HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's 2009....WOW!
Here are a few pictures from my last night in the wonderful year of 2008 :-)

my face....

this is a silly post, but these thoughts have been on my mind for several days.
my face has been so horrible lately and it seems that all i see when i look in the mirror is my flaws.
i have lived with nasty skin my entire life, but for some reason it has really bothered me lately.
i was sitting at work watching someone swim back and forth and the verse about being CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD came to my head....and i began to ponder: I have been created in God's image, a perfect/spotless image, I am beautiful.
however, i have had such trouble accepting this today. i get bogged down every time i put on make-up and every time i pass a mirror my mind starts to judge and become jealous of those "more beautiful" than me.
my one wish today was to not have mirrors.
i pray that God really changes my heart and can help me see past the outer and relish in his beauty.
it's easy to be confident when you are surrounded by people that uplift you and remind you of God's beauty.
i am excited to be able to spend time with my girls (you know who you are) and just live in God's beauty...

THE KING IS ENTHRALLED BY YOUR BEAUTY, HONOR HIM FOR HE IS LORD - Psalm 45:11

May I be reminded of this every moment!!!

FAITH = Salvation

1 Peter 1:3-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Merry Thanksgiving!

Family.

It's that time again.....Thanksgiving! My how time flies!!!! It seems like only a short time ago that I was headed to Butler scared to death of what lie ahead. But, here I am, over a year later returning to St. Louis for a much needed break. I look forward to seeing my family, my girls, and my old high school friends. I found a few pictures of my siblings and I as I was cleaning my photobooth pics today....

Less like scars.

Today I got a call that my old choir teacher's mother passed away.
In searching for some comfort I came across this song....



"And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars"

God has the ability to mend our broken hearts....all in His timing.
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" Psalm 103:11

Hallelujah.....God is GREAT!

My God.

My God is so GREAT, so STRONG, and so MIGHTY there's NOTHING my God cannot do...

Encouragement.

I will PRAISE you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation . . . Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for GREAT is the Holy One of Israel among you.
Isaiah 12

i . . .stole this from Katie's blog :-)

i am: the Lord's.
i fear: frogs.
i hate: making decisions.
i love: laughter.
i dream: of conducting a famous orchestra.
i ache: for the lost.
i wish: life didn't revolve around money.
i want: to not have to worry about money.
i smell: chocolate chip cookies
i hear: House.
i crave: diet coke.
i desire: to be married.
i can't: stop smiling :-)
i dance: when I'm around friends.
i sing: like it's my job!
i listen: well.
i need: encouragement.
i lose: my keys.
i think: too far in the future.
i feel: cold.
i watch: people.
i miss: my sis.
i write: only when necessary.
i can usually be found: at a piano.
i believe: in John 3:16.
i never: leave the house without chapstick.
i care: about those around me.
i wonder: why things happen the way they do.
i regret: not telling those around me I love them more often.
i am scared: of monsters under my bed :-)
i like: fountains.
i know: I am loved.

Randomness...

As I sit outside Starbucks tonight doing homework I am in awe of all the crazy awesome things God has done in the past few days. I just received a text from my mentor, Kari, and she just raised the final support needed to be on full-time staff with Campus Crusade!!! PRAISE GOD!!! I have had the best day today...my BPOD (best part of your day) was when Blake and I took the left over ice cream from our Choir ice cream social and just passed it out to random people!!! I know we brightened many people's days, however, I truely believe that as the giver your are blessed 10 fold!!!!! I have not been able to keep a smile off my face all day :)

I got the pictures back from the photographer for JJ and here are my 2 favorites!! I am having a blast in the group this year. It has not been easy learning the music and it has been challenging adjusting to the new sound. But, when we sung the piece "Voicedance" on Thursday my heart was full of joy.



On Thursday I was having the worst day of my life (or so it seemed) and I just sought God for encouragement. When I go the mail that day I had a note of encouragement from on of "the fab 5", Katie. It's funny how Katie wrote this note days before my "bad day" but God knew I needed to hear whatever Katie had to say. God's timing is PERFECT! I just love this verse she had in the letter:
HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD! -1 John 3:1

What if.

"What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He's more than enough
What if it's love."

Chocolate Fest.

