This week in general has been tough.
I have learned so much about who I am and who God is and about how He is taking care of me even when I don't see it or feel it.
He has surrounded me with such fabulous people!
I have fabulous friends...and it is amazing because things happen in the lives of friends and relationships change, but that doesn't mean they're any less valuable. It just means they're different. God gives us what we need for where we are and that is just what He has been doing for me this week!
The people that I thought would be there for certain things weren't...now don't misunderstand me. I am not upset with them...it is simply different than I thought...at every bend in the road on my past week's journey, He has provided others when I need help...granted, the people weren't who I thought they were but they were there!
PRAISE THE LORD!
I love Him for being faithful and for following through in ways that are more than we expected...
By other people stepping in, it shows me just how many people are there and that care...
It was "immeasurably more" (Eph. 3:20-21) than I expected...
4.30.2009
4.28.2009
Faithful
God is so incredibly faithful!
I have been in one heck of a funk...I am moving today and I am doing it without anybody here to help...frustrated? Yeah...to say the least...
But, I am trying to hold tight to GOD'S promises and not people...
I am in this incredible journey of life and am trying to be obedient to Him. It is amazing because for the first time in my life, I have felt like just giving up, taking the easy way out. Instead of working hard to get to where HE is sending me...I have been wanting to just say forget it...it is too hard...
...without giving details, Satan has been throwing things in my face...right where it hurts and WHEN it hurts the most...
...every time I am about to throw the towel in, God sends someone to my rescue...
The sermon series we are in right now is perfect for me and where I am in my journey, not to mention the fact that the verses used (Ephesians 3:20-21) have appeared in many other places since the sermon series began, as a reminder encouragement to my soul. I think God is definitely wanting me to pay attention to that specific passage, considering...
Sunday, God sent someone to encourage me through kind words and a reminder I had people praying for me...today I received an email stating the same, and even though the people I thought would be here aren't, I am blessed to know that other members of God's family are there in ways I didn't know or expect...so I am grateful for them and for my God who is always and always will be FAITHFUL!
I have been in one heck of a funk...I am moving today and I am doing it without anybody here to help...frustrated? Yeah...to say the least...
But, I am trying to hold tight to GOD'S promises and not people...
I am in this incredible journey of life and am trying to be obedient to Him. It is amazing because for the first time in my life, I have felt like just giving up, taking the easy way out. Instead of working hard to get to where HE is sending me...I have been wanting to just say forget it...it is too hard...
...without giving details, Satan has been throwing things in my face...right where it hurts and WHEN it hurts the most...
...every time I am about to throw the towel in, God sends someone to my rescue...
The sermon series we are in right now is perfect for me and where I am in my journey, not to mention the fact that the verses used (Ephesians 3:20-21) have appeared in many other places since the sermon series began, as a reminder encouragement to my soul. I think God is definitely wanting me to pay attention to that specific passage, considering...
Sunday, God sent someone to encourage me through kind words and a reminder I had people praying for me...today I received an email stating the same, and even though the people I thought would be here aren't, I am blessed to know that other members of God's family are there in ways I didn't know or expect...so I am grateful for them and for my God who is always and always will be FAITHFUL!
4.22.2009
I LOVE BLOGS!
I just want to share my love for blogs today! So many times we get caught up in our own lives and don't necessarily take the time that we should to be in fellowship and to mutually encourage one another...
I promise you right now people that blogs have the power to encourage!
I have been so blessed almost daily by my blogging friends and I want to share two of the most recent blessings...
Yesterday was rough. I physically felt weight pushing down on me and I was sooo heavy. I remember feeling that way and then this morning, I read a friend's blog. It had 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
It was EXACTLY what I needed for the moment!
Then...I went to another blog...
It talked about getting older and how our bodies change and how we all long to be our old teenage selves...
Then she quoted this, from 1 Peter 3:3-5a
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful"
In the words of Amanda, the blogger who wrote that post...I want to turn the head of Jesus when I walk by...
Father,
Thank you for being the Most High! Thank you for loving me and for putting me here to light the way for others who don't know You.
Please continue to reveal Yourself and Your word to me, whether through my personal time in the Word or through a sister's blog! Thank you for the internet and all the doors it opens to bring Your people closer!
