Saturday, June 27, 2009

June 27th 2009

What an incredibly boring title to post under huh? Well, I'm not really sure what all this post will contain seeing as though I'm VERY behind in my blogging.
I haven't written or updated anything in quite some time and life has been fairly interesting.

Lately I have felt convicted and discouraged, but then motivated and encouraged. God is really good about hitting me hard when I need humbled or confronted about things and letting it sink in enough to really effect me but then help me back up and get me going on the right track.
Some of the things that happened this month seemed to be God getting my attention. It's like a conversation in a different language that I can only translate in hindsight. So looking back over this month this is what I translate:

Me- Ladee da dee dah, I'm so in love, I'm gonna be a photographer, I'm gonna have the perfectist happy life.... lalalalala...

God- Why don't I hear from you anymore? Have you become too busy for me?

Me- hmmm hmmm dum dee dum...

God- Do you not realize that everything you have is from me? I have plans for you, more than what you have for yourself. You're not listening like you used to...

(Some things transpire)

Me- God, where are you? I need you, things are going all wrong. I lost my job, school takes up so much time and I want to be spending it with Ryan. There's too much going on, we're moving again, Ryan started a new job and we don't have as much time as before and I need a job!

God- Why are you so anxious?

Me- Do you seriously want me to repeat all that?

God- I know exactly what's going on in your life. You don't trust me.

Me- I do too! ... I just... I want everything to be fixed... like... within the next 10 minutes.

God- I don't work like that.

Me- I know.

God- You've become too accustom to what I've given you.

Me- What do you mean?

God- You expect much of me but give me nothing. You have become selfish again, lost sight of where your passion and focus used to be. You're becoming luke warm, mediocre at best. Do you not remember what I've brought you from? I saved you from a darkness that you created, a darkness you were drowning in. Do you remember?

Me- Yes... It was horrible... I was horrible.

God- And when I brought you out, you begin to work. You, in my power in strength, began to turn things around. You put yourself behind others, you wanted to serve me, even became judicious and purposeful in daily walks with me, reading my word and speaking to me. You had convictions and direction in what being my child means and looks like, and you strived for excellence.

Me- I forgot... I miss that... I want to be on fire for you. I want that passion again. I want your wisdom and understanding and discipline. God I'm sorry.

God- Let's get back to that place, I'll give you what you ask for. You'll learn from my word and become sensitive to my spirit once again.

Okay so as corney a presentation this is, it's where I am. Over the past two days I've heard four incredible sermons, had some amazing prayer times, and some very productive Bible reading.

You know how freaking hot it is right now? Well it's like, when you go running in the morning, and it's still over 90 degrees, and when you get back, you're tired, hot and dehydrated but someone's left your favorite gatorade in the fridge, cranked up the AC, and prepped the bathroom for a shower.... no, actually it's WAY more intense than that but it's really good.

Maybe it's like having the best most refreshing drink available to you when you are the most thirsty.

I don't know, play with some imagery that works for you and get some time with Jesus today! :)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Problems, Packing, And Peace.

This past week has been such a roller coaster for me that my mind had a hard time grasping it as a whole.
My life right now is very busy... or rather, full of many different things, good and rather unpleasant.
This previous week God has shown me, and taught me SO much. I feel like I have grown, but as we all know, growing doesn't happen without some discomfort.

Some of the things in my life that I feel God is using as a growing opportunity for me is uncertainty in general.
We're moving this coming weekend to a house I've never seen in a neighborhood I'm not familiar with where I don't know how to get to work.
We're only staying there for 8 weeks until we move again to our new house where I will be until I get married. (Whenever that is.)
Secondly, there are some relationships in my life that have been less than smooth lately. I've had to remind myself that my facus and the reason for everything I do is Christ. Relationships aren't easy because people are sinful and we have to remember to look to Christ and examine ourselves as well as imitate Christ in how we relate to and treat others. This too has been a very difficult thing for me this week.
Work is another place where uncertainty lives. My schedule now consists of 30-40 hours a week and is fairly unpredictable. I often get phone calls from my boss early in the morning asking me if I'd like to come in early.
I never quite know how my day will go, who I will be working with and what mood they'll be in.
Lately I've come to realize that I work with only women (Except Brian, the co-owner with his wife) who are all working in a high stress, loud, and messy invironment, several of which could be having that horrible week in the month that makes them absolutely ridiculous to work with, and on top of that when anyone, child or worker, gets sick, you know there will soon be a wave of grumpy workers who don't feel well but can't afford to take time off.