Each year the Young Arts of Indy does a fundraiser called the Chocolate Fest! This year was the 25th anniversary. My teacher decided to make this event a mandatory field trip. So....the whole class went to the ArtsGarden at the Circle Center Mall and got to each chocolate. Here are a few of the random pics...

Amazing GRACE.

John Wilson.

Gateway to the West...

Since it was Homecoming weekend, Blake and I saw it fitting that we join in the festivities!

I went home this past weekend. I had a blast. My friends and I got to go to my high school's football game and see Mel dance. We also headed to Wash U to get Austin's brother and then went to visit Maggi at the Arch. Our day of fun ended with some toasted ravs at Fitz's followed by an intense battle of Guitar Hero.
God has blessed me with so many friends....I cannot help but smile :-)

Julie Andrews - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

I was sight reading through some songs tonight for an accompanying class (I love homework sometimes) and came across this song.

I would give anything.

Better


Shadowfeet

I have heard both of these songs a million times, but for some reason I have never seen the music videos.

There's a great BIG party going on in heaven!!!

My sis started a bible study with several girls from her high school. Many are believers, however, many are "church go-ers". This past Thursday night she had a friend of hers come to bstud and share about salvation. 3 girls accepted Christ and I am so excited to say that we are sisters in Christ!!!!! God works in mysterious ways and this is no exception. Please pray for these girls as this Thursday comes. That Melanie, and the other girls attending will be able and be equipped to "lead them to the cross." God is almighty, God is powerful, God is all-knowing, and God is love. I wish I could be in heaven to see the party going on because 3 more people have surrendered their lives to Him! Praise God from whom all blessings flow :-)

Zion Nature Center.

For Labor Day my "family" took a trip to the Zionsville's Nature Center.
We walked around the park and on our way out we noticed a yellow sign...apparently the park was closed for construction!!!

Dancing feet.

Tonight I stepped foot into a dance studio after almost 3 years. I danced all through middle and high school and was on my first college's dance team. However, as Mandy noted in her blog today, we often grow out of our child-aged activities. But, I couldn't agree more when she said "do what you love, no matter how old you are." Out of all the styles of dance I did - pointe, ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop - tap was my favorite. I couldn't have had a better time tonight. As I laced up my tap shoes so many memories flooded my head. It took me a little bit to remember some of the steps, but once I got it I couldn't keep a smile off my face. Too all those who think they are too young, too busy, too whatever to do something you love, go out there and do it!!! The rewards are countless :-) Watch out friends....I've got dancing feet!

I Love You, Lord..

New song by Hillsong that just spoke to my soul.
SAVIOUR KING

Hillsong!

Last Tuesday Erin, Ashley and I headed to Greenwood, Indiana to worship with Hillsong United. It was lots of driving for not enough time together. However, what an incredible experience and what an amazing night of just bing in the presence of Christ!! The concert was at Greenwood Community Church in their gymnasium called "The Gathering Place". There were chairs and people everywhere (or so it seemed!).









We praise you Father "with everything"...

Purpose.

I pray that as we all, as I, start school that I will not just show up.  But, I would show up with a purpose.  God has placed me on my campus, and no matter how many times I get discouraged about finishing school, about living so far away from campus, about paying for tuition, I pray I am reminded that GOD HAS A PURPOSE for everything (Ecclesiastes 3).  I am where I am, I am involved in the things I am involved in, I am friends with the people I am friends with for a purpose.  Show up God, show up in my life!!

Hillsong...in Indy?

Tuesday, August 26th, 7pm....Greenwood, INDIANA!!!
I'm so excited to get to spend a night worshipping my creator with 2 of the "fab 5", Erin and Katie.
I think we have long dreamed of being able to see BF (brooke fraser) and in a matter of hours we will be in the same building as her...a bit creepy, I know. I'm just excited to experience being led in worship by Hillsong.

Sunday.

I grabbed a few NOOMA videos from Erin's house tonight and have watched several tonight as I pack to start a new school year. The one video that just hit me was "Sunday." Rob Bell "hit the nail on the head" so to speak with this one.
He asked several questions that I have asked myself these past few weeks and ended up having a conversation about with a dear friend over breakfast this morning.

"HAVE YOU EVER ATTENDED A CHURCH SERVICE OUT OF A SENSE OF DUTY OR BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO?"
-I have grown up going to church, it is what I do. Every Sunday (unless I was out of town or sick) I would walk through the doors of E.Ville with a smile on my face and do the "church" thing.

