Hey everyone!
I wanted to take this time to let you know that today I have decided that it is the end of my postings on this blog. It has been good for me to start this journey with you here, but it is time for me to move on and put my full efforts toward www.thequietplaceblog.org. I encourage you to follow me and the other faithful women who so generously share their hearts over at the quiet place. It is a ministry that I started with my best friend Britney a little over a year ago and I am very excited to share with you that God is taking us places with The Quiet Place. As for now, I will continue to leave this blog up for you to peruse.
Thank you for being such great readers!
All my love,
Hillary.
Showing posts with label Special Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Special Days. Show all posts
It's Our Birthday Linkup: After One Year...
November
There is something special about November, the way the fall trees turn bear and wake up clothed in white snow. That first morning when the seem to be dying foliage is dressed in splendorous white covering everything as far as your eye can see. That is a special joyous moment for me. This year that moment is even more special because of where I am this morning. Here in Michigan with my best friend. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to come up here and spend time with her face to face. That is a rare opportunity these days and I am cherishing every moment of it. These are the times made of memories. The times that will always be remembered as special.
I am at a great time in my life. Once things change, they will change for good, and I don't want to ever forget what it was like to be at this stage in life. It's a precious time that adults always refer back to, "when I was young...". I want to have something good to say, and I know now that I do.
When I was young I didn't take my friendships for granted.
When I was young I took hold of the unique opportunities, and I never regretted it.
What special time are you in right now? I encourage you to make the most of it.
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
For they cannot rest until they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Blessed By Beatrice
Today my roommate and I had the honor of having lunch with Beatrice. Beatrice is a wonderful four-foot eight-inch 94 year old church lady. Last Sunday she invited my roommates and I to Sunday dinner after church. Today we had the pleasure of following her to her home for lunch. It was quite comical to follow her in my car as she sped almost recklessly through the curvy small town streets. I almost lost her trail as I was restrained by the stop sign. Thankfully we were able to catch up to her and thankfully we didn't have much farther to go.
When we arrived we stepped into her little kitchen and began helping her prepare for lunch. As we got up to walk outside and see the yard, I caught the dining room table in the corner of my eye. I was surprised and delighted to see the table set fully with china and crystal glasses. I felt honored that she would invite me to be apart of her special dinner. I was completely unaware of the glorious lunch we were about to have together.
When we came back inside we helped Beatrice set the table. She pulled a glazed ham roast out of the oven and a few other dinner salads from the kitchen and dish by dish we placed them on the decorated table linen.
As we sat down at the table Beatrice proceeded to say grace, thanking God for our meal and praying over us in the sweetest most loving way. Her words and presence blessed my heart.
Lunch was delicious and was the most unexpected occasion I never imagined. I had no idea that we would end up spending four hours getting to know one another over fine china and apple pie.
Today I am thankful for new friends and for wise women like Beatrice.
All Things Autumn
As reluctant as I am about the end of summer, I really do LOVE fall. Once I get past a few mourning days where I miss warm summer nights and clear starry skys, I embrace Autumn full on. This weekend has definitely been spent embracing the season. My roommates and I started the weekend out by having a pinterest and movie night. We had a lot of fun searching for fall crafts that we could make to decorate our humble graduate housing. Saturday morning was spent reading homework while sipping hot drinks in the coffee shop and watching the rain leave droplets on the floor-lengthed windows. We filled the afternoon by shopping for crafting materials at Michael's and grabbing a late lunch at Applebee's. When we finally returned home, we began dressing the house with our fall creations. The colors of Orange and Red quickly made our humble house feel much more like home. This morning we had a nice time at Church and it is definitely a good day for a bowl of chili and Sunday football. I am so grateful for this opportunity to rest and I will be sad for it to end at my 6:20am Monday morning wake-up call.
Beach Day
I am proud to announce that I have FINALLY made it to the beach! This checks off the toughest goal on my summer bucket list. Yes it's sad that I thought I wouldn't reach this goal, but I am so very glad that I did.
