tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64553591295906442722024-02-18T21:10:44.601-08:00'tis a journeyconnecting head knowledge with what's in my heartAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-85472218149689203442015-01-08T21:54:00.000-08:002015-01-08T21:54:50.081-08:002015: "Open"<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>OPEN</u></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1) Allowing access, passage, or a view
through an empty space; not closed or blocked up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2) To move (as a door) from a closed position.</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">I will
open my hands, will open my heart! I will open my hands, will open my heart! I
am nodding my head an emphatic yes to all that You have for me! - Sara Groves,
"Open My Hands"</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Hello, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">As I picture the word
"open," I see green fields stretching out in every direction, tall
grass, and sunlight pouring down in the special glimmering way that you view through a camera as it catches the sun's rays. The temperature is warm
with the most perfect of breezes.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">And I see a girl in a white,
flowing summer dress walking through that field, sometimes running, and then
just twirling around, enjoying the sun with her arms outstretched and her hands
wide open.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">And I want that girl to be
me...someone who doesn't hold back and is:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">-open with what she's been given</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">-open to all the adventures God leads her in</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">-open with her career</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">-open to God's timing</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">-open to giving of her time and
talents</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">-open to saying "no"
to her selfish desires<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">My words for 2014 were “Come
Along” from Song of Solomon 2:10 – “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and
come along.” (In prior years, I chose “Blessed”
and “Trust,” all of them stories for another time, and all of this because of
Joanna Wang’s inspiration). I didn’t
know that as 2014 unfolded, God would call us to so many new things, nor did I
expect my heart to be so resistant at times.
God said, “Come Along” to a move to NorCal, a season of joblessness, that
thing called ‘fundraising,’ and a new group of students and staff to interact
with. I won’t deny that there were times
of frustration and doubt and tears.
There were also periods of excitement for change and new
adventures. Looking back at all of this,
I am reminded that God is faithful; He hears prayers and answers them. As God said “Come Along,” I saw Him provide
funding, housing, and a job, among many other things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">As 2015 starts and I sit here on
the couch typing away, I LOVE my life. I
love where we live, I love our home, I love being married to Cavin, I love my
job, and I love the weather in NorCal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">In fact, I think I love it all a
little too much. I hold most of these
things with closed hands, as if I could protect things from changing or as if I
had control over them. I know I’m not in
charge of any of it, and it hurts to realize that after all these years of
walking with Jesus, I still try to control things and doubt His good sovereignty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Even though it was clearly God
who gave me this job in September, my heart really wants to work here until I
retire, and I’m resistant to thoughts about moving. I know we’re in full-time ministry, and that
involves change. But guys, I really love
this job; it’s my <i>dream job</i> here in
NorCal. Yet <u>I know God has always
provided and led me in paths that prove to be more fruitful than where I came
from</u>, even though the journey has uncomfortable moments. And I love being in ministry; I wouldn’t
trade it for anything. But honestly
there are times where I just want to be settled for good. In these times, I remind myself of truth and
the path God is leading us on. <b>I want to hold my job with open hands.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I love my husband a lot
too. Sometimes I ask myself
whether I love him more than God, and I am often convicted that I do. He is so good to me, takes care of me so tenderly,
and serves me daily. I don’t actively
worry about it, but sometimes the thought crosses my mind that I don’t ever
want anything bad to happen to him, and I get worried because the future is
unknown. I don’t know what paths God has
for us to walk down, but in every step I want to say, “Jesus, You are my first
love,” as I walk hand-in-hand with my husband, learning how to respect him and
love him more deeply. <b>I want to hold my husband with open hands.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I love where we live. Davis is the most adorable small town, and I’ve
always wanted to live in a small town (maybe I’ve been too influenced by
Gilmore Girls). Really though, where
else can you see toddlers bike riding?
Babies bike out of the womb here.
I love our home and how cozy we’ve made it with our thrift store and
Craigslist finds and the twinkle lights strung around the living room. I could see raising kids here; I’d <i>want</i> to raise kids here. Life just seems so good, and I don’t want to
let go of it. <b>I want to hold my life with open hands.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Lastly, ever since getting
married, I have learned more every day how selfish I am, whether it’s with my
time, talents, gifts, or possessions.
