Desperation

 Below are some notes and thoughts I jotted down while listening to the sermon Desperation: Do We Need Him? by David Platt. It was an excellent sermon about prayer and made me realize how much I truly underestimate the power of praying to the Almighty God.

Why do we pray?
1. To express the depth of our need before God.

Why is Jesus always praying?
When you look at Jesus' ministry in the Gospels, what did he do as a man that was apart from His Father actually doing that through Him? Absolutely nothing. There is not one thing that Jesus did on His own. It was all in dependence on the Father

If Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, said that He can do nothing by himself, who are we to think that there is anything in our lives that we can do on our own?

Our conviction in prayer- We can do NOTHING without God. 

What was fundamental in the early church has become supplemental in the contemporary church.
Is prayer in your life fundamental or supplemental?

2. To explore the mystery of intimacy with God.

People tend to think that the main purpose of prayer is to ask God for stuff, for help, for protection.
This could be why so many of us have stopped praying as much, because when nothing happens or nothing changes, what's the point in praying or not praying? We try it, unsure if it is going to work or not. How we have learned to pray misses out on what it's really all about. 

When praying, we need to be desperate for someone, not something. What if God has fashioned this whole thing called prayer for you to ultimately enjoy Him and to feast on His goodness, grace, and mercy personally. What if there's something mysterious that happens in these moments that transcends anything else that could happen in our lives.

The most important thing in the world is your personal intimate relationship with Jesus. Everything in our lives flows from this one thing. 

We need to set aside a time. Intimacy just can't happen when we are running from here to there.

 We need to go to a place. This is why we see Jesus setting aside a time, even going to a solitary place. Going to a place where you can be alone with God, undisturbed, without distraction, will revolutionize your life because there is an award from the Father in that place that can't be found anywhere else.....intimacy with Him. 

3. To experience the power of being used by God. 

If God knows everything and is in control of everything and if His plan is going to be accomplished....why do we need to pray? 
God's sovereignty also means that He has ordained prayer to be a means through which He shows His power and His glory most clearly to His people. He has designed it to where you and I are apart of His whole plan. He designed it to where we get the help and He gets the glory. 

In the end.....if all we take away from this is that we need to pray more.....that we are going to strive to become a woman of prayer, then we are no different from any other religion. We live in a world where everybody prays. 
There is no power in prayer. The power of people who connect with the living God almighty is unstoppable.
We need to pray like we can do nothing without God's intervention.

A Picture of Set-Apartness

"They say there is a young lady...who is beloved of that Great Being who made and rules the world. They say that He fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she hardly cares for anything except to meditate on Him. If you present the world to her, with the riches of its treasures, she disregards it. She is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a singular purity in her affections. You could not persuade her to compromise her true Love even if you would give her all the world. She possesses a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and kindness to those around her. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly. She seems to be always full of joy and pleasure, and no one knows exactly why. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have Someone invisible always conversing with her."
-Written of Sara Edwards by Jonathan Edwards, her future husband. 
(from Marriage to a Difficult Man by Elizabeth Dudd)

only to be Yours

“Only when self moves out of the way can His spectacular glory come cascading through your life. When Jesus is in His rightful place, all insecurity will fade away and His lasting loveliness will become the mark of your life.”
― Leslie Ludy, The Lost Art of True Beauty

 

