Alright, so technically has not happened yet (at least this here-what we call Easter...) but all day at work...at any given time I could have just shouted for JOY. I LOVE basking in God's Love and glory! It is incredible and seriously, if you have not tried it..TRY IT you have NO idea what you are missing on! Seriously even as I write this...I have "filled with your Glory" on by Starfield and just how fitting are those lyrics. It brings tears to my eyes.
Like I said earlier, Easter is right around the corner (with Good Friday being tomorrow) and for some reason-Easter is hitting me different this year. A good different. I think I am somewhat finally slowly starting to understand God's love for me. I mean, I know He loves me. I always have. Yet now, it seems real, it seems personal. Almost as tho I can feel Him next to me daily, always right beside me. THrough the good and the bad.
I have always heard it said to "read read read your Bibles" Its a way to get to know God, to draw close to Him and have Him draw to you. After all, I mean scripture is God breathed. I believe that. I started alternating between Old and New testament at the start of the Year and wow wow wow. It is amazing. GOD is amazing.
Prayer. Pray Pray Pray. I feel as though that always has been a strong point in my personal walk with God. People sometimes do not understand praying to "someone who isnt there" but honestly that is one thing I dont think I ever have struggled with. It has been one of those things that I have 'just accepted' and believed. It (prayer) is what has pulled me through my life, and especially-my various travels. I remember calling home one time while I was in the ukraine and just telling mom, sharing stories and my excitement for where I was and what I was doing. I remember her mentioning to me that she was praying and that right there, hit me. It was (is) because of the prayers of those around me-that I have been able to do what I have done.
Enter last night youth...WOW! 2 hours of pure praise and worship, of testimonies and sharing stories (both humerous and light), while the youth took turns walking through "journey to the cross". This is sometihng my church puts on every few years and, as leaders, we walked through it the night before. Now I am honestly always a little 'leary' of things like that cause honestly-God never has "BAM" hit me (so to speak) while I have gone through things like that (both at church and at college) and honestly-He didnt when I walked through it this time either. BUT I realized while flicking through the slides for songs last night at youth-how God did "BAM' hit me through it. (bad grammar I know but I hope that that made sense!) While singing, while sharing and listening to those share-I was overwhelmed with His great love. I cannot explain it. I just can't but wow was it powerful.
HE died for ME. ME. He took my sins to the cross. Bore my weight and pain on HIS shoulders. HE didnt have to. He could have commanded angels to attend to Him and free Him. With a snap of His fingers, He could have been off that cross. He could have skipped it all and stayed in Heaven. But HE DIDNT. HE CHOSE TO COME DOWN, to live as a human and die as a human all for me. All for you. All for each one of us.
I am so unworthy of it. But becuase of what HE did on the Cross-I AM worthy of His love. I am HIS child. HIS Daughter. I AM THE DAUGHTER OF THE LORD MOST HIGH and NO one can/will ever take that from me.
happy easter! God Bless
GO Bless!
Showing posts with label God's Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Love. Show all posts
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Peace...and a blessing!
We had a really good sermon today in church. It was one of those that I could really connect with. It was based in Matthew 13:53-58; which reads "When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
Our pastor went on to talk about biblical faith. About what faith is NOT and what Biblical faith IS. He mentioned something that i found interesting with, but totally agree. He talked about how when people question their faith, or go around and SEEK answers to questions and have questions in general-it is sometimes (a lot of times) looked "down upon". The question is then thrown back at the person-"where is your faith? you should not be asking those things" etc
For myself-those questions annoy the heck out of me! I am a firm believer in asking questions but then also SEEKING answers to those questions (in the right places hopefully). The most important spiritual years of my life-where also the toughest. The times when I seeked answers to questions. Times when I realized that not only did I not have the answers I was looking for, but other Christians way older than me-also didnt have the answers. At the time-this annoyed me too-but now I am so glad they were honest with me as it made me realize that it is ok to have questions, to seek answers. it is not all about theology but about so much more. (dont get me wrong tho-theology is important-something that a prof at college reminded me of in his special way-thanks Prof Gord!)
