Hello friends! I am back from a wonderful fun-filled week with sleep-talking jr. high kids, wolf spiders, and sunshine! This Monday morning, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude. The rain outside my window reminds me of the providence and care of our Lord. He certainly proves himself faithful time and time again.
Camp was truly an incredible experience. The Lord showed up every night and not only did he wreck the kids, he wrecked me. Ugly cry, snot and all. (Why can I not be a pretty cryer?) The Lord touched my heart in a way that I have not experienced in nearly a year. I knew after the last night that my life's desire is to be spent for God's glory.
I spoke one of the nights about passion. As I prepared for the talk, I looked back at my own life and saw how the Lord had developed so much passion inside of me. It is an uncontrollable emotion that exudes from the heart and cannot be missed by others. I realized that this very passion that wells up within me is the same passion that took Jesus Christ to the cross.
I received this passion from Him, and I in turn give it to others. The passion of Jesus Christ is contagious, and it is my every intention to spread it all across the world.
I saw over this past week the faithfulness of God. He was my energy when I had none, my strength when I was weak, my renewal when I felt done. He truly stood beside me as I sought his power this week for the kids. And He did not let us down.
It has been my dream for over a year now to see children encounter God as they did that last night. I saw kids called to ministry and missions. I saw kids in awe of God as they felt his manifest presence come down from Heaven. I saw the gates of Heaven open and the joy of the Lord pour out on his beloved children.
My God is faithful. My God is good. He delights in His children. All it took was a simple, "Yes." A yes to whatever God wanted to do that night.
Looking back at this week I am so grateful for my church family. I'm so grateful to witness jr. high kids experience the living God, and pass it on to me. I'm so thankful for my own family that the Lord is constantly perfecting and using to come together. I'm grateful for the blessings of a nice clean home ;) and modern conveniences. But most of all...I am grateful for a God who is intimately acquainted with His children.
It never ceases to amaze me how my God moves and changes hearts. His patience and compassion overwhelms me. I am still on the road to understanding God's love for me, but as I ask for daily revelation of His love, I see that I will never be able to truly comprehend this love. This week, however, I glimpsed his truly overwhelming love and the innumerable thoughts he has towards me.
How is it that I, a small speck in this universe, am so outrageously important and treasured by the God of all? How is it that He cares about the little details of my life? How is it that He can even see any good things, much less amazing incredible things in me? And yet He does.
I want to be the girl He sees. I want to be the girl He knows I will become. But as I sit here typing how I want to be this or that...I am reminded...I am just as He wants me to be.
So today I am thankful for who my God is and who I am because together we are perfectly one.
My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, and today I am thankful for Him.
Here is a free download I made. May it bless you and remind you that thankfulness breeds happiness.
Instructions:
1. Right click on the image
2. Click "Save image as"
3. Save to desktop
4. Print
I pray that as we celebrate our nation's freedom, you are also able to celebrate the freedom you have found in Christ Jesus. He is so good and so beyond all that we could ask or hope for.
This weekend has been full of fun and quite a bit of sleep, praise the Lord for that! Friday night we had our youth lock-in...13 hours with some of the most hilarious students I've ever known. Surprisingly, we all stayed up the whole night! Much to my brain and bones disliking...seriously though...I'm still recovering.
I cannot believe that today marks the first day of July. This year has flown by so quickly, but I am somewhat grateful for that. This year has come with some big challenges in many different areas, but as I look back at the past 6 months of 2013 I see my God ever faithful.
I find myself in this season of absolute hunger for the Lord. I feel very much like the Canaanite woman of Matthew 15. I am eager to eat even the crumbs that fall from Him. I want anything and everything that I can have of him whether it be his presence, his words, his encouragement, his love, his peace, anything. It's as if I cannot get enough of Him.
I know this is a good place to be, but I wonder at my getting to this point. When I sit back and look at where I am today, I realize that I really have no direction at this moment. I see myself as if I am in a small boat in the middle of the ocean waiting for orders of where to go. The ocean's vast expanse surrounds me and I sit waiting eagerly for any sign of where to go. The captain calls every now and then and I jump at the first sound of his voice, only to hear him say, "Nothing yet. Just wait." And OH how sad I am to sit back down once again and wait. Storms come and go, but my orders remain the same, "Just wait."
Friends...can I be completely honest with you? I don't really like waiting. Ok I really don't like waiting! I feel like I've been waiting my whole life, and my soul is finally about to burst. That's why I jump for every little crumb that falls from our Master's table. I am so hungry for anything I can get from Him.
I find myself sitting in this metaphorical little dinghy saying, "Please God, please just give me something to do! Anything. Anywhere. I'll do anything. Just let me do something for you!"
It is easy to become frustrated and discouraged in this place, I realize. After all, it is not quite in our nature to wait patiently. But it is then that I am reminded of Lamentations 3:25, "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him."
What a blessed reminder. The Lord is good to those who wait.
Waiting is in and of itself one of the greatest blessings. It envelopes a secret blessing that many do not wait to uncover.
All throughout scripture the heroes of faith were those who had to wait. I am reminded of God's creation. No flower blossoms as soon as it is planted. No child is able to labor efficiently at birth. No, all of creation must wait to reach its full potential. Even a mountain does not start large. Everything must wait to be what it is destined to fully be.
And so it is with us. We must wait in that small little boat, learning trust, patience, peace, and faith. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).
My God has said He is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13), that his word proves true (Psalm 18:30), and that he will not go back on his promises (Isaiah 55:11). "I have spoken, and I will do it" (Ezekiel 17:24) says the Lord.
And so as He has given me this hope, this very faith that I call my own; I can be assured that my God will not go back on His word. He has a reason for making me wait. He knows my full potential and intends to use it, but He also knows the beauty and blessing of making me wait. I do not know what lessons I have yet to learn in this waiting, but I know that what God has in store for me and for you is good. It is truly good indeed.
And so sweet brothers and sisters, I must ask for God's grace to wait faithfully where I am. To seek His face day in and day out. I long to discover the hidden blessing of waiting. I have hope in my Lord. He will not abandon or forsake me. He has not forgotten me here in this little boat. No, He watches over me and smiles at my silly impatience for He knows all that He has in store for me. He knows the adventure that awaits this little girl.
Enjoy this free 8x10 printable I created as a reminder that the Lord is good to those who wait and continue to seek.
Well here goes another week! I hope that you have had a blessed weekend. Mine certainly was life changing. My siblings and I went to two, yes TWO, Hillsong concerts this week. We couldn't get enough. The first one was in Dallas, but then we were hungry for more so we drove to Oklahoma City Saturday night for more.
