"Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns." (found in a little devotional book at my work desk)
How true is this...we roam in our Christian walks and look at life full of rainbows and blessings only. We accept Christ and fall into the frame of mind that life can't get any better. We live each day thinking "God is so going to bless me today" or "My life is going to be so great because God is in my life!" As true as this can be, it's not THE ONLY way we should think. Please don't think I am saying that this thinking is terrible and oh so deceitful...but understand the other side. We are all born into sin. We are tempted by Satan and torn down to weaken our defenses. Our weaknesses are used against us because Satan is scared of what God is going to accomplish with us. Satan wanted to foil God's perfect world, so as a snake he came and deceived man. He does it to us. He thrives in stealing God's glory and ruining perfection. Not to sound really crazy here...but how cool is that? How interesting is that!? Satan is threatened by the Holy Spirit in me, so he tries to thwart those plans. I am a threat! So I am being attacked and taken down....what drive I get realizing this! How much more do I want to crush Satan under my feet in the coming time! I want to fight all the more! Being attacked makes me more determined to accomplish God's plans. To fight. To resist the devil. To use the Holy Spirit's gifts within me and let God win!
How many examples in the Bible do we come across where Satan works to destroy, but God turns it around? Satan took everything from Job, and he stays faithful to God. Abraham and others in the Bible lied to save their own skin...and among those lies more of the crucial parts of biblical history come about. Joseph's brothers abandoning him...and Joseph became second in command. Jonah's prideful and selfish attitude toward Ninevah saved the city. Judas betraying Jesus to save everyone. All these things brought about amazing results...so what makes you think God can't do the same thing in your life?
It took time too for the good to come about...Jacob labored for years to get the woman we wanted. Joseph was in slavery and prison before he acquired his position. Jonah in the belly of a whale for 3 days (long enough for me!) Moses wandered the wilderness with the Israelites. Joshua's march around Jericho was that of a drawn-out, patient performance. Even the people the Jesus healed had to live a life of difficulty and persecution before their deliverance occurred. It took Jesus His whole life before the ultimate good occurred.
Enough of my words...let God tell you the rest.
Philippians 4:8
I Corinthians 13:7-8
Proverbs 12:3
Proverbs 14:35
Romans 8:31b
Prepare for the thorns and delight in the roses today.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Lyrical Excerpts
I love how God puts music in our lives to encourage us...music is a way that our souls and spirits can really sing and glorify God. Music has so much power and abilities inside of it, and God uses it every day to keep me on track with my many questions and struggles.
Here is my experiment...I just put my iPod on shuffle. I am going to use the lyrics of the first 5 songs that play and make my post. If there aren't lyrics to the song, I will still write it down and describe the piece playing.
From BarlowGirl's "Beautiful Ending"
Oh, why do I
Let myself let go
Of Hands that painted the stars
And hold tears that fall?
And the pride of my heart
Makes me forget
It's not me but You
Who makes the heart beat
I'm lost without You
And dying from me
So tell me
What is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life
Find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful
From Britt Nicole's "Set the World on Fire"
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do
My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me
From Lifehouse's "We'll Never Know"
Tell me all the dreams that you have left
Slip right through your hands
Do you feel lost inside of someone else's life
Failure is the only way to learn till you've come undone
The rest will never find out what they might have been
So don't tell me sometime just where did we go wrong, yeah
"Another World" from the game soundtrack Chrono Trigger
This piece is instrumental, and has a very rhythmic background with a very simple melody on top of it. It's honestly one of the most soothing pieces I have on my iPod, and it has a way of calming my anxiety and helping me find a place where I can be more focused on God.
Lastly, Jeremy Riddle's "Sweetly Broken"
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness
Enjoy, and praise God with the gift of music now and forevermore.
Here is my experiment...I just put my iPod on shuffle. I am going to use the lyrics of the first 5 songs that play and make my post. If there aren't lyrics to the song, I will still write it down and describe the piece playing.
From BarlowGirl's "Beautiful Ending"
Oh, why do I
Let myself let go
Of Hands that painted the stars
And hold tears that fall?
And the pride of my heart
Makes me forget
It's not me but You
Who makes the heart beat
I'm lost without You
And dying from me
So tell me
What is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life
Find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful
From Britt Nicole's "Set the World on Fire"
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do
My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me
From Lifehouse's "We'll Never Know"
Tell me all the dreams that you have left
Slip right through your hands
Do you feel lost inside of someone else's life
Failure is the only way to learn till you've come undone
The rest will never find out what they might have been
So don't tell me sometime just where did we go wrong, yeah
"Another World" from the game soundtrack Chrono Trigger
This piece is instrumental, and has a very rhythmic background with a very simple melody on top of it. It's honestly one of the most soothing pieces I have on my iPod, and it has a way of calming my anxiety and helping me find a place where I can be more focused on God.