Today my roommates and I ventured out on our mission to soak up some sun. We finally arrived at the beach after a couple wrong turns and an accidental drive down the wrong side of the highway. Oops. But it really wasn't as dramatic as it sounds because there weren't very many cars in this area and it wasn't too hard to turn back around thankfully. Today we enjoyed some quality time together laying on our beach towels catching up on some reading and of course watching the sights and sounds of the people around us. As I took in the scenery and the activity of those on the beach I observed a few funny things. I watched a young boy chase two girls around with algae that he grabbed out of the lake. I watched as a three year old boy with a cute little camouflaged hat filled his hat up with sand and then proceeded to put it back on his head which of course worked well with the sand in it. I also made a little friend today with an almost toddler boy who kept wandering over to my beach towel to say hello. I can't lie, he was super cute and I loved it.
After the beach we decided to make a stop at Walmart to pick up some hamburgers for dinner. Then, when we got home the three of us proceeded to discover the mysteries of grilling. lol Thankfully it worked out well and we really enjoyed our time cooking and eating together.
Then what better to wrap up a night than some quality time playing wii sports and watching an intense netflix series.
Beach Day = Success :)
Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have shared with us today. May I not take them for granted.
Today my roommates and I ventured out on our mission to soak up some sun. We finally arrived at the beach after a couple wrong turns and an accidental drive down the wrong side of the highway. Oops. But it really wasn't as dramatic as it sounds because there weren't very many cars in this area and it wasn't too hard to turn back around thankfully. Today we enjoyed some quality time together laying on our beach towels catching up on some reading and of course watching the sights and sounds of the people around us. As I took in the scenery and the activity of those on the beach I observed a few funny things. I watched a young boy chase two girls around with algae that he grabbed out of the lake. I watched as a three year old boy with a cute little camouflaged hat filled his hat up with sand and then proceeded to put it back on his head which of course worked well with the sand in it. I also made a little friend today with an almost toddler boy who kept wandering over to my beach towel to say hello. I can't lie, he was super cute and I loved it.
Today was a good day.
After the beach we decided to make a stop at Walmart to pick up some hamburgers for dinner. Then, when we got home the three of us proceeded to discover the mysteries of grilling. lol Thankfully it worked out well and we really enjoyed our time cooking and eating together.
Then what better to wrap up a night than some quality time playing wii sports and watching an intense netflix series.
Beach Day = Success :)
Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have shared with us today. May I not take them for granted.
A Friendship Like Their's
The story of Jonathan and David's friendship is one of my favorites. But a friendship like theirs is hard to come by. Especially today it seems that good friends are few and far between. Best friends are even rarer. I am so blessed that I have the beginning of a friendship like theirs. You can read there awesome story here...
1 Samuel 18-20
The Voice (VOICE)
18 By the time David had finished speaking to Saul, Saul’s son Jonathan was bound to David in friendship, and Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. 2 Saul took David into his service on that day and would not let him return to his father’s home. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 He took off the robe he wore and gave it to David, and also his armor, sword, bow, and belt, symbolically transferring to David his right to ascend the throne.
5 David went wherever Saul sent him and was successful in battle; and as a result, Saul made him commander of his army. And all the people, even those who served Saul, were pleased.
6 On the day they were returning from David’s victory over the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet the king, singing and dancing with tambourines and other instruments, making joyful music. 7 At one point, the women sang as they danced and celebrated.
Women: Saul has slain his thousands,
and David, his tens of thousands.
and David, his tens of thousands.
8 This chant made Saul tremble with fury.
Saul: Do you hear this? They have said that David killed tens of thousands and that I only killed thousands. What else is left for him but my kingdom?
9 From that moment on, Saul was suspicious of David.
10 On the next day, the True God sent an evil spirit to overwhelm Saul and put him in a prophetic state inside his residence. While David was playing the harp, as he did every day to try and soothe the king, Saul had his spear in his hand 11 and decided to throw it at David, thinking, “I will pin him to the wall.” But David twice escaped Saul’s angry attacks.
12 Saul was afraid of David because the Spirit of the Eternal was with him but had left Saul. 13 So, at last, Saul removed David from his presence, making him a commander over 1,000 men, hoping he would die in battle. But David went out to the battle and returned. 14 David was successful in everything he did because the Eternal One was present with him.
15 When Saul saw that David achieved such success, he was amazed and afraid of him. 16 All of Israel and Judah loved David, who led their soldiers into battle and brought them back victorious.
Saul came up with a plan and called David.
Saul: 17 David, I want you to take my oldest daughter Merab in marriage. I ask only one thing in return: valiantly fight the Eternal One’s battles on my behalf.
