it is possible for us all to be in one accord
-if we know we have something that someone else may need, then maybe we should volunteer to ask people how we can help them.
-Gods promises will lead to a drawing closer of you the people around you. If it is pulling you apart, it may be because of improper stewardship.
-we need to submit to leadership
-what we need to learn has been deposited into the leadership that God has placed above us.
Again, thanks Brian for being such an encouragement!
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV)
There is so much in this passage. Some things I want to point out:
-some were appointed to offices, not everyone. If everyone in your church has a title, then maybe there should be some rediscovering of who we are called to be.
- the saints do the work of the ministry as those appointed to an office teach them
-everything is not placed on the shoulders of the leadership. Some times you need to go visit someone and not expect your pastor to do it. My pastor always says sheep breed sheep. Our pastors are only one person, and they cannot absolutely witness to everyone. It is really every Christian's duty to witness to others, not just the ones in leadership positions.
-all of our ministry is for the body of Christ to mature and to be unified. (I love this point! Couldn't have said it better myself)
-we should be perfect, so we can not use the excuse that we're not. He has made the way by His Spirit.
-ALL things should be done in love.
-we are to grow up in ALL things. Children aren't very wise and can be persuaded to believe anything and do almost anything. Adults grow wiser as they grow older. We have to be spiritual adults as well as physical adults so we can be wise and see when someone is deceiving us.
-if we are lacking in any good thing it could be because we are not properly positioned within the body, or connected with the right people.
-what God has placed in you is crucial for others to reach their potential. God does not anoint with you with whatever He has given you to make you better. He gave you those talents and gifts to bless other people with.
-what God has given you is not just for you, but for everyone connected to you
-it's time to grow up and be who God has called us to be
-without each other it's impossible
-no man is in Christ by himself
-if we are to all come into unity, you may have to spend your time helping someone else get there
-this is a team effort
-we are to grow up into the image of Christ....not your favorite preacher, teacher, or televangelist. Be yourself and concentrate on the life of Christ.
-it is possible for us all to be in one accord
-if we know we have something that someone else may need, then maybe we should volunteer to ask people how we can help them.
-Gods promises will lead to a drawing closer of you the people around you. If it is pulling you apart, it may be because of improper stewardship.
-we need to submit to leadership
-what we need to learn has been deposited into the leadership that God has placed above us.
Again, thanks Brian for being such an encouragement!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Does Anybody Hear?
I love this song and the reminder it gives. I think as Christians, we often don't see the people hurting around us. I think people generally get caught up with their own problems and ignore the ones who are getting ready to ruin their lives in some way.
Christians also have a tendency to feel like they are better than the people in the world because we keep ourselves to certain standards and we go to church and we are saved and we have no reason to worry about where we will spend eternity, but Christ has called us to witness and minister to the lost. But it is impossible to minister to them if we don't see them around us.
And by seeing them, I don't mean looking down on them. I mean seeing them with the compassion that Christ showed the woman at the well and countless others. I read a quote that said, "We should never look down on someone unless we are reaching down to help them up."
Let us show the compassion of Christ today and have a wonderful day!
Monday, October 28, 2013
The Importance of Serving While Single
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Psalm 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
I believe it is important to serve others no matter what your state is,single, married, widowed, handicapped, young, old, what have you. There is always a way to serve someone else no matter what, even if it is very small in your eyes.
I am fairly young and completely healthy and love to help others. The verse in Ecclesiastes says to remember your Creator in the days of your youth. I have heard countless older people tell me that they wish they had the opportunity to work in the church or other various things to serve and just couldn't because their health kept them from it. They are still serving by being an encouragement to others and giving advice to the ones who will listen.
The verse in Psalm says to delight yourself in the Lord and to commit your ways to Him and He will give you the desires of your heart. I believe that if you focus on serving God and serving others as He commands us, that He will give you not only what you need but also your wants.
