My love is deeper than the holler. Stronger than the river.Higher than the pine trees growin' tall upon the hill.My love is purer than the snowflakes,That fall in late December.And honest as a Robin on a springtime window sill.And longer than the song of a whippoorwill.
It is so encouraging to see that at least one company is getting it right! Girls you ARE Gorgeous! Never forget that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who is love himself.
I think it would be awesome if we challenged magazines, modeling agencies... to go Photoshop Free! Meaning that people would be portrayed in magazines with their real beauty - unedited images of men and women who are already beautiful.
This video sermon on rest spoke to my heart. I encourage you to take one single hour out of your day and listen to it. You need the rest anyways.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
This week I have been keenly aware of my desire to have control over my life. I want things to go well and so I plan the details and hope for the best result. But when that result is less than I had hoped, I am disappointed. Not because everything fell apart, but because I expected too much. I seem to have a habit of that. Setting my goals high to the point that it stresses me out because I feel the need to succeed at them even if they may be too much. Even as I am writing this I fight within myself, saying inside my head that my goals aren't that high or that hard to obtain. Which, in some aspects they are not. However, in other aspects they are. It may surprise you to know that I can set realistic goals, but it obviously takes me some time to critically think and fight the urge to extend my task just a little bit more. I always hope to get more completed than I usually do. On the other hand, my tendency to set high goals has challenged myself to reach for things that previously seemed unreachable. In this aspect, I see my perfectionist characteristic as a strength. It challenges me to grow in many ways.
As you may have or may have not gathered by now, God is asking me to let go. To give everything up and lay it down at his feet. I desperately want to do that. I would love to let it all go and relinquish my stress, anxieties, and worries to God. However, in reality this has proven to be difficult. It seems there is always something I need to do or should be doing. This sense of responsibility has been a source of stress because it hinders me from my ability to truly rest. I need to let it go and let God handle it because I know that he can, he wants to, and I need him to.
I hope that you will let go along with me. Here are the encouraging words that God has been showing me.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." - Romans 8 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" - Matthew 6 "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6
Last night I came across a televised special of the Joy event at Disney World. Apparently it's an event where awesome Christian artists come to play. Anyways here's a taste of what I heard last night.
God never ceases to amaze me. He keeps reminding me of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Tonight he showed me Isaiah chapter 59...
Sin, Confession and Redemption
59 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. 5 They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. 6 Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. 7 Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. 8 The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
9 So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. 10 Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. 11 We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: 13 rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. 14 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. 15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. 18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. 19 From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.[a]
20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.
21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth
will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the
lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
Every time I read the first verse of this passage I am reminded that no matter my iniquities, God's arm can always reach me. It is so comforting and encouraging for me to know that I can never go so far down that God can't pull me back up again. When I compare myself to the greatness and holiness of God I am immediately humbled. I love this passage because it is a demonstration of what God does on a daily basis. He saves us from self destruction. When are hands are yet stained with blood, Jesus still redeems. My favorite part of this passage is verse twenty one when God promises to be with those who repent of their sins. He says "My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you... from this time on and forever"
I read on to Isaiah 60 which continues the story with rejoicing, "“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."
Recently I've been reading "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis. The book is about Katie's life living in Uganda. Her story is truly inspirational. It has encouraged me to reach out and help others. Reading her book has given me a new perspective that I am thankful for. My idea of what is a need and what is a want has changed. Before reading her book I have always wanted to be generous in big ways. Only a few times in my life have I taken advantage of the opportunity to give big. In the future, I hope that I am willing to give where God calls me to give. I look forward to what God is doing in my heart and in my life. I am very excited to go where he is sending me now that I have seen what he is doing through Katie.
I was logging out of my email and saw this news story about a teenager who had just passed away on Christmas. He left these two videos on his youtube page.
After watching them I thought about the song lyrics he mentioned. "when will the fantasy end and Heaven begin" That question struck me. Think about what those words mean to you. Then, "Go Now".
They showed this video in chapel yesterday and I loved it. It is so amazing to me anytime I watch someone speak complete truth. Especially when it is in such a creative way. Check it out! I promise you won't be disappointed.
These past couple of days have been really cool. God has just been revealing small things to me. Last night I went to a worship service put on by the Worship Arts majors here at school. At the service the speaker talked about how we as college students know God's will. He also talked about how Christians are called to minister to the hurting and broken of the world. This really related to me as a social work major. I felt God asking me to give up my future in order for Him to make way in my life. So that's what I'm doing. My future is in God's hands. My plans are His. I want to go where he is sending me and do what he has sent me to do. I have no idea what is going to happen, I only know that it is going to be amazing. I am eager to reach the broken, poor, and needy.
