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
Monday, June 27, 2005
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
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
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.
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.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
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.
"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.
Monday, June 06, 2005
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
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
Thursday, June 02, 2005
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
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
Monday, May 16, 2005
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
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.
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.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
I'm surrounded by Love, Thanks be to God
Thanks be to a loving roomate who wrote this poem for me
Abra once had a beta named Joy
She was a girl, not a boy
To her Abra would read,
And each day would feed,
Making her the spoiledist fish in town
Joy was a marvelous fish,
Who lived in a decorated dish.
She was blue,
Just like the dew,
And was the most beautiful fish around
(Don't tell Janelle)
Even though she had a scar on her fin,
To everyone who knew her, she was kin.
She had a Mediterranean Rock,
Because she didn't live by a dock,
But her life was the best it could get.
One time when you were out,
Itried to catch Joy like a trout,
But it didn't last,
'cuzz she was too fast,
And don't worry this is only a joke.
Round she went in the porcelain throne
And now to heaven surely she has flown.
In this sad day,
We all had to pray,
for our fellow friend and fish called joy.
Today the beta named Joy is gone,
But forever in our hearts she will live on
Joy is always here,
In everything it brings cheer,
And with God "I will always have Joy."
Abra once had a beta named Joy
She was a girl, not a boy
To her Abra would read,
And each day would feed,
Making her the spoiledist fish in town
Joy was a marvelous fish,
Who lived in a decorated dish.
She was blue,
Just like the dew,
And was the most beautiful fish around
(Don't tell Janelle)
Even though she had a scar on her fin,
To everyone who knew her, she was kin.
She had a Mediterranean Rock,
Because she didn't live by a dock,
But her life was the best it could get.
One time when you were out,
Itried to catch Joy like a trout,
But it didn't last,
'cuzz she was too fast,
And don't worry this is only a joke.
Round she went in the porcelain throne
And now to heaven surely she has flown.
In this sad day,
We all had to pray,
for our fellow friend and fish called joy.
Today the beta named Joy is gone,
But forever in our hearts she will live on
Joy is always here,
In everything it brings cheer,
And with God "I will always have Joy."
Amazing Love
Bow down on your knees because of what the Lord has done for us, me and YOU!!!
Make Jesus your Lord
and sing him praise:
I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That You my king would die for me?
Amazing I know its true
And it's my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
You are my king, You are my king
Jesus, You are my king, Jesus, you are my king
Make Jesus your Lord
and sing him praise:
I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That You my king would die for me?
Amazing I know its true
And it's my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
You are my king, You are my king
Jesus, You are my king, Jesus, you are my king
Friday, April 29, 2005
I will always have Joy
When I wrote that phrase on Joy's, my betta fish, tank I think apart of me thought she would live a long time. But a greater part of me wrote it because I will always have Joy, in Christ. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The reason I'm writing this blog is because my dear betta fish has passed on to the porcelain throne. Some become depressed when death passes their way but I'm choosing Joy and Freedom and Peace because that is what it is promised to me. Her passing has brought me peace and has taught many lessons about this life and has reminded me of the freedom I have in Christ. All of these inturn brought me closer to God and I am thankful and Joyful!
I was anguishing over her illness, the past couple of days have been hard on me, watching her slowly die and consequentlly bringing up memories from my past. She was also my first pet. I also was struggling with guilt that I had because I didn't provide her with all the care she needed and because I often ignored her. But there is peace offered in Jesus Christ. "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way" - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Her passing taught/reminded me that this life is short. Things of this world really do perish and all the reason to store treasures in Heaven because they are imperishable. Death is scary if you don't have heaven to look forward to. There are other things but they aren't coming to mind.
Looking at her mangled body the past couple of weeks each time as reminded me of Christ's mangled body hanging upon that cross. Joy didn't deserve to be inflicted with this disease because I neglected her and didn't fully care for her. Christ didn't deserve the torture and death that he did endure. "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men and do not grow weary and lose heart" - Hebrews 12:3 Christ was the ONLY man who walked this world perfectly, the only one who lived a sin free life yet he died for us. so that we could be in heaven. Joy reminded me of his sacrifice and inturn reminded me that I have freedom.