When I have
time off of work, I want to do things that make me happy. Sometimes I don’t feel like investing my time
in college ministry. I’m not very
generous with money. I don’t like going
to the gym. In all of these things I see
my selfishness, and I don’t want to live this way anymore. This year I choose to be open and to grow in
selflessness in each of these areas. Praise
the Lord that I have such a generous husband, so that I can learn to be more
giving! <b>I want to hold my time, talents, gifts, and possessions with open
hands.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">If there’s anything I’ve learned
in 2014 that I want to apply in this new year, it’s saying yes when God says, “Come
along with open hands, daughter.”</span></u><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">
His ways are always good and His love is unending. I have experienced it time and again. I have so many testimonies of His greatness
and provision. I’m sure 2015 will unfold
with many more opportunities to sing the praises of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I want this to be a year that I
am poured out for others. I want
this to be a year in which I look confidently to the future because God has always
been faithful. So today I say, “God,
here I am. I’m open for You to use me
however You see fit, and I am convinced that Your guidance is best for me. I will open my hands and my heart to all that
You have for me.”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-22960337314432669932013-05-22T15:00:00.001-07:002013-05-22T15:00:03.786-07:00c-o-n-t-e-n-t-m-e-n-t<b><span style="color: purple;">Contentment.</span></b><br />
<br />
I struggle with this SO MUCH. I get to the point where I think I have it mostly under control, where I end up wondering, "How can I possibly have to learn this lesson all over again?"<br />
<br />
I so desperately want to be where Paul was at when he said, <span style="color: purple;">"...I have <i>learned</i> to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Philippians 4:11)</span><br />
<br />
I realize it's a<b> learning process</b>, that there will be multiple opportunities that God gives me to practice contentment. My current situation is another lesson in the subject of contentment. I spent a wonderful weekend in Foresthill with my fiance and his family, and I absolutely loved being there with them. I didn't spend much time in the Word over the weekend, but I was humbled and blessed by God's grace in giving me a heart of peace as we drove to the Sacramento airport for my flight. I didn't cry. I meditated on Paul's learning to be content while I was sitting at the airport. I spent more time in the Word on the flight. I got home, cleaned my room, talked with my mom on the phone, and went to class at the hospital. From there I went to Lifegroup. It was just so go, go, go! that I didn't have time to contemplate contentment much.<br />
<br />
But on days like today, with very little going on, there is time for my emotions to seem stronger than usual and for me to really contemplate what's going on in the depths of my heart.<br />
<br />
I want my contentment to be founded solely in Christ. <b> I want Him to consume me so much that I have every desire and longing satisfied in Him.</b> But sometimes I long for other things or people. I don't want my contentment to be based on future earthly events that I am eagerly anticipating. Lord, please transform my heart to cry out,<span style="color: purple;"> "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:25-26</span><br />
<br />
It's just so hard in the moment. <b>But I will press on, my God is here with me, and He is mightily at work.</b><br />
<br />
How do I go about learning contentment?<br />
<br />
I will meditate on God's truths. Memorize, repeat...meditate on them in the night watches at the hospital.<br />
<br />
1) <span style="color: purple;">"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11</span><b> [In Christ I have everything I need, and in Him I am content]</b><br />
<br />
2) <span style="color: purple;">...Being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6 </span><b> [Because the Lord is my helper, I am content]</b><br />
<br />
3) <span style="color: purple;">"Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:25-26 </span><b>[The strength of my heart is drawn from the Lord - He is my portion]</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>Jesus, please help me to learn contentment, to sit at Your feet, to rest in You, to be fully and completely satisfied in You no matter where I'm at in life.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-11852916422503971462013-03-16T15:03:00.001-07:002013-03-16T15:03:49.274-07:00Psalm 111<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love moments when I turn to Psalms and God so graciously points me to one that is very much what I need to hear, one that points me to Him and gets my eyes off of my circumstances.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Encouragements for my heart:</span><br />
<br />
Praise the Lord!<br />
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,<br />
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.<br />
Great are the works of the Lord;<br />
They are studied by all who delight in them.<br />
Splendid and majestic is His work,<br />
And His righteousness endures forever.<br />
He has made His wonders to be remembered;<br />
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.<br />
He has given food to those who fear Him;<br />
He will remember His covenant forever.<br />
He has made known to His people the power of His works,<br />
In giving them the heritage of the nations.<br />
<br />
The works of His hands are truth and justice;<br />
All His precepts are sure.<br />
They are upheld forever and ever;<br />
They are performed i truth and uprightness.<br />
He has sent redemption to His people;<br />
He has ordained His covenant forever;<br />Holy and awesome is His name.<br />
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;<br />
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;<br />
