God or Money?

I'm lead to write another entry, not really sure why

But today I came to work and found a wallet hidden by the keyboard. THe owner came by shortly later and I returned it to her. But unfortunatelly $200 was missing, I could do nothing but see the disappointment in her eyes. Minutes later the one who hid it asked me if it was returned, I said yes and she thanked him with a smile.

I thought of the lesson Eddie gave to te kids on Wednesday night. He mentioned that we can't both serve money and God. He also addressed an event that occured earlier that evening when one of the kids stole another kid's quarter. Eddie told them that as we get older it becomes harder to chose God over money and soon your friend will be caring more than a quarter. This girl lost $200, probably stolen by who knows who.

Who do you serve? God or money

No rewards come from quitting

All of my life I took pride in the fact that I would never quit. I played even though I was the worse player. Sophmore year of high school I made it on the basketball team but rarely played, one game I only played for 30 secs. But I still went to practice everyday. Volleyball I didn't even make the team but instead I became the manager and again went to every practice. The same story with track I was last but I came to practice everyday. I took pride that I would never quit.

But what does this have to do with anything? Well because I didn't quit amazing things happen, rewards that wouldn't have happened if I did as the world was telling me, "Quit". Basketball I met my future history teacher that was an encouragement for me my senior year to go to CSU, Volleyball I met a coach and math teacher that I now look up to as a role model for my future career as a math teacher/coach, and track led me to a passion that rewarded me in a worldly way but more importantly it is now a passion that God is guiding me in.

What if I had quit my sophmore year where would I be today? At CSU probably not, a math major probably not, following God?

This blog was inspired by watching "Rudy" a movie that makes you want to dream more and to never quit.

I ask you to join with me in dreaming, dreaming big, beyond what we could imagine because God is beyond this world. Even when the world around us tells us to quit we pick up our crosses everyday with joy, joy for our King.

What Lead to my tears

A poem about sufferings:

I tryed to put my thoughts to words
But I failed, not only myself
But the standards set by this world

Why would this world cause tears?
It doesn't, you do
One not of this world

My pride? maybe
Your flesh? possible
Or my foolishness?

I beat myself for sufferings
Where joy should be found
Only tears in my pillow

Forgive him for his mistakes
Look to the only comforter
And Reflect on the Truths

Now I'm on my knees
Tears for my Holy One
Forgiveness for my own sins

What lead to my tears
"light and momentary troubles" will pass
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" - Rev. 21:4

Hallelujah

Words that come to mind when I think of God

Selah
( Hebrew: סלה) meaning "pause, reflection", within the context of a prayer or psalms, is similar in purpose to Amen in that it stresses the importance of the preceding passage.

In this way, Selah is thought to infer that one should pause and reflect on what has been said.

Amen
-a declaration of affirmation found in the Hebrew Bible

Praise
- Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
- The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.

Glory
-Great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown.
-Something conferring honor or renown.
-A highly praiseworthy asset: Your wit is your crowning glory.
-Adoration, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship.
-Majestic beauty and splendor; resplendence: The sun set in a blaze of glory.
-The splendor and bliss of heaven; perfect happiness.

Majesty
-The greatness and dignity of a sovereign.
-The sovereignty and power of God.
-Supreme authority or power: the majesty of the law.

Honor
-High respect, as that shown for special merit;
-Good name; reputation.
-A source or cause of credit: was an honor to the profession.
-Glory or recognition; distinction.
-High rank.

Faithful
-Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal.
-Having or full of faith.
-Worthy of trust or belief; reliable.
-Consistent with truth or actuality

Awesome
-Inspiring awe

Holy
-Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
-Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
-Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.

Sacred
-Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity.
-Worthy of religious veneration: the sacred teachings of the Buddha.
-Made or declared holy: sacred bread and wine.
-Worthy of respect; venerable.

Reverence
-A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.
-An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.

Venerate
-To regard with respect, reverence, or heartfelt deference

Perfect
-Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.
-Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen.
-Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.
-Pure

Good
-Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
-Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing
-Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
-Not spoiled or ruined: The milk is still good.
-Superior to the average
-Of high quality: good books.
-Worthy of respect; honorable
-Attractive; handsome: good looks.
-Beneficial to health
-Competent; skilled
-Complete; thorough
-Reliable; sure
-Valid or true
-Genuine; real
-Ample; substantial: a good income.
-Of moral excellence; upright: a good person.
-Benevolent; kind: a good soul; a good heart.
-Loyal
-Well-behaved; obedient: a good child.
-Socially correct; proper: good manners.



