(I still think they look like they belong on the top of a casket, and not on a pillar or table....but not bad for my first time, right?)
I've been bopin' around to this song today. :)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
From the Top of My Head to the Soles of My Feet
This weekend I helped my sister in law with a huge wedding she was doing the flowers for. This one was one of the biggest wedding she has ever done. It was also different in that all the arrangements were done in floral foam. I have never worked with floral foam before, and so I was a little more than intimidated by it. But, my sister in law totally put me in charge of the two hanging flower arrangements that went at the alter....I told her she was crazy, because if they turned out bad it's the one thing everyone would be sure to see! But she knew what she was doing, because as it turns out, I'm not half bad at this flower arranging stuff!!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Only One Word Comes to Mind
I have always loved the verses in the Bible where it talks about these massive creatures standing around the throne of God crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty"
I love it in the book of Isaiah, chapter 6 because this is where Isaiah's guilt is cleansed with the coal to his lips and he is given a very specific call.
I love it in the book of Revelation because whenever the creatures give glory, honor and thanks it causes others to fall down and worship.
Somewhere along my way I heard that we will one day join those creatures and cry Holy! unto God.
You can call me crazy.
You can think I'm weird.
But I have ALWAYS looked forward to that day!
Today, I'm singing this!
I love it in the book of Isaiah, chapter 6 because this is where Isaiah's guilt is cleansed with the coal to his lips and he is given a very specific call.
I love it in the book of Revelation because whenever the creatures give glory, honor and thanks it causes others to fall down and worship.
Somewhere along my way I heard that we will one day join those creatures and cry Holy! unto God.
You can call me crazy.
You can think I'm weird.
But I have ALWAYS looked forward to that day!
Today, I'm singing this!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
As a Man Thinks in His Heart, So is He (Prov 23:7)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and
my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9
Oh God, I want to know your thoughts. I want to know your ways. Teach me them. I want to think like you think. I want to walk the way you have planned for me. In every situation and circumstance in my life, let me think like you. God let your presence rest over my mind today. Let me hear your thoughts! Open my ears to hear you. I want to hear you. Open my eyes to see you. I want to see you. I want to KNOW you. Teach me your ways!!! Teach me them so that I can walk in them all the days of my life. Let me hear your thoughts. I surrender mine to yours today. I surrender my plans, my hopes, my dreams, and the way I think about them all, to you, and you alone.
Be glorified in me.
Be glorified in me.
****update****
After posting this, I found myself reading in Philippians,
in The Message version,
chapter 2 verses 5-8:
in The Message version,
chapter 2 verses 5-8:
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
God, You're a funny guy.
Thank you.
Show me,
Teach me,
More.
I love you.
<3
Thursday, April 5, 2012
"Everyday I'll awaken my praise, and pour out a song from my heart"
I cannot get this song out of my head this morning.
I cannot stop thinking about how the Bible says
God inhabits the praises of his people.(Psalm 22:3).
God inhabits the praises of his people.(Psalm 22:3).
Some versions even say he is enthroned in our praises.
I may not have been through as many trials as some.
I may even have many more trails that
I cannot even fathom
that will catch me off guard.
I cannot even fathom
that will catch me off guard.
No matter what happens,
I want this to always be my anthem,
and purpose in my heart to make it so.
I want this to always be my anthem,
and purpose in my heart to make it so.
~You are Good~
Your kindness leads me to repentance
Your goodness draws me to your side
Your favor calls me to be like you
Your favor is my delight
Everyday I've awaken my praise and pour out a song from my heart
You are good,
You are good
You are good and your mercy is forever
Your kindness is forever
Your goodness is forever
Your mercy is forever
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thankful
"The seeds of depression cannot take root in a grateful heart"
Sometime last year I heard this said somewhere and I liked it so I wrote it down. It wasn't until recently when I was looking back through my journal for some encouragement that I stumbled across it again. I haven't really been able to get it out of my head.
There have been a lot of things pulling at me and weighing me down lately. Even more so since the start of the new year. Seems like every little thing that goes wrong is just one more straw on this camel's back, and I'm starting to wonder if the next one will be the one that breaks it.
The more I think about it all, the more overwhelming and depressing it all is...
And then I remember this quote. And I find myself identifying all those things big and small that try to pull me down--I realize those would be my "seeds of depression". I don't want those to take root in my heart! I've lived enough depressing days to know that's not where I want to remain.
How do I break this vicious cycle?
I love what Philippians 4:4-7 says (Amplified)
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit).
The Lord is near [He is coming soon].
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I love it! It's so simple! I have to rejoice in the Lord! I have to find SOMETHING to be thankful for. I have to let my mind rest on those things. When I feel like worrying, or that knot of anxiety starts to grow and twist and turn in my stomach, I just have to remember to take it to God with a grateful, thankful attitude...THEN God promises to leave me resting in His perfect peace. And not only that, when I have presented my petitions to God with thanksgiving, he promises to guard my heart and my mind. Wow. What a great God I serve.
Now to start a new list of things big and small to be thankful for....