His praise endures forever.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to be a part of bringing Him the praise that endures forever.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-68255110375199276722012-12-01T11:04:00.000-08:002012-12-01T11:04:52.949-08:00what does a nurse do all day?<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it's so hard to describe what a nurse does in the span of a 12-hour shift. sure, i take care of four patients and their families, coordinate their care, get them what they need, document everything, administer medications, empty urinals/hats, answer call lights, talk to doctors, and bring cranberry juice or jello when people want it. but it's more than that, and this is one of the ways i know how to explain it...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">here are snapshots into my first week as an RN:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-as i was taking vital signs, this little guy was singing Katy Perry's "Firework" song to himself as he watched TV. i couldn't help but smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-a girl in rehab had a full-on conversation with me, to the surprise of her therapist. people with improving conditions make my eyes tear up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-there was this little toddler who said some of the cutest things, and i couldn't help laughing because she was so adorable. she said, "stop laughing!" with the cutest, serious pout. that only led to more laughter. sorry, sweetie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-i put the movie "Brave" in the DVD player multiple times for a teenage guy. who knew guys were so into Disney movies?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-i met the nicest most loving mom who had a child with a chronic condition that required continuous care. she said that the way their life was now was normal to them, and they wouldn't trade him for anything...they love him to death. such family loyalty makes me want to cry. she gave me a hug at the end of the shift. i love hugs from patients and their families!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-sometimes you take care of patients whose parents are nurses and that can be intimidating. but this one family was so nice. the mom told me, "thanks for taking care of us. you're the best!" things like this make my day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-there are certain things that we don't normally carry on the floor. but when a mom with a super active infant wants some syrup and applesauce, it's totally my pleasure to scour the unit to find some for her. mission successful. also, holding the baby so she can get some rest cannot be called work! i love chubby babies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-i love being able to teach things, like how IV pumps work, what certain conditions entail, information people need to know to be discharged, how the doctors' rounds work...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and i have a job that lets me love people and serve them and i pretty much get to wear pajamas (aka scrubs) all day. what's not to love?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-80652618174411312872012-10-02T17:32:00.003-07:002012-10-02T17:32:42.007-07:00over and out.the nclex is over. it's over. it's over. i still can't believe it. it ended around 1300 after 75 questions.<br />
<br />
shouldn't i pick up that review book upstairs and start reading it? shouldn't i answer some practice questions?<br />
<br />
nope.<br />
<br />
[THANK YOU, LORD!]Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-53330069730348090382012-09-29T22:03:00.000-07:002012-09-29T22:03:01.546-07:00hello nclex.in just three days i will be taking the biggest, hardest test of my life, aka the NCLEX.<br />
<br />
breathe in, breathe out.<br />
<br />
"hello, nclex. i really hope we can be friends!" (shake hands, give the NCLEX a warm cup of coffee, a fresh pastry, a warm blanket, a crackling fire, anything anything anything that will promote friendship)<br />
<br />
breathe in, breathe out.<br />
<br />
but really seriously, NCLEX, what would you like? i can share with you random facts about the renal system or different classifications for antihypertensive drugs...or perhaps you're more interested in details about labor and delivery or why infants receive a Vitamin K injection after birth?<br />
<br />
no fear, no worry. why? because my God is bigger than the NCLEX. He's written me so many verses on the topic of fear and anxiety, so many beautiful truths that i want to permeate my thoughts with as i face this 75 to 265 question test.<br />
<br />
i want to be flooded with peace during this possibly-6-hour-long test. i will not worry what the future holds, because i know Who holds the future.<br />
<br />
thanksgiving & prayer --> peace. (phil. 4:6-7)<br />
<br />
Jesus, this test is Yours. It's in Your hands, Your capable hands. And I'm in Your hands too. That's a peaceful thought!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-71276694613385098192012-09-22T12:46:00.000-07:002012-09-22T12:46:24.107-07:00beginnings<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i'm at viento y agua right now, studying for the nclex. i got a medium iced coffee with a shot of caramel syrup for here, which means it comes in a cute glass jar. the little ice cube squares tinkle against the sides of the jar and a generous splash of half-and-half makes such a lovely picture.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">this crazy love for coffee got me thinking about where it started.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when i was little, we spent a lot of time with our good friend mrs. kelley. she would cut our hair, teach us how to feed dogs biscuits and not be afraid of them, let me eat grapefruit with sugar, learn how to dissect animals in 2nd grade and peel skin off a frog, ride horses, watch 'where the red fern grows,' and see puppies be born, among a myriad of lovely childhood memories. she also introduced me to my love for all things kiwi-jam-related. the first time i ate kiwi jam at her house, i loved it so incredibly much that i literally licked a drop off the table (it may have been my plate, but i think it was the table). i was reprimanded for that, but i also got to take home a jar of jam. instant love.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">well, i think she is where my obsession for coffee began (did i just say obsession? um yes, it's true). she would always have a cup of coffee near her. i remember it being in a white mug with that creamy look of deliciousness from the milk or cream she would add to it. and her breath always smelled so sweetly and distinctly of coffee. that may be weird, but i absolutely adore coffee breath.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and now i love coffee.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and she bakes and cooks all the time. i think that rubbed off on me too, but that's another story.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">thank you, mrs. kelley.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-75339814063888989002012-09-08T21:05:00.003-07:002012-09-08T21:05:32.445-07:00the wedding ring of faithMartin Luther, must you be so cool??<br />