Saul was thinking that he did not need to murder David himself; instead, the Philistines would eventually kill David.
David (to Saul): 18 Who am I, what have I done, and who is my family in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?
19 But at the time when Saul’s daughter Merab was to be given to David as his wife, she was instead given in marriage to Adriel the Meholathite. 20 Saul’s daughter Michal, however, loved David; and when Saul heard this, he was pleased.
21 He thought that he would give her to David to trap him in a dangerous situation where the Philistines could still destroy David. So Saul spoke to David again.
Saul (to David): I want you to marry my other daughter.
22 (to his servants) Talk to David privately. Tell him, “The king is very happy with you, and you are loved by those who serve him. So why don’t you become the king’s son-in-law?”
23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David as requested, but again he replied modestly.
David: Does it seem to you such a simple thing that I should become the king’s son-in-law? What about the fact that I have no money to pay the brideprice and come from an unknown family with no political connections?
24 Saul’s servants reported David’s concerns back to the king.
Saul: 25 Tell David that in place of the traditional dowry, I want only the foreskins of 100 Philistines, so the king will be avenged against his enemies.
Saul thought David would be killed by the Philistines while attempting this task. 26 When the servants repeated Saul’s words, he agreed to Saul’s terms and decided to fulfill these conditions to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the allotted time elapsedto pay the dowry, 27 David went with his men, killed 200 Philistines, and presented their foreskins to the king so that he could become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave David his daughter Michal in marriage; 28 but when the king saw how David enjoyed the favor of the Eternal One, and that his daughter Michal loved him, 29 he felt even more threatened by David. Afterhis plan failed, Saul considered David his constant enemy.
30 Whenever the commanders of the Philistine army came out to fight, David distinguished himself against them more than any of Saul’s other servants, so that everyone valued him.
19 Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to figure out a way to kill David, but Jonathan was very fond of David.
Jonathan (warning David): 2 My father wants you dead. Watch out tomorrow morning. Think of a safe place to hide that nobody knows about. 3 I will go into the field near where you are hiding, and I will speak on your behalf to my father. If I learn anything, I will tell you.
4 Jonathan spoke generously on behalf of his friend to his father, Saul.
Jonathan: The king should not sin against his servant David, who has never sinned against you. Indeed his achievements have been of real service to you and your kingdom. 5 He faced death when he fought against the Philistine, and the Eternal One gave David a great victory for all of Israel. When you saw it then, you were filled with joy. Why would you now sin against an innocent person like David by killing him without a proper cause?
Saul (considering this counsel): 6 As the Eternal One lives, David should not be murdered.
7 Jonathan found David and told him everything that had happened, and then Jonathan brought David back into the service of Saul the king.
8 Once again there was war between Israel and the Philistines, and David went out to fight them. He crushed them and made them flee.
9 Again the Eternal sent an evil spirit to disturb Saul as he sat at home, spear in hand, listening to David play music; 10 again Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but Saul missed him and the spear stuck into the wall. David escaped that night and ran to his home.
11 Saul dispatched some of his officers to watch David’s house so that they could kill him the next day. David’s wife Michal warned him.
Michal: If you don’t save yourself tonight, tomorrow morning you’ll be killed.
12 So Michal lowered David down through the window, and he escaped. 13 Then she laid a large idol on the bed, made it a wig of goat’s hair, and covered it with clothes. 14 When Saul’s officers came to take David to the king, she told them, “He’s sick.”
15 Hearing this report, Saul ordered his officers to return and see David for themselves. He would not be deterred.
Saul: Even if you have to carry him to me in his bed, do it so I can kill him.
16 When the officers returned, they threw back the blankets and, instead of David, they discovered the idol with its goat-hair wig in the bed. So they took Michal to Saul.
Saul (to Michal): 17 Why have you betrayed me like this, daughter, and let my enemy escape?
Michal (lying): He said to me, “Let me go. Don’t make me kill you.”
18 David fled to Samuel in Ramah, and he told him everything that had happened. Samuel took David to the town of Naioth, and they lived there.
19 Saul soon learned that David was at Naioth in Ramah, 20 so he sent officers to arrest him and bring him back. But when they came, they found a group of prophets in a prophetic trance with Samuel standing and leading them, and the Spirit of the True God entered Saul’s officers so that they, too, were caught up and prophesied.