Lastly, Jeremy Riddle's "Sweetly Broken"
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness
Enjoy, and praise God with the gift of music now and forevermore.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
When Fears Come Your Way
Something my dad told me when I graduated from High School was along the lines of this: "I want you kids to succeed. In my mind, that's being able to take care of yourself and take all your bills upon yourself. It doesn't matter how you do that as much."
My parents are amazing. They stand by my side and my Mom especially is so willing to help me out because I had basically pushed her aid away for a long time. I had lived by that statement from my dad. I wanted to be able to take care of myself, without any help. I wanted a job that would do that. I wanted to have my own cell phone plan, my loans figured out, everything taken care of...and not feel so spent to give offering every paycheck.
For awhile, I really feel the peace that God has everything taken care of. I really feel that I was supposed to go to an expensive college like Wartburg with a deep desire in a major that was going to cost a fortune on top of that. Music Therapy is still dear to my heart, but why am I not doing that now?
Now my loans are going to start soon and I am still sitting on a paycheck that a person would normally get without even going to college...especially one like Wartburg. This morning, I felt scared. I was attacked so much spiritually, and Satan really took this weakness and kept feeding me these worries. "You won't be able to take care of yourself. You'll be in so much debt. You won't be a success to your dad if you keep asking for money. You wasted your time at college for a major that won't even be available to you." They kept coming and coming, and I wanted to give in.
For the first time in a long time, I told my mom I was scared. I told her how sorry I was that I couldn't take care of myself yet. Her response let the Spirit take control of myself again...here was our brief conversation:
"Sorry about this...pray really hard for God to open a good music therapy job over here because I want to be able to do all this without draining you and Dad."
"God has plans for you. We're not worried about it. We'll continue to pray for His guidance. It's ok."
"I know He does. the hard part is I can't see it and get worried when loan stuff in explored. I have no doubt He is using me..I just break down and get scared sometimes."
"God is bigger. Right now we can help you. That's what families do. 'In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.'" (Proverbs 3:6)
Isn't that so true? The Creator of the universe and Lord of all Lords is also the Prince of Peace...and He wants me to feel that peace through Him. He wants me to come to His as I am...broken, nervous, scared. I love my job...don't get me wrong...and if it would financially take care of everything I'd be fully satisfied. God has a plan for me, and He shows me every day I work. He is using me, and nothing is greater than God. God is bigger than the loan companies. He is bigger than the government. I am in better hands when I am in God's hands. It will work out. God has something so cool for my life...and it's going to be beyond finances. It's going to work out, even if I can't see it right now.
That's the hard part of faith...you can't see what you believe in fully...you just believe. Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what is physically seen. We can see God's works and presence as the Spirit reveals it. Without faith, our lives our dead. Our works are dead (James 2:17). Faith is essential in our lives.
Long story short, I am still searching my direction. Music therapy is a desire that has been coming back, and I really really want to use my skills toward this if I can. My pursued job now would be spiritual music therapy/counseling. Not sure how this would come about, but I would love to use music therapy in a Christian setting where I could sing hymns and plug music into lives that way. God's got something cool up His big white sleeve...I just can't see it yet. I do know this though:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)
-Make God my desire in everything I do. Be very content and open-minded with whatever circumstance. Usually, a desire arises after I have submit to being very flexible with any outcome.
"Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9)
-What have I learned? My life is not my own, and God's got something amazing for me to do! What have I received? The Holy Spirit and many gifts because of that. What have I heard? Be patient. Let others help. Wait. Seen? Affirmation in my job setting. Yes...there is peace in analyzing this.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endure forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." (Psalm 138:8)
-God loves me enough and will fulfill His plan for me, no matter what happens. If I continually seek this fulfillment, God will use His Spirit to help me make it happen. His love reminds me of this.
And, my mottos for mostly EVERYTHING in my life...
"Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is." (I John 3:2)
-I am God's daughter. He is working on something while I wait in the corner. He tells me little hints of what's going on. He laughs as He sees how excited I am getting, and He smiles when I annoyingly ask every day what His finishing project will look like. When my Heavenly Father is ready to show me, He will. I will not be ready until he thinks I am ready.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so you that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
-Take the trials. It happens to make us more prepared for God. Things happen that we may think is all God's fault, and we may think He isn't there while these trials happen, but He wants us to grow. I feel closer to God when I have troubles, because I am reminded that I can't do it alone. When things go well, it's easier for me to get caught in myself. When I am mature and complete, I will be ready to see my Dad's finishing project.
Don't worry, God's got your back. He is already working on the next chapter while we're stuck in the current one. Keep reading into your life. Be excited to see what God's going to do next.
My parents are amazing. They stand by my side and my Mom especially is so willing to help me out because I had basically pushed her aid away for a long time. I had lived by that statement from my dad. I wanted to be able to take care of myself, without any help. I wanted a job that would do that. I wanted to have my own cell phone plan, my loans figured out, everything taken care of...and not feel so spent to give offering every paycheck.