It is absolutely heavenly to sing with all your heart and dance in the freedom of the Lord. I remember someone saying that if all Heaven is is singing to God 24/7 they don't want to go there. Well person who said that...if Heaven is only singing to God 24/7 then may I die today and begin immediately singing to him for the rest of all eternity. To sing in harmony with the Angels and all creation...Holy, Holy, Holy!!! I will never ever tire of singing to my most beloved, sweet sweet Lord and Savior.
That brings me to the life changing moment. About two weeks ago, I saw a movie trailer for Girl Rising. It is a campaign to raise awareness of the 66 million girls who do not have access to an education. The film follows 9 girls from 9 different countries. As I watched the trailer, something stirred deep within me.
For my college years, as I studied to become a teacher, I never really knew why I chose the major. I fought it for a couple years. But last week for the first time in my life I KNEW why God led me to become a teacher. This is why:
This precious girl's dream is to be what I already am. It was one the most humbling moments in my life. I have what many people dream of. What am I doing?
That question cut straight to my spirit. What am I doing?
It was in the moment I decided. I am going to do something. I am going to finally turn and look to my God and say, "Lord. I am ready. Send me."
I am saying YES to the Lord. I am ready to leave myself behind and follow Him. I'll walk the narrow road, hard and steep. I'll fall but grace will pick me up. HE is worth it. These precious little children are worth it.
I feel like I grew up last week. Like I grew into myself, who God made me. These past two years, I've begun seeing the fighter inside of me. I used to be so timid and fearful, shy and quiet. As I saw this warrior spirit within me, I became confused and didn't understand why God put this in me. But now I do, and I want to do something with this spirit God put in me. I am strong, brave, bold, and powerful because I have the very Spirit of God within me.
I have a roll in the redemption story of God.
"Each person is given something to do to show who God is." 1 Corinthians 12:7
I have something to do. You have something to do. Well I'm ready to do it. I'm ready to leave behind comfort, luxury, 1st world problems, and all the rest. I am ready to go. I told the Lord this. And what I heard broke my heart.
He told me, "Patience." And I butted in and said, "No, Lord! Please no, I'm ready!! Give me my orders. I'm so ready Lord. " Again and again He said wait, and I refused. Then he said, "Do you not think that I know my plan for you? Do you not think that I know the perfect timing? Do you not know that I will not make you wait one second longer than is necessary? Be patient, child. Do what is before you now, faithfully. My plan for you is near. Press into me. Prepare. For it will come."
I then was reminded that Jesus' ministry didn't begin until he was 30. I found such comfort in that. So I have been told to wait. But I will not wait quietly. I will do what I can in this place I am. I will support the orphans, I will give of what I have to change a life directly. I will look for the poor and needy around me and start there. But most importantly, I will pray.
"Man is most powerful on his knees." - Corrie Ten Boom
"Prayer is more powerful than the forces that hold the planets in place. It can suspend the laws of the universe. There is no other power on earth that the enemy of souls hates and fears as he does prayer. 'satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees." - Matilda Andross
I see that God is giving me time to prepare even more, to know His word more, and yes...to pay off my student loans. Those dreadfully burdensome loans. But I believe in His faithfulness, and know that someway somehow He will provide for me to do so. I will work hard and faithfully in order that I might go whole-heartedly to the place that He calls me, whether it be here in America or in the mountains of Peru. I won't have loans weighing over my head. I will be free to live and love. I will be free to focus on Him and His redemption plan.
I am finally coming to understand James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
This verse is my commission. There are 66 million girls who are being enslaved, abused, and married before the age of 15. I am called to rescue my sisters, to educate them, but most importantly to show them the REAL love of Jesus Christ, the Living God.
So are you ready? Are you ready to look at the Father and say, "Lord send me?" Perhaps you already have, and you are living out your calling already. Praise the Lord, and amen! How incredible! May the Lord bless your work and use you in mighty ways!
If you haven't yet, here are some ways to work alongside the Lord and follow His commission.
Pray - This is the most powerful and important part. Pray for countries, people groups, governments, etc. to experience the love and power of our Living God. Ask God to give people personal encounters, whether it be dreams and visions or interactions with believers, anything to open their eyes to the Savior.
Give - Here are some wonderful organizations that are already working for the Lord all around the world. I've had personal experience with them all and love them!
Compassion International - I highly encourage you to support a child as a family or with a group of friends, or a church. It is an amazing way to directly change a child's life.
One Verse - Help translate God's Word into languages that do not have access to it.
A21 - Help rescue girls directly out of human trafficking
Research - Find a cause you are passionate about. There are thousands that you can support. Find out more about those passions or places you love and ask God how you can spread His Word through that interest.
Share - Tell everyone about what the Lord has led you to do and the amazing things He has done through it. When you are excited and passionate about it, others will become excited too.
For every person who is enslaved around the world, there are 85 believers (A21). What if every believer did something? "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." - A21
You and I are everyone. We can do something. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
Take the step to do something. God will not let you fall. He is looking for one person. One person who will answer his question, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Will you be the one who says, "Here I am, Lord! Send me!"(Isaiah 6:8)?
Last week was absolutely a tidal wave of business, but this weekend I was finally able to paint and craft some more. I find that I am finally allowing myself to be fully me.
This year has brought me to realize how much I confined my true self starting in 7th grade. I am not sure what it is about middle school, but I see that it is a time where many of us start believing that who we are is not adequate or good enough. And what a lie!
For more than 8 years, I was trying to be like everyone else in some ways. Middle school came with the discovery of hair straighteners and American Eagle. I would watch other girls and push myself into the mold I saw them making. I tried the whole rebel thing and as soon as a teacher snapped at me that was done. (I am a rule follower to my core!) Then came high school where I was labeled with the "naive Christian girl" tag and allowed myself to fit that mold. I tried the whole be sarcastic and pretend you don't care what everyone thinks. And to a degree I really didn't care to fit into the cool crowd. But for hilarity's sake let me just say that my sophomore year I never once wore my hair up in any way. It was straight and down all 187 school days!! Oh Sophia...
Then came college and a fresh start. OH was I happy to have a clean start! Then again who isn't? I found the Christian crowd and immediately felt safe in my bubble again, but then came the molds I needed to fit into again. This time it was determined by the guys I liked. Whatever mold I thought they wanted, I tried to fit it. What a waste of time! The first two years were much like high school. Then came my sophomore year that changed the perceptions of my heart. The Lord took me through trials that made me realize nothing in this life is worth it except Him.
But here I am out of college and only now finding who I am. I recently was looking through some old pictures and something hit me...
I absolutely love that little girl. I love her.