21 When Saul heard this news, he sent other officers who were also affected in this way. He sent a third set of officers, and again, the same thing happened when they encountered Samuel and the prophets.
22 So finally Saul went, himself, to Ramah. When he arrived at the large cistern at Secu, he asked where he might find Samuel and David and was told they were at Naoith in Ramah. 23 As Saul traveled, the Spirit of God entered him, and he, too, fell into a constant prophetic trance. When he reached Naoith in Ramah, 24 he stripped off all his clothes and fell into a prophetic ecstasy before Samuel, lying naked all that day and night. (This is another way the saying arose, “Is Saul also one of the prophets?”)
20 David ran for his life. He left Naioth in Ramah and found Jonathan.
David: What have I done? Of what am I guilty? What crime have I committed against your father to make him want to kill me?
Jonathan: 2 Impossible! Don’t worry about it. You’re not going to die. My father doesn’t make any decision, large or small, without telling me. And why would my father hide this from me? It is not so.
David: 3 But your father knows we are friends, and he has said, “Don’t tell Jonathan about this; he will be upset.” I swear to you, as the Eternal lives—and as you live—I am on the verge of being killed.
Jonathan: 4 Whatever you ask, I will do for you.
David: 5 Look. Tomorrow is the new moon, and I should be sitting with the king at his table. But let me go and hide myself in the field until three days have passed. 6 If your father asks about me, tell him that I asked to return to my hometown, Bethlehem, for an annual family sacrifice. 7 If he says, “Fine,” then all will be well with your servant. But if he is angry, you will know that he intends to harm me. 8 So deal kindly with your servant, for you have made a sacred covenant with me, your servant. But if I am guilty, then kill me yourself. Why should you have to bring me in front of your father?
Jonathan: 9 That will never happen. If I knew my father planned to hurt you, wouldn’t I tell you?
David: 10 So who will tell me if your father gives you a good or bad answer?
Jonathan: 11 Let’s go out to the field.
They went out to the field so that David could find a place to lie low.
Jonathan (to David): 12 Let the Eternal God of Israel be my witness; this is my vow. When I have talked to my father, about this time tomorrow or no later than the third day, if he acts friendly about you, won’t I send an answer to you? 13 But if my father plans to harm you, then may the Eternal do to me what he plans for you—and more—if I don’t let you know and send you away to safety.
May the Eternal One be with you, as He has been with my father. 14 If I live, then show to me the faithful love of the Eternal that I may not die. 15 Do not ever take your faithful love away from my descendants, not even if the Eternal were to remove all the enemies of the house of David from the face of the earth.
16 With these words, Jonathan made a covenant with David and his descendants.
Jonathan: May the Eternal One guarantee this promise by the hands of David’s enemies.
17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for Jonathan loved him more than life itself.
Jonathan: 18 Tomorrow is the festival of the new moon. People will notice you are gone because your place will be empty.19 On the day after tomorrow, you will be greatly missed. On that day, quickly go down to that place where you hid yourself the first time and wait by the stone Ezel. 20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of the stone, as if I’m shooting at a target.21 Then I will send a boy after them, saying, “Go find the arrows.” If I tell him, “Look, the arrows are on this side of you,” then come back, for as the Eternal One lives, you are not in any danger. 22 But if I tell the boy, “No, the arrows are beyond you,” then flee, because the Eternal has shown you that you must leave. 23 But as for the agreement that we have spoken together, the Eternal One is witness to it forever.
24 So David hid himself in the field.
When the new moon festival began and the king sat down to eat, 25 he took his usual seat in a place of safety with his back to the wall. Abner, his general, sat at the king’s side; Jonathan stood, but David’s seat was empty. 26 That first night, Saul said nothing. He thought that perhaps David had somehow become ritually unclean, and he could not attend a sacred feast. 27 But on the next day, the second day of the feast of the new moon, when David’s seat remained empty, Saul spoke to Jonathan.
Saul: Why hasn’t the son of Jesse joined us at the feast these past two days?
Jonathan: 28 David asked me if he could go to Bethlehem. 29 “Please allow me to go,” he said. “Our family is sacrificing in the city, and my brother has insisted that I come. So if you think highly of me, I ask that you let me go there and see my brothers.” That is why he is not at the king’s table.