For awhile, I really feel the peace that God has everything taken care of. I really feel that I was supposed to go to an expensive college like Wartburg with a deep desire in a major that was going to cost a fortune on top of that. Music Therapy is still dear to my heart, but why am I not doing that now?
Now my loans are going to start soon and I am still sitting on a paycheck that a person would normally get without even going to college...especially one like Wartburg. This morning, I felt scared. I was attacked so much spiritually, and Satan really took this weakness and kept feeding me these worries. "You won't be able to take care of yourself. You'll be in so much debt. You won't be a success to your dad if you keep asking for money. You wasted your time at college for a major that won't even be available to you." They kept coming and coming, and I wanted to give in.
For the first time in a long time, I told my mom I was scared. I told her how sorry I was that I couldn't take care of myself yet. Her response let the Spirit take control of myself again...here was our brief conversation:
"Sorry about this...pray really hard for God to open a good music therapy job over here because I want to be able to do all this without draining you and Dad."
"God has plans for you. We're not worried about it. We'll continue to pray for His guidance. It's ok."
"I know He does. the hard part is I can't see it and get worried when loan stuff in explored. I have no doubt He is using me..I just break down and get scared sometimes."
"God is bigger. Right now we can help you. That's what families do. 'In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.'" (Proverbs 3:6)
Isn't that so true? The Creator of the universe and Lord of all Lords is also the Prince of Peace...and He wants me to feel that peace through Him. He wants me to come to His as I am...broken, nervous, scared. I love my job...don't get me wrong...and if it would financially take care of everything I'd be fully satisfied. God has a plan for me, and He shows me every day I work. He is using me, and nothing is greater than God. God is bigger than the loan companies. He is bigger than the government. I am in better hands when I am in God's hands. It will work out. God has something so cool for my life...and it's going to be beyond finances. It's going to work out, even if I can't see it right now.
That's the hard part of faith...you can't see what you believe in fully...you just believe. Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what is physically seen. We can see God's works and presence as the Spirit reveals it. Without faith, our lives our dead. Our works are dead (James 2:17). Faith is essential in our lives.
Long story short, I am still searching my direction. Music therapy is a desire that has been coming back, and I really really want to use my skills toward this if I can. My pursued job now would be spiritual music therapy/counseling. Not sure how this would come about, but I would love to use music therapy in a Christian setting where I could sing hymns and plug music into lives that way. God's got something cool up His big white sleeve...I just can't see it yet. I do know this though:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)
-Make God my desire in everything I do. Be very content and open-minded with whatever circumstance. Usually, a desire arises after I have submit to being very flexible with any outcome.
"Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9)
-What have I learned? My life is not my own, and God's got something amazing for me to do! What have I received? The Holy Spirit and many gifts because of that. What have I heard? Be patient. Let others help. Wait. Seen? Affirmation in my job setting. Yes...there is peace in analyzing this.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endure forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." (Psalm 138:8)
-God loves me enough and will fulfill His plan for me, no matter what happens. If I continually seek this fulfillment, God will use His Spirit to help me make it happen. His love reminds me of this.
And, my mottos for mostly EVERYTHING in my life...
"Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is." (I John 3:2)
-I am God's daughter. He is working on something while I wait in the corner. He tells me little hints of what's going on. He laughs as He sees how excited I am getting, and He smiles when I annoyingly ask every day what His finishing project will look like. When my Heavenly Father is ready to show me, He will. I will not be ready until he thinks I am ready.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so you that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
-Take the trials. It happens to make us more prepared for God. Things happen that we may think is all God's fault, and we may think He isn't there while these trials happen, but He wants us to grow. I feel closer to God when I have troubles, because I am reminded that I can't do it alone. When things go well, it's easier for me to get caught in myself. When I am mature and complete, I will be ready to see my Dad's finishing project.
Don't worry, God's got your back. He is already working on the next chapter while we're stuck in the current one. Keep reading into your life. Be excited to see what God's going to do next.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
A Plethora of Outstanding Things and Revelations
First, sorry everyone. This may be a big read (not like my blogs don't usually get longish anyway).
I have decided to try something different on my blog. Not only will I be updating my posts about what the Spirit reveals to me, but I will also have a prayer blog that I will update from time to time as concerns come to my attention (ones that I feel can be shared publicly anyway).
The URL is http://praise-in-prayer.blogspot.com/ Anyone is free to use my blog as a chance for prayer requests to get out so our cooperation in praying like the Church body can expand and grow. Just leave a comment on my blogs as they come to you and it will be added to my prayer request list. Praises count as well, and I would LOVE to hear about how God has answered that prayer in your lives!