Lord, help me to take this knowledge that you have given me the ability to understand, and apply it to my life that I might walk in Your wisdom with peace of heart and mind.
Monday, November 7, 2011
I need you Jesus.....
You are the source of the life
I can’t be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of You
I need You Jesus
To come to my rescue
Where else can I go
There’s no other name by
Which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You
This world has nothing for me
I will follow You
This world has nothing for me
I will follow You
Desperation Band
Rescue
Thursday, November 3, 2011
In Season And Out Of Season
I forget how much I really do enjoy blogging.
I have been feeling like it's time to blog something again. I think the feeling comes mostly from the fact that the 2nd anniversary of when I lost my job in Mexico was this past week. I really thought I had a lot of good stuff to say about it, until I realized I blogged about it last year, too. (If you scroll down a little ways, you'll find it....)
So, blogging about it again, well, that's just lame.
Or is it?
At times, I must admit, my heart still aches for the life and people I left in Mexico. I still don't understand why things had to happen the way they did. But that's ok. I don't have to understand it completely, or at all. I just have to trust.
As I have been reflecting this week on the past two years, one verse keeps coming to mind.
2Timothy 4:2 (Amplified)
"Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching."
I think when I lost my job, the opportunity for change, and to go home wasn't favorable to me, or convenient or even welcome. I didn't want it. I endured a lot of heart ache because of my stubbornness and unwillingness to let God take me in a different direction.
Things happen. Things change. Sometimes, they're good. Sometimes, we have a difficult time seeing how they could possibly be any good. But through it all, we have to keep trusting our awesome life-planner, who really does know what He's doing! 'Cause, after all, He does work all things for GOOD because we love him.
God, help us to be prepared for when you bring change. Help us to see, and seize every opportunity you give us, whether or not we can see it as favorable or convenient. Help me to trust You more in every area little and big in my life. You are a good God. There is none like you.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
People are Messy
As I sit here trying to think about how to best describe the past few days in the right words it's challenging.
All I can come up with are these three simple words:
People are messy
We are a crazy emotional lot, sometimes easily offended, easily angered, and not as forgiving as we should be. We hurt easily, break easily and probably more often than we'd like to admit, we lose our way just as easily.
Just this past week I've encountered the postpartum mother, who is doing her best to keep up with all the little ones while crazy hormones do their thing in her body.
I've come across the friend who for whatever reason is more easily offended at this point in time and just needs to be loved, reassured, and maybe even given a bit of "tough love" to help them through to the other side of this.
I've been run over and completely thrown for a loop by a friend, who though they meant well, said some very hurtful things. And while God has graciously given me enough insight to know that what they said was fueled mostly by fear and selfishness, it still stings like slap to the face or a sucker punch to the gut.
And that's just to list a few of us messys that are out there. I could go on.
It makes me ask God, why do you continue to love us so much when we clearly don't deserve it? Why are You so patient with us??
And you know what he said to me?
One word:
Potential
He sees us not just where we are, or how we are. He sees our potential. He sees the awesome plans he has for our lives, plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans for a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
And while we're still mucking through our everyday muck He's right there loving us ever so patiently. Waiting for us to turn to him as our source of every need, physical, emotional, spiritual, or what have you.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving us so much! Thank you for all the potential you see in me, and for not giving up on me. Thank you for promising that, You who began a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it. And help to know that even when it doesn't look like it from where I'm at, you're still working in me and in those around me! Help me to see the potential you see in others, so that I can love them like you do.
You are an awesome God.
Amen
Sunday, February 20, 2011
C2 5k Day 1
My treadmill is broken. It's a very sad thing. I love my treadmill. I prefer to run in the privacy of my home as opposed to on the street or the gym. But alas, it's broken, and has been for quite some time. The good news though, is I have the part! I just need help fixing it.
Broken treadmill or not, I'm not going to let that stop me from my newest exercise goal routine. :)
Have you heard of the recent fad Couch to 5k? I actually heard about it over a year and a half ago, but never paid much attention to it.
For those that don't know, it's a 9 week program that gets you moving and running at least 3 times a week until you reach the goal of running 5k. It's really pretty cool. You can go out to iTunes and download free podcasts for each week. There's a narrator that tells you when to walk and when to run.
Today was my first day trying it. I was able to run 5 of the 8 one minute segments of running. It's not that great, I guess, for some, but for this couch potato who has been horrible in eating and exercise habits, I feel awesome about it. I know that by the end of this week I'll be able to run all 8 one minute segments without a problem.
My mental mantra this morning: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Jehovah Jirah my provider, He provides the strength I need to see this through to completion!
God is so good.
Can't sleep...I think I'll blog...
There are so many random thoughts rolling around in my head tonight as I lay here in my bed tossing and turning thinking about how early I want to get up and knowing full well the longer I'm awake the harder it will be to get up....
It's time to start making changes in my life. Spiritual, physical, emotional. The whole bit. And for the first time in over a year I feel ready, energized, and willing to start making those changes.
Over a year ago I lost my job. And that's when my "world" came crashing down. I absolutely loved my life up to that point. My job wasn't exactly stress-free but life outside of work was so satisfying that it made up for the sucky-ness of the job. But that's not the point.