I also believe that just because I am single, it is pointless for me to sit around and do nothing but wait on a spouse and then start working. I want a spouse that is willing to work and wants to serve others, so it doesn't make sense for just to sit around and do nothing until he shows up, because when he does come around, he won't want anything to do with me if I am doing nothing because he will think I'm lazy and he will want someone working for the Lord also.
In some ways, it is easier to serve while you are single. I have had opportunities to travel (not out of the country, but to different parts of the country. I can't wait to get out of the country too!) that if I have had to worry about taking care of a spouse or kids I wouldn't have been able to go. Some of these opportunities show up last minute, and since it is just me I can just pack a bag and go!
Ok, so now some of my favorite ways to serve.
1) Our church has nursing home services that I absolutely love going to. It makes me so thankful of everything I have, my family, my health, and my ability to go anytime I want. I go to be a blessing but most of the time I come away the one blessed! These sweet people most of the time have no one to care about them, and they just love the attention. Most of them have such a sweet spirit and are so encouraging, even though you are there to encourage them.
2) My church has a Christian school, and my favorite way to serve hands down is going to volunteer at the school. I absolutely love those kids! On a whole they are really great kids and it is an honor to help shape them and prepare them for life. I have a couple that needed more tutoring than others and they have my phone number and still call me to help tutor them!
3) Mission trips- Again I have only been to trips inside the country and I cannot wait until I get to go outside of the country too! I have been to one in Arkansas where we went into one of the poorest counties in America. My group helped with a two week youth camp. I cried the whole week! The families I saw and the condition they were in made me so thankful for everything I have. You could obviously tell they didn't have a tenth of the "things" I have, but on a whole were many times more thankful for what they did have. I have also been to Harland, KY several times, and will get to go back this year. This a coal mining community who struggles to make ends meet, and we are getting to give food and toys out for Christmas. I love helping the kids put their toys together and playing with them!
I honestly believe we are the ones who get the blessing when we serve others!
Have a great Monday Everyone!
Psalm 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
I believe it is important to serve others no matter what your state is,single, married, widowed, handicapped, young, old, what have you. There is always a way to serve someone else no matter what, even if it is very small in your eyes.
I am fairly young and completely healthy and love to help others. The verse in Ecclesiastes says to remember your Creator in the days of your youth. I have heard countless older people tell me that they wish they had the opportunity to work in the church or other various things to serve and just couldn't because their health kept them from it. They are still serving by being an encouragement to others and giving advice to the ones who will listen.
The verse in Psalm says to delight yourself in the Lord and to commit your ways to Him and He will give you the desires of your heart. I believe that if you focus on serving God and serving others as He commands us, that He will give you not only what you need but also your wants.
I also believe that just because I am single, it is pointless for me to sit around and do nothing but wait on a spouse and then start working. I want a spouse that is willing to work and wants to serve others, so it doesn't make sense for just to sit around and do nothing until he shows up, because when he does come around, he won't want anything to do with me if I am doing nothing because he will think I'm lazy and he will want someone working for the Lord also.
In some ways, it is easier to serve while you are single. I have had opportunities to travel (not out of the country, but to different parts of the country. I can't wait to get out of the country too!) that if I have had to worry about taking care of a spouse or kids I wouldn't have been able to go. Some of these opportunities show up last minute, and since it is just me I can just pack a bag and go!
Ok, so now some of my favorite ways to serve.
1) Our church has nursing home services that I absolutely love going to. It makes me so thankful of everything I have, my family, my health, and my ability to go anytime I want. I go to be a blessing but most of the time I come away the one blessed! These sweet people most of the time have no one to care about them, and they just love the attention. Most of them have such a sweet spirit and are so encouraging, even though you are there to encourage them.
2) My church has a Christian school, and my favorite way to serve hands down is going to volunteer at the school. I absolutely love those kids! On a whole they are really great kids and it is an honor to help shape them and prepare them for life. I have a couple that needed more tutoring than others and they have my phone number and still call me to help tutor them!