I worked at my nursing home this weekend, and we did probably the most amazing activity ever...coloring. Yes, I got to sit around and color pictures with old people. It was amazing. At first, you would think "that's so childish" but it was honestly the best experience ever. We colored and socialized and had an amazing time. One lady, whom has been on my heart lately, was in this group. She had been very anxious because she swears that she sees her sister in our facility. She pulls people aside and tells them she's not crazy. My heart longed to help this woman find rest, but I couldn't ease her. Her family was in the area, and had told her that her sister was dead, and had been dead for a while now. My friend couldn't believe it.
So, in our coloring group Saturday afternoon, this lady had started a deep conversation with "What do you think Heaven will be like?" and continued to talk about how old she is and how she doesn't understand why she is still here. "What are we doing here? We are taking up space. What do you young people do with people like us?" My mouth began to open, but the other elderly ladies in the group began to chime in. "We don't know God's plan, but we can trust it's the best." My innocent coloring circle turned into an elderly-lady fellowship where each person in that room was comforting this one troubled and distressed woman. I was so touched. Their faith radiated, and love poured out to this woman as they all tried to lift her up. At the end of the group, my friend was smiling and had a peace about her that I hadn't seen in a while. How long that will last, I don't know. I do know that I saw the Holy Spirit use a room full of woman, stuck at a nursing home, to change a life for that moment. They stood up to the plate, and took every curve ball of doubt that this woman was feeling.
Moving on, I had a wonderful conversation with my parents this weekend. I had talked to my dad a little bit yesterday, and then my mom this afternoon. They had news that really tore me up, and made me so emotional that I wanted to punch a specific someone. For those that don't know this, I have an older brother, older sister, and younger brother. My older brother is struggling right now. Sometimes I pray for people that are so far from God, that I just pray God breaks them down. It's harsh, but God lifts us up in our struggles. Sometimes, it takes us not having anything to realize how much we need God. So, I had prayed this about my older brother. Recently, I see God really working in him. My mom has taken a stand in leading him to passages to read and really urging him to seek help. Not for his marriage, but for himself. God is working, and I pray he cooperates and keeps seeking.
Father's Day is today. What can I say...my dad is amazing. There are so many things about this man that I truly appreciate. I really pray I can have these things available to my kids someday through their father. Here are a few things about my Dad that I love.
My Dad is protective. At the time, I hated curfews. I hated when both my parents told me to be home a certain time...especially when you saw everyone else out at least 3 hours later than you. But, I was spared many things by coming home earlier. My Dad also knew danger before I did. When I was about 5ish, I could have gotten into some deep trouble, but my Dad jumped in and spared my innocence and purity.
My Dad knew his faults. He fought and fought with upbringing habits and behaviors that were not in the least glorifying to God...but he realized his wrongs and did his best to change from those. The Dad my older siblings knew was not the Dad I knew growing up...and he changed that when my brother and I came along. He realized his faults and changed with God's help.
My Dad is realistic. He knows enough to understand finances. He's been through enough to have a good stand on government and morals. Granted...I still butt heads with him about politics. In fact, I avoid it all together if I can. However, I respect why he is there. My dad was in the Navy, and holds the military up high in our country. Now, with a son in the Marines, his military support will increase 5 fold in my opinion. My dad is a very down to earth man, and can really pick out the most logical way to do things. Sometimes, it's too logical and plainly can't happen with everyone else...but he can think of it.
My Dad is playful and wild. He bought himself a motorcycle last year, and absolutely loves it. It seems that men need to have at least one thing that make them feel free. My dad loves working outside. He also enjoys sitting in the garage with the TV on. There seems to be something about the outdoors that my dad is just drawn to. Now, with his bike, he can feel 25 again and drive off for miles at a time. He also enjoys watching sports, and I get a kick out of the NFL season with my family. We all get into the zone when our personal favorite teams play each other, then we call the other person and give them an ear-full when our team creams theirs.
My Dad is supportive, but not controlling. He had rules, and he had his spurts where his view was the only view that was right...but he didn't make you believe it. He strongly encouraged, but he didn't make me do anything growing up. When I thought about Air Force, my dad was right there urging me, but he didn't threaten me or make me do anything. He knew what I was capable of doing, and wanted me to meet that in his mind, but he respected my choices for not going along his plan for my life. I remember this phrase from him, "I believe my job as a dad isn't to be your best friend. It's to be your guide. It's to be there when you need me." Him and my mom both guided me to Jesus and set my foundation. After that, my foundation stood firm and everything else formed on top of that. I am thankful for both of them.
Finally, I want to address something that I feel was on me during our discipleship class this morning before church. We talked extensively about the gifts that the Spirit gives us. This is found in Romans 12:6-8. This list includes: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needy, leadership, and showing mercy.
Now, all these things seem to be pretty natural, right? Kinda...(except for prophesying) but how do you know you have any of these as your spiritual gifts? As I was sitting in and listening, I was thinking about what God has done in my life and really worked on in me this past year. As I thought about it, I was seeing numerous things coming up that God has really worked on. Serving and Encouraging were the two that I felt were the obvious ones for me, more so now as I see how God continuously fills me up to serve at my job. I even see it with my peers...I thought it was a "weakness" to get involved with everyone's concerns and want to help them...but I realize this is part of my gift. I thought it was intruding on everyone elses' lives...now I realize it's the Spirit in me using me to address these issues and do what I am able to do about it. I feel encouraging is used side by side with that.