<br />
Just read what he said:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-small;">By the wedding ring of faith, [Christ, the bridegroom] shares in the sins, death, and pains of hell which are his bride’s. As a matter of fact, he makes them his own and acts as if they were his own and as if he himself had sinned; he suffered, died, and descended into hell that he might overcome them all.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How cool to think of faith being our wedding ring to Christ!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;">Here this rich and divine bridegroom Christ marries this poor, wicked harlot, redeems her from all her evil, and adorns her with all his goodness. Her sins cannot now destroy her, since they are laid upon Christ and swallowed up by him. And she has that righteousness in Christ, her husband, of which she may boast as of her own and which she can confidently display alongside her sins in the face of death and hell and say, “If I have sinned, yet my Christ, in whom I believe, has not sinned, and all his is mine and all mine is his,” as the bride in the Song of Solomon [2:16] says, “My beloved is mine and I am his.”</span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus, I love You. I am Yours and You are mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.666666984558105px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank You, thank You, thank You!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-90959543302617255752012-09-03T22:44:00.000-07:002012-09-03T22:44:06.409-07:00rejoicing in the moment<span style="color: #a64d79;">there are so many new puzzle pieces in life right now!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">new roommates, no school, studying for the NCLEX, teaching new sign language classes, different involvement in ministry, pretty open days, seeing the boyfriend once a week, spending time in new coffee shops, studying on the couch, hanging out with friends.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">this morning i met with the sweet woman who is discipling me, and she encouraged me to love and enjoy every moment of the season of life that i'm in now.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">i want to do that. i want to rejoice in the Lord in every one of these circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">and i realized i can enjoy all of this, i can revel in every moment, i can experience all of this change and newness all at once. it doesn't have to be compartmentalized. i think it might make my mind explode, but i want to experience every new moment with open eyes and an eager heart.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">this is exciting.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">"...Now I declare new things..." Isaiah 42:9</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-8129115743626273112012-08-24T00:12:00.001-07:002012-08-24T00:12:56.166-07:00Ready, Set...Go?I was so ready this morning to start <i>doing something</i> that requires lots of time and energy and focus... the opposite of where I felt I was (discontent that I had nothing to do and all around me people had stuff going on). I wanted to start my job at the hospital so that I would have something to be busy with (even then, I don't want to be busy with nursing just to be 'busy').<br />
<br />
That time will come soon enough.<br />
<br />
Right now is a time to wait on the Lord. He's called me to soak up His presence. I have practically nothing but intense NCLEX studying until November. My mornings can be spent in His Word with almost no time constraints.<br />
<br />
My calling right now: draw closer to Jesus.<br />
<br />
(Oh, and study a mountain of nursing books)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-79087787886319205252012-08-20T11:31:00.001-07:002012-08-20T11:31:14.875-07:00Disappointments<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Someone once said, "Disappointments are God's way of saying, 'I have something better for you.'"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But for me, disappointments are far more than just that. They are somewhat of an alarm, a call for me to evaluate myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Who or what am I trusting in?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I need to constantly rely on my God who is working all things for His glory and my good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="color: #a64d79;">Proverbs 16:9 - The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The Lord directs my steps for that very purpose described above!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> God's plans are infinitely better than mine are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I want His ways over what I could humanly dream up or desire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="color: #a64d79;">Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span>I need to trust Him for what He has planned tomorrow, five days from now, and ten years in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Then, am I choosing to glorify God in this situation?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I need to not complain and instead be content with present circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Look at the good in what happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Maybe I was able to spend more time with people I love. Maybe I was able to rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Look for the lessons God wanted to teach me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> By going through the steps listed above!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Take them to heart, allow God to change me, be moldable clay in the hand of the Potter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He is my God, and I will trust Him no matter what happens.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-7612655066480288792012-08-20T10:37:00.002-07:002012-08-20T10:37:15.681-07:00Isaiah 62Today (8/14/12) is Isaiah 62.<br />