Let's talk about boys ~part 2~

     So, it has been over a month since I wrote "Let's talk about boys pt.1". I have been meaning to write part 2 for sometime now, but I honestly don't really know how to start. All I know is, you better prepare yourself for some super omega honesty again. Probably even more so than the last one! So  yeah, time for round two!
     I have been here at IWU for almost two months now and in all honesty when it comes to boys, not nothing has changed. I still find my focus straying and my happiness decreasing, all the while feeling guilty for the way I am behaving. Have you ever felt that way? You know that the way you are thinking and feeling is wrong and not of God, yet you don't know how to fix it. It is almost like a battle going on inside you. The best way I can describe the way this battle feels is like Gollum off of Lord of the Rings; I often feel like I have split personalities. Part of me wants to focus on the things of this world (specifically boys....and how I don't have one) and to be unhappy, but the other part of me knows this is wrong and wants to only focus on the things that are of God and to be perfectly content in Him alone.
     Not long after I posted the last "Let's talk about boys" (I think it was actually just two days later), I wrote the post "Being a martyr". Everything I wrote about that invitation at the end of the revival that night was totally true and not dramatized in the least. It was a night that I will never forget. I have to admit though that, although I knew that the decision to die to myself was a decision that would change my life forever and would be a life long process, I never imagined it would be this difficult. Being in this world but not of this world and being completely "set apart" is so incredibly hard. I can't even put into worlds how hard it truly is. I have been feeling like such a failure recently. The reason for that is, although I have given my life totally over to God and have died to myself, I really haven't seen much change in my life, my thoughts, my priorities, and my focus. I still find my thoughts drifting towards things I don't have, things I want, and things that this world says are important.........yet are not. I know I haven't really talked about boys much in this post (considering it is called "Let's talk about boys"), but boys fit right into this. For me, a boyfriend is something I don't have, something I want, and something this world says is important. But it is so much bigger than just boys. That "thing" could be success, friendship, influence, etc. The list could go on and on.
     I know in part 1 I said that I would tell you how to change and how to deal with these thoughts, but in all honesty, I don't know if I have all the answers yet. All I know is this- God is working in my life in big ways. I can feel it. Though I feel like a failure and though I am still unhappy, God hasn't given up on me. Becoming "set apart" and completely dying to self doesn't happen overnight. It is a life long process that can only be done through the strength and power of Jesus Christ. As long as you realize this and your heart is in the right place, then you are on the right track.

enjoying God anew

I am loving Ruth Myers' book "31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew". It seems that when I open up the book and read the prayer of praise that is for that day, it always applies to how I am feeling or what I am going through. Each and every day of praise uses the perfect words to help you express just how grateful and thankful you are for what God has done and who He is.

This is the one I read today. It pretty much pulled the thoughts and feelings straight from my heart and put them into words.

     "I choose to thank You for my weaknesses, my infirmities, my inadequacies (physical, mental, emotional, relational)......for the ways I fall short of what people view as ideal...for my feelings of helplessness and inferiority, and even my pain and distresses. What a comfort it is to know that You understand the feeling of my weaknesses!....and that in Your infinite wisdom You have allowed these in my life so that they may contribute to Your high purposes for me. 
     Thank You that many a time my weaknesses cut through my pride and help me walk humbly with You...and then, as You've promised, You give me more grace- You help and bless and strengthen me. Thank You for all the ways I'm inadequate for they prod me to trust in You and not in myself....and I'm grateful that my adequacy comes form You, the all-sufficient God who is enough!
     Thank You that I can trust You to remove or change any of my weaknesses and handicaps and shortcomings the moment they are no longer needed for Your glory, and for my good, and for the good of other people....and that in the meantime, Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Amen."

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

becoming a martyr

     Picture this. After an amazing revival, an invitation is held. Down at the front, at the altar, lays a long piece of cloth. On this cloth, those who are convicted to do so, are to draw a cross and then sign their name next to it. As you can see, this is not a normal invitation. Not normal at all. Signing your name has consequences. Accepting this invitation will change your life forever. This is an invitation to lay down your life. This is an invitation to give yourself completely over to God: mind, soul, and body. This is an invitation to die to yourself. The room is completely silent. No music, no singing, no whispering. You are sitting there with your head bowed, knowing what should be done, but realizing the consequences. Tears flood your eyes, your hands clench together, a sob escapes your lips. You know what you have to do. You stand up abruptly and squeeze past everyone else in your row, not really caring who is in your way. You have a mission to accomplish. The aisles are full of fellow students who have made the same decision as you tonight. Some truly mean it, some don't, but that doesn't matter to you. It is between them and God. The room is completely dark except for three lights shining down on the altar and the sacred item that is hanging above it. As you slowly make your way down the aisle to the altar, you are focusing only on that special item. The cross. Suddenly drums begin to play. Low bass drums that are so loud, it rumbles deep inside you. The steady beat reminds you of an execution. All of a sudden it gets real, really real. You are becoming a martyr. You really are going to your death. There is no turning back. As you slowly walk onward, the band begins to sing the words  

"Hallelujah, You have won the victory. Hallelujah, You have won it all for me. 

Death could not hold You down. You are the risen King. 

Seated in Majesty. You are the risen King." 