I love how she giggled when she ate popsicles, secretly ate all the cherry cough drops because they tasted like candy, delighted in horses, ate macaroni and cheese like it was life, hated the color pink, and shopped on the boys side of Gap because all the girl stuff was sissy. I love how she could play for hours by herself imagining the most amazing plot lines. I love how she would snuggle every kind of animal with complete joy, ask her parents for a farm, and imagine that her beanie babies were her real pets. I love how she idolized Annie Oakley and dreamed of being a cowgirl in the mountains. I love how she would walk into her parents room at all hours and say, "I need some love," which would ensue sweet hugs and kisses. I love how she would fall asleep creating stories in her mind. I love that she didn't care about anything in life except eating sweets and being loved.
I love this little girl.
And the crazy thing is...I am still her.
I still have those same dreams, desires, and joys. When did I become embarrassed about these traits? Why would I ever shut these qualities out of my life or try to suppress them?
Because I was told to. The world told me to grow up and stop being silly. I was told that being this little girl was no longer acceptable. Put on your suit. Straighten your hair. Stand up straight. Don't laugh too loud. Smile, but not too big because then people will think you are weird. ;)
But ya know what? I think that's stupid. I've had enough of trying to be things I'm not. I love who I am deep down inside. It sounds so strange to say that, but I do. A year ago I don't know if I could have genuinely said that. I am not saying I am perfect by any means, but I am quite tired of trying to figure out who I am. After all, what message am I sending the Lord when I constantly try to recreate myself?
I know who I am. I am that little girl He made nearly 25 years ago. I have to laugh when I think about how perfectly God put me together. The combinations of joys He put in me all fit together seamlessly. I'm unique. I'm special. I'm cool. Lol. I am. I am all of these things because I am finally letting myself be me, the me God made me to be. And God only makes unique, special, cool things. :)
There is a flame that I tried to snuff out inside me, but I realize that when I let that flame shine I can find no greater joy. My personality is beautiful, my laugh is joyous, my pitchy singing is angelic, my smile is perfect. All because of Jesus. yup. All because I am giving Him free reign of my entire being.
You see, when we give ourselves permission to be who God made us, quirks and all, we are allowing His way in our lives. When we stop trying to force things upon ourselves, our personalities, our bodies, it leads us to His original plan for our lives.
And so, as I look at this little girl with stickers all over her face, and if I could speak to her now this is what I would tell her:
You are perfect. Everything from the blond hairs on your head (that will soon turn brown) to your teeny-tiny pinky toes, are beautiful. Your compassion, love, and patience are incredible. Don't worry if people don't love you back. God loves you more than you will ever imagine, and in the end all that matters is that you love Him back. He made you perfectly, and the way you are brings Him absolute joy. So enjoy being yourself. Laugh, dance, sing, and cry. Be real. Be kind. Be true to you. No one else in this world is like you are, and that is the best thing about you. You are so precious sweet child. Let the Lord love you, and know that you are His precious treasure just as you are.
What are you suppressing? What has the world told you it is not ok to be or wish for? I encourage you to go back and find a picture of yourself when you were little. Ask yourself what made you happy back then. I bet it still makes you happy today.
Maybe you already do love who you are and allow yourself to wholly be who you are. Praise the Lord! What a blessing! If however you have not gotten there quite yet, sweet friend, let's try something different. Let's try to enjoy being who we already are, not out of vanity or pride, but in humble joy. Let's not focus on what we can be, but rather sit down and thank the Lord for who we are today, right now.
I have a confession to make. I do not receive well.
Give something to me and I'll most likely give it right back whether it be compliments, encouragement, or a physical gift. I cannot seem to receive them.
This past week I was called out for this inability. He spoke kindly and gently, and it was then that I realized I'm not fooling anyone. I had a conscious awareness of this struggle of mine, but never in a million years did I think others could see it. It's that raw utterly vulnerable moment when you realize a deep wound in your side. You always knew you were hurt, but then someone points it out and says, "You need help."
My natural tendency has always been to reject help and rely upon myself. But may I just take a moment and praise the Lord for community? Praise the faithful God above for using his children to bring healing to children who deny their need! There is nothing so wonderful as someone speaking life and hope into your soul.
The relief of someone noticing your wound and caring enough to speak up about it is like salve to a throbbing wound. It was in that moment that my friend began to speak life into my fading heart. With his honest and sincere words, I saw that there was something more to me than what I saw in this season. There was more to me than the lies that weighed down my soul. I can finally say after a season of heaviness that my heart is overwhelmed with joy. Praise His holy name!
Why is it so easy for me to give and give and give, but when it comes to receiving I just can't seem to? The Lord has revealed to me the reasons, the secrets my heart sought to hide and stuff away. But a gentleman named Jesus won't let my hurt go uncured. He comes to fight for me when I am blind to my own imprisonment.
I tell him, "No, no. I'm fine. Really, I'm fine."
His eyes soften and he responds, "You may be ok with your pain, but I am not."
You see, He comes in with his soft healing hands and reveals to you His desires for you. He does not want his precious ones to be in pain, physical or emotional or any sort. God does not find the least bit of pleasure in your hurting or pain. He is for us, and when we settle for less than He intends, He is not ok with it. He is too good and paid too great a price for us to settle for less than He has for us.
That is why He comes and reveals to us the deeper roots of tendencies and habits. Things you knew shouldn't be so, but they are for some reason. We so easily accept things instead of seeking to understand why. We just say, "Well that's how I am," but deep down we know it's because of something deeper.
The enemy wants to blind us to what we need most so we won't ask for it. But I've had enough of that. I'm ready to ask God openly and humbly to give to me what I am in need of. And in my case, I need a great revelation of His love for me. Perhaps you need this as well? Or a revelation of His forgiveness, compassion, nearness, faithfulness? Whatever it may be, we could all use more understanding of how utterly good and loving He is. The most beautiful part of this process is that we can have it. All we have to do is ask.
Ask for revelation. Ask for more understanding. Ask Him to help you receive his love, compassion, grace, presence, faithfulness. He is faithful to give it to us even more abundantly than we imagined. He is too good brothers and sisters to give us any less. Ask more of Him. He cannot deny Himself.
Praying for you! Blessings sweet friends.
P.S. I'm currently in love with this music. This song is so profound and beautiful.
With yesterday came another day of teaching children's church. Once a month, my sister and I are blessed with the opportunity of leading both services for the little ones. I've come to see that my absolutely most favorite part of these Sundays are what we like to call "Soaking Time."
This is the time where my sister and I play a song that the Lord puts on our hearts and simply let the kids spread out, lay, sit, dance, pray, rest, whatever they want really. It's when everyone just soaks up the sweet melody and opens up to the Holy Spirit. We encourage them to ask God to show them His face or a picture of His beauty.