The two others that I thought deep on were teaching and leadership. I avoided teaching situations because I felt I just wasn't good at it. However, reflecting back, God has put me in situations where I needed to instruct. He used me in my service to teach and instruct others through Christ's message. He has brought people in my life that asked me to do this for them. It's happening even when I want to avoid it. I feel it's not a strong gift now, but it's one God wants me to improve on. Leadership as well. If I am put to the test, I will do my best to make it happen. But, if I know someone else is better at it, I back off and prefer to follow. If no one else is there to do anything about it, it's like the Spirit JUMPS out of me and takes over completely. It's really cool to experience even though it may not be too often.
God continues to do amazing things in my life. He has provided a Mom and Dad that I will try to take as an example for me and my future husband, and has given me the eyes to see more into His purpose for my life. I trust that God continues to reveal to me which way to go next, and also shows others in my life in case I miss it the first time.
Again, feel free to share prayers and praises that you wouldn't mind having plastered up on my prayer blog.
http://praise-in-prayer.blogspot.com/
I have decided to try something different on my blog. Not only will I be updating my posts about what the Spirit reveals to me, but I will also have a prayer blog that I will update from time to time as concerns come to my attention (ones that I feel can be shared publicly anyway).
The URL is http://praise-in-prayer.blogspot.com/ Anyone is free to use my blog as a chance for prayer requests to get out so our cooperation in praying like the Church body can expand and grow. Just leave a comment on my blogs as they come to you and it will be added to my prayer request list. Praises count as well, and I would LOVE to hear about how God has answered that prayer in your lives!
I worked at my nursing home this weekend, and we did probably the most amazing activity ever...coloring. Yes, I got to sit around and color pictures with old people. It was amazing. At first, you would think "that's so childish" but it was honestly the best experience ever. We colored and socialized and had an amazing time. One lady, whom has been on my heart lately, was in this group. She had been very anxious because she swears that she sees her sister in our facility. She pulls people aside and tells them she's not crazy. My heart longed to help this woman find rest, but I couldn't ease her. Her family was in the area, and had told her that her sister was dead, and had been dead for a while now. My friend couldn't believe it.
So, in our coloring group Saturday afternoon, this lady had started a deep conversation with "What do you think Heaven will be like?" and continued to talk about how old she is and how she doesn't understand why she is still here. "What are we doing here? We are taking up space. What do you young people do with people like us?" My mouth began to open, but the other elderly ladies in the group began to chime in. "We don't know God's plan, but we can trust it's the best." My innocent coloring circle turned into an elderly-lady fellowship where each person in that room was comforting this one troubled and distressed woman. I was so touched. Their faith radiated, and love poured out to this woman as they all tried to lift her up. At the end of the group, my friend was smiling and had a peace about her that I hadn't seen in a while. How long that will last, I don't know. I do know that I saw the Holy Spirit use a room full of woman, stuck at a nursing home, to change a life for that moment. They stood up to the plate, and took every curve ball of doubt that this woman was feeling.
Moving on, I had a wonderful conversation with my parents this weekend. I had talked to my dad a little bit yesterday, and then my mom this afternoon. They had news that really tore me up, and made me so emotional that I wanted to punch a specific someone. For those that don't know this, I have an older brother, older sister, and younger brother. My older brother is struggling right now. Sometimes I pray for people that are so far from God, that I just pray God breaks them down. It's harsh, but God lifts us up in our struggles. Sometimes, it takes us not having anything to realize how much we need God. So, I had prayed this about my older brother. Recently, I see God really working in him. My mom has taken a stand in leading him to passages to read and really urging him to seek help. Not for his marriage, but for himself. God is working, and I pray he cooperates and keeps seeking.
Father's Day is today. What can I say...my dad is amazing. There are so many things about this man that I truly appreciate. I really pray I can have these things available to my kids someday through their father. Here are a few things about my Dad that I love.
My Dad is protective. At the time, I hated curfews. I hated when both my parents told me to be home a certain time...especially when you saw everyone else out at least 3 hours later than you. But, I was spared many things by coming home earlier. My Dad also knew danger before I did. When I was about 5ish, I could have gotten into some deep trouble, but my Dad jumped in and spared my innocence and purity.
My Dad knew his faults. He fought and fought with upbringing habits and behaviors that were not in the least glorifying to God...but he realized his wrongs and did his best to change from those. The Dad my older siblings knew was not the Dad I knew growing up...and he changed that when my brother and I came along. He realized his faults and changed with God's help.