     You and everyone around you repeat it over and over again, each time getting louder and more powerful. As you stare ahead at the cross, realizing what signing your name means, knowing there is no turning back, and singing those powerful words, the tears begin to flow once again. Before you know it, the altar is before you and a pen is thrusted into your hand. This is it. The time has come. With bold, slow strokes, you draw the precious cross. When the cross is complete and your hand moves to begin writing your name, you pause. You close your eyes, take a deep breath, whisper one final prayer, and without any more hesitation, you sign your name. It is done. As if in a daze, you turn around and begin to make your way back up the aisle to your seat. You slowly sit down, pondering what just happened. That night in bed, it hits you all over again. "I died tonight. I now know what it it is like to die a martyr's death for Christ. I laid down my life. I am changed forever. There is no turning back. Hallelujah, You have won the victory. Hallelujah, You have won it all for me."

how great is our God

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord rejoice in His works.

He looks at the earth, and it trembles;

He touches the mountains, and they pour out smoke.

I will sing to the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God while I live.

May my mediation be pleasing to Him;

I will rejoice in the Lord.

May sinners vanish from the earth 

and the wicked be no more.

My soul, praise the Lord!

Hallelujah!

Psalm 104:31-35

Have you praised our great God today? Have you meditated on Him? Just sit for a minute and ponder on just how powerful, almighty, and great our God is.

here with us

Merry Christmas friends and God bless!

the confidence of Christ

 "The most beautiful women I've ever observed are those that have exchanged a self-focused life for a Christ-focused one. They are confident, but not in themselves. Instead of self-confidence, they radiate with Christ confidence."
~Leslie Ludy

 

being a witness, gingerbread style

My sister and I went to a gingerbread house making party last night. Before I even arrived, I knew what I wanted to do, a nativity. I have made gingerbread houses before.....really good ones at that, but that's what everybody does ya know? I decided to do something different and to create the manger scene, which is the true reason for the season. Because it was different than the rest, it caught everyone's eye and I got many questions asked about it. Who knows? Out of all of the people there last night, maybe there were some who didn't know about Jesus who came as a baby so that He could become a sacrifice and die for our sins.

I just think that this song Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice is so meaningful.

It isn't just a song, it is a prayer.

as long as it takes

"I'm tired, do I have to keep proving myself?
I'm weary and drawing from an empty well
I need You more than I ever have
So Jesus come and shatter my darkness somehow

I won't speak until You speak
I won't move until You move me
I won't sing, sing over me
I will wait as long as it takes

I'm restless for something significant
But I'm helpless cause I've done all I can
I want You more than I ever have
So Jesus come and hold me, I'm shaking right now

I won't speak until You speak
I won't move until You move me
I won't sing, sing over me
I will wait as long as it takes

You are the Comforter so comfort me
You're the Sustainer so be enough for me
You are my Father and Your love for me
Is where I find my rest

I won't speak until You speak
I won't move until You move me
I won't sing, sing over me
I will wait as long as it takes"

be born in me

Have you ever thought about what it would have been like to be Mary? We all know the story, seen movies, watched pageants, and have read the account in the Bible more times than we could probably count. But have you ever actually taken a few moments, closed your eyes, and put yourself in Mary's shoes?
She was a simple, young, teenage girl who probably considered herself rather plain and normal. She had just found out, what she thought, was the biggest news of her life........that she was going to marry Joseph. She could have known Joseph her whole life, a few months, or not at all, but either way, she knew that Joseph was a good man and would take care of her no matter what. What came next, though, would test the "no matter what" to the extreme.
Imagine this: one day she is walking down the road to perhaps get some water from the well or maybe returning from working in the fields, when a strange voice calls out her name. She stops dead in her tracks and looks in every direction for the man that is calling her.........but he is not there. She slowly turns back around and prepares to run away when a bright light shines down from heaven. Automatically she collapses to the ground, face down, because she now knows that this voice is not a man's voice, but an angel's.
      "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
Mary knew that God was always with her, so that part she understood. But what about the 'O favored one' part? And why was and angel speaking to her, plain, simple, little Mary? As all these thoughts enter her head and the reality of what is happening sets in, she begins to shake uncontrollably. She really can't help it. Suddenly the angel, knowing how frightened Mary is, begins to deliver his message.
     "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."
Me? Found favor with God? Mary thinks, confused. What have I done to deserve His favor? I'm nothing special. How could a God so holy find favor on a lowly girl like me?
     "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 
What!? Mary can't believe what she is hearing. It doesn't make sense! "How can this be since I am a virgin?"
     "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy- the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God."