So, we've talked of Packing, well, the process of moving, which includes packing, and we've gone over problems, working and relationship.
Now I want to discuss peace.
See, through these challenges and issues, I feel as though my faith has been challenged. I've had to preach the gospel to myself, remind myself that my worth and my life are in God and my purpose is for Him despite, where I live, what I do for a living, and who I'm with. But a lot of the peace God has granted me this week has been through the reminder that, while all that is true, it's okay for me to have a hard time, to struggle with difficult things, and to say that I don't like this and it's not fun! There's nothing wrong with that!
I've learned how to really pour my heart out to God, how to redirect my steps and complete focus (With His help of course.) and how to "Take every thought captive."
And through this VERY difficult and very LONG week, I feel like I have grown, and like much of the weight I was holding has been lifted.
I feel content, blessed, and at peace because I have a God who loves me, calls me his daughter, and loves me even when I'm angry, weary, ungrateful, or fall into sin.

I'm incredibly blessed and grateful for a Christ like family who is always here for me, always encouraging, who loves me and wants the best for me, and who cares enough to speak into my life.
I am so grateful that God has found a way to take my anxious way of thinking about life's challenges and turned it into an adventurous way of thinking. To see things as a new and ecxiting journey, a challenge to overcome, an obstacle waiting to be conquered not through my strength but the strength of Jesus Christ who saved me.
How cool is that?!

I pray that God would grant the same kind of peace and thought process to those around me and in similar circumstances.
If you're reading this, I pray this for you, and I pray that God would pour out many wonderful blessings upon your week.
Happy Sunday!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Spiritual Life

Lately I feel as though God is revealing to me more than He has over the course of my whole spiritual life, and maybe it's because I'm actually listening.
Maybe Christ has softened my heart where I'm actually able to feel and hear the Holy Spirit. It's been a really long time since I've felt that way, and yet, now I feel overwhelmed.
It seems like everyday I am convicted of so many things and am constantly reminded of how worthless and sinful I am.
Without Christ I am nothing and now that I'm really aware of my sinful thoughts, attitudes, and actions, I'm tempted to despair and fall into condemnation.
My flesh hates feeling convicted but my soul knows how good it is.
I know that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, but everyday my prayer is to be an example of my savior and a light to the dark world I live in and everyday I feel as though I fail horribly.
There is so much about me that I want to be different, that I know should change. I know that I can't do it without Christ and I know that sanctification is progressive but sometimes I find myself before God in my prayer time, frustrated and confused, like: "God, you have the power, I have the desire, why don't you just change me?"

My work situation is very challenging. Everyday that I have to get up for work I fight negative thoughts and attitudes and have to try to bend my focus as much towards Christ as I know how but often times I fail or that focus is distracted by the tiniest little upsets in my day. I feel weak and unworthy of my savior. He has blessed me with so much and I should have a constant joy in my life simply because He calls me His but so often I find myself weary and upset just because the job that He's provided for me came with several challenges, or simply because the amazing relationship with such an incredible Godly man that He has blessed me with is difficult sometimes and has it's bumps in the road.
But still, I wouldn't change either of these things.
I love certain aspects about my job and am very happy with the pay check I get every other Friday and the relationship I'm in, ... I wouldn't trade for the world. Now that this man is in my life, I can't imagine life eithout him.

God is working on me in so many different ways. Growing me through difficulties, challenging me through conviction, reminding me to be with Him in constant prayer and studying His word.
I struggle to really grasp and keep in mind the realism of FULLY relying on God. To do that, I have to let go completely, acknowledge that I screw up when I'm in charge and that it's a gift to give God my whole life to guide and direct for His glory.

I am a selfish human being and often times forget that my purpose in life is to glorify my savior. Jesus, forgive me.
I know now that my worth is in Christ as is my purpose but I wish that I could keep that in front of all my other ways of thinking.
There are so many simple things that I forget or let myself get distracted from.
So many things that I drop the ball in and seem to fall on my face over.

God is still working in me, and one of the things He's teaching me is patience. I see the things in my life that are not like Christ and want it fixed quick and easy, right here, right now. But I've learned (And am still learning) that things happen in HIS time for a reason, and as difficult as it can be to wait for His time, it is better than my own.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Untitled and unfinished...

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
you make me happy, when skies are grey,
You'll never know dear, how much I love you,
please don't take my sunshine away,
no please don't take my sunshine away.

When you hold me close to your heart,
when you wrap me up in your arms,
when I can look into your eyes,
And see the way they shine,
that's when I know, you are mine,
my sunshine.

When I take your hand,
When I say you're my man,
When we both feel secure,
And you feel adored,
that's when you know, I am yours,
I am yours.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

STOP!!!.... Slow down to think on things...

So... I tend to be the kind of person who will live day to day, in the moment, out of ... well everything else.
It gets to the point sometimes where I can't even complete my own thoughts. Thus I'm inspired by Mr. A to post a "Random Thoughts" blog.
Thanks Mr. A!

I'm sick right now. And I hear I probably will be sick on and off for the next three months before my immune system gets used to being around 12 little children with runny noses, and coughs and sneezes that are never covored, 5 days a week. Time to put on my big girl panties.