I hope the youth were listening extra to that today especially-cause I know there are lots of questions especially in that age and they need that reminder that it is OK to ask, to seek. in fact-God tells us to. We are not suppose to take everything we hear, to heart-even with our own pastors and leaders. THey are human and do make mistakes. Scripture is Truth.
he also referenced James and how it talks about 'faith without actions-is dead'. This too-is something I have struggled with in the past (and still do). I still believe that in the long run-I will end up overseas in missions and so I wrestle with why I am here, at home-working isntead of being "out there". BUT then it hits me again-its my youth. this weekend reminded me of that. I went to see a movie with a few on friday, and had one girl over yesterday eve for frappes and a movie. I love connecting with people outside of youth-that is when the real conversations and growth happens-what a blessing it is! Again, for now-it confirmed to me that this, right here and now-where I am, is where I am suppose to be. There is this peace from God. This is my actions being shown-through my faith. My Faith is not dead and its very much alive (through my actions). My hope, my prayer for this next year and as this school year of youth finishes up-is that God will continue to use me espeically in the lives of the young women in youth-to draw closer to HIM and grow a passion desire to love and serve Him. For me to be there for them, when they have tough questions and fears. Not to necessairly lead, but to help guide.
Prayer is huge. I pray constantly for my 'girls' and its awesome seeing the changes in them-even for only knowing them for the last few years-the change is there and its great! Peoplle have no idea, what they are missing out on by not being apart of youths lives!They are a HUGE blessing!
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
Our pastor went on to talk about biblical faith. About what faith is NOT and what Biblical faith IS. He mentioned something that i found interesting with, but totally agree. He talked about how when people question their faith, or go around and SEEK answers to questions and have questions in general-it is sometimes (a lot of times) looked "down upon". The question is then thrown back at the person-"where is your faith? you should not be asking those things" etc
For myself-those questions annoy the heck out of me! I am a firm believer in asking questions but then also SEEKING answers to those questions (in the right places hopefully). The most important spiritual years of my life-where also the toughest. The times when I seeked answers to questions. Times when I realized that not only did I not have the answers I was looking for, but other Christians way older than me-also didnt have the answers. At the time-this annoyed me too-but now I am so glad they were honest with me as it made me realize that it is ok to have questions, to seek answers. it is not all about theology but about so much more. (dont get me wrong tho-theology is important-something that a prof at college reminded me of in his special way-thanks Prof Gord!)
I hope the youth were listening extra to that today especially-cause I know there are lots of questions especially in that age and they need that reminder that it is OK to ask, to seek. in fact-God tells us to. We are not suppose to take everything we hear, to heart-even with our own pastors and leaders. THey are human and do make mistakes. Scripture is Truth.
he also referenced James and how it talks about 'faith without actions-is dead'. This too-is something I have struggled with in the past (and still do). I still believe that in the long run-I will end up overseas in missions and so I wrestle with why I am here, at home-working isntead of being "out there". BUT then it hits me again-its my youth. this weekend reminded me of that. I went to see a movie with a few on friday, and had one girl over yesterday eve for frappes and a movie. I love connecting with people outside of youth-that is when the real conversations and growth happens-what a blessing it is! Again, for now-it confirmed to me that this, right here and now-where I am, is where I am suppose to be. There is this peace from God. This is my actions being shown-through my faith. My Faith is not dead and its very much alive (through my actions). My hope, my prayer for this next year and as this school year of youth finishes up-is that God will continue to use me espeically in the lives of the young women in youth-to draw closer to HIM and grow a passion desire to love and serve Him. For me to be there for them, when they have tough questions and fears. Not to necessairly lead, but to help guide.