<br />
<i>For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,</i><br />
<i>And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet,</i><br />
<i>Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,</i><br />
<i>And her salvation like a torch that is burning.</i><br />
<br />
I picture the Lord saying that He will not be silent, that He will not give up on me, until I get to the point where He has begun the good work He began in me and righteousness and salvation are perfected. [Jesus, even when my heart is so distraught and not eager to learn, would You please continue to speak to me, to pour into me and not be silent? I want to learn more of You, Jesus!] He loves me enough to shout and call out and whisper and encourage me as He makes me more into the person He designed me to be. At coffee with a friend this morning, she mentioned how she loves that God never gives up on doing the things that are His absolute best for us; He never makes mistakes. (And I just met this girl this morning - what a treasure she is!) Another friend posted this quote on her blog this morning that was something Lila Trotman once said: <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Pray that God will make you a woman of His, no matter the cost."</span></span> [God, no matter what the cost, would You make me into a woman after Your own heart? That's who I want to become! If this situation right now is what You need to make me more like You, then I accept it.]<br />
<br />
God speaks of Zion as being <i>"a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God" (verse 3).</i> [Lord, You treasure me this much? Wow!]<br />
<br />
<i>It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken,"</i><br />
<i>Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate";</i><br />
<i>But you will be called, "My delight is in her,"</i><br />
<i>And your land, "Married";</i><br />
<i>For the Lord delights in you,</i><br />
<i>And to Him your land will be married. (verse 4)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
So comforting. Thank You, Lord, for the encouragements!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-69182695265938463692012-07-23T08:53:00.000-07:002012-07-23T08:53:51.497-07:00where i'm at {and the truths that comfort my heart}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;">It's hard to miss people. As I was putting away a long-overdue basket of clean clothes last night, I pondered what it was that I really miss about having people I like be far away. It's the lack of shared experiences, of time spent together. And even when time is spent together over the phone or Skype, it's catching each other up on non-shared experiences that have occurred. That of course creates a shared experience, but it's just not the same as actually having coffee together or walking at school or driving somewhere.</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Despite all of my human, selfish emotions and self-pity, God so graciously spoke to me through His Word this morning. Isaiah 50:10 seems to sum up the lesson of the summer:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"...Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on His God."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Who am I to turn to in these difficulties? The Lord. What is to be my response to times where my heart hurts? Trust Him. Rely on Him. {how does it seem so simple and straightforward, yet so difficult to do?}</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">When I don't like the situations I'm in, Lord, please let my heart's cry be that of Jesus' in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:39. He was facing the biggest trial ever. Lord, in these small things, please help me to be faithful and say,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"...yet not as I will, but as You will."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">In Jeremiah 31:25, the Lord speaks of how He meets everyone in their time of need, and I've seen that this morning.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Thank you for refreshing my heart, Jesus, for strengthening me in my weariness. Please empower me with Your strength to finish well.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-91256913037973091892012-07-11T23:08:00.003-07:002012-07-11T23:11:01.846-07:00lessons of the summer (part 1)<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i've come a little past the middle of the summer.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and i thought i would be a lot stronger than i was when the summer started.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but in actuality, it's as if this point in summer is just as hard, if not harder, than the beginning of the summer was.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the waiting has been long. it feels like even though 6 weeks have passed (and there are only 3 weeks until the moment i'm counting down to and 5 weeks until the other moment), that the waiting is just as hard and seems just as long. it's hard to look back and see the victories and lessons God has taught me so far. it's hard to keep moving forward with an eager heart to learn more lessons from God. i think i've been stuck in a bit of a stagnant pool. (that's one of the grossest mental images i can think of).</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but it's time to move forward! what lessons has God taught me this summer? in each of these areas, i can still continue to grow, and I <i><u>want</u> </i>to still grow.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Priorities</b>. Am I putting the good in place of the best? Is Jesus my #1 priority in life? How am I exhibiting that in the way I live? Am I showing that I treasure Him above all else?</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day I read Psalm 27, and verse 4 stood out so clearly. The Lord is all that matters. Even if I had nothing else in life but the Lord, I would be satisfied, fulfilled, whole. How i want to long for the Lord above all else! If I chose a life verse, it would be this verse:</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<i> <span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.</span></i><br />