My Dad is realistic. He knows enough to understand finances. He's been through enough to have a good stand on government and morals. Granted...I still butt heads with him about politics. In fact, I avoid it all together if I can. However, I respect why he is there. My dad was in the Navy, and holds the military up high in our country. Now, with a son in the Marines, his military support will increase 5 fold in my opinion. My dad is a very down to earth man, and can really pick out the most logical way to do things. Sometimes, it's too logical and plainly can't happen with everyone else...but he can think of it.
My Dad is playful and wild. He bought himself a motorcycle last year, and absolutely loves it. It seems that men need to have at least one thing that make them feel free. My dad loves working outside. He also enjoys sitting in the garage with the TV on. There seems to be something about the outdoors that my dad is just drawn to. Now, with his bike, he can feel 25 again and drive off for miles at a time. He also enjoys watching sports, and I get a kick out of the NFL season with my family. We all get into the zone when our personal favorite teams play each other, then we call the other person and give them an ear-full when our team creams theirs.
My Dad is supportive, but not controlling. He had rules, and he had his spurts where his view was the only view that was right...but he didn't make you believe it. He strongly encouraged, but he didn't make me do anything growing up. When I thought about Air Force, my dad was right there urging me, but he didn't threaten me or make me do anything. He knew what I was capable of doing, and wanted me to meet that in his mind, but he respected my choices for not going along his plan for my life. I remember this phrase from him, "I believe my job as a dad isn't to be your best friend. It's to be your guide. It's to be there when you need me." Him and my mom both guided me to Jesus and set my foundation. After that, my foundation stood firm and everything else formed on top of that. I am thankful for both of them.
Finally, I want to address something that I feel was on me during our discipleship class this morning before church. We talked extensively about the gifts that the Spirit gives us. This is found in Romans 12:6-8. This list includes: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needy, leadership, and showing mercy.
Now, all these things seem to be pretty natural, right? Kinda...(except for prophesying) but how do you know you have any of these as your spiritual gifts? As I was sitting in and listening, I was thinking about what God has done in my life and really worked on in me this past year. As I thought about it, I was seeing numerous things coming up that God has really worked on. Serving and Encouraging were the two that I felt were the obvious ones for me, more so now as I see how God continuously fills me up to serve at my job. I even see it with my peers...I thought it was a "weakness" to get involved with everyone's concerns and want to help them...but I realize this is part of my gift. I thought it was intruding on everyone elses' lives...now I realize it's the Spirit in me using me to address these issues and do what I am able to do about it. I feel encouraging is used side by side with that.
The two others that I thought deep on were teaching and leadership. I avoided teaching situations because I felt I just wasn't good at it. However, reflecting back, God has put me in situations where I needed to instruct. He used me in my service to teach and instruct others through Christ's message. He has brought people in my life that asked me to do this for them. It's happening even when I want to avoid it. I feel it's not a strong gift now, but it's one God wants me to improve on. Leadership as well. If I am put to the test, I will do my best to make it happen. But, if I know someone else is better at it, I back off and prefer to follow. If no one else is there to do anything about it, it's like the Spirit JUMPS out of me and takes over completely. It's really cool to experience even though it may not be too often.
God continues to do amazing things in my life. He has provided a Mom and Dad that I will try to take as an example for me and my future husband, and has given me the eyes to see more into His purpose for my life. I trust that God continues to reveal to me which way to go next, and also shows others in my life in case I miss it the first time.
Again, feel free to share prayers and praises that you wouldn't mind having plastered up on my prayer blog.
http://praise-in-prayer.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 13, 2011
Glimpses of Today's Letter To God
Dear God,
My strength is in you alone. I bear fruit only because your vine is nourishing. I will be challenged, I will be pushed, I will be beaten. But you love me and won't let anything happen to me that isn't going to make me stronger or make your plan reach it's goal in my life. Thank you Jesus.
Thank you for the chances to make money. Thank you for my roommate's ability to write her stories and express her creativity. Thank you for making it evident that I needed to be at Duos, despite my attempts to react to physical discomfort.
Jesus, cast Satan away from me. I am better than this. I am worth more than this. I am supposed to tough it out tonight. Thank you for this challenge. I will be stronger for this.
You are so amazing God. I am so thankful that I could be part of your awesome plan. I am so thankful that your love endures forever. I need your grace, thank you for providing for me.
I know you can more mountains, wipe out cities, take away life, create chaos, and stabilize the universe. You do that in my heart. You build mountains for me to climb, wipe out peer groups I don't need, take away things I base my life on, bring chaos and discomfort in my routine, and stabilize that chaos. You make it worth the chaos. You fought for me, and you have all of me. Know, God, that I love you so much...but I still struggle. In my struggles and your answers, I want to bring glory to your name. Without you, I can't do anything.
Your weak yet thankful daughter,
Kat
(Daily Bread Verse Today)
Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."