"WHEN IT COMES TO CHURCH, WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD HAS IN MIND?"
-Bell said himself "A lot of times I find myself looking around thinking, 'Is this what God has in mind?" We have become so focused on "church" that we have forgotten that WE ARE THE CHURCH; not the walls, not the pews, not the music, not the programs, not the numbers...Matthew 23 talks of the Pharisees and how Jesus sees them doing everything for men to see. We have missed the point of salvation and are so caught up in the appearance of Christ. Church isn't a building, church IS people.

"IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE INTERESTED IN CHRISTIAN FAITH BUT BE TURNED OFF BY CHRISTIANITY?"
-Are we getting in the way of people are searching for God? In Isaiah God talks of His people honoring Him with their lips but having distant hearts. God doesn't need us to attend a church service once of twice a week to be effective. The church was designed to reach the lost and the walls we build are to house a place for fellowship and place for renewal and refreshment and TOOLS to go out and get our hands dirty!

"WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OUR HEARTS TO START BEATING MORE AND MORE LIKE GOD'S?"
"HOW COULD THIS CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEES CHRISTIANITY?"
After all, "the point isn't Christianity. The point is being a Christian. It means being a follower of Jesus..."

God's artwork.

This week I headed to Kentucky for a family vacation. I had a great time doing nothing, reading tons of books, and getting thrown off a tube...

After a weekend pouring a lifetime of learning and obedience to a faithful God, I felt so challenged today to "guard my heart." It's not easy...as Katie says, "It's not easy at all!". How true. But, the devil has no victory in this battle. My pray today has been that God remind me of all the seeds I've sown; all the truth from scripture, all the wisdom from women, all the knowledge I have from experience. As the new hillsong song "Desert Song" says: THIS IS MY PRAYER IN THE HARVEST, WHEN FAVOR AND PROVIDENCE FLOW, I KNOW I'M FILLED TO BE EMPTIED AGAIN. THE SEED I'VE RECEIVED I WILL SOW. May we remember to take our seeds and sow them, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we are obedient to expect God's faithfulness.

No Sweeter Name.

As I sit in my room with the hiccups trying to be discreet that I am awake and being productive at 3 in the morning, I am overwhelmed by that love that was poured out this weekend at Beauty Overflowing!  I really believe God showed up, did His business, and filled up his daughter's hearts with his spirit.  When I got home from tearing down the white house and encouraging Katie to finish the slideshow for sunday morning, I had 3 of the girls from the weekend at my house.  I was so discouraged when I pulled up to my house because I was so exhausted and wanted nothing more than to wash my face and just fall into bed.  However, as I have come to embrace, God has different plans sometimes.  I was summoned downstairs by the girls and walked into a room that was covered, every inch of the carpet, with paper and markers....the girls were scrapbooking scripture that they wanted to carry with them in their bible or place in the rooms.  I was encouraged by their diligence to surround themselves with truth!

God is so good....I don't know how else to describe it...even tonight as I felt so attacked by the enemy, God provided peace and comfort, strength and sustenance, the right words and the heart to execute them.  May I never forget the feeling of the beauty of God - the presence of His fragrance...for there is no sweeter name than the name of Jesus, there is no sweeter name that I've ever know.  May we all be reminded that He is the truth and the way, He will guard us with diligence.  

Refine me Lord through the flames.

"I will rejoice, I will declare, God is my victory and HE IS HERE!"

"I have a reason to SING, I have a reason to WORSHIP!"

"All of my life, in every season, YOU are still GOD!"

God is good all the time.....all the time God is good.

"I'm weak, I'm poor, I'm broken, Lord, but I'M YOURS!!!!

Hosanna....Hallelujah....

Bring the Rain.

Driving home tonight I wasn't quite sure that I would make it in one piece!  I couldn't see the lines on the road, my whippers were going full throttle, and the sky was lit up like the 4th of july....it was just another typical summer thunder storm.  For some reason the song Bring the Rain kept popping in my head, so I started to sing:

"I can count a million times

People asking me how I can praise You with all that I've gone through.

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in You?

Bring me joy, bring me peace,

Bring the chance to be free,

Bring me anything that brings You glory.