I pray that You would continue to carry the load that weighed so heavy on me yesterday, and I pray that I would clothe myself in ways that are pleasing to You!
In Jesus' precious and most holy name I pray,
Amen.
I promise you right now people that blogs have the power to encourage!
I have been so blessed almost daily by my blogging friends and I want to share two of the most recent blessings...
Yesterday was rough. I physically felt weight pushing down on me and I was sooo heavy. I remember feeling that way and then this morning, I read a friend's blog. It had 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
It was EXACTLY what I needed for the moment!
Then...I went to another blog...
It talked about getting older and how our bodies change and how we all long to be our old teenage selves...
Then she quoted this, from 1 Peter 3:3-5a
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful"
In the words of Amanda, the blogger who wrote that post...I want to turn the head of Jesus when I walk by...
Father,
Thank you for being the Most High! Thank you for loving me and for putting me here to light the way for others who don't know You.
Please continue to reveal Yourself and Your word to me, whether through my personal time in the Word or through a sister's blog! Thank you for the internet and all the doors it opens to bring Your people closer!
I pray that You would continue to carry the load that weighed so heavy on me yesterday, and I pray that I would clothe myself in ways that are pleasing to You!
In Jesus' precious and most holy name I pray,
Amen.
4.21.2009
My Nephew
My nephew and I have tons of fun and I just wanted to share some pictures documenting some of the most recent laughs we have shared! HE IS SO FUN! The above picture is from a birthday dinner and he wanted a picture of us...
The below picture is of the Saturday before Easter when we went grocery shopping, bought bunny ears and HOPPED around the grocery...if I took even 1 step he would say...YOU HAVE TO HOP! As we hopped, he would say, "boing! boing! boing!" Super fun...and a good workout! We stopped and got starbucks cause "Aunt Mer" needed a break!
The below picture is from the same birthday party as the top picture...he took my camera to take pictures and when I tried to take it from him it was right in my face and he pressed the button...I saw the flash and smiled, and this is the finished product...HILARIOUS! I chuckled for like hours afterwards every time I would think of it...I sure do love that kiddo!
4.19.2009
Immeasurably More
Today's sermon was on the limits we place on God...
The three mentioned limits were:
1. We think God is out to get us.
2. Believing that "this is all there is."
3. Putting God in a religious box.
The point that really hit me within the sermon is #2.
I find myself believing that lie! I reach a certain point, however FABULOUS it might be and think, I have made it to where I am supposed to be. The beauty of the life He has given us is that when we grow and stretch into who He is designing us to be, there is somehow ALWAYS more room to grow!
No matter how much I learn and THINK I know, there is always something else that He teaches me. I LOVE IT, after the stretching and painful parts!
While I am being stretched and going through the fire to get to the other side, I am not always happy!
My prayer today is that I would always remain JOYFUL, and remember Who I belong to and Who I represent. I pray that I don't miss out on something because I am too proud to stretch myself, too selfish to reach out to someone in need, too self consumed to see a need, or too prideful to admit my mistakes and learn from them...I pray that I don't miss out on opportunities He sets before me...because what He has to offer is more than I can imagine!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
--Ephesians 3:20-21
The three mentioned limits were:
1. We think God is out to get us.
2. Believing that "this is all there is."
3. Putting God in a religious box.
The point that really hit me within the sermon is #2.
I find myself believing that lie! I reach a certain point, however FABULOUS it might be and think, I have made it to where I am supposed to be. The beauty of the life He has given us is that when we grow and stretch into who He is designing us to be, there is somehow ALWAYS more room to grow!
No matter how much I learn and THINK I know, there is always something else that He teaches me. I LOVE IT, after the stretching and painful parts!
While I am being stretched and going through the fire to get to the other side, I am not always happy!
My prayer today is that I would always remain JOYFUL, and remember Who I belong to and Who I represent. I pray that I don't miss out on something because I am too proud to stretch myself, too selfish to reach out to someone in need, too self consumed to see a need, or too prideful to admit my mistakes and learn from them...I pray that I don't miss out on opportunities He sets before me...because what He has to offer is more than I can imagine!
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
--Ephesians 3:20-21
4.11.2009
Ramblings
I have so much going on right now and don't know where to begin...I guess the BEGINNING would be a good place! God has proven again that He is my ROCK. I cannot get over how absolutely fantastic He is and how beyond my comprehension He is...