My strength is in you alone. I bear fruit only because your vine is nourishing. I will be challenged, I will be pushed, I will be beaten. But you love me and won't let anything happen to me that isn't going to make me stronger or make your plan reach it's goal in my life. Thank you Jesus.
Thank you for the chances to make money. Thank you for my roommate's ability to write her stories and express her creativity. Thank you for making it evident that I needed to be at Duos, despite my attempts to react to physical discomfort.
Jesus, cast Satan away from me. I am better than this. I am worth more than this. I am supposed to tough it out tonight. Thank you for this challenge. I will be stronger for this.
You are so amazing God. I am so thankful that I could be part of your awesome plan. I am so thankful that your love endures forever. I need your grace, thank you for providing for me.
I know you can more mountains, wipe out cities, take away life, create chaos, and stabilize the universe. You do that in my heart. You build mountains for me to climb, wipe out peer groups I don't need, take away things I base my life on, bring chaos and discomfort in my routine, and stabilize that chaos. You make it worth the chaos. You fought for me, and you have all of me. Know, God, that I love you so much...but I still struggle. In my struggles and your answers, I want to bring glory to your name. Without you, I can't do anything.
Your weak yet thankful daughter,
Kat
(Daily Bread Verse Today)
Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."
Monday, June 6, 2011
Challenge from a Friend
Last night (Sunday) we had our young adult Bible study. A friend of mine, Harold, gave a challenge that he had heard about while he was in his intense schooling. An authority figure challenged him to take one day of the week and pray nothing but praises to God. Don't request anything or say anything in prayer unless it is glorifying to God in praise. So...today I took that challenge.
I started my day off just like I normally do, thanking God for smiling on me through the sun as I drove to Cedar Falls, and began to pray "Lord I ask..." and stopped. Right away in the morning I began out of habit to ask for things. "Lord, give me strength, give me compassion, grant me serenity." Now, these aren't terrible things to pray for, because God does supply these things and He asks us to do this regularly. However, if I wanted to be uplifting all day, this wasn't going to do.
"Lord, thank you for the strength you provide for me to do my job."
"Father, I am so thankful for the love I can provide because of your work in me."
This weekend, we had an amazing time at a friend's house, celebrating a successful year of miming. I was very active...maybe too active...my entire right leg was throbbing in pain all day. My knee was swelling, my calf really tight, and my hip had to have popped about 25 times (more or less).
"Father, thank you for this pain, because I can be reminded of the reasons behind this pain...the friends, food, fellowship, conversations, games, and how fun it was to be part of all that."
Instead of praying for strength and mercy on individuals, I was praising God for their lives at the nursing home.
I was thankful for the individuals that came into Duos tonight. I was praying and thanking God for their business and our ministry in their lives by handing them a dish of ice cream.
Of course I slipped a couple times and asked for something selfish, especially when it came to the things that really give me struggles and weigh heavily on my heart. But Harold was right...if you prayed like this all day, your attitude does change. Your outlook on everything is so much more uplifting, and your appearance to others is more radiant of God's character. It was honestly the best way I could have thought about my week, and it made my Monday so enjoyable!
So, I pass this challenge on to you, my readers. Take one day of the week to pray nothing but praises to God. Thank him for everything. Take that day to really reflect on everything God deserves praises for. The list is honestly never-ending! I write in a journal little letters to God (because I have so many different ways that I can express myself without talking) and I wrote a list of thanks and praises...I kept writing and writing and eventually had to stop myself. My list could have kept going.
Take the challenge. Feel the change, and praise God for it!
I started my day off just like I normally do, thanking God for smiling on me through the sun as I drove to Cedar Falls, and began to pray "Lord I ask..." and stopped. Right away in the morning I began out of habit to ask for things. "Lord, give me strength, give me compassion, grant me serenity." Now, these aren't terrible things to pray for, because God does supply these things and He asks us to do this regularly. However, if I wanted to be uplifting all day, this wasn't going to do.
"Lord, thank you for the strength you provide for me to do my job."
"Father, I am so thankful for the love I can provide because of your work in me."
This weekend, we had an amazing time at a friend's house, celebrating a successful year of miming. I was very active...maybe too active...my entire right leg was throbbing in pain all day. My knee was swelling, my calf really tight, and my hip had to have popped about 25 times (more or less).
"Father, thank you for this pain, because I can be reminded of the reasons behind this pain...the friends, food, fellowship, conversations, games, and how fun it was to be part of all that."
Instead of praying for strength and mercy on individuals, I was praising God for their lives at the nursing home.
I was thankful for the individuals that came into Duos tonight. I was praying and thanking God for their business and our ministry in their lives by handing them a dish of ice cream.
Of course I slipped a couple times and asked for something selfish, especially when it came to the things that really give me struggles and weigh heavily on my heart. But Harold was right...if you prayed like this all day, your attitude does change. Your outlook on everything is so much more uplifting, and your appearance to others is more radiant of God's character. It was honestly the best way I could have thought about my week, and it made my Monday so enjoyable!