One of the songs we worshiped with last night was Follow you in to the world. So here is the video for you, enjoy. :)
"Possible" is a word that isn't often used with confidence. We encourage each other with good intentions and a right heart when we say "You can do it! you will do good on this test!"But when we say those things I wonder how many times we actually believe it? I learned recently, by the grace and mercy of God, that things are truly possible with Him. In fact, I know that nothing is impossible with God.
You see, this weekend I had to study for two very important exams. While this may seem silly to you, to me it was a huge deal. I'm in my last year in college and I want to do the best I can. However, while studying for these two test I felt like it wasn't possible to do well on both. I might be able to pass both exams, but actually doing well on the two of them was unlikely in my mind. Through a lot of prayer, and the ear of a good friend I was able to come to terms with my work and be calm. Then last night as I was taking my 9 essay exam, the Lord enabled me to remember what I had studied. When I handed my test in I was able to give my prof the thumbs up he was looking for. I left my night class ecstatic that God had made my test possible.
This afternoon I had my second test. Going in, I wasn't as confident as I was last night, and I felt that my studying wasn't up to par. I even said to my classmate that this test's grade will be at the expense of the other. As I left class today I felt relieved knowing that I had passed and maybe even better than passed.
That is why I began this post writing what is below.
This verse is perfect for today and what God has been teaching me. He can do all things and is limited by nothing. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, for the joy of the Lord is my strength.
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be
counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it
is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:20-21NIV
His plans are beyond our wildest imagination. Praise God! We are so blessed <3
This morning I was watching the Today show and eating my chocolate chip pancakes when a story about the congresswomen who had been shot in the head came on and they were talking about her return to politics after being in the hospital. How she looked people in the eye and gave them her full attention. Then later on in the show Kathy Lee and Hoda were talking with Trace Adkins about the loss of his home to a fire.
After watching these stories I was inspired to live. The truth is we don't know how much time we have. I for one want to get off the couch and do all of the things that I've been wanting to do and stop putting them off. For example, I want to have the attitude of Christ every day which means I have to give up my own desires, let go, and let God. I also want to live a healthier life style, changing the way I eat and exercise. I want to continue to pour out love on the people around me so that there will be no doubt in their mind that I love them.
Lately my travels to Italy and other items have got me off schedule and the time that I spend with God has been lacking. Tonight I found this video on youtube and wanted to share it with you. It's called "How to Kill Sin" It gave me a new perspective and I hope it helps you too.
Tonight God revealed a special message to me. Lately I've been singing "Don't laugh at me" by Mark Wills. Then as I was spending time with God tonight he reminded me that I am his creation. I am beautiful, smart, capable, and loved by God. We all are. There is nothing different about my or your being that makes us disqualified from the love of God. In fact, we can't get away from it even if we wanted to. We were created by Him, our entire existence is in His image.
Please visit my friends blog for a lesson about God.
Mint Chocolate Chip Moments.: Blessings.: "This song, makes my heart so full every time i listen to it. This week i have been learning that no matter what God is always right here. No..."
John 17:24 Caught my attention in the video. God loves us so much! He prayed for us.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Today was talents for Christ chapel. This is a service where the students get to glorify God in their unique ways. One skit in particular moved me to tears, the lighthouse skit. It wasn't the first time I've seen it by any means but it's meaning still holds so true in my heart. This morning I was very aware of the reality that people all around us struggle everyday, fighting to get closer to God, or at least away from the trials that they presently endure. I encourage you to pray for everyone around you, including me, we need it.
From a Christian Social Work perspective.... This week I went to a child welfare conference and learned so many things. I encountered the realities of child welfare, the tragedies, those that slip through the system. This encourages me even more to seek for policy change, if only to help one person from slipping through the cracks, that one person is worth it. This life relevance and awareness paired with today's chapel skit moved my heart. Not only do I want to fight through my trials and reach the other side but I also want to help others do the same. That is why I want to be a social worker.
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
The invited guests missed the point. The host wanted to throw a party in their honor and they made excuses not to come. Thus, the host was angered and said fine then I'll invite whoever does want to come and those who rejected my invitation will never get to be a part of dinner. Then all of those who wanted to come arrived and they had a glorious feast.
Think about this in relationship to God's kingdom. He invited everyone to be apart of His Kingdom, are you going to give him some lame excuse that would cause you to miss out on all that He has to offer or are you going to arrive with eagerness at the gates of Heaven.