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 46:9-10 holds many reasons why I want to know the Lord. There is no one who is His equal. He knows all that will happen and has happened. His purpose will prevail. How I want my heart to be in tune with His!</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> "...For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.'" Isaiah 46:9-10</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Loving others</b>. God has put it on my heart so much that I need to love people the way that He loves them. There needs to be genuine, Christ-like love exhibited in my actions. I've realized that the way I want to love people is not necessarily the way that makes them feel loved and is essentially not loving them. As various opportunities have come up for me to love people, God has graciously put it on my heart so that I consciously think, 'This is an opportunity to love,' and hopefully, by God's grace, I act on that!</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Trusting God.</b> God is sovereign and He is good. That is the comforting answer to the bewilderment of life and the situations I don't understand. It should be easier for my heart to accept that foundational truth. I've seen sad and tough patient situations that are hard to surrender to God's perfect will, but I must do that. There are some things I'm not going to understand this side of heaven, but I can pray. And I can love those families like crazy during the 12 hour period I have with them.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many more lessons, but maybe I'll do this in chunks.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, that was chunk #1. :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please keep teaching me more, Jesus! I want to learn from You!</span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-53059215081794397942012-07-09T11:29:00.001-07:002012-07-09T11:29:10.701-07:00restingI've been reading the last 26 chapters of Isaiah recently, and today was Isaiah 44. These chapters have been such an encouragement.<br />
<br />
Again and again, the Lord says "Do not fear" for so many reasons... He formed me, He will help me, He is with me. It's so easy for me to fear the future and the unknown, because I get scared that the things that I want to happen won't happen. But whatever does come in the next week, month, year, I know God is walking right through it with me. My Creator will not forsake me. Plus, He is sovereign over all these events that are to come and He is working in and through them for my good. That adds another reason to have peace.<br />
<br />
Six weeks into the summer, six weeks of summer school to go.<br />
Now's the time to choose trust, to choose to love God's way and His plan.<br />
Please help me, Jesus! I can't do this on my own.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-21794448624493596652012-06-27T09:34:00.004-07:002012-06-27T09:34:57.962-07:00Trusting God is not easy (by Ray Ortlund)This is from The Gospel Coalition. It's a super encouraging post that looks at trusting God, something I need to be encouraged so often to do!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #40464b; font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” <a class="lbsBibleRef lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Isaiah 40.31" data-version="ESV" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%2040.31" style="color: #961402; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Isaiah 40:31</a></div>
<div style="color: #40464b; font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Trusting God is not comfortable. It doesn’t belong in a Hallmark card picture — a colorful valley, a quaint village, a church steeple, with a sentimental slogan. Trusting God can be extremely uncomfortable, even painful.</div>
<div style="color: #40464b; font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Rabbi David Kimchi, one of the early Hebrew lexicographers, defined the verb “wait” in<a class="lbsBibleRef lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Isaiah 40.31" data-version="ESV" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%2040.31" style="color: #961402; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Isaiah 40:31</a> with reference to the medieval German verb for “twist.” That is, waiting on the Lord can involve tension and pressure and stress. How could it be otherwise? Waiting<em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">is</em> pent-up irresolution. It is not easy to wait trustingly for the Lord:</div>
<div style="color: #40464b; font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
“Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, . . . so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.” <a class="lbsBibleRef lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Psalm 123.2" data-version="ESV" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20123.2" style="color: #961402; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Psalm 123:2</a></div>
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“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” <a class="lbsBibleRef lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Psalm 130.6" data-version="ESV" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20130.6" style="color: #961402; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Psalm 130:6</a></div>
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“I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” <a class="lbsBibleRef lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Psalm 143.6" data-version="ESV" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20143.6" style="color: #961402; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Psalm 143:6</a></div>
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My point is this. You may be going through hell right now. You may be bewildered, gasping, frightened. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t trusting God. It might mean you <em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">are </em>trusting God.</div>
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Isaiah really understood something. He understood that it’s in this tension that our strength is renewed. How so? There is something about coming to the end of ourselves and our own strength and wisdom — that’s when our hearts finally crack open, and the love of God pours in.</div>