Now.......time out. What would you have said if you were Mary?

• Ummm....wow, that all sounds so amazing but.....I just don't think I am cut out for that job. You might want to find someone else.
• You see, this is kind of a bad time for all this to happen. I just got betrothed to this really nice man, and since we aren't married yet, me becoming pregnant would be kind of strange and I don't think he would like it very much.
• I don't think I'm ready to have a baby just yet, let alone the Son of God! Can this wait a few years?
• But what would people think of me? Being pregnant without being married! They will shun me, hate me, even kill me!

 Would you have given any of those excuses? Those were all very true for Mary. She was just a ordinary, young girl. She had a good reputation, but wasn't anything special. She had just been betrothed to a great man. And she knew, that if she became pregnant, that life as she knew it could crumble away. Her family could disown her,  her friends could shun her, and her husband to be could even stone her because, after all, who would believe that she became pregnant through the Holy Spirit and that she is carrying the Son of God? Even though those were all true, she gave no excuses and no 'ifs, ands, or buts'. She simply said,
     "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
No argument. No reasoning. No excuses. Just submission. She knew what could happen. She knew the pain and tribulations that she could suffer. But she also knew that God had a plan, and that she was chosen to bear His son, the Son of God.
The story doesn't end there. The miraculous story of Jesus' birth continues in the book of Luke. If you haven't read the Christmas story yet this year, I recommend you do it. Don't just read it like you have read it a million times though, put yourself in Mary's shoes. Read it like you have never read it before. After reading the Christmas story, I recommend you watch the movie The Nativity. It really brings the birth of Jesus to life.
Mary's submission is amazing, the birth of Jesus is amazing, God's word is amazing..........it is time that we start treating it that way.


    

a Christ-centered friendship

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil. 2:3-4)

     As I look at the world around me, I am constantly amazed at what the world calls a "friendship". Most friendships today are fickle, self-centered, fake, and emotional roller coasters. Many Christian friendships I know are unfortunately the same way. They are almost worse because they call their friendship "Godly" yet it is no different than the world; they are hypocrites. I believe that a majority of people today, Christian or not, do not understand what true friendship is. True friendship is modeled after Christ and putting the other person first.

     As the verse above indicates, we are to be selfless and focused on the interests of others. "...it is a daily disposition, a constant commitment to purposefully put the other person's needs above your own. When that is our attitude toward our friends, instead of thinking about what we can get out of the friendship, we begin to ask, 'How can I die to my own agenda for this friendship and be Jesus to her?'" Tell me, how many friendships do you see that revolve around THAT mindset? I must admit, I have never seen a friendship like that, not in my life, not in the life of anybody else. Sending little notes of encouragement her, paying for her coffee, surprising her with a memorable gift are all very nice things to do, but it goes beyond that.

     Friendships today are often not truly governed by Christ-like selflessness and because of this there is constantly misunderstanding, moodiness, emotional pain, and drama. Honestly, who really wants that? Yet we all seem to accept it like normalcy and do nothing differently. So, should we not show our feelings and emotions in our friendship? Should we keep it emotion free? Not at all. "...one of the sweetest aspects of a Christ-built friendship is having a shoulder to cry on and someone who will point you to Jesus in both sorrows and struggles." That is the key. Our friendships should not just consist of us running to each other with every single thing that has us upset, filling her ears with our complaints, giving worldly advice, and plotting what should be done about it. It is about us being a friend who points her to Jesus, both in the good times and the bad times.You know what that means though? We as individuals have to be controlled by and looking to Jesus, both in the good times and the bad times. "When two people are controlled and sustained by Christ individually, and then allow that to carry over into the friendship, the natural outflow is a relationship in which emotion, when it is present, only serves to edify and unify."

     We all get on each others nerves at some point. It is bound to happen, we are all human. There is really nothing we can do to stop it, but we can decide how to react to it. When your feelings are hurt by your closest friend, when she takes everything you say the wrong way, when she is selfish, what should your reaction be? Would you lash out and try to get even? Would you give her the silent treatment? Would you cry and put on a big show? Would you gossip about what she did to you? Or would you show her kindness, grace, love, and forgiveness? "The more God shows us our own lack, the more we realize that building a Christ-honoring friendship requires giving the other person as much grace for their mistakes as we want them to give us. (Col 3:12b-13a)" Our reactions as Christians should be totally opposite to how the world would react. We are to follow God's pattern of humbleness and forgiveness. Instead of focusing on your friend's shortcomings, you should really try to see what God is doing in their life, how God is working in their heart.