3) Mission trips- Again I have only been to trips inside the country and I cannot wait until I get to go outside of the country too! I have been to one in Arkansas where we went into one of the poorest counties in America. My group helped with a two week youth camp. I cried the whole week! The families I saw and the condition they were in made me so thankful for everything I have. You could obviously tell they didn't have a tenth of the "things" I have, but on a whole were many times more thankful for what they did have. I have also been to Harland, KY several times, and will get to go back this year. This a coal mining community who struggles to make ends meet, and we are getting to give food and toys out for Christmas. I love helping the kids put their toys together and playing with them!
I honestly believe we are the ones who get the blessing when we serve others!
Have a great Monday Everyone!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Revival
We are having revival this week at church, so it has made it a very busy week. My pastor made the statement that "Revival is a state of living, not an event." I have been thinking about this statement since he made it. The dictionary says revival is renewed attention to or interest in something. We should live everyday with a renewed interest in God and His Word and what He wants for us that day. I know this is hard because "Life is a cycle of remembering and forgetting." (Ted Dekker, If you have never read anything by him, I completely recommend him.) And sometimes we go through several cycles of forgetting and remembering in a day. I know my brain won't quit worrying about certain situations. I will pray about them and then five minutes later I am worrying about them again. I am particularly bad to do this money. And then I have to remind myself that I turned it over to God and with His help everything will be ok.
So that is the deep thought for this morning.
Last night I get to church early, and I was eating supper in the car and my sweet friend Kaitlyn and her husband pull up and she wants some of my macaroni and we couldn't quite reach.
So that is the deep thought for this morning.
Last night I get to church early, and I was eating supper in the car and my sweet friend Kaitlyn and her husband pull up and she wants some of my macaroni and we couldn't quite reach.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Praise in the Storm
We are having revival this week at church and the evangelist talked about the difference in faith and trust (more on that in another post), and they sang a song that the daughter and my dear friend , Sandy, wrote, and its called "I'm Not Afraid to Trust Him." I fell in love with this song, but as they haven't recorded it yet, I can't share it with you. But one that is very similar and I have always loved is Casting Crowns "Praise You in the Storm." It really goes along with the trust no matter what, because if we don't trust God in the storm, we sure can't praise Him in the storm.
I hope that no matter if you are in a storm or you see clear skies, you praise Him.
Also have a great Tuesday!
I hope that no matter if you are in a storm or you see clear skies, you praise Him.
Also have a great Tuesday!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Remembering the Refuge
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
David said this while he was going through trials. He said it with no question, that God IS our refuge, not that He might be sometimes, but He is ALWAYS our refuge.
So many times we forget what a refuge we have, I know I do. I tend to worry about things I can't change or do anything about and if I would just go hide under the refuge and leave my worry outside, I would be so much better off. God wants us to use Him as a refuge and so many times we don't go to the one place where we can find help.
I am guilty of coming to Him as a last resort, when I really know if I would take it to Him first, I wouldn't end up hurt or frustrated or angry with whatever situation it is. I am really trying to live under the refuge and look to Him for help at the first sign of trouble.
People often don't have a problem standing in line for a meal, or a sale at a store, but they often won't go to the place to get the help they need spiritually. They also act embarrassed by the fact that they need help, when it really is as natural as filling the car up with gas. Life drains us, and we need to run to the refuge to recharge.
Remember who is your refuge and have a great Monday!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
David said this while he was going through trials. He said it with no question, that God IS our refuge, not that He might be sometimes, but He is ALWAYS our refuge.
So many times we forget what a refuge we have, I know I do. I tend to worry about things I can't change or do anything about and if I would just go hide under the refuge and leave my worry outside, I would be so much better off. God wants us to use Him as a refuge and so many times we don't go to the one place where we can find help.
I am guilty of coming to Him as a last resort, when I really know if I would take it to Him first, I wouldn't end up hurt or frustrated or angry with whatever situation it is. I am really trying to live under the refuge and look to Him for help at the first sign of trouble.
People often don't have a problem standing in line for a meal, or a sale at a store, but they often won't go to the place to get the help they need spiritually. They also act embarrassed by the fact that they need help, when it really is as natural as filling the car up with gas. Life drains us, and we need to run to the refuge to recharge.