Month after month I am blown away by what these children see in this soaking time. They get the most beautiful pictures from our Savior. Whether its a glimpse of Heaven or the sweet face of Jesus, my heart is always struck by how easily these children can enter the Kingdom. I laughed yesterday when I asked them if they felt like they were sleepy when we sang over them. One precious little girl proceeded to say, "YA! I almost fell over I felt so sleepy!" I then got to explain to them that that is what we call peace and it comes from the Holy Spirit. It was incredible to see them realize they felt the Holy Spirit. And when everyone shares what they saw or felt it encourages all of them to seek more of Him. That same precious little girl asked after many had shared, "We can really see Jesus!?" It was my joy to tell her yes.
I have noticed there is quite a lack in Children's Sunday school volunteers in many if not most churches. I think it is so easy to just send the kids to the back of the church and then have the adults go to "real" church, but that is just the idea satan wants us to have. He wants us to ignore the little ones. He wants us to just send them back to play because he knows that if these littles ones are poured into with even more intentionality than adults then he will have a force to reckon with.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
I found this stuffed in my journal that I wrote in February:
"Children. The dictionary defines them as 'young human beings below the age of full physical development,' 'immature or irresponsible people,' who have 'little to no experience in a particular area.'
Children. God defines them as the ones to whom the Kingdom belongs, the mountains of faith, the pillars of trust, the special joy of God's heart.
Children don't get a junior Holy Spirit. When they believe, they have the same fullness of the Spirit as a grown adult. They are part of the church. They are a part of the church body that is often easy to overlook. Some say they are the church of tomorrow, when actually they are the church today.
They are hungry. They are thirsty. They want their Heavenly Daddy. Their soul longs for their Savior's presence. But if no one pours into them who will lead these littles ones into their Savior's arms rather than into the world's arms? They will find guidance and wisdom from someone. Let's make that wisdom and guidance be the Lord's.
The enemy wants us to think, "When the kids are older, then they can understand the deeper truths." No. The time is now. There are newborns to sing over, toddlers to be loved, children to be guided and encouraged. It's not just another child. It is an heir to the throne, a holy temple of God.
Will you help pour into the church? Will you stand up for the little ones and speak Life into them? Or would you rather someone else?. The harvest is thick, and it's right down the Church hallway. The harvest is ready, but the harvesters are few.
Will you be one to come and help us harvest? Don't let the cup of joy and eternal reward pass you by. There is much to learn from the little ones. Now is the time to listen and love them, for there will come a time when they will be the ones who you desire to listen and love you."
Be kind. What does that phrase bring to mind? Someone holding open a door for a stranger? A smile? A touch? An encouraging word?
This week the Lord has been opening my eyes to the power of kindness.
When we become believers, we take upon ourselves the identity of Christ himself. However, it is our responsibility to let this identity come out to fruition. A kind word or action can bring about a power that nothing else can.
Kind words change things.
Sometimes we think that if we say something kind to someone we don't know or even do know, it will make things awkward. And for heaven's sake, we have to avoid awkward!!! ;)
In all reality, all it takes is a simple, "You're very kind. Thanks." "You have a beautiful smile." "Your hair is amazing!" "Thank you for doing your job with such joy." "You handled that customer so well. You're so patient." "Thanks for serving our community day after day." etc. The possibilities are endless.
Do you know someone who naturally speaks to strangers with ease and always leaves others with smiles? Those people that can bring crazy encouragement and life-giving words to a waiter or cashier in just minutes? It's incredible, isn't it? I always tell myself, I wish I could be like that.
Sometimes we think that we could never be like those gifted people. We feel that our small words are useless crumbs compared to the power others can speak to strangers. But we have to remember that the crumbs we give can be someone's meal. There is no such thing as a word without power. All words carry weight with them.
Today after a lovely walk, my sister and I went to get some passion tea lemonade. The barista was probably in her late 30s, with soft features and blond hair. All of a sudden, I thought to myself how pretty she was. My natural tendency is to just keep this thought to myself, but all of a sudden I just blurted out, "You are beautiful."
My eyes got a little bigger I think as those words left my lips, shocked at what I had just said. Her eyes did the same. We both kinda just looked at each other surprised. I can't help but laugh just thinking back to it. "Thank you,"she smiled. And then... I kept going. "Your makeup is done beautifully, and your eyes have a gorgeous sparkle to them. You are just so beautiful."
Girls...I don't compliment people. I work at it, but it has never come naturally for me. So to hear these words flow from my mouth was quite a surprise.
She looked at me and with tears in her eyes and said, "You don't know how much I needed that today."
I smiled at her as my eyes were opened to the beloved child of God she was. She didn't look especially tired or worn out, but the Lord showed me that she was hurting. I smiled at her as I finished paying, and we wished each other a good day.
A kind word. That's all it takes.
This world is full of people who simply need a kind word. Jesus' words washed hearts clean. We cannot be God, but we can be his ambassadors and speak the same life he would if he were living on earth today. Every single soul that you pass by is hungry for acceptance, encouragement, love, and kindness.
When was the last time a stranger spoke a kind word to you? I can't remember the last time that happened, but I do know that I want to be that stranger to others.
One of my pieces in my new line coming out in June.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! I am so grateful for the opportunity we have been give to celebrate such a day. When I think about Easter, I realize that if we didn't celebrate this day...if it had never happened...there would be no hope in this world. None at all. And my friend, a life without hope is no life at all. Praise the Lord that HE HAS RISEN, giving us more hope than we could ever handle!
This season the Lord is taking me through my faith's roots. As a Christian, a Christ follower, my faith is based upon Judaism. Growing up I had little to no understanding of this fascinating and rich faith. I am so grateful the Lord has begun to open my eyes to its importance and life. I owe part of this journey's beginning to some of my wonderful mentors who have lived passionately about educating Christians on the importance of our Jewish roots.
Don't worry I've got a scrumptious recipe to share too. :)
This past Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday to the wee hours of last night, the Lord has been rocking my world with hunger for understanding of HIS faith. I want to know the faith of my Savior. He was a Jew. He was not only a Jew but a rabbi, a teacher of the Scriptures. He wore a tallit and tefillin. He was a Jew to his very core. I cannot even begin to share all that the Lord has opened my mind to know and learn about the Hebrew language and significance. But what I can say is that when you take the time to study the faith of Jesus, you will begin to understand Him and His words in ways you wish you had known all your life. Messianic Jews have such amazing revelation because they get both sides of the Good News. Jesus hints to SO much that the Jews would understand, but unless we educate ourselves and seek God's wisdom we will always miss out on it. There is so much symbolism and meaning behind every little thing in the Hebrew language and faith.
I am reading with my small group the book that has ignited my passion for the Jews and for them to know Christ. I HIGHLY recommend this book, "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus" by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.