     How are your friendships? Are they Christ-honoring and Christ-centered? Are you being a Godly and selfless friend? If not, are you willing to be? Perhaps you are willing to be, but none of your friends are want to change. "If any of our close friendships are not pressing us on into a deeper spiritual life and shaping us into selfless, others-focused friends, it may be time for us to ask God what practical things we could do to change them so that He, and not the joy of a kindred spirit, is the prize." It is not going to be easy, but it will most definitely be worth it. It may not happen right away, but God will bless you for your perseverance and your want to change and be more like Him, even in your friendships.

"A friendship that purposefully makes Him the center and draws both people closer to Him will become a beautiful testimony of patient graciousness, humble servitude, and selfless love- spurring others on toward that same, single-hearted pursuit."

*All quotes are from the Set Apart Girl article "A Set Apart Friendship" by Tessa Hershberger and Amy Meyers in the Jan/Feb 12 edition.

bigger than you will ever know

Sometimes I get upset that no one seems to care about what is going on in my life, what problems I'm facing, and what I need prayer for. But so what, big deal. That only causes me to think about me more.....which ends up making me more miserable and upset than before. Though it is extremely difficult, not our natural tendency, and no one else seems to do it, we need to constantly focus outwards.....on others. Everyone has a crazy life, everyone has problems, everyone needs prayer. I am not special..... but I should treat others in a way that makes them feel special. I want to be the type of person that I would want to meet. I want to be a someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow. Today will never come again; what kind of impact can one word of encouragement, one smile, one act of kindness make on a person? A big one. Bigger than you'll ever know.

it is well

When peace like a river attendeth my ways.

When sorrows like sea billows roll.

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Please read the story of Horatio Spafford, the man who wrote this wonderful hymn.

You will never listen to the song the same way again.

worn

Do you sometimes feel like you can't take anymore? That you can't handle anything else? That if life throws one more thing at you, you will totally collapse? That nothing seems to be working out and every single thing is going wrong? That nothing is going right and the world seems to be falling apart? That you aren't sure you can handle another day because you are so worn? Did you say yes to any of these questions? Yeah. Me too.

There are times in our lives when everything seems to change and take a wrong turn. One thing after another just piles on top of each other until we feel like, if one more thing happens, we are going to collapse. Health problems, tough classes, family issues, big decisions, strained friendships, various challenges, difficult situations, etc......and no one to listen. No one seems to care about what you are going through except yourself. Everyone seems to be caught up in their own life, problems, situations and relationships. Why would they listen to you? Sometimes it can get to the point where you say "what's the use?" and you stop expressing your feelings all together after all......no one really cares.
People are fickle and friends will let you down, but after all, they are only human.

 So is there no hope? Is there no one who cares? No one who is willing to listen? False. There is One who will never let you down. Who will never give up on you. Who will never forsake and abandon you. Who cares and knows about what you are going through. Who will always be by your side. Who listens to you at any hours of the day and any hours of the night. Anytime you need to talk to Him, He is there to listen.

So yes, things may be tough right now. OK not tough........absolutely unbearable. Maybe you are dealing with a great loss, disappointment, temptation, doubt, worry, anxiety, stress, fear, discouragement, and perhaps so much more. People don't seem to care, your friends have abandoned you, it seems like you have no one left. There is only one thing to do. The one thing that you should have done from the very beginning. Take it to God. The Creator. The Heavenly Father. The Light of the World. The Prince of Peace. The Redeemer. Take it to the almighty, holy, all powerful, good, loving God who made all things, knows all things, and is in control of all things. What could be better? He wants to know you. Wants to hear from you, His child. He knows what you can handle and would never give you anything that you couldn't get through. We should never feel alone. We never are alone. God is with us always, and for that we should praise Him.