Remember who is your refuge and have a great Monday!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Unfailing Love
One thing Remains by Jesus Culture
I have had my Pandora playing the last few days, especially when I am at work, and I caught myself singing along to this song. All of a sudden I felt like the words just slapped me in the face. The chorus is all about how God's love never fails and never gives up on us no matter what we do to fail Him. Lately, I have felt so unworthy of His love, but that really makes me appreciate it that much more!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!
I have had my Pandora playing the last few days, especially when I am at work, and I caught myself singing along to this song. All of a sudden I felt like the words just slapped me in the face. The chorus is all about how God's love never fails and never gives up on us no matter what we do to fail Him. Lately, I have felt so unworthy of His love, but that really makes me appreciate it that much more!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Singleness
This post is just some raw feelings. I actually wrote it a couple days ago and still feel this way today, but over the weekend I realized that I am blessed even though I am single. I don't feel as depressed as this sounds like I did, but I am sure that will come back. But for the time being, I am trying to focus on the positive and just trust God and praise Him for the blessings I do have.
I long for a husband. I find myself lonely a lot these days wishing I had that mate whom I could spend the rest of my days with. I realize I am supposed to trust God and wait in Him but that is so hard. I told myself I would not look for another guy to try to fix the hurt that came from someone close to me who I never thought would hurt me, but since I told myself that I have had two former relationships (however brief they were) get in contact with me. While nothing serious has happened from these talks, it still reminds me that I am lonely. I also wonder if it is a trick to get my mind off of God to try to pursue either of these guys. There has got to be someone special out there for me, who will treat me different than previous relationships. I want to be able to trust my heart with someone and have him trust me the same way and merge our live together and serve the Lord together.
I feel like I am being punished for doing the right thing while those around me get to be happy because they were dishonest and willing to hurt others to be together. Everyone has been telling me I need to get married and they just don't understand that I haven't found the right one yet. I thought I knew who it was and then he hurt me, and I then I thought I found him again, but I have never met him in person just on Facebook and while I admire him and his work I just don't see how that could work since he lives across the state (but stranger things have happened. my brother met his wife in Oklahoma.) and I know I tend to rush God and that gets me in trouble, but I have to be the worst in the world at waiting.
I get told all the time that I am beautiful and pretty (and I have a pretty decent self esteem but it is still nice to hear), but it seems like the only guys that are interested in me, are only interested in sleeping with me, and I have decided that I deserve so much more than to just get used physically. and then sometimes I think, if I did let myself then at least I would be with someone.
I have always wanted to adopt but I always wanted to do it with someone and build a family. I always wanted someone to even out my weaknesses with their strengths and the other way around. I know there are perks to being to single, but right now all I see is the loneliness. I am at that stage of life where everyone I went to school with , and all my friends are getting married and having kids and I want that too. I want someone to share holidays with joint families.
The older I get the more I have a hard time waiting because I feel like my age will keep me from getting married. I know in my head that it won't but I am in a culture when everyone gets married young because that is when we are physically at our best. My parents also married young and I always thought I would too. Now I am seeing how wrong I was. I read a lot of blogs where most of them are wives and moms and most of them are my age or younger and that really doesn't help. I have heard over and over when the time is right God will send the right one along, but most of the time the people saying this are the ones who are already happily married and it really doesn't help that much. I started this blog to try to help single women like me, but I don't see where I can help if I still have all of these feelings that it doesn't seem like I can control. Maybe it is just helping someone because I am going through this with them.
I long for a husband. I find myself lonely a lot these days wishing I had that mate whom I could spend the rest of my days with. I realize I am supposed to trust God and wait in Him but that is so hard. I told myself I would not look for another guy to try to fix the hurt that came from someone close to me who I never thought would hurt me, but since I told myself that I have had two former relationships (however brief they were) get in contact with me. While nothing serious has happened from these talks, it still reminds me that I am lonely. I also wonder if it is a trick to get my mind off of God to try to pursue either of these guys. There has got to be someone special out there for me, who will treat me different than previous relationships. I want to be able to trust my heart with someone and have him trust me the same way and merge our live together and serve the Lord together.