Prayer is huge. I pray constantly for my 'girls' and its awesome seeing the changes in them-even for only knowing them for the last few years-the change is there and its great! Peoplle have no idea, what they are missing out on by not being apart of youths lives!They are a HUGE blessing!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
One of "those days'
Today was one of those days:
Where nothing goes right
Where controlling your tongue is super hard
Where you feel like smacking a few people on their heads
Where you realize just how pathetic the world has become
Where you have to remind yourself that politics are just that...politics and nothing more
Where you wished you never got out of bed this morning
Where you wonder "is anything ever going to change?"
Where you realized, the drama you left behind in high school-is back-only in 'adult form'
Where you thought "adults' knew better
where you just wanna throw up your hands and quit
Where I realize just how badly I need God
Where I am thankful for another day and the ability to get up and Go to work
Where I see God's Amazing Grace shine through the morning sunrise
Where I can not do anything, but stand back in awe of my Lord
Where, instead of angry words, there is a prayer off my lips instead
Where I remember that I am "fearfully and Wonderfully made"
Where I recall how Christ died, so that I may live
Where I remember God's Crazy awesome, powerful Love is all I ever need
Where I think of what a fool I am to have ever doubted God
Where I know, that come tomorrow-life will happen and all the bad may happen again...
...but for now...I remember God's Love and how I am created in HIS image, made by Him and FOR Him for HIS good works.
Thank you God for today. Thank you for closing my mouth when it needed to be close. For opening it up in a prayer. Lead me God-walk before me now, tomorrow and each day of my life!
Where nothing goes right
Where controlling your tongue is super hard
Where you feel like smacking a few people on their heads
Where you realize just how pathetic the world has become
Where you have to remind yourself that politics are just that...politics and nothing more
Where you wished you never got out of bed this morning
Where you wonder "is anything ever going to change?"
Where you realized, the drama you left behind in high school-is back-only in 'adult form'
Where you thought "adults' knew better
where you just wanna throw up your hands and quit
Where I realize just how badly I need God
Where I am thankful for another day and the ability to get up and Go to work
Where I see God's Amazing Grace shine through the morning sunrise
Where I can not do anything, but stand back in awe of my Lord
Where, instead of angry words, there is a prayer off my lips instead
Where I remember that I am "fearfully and Wonderfully made"
Where I recall how Christ died, so that I may live
Where I remember God's Crazy awesome, powerful Love is all I ever need
Where I think of what a fool I am to have ever doubted God
Where I know, that come tomorrow-life will happen and all the bad may happen again...
...but for now...I remember God's Love and how I am created in HIS image, made by Him and FOR Him for HIS good works.
Thank you God for today. Thank you for closing my mouth when it needed to be close. For opening it up in a prayer. Lead me God-walk before me now, tomorrow and each day of my life!
Monday, October 31, 2011
God is LOVE
Ever stop and just think that, the CREATOR of the universe...created YOU in HIS image?!? YAHWEH, the Alpha and Omega, Heavenly Father, Christ the King...created YOU and LOVEs you! so very much! I dont know about you, but my mere human mind can not grasp that at all! But what i do love, other than my Creator, is relishing in HIS love. basking in it and soaking it in. Despite a crappy start to this fall (Spiritually), right now...i can feel God next to me constantly throughout the day. He is with me with I rest my head, when I wake and carry on my day. I sitll have my moments, but I know God is right next to me. I love that God overcame and won another victory in my heart. I love the fact that HE loves ME enough to go to amazing lengths to show me HIs love. Serving HIM truly is the best thing in this life. I can feel my insides 'bursting' with joy. God is so so so so so So very good!!
thank you God for who You are. For Loving me the way you do!
thank you God for who You are. For Loving me the way you do!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
James Chapter 1
So I just started reading through the books of James...ever have it when *Bam*, scripture just hits you smack dab in the head? (Not literally course...tho sometimes I am pretty sure I need it) but anyways, James, I think it will become/is already, a favorite book...already in James 1..things are hitting close to home. James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Practical? VERY. Encouraging? YES. James goes on to continue to write about temptations and trials and how God does not tempt us (v. 13) but that we tempt ourselves when we get dragged away. It is the good and perfect gifts that come from God and God alone (v. 17).