When I lost my job I desperately tried to hang onto life as I knew it, even though deep down I knew the time I had left in the place I love most was quickly running out. Besides trying to process through the emotional crisis that comes with losing a job I also had to re-adjust living back in the states, in my parents house. Not only that the situation at home wasn't one I wanted to be apart of either, stresses with my brother and his family, a nephew born with a serious physical condition shortly after I arrived back. I was devastated.How could I have failed so miserably? What had I done to deserve this? WHY GOD WHY??? People telling me, "Well you know you're here for such a time as this...God brought you back for a reason" .... I knew he did, but at the time I could only respond with "God brought me back so I could be miserable?" You see, the ache in my heart was too great to be anything but hurt at God for the way he decided to move me.
This is the horrible condition I've been in for the past year. Hardly able to cope with life as I now know it. Feeling lost in a desolate wasteland. What the heck was God doing? Why the heck am I back here???
Until recently I haven't been able to see much past this huge pain in my heart. Each day just going through the motions, putting up a bold front, clinging to little shreds of happiness from my "former way of life". Honestly it's been miserable.
But God is really so good to me. He's been here with me through it all. Patiently waiting for me to stop asking, "Why???". Patiently waiting for me to turn to him for my comfort and not food or friends or tv or what have you. Patiently waiting for me to want to know Him more. Patiently. Waiting.
So here I am. Like waking up from a bad dream that lasted way to long. Here I am. Ready to stop asking "Why????" and ready to come before his throne of grace and let Him heal my hurting heart, ready to let Him show me what it is he is preparing me for, to show me what it is He desires most for me.
What has brought me out of this cloud I've been living in the past year or so? I think the fact that it's been a year and I'm still in the exact same place has something to do with it. I don't want to be stuck walking in the same sad cycle year after year. It's time to move on.
In January my pastor always calls the church to a fast. This too, I believe, has been key in shocking me back to reality. It's the little effort I made toward God that has started a slow snow-balling process into wanting more of him.
Since that fast, I can honestly say, my desire has been just to know God more. Slowly (I could probably even say VERY slowly) I've started making little changes in my daily habits. Trying to wake up a little earlier just to spend time with God. Reading my Bible a little more. Finding books that encourage me in my walk. Putting God first in my day before checking Facebook, my email, and chatting with friends online. Baby steps in the right direction.
And now I'm ready to take it a step further. I want to really know God more. I want to live a Spirit-filled, disciplined life pleasing and acceptable to God and God alone. I want him to be what I crave the most, more than friendships, more than family, more than ministry, more than food.
And that's my next step. Putting food in the right place in my life. As you can imagine, having my heart ache and break for so long the thing I've tried to comfort myself with the most has been food. Giving it a higher place in my life than God. God forgive me.
So here's my plan.
I just read the most amazing book, Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeusts. In her book is all about her journey to know God better as she practiced putting Scripture to use in the area of healthy choices in what she ate. She really didn't say anything new that I didn't already know, but reading that book, I believe, has been the catalysis for launching me further in my walk with God.
These quotes right here are just two of many that I have highlighted in the book:
"How do you grow close to God? I answered, "By making the choice to deny ourselves something that is permissible but not beneficial. And making this intentional sacrifice for the sole purpose of growing closer to God. After all, Jesus Himself said, "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" Luke 9:23"
"After all, remember the ultimate goal of this journey isn't about making me a smaller sized person but rather making me crave Jesus and His truths as the ultimate filler of my heart."
And so that's where I am, folks. I want to know God more. And I am, from this point on, making intentional sacrifices for the sole purpose of growing closer to Him.
This means, for a while, no more Dr. Pepper (0r other carbonated beverages), no more sweets, less of the high calorie, more of the good for you foods.
This also means a more dedicated approach to exercise. I am actually starting a running program couch to 5k. In 9 weeks I can be running 5k! That's only if I stay consistent on leaning on God to help me keep up a more disciplined lifestyle. And I know, he will as long as I'm willing.
I hope that if you happen to read this, you too are encouraged in your journey to know God more. I also hope that this is the first of many more posts that proclaim God's goodness to me in my life!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Whatever Rule
Today I have been challenged by what I like to call the
"Whatever Rule"
found in
Philippians 4:8 (Amplified)
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
What are you doing?
What are you thinking?
What are you watching?
What are you listening to?
What are you speaking?
Does it fit into the "Whatever Rule"?
What a challenge!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
yikes! it's been a while!
Well, it's entirely too late to do any real blogging tonight!
I will leave a quick update, for anyone who might happen to still check this!
I no longer live in Mexico :'(
It's been really hard to come to terms with that fact, but God is so good. And so patient with me. I know he has an amazing plan, he's just waiting for me to come around and see life from his point of view--I'm getting there.
I moved back sate-side end of January of this year.
It's been hard finding a teaching job.
Thankfully I did find SOMETHING.
At a day care.
But it's totally where God wants me right now. So it's all good.
I recently took my test and became a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.
I'm waiting on God to open the right doors as to which direction I should go next.
I love my family.
God is good.
That is all.
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