I LOVE HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING!
That being said...
I have had a rough couple of weeks. It is amazing how you can envision life going one way and then all of the sudden the tables are turned and you have to switch gears for them to go another way.
My heart has absolutely been hurt by a friend and I don't know how to approach it or even IF I should or if I should just let it go and keep moving forward. I DO know that God has been with me and shown up in ways that I wouldn't have expected through people that I wouldn't have expected! Thank you Father!
Another emotion that I am dealing with right now is a longing to be accepted. I want to be accepted by those around me and I have resigned to the fact, a long time ago, that I will never be accepted by EVERYONE...
but I DO want to be accepted and to have friends that care and want to share in what is going on in my life. I realize I have a TON going on right now but I feel a disconnect between me and the friends that I always thought would be there. It is like something was put between us but I can't figure out if I put it there, if they did, or an outside party...
Father, I pray that You would be evident and alive in my relationships with others. Help me to communicate in the ways that are appropriate and pleasing to you so that my relationships glorify You! Help me to keep YOU in the center of my heart and thoughts and life so that everything else that flows out is pleasing to You! In Jesus' name,
Amen!
I LOVE HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING!
That being said...
I have had a rough couple of weeks. It is amazing how you can envision life going one way and then all of the sudden the tables are turned and you have to switch gears for them to go another way.
My heart has absolutely been hurt by a friend and I don't know how to approach it or even IF I should or if I should just let it go and keep moving forward. I DO know that God has been with me and shown up in ways that I wouldn't have expected through people that I wouldn't have expected! Thank you Father!
Another emotion that I am dealing with right now is a longing to be accepted. I want to be accepted by those around me and I have resigned to the fact, a long time ago, that I will never be accepted by EVERYONE...
but I DO want to be accepted and to have friends that care and want to share in what is going on in my life. I realize I have a TON going on right now but I feel a disconnect between me and the friends that I always thought would be there. It is like something was put between us but I can't figure out if I put it there, if they did, or an outside party...
Father, I pray that You would be evident and alive in my relationships with others. Help me to communicate in the ways that are appropriate and pleasing to you so that my relationships glorify You! Help me to keep YOU in the center of my heart and thoughts and life so that everything else that flows out is pleasing to You! In Jesus' name,
Amen!
4.03.2009
Broken
Today I took a fabulously LOOONNNG walk down the beach...
It was probably about 2 miles at my best guess, one way.
Along the way I was amazed at God's creation. The ocean, waves, breeze, landscaping, birds, dolphins, crabs, sunshine, shells, and people were all there displaying God's glory. I wonder how many actually recognize Him in the things around us, when to me He is so obvious and undeniable!
I was enjoying my walk and picking up shells here and there and noticed that so many of them were broken. I was looking for the perfect ones and then it hit me...
I am broken! I am imperfect and yet I want to be chosen! I want to be noticed by God and adored by Him.
At that point I began choosing shells that were broken, and in their brokenness they are beautiful in a different way, I have a couple of snail shells that if they were not broken, I could not see the beauty they hold inside. I pray that I could be broken in ways that display my inner beauty and the beauty the Lord has placed in my heart for the world to see.
I pray that it brings my Creator glory! I will try to post a picture soon, that goes with this!
It was probably about 2 miles at my best guess, one way.
Along the way I was amazed at God's creation. The ocean, waves, breeze, landscaping, birds, dolphins, crabs, sunshine, shells, and people were all there displaying God's glory. I wonder how many actually recognize Him in the things around us, when to me He is so obvious and undeniable!
I was enjoying my walk and picking up shells here and there and noticed that so many of them were broken. I was looking for the perfect ones and then it hit me...
I am broken! I am imperfect and yet I want to be chosen! I want to be noticed by God and adored by Him.
At that point I began choosing shells that were broken, and in their brokenness they are beautiful in a different way, I have a couple of snail shells that if they were not broken, I could not see the beauty they hold inside. I pray that I could be broken in ways that display my inner beauty and the beauty the Lord has placed in my heart for the world to see.
I pray that it brings my Creator glory! I will try to post a picture soon, that goes with this!
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