I feel like I am being punished for doing the right thing while those around me get to be happy because they were dishonest and willing to hurt others to be together. Everyone has been telling me I need to get married and they just don't understand that I haven't found the right one yet. I thought I knew who it was and then he hurt me, and I then I thought I found him again, but I have never met him in person just on Facebook and while I admire him and his work I just don't see how that could work since he lives across the state (but stranger things have happened. my brother met his wife in Oklahoma.) and I know I tend to rush God and that gets me in trouble, but I have to be the worst in the world at waiting.
I get told all the time that I am beautiful and pretty (and I have a pretty decent self esteem but it is still nice to hear), but it seems like the only guys that are interested in me, are only interested in sleeping with me, and I have decided that I deserve so much more than to just get used physically. and then sometimes I think, if I did let myself then at least I would be with someone.
I have always wanted to adopt but I always wanted to do it with someone and build a family. I always wanted someone to even out my weaknesses with their strengths and the other way around. I know there are perks to being to single, but right now all I see is the loneliness. I am at that stage of life where everyone I went to school with , and all my friends are getting married and having kids and I want that too. I want someone to share holidays with joint families.
The older I get the more I have a hard time waiting because I feel like my age will keep me from getting married. I know in my head that it won't but I am in a culture when everyone gets married young because that is when we are physically at our best. My parents also married young and I always thought I would too. Now I am seeing how wrong I was. I read a lot of blogs where most of them are wives and moms and most of them are my age or younger and that really doesn't help. I have heard over and over when the time is right God will send the right one along, but most of the time the people saying this are the ones who are already happily married and it really doesn't help that much. I started this blog to try to help single women like me, but I don't see where I can help if I still have all of these feelings that it doesn't seem like I can control. Maybe it is just helping someone because I am going through this with them.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Update on Moving (or Lack of)
So I really wanted to get on here this morning and tell everyone what great progress I had made on packing my house and how I was ready to move in 11 days, but I got home and was so tired I sat down for a few minutes, then cleaned out a closet (some reason I am doing better with the closets right now), and went and got supper.
After supper I got a text from a friend saying she was taking her baby girl to the ER because she was running a real high fever, and she asked me if I would come sit with her (to keep mommy calm, baby was great even though she didn't feel good). So I got in the car and went.
We have been friends for ten years and have been there for each other through alot. She knows that I am a Christian, and what a great way to witness to her than with an act of love, by just being there. She told me I was the only one she could call to come sit with her. We need to be on the lookout for opportunities to witness. This wasn't really convenient for me, my friend and her baby are so much more important than packing "stuff."
With this move, I will be alot closer to her and will get to babysit her two kids more often and see her more. Turns out baby is fine. The fever could either be from an ongoing ear infection or from teething, but it was coming down as we were leaving.
Then I came home and talked to a different friend up until about 11 (which is really late for me now), and then he texted me first thing this morning. Monday was not great, but it is turning out to be a really good week.
Hope everyone is having a great week! Happy Hump day!
Here is the sweet girl a few weeks ago, feeling great!
After supper I got a text from a friend saying she was taking her baby girl to the ER because she was running a real high fever, and she asked me if I would come sit with her (to keep mommy calm, baby was great even though she didn't feel good). So I got in the car and went.
We have been friends for ten years and have been there for each other through alot. She knows that I am a Christian, and what a great way to witness to her than with an act of love, by just being there. She told me I was the only one she could call to come sit with her. We need to be on the lookout for opportunities to witness. This wasn't really convenient for me, my friend and her baby are so much more important than packing "stuff."
With this move, I will be alot closer to her and will get to babysit her two kids more often and see her more. Turns out baby is fine. The fever could either be from an ongoing ear infection or from teething, but it was coming down as we were leaving.
Then I came home and talked to a different friend up until about 11 (which is really late for me now), and then he texted me first thing this morning. Monday was not great, but it is turning out to be a really good week.