I want us to realize the importance of Jews knowing their Messiah. I want us to know Jesus in the way He was meant to be known, the way He WAS known by His disciples during those three years of His earthly ministry. I want to be a disciple of my Lord, my Rabboni. I want to walk in the dust that His feet kick up as I follow Him everywhere.
This past week I took part in a Passover seder. It was incredibly significant and shifted things in my heart.
Passover Seder Plate
The Passover plate has 6 items, each carrying deep significance to the retelling of the story of Exodus when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt. The six things on a seder plate are an egg, horseradish, bitter herbs, Charoset, horseradish root, and a leg of lamb. I encourage you to research the symbolism of each item. It is fascinating!
The most delicious part of seder was the Charoset. I had never even heard of it before, but my sister and I were asked to prepare it. It represents the bricks the Israelites were forced to make while in captivity. I'm quite in love with this. So I'm going to share it with you!
Charoset: Ingredients:
1 granny smith apple
2 gala apples
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tablespoons raw honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3-4 tbsp sweet red wine (Kosher if Jewish)
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of clove
Brown sugar, to sweeten
Directions:
1. Peel apples
2. Dice apples into tiny pieces
3. Place diced apple into large bowl
4. Stir in remaining ingredients except the brown sugar
5. Taste and add brown sugar to further sweeten
6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour
The second thing we had, which was our meal during the middle of seder was called Matzo Ball Soup. I'd never had it before but I made it for my family the next day. It was extremely easy and so delicious I ate 3 cups in one day. (oops! :)
I pray that you begin to search out about the beauty of Judaism and the riches that come with knowing it and Jesus Christ. If you have any questions or are just curious for more info please don't hesitate to ask me. I am just learning all this but would love to share what I have learned!
Baruch haba b'shem Adonai!
(Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!)
As I sit here and think about this holy week leading up to Easter, I look forward to a new season. Easter is such a beautiful picture of new life. It's only March but I can already look at this past year and see how the Lord has grown and stretched me.
I met with an old friend yesterday and shared with him my desire for change and more. It was so incredibly filled with grace that somehow he pointed out an issue without even pointing it out. By simply sharing how he viewed his mistakes at my age, he opened my eyes to the mistake I was making. It may sound crazy, but to be rebuked was so refreshing. It wasn't even a rebuke, but simply a gentle lead into realization. I'm sure as I sat there sharing with him what I wanted to do and have happen he saw my faults, but rather than pointing the finger at me, he shared with me the wisdom he had gained over the past few years. It was through telling his mistakes that I realized I was in the very same place he had been a few years ago.
It felt good to be humbled. It felt good to be reminded I am so young and don't know it all. I realized I am that young head-strong college grad who thinks I can change the world because I know how things need to be done. When in all reality...I know nothing. I have very little knowledge, experience, or wisdom about the big business world. This realization was surprisingly a beautiful breath of fresh air.
Why is it that I have not been called out more for my mistakes? Or warned about mistakes I may be making? I wonder if people are afraid of calling out faults or mistakes for fear of being labeled as "judgmental" or "condemning." But friends, I'm hungry for rebuke. I'm hungry for guidance. I'm hungry for someone to say, "Sophia, you are being foolish in this." I'm young. I'm proud. I think I know best. That is not ok. I long for someone to just be honest with me without fear of me calling them judgmental.
I am reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
We can learn through teaching and training, but without reproof and correction we are missing out. Scripture tells us that these things help us become competent well-equipped people. Without it we are puffed up and proud, ignorant and ill-equipped.
I saw this picture by Benjamin Hole, an English farmer. It struck me for so many different reasons.
My first thought was about how strong his hands are around that fragile newborn lamb. His hands are strong yet they cradle this lamb so gently. Sure strong hands. To me this is the image of the Good Shepherd. Our God is strong and sure. He is not weak, timid, shy, or feeble. He can protect us as Hole can protect this little lamb.
I love the whole image of Jesus being a shepherd. We as his sheep are foolish and stubborn. He is strong when he needs to be, yet he also has a gentleness to him. I want to trust in the hands of the Good Shepherd. I want to know that when he rebukes or corrects me it is for my benefit. I want to be open before the Lord, open to his guidance. I want to learn from Him.
So as Easter comes this year, I want to remember that Easter is not about a bunny. It is about a lamb. The Lamb who died as a sacrifice for my sins, that I may commune with my Lord and spend eternity growing in fellowship with Him. I want to be more like Him. I want to be pruned and refined. I don't want to be foolish, stubborn, or arrogant. I want to be as this humble, trusting lamb in the arms of my Good Shepherd.
May you feel the nearness of our Savior this holy week, and be reminded of the sweet sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Blessings and love.
Today has been one of those "Where's my bed when I need it" type of days. But work called my name and off I went. I scrolled through Instagram walking in and came across this beauty on Priscilla Shirer's page.
I think alot of us can relate. I think my own list looks alot like this one, with these added to it:
To be healthier
To be trendy
To be initiative
But I realized at the end of the day none of those things matter. I don't really need any of those things on this list because when it boils down to it they will never satisfy. I don't need more skills, more clothes, more feelings, more wealth, more attention. I need Jesus.
And I need him desperately.
My soul yearns to be like Christ: holy, peaceful, patient, kind, compassionate, loving, joyful, faithful, trusting. I want to be like him...but everyday that I try, everyday of my life I fall miserably short of this goal. I tell myself "I need to be more like Jesus."
But in all reality God wants me to be me, just as I am, weaknesses and all. You see I'll never be Jesus, I'll only ever be me, Sophia. And that is exactly what brings most joy to the Lord. I feel his pleasure most, not when I'm trying to find ways to use my gifts, but rather when I am just sitting at home using my gifts out of simple joy.
Somehow...God loves me just as I am. He doesn't mind that I make mistakes over and over. He doesn't mind that I fail him. It doesn't make any sense to me either...so don't feel alone if this is confusing you. (It still confuses me 23 years later :)
God knows my heart and that I long to obey Him and bring Him the glory and my love. He loves me because I'm His. He doesn't expect me to be anything more or less than just His.
I want to accept myself the way the Lord does. He sees me the way I will be in Heaven some day. Jesus prays for me now that I might hear the voice of the Lord and walk in His ways, and He gives me the strength to do it. But when I mess up or fail big time, God doesn't mind because that's when Jesus steps in and says, "I've got her covered."
He's got you covered. His perfect life and death on the cross have covered you with the cleansing blood of Jesus. There are no catches, no tricks, and no secrets. You're covered. Free to live life as best you can with the help of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:1-2 says, "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"
Know that we will all fail, but His grace abounds. God notices when you are doing your best to obey Him. His grace is not that we will continue living in sin because we know He will forgive us, but rather it is a promise that no matter how many times we slip up as we seek to obey Him His grace will be deeper still.