30 Saul, not fooled for a moment, became very angry with Jonathan.
Saul: You son of a degenerate and rebellious woman! Do you think I don’t know that you have befriended the son of Jesse? This is just as shameful for you as your mother’s nakedness was. 31 As long as David walks the earth, you will never rule this kingdom. Now send for him. Bring him here to me, because he will most certainly die.
Jonathan: 32 Why should David be put to death? What offense has he committed?
33 At that, Saul threw his spear at him, fully intending to hit him, so Jonathan knew that it was truly his father’s intention to have David killed. 34 Jonathan left the table in a rage, without eating a bite on the second day of the festival. He was grieved because of David and because his father had disgraced him.
35 In the morning, Jonathan took his bow and went out into the field, as he had arranged with David, and he brought a small boy with him.
Jonathan (to the boy): 36 Run and find the arrows that I shoot.
The boy ran, and Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. 37 When the boy reached the place where the arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out.
Jonathan: Isn’t the arrow beyond you? 38 Hurry! Be quick about it. Don’t hang around out there!
So Jonathan’s young servant gathered the arrows and returned to his master. 39 He knew nothing, of course; only Jonathan and David knew what had just transpired. 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and told him to take them back to the city.
41 As soon as the boy left, David rose from his hiding place south of the stone and prostrated himself before Jonathan. He bowed to Jonathan three times, and then David and Jonathan kissed each other. Both of them wept, but David wept more.
Jonathan (to David): 42 Go in peace and safety, since we have both sworn in the name of the Eternal One, “He will mediate between me and you, and between our descendants, forever.”
David got up from the ground and left, and Jonathan returned to the city.
...I wonder how our lives would be different if we put more work into our friendships. If we truly loved our neighbors as much as we love ourselves.
Being Vulnerable
Today was the last day of one of my classes and I will miss it. It has truly been a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of such an amazing group of people. As you may have guessed, this wasn't just a regular class. This class was a community. A community where we could be open with one another and share our life struggles. Where we were accepted and not laughed at. Even though some weeks it may have been hard to be vulnerable, it was worth it in the end. You see, for this class each week every person completed a spiritual discipline practice from Calhon's Spiritual Disciplines Handbook. Then at class every week we would share with one another what we experienced, and what we learned through participating in that spiritual discipline. This sharing time was an opportunity to be vulnerable. Was it uncomfortable? Scary? Yes and yes. Sometimes it was difficult to share how we were feeling and what we were learning in our personal practice of spiritual disciplines. But it was worth it. In the end we learned that by being vulnerable with each other we created a community. A place where we struggled, hurt, cried, and laughed. But it was also a place where we helped, comforted, consoled, and affirmed. Taking this class I learned a very important lesson. I am flawed, imperfect, a sinner. I don't have it together and I never will. And its okay. It's okay because so is everyone else. We are all the same, we are all flawed, we make mistakes, we sin. This class was good for me because it affirmed that I am normal. I am just as human as the next one. Yes I struggle, I get hurt, I have emotions. So do you. Something a bit more important struck me in the midst of my studies. God's grace IS enough. As much as I fight it some days and think that God can't possibly want someone as flawed as me, he DOES. I don't think I will ever fully grasp the meaning of God's grace. But I do know that I am thankful for it. Because without grace my sin is not okay. Disowning the very being who thought me up through my actions is not okay. But somehow, when I was not okay, God sent his son to earth to die so that I would be alight. This is unconditional love. Unfathomable love. That a man would lay down his life for his friends.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. - 1 John 3:16
Earthshaking Tragedy
Hundrads or maybe even thousands of years before Jesus was born, his death was written about in Isaiah 53 in excruciating detail. Later on, after Jesus' death and resurrection, the account of his death was written down by witnesses in the gospels. Below you can read Isaiah 53 which is the prophecy of the crucifixion and an eye witness account of his death from the gospels.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
- Matthew 27
Joy in the Morning
Good Morning Beautiful Person,
I'm glad you stopped by this morning because I really want to share this encouraging post with you. I just read it and it brightened my heart. Enjoy - She Reads Truth
I'm glad you stopped by this morning because I really want to share this encouraging post with you. I just read it and it brightened my heart. Enjoy - She Reads Truth
New Beginnings
Today is my first full day in my new place as a graduate student. So far I really like everything here. Although I must admit it is a little shocking to be here already. This week has flown by and it feels like all I had time to do was climb up the high dive and jump without a lot of preparation. Not being prepared is definitely outside of my character. I am someone who really likes to have everything I might need, just in case. Although I'm not really talking about packing here. I am talking about being ready for a big change. I am so use to moving in and out of school that by now I have a somewhat automatic switch that turns on when I have to do all of my packing and cleaning (preparation). When I finally had most of my things unpacked yesterday I realized how alone I was. Yes, I had all of my things, but nothing was familiar. Not the street, the town, the house, the smells, the people. Everything is so much different. I kind of went into shock when I realized all of the change that just took place in my life. Even though I felt lonely, I knew that God had never left my side. I spent time praying last night for his direction. This morning I spent time in the word and opened up to Romans 8:18 this is what I read...
