Tonight, I am so unsatisfied with my far off heart. I do not yearn for independence but yet greater reliance upon you and your strength. I want to be genuinely overwhelmed by the presence of the Almighty God. You are better than life. I know you are here with me... But its a fresh encounter that I need. I want the blessing of greater intimacy with you, Jesus. THAT IS WHAT I WANT> YOU ARE WHAT I WANT!!!!!!!!!!!! Drawing near to you. Nearer than before.
Children seem to longtoarrive. They long for their excitement and anticipation to be fulfilled with meeting their destination.
I think back to when I was a child...always forced to sit in the dreaded "middle seat" of the back. As the youngest and smallest I held no say in whether or not I'd be sandwiched between my two older siblings. I'd often straaain to lean forward, from the waist up, as far as my seatbelt permitted, just so I could have some extra room and maybe hear what my parents were chatting about up front.
It's funny how as you grow up and you think back on childhood experiences, you figure out what was reeeally going. lol...
Ya see, growing up, my family did not have an abundance of money... No pity though...my parents did a wonderful job raising my siblings and me without a reliance on money to have a good time. This meant frequent trips to the library during the day, free neighborhood day-camps, scavenger hunts, kickball in the backyard and dress-up (in all mom's clothes) birthday parties... not to mention one of my most fond memories--> "MAGICAL MYSTERY TOURS!!!"
Whaaaat? Yes, Magical Mystery Tours... NOT just the name of an old hit Beatles album. ;) Often times on a weekend my parents would load us all up in the car and we'd go for a long drive. Destination??... It was a mystery! This was quite exciting to our imaginative little minds as we'd ponder where in the world we might soon find ourselves! Often times there were guessing games started, giggles, and high hopes built up but when the questions were posed of just wherewe were headed the answer was always, "Just wait til' we get there, enjoy the ride...it's a magical mystery tour!"
I can still go right back to that very feeling of excitement and mystery my parents set up for me. :)
I laugh now because I really think my parents had no clue where they were heading half the time. Hahaha.. We'd just drive for a while... Sometimes we'd wind up at a huge furniture store and look around for hours... (That was one of my favorites! Strange, I know.) Other times we'd get soft-serve ice-cream, visit family friends, or go to a big empty parking lot and practice driving the car (or steering the wheel on dad's lap, in my case.)
Anyways... I tell of this pastime because today I am pondering the content of Philippians 3. There's a lot to look at in this chapter but I want to highlight verse 13:
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
When I readthese verses I hear the heart of a man who wants so very much to be lost in His Savior. To be all about and all for Christ. He has counted the cost... He's all in for God!
Is that where I'm at? Have I committed to a sorta-kinda desire to know my Maker or am I wildly abandoning all to be found living in Him..?
Paul knows where his heart is at. And he admits that HE HAS NOT YET ARRIVED on this journey ... Recall: 13 Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and14 I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.15 Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think.16 However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. (God's Word Version)
I used to think one day I'd arrive and have it all together. I'd be a "complete Christian," a good one, a mature one... the whole package! THEN I'd be ready to serve and disciple for Jesus! But days like this one, I remember an important lesson, kinda like the one my parents taught during the "Magical Mystery Tours..." It's often about the journey. Maturity is in acknowledging that in the day to day journey of life, I must forget whats been accomplished or tripped up on in the past and strain toward what lies ahead. I have already failed some, fallen down, won battles, cut important corners... I've grown weary, I've forgotten where my strength comes from, and I've forgotten that I'm even heading anywhere some days... Buttoday I ponder this magical mystery tour, life, and I realize that although I don't know all the pit stops or when the end of this part will come...destination is face to face with my Maker and I want live a life aware and awake to this! I want to run towards this...I want to run towards God.
Don't you think it'll all be worth it? I do.
May you run with assurance today that others have gone before you and many are cheering for you! There is great destination of all worth and you're not alone in getting there.
He gives power to the weakand strength to the powerless.
30
Even youths will become weak and tired,and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
///Question: What's my faith look like?...No, I don't want you to answer for me. I want you, too, to ask yourself this question. Together let us ponder...What does our faith look like? Each one of us, as individuals...
Let us look not to the faith of our praying mothers or grandmothers or pastors or most spiritual friends. But take a look within- at self.
Luke 18
The Message (MSG) The Story of the Persistent Widow
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’
“He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”
Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
///Quote: "Begin somewhere: you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do." -Anonymous
Today is the day. There will be a moment of opportunity. A slice of free time where nothing else is scheduled. A piece of day where you can choose to kneel before your Heavenly Father and plead. Is there anything...anyone, any case worth a plea? If we truly believe so, won't we find ourselves in that place, pleading. And won't we return to Him again and again until we receive His response.