Hope everyone is having a great week! Happy Hump day!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
As Far As the East is from the West
Casting Crowns sings this song and I absolutely love it! It the perfect picture of grace and mercy. I love how Jesus "casts our sin as far as the East is from the West." and continues to love us and pick us up after we fail. I love the line in the first verse that says "I don't wan to end up where you found me." and then " I feel like I'm just one mistake away from you leaving me this way." These two thoughts are continuously on my mind. I have done things I am not proud of, and will most likely do more, but Jesus died so our sin can be cast away and because He loved us. And He does everything He can to keep us in His arms, but so many times we do things to separate ourselves from Him. I am so thankful He knows how far the east is from the west, but He chooses not to remember our forgiven sins.
Have a great Tuesday!
Have a great Tuesday!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Being Held By Mercy
Psalm 94:17-18
17 Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
There have been many times I have felt like my soul was in silence. I feel lost and despondant and no one can help you out of that situation. The only help I can get is from time and prayer with the Lord. Here lately I have had alot of stress and hurt, and I find myself wanting to get angry and bitter and when I do my soul will dwell in silence again. I don't want this to happen at all. It's not a good place to be.
There have been many times I have slipped and failed God and others. The only reason I am the person I am today is because of the mercy of God. When I feel myself falling, it's only His mercy that keeps me from completely crashing. I have a picture in my head of someone falling over a cliff and the Lord catching me at just the last minute, so perfectly like it was in the movies or something. It's Monday and nothing seems to be going right today and I feel like going back home to bed and shutting the world out, and today I need His mercy to hold me up. This past week dealing with things, I feel like I have messed everything up I go to do. I feel alone because I am single and the people who hurt me are happy. I feel like I am not worthy of mercy. None of us are worthy of mercy, which is exactly why we need it. Yesterday, in church, I gave the hurt, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness to God, and immediately felt His mercy surround me. I felt like I was being hugged tightly and it was healing my wounds from years ago to today. I am not completely ok but I am healing. I don't know what I would do without His mercy helping me.
Ok it's rainy and wet, which may be a little cause for the depressing note, but go have a cup of hot tea and read a good book and I am going to get to work. Happy Monday everyone!
17 Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
There have been many times I have felt like my soul was in silence. I feel lost and despondant and no one can help you out of that situation. The only help I can get is from time and prayer with the Lord. Here lately I have had alot of stress and hurt, and I find myself wanting to get angry and bitter and when I do my soul will dwell in silence again. I don't want this to happen at all. It's not a good place to be.
There have been many times I have slipped and failed God and others. The only reason I am the person I am today is because of the mercy of God. When I feel myself falling, it's only His mercy that keeps me from completely crashing. I have a picture in my head of someone falling over a cliff and the Lord catching me at just the last minute, so perfectly like it was in the movies or something. It's Monday and nothing seems to be going right today and I feel like going back home to bed and shutting the world out, and today I need His mercy to hold me up. This past week dealing with things, I feel like I have messed everything up I go to do. I feel alone because I am single and the people who hurt me are happy. I feel like I am not worthy of mercy. None of us are worthy of mercy, which is exactly why we need it. Yesterday, in church, I gave the hurt, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness to God, and immediately felt His mercy surround me. I felt like I was being hugged tightly and it was healing my wounds from years ago to today. I am not completely ok but I am healing. I don't know what I would do without His mercy helping me.
Ok it's rainy and wet, which may be a little cause for the depressing note, but go have a cup of hot tea and read a good book and I am going to get to work. Happy Monday everyone!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Moving
I paid the deposit on my new place yesterday and I get to start moving stuff in the 21st and I have to be out of my old place by the 31st, so I started packing last night. I work best with music on and it has to be music that I know. I found the Disney station on Pandora and turned it up as loud as I could without disturbing my neighbors and danced and packed and cleaned. I got quite the workout which just reminded me I needed to do that more often too.