All these words are great but they are words of this world. How can you describe something that is above, bigger, greater, beyond, more awesome than this world. When God works in your life how do you explain to those around you, you can't and shouldn't try because if he wants them to know/understand he will reveal to them, until then, praise him

"But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is
Hallelujah, hallelujah" - Bethany Dillon

Hallelujah
-Used to express praise or joy.
-"Praise the Lord"

Wake UP

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert[f]! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " - Mark 13:32-37

Jesus has given us our jobs/tasks to be completed, don't be caught not doing so. Have any of you worked for somebody and when your doing something that doesn't follow the rules (even if it is just for a moment) you are on extra watch that they don't see you? You don't want to get caught. You know you are doing wrong because your conscience tells you so.

In Christ we have the spirit to tell us when we aren't doing what he wants us to do. We are working for the Lord. You don't want him to catch you not working, right?

Stop and pray and ask yourself if you are working for the Lord. Are you doing what you think he wants you to do or what he wants you to do? Examine who you are working for, somebody else or God?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, - Matthew 28:19

My Story _ Testimony

God made every human being on this earth and he has a purpose for every single one. He is constantly working in our lives. We are all a piece of art, we all have a story. So what is my story?

Well I grew up in a household that didn't go to church and we didn't even talk about such things. High school I was dedicated to running and school and nothing else. I had little friends and planned to make new ones in college. I planned to start a new life because the life I was currently living wasn't satisfying.

I went to CSU for their chemical engineering program and to run for them too, because I thought that was the only way I would continue to run, when in fact Colorado is one of the most active states. I flew out by myself and had my stuff shipped later. Some would say that it would be scary to be alone in a new place. For me I have always been okay with being alone.

Entering college I had dreams of making friends, doing well in school, maybe find a boyfriend, and find happiness and purpose in my life. Who would have guessed that God had a bigger/better plan for me.

I instantly clicked with my roomate and within the first week of college she invited me to a number of barbeques through different church organizations. I felt bad because I wasn't Christian and yet I was eatting their food. I considered church groups like clubs and so to me being christian was just a title for members of the church. I wasn't part of the "club", so am I allowed to eat their food?

Another important character that God put in my path was a girl who lived next door to me, Sarah. A sophmore, and me just a freshman. She invited me to these fun things like photo scavenger hunt, trip to walmart, $1 trace bundy concert, and another concert in old town. She was so nice to me, it was unusual for me. I never got invited to anything in high school.

A couple weeks into school, Katie and Eddie (both lived at my dorm) after dinner one night invited me to go to their small group. At the time I was still thrilled to be invited to something and so I agreed to come. Once there I found myself in a position where I didn't know anything (I didn't even know the story of David, they were discusing Psalm 23) but even though I didn't know anything I felt comfortable, I felt like I had found away to make friends. Eddie gave me a bible and I continued to come to small group and the Rock (a college students focused service with contemporary worship music and a message).

I was new to all of it but everybody was so helpful, showing me where things were in the bible and explaining the background to the passages we discussed, actually they discussed. I didn't quite connect with the messages at the Rock. But there was something about these people that attracted me. They always had a smile on their face and they lived life as though they had purpose.(happiness and purpose that was what I was looking for)

Finally one night after the Rock (September 24, 2004 to be precise) I ended up walking back to campus from a park with Sarah and Eddie. It was a beautiful cool night and shortly after we started walking Eddie asked me what i thought about things, about small group/ rock. Earlier during the Rock I wrote a little note to God that I was willing to give this new life a try, I didn't understand but I did know that it might lead to happiness, purpose and friends. So in response to Eddie's questions I told him that I wanted to be Christian and I wanted to know what I had to do to join the "club". He tried explaining somethings and eventially told me I just had to pray. so on a park bench in Remington Gardens between 2 amazing people I accepted Christ.

I didn't realize how big of a deal it was until the next morning. Sarah had told everybody and so the whole day I was been congratulated and I even got notes from people. That is when it hit me that it wasn't just a "club". The next 2 weeks I read the bible and absorbed what others talked about. God also revealed to me sins I had done and my image of myself as a "good" girl was revealed to be a lie. By the time I was babtised on October 8th I had a better understanding of what this all meant.