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalms 118:5-6
Thanks be to God who loves and protects us. Thank you for that little fish that taught me many things that I still have yet to fully realize. Thank you also for answering my prayer in your time.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13
The reason I'm writing this blog is because my dear betta fish has passed on to the porcelain throne. Some become depressed when death passes their way but I'm choosing Joy and Freedom and Peace because that is what it is promised to me. Her passing has brought me peace and has taught many lessons about this life and has reminded me of the freedom I have in Christ. All of these inturn brought me closer to God and I am thankful and Joyful!
I was anguishing over her illness, the past couple of days have been hard on me, watching her slowly die and consequentlly bringing up memories from my past. She was also my first pet. I also was struggling with guilt that I had because I didn't provide her with all the care she needed and because I often ignored her. But there is peace offered in Jesus Christ. "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way" - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Her passing taught/reminded me that this life is short. Things of this world really do perish and all the reason to store treasures in Heaven because they are imperishable. Death is scary if you don't have heaven to look forward to. There are other things but they aren't coming to mind.
Looking at her mangled body the past couple of weeks each time as reminded me of Christ's mangled body hanging upon that cross. Joy didn't deserve to be inflicted with this disease because I neglected her and didn't fully care for her. Christ didn't deserve the torture and death that he did endure. "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men and do not grow weary and lose heart" - Hebrews 12:3 Christ was the ONLY man who walked this world perfectly, the only one who lived a sin free life yet he died for us. so that we could be in heaven. Joy reminded me of his sacrifice and inturn reminded me that I have freedom.
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalms 118:5-6
Thanks be to God who loves and protects us. Thank you for that little fish that taught me many things that I still have yet to fully realize. Thank you also for answering my prayer in your time.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Check out Olney Hyms(John Newton) on www.ccel.org
Hymn 61
John Newton
Power of prayer.
In themselves, as weak as worms,
How can poor believers stand;
When temptations, foes, and storms,
Press them close on every hand?
Weak, indeed, they feel they are,
But they know the throne of grace;
And the God, who answers prayer,
Helps them when they seek his face.
Though the Lord awhile delay,
Succor they at length obtain;
He who taught their hearts to pray,
Will not let them cry in vain.
Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.
Hezekiah on his knees
Proud Assyria's host subdued;
And when smitten with disease,
Had his life by prayer renewed.
Peter, though confined and chained,
Prayer prevailed and brought him out;
When Elijah prayed, it rained,
After three long years of drought.
We can likewise witness bear,
That the LORD is still the same,
Though we feared he would not hear,
Suddenly deliverance came.
For the wonders he has wrought,
Let us now our praises give;
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.
John Newton
Power of prayer.
In themselves, as weak as worms,
How can poor believers stand;
When temptations, foes, and storms,
Press them close on every hand?
Weak, indeed, they feel they are,
But they know the throne of grace;
And the God, who answers prayer,
Helps them when they seek his face.
Though the Lord awhile delay,
Succor they at length obtain;
He who taught their hearts to pray,
Will not let them cry in vain.
Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.
Hezekiah on his knees
Proud Assyria's host subdued;
And when smitten with disease,
Had his life by prayer renewed.
Peter, though confined and chained,
Prayer prevailed and brought him out;
When Elijah prayed, it rained,
After three long years of drought.
We can likewise witness bear,
That the LORD is still the same,
Though we feared he would not hear,
Suddenly deliverance came.
For the wonders he has wrought,
Let us now our praises give;
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.
God in power
God is in control of everthing.
Today at work I found myself unable to log on to windows and instead all I could do was whatever I figured out how to do in UNIX. I never realized how much I trusted on windows, I had no idea what to do. I finally found how to get on the internet and so here I am. But the whole reason I started this second blog was because I realized I don't know had to get to freecell or even if I can. Last week I commented to others about how much time I waste in my life playing freecell and if there was some way of deleting it from the computer I would probably be better off. He responded because I currently have no way of playing freecell. Thank You God.
Today at work I found myself unable to log on to windows and instead all I could do was whatever I figured out how to do in UNIX. I never realized how much I trusted on windows, I had no idea what to do. I finally found how to get on the internet and so here I am. But the whole reason I started this second blog was because I realized I don't know had to get to freecell or even if I can. Last week I commented to others about how much time I waste in my life playing freecell and if there was some way of deleting it from the computer I would probably be better off. He responded because I currently have no way of playing freecell. Thank You God.
Riding the Joy rollercoaster no more!