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When we have nothing of our own left, when nothing will suffice but that which is directly and immediately of God, that’s when God alone<em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> is</em> our sufficiency, and we find him to be so. <em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">He’s worth the wait.</em></div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/06/25/trusting-god-is-not-easy/">http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/06/25/trusting-god-is-not-easy/</a>
</em></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-35478177780227911832012-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:002012-06-25T15:10:01.498-07:00so comforting.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="table_bible" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica;"><tbody>
<tr id="Isa_33_6_712006"><td class="vDispa" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><sup><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">And He will be the stability of your times,<br />A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;<br />The fear of the Lord is his treasure.<br />(Isaiah 33:6)<br /><br />Such comfort and peace. God is my stability. Always.</span></sup></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-76375579871091471662012-06-21T18:07:00.005-07:002012-06-21T18:07:51.128-07:00it's time to standI read Isaiah 36 and 37 today. It's a fascinating story about Hezekiah and the people of Israel, and it is sandwiched between prophecies of judgment and prophecies of healing. Hezekiah and the people of Israel are surrounded by the Assyrian armies. It's a dismal situation, and to top it off, they are being taunted by Rabshekah (don't you just love the names?). He is a servant of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. With boundless pride, Rabshekah questions why the people are following after the Lord and whether they're doing it right. He tries to persuade them to surrender to the king of Assyria. This king would offer them drinks, land, food, bread, and vineyards, "a land like your own land." (v. 17) Rabshekah points out that the other nations' gods could not save them from the hand of the Assyrians; what made them think their God would save them? (v. 19 & 20) He even announces this in the Judean language so that all the common people can understand what he is saying...and hopefully become fearful and tremble and forsake the Lord.<br />
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What was the peoples' response? They didn't answer Rabshakeh (v. 21). Some of the king's staff tore their clothes and reported to the king (v. 22).<br />
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And when the king heard, did he and the people quake in fear? As they could see the Assyrian armies over Jerusalem's walls, as the ridiculing words of Rabshakeh echoed in their minds, this is what their king did: <b>"...Hezekiah...entered the house of the Lord." </b>(37:1) He instantly went to seek the Lord! This involved talking with Isaiah and receiving the word of the Lord. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and asked for God to deliver them <b>"that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God."</b> (37:20)<br />
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And God uses Isaiah to speak to the people and assure them that He will deliver them and destroy Assyria. In verses 36 - 38, the angel of the Lord destroys thousands of Assyrians in their own camp and Sennacherib is assassinated by two of his sons as he worships his gods. What an answer and what a deliverance!<br />
<br />
This applies to me <i>so</i> much right now. I don't have an army surrounding Park Place, nor do I have an enemy standing outside our house walls yelling at me. But I am on <b>a journey of trusting God</b> this summer, and it has modern-day parallels to the people of Israel.<br />
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The people are trying to seek the Lord (and have certainly made mistakes along the way, like allying with Egypt), but even during seeking the Lord, they go through this difficult time. My circumstances this summer aren't always easy, even as I am seeking the Lord. He allows tough times to happen. Hosea 2: 6 says "Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her so that she cannot find her paths." Israel was following after idol-lovers instead of the Lord, and God orchestrated her situation in such a way that she would then seek Him. <b> I think this summer is a call for me to seek the Lord even more fully, to place Him as my first priority, and to learn to fully rely on Him.</b><br />
<br />
Rabshakeh was tempting the Israelites with what seemed like the best option at the moment. Surrender to the king of Assyria; he promises so many good things; these troubles will be over. My temptation this summer is to wallow in sadness, to feed any discontentment in my heart, to have a "woe is me" attitude, to not look for ways to love people, to complain, to not choose joy,...to let the hospital hours and those fleeting moments pass me by, where I could have shown someone love...to ignore the lessons God gently and repeatedly shows me, to not allow the head knowledge to be applied in my heart,...<b>to not trust God</b>.<br />
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But I am so, so encouraged by the Israelites' and Hezekiah's <i>instantaneous </i>turning to the Lord. How I want that to be my heart's solution to every tendency to take the easy way out. In a song by Laura Story called "Make Something Beautiful," she says,<br />
<br />
<i>"I admit there is a yearning</i><br />
<i>For the hurting to subside</i><br />
<i><b>But not at the risk of missing<br />What you're doing in my life</b>"</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Yes, there are going to be tough moments this summer. There will be "Rabshakehs" everywhere, tempting me to focus on the present, to look at the world, to choose the easier path (with fleeting happiness and without true joy). But I want God. <b> I want His voice and His ways</b>. As someone once posted on Facebook, "In trials, is your end goal freedom, or are you more concerned with what He forges in you during the process of the fight?"<br />
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With the encouragement that the Israelites sought the Lord and He answered them, I similarly want to seek His face and soak in the lessons and love that He has for me. As they were able to stand upon His faithfulness through His strength, I want to do the same! This summer is a test of faith, a call to arms, a time to stand, while saying,<br />
