Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I'm listening

This morning was one of those days where I was more than a little reluctant to discipline myself to spend time studying God's Word. Lately it seems that it's so much easier to turn on the T.V. and indulge myself in whatever show is on than to feed myself spiritually.
So after a few minutes of just sitting there idly I just started talking to God. I usually refrain from calling these moments of random words 'prayer' because in my legalistic (not sure if that's the right word) mind prayer has to be about 'spiritual' requests or concerns. But this time just found me telling God what I knew about Him and that in my confusion and laziness that I was having a hard time "taking up my cross" today.
Flipping through my Bible I stopped in the underlined verses of Jeremiah 29. I admit that I kinda skipped over vs 11 but it was vs 12 that was meant for me today.
"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."
He listens to me! It doesn't matter what I'm saying, but He listens. He cares enough about me, not just me when I'm 'spiritual' but me, in confusion and frustration.
I then began flipping to familiar passages like Isaiah 41:13 where I see the shepherding nature of God.
"I take hold of your right hand and tell you to not fear, for I will help you"
No longer is God absent- only interested in me when I come with it all together.
I then thought about Isaiah 42:16 when He promises to "guide me along unfamiliar paths"
I'm neither required nor expected to know what I'm doing or where I'm going!
So even today- a lazy (relaxing?) summer day; when I'm battling spiritual discipline in the form of turning off the T.V., not eating another Reese's, and in all things keeping my eyes on Him (Proverbs 4:25), God will fight for me! Exodus 4:14 was such a beautiful reminder that God fights my battles- all of them!
We talk, He listens, I let go of my burdens, and the Most High God steps in on my behalf!
There are so many scriptures I could reference that God has brought so pointedly to my heart today but that would just be a feeble effort compared to what He has to show you personally.
Take heart that He truly is listening to you today!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

it's a Kodak moment- let me go and get my camera

It's been 19 days since my last post. not ok.
Don't worry though, those past 19 days have been filled with a whole bunch of nothing!
That's not entirely true, but compared to fast-paced life in Knoxville, it's all been good.
Family time is always nice and I'm always going to make a point to not wish it away for more 'exciting' things. (As if it could get any crazier than you, mom and dad)
Trying to play catch up on things from these past few weeks would be unimportant but ....I will tell you about my idea for this summer.
Now, it remains to be determined if this idea is either great or just really dumb. Regardless, I have decided to document each day with a picture. Ideally, this would be a picture that well represents that day's happenings but unfortunately, me being absent minded, I often forget to take the picture until the end of the day so it ends up being a picture of dad mom and I crowded together on the couch... But I do think that this has potential. either way I'm doing it. and thankfully I haven't completely forgotten a day... yet.
Anyways, the bachelorette begins tonight so once again I am expecting to get sucked into a show that I'd be just as good, if not better off, without.
Oh and also, today is my sister and her hubby's two year anniversary- very exciting!!
And in case you didn't catch it the title is a little line from 'sexy can I'. fit's in well doesn't it.
Keep smiling = )

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

look up

This afternoon I was sitting at a registration table in the children's area of my church. I love being around children! It's something that hasn't happened much since I've been in college.

The children came in rambunctious and their parents came in tired but smiling, perhaps out of relief or perhaps it's excitement to be in church. Either way it was clear that they were on a mission: to get their kids checked in and head on to their other activities.
I didn't think anything of this until a particular family came in and one child stated to his mother, in a tone of wonder that had a slight command to it, "woah look up!". Our church has an elaborate sky light- is probably the best way I could put it- at the entrance of the children's ministry. This kid had probably walked into this area 50 times, much like we all have, but today while he was enjoying his walk in something caught his eye.
Perhaps it's that kids can get away with being noticeably captivated by something. To stop and simply look at the ceiling- who does that? Now I'm not saying walk into your drop-ceiling basement and stare at it like you would the constellations ... come on now. But I would like to be more observant. If nothing else there's probably cobwebs that have gone unnoticed for the year I've lived here.
I just love that something that would be considered so taboo for an adult is common practice for children. And I guess a verse that would be appropriate is 1 Timothy 4:12. While it's often quoted to younger students I would like to say it to us 'grown-ups' but in a slightly different way: 'Don't look down on anyone because they are young, but let them also be an example to you in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.'

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Thousands upon Thousands

John wrote of heaven in Revelation 5:11 "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne."
This weekend I was able to go to a Christian conference in Atlanta. One of my favorite things was the time we were worshipping together in the main session. Praising Jesus in the presence of 1,000 other people reminded me of this verse in Revelation. What a beautiful thing to proclaim the blood of Jesus and to see other sinners professing in clinging to the same salvation and oh what it will be like to proclaim this before our Savior! And not only that but in the presence of 'ten thousand times ten thousand'!!
I had the thought that maybe one day- around the throne- I will be able to sit on top of my mansion, that He built for me, and simply soak in the sight!

I know this is a short post, and there could be so many more words said but I think that you are fully capable of letting your imagination dwell on this incredible thought from here = )

Until that day!!!