I'm giving up my ticket, actually I'm ripping it up, I wouldn't want anyone else to have it.
For the past 7 months I've been riding this "Joy Rollercoaster" Which pretty much is this up and down journey from extreme Joyful times to deep moments of sorrow and feeling far from God and back up again. Reading my journal entries is an example of this. One will start with "the Joy is back!" and the next one with a matter of days apart will say "Where are you God?"
But I'm giving up my ticket, I'm no longer going to ride that rollercoaster.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thes. 5:16-18
If joyful always, praying always, thanking always and being connected with God always then my path won't be a rollercoaster.
I've been learning not to trust your feelings but trust God.
Be joyful even during the hard times, joyful doesn't mean haappy!
Thank God for EVERYTHING!!!
Prayer is more powerful than we all realize
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
For the past 7 months I've been riding this "Joy Rollercoaster" Which pretty much is this up and down journey from extreme Joyful times to deep moments of sorrow and feeling far from God and back up again. Reading my journal entries is an example of this. One will start with "the Joy is back!" and the next one with a matter of days apart will say "Where are you God?"
But I'm giving up my ticket, I'm no longer going to ride that rollercoaster.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thes. 5:16-18
If joyful always, praying always, thanking always and being connected with God always then my path won't be a rollercoaster.
I've been learning not to trust your feelings but trust God.
Be joyful even during the hard times, joyful doesn't mean haappy!
Thank God for EVERYTHING!!!
Prayer is more powerful than we all realize
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
God's Time
How long does it take for God to fix things?
One can't answer that question because he fixs things in his own time. After months of drifting I got to the point of hating the bible, hating to worship, hating to pray and unfortunatelly hating some of his people. But God because he is the Almighty one fixed me in a matter of minutes! Yes, during one worship song he brought me to tears and sat me down in the pews at church, during the next worship song he grabbed a hold of my mind and hit me with a hammer multiple times. I was fixed! No Way but I tested. I read the bible, sang worship songs and prayed like I haven't done in a long time. I was smiling too, I was joyful again!
God's power works everyday, he changes everything in his own time. He revealed this to me when he woke me up a 5am to see the bright guiding light of the moon and an array of stars light up the pitch black sky. He woke me up again at 6am to witness a glorious morning, the cool breeze flooded our room, the beautiful song of the birds awoke my soul and the breathtaking scenery opened my sleepy eyes! God changed my view of the world within an hour. Praise Him, Praise his power. He does this to glorify himself not to please us, we were just choosen to play witness to his power, thank you God!
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
This leads to my thoughts about my betta fish Joy. For weeks she wasn't moving much, just sitting at the bottom of her tank. But thanks to Hannah and Lannea and chemicals of course she no longer has ick, she is moving around alot more, the fuzzy thing is off her fin and her water is minty fresh( the chemicals! ). There hasn't been much hope from others but even when I struggled to have hope for myself I was able to have hope for her. God fixed me so why can't he fix her, he can it is just a matter of when and if he even chooses to. The song gratitude by Nicole Nordeman:
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For Lessons earned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please...
I love you all and pray for you everday, I pray God reveals something to you all.
One can't answer that question because he fixs things in his own time. After months of drifting I got to the point of hating the bible, hating to worship, hating to pray and unfortunatelly hating some of his people. But God because he is the Almighty one fixed me in a matter of minutes! Yes, during one worship song he brought me to tears and sat me down in the pews at church, during the next worship song he grabbed a hold of my mind and hit me with a hammer multiple times. I was fixed! No Way but I tested. I read the bible, sang worship songs and prayed like I haven't done in a long time. I was smiling too, I was joyful again!
God's power works everyday, he changes everything in his own time. He revealed this to me when he woke me up a 5am to see the bright guiding light of the moon and an array of stars light up the pitch black sky. He woke me up again at 6am to witness a glorious morning, the cool breeze flooded our room, the beautiful song of the birds awoke my soul and the breathtaking scenery opened my sleepy eyes! God changed my view of the world within an hour. Praise Him, Praise his power. He does this to glorify himself not to please us, we were just choosen to play witness to his power, thank you God!