And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain,

BUT IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO PRAISE YOU JESUS, BRING THE RAIN."

I had a Katie moment as I drove; the song clicked.

Life has thrown all sorts of struggles my way: family struggles, financial strain, loss of a loved one, you name it.  But I've come to realize that without those seasons in life, my relationship with Christ would not be the same.  If my life was all peaches and pink roses - pictures of Dorothy from Wizard of Oz running through the fields of flowers come to mind - would I really fear God as I do?  Would my faith be as strong?  Would my dependance be less?  James 1 says, "Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, NOT LACKING ANYTHING."  Not only do was have trials because of sin, but God uses those trials to mold us, so that when we join him at Mount Zion we may be complete!

As the song ends, may we all sing "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY...I'M FOREVER SINGING."

"Utterly meaningless."

As I sat down to do my bstud this morning I had another thought of what I would blog on when I was finished.  However, when God speaks, you have to listen :-)

God has REALLY challenged me the past few days to take his word and sow it, not just consume it.  This morning was no different.

Psalm 127: 1-2

"If the Lord doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing.  If the Lord doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing.

It is no use for you to get up early and stay up late, working for a living.  The Lord gives sleep to those he loves."

King Solomon is saying (Emily paraphrase), without God, life is meaningless.  King David put it perfectly in Ecclesiates saying, "Meaningless, Meaningless!  Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless."  And it is, unless we join God in His labor.  If God is continually at work in me (John 5:17) and if I can do NOTHING apart from him (John 15:4-5), then why do I  labor in vain?  The answer that comes to mind first is pride.  We want to do things our way and so often I find myself getting comfortable and letting myself think that I've got everything under control.  But I must take captive those thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5) and replace it with truth.  Truth that says Nisi Dominus Frusta; Without God, Frustration.  Benjamin Franklin put it so eloquently: "...the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that GOD GOVERNS IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN."  We just need to answer the question of "whether or not God is in our labor indeed initiated it as His own building project" (Beth Moore).  Have we sought God's direction in our work?  "Whatever the work may be, if He is not in it, it is meaningless" (BM).  I leave you with this encouragement that I was left with as I concluded my bstud...Work where God works, then rest.

Imago Dei Community Church

Mandy, Hannah and I went to visit Imago Dei again tonight.  We had a blast!!  The church plant is having preview services at the Sky Lounge (a bar!) until they launch their church sometime in August.  For the past few weeks we have been engrossed in the book of Luke talking about relationships, Jesus calming the storm, and tonight about the parable of the seed and the sower.  I have never really thought about the fact that I have missed out on so much because I just let The Word go in one ear and out the other.  In our Outlet bstud we have been talking about the Psalms of Assent and the video we watched talked about how so often we take God's word and just eat it whole.  However, God calls us to take that seed (God's word) and plant it, harvest it, in order to reap blessings.  My thoughts are all over the place with this simply because I feel so convicted.  God promises in Psalm 126 that those who SOW will REAP.  He also promises in Luke 8 that we will bear fruit if we hold fast to the word in patience.  God IS moving among his people, we just need to stop eating our daily portion of God's word in one bite.  May God bless us for being doers of His word.

To remind myself that I am to sow what God has provided in order to reap a harvest, I am going to purchase some seed tomorrow and plant.  I pray that the constant care, nurture, and love I give the plant will in turn provide a beautiful flower.  May that be a reminder that God is faithful to bless those who are diligent servants.

For more information about Imago Dei Community Church click here.

When desperation calls.

As I was driving home last night I was listening to joyfm.  A commercial came on asking for volunteers for flood relief.  After a huge disappointment with not being able to travel to Montana, my heart jumped at the opportunity to take a few of the days I have off and help those in need.  I rushed home to talk with my sister and this morning we e-mailed Operation Blessing to reserve dates for us to come.  I pray that God uses us in some huge way...though we will be simply clearing mud out of houses, I hope that we can have the opportunity to share how we get through the floods of life.  God is so faithful and if we can put our mustard seed amount of faith in motion, I truly believe that God will bless us for it.

If you are interested in helping flood victims in Lincoln County (a little over an hour away) please visit joyfmonline.org for more information!

May God bless us all for serving his people.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Three minute song.