James 1:19-20 " My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...ok... I like to think of myself as someone who is quick to listen and slow to speak..however, being a person who likes to 'fix all things if possible", my slow to speak, often turns into quick to speak and slow to listen, and, well angry..., like I mentioned a few posts back..anger can come pretty easy and pretty quick to me... (still trying to figure out how to tame that...it will be a life long process I think/know)
James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" I think this verse is pretty self explanitory right? the part I dont get, is where it says, "so deceive yourself"...anyone care to attempt to explain that part to me? cause I get that we are suppose to DO what scripture says,not just listen to it...do we deceive ourselves just by listening to it, but not DOING what it says?
Verse 26, is a kicker for me..again with the ideas/thoughts on the tongue and how vicious it can be..
" Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless"
I hope and pray, that this verse will just out at me full force the next time I wanna let me tongue loose..
I love verse 27. It wraps up chapter one so well (at least I think) and it is a verse that has also hit home coming off of Africa...it reads, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." What a wonderful image. But not only image..but an action...seriously people, spending time with orphans, with widows...some of the best, rejuventating, "God time", growing time you will EVER have. it is SO easy to do in place like africa, but what about now? what about where you are? where I am? hmm..not always so easy is it? perhaps it will look different here in canada, then it does in places LIKE Africa...but that doesnt change the meaning behind the words in James, or in our actions and how we respond...
Practical? VERY. Encouraging? YES. James goes on to continue to write about temptations and trials and how God does not tempt us (v. 13) but that we tempt ourselves when we get dragged away. It is the good and perfect gifts that come from God and God alone (v. 17).
James 1:19-20 " My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...ok... I like to think of myself as someone who is quick to listen and slow to speak..however, being a person who likes to 'fix all things if possible", my slow to speak, often turns into quick to speak and slow to listen, and, well angry..., like I mentioned a few posts back..anger can come pretty easy and pretty quick to me... (still trying to figure out how to tame that...it will be a life long process I think/know)
James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" I think this verse is pretty self explanitory right? the part I dont get, is where it says, "so deceive yourself"...anyone care to attempt to explain that part to me? cause I get that we are suppose to DO what scripture says,not just listen to it...do we deceive ourselves just by listening to it, but not DOING what it says?
Verse 26, is a kicker for me..again with the ideas/thoughts on the tongue and how vicious it can be..
" Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless"
I hope and pray, that this verse will just out at me full force the next time I wanna let me tongue loose..
I love verse 27. It wraps up chapter one so well (at least I think) and it is a verse that has also hit home coming off of Africa...it reads, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." What a wonderful image. But not only image..but an action...seriously people, spending time with orphans, with widows...some of the best, rejuventating, "God time", growing time you will EVER have. it is SO easy to do in place like africa, but what about now? what about where you are? where I am? hmm..not always so easy is it? perhaps it will look different here in canada, then it does in places LIKE Africa...but that doesnt change the meaning behind the words in James, or in our actions and how we respond...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Influence
So my 5th semester at school is officially wrapped up and I am already on my like 4th day of Christmas holidays! Crazy!! Like seriously...where does the time all go? How to sum up this past semester, I really have no idea...there were a lot of ups and downs (but mainly ups). Once again, God taught me way more then I was expecting. At teh start of the year, I knew God would teach me, show me, stretch me, but I didnt know he would in the ways he did. Yah, I dont even know where to start. How about the last 2 and a half years...
when I look at where I was when I started going to school...to where I am now...WOW wow WOW! that is what all really comes to mind! I know I have grown and changed in so many ways...the biggest being "People" if that makes sense. let me explain. People have come to REALLY matter to me and I know this may sound crazy and even a little wierd...but there was a point when they didnt. I was 100% content with being by myself but now..though I am still an introvert at heart..have discovered that people really DO make life worth living and oh so much more interesting.