I don't know really the exact time everything changed but I have changed.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

The past 11 months have been the best months of my life. There were many hard times and there still are but when you know the truths that Christ died for me, I'm going to live in heaven for eternity, he loves me, he has choosen me, he has a great purpose for my life, and many others that causes my heart to overflow with joy to thing about. I'm his daughter that he thinks is beautiful, I will always have his promises, Christ died for ALL my sins, I'm filled with the Spirit to guide me through life, I'm never alone, I'll always have a friend.

AWAKE!!!

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. - Romans 13:11

Our time here on earth is short! Every moment here should not be wasted. WE need to recognize the opportunities before us. Opportunities to share the truth about God and Jesus to all. Matthew 28:19-20 Make disciples!

I confess I've been a sleep. Faith without action. I haven't been giving my all. What am I afraid of? God is at work and we don't know what he is going to do. I can't predict. Just look at what God did or is doing in your life to bring you to him. We all have stories, because God loves us all and that is why he will do whatever he can to bring us to him.

Pray that everyday we can regonize the opportunities he has put before us. Be brave!

Humble Pie

When I read this on Katie's comment to me. I just started laughing just ask Janet. I don't know why its so funny!

But really, Have you ever started a eating challenge thinking that will be easy. But as you go along it gets harder and harder. This summer Chris and I tried the Capri-sun challenge (15 in 15 mins) easy right, that's what we thought. We were way to cocky! After 5 you started to feel it. We didn't even finish the 15. Giving up at 9 each, our stomachs couldn't take any more.

But anyway, what does that have to do with humility? Well when I first started to follow Christ, that is when I accepted Christ I was told that the Christian life wasn't easy but I didn't believe it. As I started the Christian life, God's challenges were relatively easy, and I took pride in the fact that I was growing so much with out much sweat. But as you dive deeper into God, has you eat more of the pie the harder it gets. Humility comes when you recognize that you can't do this on your own.

God's Plan

I went to summitview for the first time in months. WE had a short message and then a little movie. The movie was about this guy named Craig who fell a 100 Ft! And lived! The story is amazing but what he pointed out was the question. "What does God have to do to get your attention?" For him it was falling. For me it was a simple bruise, that hurt a lot, the size of a giant baked potato( grown in Idaho of course!) and kept me off my feet for 3 weeks.

It happened playing soccer, I got kicked, Sunday night. We packed and left Iowa Tues, packed and left Colorado for Ireland Thurs. Friday night I was told to stay off of my leg until it healed. So I sat. Standing up to get around and to sing hymns. It hurt to walk and even to stand longer than 5 min. That meant that I would stay back at Charleville while everybody went out to share and go door to door. I stayed back and sort things, stuffed tracts, helped in the kitchen, folded napkins and did what every job they gave me. I came to Ireland to share the Gospel, experience mission life and to grow in Christ. These things were accomplished in God's way not mine.

In that time God taught me many things that I knew before but not completely and still not.

- Humility
- Be thankful for everything
- We should be living sacrifices, Romans 12
- Be content Philippians 4:12-13
- Always be joyful 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- good will come of this Romans 8:28
- I get to suffer for Christ! 1 Peter 4:12-13
- He chooses the weak, and we are the weak 1 Corinthians 1:26-28
- We all have different jobs for God 1 Corinthians 3:7-9
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- Work for the Lord Colossians 3:23
- Psalm 147:10-11
- There is nothing we can do without God

The biggest thing I realized just now is that God is constantly working in our lives (2 cor. 3:18) to sanctify us! We will never realize how much he has done until when he chooses to reveal. This time in Ireland was a time when he unveiled what he has been doing but only in a small dose. We are growing, we are being sanctified not just when we see it. Praise God.

In the last 24 hours I've had a complete revival. Broken because he was discipline me but no joyful because I've repented and I'm forgiven. Thanks be to God who disciplines us for our good. He loves us more than we realize. Praise him with all your soul.

Today, everyday may it be God's

So at the daycare this song was played on a CD we were all listening to. It stuck with me through the day. Today is a perfect day that God made for me, every moment he ordained for me! I'm exactly where he wants me to be. I'm going to be thankful and recognize his blessings and his truth and his promise of renewing. He rewards those who trust in him, he rewards with the Spirit. Today was joyful because I saw him in it. Nothing is going to change my mind that today is God's and he loves me and will give me just the right amount of strength.