What will you do? When will we stop yielding at a good intention, and a hopeful thought, and actually pray?
Mornin' folks! I'm awake but not yet out of bed... So so glad that I arranged a "brunch" instead of breakfast with a friend for today. ...Needed the extra bit of snooze time! :) (It is my day off!) ;)
I am excited for brunch!!! One of my favorite things to do is discover and try new places to dine. I can go alone or with a friend, either way, the experience is pleasant to me.
...I've been wanting to try this particular "breakfast house" for a while but when I found out last night that they're closed on Mondays, I went on a YELP hunt to find another option. Success! Well, I shouldn't speak to soon... But I've got a good feeling about this one. Go check out Yelp if you haven't, and discover something new for your taste buds and tummy! Good day and bon appetit friends!
Hey blog world!!! I am alive and well! Although I have been MIA from blogspot for the last almost 4 months, I have still been living the day to day life!
...
I'm back! Not with a promise of a post tomorrow or the next day but just one for today!
I'm tellin ya', free time blatantly reveals what I love to do. Ok.. let me explain...
Right now, in life, I am playing the role of a focused college student. Eeek! What a role to play! No, really, it's an honor and privilege to be going to school and studying toward a degree in which will lead to great opportunity to work and live a ginormous passion of mine! Do note, I mentioned an honor and a privilege... yes, but I didn't mention anything about an easy journey or breezy courses. lol.. It's been challenging and my daily planner during the heat of the semester is practically overwhelmed with scheduled "study" sessions and test day count-downs! BUT-> it's not forever! It's a season! And I trust and believe it will be worth the hard work! :)
So, enough about all that...
Now that I've shared that blurp of info, I want to inform you that my summer Chemistry course ended three weeks ago and for the next 4 weeks of summer I am enrolled in the most simple required credit class eva!!! Muhahaha YAY!!!!! Celebration for everyone!!!!!! :) OK, but really, this is an amazing feeling. And it brings me to my opening statement. This one:
[I'm tellin ya', free time blatantly reveals what I love to do. Ok.. let me explain... ]
Yes, that one!
You see, now that I've got this summer break thing going on, and after 3 weeks of winding down, becuase, yes, I was wound that tight that it took that long... I am relaxing! I am "resting easy," as I like to call it. Ah, it is a beautiful picture. If I could paint the scene for you...
I am sitting pillow propped, in my dark, shade closed, recently dusted and clean bedroom. I've got a vanilla spice candle burning bedside for light, warmth, and scent (of course!) My attire, blue PINK sweats, favorite hoodie, hair natural; but not frizzy (there's a miracle!) I am slowly sipping a half caff soy americano from Starbucks. In the background plays a new favorite song on repeat. And I have NO agenda for my evening but to write a blog and enjoy being at home. Woah! I'm laughing about my life as I read over this paragraph because I have such interesting ways of getting from one mode to the next. Go- mode to slow-mode takes shifting through a number of gears for me. But I'm here!.. at rest. And there's no where else I'd rather be for today.
Expression is powerful...don't keep all the good stuff bottled inside you.
Ask questions.
Always keep your fists unclenched, unless a battle is truly necessary to wage.
God loves you more than anyone else does.
And He loves you more than you love anything or anyone.
Remember that!
God never fails.
Go to the nations, my friends.
Disciple.
Don't hide; but face the truth.
Flattery is never better than the truth.
Give an answer when required and when its not, know its ok not to know it all just yet.
Explain and teach with your life.
Your choices are weighty.
If you can't see where the cliff drop leads, hold your breath and jump if you know deep down, "its all right."
Trust God.
Pray!
Listen more than you talk (to God and people)
Grow...never stay the same.
Believe.
When everyone throws the towel in, don't give up on love, faith, and what is right.
Be set apart by God.
Know your role.
You're the CHILD of the God of the universe.
Whisper
Shout
Praise
And Jump
Sing the song of the heart
Don't think it has to sound a certain way.
Be different.
Look for the people who haven't felt love lately and when you find them, give to them.
Take care of your body. It is a gift. It is the temple. It houses the Spirit. When its gone from this earth, so are you.
Drink water. Lots.
Exercise.
Let your heart rate be high because of intentional cardiovascular exercise and not because of eating too much McDonalds, Taco Bell.. etc.. and the like.
Don't go alone.
Be inclusive and not exclusive.
Help when you see a need.
Rest adequately. That means sleep 8hrs if possible.
Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold means they're both of great value. So treasure!