<br />
<i>"Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O Lord,</i><br />
<i><b>We have waited for You eagerly;</b></i><br />
<i>Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls." Isaiah 26:8</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
And I want to be found at the end of this summer saying, "<b>Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited</b> that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited;<b> let us rejoice</b> and be glad in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6455359129590644272.post-15902488785123450212012-06-13T12:42:00.000-07:002012-06-13T12:42:59.375-07:00well, if i WERE to write a blog, this is probably where i'd begin<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The way this summer is laid
out was not my <em>ideal</em> summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could
create the perfect summer it would not involve school or having my boyfriend be
8 hours away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would not have a
nursing research class that’s 4 hours twice a week and makes pretty much no
sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would not have 2 ½ months of
not spending time with the aforementioned guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would not have 12-hour nursing shifts that
start at 7:00 a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would not have
coffee pots randomly going off at 1:00 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m. when I need my
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would not have a girl who’s
discontent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And that’s what it
comes down to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I content with these
circumstances, am I joyful with where God has me, and do I trust His guidance
over these 100 days of summer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
where I want my heart to be and that’s what I’m striving for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the beginning of that journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Back in January, I chose a
word for the year, and ironically (actually, more like God-knew-I’d-need-this),
my word was “trust.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured that
since there would be so many life-changes this year, I’d need to practice trusting
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As this year set off, little did I
know how much <em>more</em> I’d need to learn to trust God; I thought I had it down
pretty well, but I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All semester
long, He gave me little treasures of Scripture or tidbits of knowledge through
Bible studies, sermons, or songs that were all related to trusting God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started compiling them into a flowchart, or
as we nursing students call them, “concept maps.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m such a nursing nerd.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These lessons have been a sort of foundation
for the path of trusting God that this summer holds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Barely three weeks into
summer and I already have a million things to add to the Trust concept map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so amazed at how God reveals lessons and
truths to me right when I need them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
He doesn’t stop with just one amazing Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives me several to meditate on and revel
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I want this
summer exactly as it’s unfolding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
this is God’s plan, and deep down I want His will for this summer, rather than
some cheap plan I could think up instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know that His will is what is best for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is using all these circumstances for my
good (Romans 8:28).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also does
exceedingly, abundantly above all that I ask or think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not able to comprehend how He’s doing
it, but I know He is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not able to
understand the ‘why,’ but I know He does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I know that God has so many
sweet lessons to teach me during this time that would probably not be possible
if I were in different circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to learn these lessons, I want to soak them deep into the recesses of my
heart, and I want to be changed as a result of this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He’s teaching me to love Him
above all else and to put Him first in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s teaching me what it means to be wholeheartedly abandoned to Him and
to follow after Him without hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s teaching me to trust Him with my future; my having ‘control’ over
anything is really just an illusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
teaching me contentment in all circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Stay tuned for more lessons to come…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Backing up all of these lessons are some of the most applicable and
relevant Scriptures God’s ever shown me in my times with Him (Hosea 11:12,
14:8-9; Isaiah 30:18, to name a recent few).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What sweet, precious truths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And that’s just it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mentally know all these truths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are there, embedded in the neurons of my
brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I want to apply them in my
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As someone once said, the twelve
inches from your head to your heart is one of the farthest distances to travel.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the journey I’m on this summer, hand-in-hand
with Jesus, and I’m excited for where we’re going to travel together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678091970274933447noreply@blogger.com1