As I think about all the things I wish I were more of or sometimes feel I need to be, I am reminded that being me is quite enough because "me" is just what He loves most about me. :)
So let's let go of all these "Need to be/get/do"s and let's hold on to the One who will never let us go. He likes you as you are, flaws and all. You are perfect to Him. He loves you sweet friend. Don't ever forget that: You are loved, important, noticed, remembered, special, and heard.
My whole life I have felt mediocre at everything I do. I have no special talent or gifting, just kinda average at it all. I remember asking my mom, "Why did God make me OK at everything but great at nothing?" It caught her off guard me being so young but still noticing this fact. Over the years I realized my gifts were not in the worldly things. But that's another blog post...
I grew up learning and reading all about the great heroes of the faith: Martin Luther, Mother Theresa, Corrie ten Boom, Charles Spurgeon, Elizabeth Elliot, John Wesley, etc. Somewhere along the line of reading about them I began to believe that if I didn't become one of them that my life would be forfeit. I believed that if I didn't save thousands for Christ and get my name in the history books of faith then my life had not been lived to its fullest potential.
I wrote in my journal, "My greatest fear in life is to be just another Christian who lives a comfortable easy life and that's it."
This belief was saturated in a performance mindset. I had to DO things to earn God's love and make him proud of me. If the world didn't see me as a hero of faith then I had failed. That is all such a lie.
This morning my faithful God opened my eyes to a new truth:
I AM FREE TO BE A NOBODY
It was through reading Streams of the Desert by L.B. Cowman.
John never did a miracle and yet he was called second only to Jesus! He was "content to be only a voice, if it caused people to think of Christ."
I am free to be just another name, just another girl, just another person because I will NEVER be that in the eyes of God. And if I will never be that in the eyes of God then what do I have to prove here on earth? Nothing. I don't have to save thousands, I don't have to heal hundreds or perform miracles and wonders. All I am have to do is love God and love others. And even that is up to God to do through me. So you see, I have nothing to do but be me.
Simply Sophia.
I don't have to search out and strive to be a great leader or important person in the world's eyes. I just have to be faithful in the large and the little. God will give me the strength to do both. But if all my life encounters is the little then so be it, for it shall only be small in the eyes of the world.
My life is the Lord's to lead. He may not lead me to grandiose things according to the world's eyes, but in His eyes they are mighty. I don't have to make a name for myself. i don't have to go down in any history books because my name is already in the most important book of all, The Book of Life.
It was never even supposed to be about my name. This world tells us that if we don't make a name for ourselves we will be forgotten. Everyone wants to be famous because they feel like if they just make a name for themselves then...THEN they will be somebody. If people will remember them, then they can be at peace. The irony is that they already are a somebody. You already ARE a somebody to Someone. He wants you to be the you He created you to be. You don't have to be famous or be anyone else. When you try to live the life of another then you lose all the great things God intended for you to be and do.
So today I let go of the burden of having to make something of myself. God already did that. He made me Sophia. And for me...that is enough because HE thinks it is.
If we can make God's name famous, even if ours is forgotten, then our lives have fulfilled a glorious purpose. If God only puts one person in your life that you are to make His Name famous to that is perfectly enough. May we not pick up any burden or pressure to perform. Jesus already did, and his performance accomplished ALL things. He is the one who will speak and be "the voice" through us.
Abba, we thank you for your mighty love and wisdom. You are the faithful God who won't let us go. Thank you that you have a name that deserves to be famous. Help us to live in the freedom you have won for us on the cross. Help us to make Your Name famous. Amen.
(Music makes me want to write, and this is what this song led me to. So press play and read on my friend.)
Tonight I have decided to go on an adventure. I do not wish to live a life of normalcy. I choose one where when I have a dream or desire, I will pursue it. If I want to own a bakery, I shall try. If I want to sing in a coffee shop with my guitar or ukulele, I shall try. If I want to be an artist and sell my work, I shall try. If I want to be a teacher to precious brown eyed Mexican orphans, I shall try. If I want to backpack through the Irish greenlands, I shall try.
Life is too short to live in the box of ordinary. My God has created this earth for us to enjoy and discover Him in. I would rather not live my life wasting away in a boring office building surrounded by concrete. If I want to create, by heavens I WILL! I do not want to sit and listen to a boss tell me what and when I shall create. Also, I think that life is rather more important than to be lived solely in pursuit of money. It really is overrated.
I want to enjoy this life, just as I will enjoy eternity in heaven. For this place is all a small taste of what heaven shall be like. Heaven, however, will be what we taste a bit of here times 100% perfection.
Everyone always asks, what if you only had more day to live, what would you do? And everyone says they would do what they always wished and wanted. Well our life here is as short as a blink, the equivalent of a day, so why don't we live!? Instead we trade in our ticket for adventure and excitement for mundane and ordinary.
Hmmmmm. Maybe this is the imaginative naive young adult in me saying all these things. But deep down I know what voices these feelings and thoughts. It is my desire to know my God. For that certainly is an adventure that will never become mundane or ordinary. What an adventure it would be to follow every whim the Lord put on your heart. I wonder where the Lord would take us if we all dropped our plans and worries and legitimately followed every path the Lord showed our souls. I think we would go on a crazy exciting adventure.
So here's to an adventurous God, and as to going on this adventure....I think I shall.
"You never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for."- I would die for you by Brent and Deanna Higgins
I just finished one of the most honest and incredibly encouraging books I have ever read. I would die for you is the amazing story of a boy named BJ who would be my same age. He lived his life so passionately for the Lord and even brought people to Christ after his death. I greatly encourage you to read this book.
As I flip through the book rereading the passages I marked and starred, I am reminded of the faithfulness of God to teach us his truths and his character.
I get so tired of this comfortable world that I live in, and my day to day routine that I just "get through" so I can start another day that I live in the exact same way. Why are we living each day just to "get through" it? This is not how we are meant to live, NOT AT ALL. I'm tired of college being about school and getting through the tests and just getting a passing grade. I'm tired of college being coined as the party hard and go crazy phase of life. That is exactly what the enemy wants us to believe and live. He sees his plan is working and his distractions are getting the best of our college generation.
I'm ready for a change, I'm ready to wake up every morning and instead of asking God to help me stay awake in class and do well on my presentation, I want to ask him to bring people into my life and present opportunities to glorify his name. That is what life is about! If you are past the age of 20, or even i don't know 15, you have tried it all and realized, "man...this world doesn't satisfy me." That is the best point to get to because it is then that you realize there must be more.
