Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1.29.2010

Be the change you wish to see in the world

I reflect back on the last week and half and how each day I have felt different emotions. A comforting peace and sure of my decision and then the next day my heart physically hurts like it is breaking into a million pieces. I am confident in the choice I have made, but I do need to reassure myself that this is the path God wants me to take.
After breaking it off with Daniel God has been working in my heart and stirring up Africa again…I so long to be there at this moment maybe just to get away from all this hurting, but God has His timing and I fully trust Him to get me there when it’s time. I have been pushing on a few doors though with no avail.

The last year and a half has been quite a journey…it started when I went to South Dakota in September 2008 to take care of grandma and grandpa. I think because it was the first time I was actually away from my parents is why the journey began. Reflecting back on everything brings a rush of so many memories and emotions its hard to grasp them all. The pain and the happiness. I think the biggest thing was how my spiritual journey was effected…

I think the lack of fellowship, my poor choices, and experience while I was away from home impacted me more then I thought. So much in that I came to a state where I couldn’t feel the closeness of my Savior. Sure when I went to a bible study or church and worshiped I would on occasion, but my personal spirituality was severely lacking. I couldn’t pray. I couldn’t read the Bible. I felt stuck, I was stuck. And don’t get me wrong I tried to do these things. What it came down to was a sin in my life I wasn’t viewing with the hated we as believers should have towards sin, that among the other things. When I got home from my second trip to SD this past Christmas, I was back in my beloved church where the Holy Spirit is clearly working, attending BSF where we are studying the book of John, and going back to the college study I’ve been in. Being convicted to confess my sin before the throne of grace and repenting I felt restored, it is still a working progress though.

The thing that really spoke to me were the chapters in the book of John BSF was doing at the time I came back.

From John chapter 9: Many time God gives us suffering in our lives in order to awaken our spirits.

From John chapter 10: Talks about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and how once we are His sheep no one can snatch us from out of His hand. He is holding onto me. I am secure in Him.

So during the time I felt I was so far from Christ…He was still holding onto me, not giving up, just patiently loving His child.

Another verse that keep coming up in my readings and lectures I attend was Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” That is where God started speaking to me…just to be still and once I did He showed be the above truths reassuring me.

He never let’s go! Through the calm and through the storm, HE NEVER LETS GO OF ME!


Now where am I…? God has told me to go to Africa to be a part of getting Reliv over there. I found a ring at the dept store last week. It is a simple silver band with a twist in it and the words engraved on it are “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I wear it now to remind me of this calling and how may not be able to change the world, but I can be that change.

1.24.2010

The Only Thing That's Beautful In Me

Just like the oceans
You crash on me

Just like a tidal wave
You ruin me

Just like a hurricane
You devastate everything that needs to change

You are the only thing that's beautiful in me
Beautiful in me
You are the only thing that's beautiful in me
Beautiful in me

Just like a mountain peak
You lift me up

Just like a desert stream
You fill my cup

And like a heart that beats
You are the blood that covers me
You cover me

You are the only thing that's beautiful in me
Beautiful in me
You are the only thing that's beautiful in me
Beautiful in me

And all I can say is thank You,
Lord,
Thank You.


By: Rush of Fools

1.21.2010

Praying for a family in N.C. I never met or even know, but they are my family in Christ

" . . . is so thankful I serve a Sovereign God who holds life and death in His hands."
That is a really good truth I thought to myself as I was scrolling through my friends status' on facebook. I "LIKE" and clicked. It was cool cause I was recently being reminded in biblestudy of God's Sovereignty.

15 minutes later the same friends changed her status again...

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.'" John 11:25-26 In the eyes of the world Aimee died today...but really she just started to live...all of eternity with the Savior she loved.

Hmm, I wonder who Aimee is. I had a lingering thought in my head if she was my friend's Grandmother or something. Out of curiousity I just searched her friends and the name Aimee Powell came up, but I couldn't see anything on her profile cause I wasn't friends. So I went to Allison Powell's profile and her wall was open. I scrolled down countless post from people who said they were praying for her and her sister and I was like oh my goodness what happened. Then I read Allison's status:

"Our sweet Aimee is finally finding all the rest she needs with her Savior. I feel blessed to have been close by and to hold her hand. Thank you for all your support. I'm being so well taken care of by family and friends. Prayers are still much appreciated as my family flies in and we have a lot to do in the coming days."

Just 10 hours before her status read:

"Allison Powell still somehow knows that God's in control, but we really need a miracle. Pray for my sister. She was in a car wreck and it will take a miracle"

My heart went out to her and her family. Oh my goodness. Then I found the news article and I was crying. Aimee was 25 years old, a fourth grade school teacher. I hurt for her family.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/22302342/detail.html

But then I read the facebook status' again. Aimee was in her Savior's arms! And her family would see her again! I sent Allison a message telling her I was praying. I don't even know her she is just a mutal friend on facebook, but she is a fellow believer and my sister in Christ.

It is still hard to think about though. How fleeting is this life! She was just on her way to work, probably expecting a regular day maybe getting excited that tomorrow would be friday and then the weekend. She was 25. As far as I could tell she wasn't married. But her life here on earth ended, just like that!

But as my friend on facebook said, she just started living the life of eternity on the arms of the Savior she loved.
I went back to my friend's status and clicked "LIKE"

Please pray for the Powell Family, that they may be comforted in their grief and encouraged that Aimee is at rest with the Savior.