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
I am not completely sure of what God is telling me through this yet. But I know it is something good, and encouraging. As the passage says, I wait eagerly for redemption and hold out hope in Christ for what I do not yet have as I try to wait for it patiently. I am encouraged that God helps us in our weakness and intercedes when we don't know what to pray.
Steady Summer
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| Graduation Roses |
Graduation Day
Lord,
I am thankful for all that you have given me, especially people. I love my friends with all of my heart. I will miss them dearly as we take this next step into the future. But I know that you will be with me wherever I go - Be with them too as I know you will - Guide us and help us to follow your leading. Teach us to love the deepest, run the farthest, and give the most. Graduation from college is over, I still can't believe it! Lord give me strength to face the future, give me courage, help me walk in your steps. <3
I am thankful for all that you have given me, especially people. I love my friends with all of my heart. I will miss them dearly as we take this next step into the future. But I know that you will be with me wherever I go - Be with them too as I know you will - Guide us and help us to follow your leading. Teach us to love the deepest, run the farthest, and give the most. Graduation from college is over, I still can't believe it! Lord give me strength to face the future, give me courage, help me walk in your steps. <3
Happy Easter!
Romans 3: Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 5
Peace and Hope
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Verse 15 to end
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Ray of Sunshine
This week is spring break and it has been so good to be home. Although, as the weather gets warmer and I frown at the need to return to school in a few days I realize how short my time is. In a few weeks I will no longer be a college student. My late nights spent doing homework are coming to a close and while this is a wonderful thing, I will miss school. I will miss all the nights I stayed up too late with my friends. The 12am trips to Walmart, Applebees, Stake and Shake, Mcdonalds, Maggie Moos, Tim Hortons, Coldestone... And of coarse all of those crazy campus events like lip sync and arbor games. But most of all I morn the loss of living in our community of love and support. When I can wake friends up at unruly hours because I don't feel well or need someone to talk to. It will be hard to say goodbye to the four years I spent building friendships but at least I know when I leave the relationships continue. If I gain nothing from my college education and take one thing when I go, it is the love and support of the people I bring with me. So thank you dear friends for your support, you mean a lot to me <3
Christmas!
Christmas is finally here! Today has been a good day. I spent the day with my family visiting my grandparents. We enjoyed some Christmas lasagna which was really good, thanks to my wonderful grandmother. Now we are home and I am enjoying old movies with mom :) after a long nap. This morning I was a little disappointed because it was 40 degrees out and barely any snow. But, as I write, the bedroom window contains a slight night glow and I can see the fluffy white flakes floating to the ground in haste. This has brightened my spirit along with a Merry Christmas phone call from my sister who will soon be home! I am very excited to see her and celebrate Christmas later this week. The best part about celebrating Christmas traditions on different days is that we get to party all week! It is so good to be home and surrounded by family.
I hope you all have had a Merry Christmas as well and a good night.
I hope you all have had a Merry Christmas as well and a good night.
Merry Christmas Eve!
Merry Christmas Eve! Today has been good. I spent the majority of it watching Christmas movies and baking cookies with mom. Then later on we are going to the Christmas Eve service at Church. It's a different kind of Christmas this year. Since my sister and her husband will not be able to come and celebrate with us until the 27th, we are postponing our Christmas traditions. It is somewhat strange that for the first time since I can remember, we are not doing Christmas tonight. It is different but not bad. I am still enjoying Christmas even without these things. However, I am looking forward to them later in the week. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to focus on the celebration of Christ and less on Santa Clause. I like Santa don't get me wrong, but it seems to me that there is a need to focus more on Christ and less on Santa.
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