And BOY IS THERE MORE! Christ has the most amazing life in store for you!
John 10:10 states, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Our God is not a God of anger or condemnation. He is a God of LOVE and blessings. He wants to bless you in ways that go beyond your understanding. Oh friend, how he longs to show you his steadfast love! He is waiting for you to leave behind the burdens you have willingly chosen to carry. Let them go and leave them behind! For Christ's "yoke is easy, and [his] burden is light"(Matt.11:30). He longs to be gracious to you.
He asks nothing of you but your love. When you love him you begin to obey him. So many people think that Christianity starts with obeying and following rules. It isn't that way! It is meant to start with LOVE! Christ loved you first, then you love him. When you love him you desire to make him happy and you desire what he desires. And when you desire what he desires, obedience follows. You obey out of your love.
He knows life is hard and challenging. He does not take lightly the hardships of our life, but he knows that He is the answer. He has given you the answer to life. Let us not pass by this gift of absolute joy and satisfying abundance.
What is the first thing you think about when you wake up? "For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also"(Luke 12:34). I pray that Christ is your treasure, for the thing you treasure most in life is the thing you live for. But is that thing you live for really worth dying for?
Is it worth giving your life for?
Christ is. But he won't ask of you what he himself did not give first. He gave you his life. How can we not give ours in return to the one who gave it all that we might have it all?
You are loved. He saw you worth dying for when you were covered in selfishness and sin. How can we not see him as worth dying for when He is perfect love?
What is it that your life shows you would die for?
"Lord, I don't ask for a long life, but a full one like yours, Lord Jesus." - Jim Elliot
I pray we live our lives for God's glory the way Christ did. For that is indeed a full life.
Well I haven't written on here for a while. Christmas and New Years has come and gone again, and sadly I didn't get a chance to make any new crafts or bake. (Our oven was broken till the day before I left for school again :( very sad.)
But the reason life has somewhat stopped for a while is because on December 9th, I lost my beautiful cousin Lila. She was only 24, but she had certainly lived a wonderful life. Lila loved the Lord, and is now radiating in heaven alongside our Savior.
I've never had someone so close to me pass away, but it is most definitely the hardest most difficult thing to understand and process. I suppose it's because we weren't made for death. We were meant to spend eternity with our Savior. But we will, once we have passed through this life, onto the heavenly one.
I wrote to a friend recently describing my holiday break:
Elizabeth Elliot, one of my favorite authors, wrote, "Faith's most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith vain." What she is saying is that the hardest thing for a believer is when everything seems to point to the fact that what they believe is not true. I whole heartedly believe this. Why should someone believe in a God that when they prayed and asked for him to heal one of his children, he didn't. Instead he allowed her to pass away from this life, away from us. It seems as though this should stifle someone's faith completely. But when I see the outcome of Lila's death, and the love of God that she lived with, I can see all of the results from her belief. Her mom, my aunt, was not wailing and sobbing uncontrollably. She was at peace. I've never seen someone so at peace in all my life. It was a peace that surpassed anyone's understanding, and when anyone asked her how she could be so ok after losing her daughter, she just looked up, and said, "Because I know she is with Him." It seemed inhuman, but God has soon given many of my family that peace, when we have sought it from Him.
I've realized alot over this Christmas break. When I saw Lila laying there, it was eye opening. She was so young and so beautiful. Her hair had always been so shiny and long and luscious. But now her hair had been cut off for surgery and her health was fading from her face. Now she laid in that bed with nothing. Her cute clothes were gone, her accessories, her red mustang convertible, her college degree, her hair, her health, her money, all of it was suddenly gone. She had nothing. Nothing except her soul. And all that mattered as she lay there was knowing that her soul would be an eternal splendor in heaven.
C.S. Lewis writes that "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." Everyone around us, ourselves, our family, our friends, the stranger at the cafe, the girl you see at school that you've never spoken to, they all have a soul.
Many people have no idea what a soul is. When asked there seem to be endless types of answers. But one's soul is made of your mind, your emotions, and your will. Your mind is the part of you that thinks. Your emotions the part of you that feels, and your will is the part of you that chooses. Your soul is either ruled by sin or by Christ. The first time I learned this, it made so much sense! When I disregard what Christ has taught me, I then allow my mind, emotions, and will to be ruled by my selfishness or any other whim of my emotions or desires.
There is more to it, but getting back to what I was saying. C.S. Lewis talks about how every person we see will either be an "immortal horror or everlasting splendor." Meaning they will be a horror in hell forever or a splendor in heaven forever. And when you see people for that, you realize how absolutely important and valuable every single person is in this world. I want no one to suffer, and I have learned through this that I have no idea what that person may be going through. As I went to Starbucks and the clerk asked me how I was doing, out of habit I said, "Oh good, thanks." When inside I was dying of heartache and pain over the loss of my cousin. I realized that I have no idea what someone I interact with, is truly feeling. This has brought me to be very sensitive to everyone, and careful with my words and actions even more so because how do I know if the words I say are only adding to the tremendous pain they feel already.
People are valuable, and who are we to tease or belittle someone. We are all the same, people longing for something greater than this world, longing for something greater than ourselves. We all have this deep longing inside us for there to be something bigger than this world. It astounds me how even the most remote tribes in Africa worship things whether it be the sun or a tree. It alone is proof that something is missing from our lives. And I believe what is missing from our lives is a relationship with God.
This break has been the hardest one of my life, but never before have I learned more about the love of my Savior. He took Lila away from us down here, but for a reason that I have only begun to see. A seed must die for the plant to grow and produce fruit. Until a seed dies, it is pointless (John 12:24). Lila passed away, but now I see the fruit of her life. More people than I can count have come to believe in the Lord through this.
I see life in a new light because of Lila. I see the vanity of "stuff" and things of this world. In the end, no amount of money or even charity can add an hour to my life or anyone elses. We are but a mist, here and gone in a moment. Why do I live my life? If not for things or money, what is left of this world? People. And what is a person? Just flesh and bones? If so, that will just fade away as well, and even if I made that person happy in their life, is that truly it? I make them happy, they pass away, and then what? There must be more. And so why do i live my life? To learn and share of what is to come. The true Home. We all realize that life is short and fragile. But faith in God is more than finding one's balance in life or finding peace. It is only the beginning of a great journey.
I see the futility of the things in the world, and I see the value of every soul in this world. What will I do on this earth while I have my short amount of time? I will pursue God, and love the people that he spends his life loving."
I recently read a book called "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. It is the story of his 4 yr old's experience in heaven. And let me tell you...a four year old couldn't make this stuff up, much less understand all that he had seen. But he did see it and he sees heaven as fact and tells his little bits of memory as so matter of factly. Heaven is for real.