So, I pass this challenge on to you, my readers. Take one day of the week to pray nothing but praises to God. Thank him for everything. Take that day to really reflect on everything God deserves praises for. The list is honestly never-ending! I write in a journal little letters to God (because I have so many different ways that I can express myself without talking) and I wrote a list of thanks and praises...I kept writing and writing and eventually had to stop myself. My list could have kept going.
Take the challenge. Feel the change, and praise God for it!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
No Picking or Choosing
Acts 10 Cornelius is a man presented in this chapter. He is from Caesarea, and a military man in the area. Luke writes that Cornelius was a man who was "God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." He was given a vision to find Peter in Joppa, but was not told why. Cornelius obeyed, even though the reason was not fully present to him (verse 33). Sometimes, we don't know exactly why God gives us these hunches, or why He uses His Spirit to tell us what we think we are hearing. Cornelius was waiting for Peter to speak and instruct...we should wait as well. God doesn't reveal everything at once, and for us that makes it difficult to follow His instructions. We need to trust regardless. Let's learn from Cornelius in this example.
Later in this chapter, Peter speaks of his vision:
"He [Peter] became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure of unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' (10-17)
Peter explains the meaning of his vision, and teaches Cornelius (and family and friends) about favoritism. Verse 34 says "...I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism." Reflect back to Peter's vision. "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Even though we were born with natural sin in our lives, we are still made "clean." Not clean from sin (Romans 3:23) but clean enough to be given a chance to repent. Through that repentance we are clean. God made us in His image...every one of us. No one person is better than the other. Because we were made in His image, we were a perfect creation that has unfortunately been given the same fate because of the presence of sin (Romans 3:9-12).
Peter's context in this was that no one should be given favoritism over another group in hearing the gospel. The Gentiles are entitled to hear the good news just as much as the Jews. So...why should we think anything different in our lives today? Replace Gentiles with another race or group of people that you may think twice about reaching out to. Or even, think about a specific person that you just feel that you can't stand. We all have our select few individuals that we feel either want nothing to do with us, or look down upon us. So we hesitate to even reach out to them. Some of them may claim to be just as strong of Christians as we are.
Let me tell you something...if you think that way, the other person(s) may as well. God confronted the Pharisees, even though he knew fully well they wanted to kill him. Peter stood up to the rulers when confronted about speaking the gospel. They didn't even try to put walls up to distance themselves...they just went in and did it. Instead of using that energy to build your wall, use it to conquer what's on the other side of that wall. Go over there and touch a life. Show love and compassion like Jesus shows us numerous times. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3). God doesn't want us to pick and choose, nor does he want us to separate ourselves from other fellowship opportunities.
Get out of your boat that's all about you, and step into someone else's. Show compassion to your fellow man, even if they don't to you. Trust me...you don't look any better, nor does anyone see anything different in you. Live like Jesus so EVERYONE can see Him. Reach out. If you show favoritism, show it to everybody. Because honestly, we are all God's favorite.
Later in this chapter, Peter speaks of his vision:
"He [Peter] became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure of unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' (10-17)
Peter explains the meaning of his vision, and teaches Cornelius (and family and friends) about favoritism. Verse 34 says "...I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism." Reflect back to Peter's vision. "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Even though we were born with natural sin in our lives, we are still made "clean." Not clean from sin (Romans 3:23) but clean enough to be given a chance to repent. Through that repentance we are clean. God made us in His image...every one of us. No one person is better than the other. Because we were made in His image, we were a perfect creation that has unfortunately been given the same fate because of the presence of sin (Romans 3:9-12).
Peter's context in this was that no one should be given favoritism over another group in hearing the gospel. The Gentiles are entitled to hear the good news just as much as the Jews. So...why should we think anything different in our lives today? Replace Gentiles with another race or group of people that you may think twice about reaching out to. Or even, think about a specific person that you just feel that you can't stand. We all have our select few individuals that we feel either want nothing to do with us, or look down upon us. So we hesitate to even reach out to them. Some of them may claim to be just as strong of Christians as we are.
Let me tell you something...if you think that way, the other person(s) may as well. God confronted the Pharisees, even though he knew fully well they wanted to kill him. Peter stood up to the rulers when confronted about speaking the gospel. They didn't even try to put walls up to distance themselves...they just went in and did it. Instead of using that energy to build your wall, use it to conquer what's on the other side of that wall. Go over there and touch a life. Show love and compassion like Jesus shows us numerous times. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3). God doesn't want us to pick and choose, nor does he want us to separate ourselves from other fellowship opportunities.
Get out of your boat that's all about you, and step into someone else's. Show compassion to your fellow man, even if they don't to you. Trust me...you don't look any better, nor does anyone see anything different in you. Live like Jesus so EVERYONE can see Him. Reach out. If you show favoritism, show it to everybody. Because honestly, we are all God's favorite.
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