At the start of this semester though...I was once again content with NOT branching out and meeting new people. My heart =just could not give anymore after my summer of meeting new people tehn being forced to say bye and with a lot of them...never see again (thinking Ukraine). I wanted to just hang tou with returning students and reconnect and further those friendships, which is what I was doing and doing just fine for like the first month and a bit of school..but as per usual, God had other plans and that soon changed. Since then I have met AMAZING people at school, have been stretched, challenged and loved by them. has it always been easy? no, because when investing in people's lives and when yours is being invested IN, people are "messy" creatures, all with different personalityies and backgrounds. would I change anythign this semester? No, I would not change a thing. It was one to remember.
I know people who have invested in my life...one in particular who, had she not invested in my life, my life would NOT be the same...Leah...I have no idea if you ever read this or not, but if you do...girl...thank you so much for ALL that you have done for me. Especially for taking the time to get to know me and hang out with me my first year at school. The chats, challenges and conversations will never be forgottten and I am convinced that had u not invested in my life, I would NOT be who I am today. Thank you so very much. You should me the importance of investing in peoples life and the impact taht that can leave and I in turn, have taken that to heart and I know that challenge will stay with me for the rest of my life, now and always. So once again THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! NEVer stop being you!
What about your own life? What, or who, are you living for? yourself? Others? God? My challenge to you today is to step out, get out of your comfort zone and stretch not only yourself, but one other person around you. Look at the people God has placed aroudn you, no matter wehre you are...I am truely convinced that GOd puts people in our lives when he does for a reason....and its up to us to figure out what to do with it...
when I look at where I was when I started going to school...to where I am now...WOW wow WOW! that is what all really comes to mind! I know I have grown and changed in so many ways...the biggest being "People" if that makes sense. let me explain. People have come to REALLY matter to me and I know this may sound crazy and even a little wierd...but there was a point when they didnt. I was 100% content with being by myself but now..though I am still an introvert at heart..have discovered that people really DO make life worth living and oh so much more interesting.
At the start of this semester though...I was once again content with NOT branching out and meeting new people. My heart =just could not give anymore after my summer of meeting new people tehn being forced to say bye and with a lot of them...never see again (thinking Ukraine). I wanted to just hang tou with returning students and reconnect and further those friendships, which is what I was doing and doing just fine for like the first month and a bit of school..but as per usual, God had other plans and that soon changed. Since then I have met AMAZING people at school, have been stretched, challenged and loved by them. has it always been easy? no, because when investing in people's lives and when yours is being invested IN, people are "messy" creatures, all with different personalityies and backgrounds. would I change anythign this semester? No, I would not change a thing. It was one to remember.
I know people who have invested in my life...one in particular who, had she not invested in my life, my life would NOT be the same...Leah...I have no idea if you ever read this or not, but if you do...girl...thank you so much for ALL that you have done for me. Especially for taking the time to get to know me and hang out with me my first year at school. The chats, challenges and conversations will never be forgottten and I am convinced that had u not invested in my life, I would NOT be who I am today. Thank you so very much. You should me the importance of investing in peoples life and the impact taht that can leave and I in turn, have taken that to heart and I know that challenge will stay with me for the rest of my life, now and always. So once again THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! NEVer stop being you!
What about your own life? What, or who, are you living for? yourself? Others? God? My challenge to you today is to step out, get out of your comfort zone and stretch not only yourself, but one other person around you. Look at the people God has placed aroudn you, no matter wehre you are...I am truely convinced that GOd puts people in our lives when he does for a reason....and its up to us to figure out what to do with it...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Christ's love for us
Each day- I get these "daily bible verses" emailed to me and its interesting to note how the right verses come when they come... today's verse was taken out of Romans 8:35,38-39, which read's
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Not sure why I am posting this, but it served as a reminder and encouragement for both my trip that is 11 days away, as well as working here at camp, at Christ's powerful love for us-nothing can seperate us from HIS amazing LOVE!
Keep Encouraged
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Not sure why I am posting this, but it served as a reminder and encouragement for both my trip that is 11 days away, as well as working here at camp, at Christ's powerful love for us-nothing can seperate us from HIS amazing LOVE!
Keep Encouraged
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