Artist: Hoku Lyrics
Song: Perfect Day Lyrics

Sun's up
A little after twelve
Make breakfast for myself
Leave the work for someone else
People say
They say that it's just a phase
They tell me to act my age,
Well I am

On this perfect day,
Nothing's standing in my way

On this perfect day,
When nothing can go wrong

It's the perfect day,
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
I could stay, forever as I am

On this perfect day

Sun's down
A little after ten
I pick up all my friends
In my Mercedes-Benz

Wake up
Don't tell me it's just a dream
'Cause when I've had enough
You'll hear me say,
Now don't you try to rain on my

Perfect day,
Nothing's standing in my way

On this perfect day,
Nothing can go wrong

It's the perfect day,
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
I could stay, forever as I am
On this perfect day

La la la
La la la,
Oh, oh

I'm in the race
But I've already won
(La la la)
And getting there can
Be half the fun
(La la la)
So don't stop me
Till I'm good and done,
Don't you try to rain on my

Perfect day
It's the perfect day

It's the perfect day
Nothing's gonna bring me down
I could stay, forever as I am

On this perfect day
Nothing's standing in my way,

On this perfect day,
Nothing can go wrong

I'm in the race
But I've already won
And getting there can
Be half the fun,
So don't stop me
Till I'm good and done,
Don't you try to rain on my

Perfect, day
On this perfect day
On this perfect day

* Reward at the bottom *
Look for the joy in the day, look for the best parts in people, thank them for sacrifices and acts of love, forgive them for wrongs and enjoy life alongside not far away. today will be a perfect day if i choose it to be.

Be a Light

So I have been feeling a little discouraged and the opposite of Joyful. Not where one wants to be. Especially Friday nights when we go to the Ped Mall to share. I felt no Spirit and so for an hour I didn't talk to anybody. Finally with only 20 min before it was time to meet up, I went sharing with Eddie. Had one conversation and then on our way to the Java House to meet up Eddie stopped this guy to "ask a couple questions"

This guy was no ordinary guy, possiblly drunk, but yet not quite. turns out this joyful guy is Christian and a funny guy. I don't know what it was about him but since him I've been so joyful. It was the Spirit that was shining out of him.

I pray that every time we go to talk to some body, the light, the Spirit just flows out of us.

Words do hurt

When you were growing up did you ever hear the phrase

"Sticks and Stones may break bones but names will never hurt"

I always believed this to be a lie. When I grew up I was teased like any other kid and often times the name calling did hurt but there were not sympathetic adults only the ones who would share this little ditty. It would just make me feel worse because now I'm being called weak, crying over nothing. Something you just can't ignore.

Today at the day care these 2 girls started calling each other names. Whenever I would try to stop it one would just say well she started it. When in fact if possible they both started it. They played "Last insult wins" at least in my eyes. Each insult got worse and worse. I'm glad I'm not their age because I don't think I could have taken it.

It just hurts to listen to, I pray these girls just love each other

Patience!!!

Unfortunately today started off with me being a little impatient. I didn't want to be late to work, and so I got a little impatient(quietly at least!). In the car on the way to work I prayed for patience in the day. It's a fruit of the spirit so I'm promised it.

At work, a daycare, patience at times is a must. I didn't realize the patience God gave me today until I found myself breaking up a small fight and crouched down between 2 boys and calmly asking them what happened. That patience was from God because the whole afternoon was one upset kid after another. It seemed like every kid had something that was pushing my nerves. 4 girls fight about the silliest of things, Emily getting mad at me for not letting her play on the computer, DaRon running around the room and these 2 boys. When kids don't like each other, instead of avoiding each other like I do, they continue to annoy the other. Without God's patience I would have exploded.

When you find yourself lacking in one of the fruits of the Spirit, pray about because we are promised these things.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" ~ Galatians 5:22

Here is to mornings with God

Since I last wrote on this here blog I have under gone some serious discipline mainly regarding my time. I now wake up at an hour that if written others might freak because that is when they go to bed. But this is clearly something God wants because it is far to easy to wake up and it's not like I go to bed that early. I go on a run every morning and then chill on the couch reading his word.