"When you praise God in the face of all your trials and tribulations, you open up the channels through which God's peace, love, and encouragement flow to you. That is the hidden power of praise."
The Prayer that Changes Everything by Stormie Omartian

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."
Psalm 28:7

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation' but be of good cheer, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD."
John 16:33

Song list:
Steady My Heart by Kari Jobe
Worn by Tenth Avenue North
There is a Peace by Sojourn
Never Once by Matt Redman

in christ alone

  "No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.

From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no schemes if man could ever 

pluck me from your hands.

Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of 

Christ I stand."

true woman

 

Whew! Last week was crazy! Mostly good....but just plain loco (spanish for crazy...just fyi). Last Tuesday and Wednesday my family and I were looking at a few colleges and then Thursday thru Sat afternoon my mom, sister, and I were gone to a women's conference. The women's conference was fantastic! Here is a brief overview of my trip:

 

 

The women's conference was called True Woman and it was full to the rim of wonderful speakers such as Janet Parshall, Mary Kassian, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and (my personal favorite) Pricilla Shire. The music was done by the Gettys and was of course absolute perfection!



 

Our trip also consisted of staying in a fancy hotel in downtown Indianapolis

 

Taking walks and exploring

 

Purchasing bags made by women in India who were rescued from human trafficking (I'm all for supporting that cause!!!)

 

 

And visiting Cracker Barrel to get some much needed candy and to play with toys. :)

The True Woman conference was such a blessing and a breath of fresh air. I know every single one of the 8,000 women who were there were convicted and touched in some way that weekend.

I just want to take the time now to encourage you girls to be involved in some sort of Bible or book study. Right now some girls in my church are going through "Girls gone Wise in a World Gone Wild" by Mary Kassian and I absolutely love it. It is one of the best books I have read on how to be a Godly woman. It is super easy to understand yet extremely convicting....no matter how good of girl you think you might be. Look it up here! You can totally read it on your own, but I highly recommend that you go through it with a group of girls. There is a study guide, leader questions, and videos that you can purchase for that purpose!

I also recommend any Bible studies and books that Pricilla Shire does. She is such a powerful speaker and writer. She makes it so easy to understand and she is so relatable! Another thing I really like about her book studies is how you watch a video of her speaking before going through and discussing the book. It just helps me understand so much better! The next book study that the girls in my church are going to go through is "Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted". Here is a promo video of it....it looks super good!!!



And now to end this post....I don't know whether you have heard of the Gettys or not......but if you haven't......you should totally check them out. They are modern day hymn writers that have written several songs which I'm sure you know! Songs like "In Christ Alone", "O Church Arise", "Across the Land", and "Speak O Lord". Oh, and did I mention that they are Irish? That makes them even more awesome. ;) Here is a song I randomly picked to show you all. I literally closed my eyes and pointed at my computer screen to pick because I seriously love them all. haha enjoy!

never once

 

Do you ever have days where there are just so many thoughts going around and around in your head, and you can't even decipher what is true from what is false? What is real and what is fake?

Whether you should be sad or glad?

It's a crazy feeling when you can't decide whether to cry or laugh, sigh or smile.

It could be because life has decided to take off full steam ahead for some people,

but seems to be in a stand still for you.

Or maybe it's opposite and life has become nothing but a crazy rollercoaster and you are not sure how much more you can take.

Sometimes life just seems like a battleground that is filled with scars and struggles.

Either way it's easy to feel left behind, alone, and abused by the world.

But you know what? God has been with us every step of the way.

Never once did we ever walk alone, never once did He leave us on our own.

He is faithful.

God, You are faithful.

 

all i have is christ

 

 This is one of the most powerful songs I know. I cry just about every time we sing it at church.

Every single word just has so much meaning, I mean, just the chorus alone.....wow.

"Hallelujah, all I have is Christ. Hallelujah, Jesus is my life."

 

Is Jesus your life? Can you honestly say that He IS your life?

It is so difficult to even grasp what that means, to grasp the fact that we are not even in the picture.

What we want doesn't matter, what we think is best doesn't matter,

what makes us comfortable doesn't matter, we don't matter!

Every time I hear this song, it is such a slap to the face.

It reminds me that I have not fully given my life over to God, Jesus isn't the center of my life, and that I am still holding on to the world and my selfish hopes and dreams.

 

The very last verse always drives it home for me.

 

"Now Lord I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see

the strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.

O, Father use my ransomed life in anyway You choose

and let my song forever be, 'My only boast is You!'"

 

That verse right there is my prayer for every single day for the rest of my life.