I was driving back to school when it really hit me. It's a sore that takes a while to heal. But as i drove, looking through my tears, the Lord blessed me with this picture. My dad had told my youngest brother that Lila was like a flower that God had picked. Thinking of that I "saw" Jesus walking through his garden of flowers. Only this garden was an endless field of flowers. Some only sprouting, some starting to blossom. He was walking through them when he saw this exceptionally bright yellow one. This one was shining more than the others around it, having blossomed early and radiating beauty. Jesus picked it to take back home to take to his Father as a gift and show him the beauty this flower held. That flower was Lila. She was ready for Jesus to take home to his Father.
My God is good no matt what. This life is full of trials and pain, but in every season, we all having something to be grateful for. Our blessed Savior loves us with an unending incorruptible love. We are beloved. This life is meant to be used for Him, to radiate his life and share it with every person we pass by. He is life.
I've been reading "A Path Through Suffering" by Elisabeth Elliot, and it has been such a blessing to learn to view suffering and trials in a new light. This moved mountains in my life when I read it, and I would like to share it with you. This is Elisabeth's paraphrasing of Isaiah 53:2-12. It is written in such simplicity and reality that it shook my world, and really opened my eyes to Christ.
"Without beauty, without majesty (we saw him),
no looks to attract our eyes;
a thing despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering,
a man to make people screen their faces;
he was despised and we took no account of him.
And yet ours were the sufferings he bore,
ours the sorrows he carried.
But we, we thought of him as someone punished,
struck by God, and brought low.
Yet he was pierced through for our faults,
crushed for our sins.
On him lies a punishment that brings us peace,
and through his wounds we are healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep,
each taking his own way,
and Yahweh burdened him
with the sins of all of us.
Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly,
he never opened his mouth,
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house,
like sheep that is dumb before its shearers
never opening its mouth.
By force and by law he was taken;
would anyone plead his cause?
Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living;
for our faults struck down in death.
They gave him a grave with the wicked,
a tomb with the rich,
though he had done no wrong
and there had been no perjury in his mouth.
Yahweh has been pleased to crush him with suffering.
If he offers his life in atonement,
he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life
and through him what Yahweh wishes will be done.
His soul's anguish over
he shall see the light and be content.
By his sufferings shall my servant justify many,
taking their faults on himself.
Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute,
he shall divide the spoil with the mighty,
for surrendering himself to death
and letting himself to be taken for a sinner,
while he was bearing the faults of many
and praying all the time for sinners. (Is. 53:2-12, JB)
"That is why God has now lifted Him to the heights, and has given him the name beyond all names, so that at the name of Jesus 'every knee shall bow,' whether in Heaven or earth or under the earth. And that is why, in the end,'every tongue shall confess' that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11, JBP)."
He is Holy. So so worthy of our worship, our everything.
Holy! Holy! Holy! Is OUR Lord God Almighty!
Oh friend, how he deserves our everything! He did this for us, for you. How can we not fall on our face in adoration and thanks?
I went on an adventure to Austin with my sister and cousin, and let me say, it was quite a trip! Lots of shopping was done (not my cup of tea) but it was worth it being able to go to Whole Foods! The Whole Foods in Austin is amazing! We ate almost every meal there in their cafe. Austin is a beautiful city. It is so full of lush trees and foliage. I love how active everyone is. I definitely have to say that Austin people are alot kinder and patient than Dallas people. My conclusion has come to be that Austin is MUCH better than Dallas. I'm really not a big fan of Dallas, just ain't my style : )
BUT so today my sister and I went to Dimples cupcakes and got these lovely little goodies.
They were the biggest cupcakes i've ever had! They were pretty good, but a bit too sweet for me. But I REALLY want my own little cupcake bakery some day. I might be able to shadow a family friend who has a wedding cake bakery! So hopefully that will affirm whether or not I could really run a bakery and enjoy it. My dilemma is that I want to bake alllllll the time, but I can't eat all the goodies! So...that logically led to me think of owning a simple bakery! I have the name and decorations all ready planned. : ) It would be so fun!
Work and summer classes have kept me alot more busy than I would like, as it is preventing me from crafting more and writing on here more often. But as long as I am being somewhat productive that is good. : )
I have just started Leviticus, and well it will be an interesting read. It is a hard book to read because it isn't a story of people, which I greatly enjoy, but more a focus of laws. But my close friend has given me a Bible Study to go along with it that was very inspirational to her. So I am quite excited about reading it!
School soon. : D I have a good feeling about this year. : )
So, my summer goal is to read through the Bible, as much a day as I want. No reading guide or "this many chapters a day" thing. I feel like that just makes it an obligation, and I want this to be anything but that. I decided to read the New Testament first. I chose to do this b/c I wanted to be able to read the Old Testament being able to see the images of Christ and the prophesies he would fulfill. I finished that, and I have to tell you, it was so uplifting and encouraging to my heart. The whole idea that started me on this goal was remembering what my high school Bible teacher told us, that only 1% of Christians have read the whole Bible. Whoa, conviction right? How can we who profess to be firm believers of a faith, not have even read the book we base our whole lives on!?!? Crazzzzzy right? I knew that if I was ever challenged by someone asking me why I hadn't read the book my faith was based on, i would have no legitimate answer. There is no excuse. Seriously. We read Harry Potter and Twilight books within 4 days, which i'm pretty sure is longer than the Bible in total. ( But i don't really know, i actually haven't read either series, i just used those cause thats what majority of my generation has read.) So that is what got me to my summer goal. So now I am in the Old Testament. I chose to read it chronologically b/c I've always been curious to know what came when, and what order, so that it makes more sense in my mind. Because growing up in church, we always hopped around, and never got a true picture of this is how we got here. I've already been blessed to learn soooo much! It's sooo cool to be reading and say, "OHHHHH this is how the slaves became enslaved, or Ohhh now I see how Joseph and Abraham are connected!" It's like a whole new part of your mind is opened and able to understand the Biblical truths even more! It's so beautiful.
So, that brings me to Job. It has always been a book of "ya ya i know the story." and never truly understood until today. WOW, what i have been missing out on. Job was always a hard book for me to understand so i read along with it in The Message Bible. It helped alot and gave me alot of clarity. I can't tell you how amazing the last 3 chapters were to my soul. I encourage you to read it in the Message. It makes you feel so insignificant, and magnifies what a MIGHTY AWESOME God we are privileged to serve. It blew my mind. Truly truly truly, what a mighty God He is.
I pray that the Lord may open your heart to receive the revelations that Job offers. It is a story i once took for granted, and now it has changed my view on suffering, friendship, creation, and most importantly our God.
He is so amazing, may we never cease to sing his praises!