But what makes this time oh so precious to me is that I'm with God. and for me that is awesome because before this week I very very rarely found myself reading his word and running to him first when I struggled. Not a good idea. One will just feel lost even though you aren't. One feels alone when in fact you are surrounded by God's arms. One feels weak when in fact a powerful sword is stored in the bag on your back. One feels like their life is not going any where and God is not using them when in fact God has been planing an amazing life for you and has already used you in ways that if you knew shock and awe would drench your face with tears, your heart would give up totally to God and your mind would be cleared of every inpure thought. We would be made perfect because we would be in the presense of God and all his glory!. But that day has not come yet. But it will come, we are promised this.

This morning time is a chunk of time just for God, no one else is up. no friend of mine would be a wake whenever I do and always be ready to listen, encourage and comfort. We all want to be a friend like that who is always there to help but only God can. Starting the day with a big dose of God has made his presense more strong during the day too. He is like my secret shadow friend. When it is just the 2 of us it is a lot easier to his shadow but as the day moves along and other people and things flood my mind and my vision, his shadow fads among all the other shadows but if trained one can see that God can never be dimed.

What are you committed to?

While working at the Lodge today, it was a chance to listen to a teaching. Actually one of my favorite things. An hour goes by quicker that way.

"Learning to be a Follower" - Rick Whitney Faithwalkers 2004, I borrowed it from Nathan

Somethings that stuck

"it's not about the plays, its about the execution" He was telling a story about the coach at Notre Dame who gave his plays over to the other team but still won the game.

I instantly thought of my own desires to be a leader. I wanted to make plays but didn't even consider the execution part. I have to be able to execute, help out my current leaders before I can become a leader myself. It's not about making plays its also about making them happen. Encouraging the team, make them want to play.

So who are you committed to? God I hope above all else. But what about your commitment to your leaders and even your brothers and sisters. I thought this message was going to talk about following what your leaders tell you, but he touched on something I never thought about.

Commitment to each other. Have I declared my commitment to my brothers and sisters. Am I willing to change my plans to help another to get the job done? I confess no. When asked to do something I wouldn't because I would rather do something else.

God I pray for a change of heart, both mine and my fellow siblings. I pray that we can confess our commitments to each other and stand by them.

Thoughts on Children

So I started working at this daycare in Iowa 2 Thursdays ago(May 26) since then i've had many thoughts regarding children and have yet to write one down r even share them with any one.

God asks us to be like children right. Because we are children, so what does that mean?

- babies love to be held
- when you set them down they start to cry again
- they rely on someone to feed them (parents)
- easy to entertain
- colors and noises and movement are favorites
- eat small pieces

among others, but how can we apply these to our own lives

- being held by God should be the best thing ever.
- we cry because we think that God(our parent) doesn't love us anymore and is leaving us, but in reality God will never leave us and he will always love us
- We can't survive with out God to feed us with the holy Spirit, with wisdom. it's something we cry(pray) for and can't ever get on our own
- we should just be thankful for what God has put before us, it may just be a little red ball but there is so much you can do with a little red ball. No really look at the skills God has given you, he gave them to you for a reason.
- All I've got to say is thunderstorms, rainbows, flowers, waterfalls, mountains, animals, sun, stars. These are things God gave us for enjoyment
- God teaches you and gives you wisdom a little at a time otherwise you would choke, think about it? Imagine the hardest lesson you've learned recently and then back to one of your first lessons that at the time you thought was really hard. The suffering gets harder, atleast for me because God teaches us more and strengthens us more through time not all at once. That is why he says he is perfecting us.

I have more but that is all for now

We ARE Children of God

My Story of three Saints

Not really much of a story but for me when God doesn't a specific thing multiple times, three being the magic number. I recognize it as him speaking to me. Well tonight, God did just that all within an hour. He did alot more in that hour also.

We all went to a prayer meeting tonight. We watched this cute little movie You are Special. After watching in small groups we prayed. God placed it on my heart to say something but before I could Eddie prayed. While focusing on what he was saying rather than focusing on what I will say when he was done. Eddie exactly what I was going to say. "God I understand your love for us/me in my mind but God I pray that I can know your love in my heart"

Later Pastor Pat and folks from CSU prayed on top of this parking garage that over looks the city. Loren started to pray and I was sort of in my own selfish world but God lead me to listen what he had to say. And sure enough it was yet another pray that was on my heart that second. "God how can you use such a worthless person, I have nothing to offer, yet you are calling me, I pray you break done any barriers of doubt that I have"

Three times hits the spot. Bryan was praying and I was off in my own world. God placed on my heart the song "not to us but to your name be the glory" I was contemplating what to say with that. but God spoke through Bryan using that song.