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
This leads to my thoughts about my betta fish Joy. For weeks she wasn't moving much, just sitting at the bottom of her tank. But thanks to Hannah and Lannea and chemicals of course she no longer has ick, she is moving around alot more, the fuzzy thing is off her fin and her water is minty fresh( the chemicals! ). There hasn't been much hope from others but even when I struggled to have hope for myself I was able to have hope for her. God fixed me so why can't he fix her, he can it is just a matter of when and if he even chooses to. The song gratitude by Nicole Nordeman:
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For Lessons earned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please...
I love you all and pray for you everday, I pray God reveals something to you all.
Friday, April 15, 2005
All by God's Grace
We live by God's Grace. Every second here is by his grace. Everything we have possesion of is by his Grace, every talent/ability we have is by his grace, our character/personality is by his grace, our very existence is by his grace alone! Thank God for evey blessing and even every breath because we do not deserve it. We deserve the worst there is, we deserve hell right now!
Oh what a convection I had yesterday, the worst time for a convection is right before lunch because all I could do is stare at my food because I knew I wasn't deserving of even one garbonzo bean, not even a drop of water. Later in the day when I was driving to the store I almost got side swipped by a jeep. It was by his grace that I didn't.
Thanking him for everything would take our whole life, precisely!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17
Today I thank him for the prayer meeting, the lovely spring morning, the new buds of spring, free printing in the honors office, bagels, being with me during my test, 20 min nap before class, the grace of my WTA, donuts, 5 min nap, loving roomate, showers, a chance to share the gospel with my brothers, your love that can reach others, using us as vessels, your strength/power, getting out of class early just in time to grab some food, short meal outside with Michele, giving me the motivation to go to every class, the change of a inclass final to a take home final, my job and thank you for keeping me wake through this all! Thank you for what you have done in my heart and what you have in plan.
By His Grace alone I write this
With a thankful heart
Oh what a convection I had yesterday, the worst time for a convection is right before lunch because all I could do is stare at my food because I knew I wasn't deserving of even one garbonzo bean, not even a drop of water. Later in the day when I was driving to the store I almost got side swipped by a jeep. It was by his grace that I didn't.
Thanking him for everything would take our whole life, precisely!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17
Today I thank him for the prayer meeting, the lovely spring morning, the new buds of spring, free printing in the honors office, bagels, being with me during my test, 20 min nap before class, the grace of my WTA, donuts, 5 min nap, loving roomate, showers, a chance to share the gospel with my brothers, your love that can reach others, using us as vessels, your strength/power, getting out of class early just in time to grab some food, short meal outside with Michele, giving me the motivation to go to every class, the change of a inclass final to a take home final, my job and thank you for keeping me wake through this all! Thank you for what you have done in my heart and what you have in plan.
By His Grace alone I write this
With a thankful heart
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
A quote is all I can offer
I read some to day and I found this quote I thought you all might find interesting.
"We Canadians know there are two kinds of ice: thick and thin. You can have very little faith in thick ice and it will hold you up just fine; you can have enormous faith in thin ice and you can drown. It's not the amount of faith you can muster that matters up front. It may be tiny, like a mustard seed. But your faith must be invested in something solid." - Lee Strobel Case for Faith
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. [v. 9-11] And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11 NIV
"We Canadians know there are two kinds of ice: thick and thin. You can have very little faith in thick ice and it will hold you up just fine; you can have enormous faith in thin ice and you can drown. It's not the amount of faith you can muster that matters up front. It may be tiny, like a mustard seed. But your faith must be invested in something solid." - Lee Strobel Case for Faith
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. [v. 9-11] And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11 NIV
Monday, April 04, 2005
Small Glimpse of Heaven
Stephen and I while climbing around Horstetooth which was fun in itself, not only found a really cool cave but we also witnessed a beautiful sunset. I would only fail at trying to describe it but just take my word for it I've never seen anything like it! The rain clouds, the light, the reflection on the reservoir and the cool breeze. This beauty isn't even close to what heaven will be like also it only lasted for but a few minutes and heaven is for eternity! No matter how uneventful my day was that little bit made it the best day! Every time you see a sunrise or sunset just look at it and enjoy it's beauty, the beauty of God!
Sweet Dreams you all!
Sweet Dreams you all!
The First
The first posting should be the best. Well at least something that is eye catching. Something that makes you want to read all my postings. How is this:
(insert cool posting here!)
I hope you enjoyed!
(insert cool posting here!)
I hope you enjoyed!
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