I was searching through itunes the other night looking for songs for the beauty overflowing weekend in August and came upon this dude.  Josh Wilson.  He has a huge heart for music and jesus.  My favorite song of his is "The Saints"...I couldn't find a decent recording of it, so I hope you enjoy this one.

'Till I See Him.

let HIS word go free...

What a challenging piece of scripture...I hope it speaks to you like it did to me tonight!

JEREMIAH 20:9

"If I say, I will not make mention of the Lord or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones.  And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I CANNOT CONTAIN IT ANY LONGER."

The LORD's Commission.

Whenever we as christians hear the word commission we, at least I, immediately think of "The Great Commission."   However, it was brought to my attention that Christ had a commission.  Our role model not only lived a life that was exemplary, he had a commission just as we have.  However, this commission came from his heavenly father, premeditated before the beginning of time.  In the old testament Isaiah prophecies about the coming of Christ and his "job" while ministering to the people of this earth.  Isaiah 61 says: "THE SPIRIT OF THE SOVEREIGN LORD IS ON ME, BECAUSE THE LORD HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FRO THE CAPTIVES AND RELEASE FROM DARKNESS FOR THE PRISONERS, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR AND THE DAY OF VENGEANCE OF OUR GOD...".  Christ was sent to us to set us free, to "proclaim liberty" (NASB).  Looking to to the new testament we find the fulfillment of Isaiah's message.  Luke 4 tells a story of Jesus coming to Nazareth, where he had been raised, to share a message with the people.  He enters the synagogue on the Sabbath and the scrolls with Isaiah written on it were handed to him.  He read out of Isaiah 61 HIS COMMISSION.  The people that day, as Jesus pointed out, were witnesses to this fulfillment of scripture.  In verse 22 the people asked, "Isn't this Joseph's son?".  They were so mesmerized by Jesus' words that they didn't believe it was him!  How amazing would it be if we were so buried in our father's will that when we spoke of Him people began to ask, "It's that a child of God?"

Get excited....God is gonna move!

For the past several months Erin and I along with Katie have been planning and planning and planning for a girls weekend in August that is centered around Proverbs 4:23 ("Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life").  It is going to be a weekend full of laughter, God's word, love, singing, and fellowship.  It is called beauty overflowing.  I am so pumped to see what God is going to do in each and every one of these girl's lives :-)  This is a picture we used for the letter to the parents explaining what this conference is all about! Katie does such an amazing job taking pictures...God has certainly blessed her with an incredible talent! 

Inspiration.

This  warmed my heart last night! I hope it does the same for you :-)

Sisters.

Sisters.  They are such a vital part of life.  We argue, yet can embrace; we hate each other at times, yet have an endless love.  My sister and I are crazy together.  We dye each others hair, steal each others clothes, talk to complete strangers, get rainbow sprinkle ice cream at wee hours of the morning, and even send a box half way across the midwest full of complete junk just to make the other one smile!  I do not know what I would do without mel-belle.  She was gone this week to World Changers in New Orleans, Louisiana and I felt like my other half was gone.  I couldn't call with silly questions and I didnt' receive and calls to see what I was doing.  Simply, my phone didn't ring nearly as much.  It was like an awkward silence that lasted for days!!  However, when I when I saw my sis Sunday afternoon, we showed up in the same dress...the EXACT same dress.  At first we decided that we were huge dorks for being in public with the same outfit and then laughed because we had chosen the same thing when getting ready.  I love that!!  Of course we took pictures of our awesome ensemble as well as our matching phones.  This picture is one of many...it warms my heart :-)

Uncreated One.

This video is from Passion 2007 (Atlanta).  The words are so humbling..."O Great God, be glorified. Our lives laid down, Yours magnified. O Great God, be lifted high. There is none like you..."

Who Have I

When sin consumes your life....

The past 2 days God has had two mentors in my life suggest the same passage of scripture to dive into (neither knowing the other suggested it).  I opened my bible this afternoon praying that God would show me something powerful:

Psalm 51

1Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;

According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,

And my sin is ever before me.

4Against You, You only, I have sinned

And done what is evil in Your sight,

So that You are justified when You speak

And blameless when You judge.

5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

6Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,

And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Make me to hear joy and gladness,

Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

9Hide Your face from my sins

And blot out all my iniquities.

10Create in me and clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me away from Your presence

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

13Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners will be converted to You.

14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;

Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

15O Lord, open my lips,

That my mouth may declare Your praise.