This is amazing to me! The way God works through those around us and also how we are all one with the Spirit.

While I was contemplating these three prayers I put them together. God's Love for us, our in abilities, glory be to God. They all work together. God loves us and will work through are weaknesses and in turn it will glorify God and not us because God is the one that performed the amazing endeavor.

Praise God

Never felt so broken

Friday if you saw me past 5 , was the hardest point. Like Megan said on the hike yesterday "Just imagine how great the reward will be at the end, if the last part wasn't the steepest it wouldn't be as rewarding" That thought reminded me of my broken self Friday night. Friday was such a weary day, with all the packing and not to mention everyone was slowly leaving. I felt like my world was crumbling down. The past week I was drifting from God and so even though we are promised that he is always there I felt too far and so as my world was falling I was falling too. I just wanted a sturdy rock to stand on. Because on top of this all I was having doubts on whether to go to Seattle. Back and forth I went. I just wanted the ground to stop shaking. I finshed with the room and checked out but still I was not at peace. As tears flooded my face I was comforted by many but that resulted in just more tears because I was going to be far from them, shortly. The tears stopped about half an hour before the Rock but once the worship songs started I was back in tears. I don't remember all the songs but they all spoke to me, I found myself praying to God for comfort. I was then reminded of the prayer I made that morning that like the song says "not from pain, sorrow or care, freedom dare I claim" So there I was in the deepest sorrow I have had, But finally finding Joy and peace with God. Like a loving sister reminded me of "May the God ofhope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" - Romans 15:13. After crashing at a friends house, falling asleep to a chic flick and waking up after a wonderful sleep, My tired eyes were still a little sore but I was joyful. Even though I didn't go to Seattle God was not disappointed with me, I was joyful.

Now I'm at Michele's house. Helping her clean up for a Graduation Party for her brothers and going on hikes and runs. And since I won't ever be free from pain until Heaven, I sit here with a sore butt, quads and of course my aching heals but I'm thankful.

A surprise lesson and an answered prayer all in one

About a week ago I was scrolling through my small group pictures planning to pick out goofy faces to use for something. The thought came to my head "Slide show". Monika's friend CLaire had just visited and had showed us where Windows Movie Maker was. So I started what I thought would be a short little movie that would take maybe a couple hours. Instead it turned into a multiple day project. I ended up making a 30 minute movie.

Wasted time, not quite.

Making this movie first reminded myself of a flaw I didn't think I had and then helped me correct it. Patience. I always thought I had a ton of patience. This past month I've been realizing as soon as the thought crosses my mind that I don't have a particular flaw, God shortly reminds me that I infact have such said flaw. Patience, I discovered, I lack. When making the movie because my computer doesn't have enough memory to handle such a large project, it often crashed which means if you didn't save you are going to have to redo somethings. It crashed many times and I got really frustrated. It was also slow at doing what seemed to me, small tasks. After a couple crashes I learned that I have no patience. But I found peace. "1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10" I would count slowly when it was taking for ever. I also saved quite often.

Patience is important because there is no point in freaking out over something that you have no control over. I also discovered that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, an overlooked fruit I might say. Patience not only in everyday life but also with God. I've waited for God's response many times before. "Wait for the Lord, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" We are promised patience. Even though I'm still not that patient I atleast realized another one of my flaws that Christ covers up, thank you.

It's funny that the lesson I learned before my answered prayer was patience because that is what I needed. I've been waiting many weeks. I prayed that God would put desires on my heart so that I could have some direction in my life. While making the movie I discovered a desire to make movies, not box office movies but little movies like for my small group. I don't know how it might play a role in my life but I can diffently see the potential that this desire be used to glorify God. In fact at prayer this morning they showed a little slideshow thing. I could help the church make slide shows. On sunday we watched a movie about a program they are going to do this summer for kids. I could help make such movies. I could use this desire in a number of ways.

I know this is a long blog but the simple message is, even though I spent many hours making a 30 minute video that won't last for eternity, I was informed of a human flaw of mine and a desire was revealed. God was working in that time, praise him. Not too mention it was a good fun way to finish the year.