I walked into my house last night and realized I have no idea where to start. I just started with basic house cleaning and if I ran across something I don't use I put it into a box. So today I am going to try to make a to-do list to follow in the evenings after work. That is when I have to do most of my packing because this weekend I have completely full and then I will have one weekend between now and the weekend I move the furniture to get packed.
I will get to take loads of small stuff before I have to move the big furniture so that will help. It is a very stressful time for me though and I am already wore out, so I need to find ways to relax and shut my brain off so I can get some sleep. So hopefully I will get to take pictures throughout the process, but I might forget.
Now I have to get my work done so I can search Pinterest for help!
Happy Thursday! It's almost Friday!
I walked into my house last night and realized I have no idea where to start. I just started with basic house cleaning and if I ran across something I don't use I put it into a box. So today I am going to try to make a to-do list to follow in the evenings after work. That is when I have to do most of my packing because this weekend I have completely full and then I will have one weekend between now and the weekend I move the furniture to get packed.
I will get to take loads of small stuff before I have to move the big furniture so that will help. It is a very stressful time for me though and I am already wore out, so I need to find ways to relax and shut my brain off so I can get some sleep. So hopefully I will get to take pictures throughout the process, but I might forget.
Now I have to get my work done so I can search Pinterest for help!
Happy Thursday! It's almost Friday!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
I Like to Move It
So, I am moving again. This will be the third time in two years. I am really ready to get settled somewhere, but moving that many times means I am becoming a pro. Well, this time I have Pinterest to help me even more. I have spent all my free time at work on Pinterest looking at moving and packing tips and when I get tired of those, I look at ways to rearrange furniture and decorate.
I have all the furniture I need, so I don't really have to buy anything new for this place so that will help. I am going through everything this week and be getting rid of a lot of stuff I don't need or use anymore.
I have had so many offers to help me that I have actually had to turn down help! I am really blessed with amazing family and friends!!!
So every free evening this week will include: Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Disney music at full blast (don't judge! it's how I work best), multiple trips to Goodwill or friend's house with things I don't need (I give her things, she gives me diaper boxes to pack in. It's a beautiful relationship.), and lots of boxes and cleaning.
Happy Hump Day everyone!!!
P.S. Just in case you are interested you check out my Pinterest here. http://www.pinterest.com/ladybugrules/boards/
I have all the furniture I need, so I don't really have to buy anything new for this place so that will help. I am going through everything this week and be getting rid of a lot of stuff I don't need or use anymore.
I have had so many offers to help me that I have actually had to turn down help! I am really blessed with amazing family and friends!!!
So every free evening this week will include: Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Disney music at full blast (don't judge! it's how I work best), multiple trips to Goodwill or friend's house with things I don't need (I give her things, she gives me diaper boxes to pack in. It's a beautiful relationship.), and lots of boxes and cleaning.
Happy Hump Day everyone!!!
P.S. Just in case you are interested you check out my Pinterest here. http://www.pinterest.com/ladybugrules/boards/
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Finger Prints of God
I have loved this song since I first heard it. It reminds everyone that while they may not be perfect, God made you and has His fingerprints all over you.
I love to listen to this song when I am hurting to renew my self confidence and to remind myself, even if no other human being loves (which is never true, I have amazing family and friends!) that God always loves me!
I always thought that this was a good song to play to those pre-teen and teen girls who get hurt by being compared to everyone else. Let them know that just because they don't look like everyone else doesn't mean that they are not special. Our girls need to hear some positive feedback about how they look and act. Encourage them to be themselves and be confident in their own abilities and don't compare their reflection to the photo shopped magazines!
Enjoy your Tuesday and Be Awesome!
I love to listen to this song when I am hurting to renew my self confidence and to remind myself, even if no other human being loves (which is never true, I have amazing family and friends!) that God always loves me!
I always thought that this was a good song to play to those pre-teen and teen girls who get hurt by being compared to everyone else. Let them know that just because they don't look like everyone else doesn't mean that they are not special. Our girls need to hear some positive feedback about how they look and act. Encourage them to be themselves and be confident in their own abilities and don't compare their reflection to the photo shopped magazines!
Enjoy your Tuesday and Be Awesome!
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