We're moving! We are actually going through with it this time... has it REALLY set in? I don't think so.... I need to get better at keeping things spotless, I'm a forgetful person and not very on top of things when I'm sick... Remember the in the moment day to day statement a minute ago? ... yeah.... SORRY MOM!

I wish I knew how to chill out more. I feel like I'm under a lot of pressure and stress and I'm not even sure where half of it is coming from.

My relationship with Christ is lacking... on my part of course. I'm losing motivation and desire... I feel like a bad Christian. I love to pray and be on with God... just don't like reading my Bible all the time... That needs work... starting tonight.

I want to have more discipline in every aspect of my life.

I want to learn how to save money! I mean REALLY save money.

I want to have more time for photography. I'm really hoping that will take off here pretty soon.

My work is trying to make me fat with all the kid food they feed me. It's time to start pushing away the plates.

Dr Pepper bottles are really cool toys for little kids if you fill them up with water, food coloring, and glitter!

I sleep more than I have in a very long time and am very god with sleep hygiene... why do I still feel tired? Why am I still struggling to sleep ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE NIGHT?

I have an INCREDIBLE boyfriend.

I'm in love with him.

He's in love with me.

The L-bomb has officially been dropped.

40 hours a week is a lot different than I imagined it.

I can't wait for my health insurance to kick in.

By the time I have my own kids, I should have things down.

I'm going to enjoy being a wife and mother.

I love my mom... and the rest of my family.

I'm tired.

I need a shower.

I need to read my word and spend time with God.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Untitled

Shaking, shaking, shaking beneath our feet,
the earth is shaking, shaking beneath our feet.
Trembling, trembling, the world is trembling in fear.
Trembling, trembling, afraid of losing all that we hold dear.
Darkness, darkness, lurking behind corners,
Darkness is creeping down the streets.
Come home, come home, and lock all the doors,
Come in, stay in, don't leave me.
People get desperate, desperate without the Love,
the Love that we have.
People will get desperate and things will get bad.
Signs in every front yard, dad's at every job fair.
Life is gonna be be hard, and everyone will share,
in a piece of the misfortune that was served when man first fell.
The things we call unfortunate cannot compare with hell.
The hell of the pasts we may hold, the hell that may wait for some.
There's a hell that's bound to the lost man's soul, the hell that I've been rescued from.
This cannot compare with any hell I know of, but what comfort is that really?
This is still real, it's still here, and I can't say that it doesn't bother me.
My heart, it shakes, in fear of what's to come.
My heart, it breaks, for those who are worse off.
Perhaps things have to be dark for the world to see the light.
Perhaps everything must lose taste before salt is once again recognized.
Maybe the world must feel fear once again, to understand how small and helpless we all are.
Maybe God is pulling closer the world that walked so far.
Who can know heaven? Who can understand?
Who sees God's limits, and know all His plans?
Where have we placed our hope? As a planet, as a con tenant, as people.
Where do we go? When faced with trouble, hardship, and fear.
How do we endure the less pleasant pieces of life?
If our hearts our troubled and we get to the end of ourselves, to the last of our strength, will we recognise a power much bigger than our own?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Things I've Learned, or ARE Learning

I work in childcare. I am an assistant teacher in a class for 18-24 month olds and it teaches me quite a bit!

Quite a few of our kids like to learn by exploring. I've seen kids do things that they know will most likely hurt, or try something scary at least one time, they put lots of different things in their mouth to learn what it tastes like, and many other things of this sort.
This is what I would call exploretive learning.
Many of us learn by doing. We're what people call "Hands On"
Well, you guessed it, I happen to be one of these types of people. And I have definately been exploring and learning a lot in the past week or so.

Some things I've learned are:

- I don't handle a lot of change at one time as well as I would like.
- I'm more attatched to THINGS than I think maybe I should be.
- I'm suseptible to illness if caughed/sneezed on by children several times.
- I REALLY miss my man when he goes away.
- I can keep a house and care for a dog by myself fairly well. (Even a house that BOYS live in!)
- When I get really busy, tired, and or stressed... I don't spend as much time with God aas I should. (And under those circumstances I should be spending MORE time with God.)
- I'm more of a perfectionist than I realized and hate feeling like a mediocre worker/family member/girlfriend etc.
- My confidence is in Christ and Christ alone and I tend to be more ensecure and anxious when I'm not as strong spiritually.
- God's peace is the only thing that makes everything "All Better!"
- Relying on God isn't as difficult as I make it sometimes...(Other times it really is just hard.)
- God gave us special people to rely on and be there for when going through difficult time.
- I'm SUPPOSED to face hardship and sometimes just have to be patient.
- I'm not very patient.
- I can work a full time job pretty well! =)
- God gives us passions for a reason.
- When I'm tired of waiting for God I jump ahead and make a mess... this usually costs me money...
- God is bigger than the boogie man, selling a house, a new job, a new relationship, anxiety, stress, tiredness etc. FOR REAL