16For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;

You are not pleased with burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

18By Your favor do good to Zion;

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,

In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;

Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.

How amazing is our heavenly father!!!  This passage is a prayer, a cry, to God from King David after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba.  David had her husband Uriah killed and had hit rock bottom with sin completely consuming his life.  David fell before his God and praised the creator and giver of mercy.  He sought forgiveness and begged God to deliver him from "bloodguiltiness" (the guilt from killing Uriah).  However, the most power words of David are from verses 16 and 17.  David, I am sure after doing and exhaustive search for a way to fix the mess he made, realizes that nothing of this world would be sufficient.  He says in verse 16, "You do not delight in sacrifice....You are not please with brunt offering."  David is saying that if I could have given you something God to show that what I did was wrong, I would have done it.  God's power comes in verse 17..."The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart."  David seeks to bring himself - his broken self - before the Almighty Judge.  He brings himself before God with a broken, sorrowful, but confident spirit.  He comes before his God knowing that he will not be let down ("You will not despise!").

How often we (me) comes before the throne hoping that God will grant us grace, once again; praying that He will show compassion, once again; searching for the words to explain our sticky situation, once again.  But what we fail to remember is that God is a God of BOUNTIFUL GRACE, God is a God of GREAT COMPASSION (verse 1), and God is a God of COUNTLESS RESTORATION!!!! Praise the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords....He is, I Am. 

Manners.

Working at a pool I see and hear A LOT.  Some positive things, but most often it is bickering, fighting, whining, cursing, you name it.  At times I get so very frustrated that I am constantly surrounded by such negativity.  I believe it is my mission field, as is anyone's place of work, however, tonight I was just drifting farther and farther into a funk when I heard this boy, Jonathan, say the kindest words.  What is even more astonishing is that this young boy has several disabilities, one of which is speech related.  Here's the story:

Another boy at the pool came up to Jonathan and asked for his diving ring back explaining that he was playing with it and Jonathan had picked it up on accident when diving for his own rings.  Jonathan proceeded to return the ring and both boys went about their business.  A few moments later I heard Jonathan say to the other boy, "Here is one of my rings for you to play with, since you were so honest."

I was shocked, stunned.  Rarely do you hear and see such generosity, and such genuine kindness.  Never underestimate the power of a kind, gentle spirit...

Iron for the Soul.

"INVIGORATE  my soul so I can PRAISE You well,

Use Your decrees to put IRON in my SOUL."

-Psalm 119:175 (message)

Pardon My Dust

We have all had tough days; days that we wish would just end...days we wish we could have skipped.  I was reminded as I woke this morning of Adam Robinson's talk on rest...he talks about the fact that in life we will never have a day when the crisis column is empty.  In living life we often label days as "good" or "bad".  If someone asks how your day was, a proper answer would be "it was good".  But what if you haven't had a good day, what if your day was miserable, or what if your day was just plum ok.  When asked the question, the inevitable comes out..."fine."  What has happened that we are so afraid to be ourselves?  What stops us from answering honestly?  Why are we so prone to hide our true self?

This is a song by Chris Rice.
Hope this is an encouragement to stop hiding behind words.

Dominoes

After a long day at work full of broken pools, frogs, and critical parents I spent the evening playing dominoes.  If you have never played with dominoes you first have to get past the fact that at times all the dominoes look the same...second you have to have a child's heart.  I have not been so excited to play a game in such a long time.  We ended up starting playing Mexican Train and quickly realized that none of us REALLY knew how to play so we proceeded to play Chicken Scratch.  I learned this game from the family I live with in Indy.  I truly believe that often times laughter can bridge gaps between people.  There is something comforting about the sound of laughter...

Here is a joke to get you started :-)

What do you call James Bond in a bath tub?

Bubble-07!

Happy laughing.

Take time to stop...

Austin uploaded a bunch of photos from our vacation to the sunshine state.  After looking through them the one that caught my attention was not the blackmail photos or the beautiful pics  of the beach, it was this one.  As we were walking down the beach one evening I stopped and just looked out into the endless ocean.  I cannot remember what I thought at the time, however, I found these lyrics tonight and I think they describe it perfectly:

I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your care down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me

I'll breathe My life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I'll take you to My quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole

-Kari Jobe